AC ready to engage
WHUFC.com
Newly-engaged Andy Carroll is fit and ready to fire for West Ham United
09.11.2014
Andy Carroll is fit and ready to fire for West Ham United. The centre
forward made a dramatic return from the ankle injury that has ruled him out
since July in Saturday's goalless Barclays Premier League draw with Aston
Villa. Carroll did not make his entrance as a substitute until the second
minute of added time, but his impact was huge, as the No9 was twice denied a
late, late winner by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan. While the 25-year-old
unable to complete a fairytale comeback, he was delighted to pull on a
Claret and Blue shirt again after a frustrating few months on the sidelines.
"It is a great feeling to be back out on the pitch," Carroll, who became
engaged to fiancee Billi Mucklow last weekend, told West Ham TV. "It took a
long time, a lot of hard work and I have to give credit to all of the
medical staff for getting me back fit. It has been a long time and getting
on the pitch is a great feeling. "I was edging to get on a bit earlier, but
the gaffer saved me for the last five minutes. I had a great chance and the
keeper pulled off a great save."
Carroll's return came after two successful behind-closed-doors appearances
at Chadwell Heath. The striker has naturally been 'champing at the bit' to
make his first-team return, but he knows the medical staff were right to err
on the cautious side. "I had to make sure it was 100% before I started doing
anything," he confirmed. "I had a couple of weeks after the surgery where I
could not do anything, even go to the gym. "With me being active, that was
more annoying than anything. Getting back in the gym, working hard, training
and getting on the training pitch again is a great feeling, but getting out
on the pitch again at Upton Park is even better."
While Carroll has been working his way back to fitness, he has been
impressed by the form shown by his team-mates. Now, he is ready to challenge
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia for a starting place. "We have been playing
really well and winning games we probably did not expect to. The crosses
which have been coming in from out wide have been fantastic and the lads
have been getting on the end of them.
"We have a quality squad this year and it shows in the games."
Carroll now has two weeks to prepare for West Ham's next game at Everton,
before the Hammers welcome the club where he began his career to the Boleyn
Ground. Newcastle United come to east London on 29 November and the
Gateshead-born player would love nothing more than to feature against the
Magpies. "I am back now with my first bit of football, so from now going
forward I am going to be champing at the bit. We have got a two-week break
now, so I will be champing at the bit after that!"
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A fourth to be reckoned with
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 9th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have ended the weekend in the Premier League's Champions League
zone after both Arsenal and Tottenham were surprisingly beaten today. A
hapless Spurs are down to 12th place in the table after falling to a 2-1
defeat at home to Stoke City, who threw away a 2-0 lead at home to West Ham
just eight days ago. Meanwhile Arsenal - who could have overtaken Sam
Allardyce's side had they won in Wales this afternoon - went down 2-1 at
Swansea, despite having taken the lead midway through the second half. Those
results - combined with West Ham's goalless draw at home to Aston Villa
yesterday - keep West Ham fourth in the table on 18 points, ahead of
fifth-places Swansea on goal difference.
* To cap a miserable day for Spurs, earlier this afternoon their Ladies team
were smashed 4-0 by West Ham Ladies. Gemma Abela and Sasha Kelly both
grabbed a brace in the second half to secure an excellent win for Julian
Dicks' side.
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OH HOW FICKLE WE ARE
By Iain Dale 9 Nov 2014 at 20:20
West Ham till I Die
Guest Post by DC
I was recently taking a sneaky look at some of the posts and comments on
WHTID that followed our 3-1 home defeat to Southampton back in August. It
made for interesting reading. There's nothing like having the odd
'emotionally detached' snigger to yourself when your team are sitting in a
Champions League spot in the Premier League.
And my, how opinion swayed that day ……….
Yes, for sure, our collective weekend was ruined. It was hard to understand
how Southampton replaced so many key players yet maintained their style,
whilst we added so many key players but reverted back to type. Make no
mistake, it certainly seemed like a giant step backwards.
Others were deep in thought over what went wrong. It wasn't the line-up. We
saw what the team could do against Palace. But now everyone was playing
deeper. Maybe, it wasn't just that West Ham played poorly, but rather that
Southampton played quite a good game? Surely that's heresy if ever you've
heard it?
Others couldn't see us winning more than 1 game in the next 6. Hopefully
that would see Big Sam gone. Hopefully there would be 10 teams worse than us
by the end of the season. Clearly there was a lot of damage to be repaired
and it was deep. It was a gutless shameful performance and was ultimately
'The Dave's' fault for this woeful mess.
After all, look at the team Southampton put out. Our players, on paper,
should have been all over them. They were nothing special. They just wanted
the ball more than us. We could well stumble through the season to safety
even allowing for the shambolic set-up but come on, is it good enough to run
a club in this fashion?
Then again, Southampton were properly up for it all over the pitch. Didn't
they press, chase and break quickly in numbers? Surely they deserved some
credit even if we were very poor?
Balderdash! Allardyce was making us the laughing stock of the Premiership.
PLEASE SACK THE MAN!!!!! Just to think, if only the Board were doing their
job properly, we could have had Warnock. HOOORAH! I bet he keeps Palace up.
Quite frankly, there was nothing more to discuss. We clearly needed a new
manager.
………. and so the comments went on.
So, let's put a question back out there, the same one that was asked after
that Southampton game. A question that goes to those supporters, that in my
eyes, matter the most. How do you season ticket holders feel now about the
fact that you renewed your season tickets? Gutted?
Perhaps, Southampton are a decent side after all. But not on paper.
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REMEMBERING THE WEST HAM FALLEN 100 YEARS ON
By Sean Whetstone 9 Nov 2014 at 08:26
West Ham Till I Die
Guest post by Nigel Kahn
This weekend we remember those that gave their lives during service to their
country and with the 100th anniversary of the start of World War 1 the
country is looking to remember those the fell in that horrific War. I
visited the Poppy display at the tower of London last weekend and the scale
of Death that this country suffered is laid bare, like a river of blood of
those that died the display winds it way the whole the way round the tower,
over 800,000 poppies, one for every soldier that died. Here today I would
like to highlight the plight of seven men, all in a way associated with West
Ham either by playing for the club or by being born in the area, we all owe
these and the others a great debt for the life they gave.
Frederick Costello (Known as Frank)
Born in 1884 in the city of Birmingham, he is listed as playing for West
Bromwich and Halesowen before joining Southampton in 1907. He joined the
Hammers in 1909 and didn't stay long, in just 12 games in which he scored 3
goals. His listing in West Ham Who's who starts with "a poor mans Ian Rush"
he quickly moved on to Bolton. In 1914 he was living back in Southampton but
joined his hometowns regiment the Royal Warwickshire. A member of the 2nd
Battalion they were one of the 1st regiments to see action in Northern
France at the Battles of Le Cateau. Moving south and east towards Belgium
they also partook in the Battles of Marne and Aisne and for Frank finally to
Messines, not far from Ypres in Belgium. Sometime on the 19/12/1914, 30 year
old Frank was killed, he sadly has no grave but is remembered on the
Ploegstreet memorial, in Hainaut Belgium, between Lille and Ypres to its
North. Just to give you the scale of the memorial, it lists 11,386 men who
have no grave.
Sydney Hammond
Born in Woolwich in 1883, Joined the club as an amateur in 1904 but in 4
years only managed 32 appearances for the club. Worked as a commercial Clerk
and lived in Twickenham road Leytonstone he enlisted into the Royal field
Artillery in Romford. When he died he was listed as being in C battery 242nd
brigade who at the time were fighting in the Pashendale region. Sydney has a
grave and is buried in La Clytte cemetery Belgium.
Edward Arthur James Stallard
Born Sept 1892 in Hackney yet in 1901 he was living with his family At 526
Barking Road E13, which is now a chemist heading towards Canning Town just
past the old Castle pub at the junction of the Greengate. He joined West Ham
from Chatham In 1913, He played for the Hammers right up until the end of
the 1916/17 season playing in the War competition he played 37 games scoring
25 goals with his last appearance being a 2-0 loss to Millwall in April
1917. Then 1917 he was in the London Regiment (London Scottish) 14th
Battalion. During the battle of Cambrai (North East France) which was an
assault that lasted 17 Days, (20/11-7/12) The British made early gains but
the Germans launched an offensive on the 28/11, on the 30th the Germans are
believed to have exploded 16,000 shells over allied lines. And it was on
that day that Edward Stallard is listed as dying. He has no Grave but is
listed on the Cambrai memorial.
William Kennedy
Born in Grays in 1890 was a schoolteacher who played for West Ham between
1910-1912. Living in Cromwell st in Gray sat the time he played for the
club. It is listed that he retired in 1912 but can find no reason.His
parents were Scottish and so it was he joined the London regiment and also
in the London Scottish 14th Brigade, he though was to die on the
13/10/1915.Like many others he has no Grave but is listed on the Loos
memorial.That memorial commemorates over 20,000 dead that have no grave and
on the panel that names William, above his is the name of his brother as
well, John aged 29.
Frederick John Griffiths
Born 1876 in Presteigne in the county of Powys mid Wales, a welsh
international keeper he played 52 times for us in just 2 seasons 1902-04.
Not only West Ham but he also played for Millwall and for Spurs before
joining us New Brompton the forerunner of Gillingham in 1904. Working as a
coal miner in the midlands he enlisted in the Notts and Derbyshire (Sherwood
forest) Regiment. His battalion found themselves just across the Belgium
Border south and East of Dunkirk; a diary entry from the 30th of October
reads "30: 4am. Very heavy artillery fire on ground immediately behind our
front line. 6am Our snipers hit several enemy seen running about in the wood
east of
Marechal House. Our casualties today 1 officer and 4 or killed, 1 officer
and 14 or wounded.One of those killed was Fred Griffiths. He is buried in
Dozingham Cemetery in Belgium
Frank Cannon
Born this very day in Hitchin in Hertfordshire in 1886, Frank was signed in
1909 from QPR after scoring a hatrick against us in 1908. He only played 4
games for us scoring 1 goal against Norwich City in a 5-2 win. Leaving the
hammers he joined Gillingham but moved on from there to finish at Halifax.He
rose to be a Colour sergeant major in the 11th Essex Regiment he fought
mainly around Ypres and the battlefields of Passhendale. He died on the
15/2/1917 of shrapnel wounds. After his death this appeared in his local
newspaper written by QM Sergeant L.P Martin, "The 13th Essex had been in the
trenches for sixteen days and were just about to be relieved, 'He was just
ready to leave the trench when several shrapnel shells burst over him,
wounding him and several others. Although his wound was rather serious – he
was wounded in the back – it was quite thought he would get to England and
recover, but I am sorry to say he died on his way to the dressing station
about an hour after he was hit.' On the day of his death the Germans fired
over 16,000 shells The 13th Essex was the West Ham Pals, remembered with a
plaque at the ground.
Lastly but no way least
Frederick Anderson
born in West Ham in 1896, living just off the Hermit Road, in Canning Town,
near the site of where the Thames Ironworks once played. Its not known when
or where he joined up but in 1917 he too was to be found in the Royal field
artillery in A Battery 159th Brigade a Howitzer Division. Fighting around
Ypres he was wounded and not long after on the 3/11/1917 he died of his
Wounds and is buried with 299 of his comrades in Solferino Cemetery. Married
for only 2 years on hearing the news of his death his widow collapsed and
then lost the child she was carrying. An unlisted victim of the not so Great
War. His widow re-married and one of her grandchildren was my mother in law
who entrusted Fredericks Medals to my wife's safe keeping and we have them
framed with a picture of him. We have our legends and Heroes' at West Ham
but I hope in this article I have given you an insight into 3 real heroes,
all linked to West Ham and all gave their ultimate Sacrifice so we can be
here today.
Forever in a foreign field, there will always be a part of West Ham.
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Many owners wouldn't have given Sam this chance
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sometimes a bit of mental stocktaking is a good idea and admitting you were
wrong is always good for the soul. For it's in being wrong that we learn,
grow up and become more tolerant and understanding. So far this season Sam
Allardyce – with a lot of help from the two Davids – has indeed managed to
prove a lot of us, including myself, wrong. Now when I say " a lot of help "
I am not necessarily talking about signings in the transfer market. More,
that they supported him for what may or may not be his last season at the
end of one which I consider one of the worst in our history. DS and DG are
known not to sack easily but they had more than enough reason to give Sam
Allardyce the bullet during or at the end of last season. To a lot of
people's disappointment – again including mine – they kept the faith with
him and are being rewarded for their loyalty as a result. A lot of people
have been proved wrong but the Davids have shown that backing your man
isn't such a bad idea in a game where it can be tremendously costly both
financially and on the field to get rid.
If anyone doubts this they would be well advised to cast their eyes in the
direction of White Hart Lane – that's not going so well is it? So let's
accept that – for now anyway – we were indeed wrong and that the two Davids
were right. Sam has shown there's a bit more to him than the Route One
merchant many of us believed him to be. Loyalty is a rare commodity in this
game but the Davids have shown it in spades yet despite all of the above
it's still too early to make a judgement on Sam's future. League position
won't be the be all and end all – as has been written on another page. A
decent FA Cup run is required and a continuation of the type of football
which has brought the fans onside is a must. For now everything is sweet
but nobody at board level is getting carried away – neither should we!
In the meantime it's the loyalty from the two Davids which has been the key
to the enjoyment we have all experienced. Ok, Sam has made the system work
but many owners would never have given him the chance.
