Big Sam on: Manchester City
WHUFC.com
The manager talks to the media ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester
City
23.10.2014
Sam Allardyce faced the media on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday's game
against Manchester City. West Ham United are looking for a third straight
win, but the manager is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing
his team.
How have you assessed the season so far?
SA: "We've done well so far, the new players have hit the ground running,
each signing has made a positive impact and obviously everyone is raving
about the front two. It's good that we're getting the results our
performances merit at the moment. At the moment we're very good but we have
to remember we're only eight games in. When we get into the nitty gritty in
November and December then we'll know what our team is really capable of."
You're up against Man City on Saturday, having lost to them four times last
season, do you need to change your approach?
SA: "We've got a different team to last season. Obviously the players that
are still here will remember that we didn't get anything from them. There
wasn't much we could do in the Capital One semi finals due to injuries at
that time. "They're a fabulous side, but if we're going to get anything
from them it's now, while we're in form. As well as them coming back from a
Champions League away game. We're in good, confident form but for me it's
about getting the players to their top level. We'll have to play like me did
against Liverpool, probably even better. We'll have to work hard and make
sure we contain their fantastic front line especially."
We've seen players struggle to integrate at different clubs for a number of
years, why has it been so successful here?
SA: "I think we have a good environment. I've learnt how important that is
as I've got more experienced. At Bolton we had an influx of foreign players
and that taught me the importance of thinking about the family rather than
just the player. The players settle quicker than the families because they
come over into our environment and are accepted into our group, we have a
very welcoming environment, it's very friendly and a good spirit. "It's
important we get it right with the family, that they are happy and settled
in the right area. It makes it harder if they don't speak English as well as
you'd like but it's all part of the process. So we give them the tools and
the best chance of succeeding, than it's down to the player to concentrate
and work hard. I have to say all our new players have done that
fantastically well, better than we expected. Their determination and desire
has been fabulous. "I talk to every player before we sign them. I talk to
them about the change of environment it's usually the last stage of the
process of singing a player. There been a few instances where I've decided
not to sign a player based on that final interview. It's far better finding
out early if there are going to problems than when you've signed them and
it's too late."
What effect does it have on the squad when you have a goalscorer like Diafra
Sakho doing so well?
SA: "We've 15 goals in the first eight games, when you compare that to
previous seasons it's a big improvement. Our total in year one was 46, last
year our highest scorer only had seven goals so you can see the improvement.
It's unlikely we'll carry it on, if we did we'd score 70 odd goals which
would be fantastic, we can only hope. It'll get harder as the two strikers
get paid more attention and are singled out."
You mentioned the importance of getting back to back wins, and you got that,
how important is that and is their a greater hunger this year?
SA: "There's no greater hunger, just a better quality of player. With all
due respect to the players we've had, they've all done a fantastic job. I
think it's down to the team growing together as well as that added quality.
Our desire was to find quality players at a younger age. Our average age of
the new signings was just 24-and-a-half years old."
Any team news?
SA: "We've got Cheikhou and James Tomkins back and no new injuries this
week. The other players that were out are making good progress so they
should be back with us shortly. We've got a few out but we're getting
better."
A quick word on Sergio Aguero, how good do you think he is?
SA: "After coming through some injury problems he's done well. He scored
four last week and could have had five. Let's face it sometimes he's
unplayable. We have to focus on limiting the service to him because he's so
dangerous and can wriggle out of a tight situation."
A word on Manchester City, how difficult are they and do you expect them to
challenge for the title again?
SA: "I think they've probably got the best squad in the league. Even though
Chelsea have started as well as they have. For City it depends whether they
have the desire and determination to win it in consecutive years. It's
hugely difficult to win it once never mind back to back. It's only happened
very few times but it all depends on their determination. Last year when
they had an opportunity to take it, they took it. They demonstrated that
they know how to do it so we'll see what happens."
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Six of the best: Manchester City
WHUFC.com
The Official website takes a look back on six memorable wins over Tuesday
night's opponents
23.10.2014
whufc.com begins tne build-up to Saturday's game against Manchester City by
looking back at six classic Boleyn Ground victories over the Citizens.
West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City
Premier League
1 March 2009
West Ham produced a wonderful display of passing football to see off the
challenge of their visitors, who had been taken over the previous September
by Emirati businessmen City had mercurial Brazilian Robinho in their ranks
but even he rarely threatened as a Jack Collison goal 19 minutes from time
deservedly won it for the Hammers. Gianfranco Zola's team moved up to
seventh with the win but eventually finished the season in ninth, one place
above Mark Hughes' City.
West Ham United 4-1 Manchester City
Premier League
11 November 2000
Four second-half goals saw the Hammers blitz their opponents, who had led at
the interval through a Spencer Prior goal after 32 minutes.
Steve Lomas equalised eight minutes after half-time before Trevor Sinclair
put the home side in front five minutes later. Ian Pearce added a third
before Paolo Di Canio netted a fourth from the penalty spot in the final
minute.
West Ham United 4-2 Manchester City
Premier League
23 March 1996
Manchester City came to the Boleyn Ground fighting against relegation in
1996 and they were shown no mercy by the ruthless Hammers.
Niall Quinn's double counted for nothing as two goals by Iain Dowie and one
each for Dani and Julian Dicks made sure of a home win.
City went onto be relegated on goal difference whilst the Hammers secured a
top-half finish.
West Ham United 3-0 Manchester City
Premier League
17 December 1994
West Ham United moved up to 17th in the league courtesy of a Tony Cottee
hat-trick. The striker netted after seven, ten and 57 minutes as the home
side cruised to a routine victory. Cottee's goals were three of the 15 he
managed to net during the course of a season in which West Ham finished
14th, three places above their visitors.
West Ham United 4-1 Manchester City
Division One
25 September 1982
The high-flying Hammers handed Manchester City a beating when the Sky Blues
visited in 1982. The home side started the day in fourth place and went onto
to score four thanks to a double from Sandy Clark and a goal each for
Francois van der Elst and Paul Goddard. Whilst the Hammers enjoyed an
eighth-place finish this season City would go onto suffer the agony of
relegation from England's top flight.
West Ham United 6-1 Manchester City
Division One
18 May 1963
West Ham confirmed Manchester City's relegation to the Second Division by
thrashing them on the final day of the 1962/63 season. Geoff Hurst and Alan
Sealey both bagged a brace while Ronnie Boyce and Peter Brabrook also
chipped in with a goal each. The Hammers' win saw their opponents relegated
by two points and in turn helped them to a 12th place finish. Amazingly,
West Ham had also beaten City 6-1 in their meeting at Maine Road in
September 1962.
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Teddy delighted with striker Sakho
WHUFC.com
Teddy Sheringham believes Diafra Sakho has all the ingredients to be a top
striker
23.10.2014
Teddy Sheringham spotted something special in Diafra Sakho after his very
first training session with West Ham United's new attacking coach. The
former Hammers and England star took the recently-signed Sakho and the
Club's other forwards for a finishing session at Chadwell Heath in early
September. Sheringham had never seen the 24-year-old in the flesh before,
but he was quickly taken by the ex-FC Metz striker's technique, movement and
natural finishing ability. Eight weeks later and Sakho has taken the
Barclays Premier League by storm, scoring in each of his first five starts
in Claret and Blue and impressing all with his outstanding all-round game.
So, why does Sheringham believe the Senegalese has made such an impact?
"First of all, he has an eye for a goal," he enthused. "He can score a goal
first and foremost. "Secondly, and more importantly, he wants to score a
goal and he puts himself in positions where he can score a goal. "He has
enthusiasm all over the pitch, which makes him a team favourite and, at the
same time, a crowd favourite. He is up there in the right or left wing
position, up the middle and then tracking back to the full-back positions.
He pops up everywhere doing something for the team, which makes him
invaluable. "When you look up front and see two boys working their socks off
to close people down and stop their full-backs getting out, then it's
invaluable for the team and you get a boost from that. "On top of that
work-rate, he is scoring goals and is full of confidence and long may it
continue."
While Sakho's new strike partner Enner Valencia has not netted the same
number of goals as the No15, Sheringham says he fully expects the South
American to start hitting the net regularly soon. Sakho became the first
West Ham player ever to score on his first five league appearances for the
Club, and just the ninth Hammer to score in at least six consecutive matches
after Vic Watson, Geoff Hurst, Jimmy Ruffell, John Dick, Johnny Byrne, Bryan
'Pop' Robson, David Cross and Tony Cottee.
Watson enjoyed streaks of nine, seven (twice) and six consecutive scoring
matches during his record-breaking 16-year career at the Club, while Hurst
netted in seven straight games in January-February 1964. Amazingly, Syd
Puddefoot scored in EIGHTEEN consecutive matches in the War-time London
Combination between Feb 1918 and Jan 1919!
Player Consecutive scoring matches Goals scored
Year
Vic Watson 9 (6 Division One/3 FA Cup)
15 1930
Geoff Hurst 7 (5 Division One/2 League Cup) 14
1966
Vic Watson 7 (6 Division One/1 FA Cup)
10 1930-31
Geoff Hurst 7 (4 Division One/2 FA Cup/1 League Cup)
11 1964
Jimmy Ruffell 7 (all Division Two)
10 1929
Vic Watson 7 (all Division One)
9 1929
Vic Watson 6 (all Division One)
10 1927
Johnny Byrne 6 (4 Division One/2 FA Cup)
9 1964
David Cross 6 (3 Division Two/2 European Cup Winners' Cup/1
League Cup) 9 1980
John Dick 6 (all Division Two)
7 1954
John Dick 6 (all Division Two)
6 1957
Bryan 'Pop' Robson 6 (5 Division Two/1 FA Cup)
6 1979
Tony Cottee 6 (4 Division One/2 League Cup) 6
1985
Diafra Sakho 6 (5 Premier League/1 League Cup)
6 2014
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker could return in 'two to three weeks'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says the club's record signing Andy Carroll
could return in "two to three weeks". The £15m striker, 25, has yet to play
this season after tearing ankle ligaments on the Hammers' pre-season tour of
New Zealand. Carroll has started only 12 Premier League matches during an
injury-hit 16-month spell at Upton Park. "It's been a long, hard road again
for Andy and one he's been too familiar with recently, sadly," Allardyce
said. "Hopefully he'll have a major impact when he comes back again."
Andy Carroll's injury record at West Ham
September 2012 - Picks up hamstring injury in his first game on loan - out
for a month
November 2012 -Twists knee against Manchester United - sidelined for two
months
May 2013 - Damages heel in the last game of the season - out for seven
months
July 2014 - Tears ankle ligaments in pre-season - expected to be out for
four months
The striker has returned to training and Allardyce expects the England
forward to feature in Under-18 and Under-21 games before a possible return
to first-team action in mid-November. "It'll be another two to three weeks,
if he has no niggles or problems, before we talk about playing him in the
team at any level," he said. "We'll try to get him through three or four
behind-closed-doors games and if that goes all right then we would hope to
have him back."
Allardyce says that the former Newcastle and Liverpool forward returned too
soon from the foot injury that kept him sidelined for the first five months
of last season. "Last time we got him back he did his ankle but carried on
playing, so this time round we don't want to rush him," he said. Summer
signings Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have impressed up front in
Carroll's absence, and, with West Ham lying fourth in the Premier League
table, Allardyce says the club can afford to take extra care over his
return. "We're hopefully going to get him back as quick as we can but we're
not going to rush him back because, touch wood, there's no desperate need at
the moment." he said.
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West Ham v Man City
KO 12:45
23 October 2014
Last updated at 16:00
By Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 25 October
TEAM NEWS
West Ham have midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender James Tomkins
available again after hamstring and thigh injuries respectively.
Andy Carroll was back in training this week after recovering from his ankle
injury, but he is not expected to return to the squad until next month.
Frank Lampard is a doubt for Manchester City having injured his thigh
against Tottenham last weekend. Fellow midfielder Samir Nasri is also
unavailable after a groin operation.
MATCH PREVIEW
Manchester City made mincemeat out of West Ham last season. Four wins in
four games between the clubs. Fourteen goals lashed in, including a 6-0
thrashing in the League Cup. Just one conceded. They haven't lost in 10
meetings. The omens should be ominous for the home side. But the Hammers are
a top-four side at the moment. Upton Park will be rocking. This will be a
real test for the defending champions after their exhausting and frustrating
trip to Moscow.
Vincent Kompany's attack on Uefa's ban on City fans for the
behind-closed-doors Champions League clash was justified. Decisions by
Europe's governing body have had the consistency of jelly over recent years.
But I wonder if the City skipper would have been so vociferous had they held
out for a much-needed Champions League win? The decision to give CSKA a
penalty was appalling. But City should have had the game wrapped up long
before then. They may be unbeaten in seven games. They may be the only side
capable of stopping Chelsea in the title race this season. But they're still
nowhere near top form away from home. If they're not really at it against
West Ham, they could suffer again.
Sam Allardyce's team is full of confidence as they look for a third win on
the spin at home. Critics point out that three of their four league
victories have come against Burnley, Crystal Palace and QPR. But they also
put Liverpool to the sword and were unlucky to come away empty-handed from
Old Trafford. No-one should belittle the transformation. It took them until
mid-January last season to record four league victories. They're capable of
giving City a real game. I'm hoping it'll be high scoring. City better be at
their best, otherwise West Ham's liberated form will continue.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with West Ham in all
competitions (W8, D2).
The Hammers have only won one of the last seven league meetings at Upton
Park (D2, L4).
West Ham
West Ham have won four of their first eight Premier League matches. Last
season they won just four of their opening 23 league matches.
Diafra Sakho scored for the fifth consecutive Premier League game against
Burnley last weekend. He is only the second West Ham player to score in five
consecutive Premier League games, after Carlton Cole.
Only four teams have scored more Premier League goals than West Ham (15)
this season.
Manchester City
No Premier League team has earned more away points than City's 10 this
season.
They are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches and have won the
last three.
City have scored two goals or more in five of their six away matches this
season in all competitions.
Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in his last five City games in all
competitions. His 61 league goals for City have come in only 95 appearances.
He averages a goal every 108 minutes, the best record in Premier League
history among players with 20 goals or more.
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham boss happy to wait on contract
BBc.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he is not concerned the club directors have
yet to offer him a contract extension. The Hammers boss signed a two-year
extension in 2013, but that deal is due to expire at the end of the season.
There were calls from West Ham fans for Allardyce to be sacked last season
when they finished 13th in the Premier League, but now the club sit fourth.
"At my age it doesn't particularly worry me a great deal," Allardyce, 60,
said of his contract. When asked if there had been conversations about a new
contract, Allardyce said the board would wait for his team to reach "a
certain level". "If it has progressed to a certain level that they want to
offer me a new contract, that's fine," Allardyce added. "The industry is
impatient, and the only way you stop it being impatient towards you is by
getting results." Allardyce was appointed manager at Upton Park in June
2011, when the club had just been relegated to the Championship. His side
face Manchester City on Saturday.
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Which Hammer will be the signing of the summer?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 17th October 2014
By: Staff Writer #3
As things stand, the Hammers' faithful should be a fairly happy bunch.
Currently lying seventh in the Premier League table, the goals are flying
in, entertainment levels are high, and the decision to stand by manager Sam
Allardyce is proving to be a wise decision from the board.
The highlight was the 3-1 win over Liverpool and while concerns remain, it's
been a positive start overall and the more optimistic among us would dare to
hope for a more comfortable campaign this time around.
Possibilities
Big Sam was busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in several players
to bolster the ranks at Upton Park. Considering the early season successes
that the Hammers have enjoyed, it proves that the majority of the new boys
have settled in well. It would be fanciful to believe that the Irons can
lift the Premier League title next May, but the odds of around 20/1 with
Betfair on the Hammers finishing in the top six is a possibility, if the
early form can be continued. Here we will discuss the merits of some of
Allardyce's new recruits to see which player could turn out to be the
signing of the summer.
Impressive start
The early season front-runner for this mythical award must be Senegalese
striker Diafra Sakho. The 24-year old frontman joined from French club Metz
in the summer for a nominal fee, and has already repaid the faith shown in
him by bagging five goals in his first six appearances for the club.
Sakho, impressively, has netted in each of his last four Premier League
appearances, which includes strikes against Liverpool and Manchester United.
The front man has provided a serious goal threat for a Hammers side that has
lacked in that department in recent times, and the Upton Park faithful will
be hoping his excellent run of form can continue throughout the season.
Capable performer
One of the finest pieces of business by Allardyce in the most recent window
was to snare Alex Song from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal. The
27-year old Cameroon International has seen limited match-time in Spain, so
a move back to the Premier League – and London - with West Ham does seem a
very logical choice.
Song has played in the last four matches for the Irons and has performed
capably without necessarily excelling in a holding midfield role. His
experience will prove invaluable over the coming months though, and the will
be a key man in protecting the Hammers' back line.
Biggest splash
West Ham's biggest splash of the summer window was on the Ecuadorian World
Cup star Enner Valencia, who arrived from Mexican club Pachuca for £12m and
the striker was soon taken to the hearts of the Hammers faithful with a
wonder-strike at Hull City on debut.
Things have gone a little quiet since for the 24-year old attacker, but
Valencia netted three goals on International duty recently to boost his
confidence levels. His direct style of play and unpredictability, and
hopefully goals, will surely make him a firm favourite at Upton Park this
season.
Bargain purchase
Aaron Cresswell arrived in June from Championship side Ipswich for a nominal
fee, and is another player who is proving to be a bargain purchase by Sam
Allardyce. Cresswell has slotted in nicely in his left-back role, and has
played every minute of West Ham's first seven matches this season. The
24-year old Englishman dispels the notion that Premier League talent cannot
be found in the lower divisions, and he looks to have made his position in
the side secure, barring injury.
No stranger
Frenchman, Morgan Amalfitano is no stranger to the Premier League after
spending a season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion, before agreeing to join
West Ham from parent-club, Marseille. The tricky wide-man settled well into
life in England last season with some excellent performances for the
Baggies, which obviously persuaded Allardyce to hijack a deal for the
29-year old.
Amalfitano netted his first goal in the 3-1 home win over Liverpool last
month but is yet to nail down a regular starting berth under Big Sam.
However, the French star will be an important squad player at Upton Park
this season.
We will only know the answer to the question that this article poses when
the season draws to an end but few would argue that the club haven't made
some shrewd purchases ahead of the new season. The highlight of 2013-14 was
undoubtedly the treble over Spurs and while the chance of a repeat has
already gone, surely we would swap that for a more productive overall
campaign and the new faces at Upton Park are set to provide just that.
At the moment, Diafra Sakho is the man in possession of this hypothetical
trophy but hopefully Enner Valencia will prove to be just as prolific as the
season develops.
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He's a claret and blue hero - but are Mark Noble's days numbered?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 20th October 2014
By: Carys Baker
There are mixed opinions amongst our supporters regarding the ability of
Mark Noble, our current longest-serving player.
He can be labelled as an average player who wouldn't ever do any better than
West Ham by some, but others question why he's not an England regular,
especially ahead of the likes of Tom Cleverley. The argument usually settles
with, "well he's West Ham ain't he, always plays for the shirt - that's all
that matters".
Making his 200th Premier League appearance this weekend put into perspective
how key Mark Noble had been in our squad for the past ten years. He made his
debut aged 17 in the League Cup against Southend in 2004, then enjoyed
successive loan periods at Hull and Ipswich before gradually progressing
into a first team regular, penalty taker and vice captain - our true leader.
Noble really has progressed over the past decade. After earning his place in
the starting line-up regularly, week-in week-out under Alan Curbishley,
Noble has never seemed to have to really fight for his place in the starting
line-up. Maybe the reason is because we haven't had the talent and depth in
our squads - or maybe it is because Noble isn't just "West Ham", he does
work hard and is a talent.
Consequently our squad has strengthened remarkably this season, in midfield
in particular. Alex Song, on loan, is living up to expectations and Cheikhou
Kouyate (who has been out for a few weeks) has stood out already. He's a
Vieira-type player who will undoubtedly impress.
Stewart Downing has stepped up, which was needed, and has been playing more
of a central role which seems to have benefitted him already, with more
assists to his name than the whole of last season. Mauro Zarate has got the
flair we have lacked and he hasn't come to sit on the bench either.
Diego Poyet is a great young prospect too. He made his debut away at
Manchester United where he coped well, sitting in central midfield keeping
it balanced. That's not forgetting the remainder of our midfielders, as well
as our captain Kevin Nolan.
Immediately with all the gains to our squad I thought Mark Noble is going to
have to watch his back making sure he not just performs but shines to
protect his starting place as not everyone's going to be able to play. This
could be the first time in a long while Nobes has had to really fight for
his place.
We've started the season positively, beating Liverpool and deserving at
least a point away to Manchester United. However after beating Queens Park
Rangers it still felt like something was missing and became apparent how
much this side needs Mark Noble.
Granted, he can be off the pace at times and wouldn't be the stand-out
player for me in our midfield anymore. Also, his reluctance to release the
ball quickly enough can sometimes be frustrating. Moreover no-one has been
doing what Noble does in his absence by dropping back to pick the ball up
from the back four and dictating play as a consequence.
We do not have anyone else like him with the capability to link up the
defence and the midfield, nor to provide his leadership during the 90
minutes. We really have missed - and maybe to some extent, taken for granted
- Mark Noble.
Still, Kouyate will come back into the team when fit with him and with he
and Song being better all-round players than Noble technically, he could be
in risk of losing his place. Despite this, it could also be a blessing in
disguise as they could play as a three. Noble could trigger Kouyate and Song
to have more freedom in being able to be more attacking-minded in their
style of play.
Mark Noble's passion for West Ham will never be doubted. He brings drive,
passing, tackling, professionalism and leadership to our team.
Statistically, Noble is on par with England regulars with his pass
completion rate, penalty record and overall work rate. He is undeniably a
better all-round player than he gets credit for.
He's rarely, if ever, off his game. The passion and love he has for the club
is second to none and as fans, we all know that he gives everything for the
badge. We cannot ask for anything more than that.
Despite the additional talent that has been introduced to the squad this
season, I believe we as fans cannot let Mark Noble become an invisible man.
I fear he will continue to perform consistently but may not shine among
supporters as much as he has in the past.
But he should still get all the credit he deserves. After his 200th Premier
League appearance this weekend hopefully there'll be many more to come with
Nobes continuing to be a true, home-grown West Ham hero.
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West Ham's Andy Carroll could be fit enough to make his comeback in next few
weeks
Last Updated: 23/10/14 10:51pm
SSN
The 25-year-old striker is yet to make an appearance for the Hammers this
season due to an ankle injury, but pictures on the club's official twitter
account have revealed that he is back in training. Carroll, who has been
absent since the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in May, was shown running and
took part in a game of head tennis with team-mates. He will play in a number
of practice games to build-up his fitness, with a possible comeback date
pencilled in for the Premier League home game against Aston Villa on
November 8. "It'll be another two to three weeks, if he has no niggles or
problems, before we talk about playing him in the team at any level," said
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. "We'll try to get him through three or four
behind-closed-doors games and if that goes all right then we would hope to
have him back. "It's been a long, hard road again for Andy and one he's been
too familiar with recently, sadly. "Hopefully he'll have a major impact when
he comes back again."
A string of injuries have hampered Carroll's career at Upton Park, but the
return of the £15m signing from Liverpool will add further firepower to
Allardyce's high-flying team. Summer signings Diafra Sakho and Enner
Valencia have contributed seven goals between them in the absence of Carroll
and Saturday's 3-1 win at Burnley sent the team up to fourth in the table.
The former Bolton manager admits the team's impressive start to the campaign
means the club do not have to rush Carroll back into action. "Last time we
got him back and he did his ankle but carried on playing so this time round
we don't want to (rush) him," Allardyce added. "We're hopefully going to get
him back as quick as we can but we're not going to rush him back because,
touch wood, there's no desperate need at the moment."
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes current side is best yet
Last Updated: 23/10/14 1:08pm
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes his current side is the best
he has had in his three years at Upton Park. West Ham entertain champions
Manchester City this weekend - and Allardyce says they have a real chance of
upsetting the odds. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have both been in fine
form - the former scoring six goals in seven appearances - as West Ham sit
in fourth place after eight games. Allardyce said: "We've scored 15 goals
in our first eight games and our total last year was 40. It shows what
goalscorers can do. "It looks like being the best side since I've been here
and the big bonus is the new players hitting the ground running. The rest of
the team has been lifted by that increase in quality and energy and we've
got over some injury problems too. "We've got a different team to when we
played Man City last season. They're a fabulous side but if we're going to
challenge them at any time this season this might be it, coming off a
Champions League game. "If we can keep their superb attacking force quiet
we'll then have to see if we can exploit any weaknesses."
There was a further boost for Allardyce when Andy Carroll returned to full
training on Thursday for the first time since suffering an ankle ligament
injury on the pre-season tour to New Zealand. The City match will be too
soon for him as he some weeks short of full fitness, but there was other
positive news for Allardyce, who said: "We've got James Tomkins and Cheik
Kouyate back into the squad, so we'll look forward to having them back."
Meanwhile, Allardyce insists he is not worried about being offered a new
contract despite his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
Allardyce, who signed a two-year extension to his contract in May 2013,
said: "At my age it doesn't particularly worry me a great deal. Contracts
are made and broken in the entire football industry - it doesn't mean
anything like it used to because a long or short contract doesn't protect
you. "It's a winning culture you need - if you continue to win, you improve
the club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BIG SAM'S GRAND SLAM SPEAKEASY
By Bianca Westwood 23 Oct 2014 at 09:20
West Ham Till I Die
Plans are made here, games are played here
I could write me a book
Each night astounds you
Rumours are abuzzing
Stories by the dozen
Look around you, cousin
At the news we're making here…
The headlines are reverential, the music is loud, the drinks are flowing and
there's a whole lotta love being shared around in the decadent atmosphere of
Big Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy! You can imagine his 60th was a rowdy,
riotous affair. The gaffer, luxuriating in the glow of his new-found
success, strides ahead of his cohorts, back-slapping and hand-shaking
through the fawning masses. Grins wide, holds court, critics and splurge
guns silenced. Enemies whacked. An armistice of sorts and the party is wild!
"I've done a fantastic job," he booms. The crowd cheers. His disciples throw
themselves to the dusty floor in zealous genuflexion. Pressure? What
pressure? Was it ever in doubt?
Well yeah kinda.
I think deep down Allardyce is just as shocked as we are. No-one could have
predicted the immediate impact of the new recruits. Sakho, Valencia,
Cresswell, Kouyate, Zarate, Song, Jenkinson have all taken care of business.
No-one could have predicted the regeneration of the old guard. I've run out
of superlatives to describe Stewart Downing. All we need now is the
resurrection of Kevin Nolan and the messianic metamorphosis of Sam Allardyce
will be complete.
Yet, in all honesty, you can't argue with him. In the grand scheme of
things, in the cold light of day, when the speakeasy revellers have
departed, the chairs stacked high on the tables and the janitor is mopping
the mucky floor…yes, he has done a great job.
It's still only early days but it's a remarkable reversal of fortune.
Following the victory against Burnley we now reside loftily in 4th place in
the table. West Ham at Turf Moor like Cerberus guarding the gates of hell, 3
heads, 3 goals, 3 points. The Hammers are now brandishing a style of
football that has even the most cynical of Allardyce detractors swallowing
their words. Points stuffed in swag bags and players playing with swagger.
No in-house spatz, er, I mean spats. The Hammers mob is getting made. And it
feels pretty good.
It's not luck that's got them here. It may have taken longer than eager and
impatient fans would have liked. It may have taken the chairmen's
Godfather-like ultimatum: play the right way or you're swimming with the
fishes (we'll no doubt find out the truth about that in the memoirs); it may
have taken a hitman foisted upon him that has buried 6 goals in 6 games. But
the fact remains, you have to give credit to the man in charge.
If he has to face the backlash for the failures, if he has to bear the brunt
of the responsibility for the defeats, if he has to take the bullet for the
hoof up the park, then surely he's entitled to bask in the glory of this,
perhaps short-term but please God not, brilliant heist.
Let's not forget he has previous. When the likes of Djorkaeff, Anelka,
Hierro, Speed, Campo and Okocha the Magician of Bolton were delighting
all-comers at the Reebok, they weren't being surpassed or suppressed by a
long ball.
During his time there, Allardyce's roll-call of duty was pretty impressive:
play-off promotion to the Premier League, a league cup final and a 6th place
finish, earning the Trotters qualification to the UEFA cup for the first
time in the club's history. Yes they also had their moments flirting with
the drop, but, as we all know, Big Sam has never been relegated and
Wanderers fans enjoyed some of the best football and the best results they'd
seen in years under his tutelage.
I'm not saying the guy is a managerial master, his spell at Newcastle was a
disaster, he was ousted unexpectedly, and probably unfairly, at Blackburn,
but he does deserve a break.
As any fan who has suffered relegation regularly knows, sometimes you have
to dump your pretty principles if you want to stay with the big boys. Needs
must I'm afraid. Maybe now, Sam believes he has finally consolidated his
team in the highest division. Maybe now he knows he has the strength in
depth to not only remain in the Premier League, but to push on to greater
things in the top flight. Maybe now he feels comfortable enough to relax the
route one reins and really expand the brand. Whether you like the man or
not, whether you dislike his principles, or disagree with his methods, he's
achieving his targets, the football looks good and he should take some of
the plaudits being offered. For now…
It will be interesting to see how he fares going forward. I don't think it's
the last we've seen of the direct approach. When the situation calls for it
Allardyce will return to type. And so he should. Any strong team should be
able to adapt and fluctuate to ever-changing opponents. But now we have the
luxury of flexibility. We have options and the head honcho has an array of
weaponry at his fingertips. Last season there was hardly a plan A, let alone
B, C and D! Eyes will be trailing his every move, tactical decision, and
shift in strategy. With the comfort and reliability of a good squad we'll
now see what Sam Allardyce, once touted for the top job in the land, is
truly capable of.
I don't expect to see a new contract offered before the year, possibly even
the season, is out. Allardyce seems, as is his wont, unfazed and
unperturbed. He's been in the game long enough to know que sera sera. He
feels he's already proven himself at this level. He hadn't done so at the
Boleyn. He is doing it now. He guarantees Premier League football and now
he's bringing us fans football to be savour. Badabing badaboom!
The champagne corks are popping at the speakeasy, bubbles quaffed in copious
amounts. It could fall flat after a Champion's visit on Saturday…or, we
could fling some flans in City's faces.
Anybody who is anybody
Will soon walk through that door
At Big Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy
Once you get here
Feel the good cheer
Like they say in the poem
Big Sam's ain't humble but it's your home sweet home…
Come On You Irons!
B x
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan on City: "I'm hopeful – you never know"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Realist David Sullivan is approaching the Saturday lunchtime game with great
caution! The co-chairman isn't a man to deal in cliches which is why we hear
nothing about "this game showing us how far the Irons have come this
season." He admits that he "enjoyed wining in the West Ham Way" at Burnley
and is obviously hopeful that more of the same is on the way against the
City millionaires. And although he refuses to get carried away, speaking
exclusively to ClaretandHugh, he said: " I think we are a far better team
than last season as we have so many more attacking options.""It's a very
hard game, they are a £300/£400m team. "They murdered us four times last
season. I'd love to get so something from them. I'm hopeful rather than
expectant, but in football you never know."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McAvennie: 'Sakho/Valencia to scare City'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham striking legend Frank McAvennie insists you can't teach players the
instinct we are seeing in Diafra Sakho. Supermac will be at the Boleyn for a
close up look at the Senegalese scoring sensation this weekend believing the
Irons have every chance of getting a result.
Speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh he said: "The obvious question always
gets asked: 'What is it he has got?' but the answer isn't quite so easy to
find. "The only answer I can give is that he has the instinct – a knack of
being in precisely the right place at the right time. He's a great striker
who is only going to get a lot better as he plays more in the league. "I
love Enner Valencia too. He has pace and movement and is proving a real
handful for defenders. The two of them are a scary proposition even for the
likes of anchester City. "I'm really looking forward to this game because we
are meeting them when we are clearly in the best form we have been for a
long time and that gives us a chance. "Manchester City won't be taking this
anything other than very seriously indeed but with our two front men
anything is possible. "Many of us have said for a long time that we need two
up. Now it's been proved and we look really good as a result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold solves Fergie's 'West Ham Way' problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Gracious David Gold could have chosen to tear into Sir Alex Ferguson after
the former Manchester United manager 's "What is the West Ham Way " outburst
…but quite simply he has too much class for such nonsense Ferguson has spent
a lot of time dissing the West Ham Way and the club's playing style down the
years in his updated biography drawing waves of contempt from Irons fans.
Ferguson had snarled: 'I hope that before I die someone can explain the
"West Ham way." What is it? They last won a trophy in 1980, the FA Cup. 'I
never played against any West Ham team that played football I was afraid of.
They were always surviving, or lucky as hell against us.'
Typically Ferguson! Storms and teacups are the words that come to mind but
the Irons co chairman – born across the road from the Boleyn in Green Street
– and a supporter all his life, refused to get into a major war of words.
Instead, in a one liner to put Ferguson out of business – and speaking
exclusively to ClaretandHugh – he said: "Sir Alex, playing the West Ham Way
is as much about what's in the heart as it is on the eye."
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Friday, October 24
Thursday, October 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd October 2014
Jenkinson not afraid of City test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender says the Hammers will relish Saturday's visit of
Manchester City
22.10.2014
Carl Jenkinson says West Ham United should relish the prospect of hosting
Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday. The Hammers were
defeated four times by Manuel Pellegrini's men last term across the league
and Capital One Cup, but after a start to this campaign which has taken them
to fourth in the table, loan signing Jenkinson is full of confidence. "I
think we've shown we can beat the big clubs already this season with the
Liverpool result," he said. "We know what we're capable of. Man City are
flying at the moment, they're a world class team so nobody is kidding
themselves because we know it is going to be a difficult game. "If we play
to our potential we know we've got more than a good chance of getting a
result. We've just got to be positive and keep playing the football we've
been playing, with the intensity and the confidence."
Jenkinson played a full part in last weekend's victory at Burnley, supplying
the cross for Enner Valencia to nod his team's second past Tom Heaton. The
No18 was delighted with the overall performance and says it bodes well for
the future. "It was a tough game at Burnley to be honest," he added. "They
started at a very high intensity and we had to adjust to that. It did take
us a while to get into the game, but when we did we showed our quality and
we won convincingly in the end. "We're ahead of schedule at the moment -
people would have bitten your arm off to say we're fourth at this stage of
the season, but it's nothing more than this team has deserved for the way
we've played so far this season. "We definitely justify the position we're
in at the moment and we've just got to keep pushing on and keep getting the
results."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Ian Hendon
WHUFC.com
First team coach Ian Hendon is delighted with the team's bright start to the
season
21.10.2014
West Ham United first team coach Ian Hendon is delighted with the team's
bright start to the season. Here he talks about the impressive impact the
new strikers have had, Aaron Cresswell's transition to Premier League
football and the young players breaking through into the first team squad.
Ian, are surprised at how well the team is doing this season?
IH: "I wouldn't say I'm surprised, we've got a good group of lads here.