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Hammers on the Jarvis/Townsend link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 9, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Speculation that Matt Jarvis is on his way out of Upton Park and Tottenham's
Andros Townsend is on his way in. has been rubbished by the club.
ClaretandHugh has established over the last few minutes that there is no
truth in the link whatsoever and that the Irons are more than happy to allow
the former Wolves man to fight for his place. A well placed source said:
"Matt Jarvis is in the same position as several other players, he's fighting
for a recall, We are a different club from last season – there's
competition everywhere. "It smacks of the Andy Carroll talk, that he would
be allowed to move because of the form of other strikers. It's silly. We
want as many good players as we can get in the squad. "To be discussing Matt
as a possible departure is wrong simply because we don't want to sell him
nor have there been any inquiries since last summer when West Brom wanted
him on loan. "The Townsend link simply isn't right at all and it seems that
some agents are busy trying to concoct something. There's absolutely nothing
in it."
The Hammers. however, are looking to move Ricardo Vaz Te out on loan and
will consider offers.
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Sam talks up the 'crossing and heading' game!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has been talking up the crossing and heading approachCar after
a grandstand finish to yesterday's game against Aston Villa.
Perhaps that's a tad worrying for some who remember that as the sole tactic
at one time but there can be no doubt he has the right to draw attention to
it after such an amazing climax to the game. We aren't gonna win every week
regardless of who is on the pitch although maybe we should have beaten Villa
given the chances we crated despite only five of them on target. However,
there's an irony hidden away in the fact that despite having three strikers
on the pitch at that stage we couldn't find the net. Afterwards, Allardyce
was keen to talk up the performance and the last few minutes in particular
when we appeared to resort to what had preceded the "play, play, play"
philosophy the team has adopted this season. He said: " With Andy Carroll,
[Diafra] Sakho and [Carlton] Cole coming in on those crosses you could see
how exciting it was getting the fans when they were getting up and heading
that ball at goal. "People forget how exciting crossing and heading the ball
in the back of the net is these days."
Agreed but it will be a MIXTURE of that and the free flowing approach which
will drive us on to the heights we want to achieve. Please, no returns to
the one dimensional approach of the past Sam. Villa should have been buried
and but for some great goalkeeping would have been and the finale raised one
huge question again: Could Sam be tempted to play Carroll with Enner
Valencia and Diafra Sakho? Neil McDonald refused to rule out the possibility
in an interview a few weeks ago but I can't see it and I am praying that the
boss rotates his strikers. However, the disappearance of Mauro Zarate from
the scene and the reappearance of Carroll and regular appearances of Cole in
his absence fill me with more than a little foreboding. I really hope I'm
wrong and that the manager continues to surprise me.
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Reid: Irons start to face the realities!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Winston Reid is looking less and less likely to stay at West Ham United.
ClaretandHugh understands that despite regular talks with the player over
recent weeks and his agent the club is no closer to getting a reaction to
their new contract offer. The Hammers are nearly at their limits having gone
beyond £60k a week but are now becoming resigned to the fact that Reid looks
more likely to take advantage of several options he is likely to get as a
free agent next summer. And with such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester
United likely to be in the market for a defender, they believe the New
Zealander is unlikely to agree a new deal ahead of the winter or summer
windows. A very well placed Boleyn source told us: "The club could hardly do
more – they have really pushed the boat out but it seems more and more
apparent that Winston wants to wait until he's a free agent. "The club has
been talking regularly to Reid's advisers and that had raised hopes a deal
may be on but the reality is we are really no closer. "The club remain
desperate to do a deal but there's now a realism that despite attending
talks he and his agents may be simply going through the motions. "We want
him to sign but he's looking at all angles and we believe it's as much about
Europe as it is money. However, as a free agent there could be some £100k a
week offers out there with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and
Arsenal looking for defenders. "Whilst we are talking there's always hope
but we have to start being realistic about things."
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Sunday, November 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th November 2014
Hammers held at home by Villa
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Aston Villa outfit
on Saturday afternoon
08.11.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
West Ham United were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resolute Aston
Villa side at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, as the Hammers extended their
unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to five. The in-form Stewart Downing
was foiled by a fabulous one-handed Brad Guzan stop prior to the interval,
before Diafra Sakho twice failed to hit the target with golden headed
chances in the latter stages. The returning Andy Carroll was introduced late
on and came so close to snatching all three points for the hosts, as his
back-post header produced another fine save from the Villa stopper. For
their part, Villa saw Andreas Weimann smash one straight at Adrian, while
Tom Cleverley's drive flashed inches over the top in the opening exchanges
of the second half. The stalemate sees the Hammers temporarily climb back
above Arsenal into fourth, with the Gunners away at Swansea City on Sunday.
As expected, Barclays Player of the Month Diafra Sakho made his return to
the starting XI following a shoulder injury, with French midfielder Morgan
Amalfitano the man to make way. Elsewhere, Carroll was restored to the
matchday 18, having come through a behind-closed-doors friendly against
Southend United unscathed.
In a low-key start at the Boleyn Ground, Mark Noble headed Carl Jenkinson's
right-wing cross over the top, before Gabriel Agbonlahor showed James
Collins a clean pair of heels and promptly blasted an effort into the Bobby
Moore Stand.
But West Ham were soon to up the tempo and see several a chance go begging.
Brad Guzan got down smartly to smother Collins' near-post header and then
Ron Vlaar's desperate intervention prevented Enner Valencia latching onto
Sakho's centre.
Valencia himself made inroads down the left and his centre eventually came
to Noble, via Collins, with the skipper's shot blocked at close quarters.
Sam Allardyce's men continued to pile on the pressure and so nearly struck
via the trusty combination of Aaron Cresswell and Sakho. The left-back's
cross hung high in the Villa box and though Sakho beat Guzan to it, his
header drifted a yard or two wide of the far post.
And so it went on. When another Sakho centre fell kindly for Downing, Guzan
produced a stunning right-handed stop to keep the scores level.
But the Hammers were not having it all their own way. Charles N'Zogbia was
afforded too much space on the left-hand side and duly skipped inside to
pick out Andreas Weimann 12 yards from goal. The Austrian smashed it
goalwards but, thankfully, straight at the waiting Adrian who fisted it
clear.
There would be one last chance for the hosts before the interval and a good
one it was too. Alex Song picked out Downing in space on the left edge of
the box, but the in-form No11 skewed it high and wide of the angle of post
bar.
Villa, however, went close themselves within just 20 seconds of the restart,
as Agbonlahor picked out Tom Cleverley, whose strike from the edge of the
box brushed the top of the net as it whistled behind.
At the other end, Cresswell's inviting centre flicked off the head of
Valencia and into the path of Jenkinson. The England U21 international opted
against teeing up Sakho and instead drove it across the face, with Vlaar,
again, coming to Villa's rescue.
With 64 minutes on the clock, Carlos Sanchez slalomed into dangerous
territory, but his shot was a tame one and comfortably gathered by the
Hammers' Spanish stopper.
Big Sam then shuffled his pack, with Kevin Nolan replacing the unusually
quiet Cheikhou Kouyate. It should have had the desired effect, with Sakho
looking set to play Valencia in on goal, but the pass was a heavy one and
the Ecuadorian failed to collect.
But Villa nearly profited from the Hammers making heavy weather of clearing
a corner, with Nolan's attempted clearance cannoning into Sanchez and
forcing Adrian into an excellent reaction stop.
Arguably West Ham's best chance came and went with 12 minutes left to play,
when substitute Carlton Cole picked out Sakho, but the usually reliable
Senegalese directed his header wide of the right-hand upright. And Sakho
passed up another presentable opportunity seconds later, this time
connecting with Downing's centre, but sending it sailing over Guzan's
crossbar.
Still West Ham poured forward and, following the introduction of Carroll,
might have snatched it in the game's dying embers. Downing stood up an
inviting cross to the far stick and there was Carroll to meet it, only for
Guzan to deny the Hammers man a fairy tale return and earn his side a
battling point.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Kouyate (Nolan 66), Downing,
Sakho, Noble (c) (Carroll 90), Jenkinson, Collins, Song, Valencia (Cole 75)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, O'Brien, Amalfitano
Aston Villa: Guzan, Baker (Senderos 88), Vlaar (c), Cleverley, Weimann,
Agbonlahor, Westwood, Cissokho, Sanchez, N'Zogbia (Clark 90), Lowton
Subs: Given, Bacuna, Cole, Richardson, Bent
Booked: Cleverley, Weimann, Agbonlahor
Referee: Jonathan Moss
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Hammers mark Remembrance Day
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be marking Remembrance Day at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United marked Remembrance Day and commemorated the centenary of the
outbreak of the First World War with a host of special events at today's
game. Soldiers from G Company 7 Rifles, based at the Army Reserve Centre in
West Ham, will form a guard of honour surrounding the Boleyn Ground pitch
before representatives from the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch) are
presented to the crowd. A wreath-laying ceremony will then take place in the
centre circle led by Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin
Wales and Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox. This will be followed by a
minute's silence that will begin and end on the sound of the referee's
whistle. West Ham's players will join those from their 19 fellow Barclays
Premier League clubs by wearing shirts emblazoned with the special 'Football
Remembers' poppy. Prior to kick-off, representatives Diane Hannan and Bill
Daly from bus operators Stagecoach (London) will also present a cheque for
in excess of £5,000 to Ken Hill, secretary of the Royal British Legion (East
Ham Branch). The funds were raised by the sale of a special badge designed
by a member of staff at Plumstead Garage, which was then distributed and
sold through the nine garages that form Stagecoach (London).
The company provided the 'B' bus purchased by the War Office in 1914 and
used in France and Belgium throughout the Great War as a troop carrier. The
bus has recently been returned to its wartime livery and is taking part in
Remembrance ceremonies in Britain, France and Belgium.
Every year, the Hammers support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by
wearing match shirts with the official Poppy on them. For Remembrance Day
2014, the Royal British Legion has approved a one-off Poppy with the
citation '1914-2014 Football Remembers'.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity providing care
and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and
their families. Fans can donate to the Poppy Appeal in a variety of ways:
• By phone on 0845 845 1945
• By mobile. To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* (*Cost £3 plus standard
network charges - typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). To donate £10,
text POPPY to 70111* (*Cost £10 plus standard network charges - typically
£9.92 goes to the Poppy Appeal).
• By post to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.
Further, to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous Christmas Truce matches
played between British and German soliders in December 1914, band The Farm
have released a new version of their single All Together Now, with two U12
players from English and German clubs serving as the backing choir.
West Ham youngsters Thomas Salter and Kallum Cesay joined their counterparts
from 18 Premier League and eleven German clubs to take part in the recording
of the single. After recording at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios, the
players were invited to train at the Liverpool and Everton Academies,
meeting Toffees manager Roberto Martinez.
Proceeds from the sales of the single, which was originally released in 1991
and will be released in its new form on 15 December, will go to the British
Red Cross and the Shorncliffe Trust, who are building a national education
centre and heritage park in Kent to tell the story of the social impact that
military life has on servicemen and women, their families and their
communities.
The two young Hammers singers will join their U12 teammates at the Christmas
Truce Qualifying Tournament in Ypres, Belgium on 14-16 November. U12 sides
from every Premier League club are heading to Ypres for a weekend of
competitive football and education. The event also acts as the official
opening of the 3G pitch that the Premier League is donating to the city of
Ypres.
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Big Sam frustrated by Villa stalemate
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce felt his side did enough to claim all
three points on Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling a sense of
frustration after watching his side draw 0-0 with Aston Villa at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While a second clean sheet of the campaign meant the
Hammers extended their unbeaten run to a sixth game, he felt the home side
had done more than enough to turn one point into three. That they did not
was down to a mixture of wasteful finishing and the fine form of Villa
goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made outstanding saves from Stewart Downing in
the first half and from Andy Carroll at the death. Still, the point gained
took West Ham back into the Barclays Premier League's top four and Allardyce
could reflect on a good performance from his team, even if it did not yield
maximum reward. "It was frustrating," he admitted. "We've not seen that
super-clinical finishing side of our game today. I think that left us hugely
frustrated and when we did get a proper finish on target the goalkeeper was
on top form. "There's nothing more we could have done today to try and win a
game of football but ultimately the clinical finishing has deserted us. It's
our second clean sheet of the season so we only needed the one goal, but we
just couldn't find it. "I felt today that if we'd found one, we'd have found
many on the back of Aston Villa losing six or seven on the trot. I think
their heads would have gone down and we'd have opened them up even more. "It
was a terrific effort. We opened them up in the first half but couldn't find
a goal. We had a lull in the second half but changed the way we played, and
putting Stewart Downing in a wider position - where we haven't seen him much
this year - turned the game in our favour, by putting quality ball into the
box and [forcing] all those chances towards the end. "We kept going right to
the end, but I felt a 1-0 would have been a fair result for us and would
have given everybody a massive lift to reach 20 points from eleven games.
While we respect the point and the lads have done a good job on Aston
Villa's counter attacking, I thought we'd be more frustrated by Villa today
than we were. "But we weren't because we were so good. They had nine or ten
behind the ball for nearly all the game, but some poor finishing from us and
not a lot of help from the referee when we needed it {kept us out]."
One huge positive was the return of Andy Carroll following a lengthy absence
with an ankle injury. He came off the bench in the closing stages and went
so close to forcing a winner when he drew a fine save from Guzan. The
manager added: "I wanted to bring Winston Reid off because he was feeling
his thigh a bit, but at that point I just felt he had to stay on for us to
go and get the winner. I wanted to put Andy on rather than change Reidy for
James Tomkins, so I hope Winston's alright. "We changed the shape and the
shape changed the way we were playing. The way we were playing got better
and the oohs and aahs that went around the ground in the last five to ten
minutes were unbelievable. "People were jumping around with what looked like
was going to be the ultimate excitement with scoring a goal."