We've made some good additions to the squad from last year and we've
strengthened in each area. I think that has been reflected in the way we've
started the season and it's reflected in our position in the table."
Would you say the impact of the new signings has been the biggest difference
to last season?
IH: "Yeah, I think all you need to do is look at the two lads upfront.
Diafra's already scored five in the league and Enner's added a couple as
well. So from that point of view you'd say definitely the new signings have
been the biggest single difference. "I think we've strengthened all round.
The two lads at full-back are doing really well. Now there's a lot of
competition for places. Now that players are coming back from injury, we've
almost got everyone back, you can really see the strength in depth of the
squad."
As a fellow full-back, how do you think Aaron Cresswell has done since his
move from the Championship?
IH "Aaron's been fantastic. He hasn't changed the way he plays the game in
any way. I watched him play a few times last season at Ipswich, I know Macca
watched him a fair bit as well. We knew what was coming and what we'd get
from Aaron. He's made the transition superbly."
Both Aaron and Carl Jenkinson provided assists against Burnley, that must be
very pleasing?
IH "Yeah I think if you look at the way most teams use their full-backs
these days in the Premier League they have them pushing on forward and
attacking. We've certainly got two athletes who get up and down the pitch.
When asked they get good balls into the box and they've both started very
well for us."
All the new signings have hit the ground running, what have you done to make
this happen?
IH "To be honest, to have everyone gelling together so quickly is a surprise
to everyone. Normally it takes a bit of time but it's been fantastic how
quickly all the lads have settled in. It's just as well that they have
settled in so well because we've had a few injuries to deal with but we
coped with them well."
You were Development Squad coach before becoming first team coach, it must
be pleasing for you to see the likes of Reece Burke and Elliot Lee involved
in the first team squad?
IH "Yeah, there are a lot of young players who could step up and get into
the first team squad on a regular basis. They've got to keep up the hard
work. For Reece, he's a young lad, he's training with us every day and
training well. He's got to keep in his feet on the ground and when the
opportunities come he's got to take them. "As for Elliot, he's playing in
the Development Squad and he's scoring goals. He's also training with the
first team squad and he trains well every day. Like Reece, he needs to keep
doing what he's doing and take the opportunities when they come."
Another addition to the club over the summer was Teddy Sheringham, what do
you think his impact has been at the club?
IH "Teddy's obviously getting the plaudits because the strikers are doing so
well at the moment. He does a lot of finishing work with the players on a
Thursday and Friday. At the moment the strikers are looking sharp so long
may that continue. Teddy is obviously a very experienced player, he's played
at the top level and the players certainly have a lot of respect for him."
You been here a few years now, how does this squad compare to the others
you've worked with?
IH "The added strength in depth from the new signings is important. It's put
the lads in the team under huge pressure to do well and keep their place. If
they don't then there's players that can step straight in. To keep the
players on their toes is always a good thing as that pressure gets the best
out of each player. That can only be a good thing for the team and everybody
involved in the club."
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Olympic Stadium conversion to cost public purse another £35million
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd October 2014
By: Staff Writer
The London Legacy Development Corporation has agreed to pay construction
company Balfour Beatty an extra £35.9million to complete the conversion of
the Olympic Stadium, it was announced this afternoon. Earlier in the week it
was revealed that Balfour Beatty had requested an additional £50million to
finish the job, on top of the previously-agreed £154million cost. And it was
confirmed today that following negotiations, the new figure to convert the
stadium will be some £190million.
The arena, which will serve as West Ham United's new 54,000-capacity
(rented) home from the beginning of the 2016/17 season originally cost
£429million to build, taking the total cost to the public purse well above
the £600million mark.
West Ham, upon moving two miles across the Borough of Newham from Upton Park
to Stratford in 2016 will pay an annual rent of circa £2.5miliion, but all
re-development costs will be met by the taxpayer - something that has caused
a great deal of controversy since the decision to award primary use of the
stadium to the Hammers was announced.
Although West Ham will not own the arena, possessing instead a 99-year
lease, the club may decide - or heavily influence, at the very least - what
else the stadium can be used for during the established football season.
That is why Tottenham's plans to use the Olympic Stadium on a temporary
basis whilst their own home at White Hart Lane is being re-developed were
vetoed recently."No one has asked us for our permission," said West Ham
United vice-chair Karren Brady recently. "If they did, we would probably say
no, depending on who it is – if you get my drift."
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Martin Atkinson gets Boleyn blockbuster
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Capital One Cup Final referee Martin Atkinson will take charge of the this
weekend's big game - the top-four clash between West Ham United and
Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground... Atkinson - who had been refereeing
for nearly 30 years having taken up the profession as a 16-year-old - has
officiated almost 500 professional games and is one of the Premier League's
most experiences referees, having been on the Select Group since 2005. And
the Bradford-born official is no stranger to West Ham or the Boleyn Ground,
having taken charge of several games in Upton Park during recent seasons.
Atkinson's most recent appointment involving West Ham was the 2-2 draw at
Hull last month, a game which passed without notable intervention.
Earlier in the year he was in charge of West Ham's 1-0 home defeat to
Crystal Palace last April (a match preceded with tributes to Dylan
Tombides), when the winning goal came from the penalty spot - and the
humiliating 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest. In 2013, the 43-year-old
oversaw the comprehensive 3-0 win over Fulham in November - another game
that passed without major incident as far as he was concerned. However
earlier in the year, KUMB writer Gordon Thrower had accused him of showing
"leniancy" to the opposition in a lively 2-2 FA Cup third round draw with
Man Utd.
Martin Atkinson: West Ham United matches in last five years
2014/15
September: Hull City (a) 2-2 (Y4 R0)
2013/14
April: Crystal Palace (h) 0-1 (Y2 R0)
January: Nottingham Forest (a) 0-5 (Y2 R0)
November: Fulham (h) 3-0
2012/13
January: Manchester United (h) 2-2 (Y3 R0)
December: Chelsea (h) 3-1 (Y3 R0)
August: Swansea City (a) 0-3 (Y6 R0)
2010/11
February: Burnley (h) 5-1 (Y0 R0)
December: Sunderland (a) 0-1 (Y3 R0)
September: Tottenham (h) 1-0 (Y2 R0)
2009/10
March: Arsenal (a) 0-2
February: Hull City (h) 3-0 (Y2 R1)
October: Stoke City (a) 1-2 (Y6 R0)
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Bitter Ferguson mocks 'the West Ham way'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has provided a not-too-subtle
dig at the club that twice denied his club the league title.
Ferguson, who saw the championship wrestled away from his team's grasp at
the Boleyn Ground in both 1992 and 1995 - the former, a defeat after which
he described "West Ham's effort" as "obscene" - has mocked West Ham's
traditions in an updated version of his autobiography.
"I hope that before I die someone can explain the 'West Ham way'", he wrote.
"What is it? They last won a trophy in 1980, the FA Cup. I never played
against any West Ham team that played football I was afraid of. They were
always surviving, or lucky as hell against us."
The 72-year-old - who retired from management two years ago having achieved
unprecedented success in the domestic game - also backed current manager Sam
Allardyce's position at West Ham, stressing that merely keeping the club in
the Premier League given the limited resources available has been an
achievement. "There is this pre-conception with West Ham fans that Big Sam
is a survivalist who tells teams to boot the ball up the pitch," he states.
"The truth is that he stayed up with a team of very average players. That's
management. He drew the best from them."
Lucky as Hell? Taggart's defeats to West Ham United
22 Apr 1992: West Ham Utd 1-0 Man Utd (Brown)
28 Jan 2001: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Di Canio)
8 Dec 2001: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Defoe)
17 Dec 2006: West Ham Utd 1-0 Man Utd (Reo-Coker)
13 May 2007: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Tevez)
29 Dec 2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Man Utd (A Ferdinand, Upson)
30 Nov 2010: West Ham Utd 4-0 Man Utd (Spector 2, C Cole 2)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MY DAY WITH ALAN TAYLOR
By Sean Whetstone 22 Oct 2014 at 18:30
West Ham Till I Die
Guest post by Nigel Kahn
On Sunday I was treated to an early birthday present of a official guided
tour around the Boleyn Ground. I must admit when I saw the cost (£35) my
first thought was "HOW MUCH?". It seemed a bit pricey for a quick shifty
round the stand with a cup of tea, but I was pleasantly surprised, no
actually I was really happy at the end after nearly five hours of time that
passed quite quickly.
The tour starts with a meet and greet by the two West Ham legend hosts and
generally it is usually Phil Parkes and Alan Taylor. In fact Taylor was
taking the register and checking tickets as you walked into the room where
the press conferences are held. I was paired with Alan Taylor and with
around forty other fans as we made our way around the West stand looking in
some of the nooks and crannies that we ordinary fans never get to see. The
walk round the lounges was informative though did border on a sales pitch as
Alan gave the different prices for every lounge we visited. Some were out of
bounds though, in one lounge was a christening and in another there was a
church which meet every Sunday, except match-day , so the Boleyn ground is
actually a church now.
Trundling through the West stand we entered different boxes and the
Chairman's Lounge with its five round tables. Gold, Sullivan and Brady get a
table each for their guests while visiting directors get another table and
the final table is reserved for Icelandic friends who retain a 10%
shareholding. I was told Tony Fernandes was less than complimentary about
the welcome he received in the directors box when we played QPR, but that is
likely to be a case of sour grapes of the so called life long West Ham fan.
Then on into the Greenwood and Lyall Lounge in the Bobby Moore stand to
experience the view of the ground from a different perspective as corporate
guests see the game. A slightly strange view with the curvature of the Bobby
Moore stand roof but I am sure it doesn't bother them as long as they are
well fed and watered.
The ground is quite splendid when empty and it takes on a splendor. I think
it is the quietness when standing by the edge of the pitch when no sound is
to be heard. One room that was missed out, I don't know why, was where they
keep all the trophies. That cupboard must have been hidden somewhere. Part
of the tour package is photos with your legend's guide, one snap by the
pitch and another snap in the dugout plus the chance to walk around the
tunnel area together with both dressing rooms, which differ in facilities
and size.
The day is ended with both groups back in the press room for a Hammers
general knowledge quiz (with a prize) and then a Q&A session with the two
former Hammers hosts. Both are great and enlightening regarding not only
their own careers but the way they see football now days. Both mixed well
with the crowd but Taylor's friendliness shone out for me. He really made
the day. Perhaps it's the fact that he worked in his newsagent shop for many
years dealing with the public has made him seem so down to earth. I did help
him out with one question on his career by a fan, I reminded him that he
played in European Cup Winners Cup final in Brussels.
I have deliberately not revealed many of the interesting things learned on
the tour as the reason for this review is to encourage as many of you as
possible to take the tour for yourselves. With less than two years remaining
till the bulldozers move in and they don't run that many tours currently I
am confident every one that takes the tour will be glad they did so. At the
end the cost was neglible to the good time that was had. I will give two
things away, Karren Brady only will have white flowers, and after every home
game the players must eat Pizza which is delivered at 4:30pm to main
reception while the game is going on.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHU DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
By HamburgHammer 22 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
It's preseason 2017. West Ham have brought their first season in the OS
behind them, every home game being a sellout. For the first time in their
history West Ham have qualified for the Champions League by coming fourth,
led by skipper Alex Song and the Premier League's topscorer Diafra Sakho (24
goals). West Ham's first opponents in the CL will be Juventus, Sparta Prague
and PSV Eindhoven. West Ham have also brought in some new exciting signings
for a total rumoured transfer fee of 50 million.
The fans are thrilled about the prospects of their team which is playing a
wonderful brand of dynamic, attacking football, passing the ball on the
deck.
But get this, the rest of the world doesn't seem to care. Or notice. Not the
BBC. Not Sky Sports. Not BT.
Now let's wake up again, wipe the sleep from our eyes and adjust back to the
reality of October 2014: Of course West Ham are not playing in the Champions
League, they are not in the Europa League and the OS is still a massive
playground for dozens of real life versions of Bob the Builder ('Can we fix
the OS ?' – Reply 'Dunno boss, we may need more cash!'). But the truth after
eight games of the season is also this: West Ham are in fourth place, above
football superpowers Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Yeah, I know, only eight bloody games and only six points above a relegation
place, but still quite a feat at this stage.
It's good to have a dream. What is frustrating is the total fixation the
media and press have with the big clubs, ignoring the rest of the league
completely, I also haven't heard a lot of praise given to Southampton lately
who are sitting nicely in third place at the moment. No matter what other
teams are doing on the pitch, Sky Sports would rather let us know that a bag
of rice has fallen over in the Arsenal canteen, that Jose Mourinho's dog
isn't feeling too well and that Manchester United have just had new tiles
delivered for the showers in their training complex. I know they are just
catering for the needs of the majority of their viewers as obviously the
Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and to a degree even Tottenham
probably have a bigger fanbase than the other clubs. Still it infuriates me.
And while we're at it: The arrogance of those bigger clubs drives me up the
wall too. They maybe don't know any other way after years of sporting and
financial success, but everytime another (smaller) club finds a gem, a real
talent, the next big thing it is kind of accepted and common practise that
this player 'really should be at United (meaning the Manchester version of
course, not West Ham) or Chelsea'. Like it is an utter sin and unthinkable
that a really good player should dare and play somewhere else.
Watch it happen with Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate and Cresswell soon.
How very dare West Ham beating Liverpool comfortably at home ? Who do West
Ham think they are, making the famous Olympic Stadium their home for 99
years ?
What is a goalscoring striker like Sakho doing in claret and blue, he's
surely just wasting his time in East London ?
For far too long we have been stuck in second gear, in unambitious mode so
to speak, being happy to stay up or giving one of the bigger clubs the odd
scare on the pitch. Everyone's second favourite team. The likeable losers
from East London, playing beautiful, but ultimately unsuccessful football.
The cheaters who drove Sheffield United into the Championship.
Let's face it, West Ham haven't had a lot of good press in the last few
years. Do we as fans care about what the press say or think about West Ham ?
I think deep down we all do. It feels good if your club is being praised for
doing the right things on and off the pitch. It's still early in the season
though, there will be bumps along the road, we will still lose games, maybe
starting on Saturday against Man City.
Thing is: If West Ham were to start delivering on the pitch on a regular
basis, if West Ham were to qualify for the Europa League or someday even the
Champions League and maybe not just once as an exception to the mediocre
rule, but time and time again, could the common West Ham fan in the street
cope ?
Would this still be the club we all fell in love with ?
Could we handle the media suddenly taking an interest in a more successful
West Ham ?
Can West Ham fans deal with good times if they happen more often than just
occasionally ?
I'm really not sure. But I'd like to see us give it a try and develop some
confidence and swagger.The whole club is doing a fine job right now, giving
hope and excitement to Hammers fans all over the globe. And to answer the
question from the title of the thread: WHU do you think you are ? The
answer's easy.
We are West Ham United – we play on the floor! Until we score from the heads
of Sakho and Valencia of course…:-)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
LAST SEASON'S FAN CRITICISM WAS BOTH JUSTIFIED AND A FACTOR IN BRINGING
ABOUT CHANGE!
By S J Chandos 22 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I DIe
It has been reported that Sir Alex Ferguson has updated his autobiography to
include some amendments/additions, including one in which he jumps on the
pro-Allardyce (and anti-West Ham Way) band wagon, hitherto ridden by the
likes of MoTD's Alan Shearer. Ferguson allegedly states: 'before I die I
hope that someone can explain the West Ham Way …. I never came up against a
Hammers side who played football I was afraid of.' In addition, he adds that
all of the West Ham sides he faced in his 26 years at Man Utd were either
'negative in their approach or lucky as hell against us.'
Now, two wrongs do not make a right and it has to be freely acknowledged
that Alex Ferguson was a hugely successful manager domestically and in
European competition. There is no disputing that, but it is also a fact that
West Ham Utd were responsible for inflicting some notable reverses on
Ferguson's Man Utd over the years. Including those two memorable victories
at Upton Park (in 1992 and 1995) that were instrumental in twice denying
them the title, respectively handing it to Leeds Utd and Blackburn Rovers;
the unforgettable Di Canio 0-1 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford and the PL
double victory over them in the 2006-07 season of the 'Great Escape. They
are just five such results, there are others and it is not an exaggeration
to state that the Hammers were often a real bogey team to Ferguson.
One can only speculate why Ferguson has chosen to include such disrespectful
references our club. It is certainly not something that one would expect of
such a legendary figure and elder statesman of the game. The answer is at
least partly that Ferguson is reputed to be close to Sam Allardyce and
presumably saw it as an opportunity to publicly defend our present manager's
philosophy and methods. My response is that the West Ham fans were perfectly
justified in their criticism of the quality of the football produced last
season. The Hammers board recognised that, last May, and subsequently
imposed the changes/recruitment policy that are now bearing such impressive
fruit. So, one could legitimately argue that last season's fan
disaffection/criticism was an important factor in bringing those changes
about. What would the reaction have been from Manchester Utd fans if they
had to endure the one-dimensional fayre dished up to us last season? Of
course we have an idea, because part of David Moyes Old Trafford downfall
was not just about the poor results, but also the dour playing style. in
fact, I well remember a Man Utd fan stating in a SSN vox pop interview that
Moyes was not upholding the 'Man Utd Way' of playing. That says it all
really!
Ferguson undoubtedly still harbours some deep seated bitterness concerning
the key results/defeats that he suffered at West Ham's hands? But there is
also probably a commercial explanation for his his comments, namely the need
to freshen up a stale publication, by injecting a bit of controversy, to
reinvigorate sales. And West Ham and the club's fans have presumably been
mis-used for that purpose.
In the final analysis, Ferguson was a great manager, but be is retired now
and who really cares what he has to say about our club, past or present. The
best response is to rise above it and squarely focus on the performances
being produced by this exciting Hammers squad. Hopefully, the players will
prove a point for us when we next meet Manchester Utd on the field of play.
After all, that is where it really counts!
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate ready to return a month ahead of schedule
against Man City
Oct 22, 2014 16:43 By Darren Witcoop
Senegalese midfielder who was not expected to be fit until mid-November
following a hamstring injury could now face the champions on Saturday
The Mirror
Cheikhou Kouyate is ready to hand West Ham an injury boost by returning
ahead of schedule. The Senegal midfielder has been out for the last month
with a hamstring injury, and was not expected to be fit until the middle of
next month. But Kouyate, 24, is already back in full training and could face
Manchester City on Saturday. The Hammers have proved surprise-packages after
marching into fourth spot, and James Collins plans to continue the
feel-good-factor by sinking the champions. The Wales defender said: "We know
it's going to be tough game. But it's been a great season so far. The table
is good viewing at the minute and it's down to the way we are playing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble for England: Why West Ham's Mr Reliable deserves a call from Roy
Hodgson
Oct 22, 2014 16:33
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
The midfielder ran more than any other player in the win over Burnley and
may feel recognition is long overdue
The Mirror
There was one significant statistic that emerged from West Ham's 3-1 win at
Burnley last Saturday. No – not the three headed goals from the
hugely-impressive Diafra Sahko, the ever-improving Enner Valencia and the
re-vitalised Carlton Cole. It was the amount of effort and running put in by
Mark Noble. He in fact ran more and covered more ground than anyone else.
When it is taken into account that he has missed two matches because of a
calf injury and the match at Turf Moor was his return, that is worth noting.
And, by the way, he lasted the whole 90 minutes. Naturally, human nature
dictates that the summer arrivals at Upton Park – Sahko, Valencia, Cheikhou
Kouyate, Alex Song among them – have played key roles in the resurgence
under Sam Allardyce. But it would be wrong to under-estimate the
contribution of Noble. He is very much the unsung hero at Upton Park this
season. Over the years, Noble has seen it all – relegation, promotion, the
unease among the fans at the type of football produced by the team. He was,
after all, in the team that beat Hull 2-1 back in March and were jeered off
the field.
But Noble has stuck by West Ham through it all. Born in Canning Town he was
destined to play for the team he supported as a boy.He has played in a host
of positions from midfield anchor man to supporting the attack. And in no
season has influence been greater than in the present campaign which has
seen West Ham recover from an inept performance against Southampton when
they lost 3-1 to the heady heights of the top half of the Premier League.
Relegation is not on the agenda at Upton Park this season and that is in no
small way thanks to the efforts of Mark Noble. At 27, it would seem that the
chances of representing his country at full international level are fading.
It would seem the graduation from Under-21 football – he played 20 times for
England – to the senior team is not to be.
And yet...
On November 18, England play Scotland in a friendly. England manager Roy
Hodgson may use that game to give many of his regular first choice players a
break. And that could be the opportunity to give Noble the reward his
consistency has deserved. An impressive performance against Manchester City
at Saturday lunch-time would do his chances the world of good.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons eye Brighton boy as Reid replacement
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are keeping a close check on Brighton and Hove Albion central
defender Lewis Dunk as the Winston Reid 'soap opera' rumbles on.
The Hammers will refuse to be held to ransom in talks this week with the
central defender's advisers and are very keen on the Brighton-born 6ft 4in
22 year old . A Hammers source confirmed the player as a possible target to
ClaretandHugh declaring: "Obviously given the situation we need to be
looking at our options and Dunk would be prominent among them." Dunk is a
graduate of the Albion Centre of Excellence and was called into the England
under 21 set up a couple of seasons back. However the Hammers will be forced
to pay top dollar of around £5 million to get the player who recently signed
a new four year deal with Albion. It was difficult to make a move in the
summer with the wage bill as it was given Reid's presence in the squad. But
should the Kiwi move on the Hammers are set to move on the player who is
believed to have a release clause in his new contract at around the £5
million mark His wage would be around the same as Reid who is currently on
£25k a week with our source declaring: "He's one of the best defenders in
the Championship." So far this season the defender has scored five times in
14 appearances.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender says the Hammers will relish Saturday's visit of
Manchester City
22.10.2014
Carl Jenkinson says West Ham United should relish the prospect of hosting
Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday. The Hammers were
defeated four times by Manuel Pellegrini's men last term across the league
and Capital One Cup, but after a start to this campaign which has taken them
to fourth in the table, loan signing Jenkinson is full of confidence. "I
think we've shown we can beat the big clubs already this season with the
Liverpool result," he said. "We know what we're capable of. Man City are
flying at the moment, they're a world class team so nobody is kidding
themselves because we know it is going to be a difficult game. "If we play
to our potential we know we've got more than a good chance of getting a
result. We've just got to be positive and keep playing the football we've
been playing, with the intensity and the confidence."
Jenkinson played a full part in last weekend's victory at Burnley, supplying
the cross for Enner Valencia to nod his team's second past Tom Heaton. The
No18 was delighted with the overall performance and says it bodes well for
the future. "It was a tough game at Burnley to be honest," he added. "They
started at a very high intensity and we had to adjust to that. It did take
us a while to get into the game, but when we did we showed our quality and
we won convincingly in the end. "We're ahead of schedule at the moment -
people would have bitten your arm off to say we're fourth at this stage of
the season, but it's nothing more than this team has deserved for the way
we've played so far this season. "We definitely justify the position we're
in at the moment and we've just got to keep pushing on and keep getting the
results."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Ian Hendon
WHUFC.com
First team coach Ian Hendon is delighted with the team's bright start to the
season
21.10.2014
West Ham United first team coach Ian Hendon is delighted with the team's
bright start to the season. Here he talks about the impressive impact the
new strikers have had, Aaron Cresswell's transition to Premier League
football and the young players breaking through into the first team squad.
Ian, are surprised at how well the team is doing this season?
IH: "I wouldn't say I'm surprised, we've got a good group of lads here.
We've made some good additions to the squad from last year and we've
strengthened in each area. I think that has been reflected in the way we've
started the season and it's reflected in our position in the table."
Would you say the impact of the new signings has been the biggest difference
to last season?
IH: "Yeah, I think all you need to do is look at the two lads upfront.
Diafra's already scored five in the league and Enner's added a couple as
well. So from that point of view you'd say definitely the new signings have
been the biggest single difference. "I think we've strengthened all round.
The two lads at full-back are doing really well. Now there's a lot of
competition for places. Now that players are coming back from injury, we've
almost got everyone back, you can really see the strength in depth of the
squad."
As a fellow full-back, how do you think Aaron Cresswell has done since his
move from the Championship?
IH "Aaron's been fantastic. He hasn't changed the way he plays the game in
any way. I watched him play a few times last season at Ipswich, I know Macca
watched him a fair bit as well. We knew what was coming and what we'd get
from Aaron. He's made the transition superbly."
Both Aaron and Carl Jenkinson provided assists against Burnley, that must be
very pleasing?
IH "Yeah I think if you look at the way most teams use their full-backs
these days in the Premier League they have them pushing on forward and
attacking. We've certainly got two athletes who get up and down the pitch.
When asked they get good balls into the box and they've both started very
well for us."
All the new signings have hit the ground running, what have you done to make
this happen?
IH "To be honest, to have everyone gelling together so quickly is a surprise
to everyone. Normally it takes a bit of time but it's been fantastic how
quickly all the lads have settled in. It's just as well that they have
settled in so well because we've had a few injuries to deal with but we
coped with them well."
You were Development Squad coach before becoming first team coach, it must
be pleasing for you to see the likes of Reece Burke and Elliot Lee involved
in the first team squad?
IH "Yeah, there are a lot of young players who could step up and get into
the first team squad on a regular basis. They've got to keep up the hard
work. For Reece, he's a young lad, he's training with us every day and
training well. He's got to keep in his feet on the ground and when the
opportunities come he's got to take them. "As for Elliot, he's playing in
the Development Squad and he's scoring goals. He's also training with the
first team squad and he trains well every day. Like Reece, he needs to keep
doing what he's doing and take the opportunities when they come."
Another addition to the club over the summer was Teddy Sheringham, what do
you think his impact has been at the club?
IH "Teddy's obviously getting the plaudits because the strikers are doing so
well at the moment. He does a lot of finishing work with the players on a
Thursday and Friday. At the moment the strikers are looking sharp so long
may that continue. Teddy is obviously a very experienced player, he's played
at the top level and the players certainly have a lot of respect for him."
You been here a few years now, how does this squad compare to the others
you've worked with?
IH "The added strength in depth from the new signings is important. It's put
the lads in the team under huge pressure to do well and keep their place. If
they don't then there's players that can step straight in. To keep the
players on their toes is always a good thing as that pressure gets the best
out of each player. That can only be a good thing for the team and everybody
involved in the club."
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Olympic Stadium conversion to cost public purse another £35million
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd October 2014
By: Staff Writer
The London Legacy Development Corporation has agreed to pay construction
company Balfour Beatty an extra £35.9million to complete the conversion of
the Olympic Stadium, it was announced this afternoon. Earlier in the week it
was revealed that Balfour Beatty had requested an additional £50million to
finish the job, on top of the previously-agreed £154million cost. And it was
confirmed today that following negotiations, the new figure to convert the
stadium will be some £190million.
The arena, which will serve as West Ham United's new 54,000-capacity
(rented) home from the beginning of the 2016/17 season originally cost
£429million to build, taking the total cost to the public purse well above
the £600million mark.
West Ham, upon moving two miles across the Borough of Newham from Upton Park
to Stratford in 2016 will pay an annual rent of circa £2.5miliion, but all
re-development costs will be met by the taxpayer - something that has caused
a great deal of controversy since the decision to award primary use of the
stadium to the Hammers was announced.
Although West Ham will not own the arena, possessing instead a 99-year
lease, the club may decide - or heavily influence, at the very least - what
else the stadium can be used for during the established football season.
That is why Tottenham's plans to use the Olympic Stadium on a temporary
basis whilst their own home at White Hart Lane is being re-developed were
vetoed recently."No one has asked us for our permission," said West Ham
United vice-chair Karren Brady recently. "If they did, we would probably say
no, depending on who it is – if you get my drift."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Martin Atkinson gets Boleyn blockbuster
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Capital One Cup Final referee Martin Atkinson will take charge of the this
weekend's big game - the top-four clash between West Ham United and
Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground... Atkinson - who had been refereeing
for nearly 30 years having taken up the profession as a 16-year-old - has
officiated almost 500 professional games and is one of the Premier League's
most experiences referees, having been on the Select Group since 2005. And
the Bradford-born official is no stranger to West Ham or the Boleyn Ground,
having taken charge of several games in Upton Park during recent seasons.
Atkinson's most recent appointment involving West Ham was the 2-2 draw at
Hull last month, a game which passed without notable intervention.
Earlier in the year he was in charge of West Ham's 1-0 home defeat to
Crystal Palace last April (a match preceded with tributes to Dylan
Tombides), when the winning goal came from the penalty spot - and the
humiliating 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest. In 2013, the 43-year-old
oversaw the comprehensive 3-0 win over Fulham in November - another game
that passed without major incident as far as he was concerned. However
earlier in the year, KUMB writer Gordon Thrower had accused him of showing
"leniancy" to the opposition in a lively 2-2 FA Cup third round draw with
Man Utd.
Martin Atkinson: West Ham United matches in last five years
2014/15
September: Hull City (a) 2-2 (Y4 R0)
2013/14
April: Crystal Palace (h) 0-1 (Y2 R0)
January: Nottingham Forest (a) 0-5 (Y2 R0)
November: Fulham (h) 3-0
2012/13
January: Manchester United (h) 2-2 (Y3 R0)
December: Chelsea (h) 3-1 (Y3 R0)
August: Swansea City (a) 0-3 (Y6 R0)
2010/11
February: Burnley (h) 5-1 (Y0 R0)
December: Sunderland (a) 0-1 (Y3 R0)
September: Tottenham (h) 1-0 (Y2 R0)
2009/10
March: Arsenal (a) 0-2
February: Hull City (h) 3-0 (Y2 R1)
October: Stoke City (a) 1-2 (Y6 R0)
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Bitter Ferguson mocks 'the West Ham way'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has provided a not-too-subtle
dig at the club that twice denied his club the league title.
Ferguson, who saw the championship wrestled away from his team's grasp at
the Boleyn Ground in both 1992 and 1995 - the former, a defeat after which
he described "West Ham's effort" as "obscene" - has mocked West Ham's
traditions in an updated version of his autobiography.
"I hope that before I die someone can explain the 'West Ham way'", he wrote.
"What is it? They last won a trophy in 1980, the FA Cup. I never played
against any West Ham team that played football I was afraid of. They were
always surviving, or lucky as hell against us."
The 72-year-old - who retired from management two years ago having achieved
unprecedented success in the domestic game - also backed current manager Sam
Allardyce's position at West Ham, stressing that merely keeping the club in
the Premier League given the limited resources available has been an
achievement. "There is this pre-conception with West Ham fans that Big Sam
is a survivalist who tells teams to boot the ball up the pitch," he states.
"The truth is that he stayed up with a team of very average players. That's
management. He drew the best from them."
Lucky as Hell? Taggart's defeats to West Ham United
22 Apr 1992: West Ham Utd 1-0 Man Utd (Brown)
28 Jan 2001: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Di Canio)
8 Dec 2001: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Defoe)
17 Dec 2006: West Ham Utd 1-0 Man Utd (Reo-Coker)
13 May 2007: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham Utd (Tevez)
29 Dec 2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Man Utd (A Ferdinand, Upson)
30 Nov 2010: West Ham Utd 4-0 Man Utd (Spector 2, C Cole 2)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MY DAY WITH ALAN TAYLOR
By Sean Whetstone 22 Oct 2014 at 18:30
West Ham Till I Die
Guest post by Nigel Kahn
On Sunday I was treated to an early birthday present of a official guided
tour around the Boleyn Ground. I must admit when I saw the cost (£35) my
first thought was "HOW MUCH?". It seemed a bit pricey for a quick shifty
round the stand with a cup of tea, but I was pleasantly surprised, no
actually I was really happy at the end after nearly five hours of time that
passed quite quickly.
The tour starts with a meet and greet by the two West Ham legend hosts and
generally it is usually Phil Parkes and Alan Taylor. In fact Taylor was
taking the register and checking tickets as you walked into the room where
the press conferences are held. I was paired with Alan Taylor and with
around forty other fans as we made our way around the West stand looking in
some of the nooks and crannies that we ordinary fans never get to see. The
walk round the lounges was informative though did border on a sales pitch as
Alan gave the different prices for every lounge we visited. Some were out of
bounds though, in one lounge was a christening and in another there was a
church which meet every Sunday, except match-day , so the Boleyn ground is
actually a church now.
Trundling through the West stand we entered different boxes and the
Chairman's Lounge with its five round tables. Gold, Sullivan and Brady get a
table each for their guests while visiting directors get another table and
the final table is reserved for Icelandic friends who retain a 10%
shareholding. I was told Tony Fernandes was less than complimentary about
the welcome he received in the directors box when we played QPR, but that is
likely to be a case of sour grapes of the so called life long West Ham fan.
Then on into the Greenwood and Lyall Lounge in the Bobby Moore stand to
experience the view of the ground from a different perspective as corporate
guests see the game. A slightly strange view with the curvature of the Bobby
Moore stand roof but I am sure it doesn't bother them as long as they are
well fed and watered.
The ground is quite splendid when empty and it takes on a splendor. I think
it is the quietness when standing by the edge of the pitch when no sound is
to be heard. One room that was missed out, I don't know why, was where they
keep all the trophies. That cupboard must have been hidden somewhere. Part
of the tour package is photos with your legend's guide, one snap by the
pitch and another snap in the dugout plus the chance to walk around the
tunnel area together with both dressing rooms, which differ in facilities
and size.
The day is ended with both groups back in the press room for a Hammers
general knowledge quiz (with a prize) and then a Q&A session with the two
former Hammers hosts. Both are great and enlightening regarding not only
their own careers but the way they see football now days. Both mixed well
with the crowd but Taylor's friendliness shone out for me. He really made
the day. Perhaps it's the fact that he worked in his newsagent shop for many
years dealing with the public has made him seem so down to earth. I did help
him out with one question on his career by a fan, I reminded him that he
played in European Cup Winners Cup final in Brussels.
I have deliberately not revealed many of the interesting things learned on
the tour as the reason for this review is to encourage as many of you as
possible to take the tour for yourselves. With less than two years remaining
till the bulldozers move in and they don't run that many tours currently I
am confident every one that takes the tour will be glad they did so. At the
end the cost was neglible to the good time that was had. I will give two
things away, Karren Brady only will have white flowers, and after every home
game the players must eat Pizza which is delivered at 4:30pm to main
reception while the game is going on.
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WHU DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
By HamburgHammer 22 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
It's preseason 2017. West Ham have brought their first season in the OS
behind them, every home game being a sellout. For the first time in their
history West Ham have qualified for the Champions League by coming fourth,
led by skipper Alex Song and the Premier League's topscorer Diafra Sakho (24
goals). West Ham's first opponents in the CL will be Juventus, Sparta Prague
and PSV Eindhoven. West Ham have also brought in some new exciting signings
for a total rumoured transfer fee of 50 million.
The fans are thrilled about the prospects of their team which is playing a
wonderful brand of dynamic, attacking football, passing the ball on the
deck.
But get this, the rest of the world doesn't seem to care. Or notice. Not the
BBC. Not Sky Sports. Not BT.