With a two week break before the next fixture away at Everton, Allardyce
says the Hammers will take stock after a hugely encouraging start to the
campaign, with the strength in depth of his squad plain to see. "I think
it's been a very good first phase of the season," he explained. "We're on a
undefeated run of five games, we've got a fantastic team in terms of not
just the eleven we pick, but the eleven or 12 behind it. "That's proven
today by Carlton Cole, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan coming on and making a
big effort to go and win the game. When Enner and Mark Noble had run their
legs off, these lads come on fresh and with the quality they've got you can
see what happened in the last ten or 15 minutes. "We need that squad going
into the back end of November and December - over Christmas we'll have
something like four games in eight days, and that has been a test for us in
my entire time at the Club. "We have to get through this test with this
squad and continue to get results in that period. Steering clear of injuries
is the big question - we can cope with injuries at this time of the year
because of the international breaks, but we can't cope with too many
injuries when you go into November, December and January.
"The squad's getting bigger and fitter, so long may that last."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'You've got to respect the point'
WHUFC.com
James Collins felt the Hammers deserved a great deal more than the goalless
draw against Aston Villa
08.11.2014
James Collins reckons that the Hammers' disappointment with Saturday's
goalless Barclays Premier League draw against Aston Villa is a sign of how
far West Ham United have come in recent weeks and months.
Saturday's stalemate saw the Hammers extend their unbeaten run to five,
having taken an impressive eleven points from the last possible 15, and yet
Collins admitted that failure to bag a fourth successive win at the Boleyn
Ground felt more like a defeat.
That said, the Wales international will never turn his nose up at a clean
sheet and so will bedrudgingly accept the point on this occasion. He told
West Ham TV: "We're obviously disappointed, it feels a bit like a loss but,
it's one of those things. It's a sign of the times that we are disappointed
drawing 0-0 at home. We created enough chances so hopefully we can take the
positives out of it. "We felt we deserved a goal and we tried our hardest to
get it. I think we probably should have had a late penalty on Alex Song. We
are disappointed but, again, as the gaffer said you've got to respect the
point sometimes when the team comes and defends how Villa did."
Collins went close to breaking the deadlock himself after just 14 minutes,
meeting Stewart Downing's corner with a firm near-post header, only to see
the excellent Brad Guzan keep it out. The 31-year-old last scored in 2-0 win
over Norwich City in February and expected to see the net bulge this time,
too. He continued: "I thought it was going in to be fair. Guzan's done well.
It's one of those, I got it on target, so sometimes they go in and I think
it was Brad's day on Saturday, he played very well."
While the Hammers then laid siege to the Villa goal in the latter stages,
the visitors only ever threatened the Hammers goal intermittently and
Collins explained that they were well prepared to deal with the Villans'
threat on the break. "We knew that's how they were going to play," he
confirmed. "They're on the back of some bad results, so we had to be on our
toes at the back. The only chances I can really remember them getting were
from us maybe being a bit too comfortable on the ball and a bit sloppy.
"In the second half, we had to defend for a bit early on and we didn't come
out the blocks too well. But it's a clean sheet and as a defender, you're
always happy, but obviously disappointed we didn't win the game."
Saturday's disappointment aside, Collins insists the Hammers are in
excellent shape heading into the latest international break and can,
overall, reflect on a job well done in the past month or so. As for his own
form, the centre-half has taken his latest opportunity with both hands and
wants more of the same when the Hammers reconvene at Goodison Park in a
fortnight's time.
"It's been great. We've got a lot of points, we're fourth in the league, as
it stands on Saturday. We are happy, there's a lot of confidence in the camp
at the minute, hopefully the boys can go away on internationals, stay fit,
come back and look forward to Everton.
"I am loving it. It's great to be back in the team. Unfortunately Tonks
[James Tomkins] got injured. That was my chance to come back in and I'm
happy with the way I've performed since. I'd have liked to have got a goal
on Saturday against my old club and got the three points, but we've got the
clean sheet and I'm looking forward to Everton."
Before the Toffees, however, Collins has the small matter of a European
Championship qualifier for Wales in Belgium to focus the mind. Having missed
the last two international meets owing to injury, he is right up for the
challenge.
"It's a big game, to be fair, we've got Belgium away. It's going to be a
tough game as they're one of the best teams in the world, but we've got a
young, vibrant, exciting squad there, so we'll go there and have a right go.
"I can't wait, I had two injuries for the first three games, so I'm looking
forward to getting back involved, seeing the lads and hopefully contributing
to a good result away from home."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0 Aston Villa 0
8 November 2014
Last updated at 18:58
By Steve Canavan
BBC Sport
West Ham striker Andy Carroll was denied a goalscoring Premier League return
as Aston Villa clung on to halt a run of six successive defeats. Carroll,
making his first appearance of the season after an ankle injury, had two
late headers saved after coming off the bench at Upton Park. The Hammers
created numerous chances, especially during a frantic finale, but could not
force a breakthrough. For Villa it is a first point since victory at
Liverpool in September. The result may be a relief for boss Paul Lambert,
who signed a new four-year contract at Villa in mid-September but has not
seen his team claim a win since. Lambert had acknowledged before the match
that he was not "bomb-proof" and was aware he needed to halt the miserable
sequence of defeats. A lack of goals continue to be a problem for his side.
They have hit the target just once in almost 12 hours of football, Andreas
Weimann's strike in last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham.
In contrast West Ham had plundered 19 in their opening 10 games - their best
goalscoring start to a top-flight campaign for 28 years, and the kind of
form that earned Sam Allardyce October's manager of the month award. The
Hammers are now unbeaten in five but could not force a breakthrough, even
with Diafra Sakho back in the side after the shoulder injury which kept him
out at Stoke. Sakho, a £3.5m signing from French side FC Metz, had been
aiming to become the first player to score on each of his first seven
Premier League starts. He had three headed chances but failed to get any on
target and suffered a frustrating afternoon. It was the same all over the
pitch for the Hammers, as they made the majority of the running but could
not force the ball past Villa's in-form keeper Brad Guzan. Starting his 85th
Premier League game in a row, the American made good first-half saves from
ex-Villa men Stewart Downing and James Collins, and twice denied Carroll
late on by stopping close-range headers.
It meant there was no fairytale return for the Hammers £15m record signing,
who was making his comeback after tearing his ankle ligaments in the summer.
Villa, who had defender Nathan Baker stretchered off, had their moments. The
lively Gabriel Agbonlahor - in for the suspended Christian Benteke - created
and missed an early chance and Weimann brought a fine save out of Adrian
with a drive from 12 yards.
But in the end, neither side could find a way through and it is Villa who
will be more content with a point.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a terrific effort that we gave. When
we lulled a little bit in the second half the changes we made gave us that
exciting all-important finish and our fans the chance to see another win
here. "The sad thing was that when our finishing was good, the goalkeeper
was even better. We have got to respect the point and it's our second clean
sheet, which is good. "Aston Villa are a frustrating team to break down, but
we broke them down several times apart from the keeper. "It was nearly a
fantastic end to the game and we are very disappointed we didn't get the
three points."
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I thought we were excellent, resolute,
everything you need to get anything from here. "West Ham have been on a rich
vein of form. They have been playing really well, so to come here and get
something is a big result for us. "I thought we were first class. It was a
massive point for us. "I thought in the second half we looked comfortable up
until the last five minutes or so when they put their big lads on. Guzan has
made a world-class save towards the end."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lambert on ... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A satisfied Villa boss shares his post-match thoughts with the media. Here's
how Paul Lambert saw this afternoon's goalless draw at the Boleyn...
Paul: That must feel like a win after the run you've been on recently?
It's a great point. A really great point. We've come to a ground where
they've been playing really well; they've beaten City and Liverpool not that
long ago and to come here and play as we did and be resolute was first
class.
A word on your 'keeper? Especially at the end there? Phenomenal?
That's what he's paid for...
What do you pay him then? [laughs]
He's overpaid! No, to be fair his save at the end was world class. Top guy,
top pro and I'm delighted for him. Really pleased for him.
Your centre backs had to be strong as the West Ham strikers have been
terrific. Vlaar and...
Nathan [Baker], yeah - excellent. We knew before the game, we've spoken
about it all week - balls are going to rain down on you so be ready to deal
with it - and I thought they coped fantastically well.
In the second half I thought we were comfortable up until the last five
minutes or so when Andy Carroll came on with Sakho up there and the other
lad, Carlton Cole. We're not the biggest of teams but defensively we put our
bodies on the line and it was a massive point for us.
Do you think that with a bit more confidence you could have made more of the
breakaways you had?
I thought we looked a threat, in the second half especially. Gabby had a
great chance to put up one-up in the first half and then Andy [Weimann] had
a chance as well. So we had chances. That's one thing about us - we can
exploit spaces. Credit to the team, they've taken a lot of stick at times
but well done today.
You didn't have Benteke; that might have made a big difference?
I thought that Christian was unplayable against Spurs and him being out was
a blow, there's no two ways about it. He's back to his best. But Gabby, up
top, ran his heart out for the team which was great. N'Zogbia's playing ever
so well and is dangerous, but that's the way it is - the red card hurt us
last week.
Is there any more news on Nathan's injury?
Not at the minute. I hope it's not as bad as first feared, but we'll see.
He's got another 16 days or so to recover after the international break so
we'll see how he is.
You've come to a difficult ground, against a team in form and got a very
hard-earned point. What does that mean to the team's confidence?
Well I think the confidence was there at Spurs. The Benteke incident changed
the course of that game; if Christian stays on the pitch that night we win
that game. Or w certainly don't lose it, that's for sure. So I knew
confidence was high from the way we played the other night.
I knew we were confident coming into this game and I knew we had to defend
really strongly. I thought that was a point well-deserved.
And is it good now to have a break, take stock and get Nathan fixed up - or
is it a bad thing that you've got this point but can't carry straight on
with it?
Well with Nathan, we'll see how he is. I think Alan Hutton will be back
after the national games. Christian has got another three weeks to go but
we'll hopefully get one or two lads back fit.
Senderos will be with his national team and that'll give him game time, so
it probably comes at the right time for us, regarding injuries.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on ... Aston Villa
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A frustrated Big Sam reflects on what he saw as two points dropped in today'
Premier League clash with Aston Villa at the Boleyn...
Sam: It was a bit like the Alamo at the end there. It was nice to see Andy
Carroll come on; it's easy to forget how good he is in the air and he nearly
nicked the points for you at the end?
I think it was a terrific effort. It goes down to the strength and depth of
the squad because when we hit a lull in the second half the changes we made
- one, the system and two, the personnel - gave us that exciting finish and
our players and fans the chance of seeing another win here.
The sad thing was that when our finishing was very good the goalkeeper was
even better. Some of the time I was a bit disappointed with our finishing
considering how good we've been this season.
So we've got to respect the point and our second clean sheet, which is good.
Everything the lads did today they did very well. Villa were a frustrating
team to break down; we broke them down several times but we couldn't beat
the 'keeper today.
It's a bit frustrating for us but as it was nearly a fantastic end to the
game and I'm obviously disappointed that we didn't get the three points.
Stewart Downing still looks very much an England player, doesn't he?
We changed the shape with Stewart today. Stewart looked better when we went
to a 4-2-3-1 rather than the diamond; he started getting more and more
service in wide areas and he was the main reason we got so many chances in
the final throes.
Actually, I think the best chance fell to Carl Jenkinson with a free header
six yards out but unfortunately he heads it straight into the 'keeper's
hands.
But Carroll, Sakho and Coley coming in on those crosses... You can see how
excited it was getting the fans when we were getting up and heading that
ball at goal. I think people can forget how exciting crossing and heading
the ball in the back of the net is these days. It's still a great thrill to
watch and see. Sadly for us, we didn't see it in the back of the net today.
Were you tempted to bring Andy Carroll on earlier?
I thought we were going well enough and creating [chances]. Before Andy came
on Diafra had had two headers - I'm not sure if they were from Cresswell
crosses or Downing crosses, but he had two free headers in the box and
they've gone over the bar.
We had shouts for a couple of penalties as well that didn't go our way but
that shouldn't have mattered to us today with the number of chances we
created. We're a little frustrated but we couldn't do any more than we've
done in terms of chances created and how well we've played and finished the
game.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll keen to put injury nightmare behind him
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:55pm
SSN
West Ham striker Andy Carroll hopes he can put his injury hell behind him
and re-establish himself as a regular starter at Upton Park.
The former Newcastle frontman came off the bench against Aston Villa to make
his first appearance of the season following a lengthy absence after
undergoing ankle surgery in the summer. And Carroll, who joined Sam
Allardyce's side for a club-record fee of £15m in June last year, is eager
to kick-start his career with West Ham. "It's obviously a great feeling to
be back on the pitch where I think I belong," he said. "It's better than
being in the gym. "It's been a nightmare. It's been a killer to be honest,
coming back from the end of last season and in the first week of training I
find out I need surgery. "It's been disappointing and devastating and now
I've just got to forget about everything that's been going on for the last
few months." The England striker paid tribute to the medical team at West
Ham and hopes he can now consolidate his fitness during the international
break. "The medical staff have been a great help," said Carroll. "I've been
working with them as a team and individually. We've worked outside of the
club as well and they've been coming to my house. "It's a credit to them to
get me back fit so quickly given the injury and the surgery that I had.