Now let's wake up again, wipe the sleep from our eyes and adjust back to the
reality of October 2014: Of course West Ham are not playing in the Champions
League, they are not in the Europa League and the OS is still a massive
playground for dozens of real life versions of Bob the Builder ('Can we fix
the OS ?' – Reply 'Dunno boss, we may need more cash!'). But the truth after
eight games of the season is also this: West Ham are in fourth place, above
football superpowers Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Yeah, I know, only eight bloody games and only six points above a relegation
place, but still quite a feat at this stage.
It's good to have a dream. What is frustrating is the total fixation the
media and press have with the big clubs, ignoring the rest of the league
completely, I also haven't heard a lot of praise given to Southampton lately
who are sitting nicely in third place at the moment. No matter what other
teams are doing on the pitch, Sky Sports would rather let us know that a bag
of rice has fallen over in the Arsenal canteen, that Jose Mourinho's dog
isn't feeling too well and that Manchester United have just had new tiles
delivered for the showers in their training complex. I know they are just
catering for the needs of the majority of their viewers as obviously the
Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and to a degree even Tottenham
probably have a bigger fanbase than the other clubs. Still it infuriates me.
And while we're at it: The arrogance of those bigger clubs drives me up the
wall too. They maybe don't know any other way after years of sporting and
financial success, but everytime another (smaller) club finds a gem, a real
talent, the next big thing it is kind of accepted and common practise that
this player 'really should be at United (meaning the Manchester version of
course, not West Ham) or Chelsea'. Like it is an utter sin and unthinkable
that a really good player should dare and play somewhere else.
Watch it happen with Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate and Cresswell soon.
How very dare West Ham beating Liverpool comfortably at home ? Who do West
Ham think they are, making the famous Olympic Stadium their home for 99
years ?
What is a goalscoring striker like Sakho doing in claret and blue, he's
surely just wasting his time in East London ?
For far too long we have been stuck in second gear, in unambitious mode so
to speak, being happy to stay up or giving one of the bigger clubs the odd
scare on the pitch. Everyone's second favourite team. The likeable losers
from East London, playing beautiful, but ultimately unsuccessful football.
The cheaters who drove Sheffield United into the Championship.
Let's face it, West Ham haven't had a lot of good press in the last few
years. Do we as fans care about what the press say or think about West Ham ?
I think deep down we all do. It feels good if your club is being praised for
doing the right things on and off the pitch. It's still early in the season
though, there will be bumps along the road, we will still lose games, maybe
starting on Saturday against Man City.
Thing is: If West Ham were to start delivering on the pitch on a regular
basis, if West Ham were to qualify for the Europa League or someday even the
Champions League and maybe not just once as an exception to the mediocre
rule, but time and time again, could the common West Ham fan in the street
cope ?
Would this still be the club we all fell in love with ?
Could we handle the media suddenly taking an interest in a more successful
West Ham ?
Can West Ham fans deal with good times if they happen more often than just
occasionally ?
I'm really not sure. But I'd like to see us give it a try and develop some
confidence and swagger.The whole club is doing a fine job right now, giving
hope and excitement to Hammers fans all over the globe. And to answer the
question from the title of the thread: WHU do you think you are ? The
answer's easy.
We are West Ham United – we play on the floor! Until we score from the heads
of Sakho and Valencia of course…:-)
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LAST SEASON'S FAN CRITICISM WAS BOTH JUSTIFIED AND A FACTOR IN BRINGING
ABOUT CHANGE!
By S J Chandos 22 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I DIe
It has been reported that Sir Alex Ferguson has updated his autobiography to
include some amendments/additions, including one in which he jumps on the
pro-Allardyce (and anti-West Ham Way) band wagon, hitherto ridden by the
likes of MoTD's Alan Shearer. Ferguson allegedly states: 'before I die I
hope that someone can explain the West Ham Way …. I never came up against a
Hammers side who played football I was afraid of.' In addition, he adds that
all of the West Ham sides he faced in his 26 years at Man Utd were either
'negative in their approach or lucky as hell against us.'
Now, two wrongs do not make a right and it has to be freely acknowledged
that Alex Ferguson was a hugely successful manager domestically and in
European competition. There is no disputing that, but it is also a fact that
West Ham Utd were responsible for inflicting some notable reverses on
Ferguson's Man Utd over the years. Including those two memorable victories
at Upton Park (in 1992 and 1995) that were instrumental in twice denying
them the title, respectively handing it to Leeds Utd and Blackburn Rovers;
the unforgettable Di Canio 0-1 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford and the PL
double victory over them in the 2006-07 season of the 'Great Escape. They
are just five such results, there are others and it is not an exaggeration
to state that the Hammers were often a real bogey team to Ferguson.
One can only speculate why Ferguson has chosen to include such disrespectful
references our club. It is certainly not something that one would expect of
such a legendary figure and elder statesman of the game. The answer is at
least partly that Ferguson is reputed to be close to Sam Allardyce and
presumably saw it as an opportunity to publicly defend our present manager's
philosophy and methods. My response is that the West Ham fans were perfectly
justified in their criticism of the quality of the football produced last
season. The Hammers board recognised that, last May, and subsequently
imposed the changes/recruitment policy that are now bearing such impressive
fruit. So, one could legitimately argue that last season's fan
disaffection/criticism was an important factor in bringing those changes
about. What would the reaction have been from Manchester Utd fans if they
had to endure the one-dimensional fayre dished up to us last season? Of
course we have an idea, because part of David Moyes Old Trafford downfall
was not just about the poor results, but also the dour playing style. in
fact, I well remember a Man Utd fan stating in a SSN vox pop interview that
Moyes was not upholding the 'Man Utd Way' of playing. That says it all
really!
Ferguson undoubtedly still harbours some deep seated bitterness concerning
the key results/defeats that he suffered at West Ham's hands? But there is
also probably a commercial explanation for his his comments, namely the need
to freshen up a stale publication, by injecting a bit of controversy, to
reinvigorate sales. And West Ham and the club's fans have presumably been
mis-used for that purpose.
In the final analysis, Ferguson was a great manager, but be is retired now
and who really cares what he has to say about our club, past or present. The
best response is to rise above it and squarely focus on the performances
being produced by this exciting Hammers squad. Hopefully, the players will
prove a point for us when we next meet Manchester Utd on the field of play.
After all, that is where it really counts!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate ready to return a month ahead of schedule
against Man City
Oct 22, 2014 16:43 By Darren Witcoop
Senegalese midfielder who was not expected to be fit until mid-November
following a hamstring injury could now face the champions on Saturday
The Mirror
Cheikhou Kouyate is ready to hand West Ham an injury boost by returning
ahead of schedule. The Senegal midfielder has been out for the last month
with a hamstring injury, and was not expected to be fit until the middle of
next month. But Kouyate, 24, is already back in full training and could face
Manchester City on Saturday. The Hammers have proved surprise-packages after
marching into fourth spot, and James Collins plans to continue the
feel-good-factor by sinking the champions. The Wales defender said: "We know
it's going to be tough game. But it's been a great season so far. The table
is good viewing at the minute and it's down to the way we are playing."
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Mark Noble for England: Why West Ham's Mr Reliable deserves a call from Roy
Hodgson
Oct 22, 2014 16:33
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
The midfielder ran more than any other player in the win over Burnley and
may feel recognition is long overdue
The Mirror
There was one significant statistic that emerged from West Ham's 3-1 win at
Burnley last Saturday. No – not the three headed goals from the
hugely-impressive Diafra Sahko, the ever-improving Enner Valencia and the
re-vitalised Carlton Cole. It was the amount of effort and running put in by
Mark Noble. He in fact ran more and covered more ground than anyone else.
When it is taken into account that he has missed two matches because of a
calf injury and the match at Turf Moor was his return, that is worth noting.
And, by the way, he lasted the whole 90 minutes. Naturally, human nature
dictates that the summer arrivals at Upton Park – Sahko, Valencia, Cheikhou
Kouyate, Alex Song among them – have played key roles in the resurgence
under Sam Allardyce. But it would be wrong to under-estimate the
contribution of Noble. He is very much the unsung hero at Upton Park this
season. Over the years, Noble has seen it all – relegation, promotion, the
unease among the fans at the type of football produced by the team. He was,
after all, in the team that beat Hull 2-1 back in March and were jeered off
the field.
But Noble has stuck by West Ham through it all. Born in Canning Town he was
destined to play for the team he supported as a boy.He has played in a host
of positions from midfield anchor man to supporting the attack. And in no
season has influence been greater than in the present campaign which has
seen West Ham recover from an inept performance against Southampton when
they lost 3-1 to the heady heights of the top half of the Premier League.
Relegation is not on the agenda at Upton Park this season and that is in no
small way thanks to the efforts of Mark Noble. At 27, it would seem that the
chances of representing his country at full international level are fading.
It would seem the graduation from Under-21 football – he played 20 times for
England – to the senior team is not to be.
And yet...
On November 18, England play Scotland in a friendly. England manager Roy
Hodgson may use that game to give many of his regular first choice players a
break. And that could be the opportunity to give Noble the reward his
consistency has deserved. An impressive performance against Manchester City
at Saturday lunch-time would do his chances the world of good.
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Irons eye Brighton boy as Reid replacement
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are keeping a close check on Brighton and Hove Albion central
defender Lewis Dunk as the Winston Reid 'soap opera' rumbles on.
The Hammers will refuse to be held to ransom in talks this week with the
central defender's advisers and are very keen on the Brighton-born 6ft 4in
22 year old . A Hammers source confirmed the player as a possible target to
ClaretandHugh declaring: "Obviously given the situation we need to be
looking at our options and Dunk would be prominent among them." Dunk is a
graduate of the Albion Centre of Excellence and was called into the England
under 21 set up a couple of seasons back. However the Hammers will be forced
to pay top dollar of around £5 million to get the player who recently signed
a new four year deal with Albion. It was difficult to make a move in the
summer with the wage bill as it was given Reid's presence in the squad. But
should the Kiwi move on the Hammers are set to move on the player who is
believed to have a release clause in his new contract at around the £5
million mark His wage would be around the same as Reid who is currently on
£25k a week with our source declaring: "He's one of the best defenders in
the Championship." So far this season the defender has scored five times in
14 appearances.
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Wednesday, October 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd October 2014
Aaron's all about the points
Whufc.COM
Aaron Cresswell only had eyes for three Barclays Premier League points at Burnley on Saturday
20.10.2014
Aaron Cresswell is little fussed about taking personal plaudits, just so long as he is contributing to a winning West Ham United cause.
The former Ipswich Town full-back provided the ammunition for Diafra Sakho's opener at Burnley on Saturday and very nearly got on the scoresheet himself, slamming a volley into the midriff of Clarets stopper Tom Heaton. But while his wonderful left-wing cross was hardly about to go unnoticed, the modest 24-year-old insisted it is all in a day's work for the all-action full-back. "It's nice to get an assist and when you do put the ball in and you see the ball go in the back of the net, it's great, but the main thing was the three points and we got that," he told West Ham TV. "It was a good ball and it was a good header. Even the same with Jenks [Carl Jenkinson]. Jenks put in a great ball for Enner [Valencia] and Enner scored it. "That's the modern day full-back and for both teams on Saturday, both full-backs put a lot of balls in the box. It's something we work on in training with the gaffer and Macca [Neil McDonald]. So if you keep putting good balls in the box, nine times out of ten you should score one."
The Hammers' lightning start to the second period was a far cry from the opening exchanges and Cresswell confessed that West Ham were fortunate to find themselves level at the break. He explained: "In the first half I don't think we were as good as we have been this season, at all. The gaffer had a little pop at us at half-time, it wasn't good enough and we knew it wasn't good enough. "They're the home team and we knew they were going to come out of the blocks flying, which they did. And the first 15 minutes, you could say we were all over the place, we were lucky to stay 0-0 at some times. We rode the storm, came out flying second half and scored two early goals."
Saturday's success makes it three wins out of the last four for Sam Allardyce's men and Cresswell is loving it, adamant that a top-ten finish is now well within West Ham's reach. The next challenge comes in the shape of league champions Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, one that holds little fear for Cresswell and co. "Man City are one of the best teams in the Premier League, but we're going to go into that game full of confidence, flying and looking forward to it. "We've played eight games, got 13 points, if we keep that sort of form there's no reason why we can't make the top ten. I think that's realistically a good achievement for us, anywhere in the top ten.
"On and off the pitch it's going well for me down here. The main thing for me was to get my head down, work hard and hopefully try to stay in the team as long as I can."
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Jim Barrett Jr - 1930-2014
WHUFC.com
Former West Ham United forward Jim Barrett Jr has sadly passed away at the age of 83
21.10.2014
Former West Ham United forward Jim Barrett Jr has sadly passed away following a short illness at the age of 83. Inside forward Barrett Jr played 91 times in Claret and Blue between 1950 and 1954, scoring 26 goals. He returned to the Club to coach the A team during the 1960s, helping to develop a number of players at the Academy of Football. Born just a stone's throw from the Boleyn Ground on Bonfire Night 1930, Barrett was the son of Hammers legend 'Big' Jim Barrett - a centre-half who played more than 500 games for West Ham between 1925 and 1945 - and played alongside his father for the A team himself in the 1945/46 season. Barrett Jr made his first-team debut at the age of 19 in a Division Two fixture at Blackburn Rovers on 22 April 1950, netting his first goal in a 2-1 victory at Chesterfield in October of the same year. In May 1951, he was part of the side which defeated Southend United 2-0 in the Essex Professional Cup final at the Boleyn Ground. The 1951/52 season was Barrett Jr's most productive in a West Ham shirt as he scored ten goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, including nine in Division Two.
Barrett Jr made a memorable final appearance for the Hammers on 18 December 1954, when he scored one of West Ham's goals in a 3-3 Division Two draw with Swansea Town at the Boleyn Ground. Joint-Chairman David Gold was a schoolboy and A team player during Barrett Jr's time at West Ham and has fond memories of the inside forward. "I am really sorry to hear of Jim's death," he began. "I remember him so well. He joined the Football Club when I was a schoolboy and we would train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. "Sometimes we would train at the Boleyn Ground and that would give us the opportunity to see the first-team players. We warmed-up indoors there in a gym the size of a squash court and Jim would come in and ask us how we were doing, which was a real thrill for us all. "I remember that he became involved in the A team and I particularly remember him when I was in the Colts. What was nice about Jim was that he was always willing to help the youngsters. I played for the A team a number of times and I have great memories of him - he was a nice man. "As a player, he was an inside forward who played as one of the front three in the old W formation, and he scored a fair few goals. The fans liked Jim and I liked him too."
West Ham's Division Two rivals Nottingham Forest swooped to sign Barrett Jr in December 1954, taking the inside forward to the City Ground. The forward enjoyed an outstanding time for the Tricky Trees, finishing as the club's leading scorer in three straight seasons between 1954 and 1957. In 1956/57, he scored 30 goals as Forest finished second and gained promotion to Division One. Barrett Jr moved to Birmingham City in 1959, scoring four goals in ten league appearances before hanging up his boots from the professional game at the age of 29. He returned to the Boleyn Ground in the 1960s as player-coach of the A team, where he assisted the development of the likes of Harry Redknapp, John Charles and Paul Heffer. Barrett Jr completed his coaching career at Millwall, where he worked under former West Ham wing half Benny Fenton.
Everyone at West Ham United was saddened to learn of Jim's passing and would like to pass on their sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Lionel Messi at the Boleyn as West Ham stage international friendly
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's United Boleyn Ground will play host to an international friendly between Croatia and Argentina next month, according to reports. For the first (and possibly the last!) time ever, the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Éver Banega will strut their stuff at West Ham's famous old ground, according to Steven Goff of the Washington post. After a planned clash between the United States and Croatia at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground fell through, the South Americans stepped in to provide an opponent for the European side with the venue now set to be switched from West to East London. The game could also mark the return to Upton Park for both Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) and Carlos Tevez (Juventus), although the latter has failed to make recent Argentina squads. Croatia, despite not featuring a single UK-based player in their current squad still boast one or two major continental stars such as midfielder Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) and Dnipro's Ivan Strinic, both of whom are well-known across the continent. Meanwhile any Hammers fans present may also be able to get a glimpse of Rijeka's young striker Andrej Kramaric, who was linked with a move to West Ham earlier this month.
The game is provisionally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 12th November. The US will instead face Columbia at Craven Cottage on the same evening.
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Jim Barrett Jnr
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Jim Barrett Jnr has passed away at the age of 83. Born in London between the wars, the home grown star began his career at West Ham where he went on to make 85 appearances for the club as an inside forward, scoring 24 goals. However after five years as a first team squad member Barrett was sold to Nottingham Forest in 1954. The son of Jim Barrett Snr, who himself was on West Ham's books for 15 years between 1924 and 1939, the two appeared together when representing West Ham's 'A' Team during the 1945/46 season. Jim Snr, who had retired from the professional game at the age of 32 was the team's coach at the time.
West Ham co-chairman David Gold, himself a young player on West Ham's books at the time, told whufc.com that Barrett was always willing to support the young players. "I am really sorry to hear of Jim's death," he said. "I remember him so well. He joined the Football Club when I was a schoolboy and we would train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
"I remember that he became involved in the A team and I particularly remember him when I was in the Colts. What was nice about Jim was that he was always willing to help the youngsters. I played for the A team a number of times and I have great memories of him - he was a nice man."
KUMB's sincere condolences go to Jim's family and friends at this difficult time.
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Colin Murray: shut up, Shearer
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-BBC presenter Colin Murray has launched a no-holds-barred attack on Beeb employee Alan Shearer after he criticised Hammers fans on Match of the Day at the weekend.
Following Match of the Day's highlights of West Ham's 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday, Shearer - a BBC pundit who is not shy in having a pop at the club or its fans - asked "where are they now?" with regard to those who had been critical of Sam Allardyce's tactical approach last season. That led Murray, speaking on his TalkSport show last night to castigate his former colleague - without specifically referring to Shearer in person. "I've heard a few people say on TV and radio at the weekend - so the guns aren't aimed at anyone in particular - where's the Sam Out brigade? "How insulting that is to West Ham fans, that people are ridiculing them for West Ham having a decent start to the season. They're doing well - and people are goading the West Ham fans? It doesn't mean you can sit on radio or television and lambast a whole fanbase who pay their money week in, week out. "There was an element of truth on both sides. Sam Allardyce was right to a certain extent to say we don't always play the ball in the air but the stats pointed out they did more often than any other team last season. But it's all relevant to the season we're in.
People said 'where are they'? I tell you where they are - they're in their jobs this morning, working hard and paying money to go and see their football team. Nothing they said was wrong - some of them took it a bit too far at times, but I just hate that idea that West Ham fans, for some reason, have no knowledge of football. "I've been waiting to get that off my chest for about 36 hours. I couldn't wait to get on and just say 'come on, have a bit of respect for them, they're allowed to have their point of view'. I don't think anything the vast majority did was out of character or wrong. It doesn't mean you can sit and slag them off on TV."
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WHAT THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW MAY HOLD
By Sean Whetstone 21 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
I know it is early for transfer speculation especially as David Sullivan has already gone on record to say it will quiet window as we have reached our FFP wages limit. 'I'm hoping we don't have to do any', Sullivan told The London Evening Standard when asked if West Ham could sign any players in January. "We're right up against our wage cap and this is the best squad we've ever had in terms of depth and quality.It's a tall order but I'm hoping we will have 30 points at the halfway stage. That means realistically you can't be relegated and we can throw everything at the FA Cup"
I know what the Chairman has said but I can't believe we are not looking to cover Reid's centre back position should he decide not to re-sign, in my view we are unlikely to sign Carl Jenkinson permanently in the right back position at the the end of his loan plus James Collins, Joey O'Brien, Ricardo Vaz Te and Guy Demel days at the club could be limited. These could all bring significant amounts off the wage bill to dabble a little in the January transfer window. We know Sullivan won't be able to restrain himself when the transfer window opens again.
Here the a round up of the players we have been linked with in October:
Virgil Van Dijk
According to the Scotsman West Ham have joined the chase to land Virgil Van Dijk. It is claimed that that Arsene Wenger is ready to bid £8 million for the player after reports from Arsenal's scouts following his displays for Celtic in the Europa League. However could mix it up with a bid of their own with Southampton, Sunderland and unnamed Serie A side are also said to be interested. Celtic are said to be looking for at least £10 million for the Dutchman.Virgil came through the ranks at Willem II in Holland before moving to Groningen as a teenager, where he played in the same side as Southampton's Dusan Tadic. He has played for the Dutch Under 19 and Under 21 sides and in 2013 he moved to Celtic for £2.6million. In 42 games for Celtic he has scored 5 goals.
Abdoulaye Konko Faye
The 30 year old Frenchman is an attacking right back of Senegalese and Moroccan descent and is believed to be on the wanted list as a long term replacement for Guy Demel. Although the Hammers have on loan Carl Jenkinson in place for this season, the club is covering its back should Arsenal refuse to do business on a permanent basis.
Konko signed a five year deal with Lazio in 2011 at a fee of four million euros and could be available for around half that should the Italian decide to sell.
Antonio Rudiger
West Ham could compete to bid for Stuttgart's German international defender Antonio Rudiger in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Express. The 21-year-old was claimed to be of interest to the Hammers in the summer and it is understood Sam Allardyce might look to sign the centre-back once more during the January transfer window.Rudiger has made 54 league appearances for Stuttgart and was part of the side which were runners up in the 2013 DFB Pokal
Shinji Okazaki
FSV Mainz 05 star striker Shinji Okazaki is being chased by the Hammers, according to German media.The German newspaper Bild has reported that scouts from West Ham were spotted watching him at his last match. Okazaki has scored five goals this season for Mainz in the Bundesliga league.The Japanese International is contracted at the club until the summer of 2016 but the German side could be tempted to cash in for the 28 year-old in the next window if the right offer is made. Mainz could accept offers for around 8-10 million euros.In the last year, the number 23 has scored 39 goals in 79 games.West Ham were among three clubs who sent a scout to watch Modena 20-goal top scorer Khouma Babacar recently.The player has now returned to his club Fiorentina since but West Ham scout George Dixon watched hiom before his return.Babacar has spent the last two seasons out on loan first with Padova in 2012/13 when he scored just one goal from 16 appearances before bursting into life at Modena last term with 20 goals from 41.
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WEST HAM IN MY HEART, CHOLESTEROL IN MY VEINS
By Brian Williams 21 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Having knotted several sets of claret and blue underwear last week with the suggestion that Alex Song may not be the new Trevor Brooking quite yet, I thought it would be a good idea to write about something rather less controversial this time – like why I believe Bobby Moore was actually over-rated; or not only is Nigel Farage the right man to run the country, he should be given overall control at West Ham as well.
In the end I rejected the idea of playing safe (you don't win a Pulitzer prize taking the easy options) and have instead decided to look at the big issue facing football supporters everywhere squarely in the eye: is a pie really an essential part of the proceedings on a Saturday?
Before you answer the next question I would like to remind you that you are under oath and the penalties for perjury in this country are severe. So, think back, then answer clearly and concisely: when did you last have a pie at a game?
Aha – just as I suspected! So why is there this myth that football and pies go together like Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia? The idea seems particularly popular with affluent, middle-class supporters who suddenly turned into instant experts on the game when it became fashionable to start going to "footy". Is it, I wonder, the glory-hunters' revenge for Roy Keane's crack about the "prawn sandwich brigade"? If so, this nonsense has gone on long enough.
Just take a stroll down the Barking Road before any home game. Immediately behind the Bobby Moore stand is a row of shops including one that sells pie and mash and another that does fish and chips. They're two doors apart. Sure, Nathan's pies are popular, but the queue for the Ercan Fish Bar is reminiscent of the snaking lines of people who wait for days outside polling stations in those courageous countries that have thrown off the shackles of dictatorship and won the right to democracy for the first time. Ably assisted by my son, who has a master's in computer science, I have done some highly sophisticated analytical research here – namely standing by the nearby programme stall and noting the length of the queues for well over a minute. Trust me, the chippy has got this one wrapped up … so to speak.
Personally, I prefer the brilliant hot food on sale in Priory Road. Anywhere that offers a Mad Dog, a Terminator and a Stevie Bacon burger cannot be ignored by anyone who truly has West Ham in their heart (and cholesterol in their arteries). This wonderful institution simply has to be rebuilt, brick by brick, outside the main gates of the Olympic Stadium when we move.
When I first started going to the Boleyn Ground in the Sixties, I would invariably travel by tube and alight at Upton Park. Had I turned left when I exited the station, rather than go south and head for the ground, I may well have encountered my future sister-in-law, who had a Saturday job in the pie and mash shop that used to be further up Green Street, on the same side of the road. In fact, I might have met the woman I would one day marry, because she sometimes stood in for her. The shop made its own pies, but the example set by the manager to his staff is something that I adhere to now. "Mike would never touch the pies," says my sister-in-law. "He knew what went in them."
Now, if I'm not going to have a pie on familiar soil, I'm certainly not going to risk it at away games. Why? Because, as I drive home after a match in some far flung part of the nation which has culinary traditions all of its own, I have no wish to hammer down the motorway with one eye peeled for a service station as my small intestine makes increasingly alarming noises, that's why.
To be strictly honest here, I did break my own rule by having a Seagull pie at the Amex stadium in Brighton when we were in the Championship. But then I live in Brighton (yeah, yeah, my boyfriend knows I'm here … and I'm sure you can see us holding hands) so for once I wasn't overly concerned about being struck down with gastro enteritis half an hour after the final whistle. And, just in case you were wondering, no – they don't put seagulls in Seagull pies. They do, however, charge a fortune for them. A recent survey (journalists just love recent surveys) found that Brighton and Hove Albion ask more than any other club in the Prem or the Championship when it comes to shortcrust shenanigans.
Anyway, to return to my argument that it's the clever dicks rather than the true fan who is obsessed with pies, I have categorical proof that I am right and everybody else is wrong (as my wife will tell you, this is not always the case).
We are at St Andrews, watching our brave lads teach the Bluenoses a thing or two about how to pass and move. A chubby gentleman, clearly of the Birmingham persuasion, has spent most of the first 45 minutes single-handedly abusing us from the adjacent stand and then decides to beat the half-time rush. As he heads for the exit he is sent on his way with the spontaneous chant of "Home for his dinner, he's going home for his dinner." But he didn't go home – he came back after the interval. And this is where the proof of the pudding, or rather the pie, can be found.
"Only went for a burger, he only went for a burger," was the greeting from the travelling claret and blue support as our Brummie friend took his seat.
A burger, you will notice. Not a steak pie. Which just goes to show the first thing on the menu that pops into the typical football supporter's mind doesn't come wrapped in pastry but is generally found between two slices of some form of bread (in my case, it's a bacon sandwich – the Great Dane – if I'm in Priory Road). Case proven, I think you will agree.
Perhaps it will all be different at the Olympic Stadium. If the proponents of the move are to be believed, this is the promised land that will not only turn us into a Champions League side but will also offer a half time of fine dining and service with a smile. The queues Sir? Ha-ha, we don't have those here – they are so Upton Park. This is Stratford.
Come to think of it, I won't be sorry to leave queuing behind. I will be sorry to leave the Boleyn Ground and everything else that goes with it, though. A pint in the Black Lion beforehand, one in the Denmark afterwards. A bacon sandwich in Priory Road. The programme stall in the Barking Road, the OLAS guys by the entrance to the Bobby Moore stand. The matchday routine is almost as important as the game itself, and it won't be the same when we move.
As you may have guessed by now, I am one of those grumpy old gits who does not believe moving to the OS is in the best interests of the club I have supported for 50 years. As a lesson in long-term asset management, flogging the family home and then renting a luxury flat leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I suppose there will always be Wonga when the cash runs out.
Yes, I know it's a done deal and I'll have just have to suck it up. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
All I would suggest is that, before we go, you savour every minute of the time left in E13. In particular, enjoy your own matchday rituals – whatever they may be. It's my guess you'll miss them when they're gone.
See – I told you pies were controversial.
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West Ham United block Tottenham hopes of renting Upton Park
Ahead of their move to the Olympic Park, West Ham have taken steps to prevent Spurs from using Upton Park ahead of their north London redevelopment
West Ham United block Tottenham hopes of renting Upton Park
Telegraph.co.uk
By Matt Law, Football News Correspondent10:00PM BST 21 Oct 2014
West Ham United have "Tottenham-proofed" their contract with the buyers of Upton Park to prevent it falling into the hands of their fierce rivals. The property developer Galliard Group agreed to buy Upton Park once West Ham make the move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
It has now emerged that a clause in the contract states that West Ham do not have to leave Upton Park in a fit state for football and plan to gut the stadium ahead of their exit. That rules out Tottenham Hotspur trying to rent Upton Park off Galliard while they wait for White Hart Lane to be redeveloped, having already failed in a bid to buy West Ham's stadium to use for a season. A senior West Ham source said: "It is correct that the Boleyn Ground will not be fit for football after West Ham's final game in 2016.
This is because Hammers fans will be offered the opportunity to secure their own piece of history through a special auction of memorabilia, which will cover most, if not all, of the essential parts of the stadium. "In addition, some of the most identifiable fixtures will be coming with us to Stratford and essential equipment relating to the pitch and other areas will be taken away and reused at the club's training facilities."
With Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, still searching for a sponsor to pay £150 million for the naming rights for the club's new stadium, its projected opening date has been pushed back to 2018-19. That means Spurs need a temporary home for the 2017-18 season and have been looking at ground-sharing with MK Dons and playing big games at Wembley. However, the possibility of Spurs ground-sharing with West Ham in the Olympic Stadium for the 2017-18 campaign, the season after West Ham move in, will be debated again, with Mayor of London Boris Johnson to be quizzed on the subject.
Andrew Boff, leader of the Greater London Authority Conservatives, will ask Johnson if West Ham have the power to veto Tottenham, if the club approached the London Legacy Development Corporation requesting a ground-share deal. Boff is a critic of the LLDC's decision to sign the Olympic Stadium over to West Ham on a 99-year lease, arguing that it represents a poor deal for the taxpayer.
Karren Brady, the West Ham vice-chairman, has claimed that the club would block any attempt by their London rivals to share the stadium and they are insistent they hold a permanent right of veto. It was revealed this week that the firm working on the Olympic Stadium, Balfour Beatty, had lobbied for another £50 million of taxpayers' cash to complete the work at the site. Under the terms of the 99-year lease deal signed by West Ham with the LLDC, the club is not obliged to foot any of the extra cost. West Ham appeared to consider the prospect of introducing a 'singing section' at the Olympic Stadium for all of four hours on Tuesday afternoon. Jack Sullivan, son of the co-owner David, posted two messages on Twitter that said: "Possibility of a singing fans section at the OS anyone got any ideas what it should be called? Also, do you think a singing section is a good idea, an area where all the passionate fans can sit together and chant throughout the game."
However, following a host of negative responses, Sullivan added another tweet that read: "Thanks for your help – bad idea so will not be doing that."
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Under-21s Report: Chelsea 2 West Ham United 1
NEWS Mon, 6 Jan 2014
Chelasefc.com
Dermot Drummy's Under-21s earned themselves a place in the last eight of the inaugural Under-21 Premier League Cup with a win in difficult conditions at Aldershot. An own goal cancelled out Isaiah Brown's early opener, before captain Nathan Ake put the hosts back in front midway through the first half with what proved to be the winning goal.
Team news
Dermot Drummy made four changes from the side that defeated Cardiff City 4-0 in the previous round, with Mitchell Beeney returning in goal in place of Jamal Blackman and Andreas Christensen taking Danny Pappoe's place in central defence.
Adam Nditi and Alex Davey retained their places at left-back and centre-back respectively, while Fankaty Dabo replaced Isak Ssewankambo on the right side to make up the back four.
Isaiah Brown led the line up front, supported by Jeremie Boga and John Swift from the flanks, while Lewis Baker kept his place in midfield after his first team debut from the bench at Derby County in the FA Cup third round. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and captain Nathan Ake made up the midfield trio.
Five of the West Ham starting team from November's league meeting featured in the first team's 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday so there were 10 changes from the side that began that 3-3 draw.
First half
With the rain subsiding just in time for kick-off at Aldershot the early proceedings were even and Beeney had an early scare as a short back-pass put him under pressure from the eager forward closing down. Yet the first chance of the game came down the other end after Baker had been felled as his tricky footwork evaded defenders.
The midfielder stepped up himself and bent in an excellent effort from just over 20 yards that the visiting goalkeeper Sam Howes impressively tipped on to the post. That was an early warning sign from the young Blues, though West Ham threatened themselves moments later as Beeney denied captain Kieran Bywater's well-hit strike at the near post.
The end-to-end early exchanges quickly saw an opening goal arrive after six minutes and it was the hosts taking a lead. Baker, involved in much of the attacking play early on operating from a more advanced No.10 midfield role, supplied the pass for Brown, and the striker fired emphatically hard and low beyond Howes for his eighth goal of the season.
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The young Hammers responded positively, continuing to cause problems as they pushed forward, and were quickly rewarded with an equaliser inside a quarter of an hour. Jerry Amoo's enterprising burst from right-back created the danger and his low centre was spilled into his own net by Beeney via a deflection from Nditi.
Both sides were enjoying possession and opportunities in an open encounter and Amoo threatened once again with a powerful run down the right, bursting away from the defending Boga, although his delivery was eventually overhit beyond the supporting attackers.
Davey finished confidently past Howes as the aftermath of a Chelsea corner was poorly cleared, though the lineman's flag was raised for a narrow offside call, before the game's third goal arrived midway through the half.
Skipper Ake found space running from deep midfield and was found with an excellent ball through from Loftus-Cheek, before providing an accomplished finish down low and across the goalkeeper into the far bottom corner to net his second goal of the campaign. His first, incidentally, came back in November when these two sides met in the league and the Dutchman grabbed a last-minute equaliser.
As the half wore on Chelsea's control of the game grew stronger, as did the influence of the lively front four of Brown, Baker, Swift and Boga. Baker's corner from the left got caught by the swirling wind and almost caught out goalkeeper Howes, before Nditi's super cross from the left narrowly evaded the onrushing Swift at the far post.
A brilliant exchange between Baker and Boga fashioned another opening for the hosts, though the Frenchman was denied by Howes, and the West Ham stopper was called into action once again moments later as he saved Boga's header after Swift had beaten his man and delivered from the right.
Jordan Brown was denied by a succession of close tackles from Davey (pictured below) after Nathan Mavila had provided from the left, before the last action of the half saw Chelsea go close to extending the lead. Ake swept a brilliant cross-field pass out to the attacking Nditi on the left and the defender's excellent first touch allowed him to get into space, though goalscorer Brown couldn't add to his tally as his bending effort flew over the bar.
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Second half
The visitors began the second period eager to get on the front foot as they searched for an equaliser in the tie, though it was Brown for the hosts who found himself presented with the first chance of the half as he raced in behind. The striker attempted to flick the ball over the covering defender but Amos Nasha defended cleverly and marshalled the danger away.
With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs there was plenty to play for and the visitors came close to levelling terms shortly after the restart. Jordan Brown forced the save from Beeney, though the shot was straight at the goalkeeper and the save was ultimately a routine one.