They've got me back as quick as possible and I'm happy with my recovery."
On his plans during the international break Carroll said: "It's a chance for
me with no games to train hard - and harder than I have been ahead of the
games coming up in a couple of weeks' time. Hopefully I'll have a game
behind closed doors so I can get my fitness up in that as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing not making up numbers in Roy Hodgson's England squad
Last Updated: 08/11/14 9:54pm
SSN
Stewart Downing is relishing the prospect of playing for England again and
believes he still has an important role to play for Roy Hodgson's team.
Downing, who was recalled to the England set-up for the European qualifier
with Slovenia and the eagerly-anticipated friendly with Scotland, will join
up with Hodgson's men for the first time since their trip to Norway in May
2012. And while delighted at being handed an international life-line,
Downing insisted he had no plans of joining the squad to simply make up the
numbers.
Excited
Speaking after the Hammers' goalless draw with Aston Villa on Saturday,
Downing said: "I'm very pleased. Hopefully I'll play or be involved that's
the main thing. "If I get picked I want to be involved, and not just go
there to make up the numbers. So I'm looking forward to it, it's a chance
and there are places up for grabs. I'll go there, enjoy it and hopefully get
a start or, if not, hopefully be involved.
Saturday's draw with Villa extended West Ham's unbeaten run in the league to
five games – a run of form which has become somewhat reliant on the
new-found form of the midfielder.
Despite having only scored twice in the league for the Hammers this season,
Downing's noticeable improvement has come with his ability to turn into a
provider for his team-mates.
"Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd be
picked. So I'm obviously over the moon to be picked and hopefully I don't go
to make the numbers up, I want to be involved and play some part."
Wind-up
And Downing, who believed he would never put an England shirt on again,
admitted his recent form must have been crucial to Hodgson making the call.
"He (Roy) is obviously looking at players and I hadn't been picked for a
while. Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd
be picked," Downing added. "So to be picked I'm obviously over the moon and
hopefully I don't go to make the numbers up I go to be involved and play
some part. "I spoke to Roy a couple of weeks ago when he came for the Man
City game and he said he'd been watching me so I knew he'd been watching the
games. "When I spoke to the woman at The FA I knew it wasn't a wind-up. I've
been involved in squad's before but I'm obviously pleased to be back in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa hold West Ham to 0-0 draw at Upton Park
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:56pm
SSN
Aston Villa stopped the rot after six consecutive defeats with a hard-earned
goalless draw against West Ham at Upton Park. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was the
Villa hero after a string of fine saves including an sensational reaction
stop to deny substitute Andy Carroll in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Stewart Downing also came close for the Hammers, who still manged to inch
above Arsenal into fourth place, despite the draw.
Best of the Match:
Man of the match: Brad Guzan – The Villa goalkeeper pulled off a number of
outstanding saves to deny West Ham.
Save of the match: Late substitute Andy Carroll was denied the winner from a
flying one-handed save by Guzan.
Moment of the match: Carl Jenkinson's point-blank header fell straight into
the grateful hands of the busy Brad Guzan between the Villa sticks.
Performer of the match: Stewart Downing - The winger celebrated his England
call-up with another virtuoso display in West Ham colours.
Stat of the match: The Hammers have won just five of the last 28 Premier
League meetings with the Villans (W5 D14 L9).
Talking point: Now that Villa have stopped the rot after six consecutive
league defeats can they push on? Will West Ham be happy with a point?
Gabby Agbonlahor and Andy Weimann posed a threat for Paul Lambert's side as
they finally ended their losing streak since winning at Liverpool in
mid-September to pick up a valuable share of the spoils. Villa had set
themselves up to be hard to break down, while also offering a forward threat
through Weimann and Charles N'Zogbia, supported by Agbonlahor, who came in
for Christian Benteke, the Belgian starting a three-match ban after his red
card against Spurs. The former England man darted into the West Ham box past
James Collins, but then lifted his shot over the crossbar.
At the other end, the Irons defender then sent a powerful header goalwards
from a corner, which was straight at a grateful Guzan.
West Ham maintained the pressure as the quarter-hour mark approached, but
then almost hit the self-destruct button on 18 minutes as Winston Reid
overhit a backpass, which goalkeeper Adrian mis-controlled and the ball
almost rolled inside the far post. It was then the turn of Guzan to enjoy a
slice of fortune as he came out to punch a highball into the box from Aaron
Cresswell, but clattered into Aly Cissokho as he challenged with Diafra
Sakho, the ball dropping wide. The American, though, showed good hands
moments later as he beat away a fierce, angled drive from Stewart Downing,
the one-time Villa midfielder just recalled to the England squad.
Villa remained dangerous on the break, and went close on 38 minutes.
N'Zogbia ghosted into the left side of the West Ham penalty area, and rolled
the ball back to Andreas Weimann, who moved inside before drilling a 15-yard
strike straight at Adrian. In first-half stoppage time, West Ham worked the
ball well from the right along the Villa penalty area out to Downing on the
left - but the midfielder could only skew his shot into the side netting.
Weimann threatened for Villa just after the restart, lifting a rising shot
over following more positive approach play from Agbonlahor.
Allardyce sent on captain Kevin Nolan after 65 minutes, replacing Cheikhou
Kouyate. Tempers were rising, with Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley booked for
clattering into Diafra Sakho, fit again following a shoulder injury, before
Weimann was shown a yellow card for dissent. Adrian was alert to kick the
ball away after Nolan's clearance ricocheted back into the six-yard box.
West Ham broke away down the right on 78 minutes through substitute Carlton
Cole, who chipped the ball across to Sakho waiting on the penalty spot, but
the usually clinical Senegal forward dropped a header wide.
There was a stoppage when Villa defender Nathan Baker went down in his own
penalty area after clattering into Cole, with referee Jon Moss awarding a
free-kick against the West Ham striker - much to the frustrations of home
players and fans alike. The injury, though, was serious enough for the Villa
man to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Philippe Senderos. West
Ham looked for a winner, as full-back Carl Jenkinson headed straight at the
keeper, with Guzan then denying Carroll - back from an ankle injury - as he
palmed away a point-blank header from the England forward to earn Villa a
well-deserved point.
Charlie Nicholas' verdict
In the initial 20 minutes, Villa looked really nervous at the back and
managed to get away with a lot of situations but they gradually crept into
the game. The big problem for Villa is expressing themselves. They have got
to have better quality when they get the ball because it's hard enough to
get it. They had no Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor never really
threatened much, but he should have scored in the first half. In the second
half they had great spells in the game.
West Ham made plenty of opportunities. Sakho didn't get many opportunities
until the final 20 minutes and Guzan had an absolutely outstanding day. It
was a thoroughly enjoyable 0-0, it really was. It was a very exciting game
with plenty of chances created and Aston Villa should take a lot of credit.
It was an enjoyable point for Paul Lambert, but Sam Allardyce will be
frustrated.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate becoming the Irons forgotten man
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I came away from the game confused, entirely frustrated and annoyed that a
team that was there for the taking had been let off the hook!
Ok, I'm realistic enough to know it's not always gonna go for us but then I
looked at the stats which showed we had 21 shots at goal with five on
target whilst Villa had four on goal from 12. With the strike force we have
available that is disappointing and I was also a tad concerned at how we
allowed Villa to dictate for various periods particularly immediately after
the break. At one stage we really were at panic stations at the back against
a team that so far hasn't exactly shown itself to be the most potent force
in the division.
These though are small moans and we continue to play with panache and style
which is great and we are gonna win more than we lose.
However, one thing does concern me and his name is Mauro Zarate – a player
who looks ideally suited to the style of play we are currently employing.
Before anybody shouts about his availability I can assure you he's fit but
couldn't even make it onto a bench which was loaded up with the likes of
Carroll, Cole, O'Brien and Nolan. There have been whispers for a long time
that the player is not really Sam's cup of char but I couldn't help feeling
today that he would have been exactly the right individual to throw on as he
has the sort of ability which is required to open up defences such as
Villa's. Nolan or Zarate? It's not really and proper question is it? I fear
that the Argentinian could soon become the forgotten man of Upton Park as
many predicted at the outset of the season. And if that becomes the case it
really will be a very great shame!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: "That was Carroll's first pre-season game"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll will not be launched back into first time starts for about six
weeks! The injury-plagued striker returned to the fray today after another
long lay-off but manager Sam Allardyce isn't even tempted to shove him into
ma double quick return. He gave an emphatic 'no' when asked if the big
striker could start against Everton following the international break making
it clear it will be a long haul back for the club's record signing. He said:
"He ios now having his pre-season and the first outing was this afternoon
for just a few minutes. Like every other player his pre-season will take at
least six games and there will be no rushing him back into action."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble's gutted but loves the Carroll option
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Mark Noble declared himself "gutted" at failing to inflict a seventh
successive defeat on Aston Villa at Upton Park this afternoon.
He realised that most approached the game seeing it as a home banker but
said: "The Premier League is not like that. I'm gutted but at the same time
it was an important point. "We knew that Villa had some top players but we
thought they would come and sit in order to frustrate us. We could have had
three or four in the first half but it just wasn't to be." Noble though was
thrilled with Andy Carroll's return – albeit for just a few minutes at the
end – and said: "He's been out for a long time but he showed he can create
mayhem. "He could have had three goals in three minutes and is a fantastic
addition up front for us. He's good in the air and good on the floor – we
have a great front line of options."
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Allardye tells why Irons didn't win!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce was disappointed to find Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan in top
form as the Hammers failed to find the net in a goal-less draw against Aston
Villa. The Irons boss watched his team create a host of chancesbefore being
left to" respect the point." He said: We're disappointed given the amount of
chances of excellent quality we created but the keeper was in a fantastic
mood. It was unfortunate and disappointing for us to come out with just a
point." Allardyce then gave a litany of opportunities and setbacks which on
another day might have gone the way of the Irons. He said: "There was a
definite penalty on Alex Song and a handball which may have given us
another. Then one of theirs came off with injury when it was Carlton Cole
who had been fouled and that could have been another penalty. "We have
dominated in the latter stages and the first half was ours so it was all
very frustrating. I really thought the goal would come but then Guzan
produced a wonderful save near the end."
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United are held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Aston Villa outfit
on Saturday afternoon
08.11.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
West Ham United were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resolute Aston
Villa side at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, as the Hammers extended their
unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to five. The in-form Stewart Downing
was foiled by a fabulous one-handed Brad Guzan stop prior to the interval,
before Diafra Sakho twice failed to hit the target with golden headed
chances in the latter stages. The returning Andy Carroll was introduced late
on and came so close to snatching all three points for the hosts, as his
back-post header produced another fine save from the Villa stopper. For
their part, Villa saw Andreas Weimann smash one straight at Adrian, while
Tom Cleverley's drive flashed inches over the top in the opening exchanges
of the second half. The stalemate sees the Hammers temporarily climb back
above Arsenal into fourth, with the Gunners away at Swansea City on Sunday.
As expected, Barclays Player of the Month Diafra Sakho made his return to
the starting XI following a shoulder injury, with French midfielder Morgan
Amalfitano the man to make way. Elsewhere, Carroll was restored to the
matchday 18, having come through a behind-closed-doors friendly against
Southend United unscathed.
In a low-key start at the Boleyn Ground, Mark Noble headed Carl Jenkinson's
right-wing cross over the top, before Gabriel Agbonlahor showed James
Collins a clean pair of heels and promptly blasted an effort into the Bobby
Moore Stand.
But West Ham were soon to up the tempo and see several a chance go begging.
Brad Guzan got down smartly to smother Collins' near-post header and then
Ron Vlaar's desperate intervention prevented Enner Valencia latching onto
Sakho's centre.
Valencia himself made inroads down the left and his centre eventually came
to Noble, via Collins, with the skipper's shot blocked at close quarters.
Sam Allardyce's men continued to pile on the pressure and so nearly struck
via the trusty combination of Aaron Cresswell and Sakho. The left-back's
cross hung high in the Villa box and though Sakho beat Guzan to it, his
header drifted a yard or two wide of the far post.
And so it went on. When another Sakho centre fell kindly for Downing, Guzan
produced a stunning right-handed stop to keep the scores level.
But the Hammers were not having it all their own way. Charles N'Zogbia was
afforded too much space on the left-hand side and duly skipped inside to
pick out Andreas Weimann 12 yards from goal. The Austrian smashed it
goalwards but, thankfully, straight at the waiting Adrian who fisted it
clear.
There would be one last chance for the hosts before the interval and a good
one it was too. Alex Song picked out Downing in space on the left edge of
the box, but the in-form No11 skewed it high and wide of the angle of post
bar.
Villa, however, went close themselves within just 20 seconds of the restart,
as Agbonlahor picked out Tom Cleverley, whose strike from the edge of the
box brushed the top of the net as it whistled behind.
At the other end, Cresswell's inviting centre flicked off the head of
Valencia and into the path of Jenkinson. The England U21 international opted
against teeing up Sakho and instead drove it across the face, with Vlaar,
again, coming to Villa's rescue.
With 64 minutes on the clock, Carlos Sanchez slalomed into dangerous
territory, but his shot was a tame one and comfortably gathered by the
Hammers' Spanish stopper.
Big Sam then shuffled his pack, with Kevin Nolan replacing the unusually
quiet Cheikhou Kouyate. It should have had the desired effect, with Sakho
looking set to play Valencia in on goal, but the pass was a heavy one and
the Ecuadorian failed to collect.
But Villa nearly profited from the Hammers making heavy weather of clearing
a corner, with Nolan's attempted clearance cannoning into Sanchez and
forcing Adrian into an excellent reaction stop.
Arguably West Ham's best chance came and went with 12 minutes left to play,
when substitute Carlton Cole picked out Sakho, but the usually reliable
Senegalese directed his header wide of the right-hand upright. And Sakho
passed up another presentable opportunity seconds later, this time
connecting with Downing's centre, but sending it sailing over Guzan's
crossbar.
Still West Ham poured forward and, following the introduction of Carroll,
might have snatched it in the game's dying embers. Downing stood up an
inviting cross to the far stick and there was Carroll to meet it, only for
Guzan to deny the Hammers man a fairy tale return and earn his side a
battling point.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Kouyate (Nolan 66), Downing,
Sakho, Noble (c) (Carroll 90), Jenkinson, Collins, Song, Valencia (Cole 75)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, O'Brien, Amalfitano
Aston Villa: Guzan, Baker (Senderos 88), Vlaar (c), Cleverley, Weimann,
Agbonlahor, Westwood, Cissokho, Sanchez, N'Zogbia (Clark 90), Lowton
Subs: Given, Bacuna, Cole, Richardson, Bent
Booked: Cleverley, Weimann, Agbonlahor
Referee: Jonathan Moss
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers mark Remembrance Day
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be marking Remembrance Day at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United marked Remembrance Day and commemorated the centenary of the
outbreak of the First World War with a host of special events at today's
game. Soldiers from G Company 7 Rifles, based at the Army Reserve Centre in
West Ham, will form a guard of honour surrounding the Boleyn Ground pitch
before representatives from the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch) are
presented to the crowd. A wreath-laying ceremony will then take place in the
centre circle led by Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin
Wales and Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox. This will be followed by a
minute's silence that will begin and end on the sound of the referee's
whistle. West Ham's players will join those from their 19 fellow Barclays
Premier League clubs by wearing shirts emblazoned with the special 'Football
Remembers' poppy. Prior to kick-off, representatives Diane Hannan and Bill
Daly from bus operators Stagecoach (London) will also present a cheque for
in excess of £5,000 to Ken Hill, secretary of the Royal British Legion (East
Ham Branch). The funds were raised by the sale of a special badge designed
by a member of staff at Plumstead Garage, which was then distributed and
sold through the nine garages that form Stagecoach (London).
The company provided the 'B' bus purchased by the War Office in 1914 and
used in France and Belgium throughout the Great War as a troop carrier. The
bus has recently been returned to its wartime livery and is taking part in
Remembrance ceremonies in Britain, France and Belgium.
Every year, the Hammers support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by
wearing match shirts with the official Poppy on them. For Remembrance Day
2014, the Royal British Legion has approved a one-off Poppy with the
citation '1914-2014 Football Remembers'.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity providing care
and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and
their families. Fans can donate to the Poppy Appeal in a variety of ways:
• By phone on 0845 845 1945
• By mobile. To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* (*Cost £3 plus standard
network charges - typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). To donate £10,
text POPPY to 70111* (*Cost £10 plus standard network charges - typically
£9.92 goes to the Poppy Appeal).
• By post to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.
Further, to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous Christmas Truce matches
played between British and German soliders in December 1914, band The Farm
have released a new version of their single All Together Now, with two U12
players from English and German clubs serving as the backing choir.
West Ham youngsters Thomas Salter and Kallum Cesay joined their counterparts
from 18 Premier League and eleven German clubs to take part in the recording
of the single. After recording at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios, the
players were invited to train at the Liverpool and Everton Academies,
meeting Toffees manager Roberto Martinez.
Proceeds from the sales of the single, which was originally released in 1991
and will be released in its new form on 15 December, will go to the British
Red Cross and the Shorncliffe Trust, who are building a national education
centre and heritage park in Kent to tell the story of the social impact that
military life has on servicemen and women, their families and their
communities.
The two young Hammers singers will join their U12 teammates at the Christmas
Truce Qualifying Tournament in Ypres, Belgium on 14-16 November. U12 sides
from every Premier League club are heading to Ypres for a weekend of
competitive football and education. The event also acts as the official
opening of the 3G pitch that the Premier League is donating to the city of
Ypres.
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Big Sam frustrated by Villa stalemate
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce felt his side did enough to claim all
three points on Saturday
08.11.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling a sense of
frustration after watching his side draw 0-0 with Aston Villa at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While a second clean sheet of the campaign meant the
Hammers extended their unbeaten run to a sixth game, he felt the home side
had done more than enough to turn one point into three. That they did not
was down to a mixture of wasteful finishing and the fine form of Villa
goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made outstanding saves from Stewart Downing in
the first half and from Andy Carroll at the death. Still, the point gained
took West Ham back into the Barclays Premier League's top four and Allardyce
could reflect on a good performance from his team, even if it did not yield
maximum reward. "It was frustrating," he admitted. "We've not seen that
super-clinical finishing side of our game today. I think that left us hugely
frustrated and when we did get a proper finish on target the goalkeeper was
on top form. "There's nothing more we could have done today to try and win a
game of football but ultimately the clinical finishing has deserted us. It's
our second clean sheet of the season so we only needed the one goal, but we
just couldn't find it. "I felt today that if we'd found one, we'd have found
many on the back of Aston Villa losing six or seven on the trot. I think
their heads would have gone down and we'd have opened them up even more. "It
was a terrific effort. We opened them up in the first half but couldn't find
a goal. We had a lull in the second half but changed the way we played, and
putting Stewart Downing in a wider position - where we haven't seen him much
this year - turned the game in our favour, by putting quality ball into the
box and [forcing] all those chances towards the end. "We kept going right to
the end, but I felt a 1-0 would have been a fair result for us and would
have given everybody a massive lift to reach 20 points from eleven games.
While we respect the point and the lads have done a good job on Aston
Villa's counter attacking, I thought we'd be more frustrated by Villa today
than we were. "But we weren't because we were so good. They had nine or ten
behind the ball for nearly all the game, but some poor finishing from us and
not a lot of help from the referee when we needed it {kept us out]."
One huge positive was the return of Andy Carroll following a lengthy absence
with an ankle injury. He came off the bench in the closing stages and went
so close to forcing a winner when he drew a fine save from Guzan. The
manager added: "I wanted to bring Winston Reid off because he was feeling
his thigh a bit, but at that point I just felt he had to stay on for us to
go and get the winner. I wanted to put Andy on rather than change Reidy for
James Tomkins, so I hope Winston's alright. "We changed the shape and the
shape changed the way we were playing. The way we were playing got better
and the oohs and aahs that went around the ground in the last five to ten
minutes were unbelievable. "People were jumping around with what looked like
was going to be the ultimate excitement with scoring a goal."
With a two week break before the next fixture away at Everton, Allardyce
says the Hammers will take stock after a hugely encouraging start to the
campaign, with the strength in depth of his squad plain to see. "I think
it's been a very good first phase of the season," he explained. "We're on a
undefeated run of five games, we've got a fantastic team in terms of not
just the eleven we pick, but the eleven or 12 behind it. "That's proven
today by Carlton Cole, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan coming on and making a
big effort to go and win the game. When Enner and Mark Noble had run their
legs off, these lads come on fresh and with the quality they've got you can
see what happened in the last ten or 15 minutes. "We need that squad going
into the back end of November and December - over Christmas we'll have
something like four games in eight days, and that has been a test for us in
my entire time at the Club. "We have to get through this test with this
squad and continue to get results in that period. Steering clear of injuries
is the big question - we can cope with injuries at this time of the year
because of the international breaks, but we can't cope with too many
injuries when you go into November, December and January.
"The squad's getting bigger and fitter, so long may that last."
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'You've got to respect the point'
WHUFC.com
James Collins felt the Hammers deserved a great deal more than the goalless
draw against Aston Villa
08.11.2014
James Collins reckons that the Hammers' disappointment with Saturday's
goalless Barclays Premier League draw against Aston Villa is a sign of how
far West Ham United have come in recent weeks and months.
Saturday's stalemate saw the Hammers extend their unbeaten run to five,
having taken an impressive eleven points from the last possible 15, and yet
Collins admitted that failure to bag a fourth successive win at the Boleyn
Ground felt more like a defeat.
That said, the Wales international will never turn his nose up at a clean
sheet and so will bedrudgingly accept the point on this occasion. He told
West Ham TV: "We're obviously disappointed, it feels a bit like a loss but,
it's one of those things. It's a sign of the times that we are disappointed
drawing 0-0 at home. We created enough chances so hopefully we can take the
positives out of it. "We felt we deserved a goal and we tried our hardest to
get it. I think we probably should have had a late penalty on Alex Song. We
are disappointed but, again, as the gaffer said you've got to respect the
point sometimes when the team comes and defends how Villa did."
Collins went close to breaking the deadlock himself after just 14 minutes,
meeting Stewart Downing's corner with a firm near-post header, only to see
the excellent Brad Guzan keep it out. The 31-year-old last scored in 2-0 win
over Norwich City in February and expected to see the net bulge this time,
too. He continued: "I thought it was going in to be fair. Guzan's done well.
It's one of those, I got it on target, so sometimes they go in and I think
it was Brad's day on Saturday, he played very well."
While the Hammers then laid siege to the Villa goal in the latter stages,
the visitors only ever threatened the Hammers goal intermittently and
Collins explained that they were well prepared to deal with the Villans'
threat on the break. "We knew that's how they were going to play," he
confirmed. "They're on the back of some bad results, so we had to be on our
toes at the back. The only chances I can really remember them getting were
from us maybe being a bit too comfortable on the ball and a bit sloppy.
"In the second half, we had to defend for a bit early on and we didn't come
out the blocks too well. But it's a clean sheet and as a defender, you're
always happy, but obviously disappointed we didn't win the game."
Saturday's disappointment aside, Collins insists the Hammers are in
excellent shape heading into the latest international break and can,
overall, reflect on a job well done in the past month or so. As for his own
form, the centre-half has taken his latest opportunity with both hands and
wants more of the same when the Hammers reconvene at Goodison Park in a
fortnight's time.
"It's been great. We've got a lot of points, we're fourth in the league, as
it stands on Saturday. We are happy, there's a lot of confidence in the camp
at the minute, hopefully the boys can go away on internationals, stay fit,
come back and look forward to Everton.
"I am loving it. It's great to be back in the team. Unfortunately Tonks
[James Tomkins] got injured. That was my chance to come back in and I'm
happy with the way I've performed since. I'd have liked to have got a goal
on Saturday against my old club and got the three points, but we've got the
clean sheet and I'm looking forward to Everton."
Before the Toffees, however, Collins has the small matter of a European
Championship qualifier for Wales in Belgium to focus the mind. Having missed
the last two international meets owing to injury, he is right up for the
challenge.
"It's a big game, to be fair, we've got Belgium away. It's going to be a
tough game as they're one of the best teams in the world, but we've got a
young, vibrant, exciting squad there, so we'll go there and have a right go.
"I can't wait, I had two injuries for the first three games, so I'm looking
forward to getting back involved, seeing the lads and hopefully contributing
to a good result away from home."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 0 Aston Villa 0
8 November 2014
Last updated at 18:58
By Steve Canavan
BBC Sport
West Ham striker Andy Carroll was denied a goalscoring Premier League return
as Aston Villa clung on to halt a run of six successive defeats. Carroll,
making his first appearance of the season after an ankle injury, had two
late headers saved after coming off the bench at Upton Park. The Hammers
created numerous chances, especially during a frantic finale, but could not
force a breakthrough. For Villa it is a first point since victory at
Liverpool in September. The result may be a relief for boss Paul Lambert,
who signed a new four-year contract at Villa in mid-September but has not
seen his team claim a win since. Lambert had acknowledged before the match
that he was not "bomb-proof" and was aware he needed to halt the miserable
sequence of defeats. A lack of goals continue to be a problem for his side.
They have hit the target just once in almost 12 hours of football, Andreas
Weimann's strike in last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham.
In contrast West Ham had plundered 19 in their opening 10 games - their best
goalscoring start to a top-flight campaign for 28 years, and the kind of
form that earned Sam Allardyce October's manager of the month award. The
Hammers are now unbeaten in five but could not force a breakthrough, even
with Diafra Sakho back in the side after the shoulder injury which kept him
out at Stoke. Sakho, a £3.5m signing from French side FC Metz, had been
aiming to become the first player to score on each of his first seven
Premier League starts. He had three headed chances but failed to get any on
target and suffered a frustrating afternoon. It was the same all over the
pitch for the Hammers, as they made the majority of the running but could
not force the ball past Villa's in-form keeper Brad Guzan. Starting his 85th
Premier League game in a row, the American made good first-half saves from
ex-Villa men Stewart Downing and James Collins, and twice denied Carroll
late on by stopping close-range headers.
It meant there was no fairytale return for the Hammers £15m record signing,
who was making his comeback after tearing his ankle ligaments in the summer.
Villa, who had defender Nathan Baker stretchered off, had their moments. The
lively Gabriel Agbonlahor - in for the suspended Christian Benteke - created
and missed an early chance and Weimann brought a fine save out of Adrian
with a drive from 12 yards.
But in the end, neither side could find a way through and it is Villa who
will be more content with a point.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a terrific effort that we gave. When
we lulled a little bit in the second half the changes we made gave us that
exciting all-important finish and our fans the chance to see another win
here. "The sad thing was that when our finishing was good, the goalkeeper
was even better. We have got to respect the point and it's our second clean
sheet, which is good. "Aston Villa are a frustrating team to break down, but
we broke them down several times apart from the keeper. "It was nearly a
fantastic end to the game and we are very disappointed we didn't get the
three points."