That warning sign set the tone for the young Blues to respond strongly as they sought to grab a third goal and finish off the game. Manny Onariase cleared well for West Ham as a dangerous delivery from the right from Dabo landed invitingly inside the six-yard box, before Brown was twice thwarted as he looked to get his second goal of the evening.
Howes in the Hammers' goal was certainly proving to be the busiest man on the field and he was needed again to save from Baker's flick after Swift had beaten Reece Burke and delivered from the right.
The bright Swift continued to pose problems for the visitors, either using his skill and pace to beat his man on the outside or coming infield to threaten. It was through the latter that the Under-21s' top goalscorer almost got his 11th goal of the season, coming inside off the right touchline and beating a couple of defenders before firing an arrowing effort towards goal that flew just inches wide.
The windy conditions and intermittent driving rain continued to make playing conditions difficult and goalmouth action was rare as the half wore on. Nditi dragged a shot wide past the far post after finding space down the left, though the game continued to be cagey and chances were limited.
Charly Musonda and Ola Aina were introduced by Drummy to provide an energising boost to proceedings and the young Belgian proved lively, creating openings for himself with some clever footwork and skill, though a combination of a bumpy pitch and some brave blocks from defenders limited his impact somewhat.
Swift tested Howes late on while Brown (pictured below) might have done better when advanced in the box but chose to look for a pass rather than shoot as Chelsea held on to ensure their progress in the competition.
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Next up for Drummy's Under-21s is a league game against Reading. This game is moved from Aldershot and will now be played at Cobham, with kick-off at 2pm. The match will be played behind closed doors and we regret supporters will not be admitted.
Manager Reaction
Dermot Drummy was pleased the game went ahead despite heavy rain in the days preceding it and high wind on the night. 'Well done to [Chelsea head groundsman] Jason Griffin and the Aldershot staff for getting this game on,' he said. 'We needed the match because we did give the lads, especially the foreign players a good break at Christmas and no matter what training you do, it is nothing like going through a game. 'It was a cup tie and we won it so we are pleased with that but compliments to West Ham, they had a good game plan and their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves. If you look on the balance of chances we were worthy winners and I've said to the boys it is a nice trait to keep winning. 'West Ham knew we attack centrally and we didn't have real width with Alex Kiwomya being ill, but it was a great move for Nathan's goal, we moved the ball quickly which we didn't always do tonight but it is the way I like to play. 'Isaiah finished well for his goal and Lew Baker has come off the back of making his first team debut, which is wonderful, to perform well tonight.'
Chelsea: Mitchell Beeney; Fankaty Dabo, Alex Davey, Andreas Christensen, Adam Nditi (Ola Aina 80); Nathan Ake (c), Lewis Baker, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Charly Musonda 72); John Swift, Jeremie Boga, Isaiah Brown.
Unused subs: Bradley Collins, Dion Conroy
West Ham: Sam Howes, Jerry Amoo (Matthew Carter 77), Lewis Page, Amos Nasha, Reece Burke, Manny Onariase, Moses Makasi, Josh Cullen, Jordan Brown, Kieran Bywater (c), Nathan Mavila (Marcio Martins 77)
Unused subs: Gines Guzman Rosique, Oscar Borg, Josh Pask
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DG names his next big objective
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ask David Gold to describe the dressing room spirit at Upton Park and he will point to a picture of Mark Noble out of his mind with delight at Burnley on Saturday! He posted it on Twitter and explained: "It tells you better than any words of mine what the lads are feeling at the moment – elation, joy overwhelming confidence and more besides. It's the kind of spirit that can carry us to an FA Cup Final Day out and I really am looking forward to a big run in that competition.
That is the next big ambition and the co chairman but is convinced it's achievable and that it should run in harness with a major bid to make the last Boleyn season a European season. That has been David Sullivan's stated aim for some time but the FA Cup campaign offers a real opportunity of a major trophy for the first time in a lot of years."
Generally speaking DG is a cautious man but really does believe that an assault on Wembley is realistic. He said: "The big clubs are always going to pitch hard for Europe and we shouldn't rule that out either but the FA Cup gives us a real chance and it's something I've been wanting for several years. "I think we can give it a real go this season."
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Reid contract clause headaches
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Reports this morning that Queens Park Rangers are planning a possible move for Winston Reid are bizarre to put it very mildly indeed!
The story goes that Rio Ferdinand will be allowed to leave in January and that Reid has been watched as a possible alternative by Harry Redknapp. As reported earlier on ClaretandHugh today, new talks will get underway between the Hammers and Reid's advisers later this week with the Irons ready to offer improved terms to the Kiwi. The QPR scenario becomes increasingly unbelievable given that among the various clauses the Reid side want, in talks with the Hammers, is one involving relegation. We were told the requirement is that the player would be allowed to leave Upton Park for around £2 million should that happen over the terms of a new deal.
Given that, it's difficult in the extreme to see why the player would be remotely tempted by a move to Loftus Road. Hammers negotiators know they face a tough task nailing down a new deal with Reid admitting "the cards are all stacked in his favour." They want to get a deal agreed by the end of December but accept the situation could even run into next summer when he becomes a free agent. A source told us: "We'll be offering a very good deal but we understand he is in a position where he can take his time and talk to various clubs."
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Whufc.COM
Aaron Cresswell only had eyes for three Barclays Premier League points at Burnley on Saturday
20.10.2014
Aaron Cresswell is little fussed about taking personal plaudits, just so long as he is contributing to a winning West Ham United cause.
The former Ipswich Town full-back provided the ammunition for Diafra Sakho's opener at Burnley on Saturday and very nearly got on the scoresheet himself, slamming a volley into the midriff of Clarets stopper Tom Heaton. But while his wonderful left-wing cross was hardly about to go unnoticed, the modest 24-year-old insisted it is all in a day's work for the all-action full-back. "It's nice to get an assist and when you do put the ball in and you see the ball go in the back of the net, it's great, but the main thing was the three points and we got that," he told West Ham TV. "It was a good ball and it was a good header. Even the same with Jenks [Carl Jenkinson]. Jenks put in a great ball for Enner [Valencia] and Enner scored it. "That's the modern day full-back and for both teams on Saturday, both full-backs put a lot of balls in the box. It's something we work on in training with the gaffer and Macca [Neil McDonald]. So if you keep putting good balls in the box, nine times out of ten you should score one."
The Hammers' lightning start to the second period was a far cry from the opening exchanges and Cresswell confessed that West Ham were fortunate to find themselves level at the break. He explained: "In the first half I don't think we were as good as we have been this season, at all. The gaffer had a little pop at us at half-time, it wasn't good enough and we knew it wasn't good enough. "They're the home team and we knew they were going to come out of the blocks flying, which they did. And the first 15 minutes, you could say we were all over the place, we were lucky to stay 0-0 at some times. We rode the storm, came out flying second half and scored two early goals."
Saturday's success makes it three wins out of the last four for Sam Allardyce's men and Cresswell is loving it, adamant that a top-ten finish is now well within West Ham's reach. The next challenge comes in the shape of league champions Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, one that holds little fear for Cresswell and co. "Man City are one of the best teams in the Premier League, but we're going to go into that game full of confidence, flying and looking forward to it. "We've played eight games, got 13 points, if we keep that sort of form there's no reason why we can't make the top ten. I think that's realistically a good achievement for us, anywhere in the top ten.
"On and off the pitch it's going well for me down here. The main thing for me was to get my head down, work hard and hopefully try to stay in the team as long as I can."
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Jim Barrett Jr - 1930-2014
WHUFC.com
Former West Ham United forward Jim Barrett Jr has sadly passed away at the age of 83
21.10.2014
Former West Ham United forward Jim Barrett Jr has sadly passed away following a short illness at the age of 83. Inside forward Barrett Jr played 91 times in Claret and Blue between 1950 and 1954, scoring 26 goals. He returned to the Club to coach the A team during the 1960s, helping to develop a number of players at the Academy of Football. Born just a stone's throw from the Boleyn Ground on Bonfire Night 1930, Barrett was the son of Hammers legend 'Big' Jim Barrett - a centre-half who played more than 500 games for West Ham between 1925 and 1945 - and played alongside his father for the A team himself in the 1945/46 season. Barrett Jr made his first-team debut at the age of 19 in a Division Two fixture at Blackburn Rovers on 22 April 1950, netting his first goal in a 2-1 victory at Chesterfield in October of the same year. In May 1951, he was part of the side which defeated Southend United 2-0 in the Essex Professional Cup final at the Boleyn Ground. The 1951/52 season was Barrett Jr's most productive in a West Ham shirt as he scored ten goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, including nine in Division Two.
Barrett Jr made a memorable final appearance for the Hammers on 18 December 1954, when he scored one of West Ham's goals in a 3-3 Division Two draw with Swansea Town at the Boleyn Ground. Joint-Chairman David Gold was a schoolboy and A team player during Barrett Jr's time at West Ham and has fond memories of the inside forward. "I am really sorry to hear of Jim's death," he began. "I remember him so well. He joined the Football Club when I was a schoolboy and we would train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. "Sometimes we would train at the Boleyn Ground and that would give us the opportunity to see the first-team players. We warmed-up indoors there in a gym the size of a squash court and Jim would come in and ask us how we were doing, which was a real thrill for us all. "I remember that he became involved in the A team and I particularly remember him when I was in the Colts. What was nice about Jim was that he was always willing to help the youngsters. I played for the A team a number of times and I have great memories of him - he was a nice man. "As a player, he was an inside forward who played as one of the front three in the old W formation, and he scored a fair few goals. The fans liked Jim and I liked him too."
West Ham's Division Two rivals Nottingham Forest swooped to sign Barrett Jr in December 1954, taking the inside forward to the City Ground. The forward enjoyed an outstanding time for the Tricky Trees, finishing as the club's leading scorer in three straight seasons between 1954 and 1957. In 1956/57, he scored 30 goals as Forest finished second and gained promotion to Division One. Barrett Jr moved to Birmingham City in 1959, scoring four goals in ten league appearances before hanging up his boots from the professional game at the age of 29. He returned to the Boleyn Ground in the 1960s as player-coach of the A team, where he assisted the development of the likes of Harry Redknapp, John Charles and Paul Heffer. Barrett Jr completed his coaching career at Millwall, where he worked under former West Ham wing half Benny Fenton.
Everyone at West Ham United was saddened to learn of Jim's passing and would like to pass on their sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Lionel Messi at the Boleyn as West Ham stage international friendly
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's United Boleyn Ground will play host to an international friendly between Croatia and Argentina next month, according to reports. For the first (and possibly the last!) time ever, the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Éver Banega will strut their stuff at West Ham's famous old ground, according to Steven Goff of the Washington post. After a planned clash between the United States and Croatia at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground fell through, the South Americans stepped in to provide an opponent for the European side with the venue now set to be switched from West to East London. The game could also mark the return to Upton Park for both Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) and Carlos Tevez (Juventus), although the latter has failed to make recent Argentina squads. Croatia, despite not featuring a single UK-based player in their current squad still boast one or two major continental stars such as midfielder Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) and Dnipro's Ivan Strinic, both of whom are well-known across the continent. Meanwhile any Hammers fans present may also be able to get a glimpse of Rijeka's young striker Andrej Kramaric, who was linked with a move to West Ham earlier this month.
The game is provisionally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 12th November. The US will instead face Columbia at Craven Cottage on the same evening.
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Jim Barrett Jnr
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Jim Barrett Jnr has passed away at the age of 83. Born in London between the wars, the home grown star began his career at West Ham where he went on to make 85 appearances for the club as an inside forward, scoring 24 goals. However after five years as a first team squad member Barrett was sold to Nottingham Forest in 1954. The son of Jim Barrett Snr, who himself was on West Ham's books for 15 years between 1924 and 1939, the two appeared together when representing West Ham's 'A' Team during the 1945/46 season. Jim Snr, who had retired from the professional game at the age of 32 was the team's coach at the time.
West Ham co-chairman David Gold, himself a young player on West Ham's books at the time, told whufc.com that Barrett was always willing to support the young players. "I am really sorry to hear of Jim's death," he said. "I remember him so well. He joined the Football Club when I was a schoolboy and we would train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
"I remember that he became involved in the A team and I particularly remember him when I was in the Colts. What was nice about Jim was that he was always willing to help the youngsters. I played for the A team a number of times and I have great memories of him - he was a nice man."
KUMB's sincere condolences go to Jim's family and friends at this difficult time.
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Colin Murray: shut up, Shearer
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 21st October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Ex-BBC presenter Colin Murray has launched a no-holds-barred attack on Beeb employee Alan Shearer after he criticised Hammers fans on Match of the Day at the weekend.
Following Match of the Day's highlights of West Ham's 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday, Shearer - a BBC pundit who is not shy in having a pop at the club or its fans - asked "where are they now?" with regard to those who had been critical of Sam Allardyce's tactical approach last season. That led Murray, speaking on his TalkSport show last night to castigate his former colleague - without specifically referring to Shearer in person. "I've heard a few people say on TV and radio at the weekend - so the guns aren't aimed at anyone in particular - where's the Sam Out brigade? "How insulting that is to West Ham fans, that people are ridiculing them for West Ham having a decent start to the season. They're doing well - and people are goading the West Ham fans? It doesn't mean you can sit on radio or television and lambast a whole fanbase who pay their money week in, week out. "There was an element of truth on both sides. Sam Allardyce was right to a certain extent to say we don't always play the ball in the air but the stats pointed out they did more often than any other team last season. But it's all relevant to the season we're in.
People said 'where are they'? I tell you where they are - they're in their jobs this morning, working hard and paying money to go and see their football team. Nothing they said was wrong - some of them took it a bit too far at times, but I just hate that idea that West Ham fans, for some reason, have no knowledge of football. "I've been waiting to get that off my chest for about 36 hours. I couldn't wait to get on and just say 'come on, have a bit of respect for them, they're allowed to have their point of view'. I don't think anything the vast majority did was out of character or wrong. It doesn't mean you can sit and slag them off on TV."
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WHAT THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW MAY HOLD
By Sean Whetstone 21 Oct 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
I know it is early for transfer speculation especially as David Sullivan has already gone on record to say it will quiet window as we have reached our FFP wages limit. 'I'm hoping we don't have to do any', Sullivan told The London Evening Standard when asked if West Ham could sign any players in January. "We're right up against our wage cap and this is the best squad we've ever had in terms of depth and quality.It's a tall order but I'm hoping we will have 30 points at the halfway stage. That means realistically you can't be relegated and we can throw everything at the FA Cup"
I know what the Chairman has said but I can't believe we are not looking to cover Reid's centre back position should he decide not to re-sign, in my view we are unlikely to sign Carl Jenkinson permanently in the right back position at the the end of his loan plus James Collins, Joey O'Brien, Ricardo Vaz Te and Guy Demel days at the club could be limited. These could all bring significant amounts off the wage bill to dabble a little in the January transfer window. We know Sullivan won't be able to restrain himself when the transfer window opens again.
Here the a round up of the players we have been linked with in October:
Virgil Van Dijk
According to the Scotsman West Ham have joined the chase to land Virgil Van Dijk. It is claimed that that Arsene Wenger is ready to bid £8 million for the player after reports from Arsenal's scouts following his displays for Celtic in the Europa League. However could mix it up with a bid of their own with Southampton, Sunderland and unnamed Serie A side are also said to be interested. Celtic are said to be looking for at least £10 million for the Dutchman.Virgil came through the ranks at Willem II in Holland before moving to Groningen as a teenager, where he played in the same side as Southampton's Dusan Tadic. He has played for the Dutch Under 19 and Under 21 sides and in 2013 he moved to Celtic for £2.6million. In 42 games for Celtic he has scored 5 goals.
Abdoulaye Konko Faye
The 30 year old Frenchman is an attacking right back of Senegalese and Moroccan descent and is believed to be on the wanted list as a long term replacement for Guy Demel. Although the Hammers have on loan Carl Jenkinson in place for this season, the club is covering its back should Arsenal refuse to do business on a permanent basis.
Konko signed a five year deal with Lazio in 2011 at a fee of four million euros and could be available for around half that should the Italian decide to sell.
Antonio Rudiger
West Ham could compete to bid for Stuttgart's German international defender Antonio Rudiger in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Express. The 21-year-old was claimed to be of interest to the Hammers in the summer and it is understood Sam Allardyce might look to sign the centre-back once more during the January transfer window.Rudiger has made 54 league appearances for Stuttgart and was part of the side which were runners up in the 2013 DFB Pokal
Shinji Okazaki
FSV Mainz 05 star striker Shinji Okazaki is being chased by the Hammers, according to German media.The German newspaper Bild has reported that scouts from West Ham were spotted watching him at his last match. Okazaki has scored five goals this season for Mainz in the Bundesliga league.The Japanese International is contracted at the club until the summer of 2016 but the German side could be tempted to cash in for the 28 year-old in the next window if the right offer is made. Mainz could accept offers for around 8-10 million euros.In the last year, the number 23 has scored 39 goals in 79 games.West Ham were among three clubs who sent a scout to watch Modena 20-goal top scorer Khouma Babacar recently.The player has now returned to his club Fiorentina since but West Ham scout George Dixon watched hiom before his return.Babacar has spent the last two seasons out on loan first with Padova in 2012/13 when he scored just one goal from 16 appearances before bursting into life at Modena last term with 20 goals from 41.
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WEST HAM IN MY HEART, CHOLESTEROL IN MY VEINS
By Brian Williams 21 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Having knotted several sets of claret and blue underwear last week with the suggestion that Alex Song may not be the new Trevor Brooking quite yet, I thought it would be a good idea to write about something rather less controversial this time – like why I believe Bobby Moore was actually over-rated; or not only is Nigel Farage the right man to run the country, he should be given overall control at West Ham as well.