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I thought we were excellent, resolute,
everything you need to get anything from here. "West Ham have been on a rich
vein of form. They have been playing really well, so to come here and get
something is a big result for us. "I thought we were first class. It was a
massive point for us. "I thought in the second half we looked comfortable up
until the last five minutes or so when they put their big lads on. Guzan has
made a world-class save towards the end."
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Lambert on ... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A satisfied Villa boss shares his post-match thoughts with the media. Here's
how Paul Lambert saw this afternoon's goalless draw at the Boleyn...
Paul: That must feel like a win after the run you've been on recently?
It's a great point. A really great point. We've come to a ground where
they've been playing really well; they've beaten City and Liverpool not that
long ago and to come here and play as we did and be resolute was first
class.
A word on your 'keeper? Especially at the end there? Phenomenal?
That's what he's paid for...
What do you pay him then? [laughs]
He's overpaid! No, to be fair his save at the end was world class. Top guy,
top pro and I'm delighted for him. Really pleased for him.
Your centre backs had to be strong as the West Ham strikers have been
terrific. Vlaar and...
Nathan [Baker], yeah - excellent. We knew before the game, we've spoken
about it all week - balls are going to rain down on you so be ready to deal
with it - and I thought they coped fantastically well.
In the second half I thought we were comfortable up until the last five
minutes or so when Andy Carroll came on with Sakho up there and the other
lad, Carlton Cole. We're not the biggest of teams but defensively we put our
bodies on the line and it was a massive point for us.
Do you think that with a bit more confidence you could have made more of the
breakaways you had?
I thought we looked a threat, in the second half especially. Gabby had a
great chance to put up one-up in the first half and then Andy [Weimann] had
a chance as well. So we had chances. That's one thing about us - we can
exploit spaces. Credit to the team, they've taken a lot of stick at times
but well done today.
You didn't have Benteke; that might have made a big difference?
I thought that Christian was unplayable against Spurs and him being out was
a blow, there's no two ways about it. He's back to his best. But Gabby, up
top, ran his heart out for the team which was great. N'Zogbia's playing ever
so well and is dangerous, but that's the way it is - the red card hurt us
last week.
Is there any more news on Nathan's injury?
Not at the minute. I hope it's not as bad as first feared, but we'll see.
He's got another 16 days or so to recover after the international break so
we'll see how he is.
You've come to a difficult ground, against a team in form and got a very
hard-earned point. What does that mean to the team's confidence?
Well I think the confidence was there at Spurs. The Benteke incident changed
the course of that game; if Christian stays on the pitch that night we win
that game. Or w certainly don't lose it, that's for sure. So I knew
confidence was high from the way we played the other night.
I knew we were confident coming into this game and I knew we had to defend
really strongly. I thought that was a point well-deserved.
And is it good now to have a break, take stock and get Nathan fixed up - or
is it a bad thing that you've got this point but can't carry straight on
with it?
Well with Nathan, we'll see how he is. I think Alan Hutton will be back
after the national games. Christian has got another three weeks to go but
we'll hopefully get one or two lads back fit.
Senderos will be with his national team and that'll give him game time, so
it probably comes at the right time for us, regarding injuries.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on ... Aston Villa
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
A frustrated Big Sam reflects on what he saw as two points dropped in today'
Premier League clash with Aston Villa at the Boleyn...
Sam: It was a bit like the Alamo at the end there. It was nice to see Andy
Carroll come on; it's easy to forget how good he is in the air and he nearly
nicked the points for you at the end?
I think it was a terrific effort. It goes down to the strength and depth of
the squad because when we hit a lull in the second half the changes we made
- one, the system and two, the personnel - gave us that exciting finish and
our players and fans the chance of seeing another win here.
The sad thing was that when our finishing was very good the goalkeeper was
even better. Some of the time I was a bit disappointed with our finishing
considering how good we've been this season.
So we've got to respect the point and our second clean sheet, which is good.
Everything the lads did today they did very well. Villa were a frustrating
team to break down; we broke them down several times but we couldn't beat
the 'keeper today.
It's a bit frustrating for us but as it was nearly a fantastic end to the
game and I'm obviously disappointed that we didn't get the three points.
Stewart Downing still looks very much an England player, doesn't he?
We changed the shape with Stewart today. Stewart looked better when we went
to a 4-2-3-1 rather than the diamond; he started getting more and more
service in wide areas and he was the main reason we got so many chances in
the final throes.
Actually, I think the best chance fell to Carl Jenkinson with a free header
six yards out but unfortunately he heads it straight into the 'keeper's
hands.
But Carroll, Sakho and Coley coming in on those crosses... You can see how
excited it was getting the fans when we were getting up and heading that
ball at goal. I think people can forget how exciting crossing and heading
the ball in the back of the net is these days. It's still a great thrill to
watch and see. Sadly for us, we didn't see it in the back of the net today.
Were you tempted to bring Andy Carroll on earlier?
I thought we were going well enough and creating [chances]. Before Andy came
on Diafra had had two headers - I'm not sure if they were from Cresswell
crosses or Downing crosses, but he had two free headers in the box and
they've gone over the bar.
We had shouts for a couple of penalties as well that didn't go our way but
that shouldn't have mattered to us today with the number of chances we
created. We're a little frustrated but we couldn't do any more than we've
done in terms of chances created and how well we've played and finished the
game.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll keen to put injury nightmare behind him
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:55pm
SSN
West Ham striker Andy Carroll hopes he can put his injury hell behind him
and re-establish himself as a regular starter at Upton Park.
The former Newcastle frontman came off the bench against Aston Villa to make
his first appearance of the season following a lengthy absence after
undergoing ankle surgery in the summer. And Carroll, who joined Sam
Allardyce's side for a club-record fee of £15m in June last year, is eager
to kick-start his career with West Ham. "It's obviously a great feeling to
be back on the pitch where I think I belong," he said. "It's better than
being in the gym. "It's been a nightmare. It's been a killer to be honest,
coming back from the end of last season and in the first week of training I
find out I need surgery. "It's been disappointing and devastating and now
I've just got to forget about everything that's been going on for the last
few months." The England striker paid tribute to the medical team at West
Ham and hopes he can now consolidate his fitness during the international
break. "The medical staff have been a great help," said Carroll. "I've been
working with them as a team and individually. We've worked outside of the
club as well and they've been coming to my house. "It's a credit to them to
get me back fit so quickly given the injury and the surgery that I had.
They've got me back as quick as possible and I'm happy with my recovery."
On his plans during the international break Carroll said: "It's a chance for
me with no games to train hard - and harder than I have been ahead of the
games coming up in a couple of weeks' time. Hopefully I'll have a game
behind closed doors so I can get my fitness up in that as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing not making up numbers in Roy Hodgson's England squad
Last Updated: 08/11/14 9:54pm
SSN
Stewart Downing is relishing the prospect of playing for England again and
believes he still has an important role to play for Roy Hodgson's team.
Downing, who was recalled to the England set-up for the European qualifier
with Slovenia and the eagerly-anticipated friendly with Scotland, will join
up with Hodgson's men for the first time since their trip to Norway in May
2012. And while delighted at being handed an international life-line,
Downing insisted he had no plans of joining the squad to simply make up the
numbers.
Excited
Speaking after the Hammers' goalless draw with Aston Villa on Saturday,
Downing said: "I'm very pleased. Hopefully I'll play or be involved that's
the main thing. "If I get picked I want to be involved, and not just go
there to make up the numbers. So I'm looking forward to it, it's a chance
and there are places up for grabs. I'll go there, enjoy it and hopefully get
a start or, if not, hopefully be involved.
Saturday's draw with Villa extended West Ham's unbeaten run in the league to
five games – a run of form which has become somewhat reliant on the
new-found form of the midfielder.
Despite having only scored twice in the league for the Hammers this season,
Downing's noticeable improvement has come with his ability to turn into a
provider for his team-mates.
"Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd be
picked. So I'm obviously over the moon to be picked and hopefully I don't go
to make the numbers up, I want to be involved and play some part."
Wind-up
And Downing, who believed he would never put an England shirt on again,
admitted his recent form must have been crucial to Hodgson making the call.
"He (Roy) is obviously looking at players and I hadn't been picked for a
while. Roy had gone with other options and to be honest I didn't think I'd
be picked," Downing added. "So to be picked I'm obviously over the moon and
hopefully I don't go to make the numbers up I go to be involved and play
some part. "I spoke to Roy a couple of weeks ago when he came for the Man
City game and he said he'd been watching me so I knew he'd been watching the
games. "When I spoke to the woman at The FA I knew it wasn't a wind-up. I've
been involved in squad's before but I'm obviously pleased to be back in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aston Villa hold West Ham to 0-0 draw at Upton Park
Last Updated: 08/11/14 8:56pm
SSN
Aston Villa stopped the rot after six consecutive defeats with a hard-earned
goalless draw against West Ham at Upton Park. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was the
Villa hero after a string of fine saves including an sensational reaction
stop to deny substitute Andy Carroll in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Stewart Downing also came close for the Hammers, who still manged to inch
above Arsenal into fourth place, despite the draw.
Best of the Match:
Man of the match: Brad Guzan – The Villa goalkeeper pulled off a number of
outstanding saves to deny West Ham.
Save of the match: Late substitute Andy Carroll was denied the winner from a
flying one-handed save by Guzan.
Moment of the match: Carl Jenkinson's point-blank header fell straight into
the grateful hands of the busy Brad Guzan between the Villa sticks.
Performer of the match: Stewart Downing - The winger celebrated his England
call-up with another virtuoso display in West Ham colours.
Stat of the match: The Hammers have won just five of the last 28 Premier
League meetings with the Villans (W5 D14 L9).
Talking point: Now that Villa have stopped the rot after six consecutive
league defeats can they push on? Will West Ham be happy with a point?
Gabby Agbonlahor and Andy Weimann posed a threat for Paul Lambert's side as
they finally ended their losing streak since winning at Liverpool in
mid-September to pick up a valuable share of the spoils. Villa had set
themselves up to be hard to break down, while also offering a forward threat
through Weimann and Charles N'Zogbia, supported by Agbonlahor, who came in
for Christian Benteke, the Belgian starting a three-match ban after his red
card against Spurs. The former England man darted into the West Ham box past
James Collins, but then lifted his shot over the crossbar.
At the other end, the Irons defender then sent a powerful header goalwards
from a corner, which was straight at a grateful Guzan.
West Ham maintained the pressure as the quarter-hour mark approached, but
then almost hit the self-destruct button on 18 minutes as Winston Reid
overhit a backpass, which goalkeeper Adrian mis-controlled and the ball
almost rolled inside the far post. It was then the turn of Guzan to enjoy a
slice of fortune as he came out to punch a highball into the box from Aaron
Cresswell, but clattered into Aly Cissokho as he challenged with Diafra
Sakho, the ball dropping wide. The American, though, showed good hands
moments later as he beat away a fierce, angled drive from Stewart Downing,
the one-time Villa midfielder just recalled to the England squad.
Villa remained dangerous on the break, and went close on 38 minutes.
N'Zogbia ghosted into the left side of the West Ham penalty area, and rolled
the ball back to Andreas Weimann, who moved inside before drilling a 15-yard
strike straight at Adrian. In first-half stoppage time, West Ham worked the
ball well from the right along the Villa penalty area out to Downing on the
left - but the midfielder could only skew his shot into the side netting.
Weimann threatened for Villa just after the restart, lifting a rising shot
over following more positive approach play from Agbonlahor.
Allardyce sent on captain Kevin Nolan after 65 minutes, replacing Cheikhou
Kouyate. Tempers were rising, with Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley booked for
clattering into Diafra Sakho, fit again following a shoulder injury, before
Weimann was shown a yellow card for dissent. Adrian was alert to kick the
ball away after Nolan's clearance ricocheted back into the six-yard box.
West Ham broke away down the right on 78 minutes through substitute Carlton
Cole, who chipped the ball across to Sakho waiting on the penalty spot, but
the usually clinical Senegal forward dropped a header wide.
There was a stoppage when Villa defender Nathan Baker went down in his own
penalty area after clattering into Cole, with referee Jon Moss awarding a
free-kick against the West Ham striker - much to the frustrations of home
players and fans alike. The injury, though, was serious enough for the Villa
man to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Philippe Senderos. West
Ham looked for a winner, as full-back Carl Jenkinson headed straight at the
keeper, with Guzan then denying Carroll - back from an ankle injury - as he
palmed away a point-blank header from the England forward to earn Villa a
well-deserved point.
Charlie Nicholas' verdict
In the initial 20 minutes, Villa looked really nervous at the back and
managed to get away with a lot of situations but they gradually crept into
the game. The big problem for Villa is expressing themselves. They have got
to have better quality when they get the ball because it's hard enough to
get it. They had no Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor never really
threatened much, but he should have scored in the first half. In the second
half they had great spells in the game.
West Ham made plenty of opportunities. Sakho didn't get many opportunities
until the final 20 minutes and Guzan had an absolutely outstanding day. It
was a thoroughly enjoyable 0-0, it really was. It was a very exciting game
with plenty of chances created and Aston Villa should take a lot of credit.
It was an enjoyable point for Paul Lambert, but Sam Allardyce will be
frustrated.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate becoming the Irons forgotten man
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I came away from the game confused, entirely frustrated and annoyed that a
team that was there for the taking had been let off the hook!
Ok, I'm realistic enough to know it's not always gonna go for us but then I
looked at the stats which showed we had 21 shots at goal with five on
target whilst Villa had four on goal from 12. With the strike force we have
available that is disappointing and I was also a tad concerned at how we
allowed Villa to dictate for various periods particularly immediately after
the break. At one stage we really were at panic stations at the back against
a team that so far hasn't exactly shown itself to be the most potent force
in the division.
These though are small moans and we continue to play with panache and style
which is great and we are gonna win more than we lose.
However, one thing does concern me and his name is Mauro Zarate – a player
who looks ideally suited to the style of play we are currently employing.
Before anybody shouts about his availability I can assure you he's fit but
couldn't even make it onto a bench which was loaded up with the likes of
Carroll, Cole, O'Brien and Nolan. There have been whispers for a long time
that the player is not really Sam's cup of char but I couldn't help feeling
today that he would have been exactly the right individual to throw on as he
has the sort of ability which is required to open up defences such as
Villa's. Nolan or Zarate? It's not really and proper question is it? I fear
that the Argentinian could soon become the forgotten man of Upton Park as
many predicted at the outset of the season. And if that becomes the case it
really will be a very great shame!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: "That was Carroll's first pre-season game"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll will not be launched back into first time starts for about six
weeks! The injury-plagued striker returned to the fray today after another
long lay-off but manager Sam Allardyce isn't even tempted to shove him into
ma double quick return. He gave an emphatic 'no' when asked if the big
striker could start against Everton following the international break making
it clear it will be a long haul back for the club's record signing. He said:
"He ios now having his pre-season and the first outing was this afternoon
for just a few minutes. Like every other player his pre-season will take at
least six games and there will be no rushing him back into action."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble's gutted but loves the Carroll option
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh
Mark Noble declared himself "gutted" at failing to inflict a seventh
successive defeat on Aston Villa at Upton Park this afternoon.
He realised that most approached the game seeing it as a home banker but
said: "The Premier League is not like that. I'm gutted but at the same time
it was an important point. "We knew that Villa had some top players but we
thought they would come and sit in order to frustrate us. We could have had
three or four in the first half but it just wasn't to be." Noble though was
thrilled with Andy Carroll's return – albeit for just a few minutes at the
end – and said: "He's been out for a long time but he showed he can create
mayhem. "He could have had three goals in three minutes and is a fantastic
addition up front for us. He's good in the air and good on the floor – we
have a great front line of options."
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Allardye tells why Irons didn't win!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce was disappointed to find Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan in top
form as the Hammers failed to find the net in a goal-less draw against Aston
Villa. The Irons boss watched his team create a host of chancesbefore being
left to" respect the point." He said: We're disappointed given the amount of
chances of excellent quality we created but the keeper was in a fantastic
mood. It was unfortunate and disappointing for us to come out with just a
point." Allardyce then gave a litany of opportunities and setbacks which on
another day might have gone the way of the Irons. He said: "There was a
definite penalty on Alex Song and a handball which may have given us
another. Then one of theirs came off with injury when it was Carlton Cole
who had been fouled and that could have been another penalty. "We have
dominated in the latter stages and the first half was ours so it was all
very frustrating. I really thought the goal would come but then Guzan
produced a wonderful save near the end."
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Saturday, November 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th November 2014
Preview - Aston Villa
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Saturday's game with Aston Villa
07.11.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v ASTON VILLA
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS
Remembrance Day
West Ham United will be marking Remembrance Day and commemorating the
centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with a host of special
events at Saturday's game.
Soldiers from G Company 7 Rifles, based at the Army Reserve Centre in West
Ham, will form a guard of honour surrounding the Boleyn Ground pitch before
representatives from the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch) are
presented to the crowd.
A wreath-laying ceremony will then take place in the centre circle led by
Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and Aston Villa
chief executive Tom Fox.
This will be followed by a minute's silence that will begin and end on the
sound of the referee's whistle.
West Ham's players will join those from their 19 fellow Barclays Premier
League clubs by wearing shirts emblazoned with the special 'Football
Remembers' poppy.
Prior to kick-off, representatives Diane Hannan and Bill Daly from bus
operators Stagecoach (London) will also present a cheque for in excess of
£5,000 to Ken Hill, secretary of the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch).
The funds were raised by the sale of a special badge designed by a member of
staff at Plumstead Garage, which was then distributed and sold through the
nine garages that form Stagecoach (London).
The company provided the 'B' bus purchased by the War Office in 1914 and
used in France and Belgium throughout the Great War as a troop carrier. The
bus has recently been returned to its wartime livery and is taking part in
Remembrance ceremonies in Britain, France and Belgium.
Every year, the Hammers support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by
wearing match shirts with the official Poppy on them. For Remembrance Day
2014, the Royal British Legion has approved a one-off Poppy with the
citation '1914-2014 Football Remembers'.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity providing care
and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and
their families.
Fans can donate to the Poppy Appeal in a variety of ways:
• By phone on 0845 845 1945
• By mobile. To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* (*Cost £3 plus standard
network charges - typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). To donate £10,
text POPPY to 70111* (*Cost £10 plus standard network charges - typically
£9.92 goes to the Poppy Appeal).
• By post to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.
In brief
West Ham United host Aston Villa this Saturday as the Hammers look to extend
their unbeaten run of five games.
The Villans are currently 16th, having taken ten points from as many games.
Paul Lambert's side have struggled recently in losing their six league
games, scoring once in the process.
Sam Allardyce's team are eleven places ahead of Saturday's visitors, sitting
in fifth position after drawing 2-2 away at Stoke City having been 2-0 down.
Goals from new signing Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing, who has been
recalled by England manager Roy Hodgson, salvaged a point.
Last season the Hammers took four points from the Villans, drawing 0-0 at
home before securing a 2-0 away win with a brace from Kevin Nolan.
Related stories
Big Sam: On Aston Villa
Chadwell Chatter
Who are they?
Formed in 1874 from members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapal cricket team
Aston Villa enjoyed a very succesful start to life winning the FA Cup in
1887, 1895 and 1897 as well as winning the First Division five times in the
1890s.
Aston Villa moved into their iconic Villa Park stadium in 1911, going on to
win another two FA Cups later that decade.
Villa's crowning glory came in 1982 when they won their first European Cup
final, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam.
They have competed in the top flight of English football without relegation
since the 1988/89 season.
Team news
West Ham United
Diafra Sakho is back in contention for Saturday's game after overcoming a
shoulder injury, as is Winston Reid who could return after shaking off a
dead leg he suffered at Stoke City.
England striker Andy Carroll is also back in contention after he played in a
behind-closed-doors friendly during the week. Carroll could make his first
appearance of the season after recovering from ankle surgery.
Guy Demel is out with a thigh problem, however he should be back in the
squad after the international break.
Aston Villa
The visitors are missing some crucial squad memebers such as Fabian Delph
after he dislocated his shoulder in training.
They will also be without talismanic striker Christian Benteke following his
red card against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Villa will give central defender Phillippe Senderos a late fitness test to
determine whether the Swiss international has overcome a thigh strain.
Referee
Saturday's referee will be Jonathan Moss, who was born in the North East.
The 44-year-old played for Sunderland and Millwall as a schoolboy.
Moss won a football scholarship at Central Connecticut State University in
the United States before completing a degree in teaching and physical
education at the University of Leeds.
After progressing through the Northern Counties East League and Northern
Premier League, Moss was promoted to the National Group of assistant
referees in 2003.
He refereed the 2005 Conference Play-Off final between Carlisle United and
Stevenage Borough before being promoted to the National Group of Referees
who officiate in the Football League the same year.
After seeing his first Premier League appointment - Wigan Athletic versus
today's visitors Aston Villa - postponed due to snow in December 2010, he
made his top-flight debut in Blackpool's home defeat by Birmingham City the
following month.
He was promoted to the Select Group of referees in June 2011.
Moss will be assisted by 2014 FIFA World Cup assistant referee Mike
Mullarkey and Derek Eaton, while the fourth official will be Mike Jones.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 7
Yellow cards shown: 26
Red cards shown: 4
Penalties awarded: 4
One to watch
West Ham United
The in form Stewart Downing has been called up for England duty by Roy
Hodgson.
The midfielder has been in fine form this season, particularly when playing
at the tip of the midfield diamond. The 30-year-old will be looking to
continue his goalscoring form after netting the equaliser against Stoke City
last Saturday.
Aston Villa
American goalkeeper Brad Guzan is one of standout 'keepers in the league. He
is an integral part of the Villa defence having played every minute of every
league game this season.
If Guzan is on top form, the Hammers' strikeforce will have to be at their
best to get past him.
Tickets
Standard tickets for this game have now sold out. However, tickets may
become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist their seats.
Tickets for the Hammers next home game with Newcastle United are available
here.
Weather
Saturday is set to be an overcast day with rain forecast for the second
half. The predicted temperature at kick-off is 13C (55F)
Last home meeting
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
2 November 201
The Hammers picked up a valuable point in the same fixture last season,
ending a run of three straight home defeats.
The visitors had the better chances with Christian Benteke's header hitting
the post yet the Hammers clung on to their seventh clean sheet of the
season.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Lowton,
Bacuna, Sylla, Benteke, Weimann (Kozak)
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, Rat, Downing, Jarvis (J
Cole 62), Collison (C Cole 63), Morrison, Nolan
Subs: Adrian, O'Brien, Potts, Maiga
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers scoop awards double
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho have been honoured with Barclays monthly
awards for October
07.11.2014
West Ham United completed a win double as Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho
scooped the October Barclays Premier League Manager and Player of the Month
awards. Big Sam guided his side to a perfect October, with the Hammers
rising to fourth in the table courtesy of convincing home wins over Queens
Park Rangers and champions Manchester City and a stylish 3-1 victory at
Burnley.
The manager, who celebrated his 60th birthday on 19 October, wins the sixth
Premier League Manager of the Month award of his outstanding career, taking
him level with the late Sir Bobby Robson and Rafael Benitez in sixth on the
all-time list. Most recently, Big Sam was also presented with the award in
February 2014, when his West Ham team won all four matches to all but ensure
their Barclays Premier League future. He is one of four West Ham bosses to
have won the award, with the others being Harry Redknapp (November 1998),
Glenn Roeder (March 2003) and Alan Pardew (February 2006). "I was delighted
to be presented with the Barclays Manager of the Month award for October,"
said Big Sam. "It is an award I accepted gratefully on behalf of everybody
at West Ham, from the owners to the tea lady. "We all enjoy life more when
we're winning football matches and certainly life has become that little bit
easier for us all in recent weeks, with the reward being a very nice trophy.
"The pinnacle of October was obviously beating Manchester City, but the most
important thing was being able to put away two teams we were expected to
beat in QPR and Burnley. Because we did that, we had the platform to go into
the Man City game with confidence and the impetus to beat the champions.
"For me, it was a great month and the players have grown in confidence. The
performances have been there all season, bar the Southampton game, but in
October we got the results we deserved. We are undefeated in four games and
now the emphasis is on how long we can keep this run going and keep us where
we are in the table and, who knows, take us even higher."
Sakho continued his outstanding opening to life in Claret and Blue by
scoring in all three games - all three with his head - to take his overall
tally to seven goals in seven starts following his summer move from French
club Metz. He becomes just the fourth West Ham player to win the prestigious
award, following Stuart Pearce (February 2001), Anton Ferdinand (January
2006) and Scott Parker (February 2011).
The 24-year-old is the second Senegalese to be recognised in this way, with
Newcastle United's former West Ham striker Demba Ba scooping the award in
December 2011. It is not the first time Sakho's goalscoring prowess has been
recognised publicly. Last season, his 20 goals led Metz to promotion from
Ligue 2 and earned the striker the division's Player of the Year award.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Poyet joins Huddersfield on loan
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet has linked up with Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town
07.11.2014
Diego Poyet has joined Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town on a
month-long loan to run until 6 December. The 19-year-old midfielder, who has
appeared twice in the Barclays Premier League for West Ham United this term,
will link up with his former Charlton Athletic boss Chris Powell at the John
Smith's Stadium. Poyet's breakthrough came with the Addicks last season when
he lifted their Player of the Year award, and he will now build his
experience with the Yorkshire side. Huddersfield are currently 15th in the
Championship table, but have lost only one of their last eight league
fixtures. Poyet could make his Terriers debut at Fulham on Saturday, with
his loan spell also set to take in home fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday
and Brentford, as well as an away game at Bolton Wanderers.
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Kouyate's aiming high
WHUFC.com
The Hammers aren't finished yet according to Senegal midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate
07.11.2014
Cheikhou Kouyate says West Ham United will remain grounded despite their
fine run of recent form. A perfect October saw manager Sam Allardyce and
striker Diafra Sakho pick up the Barclays Premier League Manager and Player
of the Month awards respectively. Kouyate feels that is just reward for a
fantastic month but believes there is more to come from the team still. He
said: "Beating top teams is great for our confidence but we also need to
keep our feet on the ground. As a team we haven't achieved anything yet and
there's still a long way to go. "All we want to do is reach our aims for the
season and to do that we have to keep working hard and produce on the pitch.
"Our aim is to do as the manager said and improve on last season. We want to
finish as high as possible in the top half, and play good football which the
fans enjoy."