In the end I rejected the idea of playing safe (you don't win a Pulitzer prize taking the easy options) and have instead decided to look at the big issue facing football supporters everywhere squarely in the eye: is a pie really an essential part of the proceedings on a Saturday?
Before you answer the next question I would like to remind you that you are under oath and the penalties for perjury in this country are severe. So, think back, then answer clearly and concisely: when did you last have a pie at a game?
Aha – just as I suspected! So why is there this myth that football and pies go together like Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia? The idea seems particularly popular with affluent, middle-class supporters who suddenly turned into instant experts on the game when it became fashionable to start going to "footy". Is it, I wonder, the glory-hunters' revenge for Roy Keane's crack about the "prawn sandwich brigade"? If so, this nonsense has gone on long enough.
Just take a stroll down the Barking Road before any home game. Immediately behind the Bobby Moore stand is a row of shops including one that sells pie and mash and another that does fish and chips. They're two doors apart. Sure, Nathan's pies are popular, but the queue for the Ercan Fish Bar is reminiscent of the snaking lines of people who wait for days outside polling stations in those courageous countries that have thrown off the shackles of dictatorship and won the right to democracy for the first time. Ably assisted by my son, who has a master's in computer science, I have done some highly sophisticated analytical research here – namely standing by the nearby programme stall and noting the length of the queues for well over a minute. Trust me, the chippy has got this one wrapped up … so to speak.
Personally, I prefer the brilliant hot food on sale in Priory Road. Anywhere that offers a Mad Dog, a Terminator and a Stevie Bacon burger cannot be ignored by anyone who truly has West Ham in their heart (and cholesterol in their arteries). This wonderful institution simply has to be rebuilt, brick by brick, outside the main gates of the Olympic Stadium when we move.
When I first started going to the Boleyn Ground in the Sixties, I would invariably travel by tube and alight at Upton Park. Had I turned left when I exited the station, rather than go south and head for the ground, I may well have encountered my future sister-in-law, who had a Saturday job in the pie and mash shop that used to be further up Green Street, on the same side of the road. In fact, I might have met the woman I would one day marry, because she sometimes stood in for her. The shop made its own pies, but the example set by the manager to his staff is something that I adhere to now. "Mike would never touch the pies," says my sister-in-law. "He knew what went in them."
Now, if I'm not going to have a pie on familiar soil, I'm certainly not going to risk it at away games. Why? Because, as I drive home after a match in some far flung part of the nation which has culinary traditions all of its own, I have no wish to hammer down the motorway with one eye peeled for a service station as my small intestine makes increasingly alarming noises, that's why.
To be strictly honest here, I did break my own rule by having a Seagull pie at the Amex stadium in Brighton when we were in the Championship. But then I live in Brighton (yeah, yeah, my boyfriend knows I'm here … and I'm sure you can see us holding hands) so for once I wasn't overly concerned about being struck down with gastro enteritis half an hour after the final whistle. And, just in case you were wondering, no – they don't put seagulls in Seagull pies. They do, however, charge a fortune for them. A recent survey (journalists just love recent surveys) found that Brighton and Hove Albion ask more than any other club in the Prem or the Championship when it comes to shortcrust shenanigans.
Anyway, to return to my argument that it's the clever dicks rather than the true fan who is obsessed with pies, I have categorical proof that I am right and everybody else is wrong (as my wife will tell you, this is not always the case).
We are at St Andrews, watching our brave lads teach the Bluenoses a thing or two about how to pass and move. A chubby gentleman, clearly of the Birmingham persuasion, has spent most of the first 45 minutes single-handedly abusing us from the adjacent stand and then decides to beat the half-time rush. As he heads for the exit he is sent on his way with the spontaneous chant of "Home for his dinner, he's going home for his dinner." But he didn't go home – he came back after the interval. And this is where the proof of the pudding, or rather the pie, can be found.
"Only went for a burger, he only went for a burger," was the greeting from the travelling claret and blue support as our Brummie friend took his seat.
A burger, you will notice. Not a steak pie. Which just goes to show the first thing on the menu that pops into the typical football supporter's mind doesn't come wrapped in pastry but is generally found between two slices of some form of bread (in my case, it's a bacon sandwich – the Great Dane – if I'm in Priory Road). Case proven, I think you will agree.
Perhaps it will all be different at the Olympic Stadium. If the proponents of the move are to be believed, this is the promised land that will not only turn us into a Champions League side but will also offer a half time of fine dining and service with a smile. The queues Sir? Ha-ha, we don't have those here – they are so Upton Park. This is Stratford.
Come to think of it, I won't be sorry to leave queuing behind. I will be sorry to leave the Boleyn Ground and everything else that goes with it, though. A pint in the Black Lion beforehand, one in the Denmark afterwards. A bacon sandwich in Priory Road. The programme stall in the Barking Road, the OLAS guys by the entrance to the Bobby Moore stand. The matchday routine is almost as important as the game itself, and it won't be the same when we move.
As you may have guessed by now, I am one of those grumpy old gits who does not believe moving to the OS is in the best interests of the club I have supported for 50 years. As a lesson in long-term asset management, flogging the family home and then renting a luxury flat leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I suppose there will always be Wonga when the cash runs out.
Yes, I know it's a done deal and I'll have just have to suck it up. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
All I would suggest is that, before we go, you savour every minute of the time left in E13. In particular, enjoy your own matchday rituals – whatever they may be. It's my guess you'll miss them when they're gone.
See – I told you pies were controversial.
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West Ham United block Tottenham hopes of renting Upton Park
Ahead of their move to the Olympic Park, West Ham have taken steps to prevent Spurs from using Upton Park ahead of their north London redevelopment
West Ham United block Tottenham hopes of renting Upton Park
Telegraph.co.uk
By Matt Law, Football News Correspondent10:00PM BST 21 Oct 2014
West Ham United have "Tottenham-proofed" their contract with the buyers of Upton Park to prevent it falling into the hands of their fierce rivals. The property developer Galliard Group agreed to buy Upton Park once West Ham make the move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.
It has now emerged that a clause in the contract states that West Ham do not have to leave Upton Park in a fit state for football and plan to gut the stadium ahead of their exit. That rules out Tottenham Hotspur trying to rent Upton Park off Galliard while they wait for White Hart Lane to be redeveloped, having already failed in a bid to buy West Ham's stadium to use for a season. A senior West Ham source said: "It is correct that the Boleyn Ground will not be fit for football after West Ham's final game in 2016.
This is because Hammers fans will be offered the opportunity to secure their own piece of history through a special auction of memorabilia, which will cover most, if not all, of the essential parts of the stadium. "In addition, some of the most identifiable fixtures will be coming with us to Stratford and essential equipment relating to the pitch and other areas will be taken away and reused at the club's training facilities."
With Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, still searching for a sponsor to pay £150 million for the naming rights for the club's new stadium, its projected opening date has been pushed back to 2018-19. That means Spurs need a temporary home for the 2017-18 season and have been looking at ground-sharing with MK Dons and playing big games at Wembley. However, the possibility of Spurs ground-sharing with West Ham in the Olympic Stadium for the 2017-18 campaign, the season after West Ham move in, will be debated again, with Mayor of London Boris Johnson to be quizzed on the subject.
Andrew Boff, leader of the Greater London Authority Conservatives, will ask Johnson if West Ham have the power to veto Tottenham, if the club approached the London Legacy Development Corporation requesting a ground-share deal. Boff is a critic of the LLDC's decision to sign the Olympic Stadium over to West Ham on a 99-year lease, arguing that it represents a poor deal for the taxpayer.
Karren Brady, the West Ham vice-chairman, has claimed that the club would block any attempt by their London rivals to share the stadium and they are insistent they hold a permanent right of veto. It was revealed this week that the firm working on the Olympic Stadium, Balfour Beatty, had lobbied for another £50 million of taxpayers' cash to complete the work at the site. Under the terms of the 99-year lease deal signed by West Ham with the LLDC, the club is not obliged to foot any of the extra cost. West Ham appeared to consider the prospect of introducing a 'singing section' at the Olympic Stadium for all of four hours on Tuesday afternoon. Jack Sullivan, son of the co-owner David, posted two messages on Twitter that said: "Possibility of a singing fans section at the OS anyone got any ideas what it should be called? Also, do you think a singing section is a good idea, an area where all the passionate fans can sit together and chant throughout the game."
However, following a host of negative responses, Sullivan added another tweet that read: "Thanks for your help – bad idea so will not be doing that."
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Under-21s Report: Chelsea 2 West Ham United 1
NEWS Mon, 6 Jan 2014
Chelasefc.com
Dermot Drummy's Under-21s earned themselves a place in the last eight of the inaugural Under-21 Premier League Cup with a win in difficult conditions at Aldershot. An own goal cancelled out Isaiah Brown's early opener, before captain Nathan Ake put the hosts back in front midway through the first half with what proved to be the winning goal.
Team news
Dermot Drummy made four changes from the side that defeated Cardiff City 4-0 in the previous round, with Mitchell Beeney returning in goal in place of Jamal Blackman and Andreas Christensen taking Danny Pappoe's place in central defence.
Adam Nditi and Alex Davey retained their places at left-back and centre-back respectively, while Fankaty Dabo replaced Isak Ssewankambo on the right side to make up the back four.
Isaiah Brown led the line up front, supported by Jeremie Boga and John Swift from the flanks, while Lewis Baker kept his place in midfield after his first team debut from the bench at Derby County in the FA Cup third round. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and captain Nathan Ake made up the midfield trio.
Five of the West Ham starting team from November's league meeting featured in the first team's 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday so there were 10 changes from the side that began that 3-3 draw.
First half
With the rain subsiding just in time for kick-off at Aldershot the early proceedings were even and Beeney had an early scare as a short back-pass put him under pressure from the eager forward closing down. Yet the first chance of the game came down the other end after Baker had been felled as his tricky footwork evaded defenders.
The midfielder stepped up himself and bent in an excellent effort from just over 20 yards that the visiting goalkeeper Sam Howes impressively tipped on to the post. That was an early warning sign from the young Blues, though West Ham threatened themselves moments later as Beeney denied captain Kieran Bywater's well-hit strike at the near post.
The end-to-end early exchanges quickly saw an opening goal arrive after six minutes and it was the hosts taking a lead. Baker, involved in much of the attacking play early on operating from a more advanced No.10 midfield role, supplied the pass for Brown, and the striker fired emphatically hard and low beyond Howes for his eighth goal of the season.
0,,10268~12505572,00
The young Hammers responded positively, continuing to cause problems as they pushed forward, and were quickly rewarded with an equaliser inside a quarter of an hour. Jerry Amoo's enterprising burst from right-back created the danger and his low centre was spilled into his own net by Beeney via a deflection from Nditi.
Both sides were enjoying possession and opportunities in an open encounter and Amoo threatened once again with a powerful run down the right, bursting away from the defending Boga, although his delivery was eventually overhit beyond the supporting attackers.
Davey finished confidently past Howes as the aftermath of a Chelsea corner was poorly cleared, though the lineman's flag was raised for a narrow offside call, before the game's third goal arrived midway through the half.
Skipper Ake found space running from deep midfield and was found with an excellent ball through from Loftus-Cheek, before providing an accomplished finish down low and across the goalkeeper into the far bottom corner to net his second goal of the campaign. His first, incidentally, came back in November when these two sides met in the league and the Dutchman grabbed a last-minute equaliser.
As the half wore on Chelsea's control of the game grew stronger, as did the influence of the lively front four of Brown, Baker, Swift and Boga. Baker's corner from the left got caught by the swirling wind and almost caught out goalkeeper Howes, before Nditi's super cross from the left narrowly evaded the onrushing Swift at the far post.
A brilliant exchange between Baker and Boga fashioned another opening for the hosts, though the Frenchman was denied by Howes, and the West Ham stopper was called into action once again moments later as he saved Boga's header after Swift had beaten his man and delivered from the right.
Jordan Brown was denied by a succession of close tackles from Davey (pictured below) after Nathan Mavila had provided from the left, before the last action of the half saw Chelsea go close to extending the lead. Ake swept a brilliant cross-field pass out to the attacking Nditi on the left and the defender's excellent first touch allowed him to get into space, though goalscorer Brown couldn't add to his tally as his bending effort flew over the bar.
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Second half
The visitors began the second period eager to get on the front foot as they searched for an equaliser in the tie, though it was Brown for the hosts who found himself presented with the first chance of the half as he raced in behind. The striker attempted to flick the ball over the covering defender but Amos Nasha defended cleverly and marshalled the danger away.
With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs there was plenty to play for and the visitors came close to levelling terms shortly after the restart. Jordan Brown forced the save from Beeney, though the shot was straight at the goalkeeper and the save was ultimately a routine one.
That warning sign set the tone for the young Blues to respond strongly as they sought to grab a third goal and finish off the game. Manny Onariase cleared well for West Ham as a dangerous delivery from the right from Dabo landed invitingly inside the six-yard box, before Brown was twice thwarted as he looked to get his second goal of the evening.
Howes in the Hammers' goal was certainly proving to be the busiest man on the field and he was needed again to save from Baker's flick after Swift had beaten Reece Burke and delivered from the right.
The bright Swift continued to pose problems for the visitors, either using his skill and pace to beat his man on the outside or coming infield to threaten. It was through the latter that the Under-21s' top goalscorer almost got his 11th goal of the season, coming inside off the right touchline and beating a couple of defenders before firing an arrowing effort towards goal that flew just inches wide.
The windy conditions and intermittent driving rain continued to make playing conditions difficult and goalmouth action was rare as the half wore on. Nditi dragged a shot wide past the far post after finding space down the left, though the game continued to be cagey and chances were limited.
Charly Musonda and Ola Aina were introduced by Drummy to provide an energising boost to proceedings and the young Belgian proved lively, creating openings for himself with some clever footwork and skill, though a combination of a bumpy pitch and some brave blocks from defenders limited his impact somewhat.
Swift tested Howes late on while Brown (pictured below) might have done better when advanced in the box but chose to look for a pass rather than shoot as Chelsea held on to ensure their progress in the competition.
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Next up for Drummy's Under-21s is a league game against Reading. This game is moved from Aldershot and will now be played at Cobham, with kick-off at 2pm. The match will be played behind closed doors and we regret supporters will not be admitted.
Manager Reaction
Dermot Drummy was pleased the game went ahead despite heavy rain in the days preceding it and high wind on the night. 'Well done to [Chelsea head groundsman] Jason Griffin and the Aldershot staff for getting this game on,' he said. 'We needed the match because we did give the lads, especially the foreign players a good break at Christmas and no matter what training you do, it is nothing like going through a game. 'It was a cup tie and we won it so we are pleased with that but compliments to West Ham, they had a good game plan and their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves. If you look on the balance of chances we were worthy winners and I've said to the boys it is a nice trait to keep winning. 'West Ham knew we attack centrally and we didn't have real width with Alex Kiwomya being ill, but it was a great move for Nathan's goal, we moved the ball quickly which we didn't always do tonight but it is the way I like to play. 'Isaiah finished well for his goal and Lew Baker has come off the back of making his first team debut, which is wonderful, to perform well tonight.'
Chelsea: Mitchell Beeney; Fankaty Dabo, Alex Davey, Andreas Christensen, Adam Nditi (Ola Aina 80); Nathan Ake (c), Lewis Baker, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Charly Musonda 72); John Swift, Jeremie Boga, Isaiah Brown.
Unused subs: Bradley Collins, Dion Conroy
West Ham: Sam Howes, Jerry Amoo (Matthew Carter 77), Lewis Page, Amos Nasha, Reece Burke, Manny Onariase, Moses Makasi, Josh Cullen, Jordan Brown, Kieran Bywater (c), Nathan Mavila (Marcio Martins 77)
Unused subs: Gines Guzman Rosique, Oscar Borg, Josh Pask
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DG names his next big objective
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ask David Gold to describe the dressing room spirit at Upton Park and he will point to a picture of Mark Noble out of his mind with delight at Burnley on Saturday! He posted it on Twitter and explained: "It tells you better than any words of mine what the lads are feeling at the moment – elation, joy overwhelming confidence and more besides. It's the kind of spirit that can carry us to an FA Cup Final Day out and I really am looking forward to a big run in that competition.
That is the next big ambition and the co chairman but is convinced it's achievable and that it should run in harness with a major bid to make the last Boleyn season a European season. That has been David Sullivan's stated aim for some time but the FA Cup campaign offers a real opportunity of a major trophy for the first time in a lot of years."
Generally speaking DG is a cautious man but really does believe that an assault on Wembley is realistic. He said: "The big clubs are always going to pitch hard for Europe and we shouldn't rule that out either but the FA Cup gives us a real chance and it's something I've been wanting for several years. "I think we can give it a real go this season."
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Reid contract clause headaches
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 21, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Reports this morning that Queens Park Rangers are planning a possible move for Winston Reid are bizarre to put it very mildly indeed!
The story goes that Rio Ferdinand will be allowed to leave in January and that Reid has been watched as a possible alternative by Harry Redknapp. As reported earlier on ClaretandHugh today, new talks will get underway between the Hammers and Reid's advisers later this week with the Irons ready to offer improved terms to the Kiwi. The QPR scenario becomes increasingly unbelievable given that among the various clauses the Reid side want, in talks with the Hammers, is one involving relegation. We were told the requirement is that the player would be allowed to leave Upton Park for around £2 million should that happen over the terms of a new deal.
Given that, it's difficult in the extreme to see why the player would be remotely tempted by a move to Loftus Road. Hammers negotiators know they face a tough task nailing down a new deal with Reid admitting "the cards are all stacked in his favour." They want to get a deal agreed by the end of December but accept the situation could even run into next summer when he becomes a free agent. A source told us: "We'll be offering a very good deal but we understand he is in a position where he can take his time and talk to various clubs."
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