Kouyate has taken to English football like a duck to water and he is keen to
build on his fine start. He added: "I'm very happy here and my first few
months have been great. I was well welcomed by everyone at the Club and it
has been a great start. "Everyone here has really helped the new players
settle in and we've done our best not to disappoint. We've done well for
ourselves and for the team and we want it to continue. "Anderlecht is a big
club in Belgium with fantastic supporters. Mo Diame told me before I came
here that the fans are amazing but I couldn't have expected them to be how
they are. "The atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground is wonderful and I get
goosebumps when I'm out on the pitch. It gives everyone here even more
enthusiasm and desire to perform in front of the supporters."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho pens an exclusive blog for whufc.com after being named Barclays
Premier League Player of the Month
07.11.2014
Hello everybody.
I was thrilled to be named as Barclays Premier League Player of the Month
for October on Friday. It's an award that's not just for me - it's for the
whole club. West Ham have welcomed me incredibly well since the very first
day and this is the best way for me to say thank you to the supporters.
There isn't really a secret as to how I've settled in. I've worked hard here
and I worked hard at my previous club, Metz. I didn't think the adaptation
process would be this fast, but I would also like to thank my old coaches at
Metz, who helped me progress, and I hope I can continue in the same vein of
form for the rest of the season.
Of course I'm very happy to be part of the history of this Club, by scoring
in six consecutive Premier League games. Scoring goals is very important but
the main thing is for the Club to reach its objectives. I'm ready to return
on Saturday. I've been ready since Monday and of course the final decision
is down to the manager whether I start the game or not, but I'm ready to
help the team again. Finally, I was delighted to be named in the Senegal
squad for their games next week against Botswana and Egypt. For all the
Senegalese people the dream is to win against Egypt and we will do our best
to achieve qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations and return a smile to
our people.
Come on you Irons!
Diafra
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Huddersfield Town sign West Ham United's Diego Poyet
BBC.co.uk
Huddersfield Town have signed West Ham United midfielder Diego Poyet on a
one-month loan deal. The 19-year-old, the son of Sunderland boss Gus Poyet,
joined the Hammers from Charlton in the summer. He has made three
appearances for Sam Allardyce's side, with his last coming in the 2-1 defeat
by Manchester United in September. Poyet could make his debut for Chris
Powell's Terriers in Saturday's trip to Fulham.
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Awards for Sam Allardyce & Diafra Sakho
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been named the Barclays Premier League
manager of the month for October. Allardyce's side beat Queens Park Rangers,
Burnley and champions Manchester City as they recorded three wins out of
three in the month. Striker Diafra Sakho made it a double swoop for the
Hammers, collecting the player of the month award. The summer signing from
Metz scored in all three victories and has six goals from six starts. West
Ham lie in fifth place in the Premier League, level on points with Arsenal.
The award marks a change in fortunes for a manager who was under huge
pressure earlier this year following a poor run of results. Some fans have
cited a change in the style of play , following the arrival of Teddy
Sheringham as attacking coach, as a reason for the side's recent turnaround.
However, former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United boss
Allardyce said West Ham's best ever start to a Premier League season is not
down to any change in coaching style. "My philosophy has never changed,"
said Allardyce. "How the team plays best and how the best way of playing
suits the team individually and collectively, the goal is always to get
better and better, and always to play to win more games and be entertaining.
"It's never changed. So my philosophy is always about staying focused,
trying to make the team better."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Aston Villa
KO 15:00
7 November 2014
Last updated at 11:28
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 8 November
TEAM NEWS
West Ham will assess Winston Reid, who suffered a dead leg at Stoke, and
could welcome back Diafra Sakho, who missed that game with a shoulder
injury. Andy Carroll may be involved for the first time this season after
recovering from an ankle injury, but full-back Guy Demel is still out.
Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke begins a three-game ban following his
sending off against Tottenham. Philippe Senderos could return after three
games out with a thigh problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
Saturday's game at Upton Park brings together two Claret and Blue armies
marching in very different directions. The Hammers are riding high in fifth
place, having claimed 10 points from a possible 12. Villa, meanwhile, have
slumped to 16th after a run of six consecutive defeats - their worst run in
the top flight since 1964. It has been a pretty disastrous losing streak -
even if they have faced some of the Premier League's strongest teams. They
have scored just once and conceded 15 goals - a dramatic fall from grace for
a club that rose to second following victory at Liverpool two months ago.
Manager Paul Lambert has been hamstrung by the absence of keys players
recently, with Fabian Delph, Philippe Senderos and Alan Hutton all big
misses. Christian Benteke's three-game suspension - just as he appeared to
be getting back to his best following an Achilles injury - is another blow.
With few forward options, Villa have little choice but to restore Gabriel
Agbonlahor to a central striking role.
West Ham are a complete contrast. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia are both
in fine goalscoring form, and with record signing Andy Carroll nearing a
comeback, boss Sam Allardyce could have a pleasant selection headache on
his hands before too long.
Lawro's prediction : "This Hammers team look a completely different
proposition to last season, partly helped by how much confidence they have
throughout their team at the moment. "Last weekend, they were poor for an
hour against Stoke, but their comeback showed they now have the strength and
quality in their squad to change games." The Hammers have scored 19 goals in
their opening 10 games - which is their best start to a top-flight campaign,
in terms of goalscoring, for 28 years. With Lionel Messi's Argentina due to
play Croatia in a friendly at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday , the home
faithful are being spoilt for entertainment this season. Whilst goalscorers
invariably grab the headlines, it is worth noting that one of West Ham's
unsung heroes, midfielder Mark Noble, is nearing a landmark. Saturday will
be his 203rd Premier League appearance - leaving him one short of the West
Ham club record, set by Steve Potts.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The Hammers have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games against
Villa, including both of last season's meetings.
Villa have won just two of their last 14 top-flight games at Upton Park,
although eight of those matches ended in draws.
West Ham United
The Hammers have scored in nine successive Premier League games - their best
run since a 10-match streak between September and November 2009.
West Ham have scored eight headed goals in this season's Premier League -
more than any other side prior to this weekend.
Stewart Downing already has twice as many goals (two) and twice as many
assists (four) this season as he managed in 32 Premier League games for West
Ham in 2013-14.
Aston Villa
Villa have lost their last six games - their worst run in the top flight
since a similar sequence between April and August 1964.
The only time they have endured a longer losing run in the top flight was
between March and May 1963, when they suffered 11 consecutive league
defeats.
Andreas Weimann has scored or assisted all but one of Villa's five league
goals this season (three goals, one assist).
Villa have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League games against London
sides. Their only win in that sequence was March's 1-0 victory against
Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce welcomes striker's engagement
BBC.co.uk
During his career West Ham forward Andy Carroll has often been deployed as a
lone striker. But Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, 60, believes it could take
a partnership to bring out the best in the 25-year-old - namely his
off-field coupling with reality TV star Billi Mucklow.
Allardyce has backed the pair's recent engagement, saying: "Andy has now
got a different life - romance has blossomed. "It can be very good for a
footballer when they settle down off the field." Andy Carroll asked The Only
Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow to marry him in Rome England international
Carroll is closing in on a return from ankle surgery and could come into
contention for Saturday's Premier League match at home to Aston Villa. And
Allardyce believes Carroll can come back better than ever. "When you have a
relationship, you start building on that relationship by the fondness you
have for each other," he said. "I think that can only be good for Andy and
his football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In-form West Ham host free-falling Aston Villa at Upton Park
Last Updated: 07/11/14 1:27pm
SSN
Aston Villa will be desperate to address their Premier League descent when
they visit West Ham United on Saturday afternoon. Paul Lambert's squad have
lost six successive matches, setting club records in the process, in a
dreadful run of form which has seen them sink to 16th position. Villa, who
most recently suffered a bad-tempered, late defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in
which Christian Benteke was sent off, are also only one point above the
relegation zone. And, to make matters worse, they could drop into the bottom
three if results do not go their way at the weekend.
In contrast, West Ham are flying high and making a mockery of their critics
as Manager of the Month Sam Allardyce's team could move into the top four if
they get the results they require. A West Ham side full of pace and goals
have lost just once in their last seven games and they upset Stoke City last
weekend by fighting back from two down for a draw. Stewart Downing inspired
that recovery and the former Villa winger's current form has led to his
England recall after more than two years in the international wilderness.
Team news
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho is expected to return from a shoulder injury
and Andy Carroll could be in the squad for the first time this season
following an ankle problem. Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho picked up the
awards for Premier League manager and player of the month
Defender Winston Reid will be assessed after suffering a dead leg during the
draw at Stoke but Guy Demel (thigh) remains sidelined.
Villa will have to deal with the major absence of star striker Benteke as
the Belgium international starts a three-match suspension for his dismissal
against Tottenham. But Villa could welcome Philippe Senderos back from a
thigh injury, although another defender, Alan Hutton, is still unavailable
due to an ankle problem. Joe Cole is in contention to face his boyhood club,
West Ham, on the day he will be celebrating his 33rd birthday.
Paul Merson's prediction
I don't know where Villa are going to go without Christian Benteke. Things
were better against Tottenham but their confidence will be low and I can't
see a worse place to go at the moment. West Ham are scoring goals and have
pace. They are my banker of the weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce refusing to get carried away with West Ham's position
Last Updated: 07/11/14 4:08pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce insists he is not getting carried away by West Ham's
impressive league form. The Hammers have won four of their last six games to
move into a Europa League place. But Allardyce, whose side face Aston Villa
on Saturday, has pointed to the form of this weekend's riva.s as evidence of
how quickly things can go wrong. Paul Lambert's side have lost six in a row
since their victory at Liverpool on September 13 took their points tally to
10 from their opening four matches. Allardyce, who was named manager of the
month for October, said: "It is only 10 games, it is far too early. "Look at
Aston Villa's start: everyone was going on what a fantastic start they had,
with 10 points in the first four or five games. Look at how quickly it can
turn. "Our big test comes in the end of November and December when all the
games come thick and fast. "So until we get to the end of this year, I am
not going to change any areas of the targets we are trying to hit." The
hosts are set to welcome back striker Diafra Sakho from a shoulder injury,
having scored in six consecutive league games. And following the draw 2-2
draw with Stoke last weekend, where the Londoners rallied from two goals
down, Allardyce said his side cannot afford to be complacent. "It is a
difficult one, the players in our team and squad have to maintain 100 per
cent a physical, mental, technical and tactical attitude to every game.
"They have to be on top form to have a chance of winning every game they
play. "Anything less than that then the opposition in the Premier League is
so strong, whether you play the bottom or top team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Diafra Sakho in line for new £10million deal – but only after
12 more games
Nov 07, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The 24-year-old has been sensational since arriving from Metz, netting in
each of his first six starts for the Londoners
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho will have to play another 12 games before he picks up his new
£10million deal at West Ham The 24-year-old marksman, who cost just
£4.7million, has been linked with a lucrative reward already after his
record-equalling six goals in his first six starts for the club . But Sakho
has a clause in his contract which states it is reviewed after 20 games if
he produces the kind of goalscoring form that earned him the Player of the
Year award at French club Metz last season. Sakho hit 20 goals in 36
appearances as Metz won promotion to Ligue 1 His fine form at Upton Park
this season has also earned him a recall to the Senegal squad for this
month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He also picked up the Premier
League player of the month gong on Friday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce backs Carl Jenkinson to follow Stewart Downing into the
England set-up
Nov 07, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The young right-back has impressed the Hammers boss in their short time
together and he thinks he could make it into Roy Hodgson's plans
The Mirror
Carl Jenkinson could be the next West Ham star called up by England,
according to Sam Allardyce. Stewart Downing has been rewarded for his fine
start to the season by Roy Hodgson. And with the Hammers up in fifth place,
Allardyce reckons the on-loan Arsenal defender is an answer to England's
right-back "problem". Glen Johnson has been dropped with the uncapped
Nathaniel Clyne and Calum Chambers included for the games against Slovenia
and Scotland. Allardyce, who also named Mark Noble as an England candidate,
said: "There seems to be a particular problem at right-back at the minute
and I think he's got the potential, based on my short time with him, of
getting a chance.
"He's been at Charlton, then Arsenal and he's now playing regularly for us.
It just seems that Kyle Walker has been out for a long time and Glen Johnson
at Liverpool seems to get the odd injury here and there. Right back has
become a bit of a challenge for Roy - who are they? Where are they? And how
good are they?"
Allardyce said Aston Villa, who were up in the Champions League places after
the first four games, were a warning how quickly a season can turn. Paul
Lambert's side have lost six consecutive matches to slide to one point above
the drop zone. But he does not blame the Villa manager. "There is a huge
pressure which comes upon you when you lose so many games on the trot," said
the Irons boss. "He must be wondering what he is doing wrong. I think if he
had as much money to spend as Martin O'Neill he would be very very happy and
you would expect he wouldn't be in this position. "There was a change of
financial policy at Aston Villa and when he eventually took over it was
about reduction of wages rather than increase of wages. "When you've had to
manage that period and that level it would be the biggest learning
experience as a manager that he's every experienced. "It's a very difficult
period to manage in and then continue to focus and get results and keep the
club around the expectations that Villa fans expect them to be. I think
where they are at the minute is a very bad position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bumper Noble deal in pipeline
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will take up the two year option on Mark Noble's current contract
at the end of the season whilst preparing a bumper new deal for the loyal
midfielder. The Hammers board are entirely relaxed about the position with
the midfield ace but are keen to ensure that his value as a player and
loyalty are rewarded. They may have their problems convincing Winston Reid
he can achieve all his aims at the club, but negotiations with Noble are
expected to prove much more straightforward. We were told today: "We have no
worries on Mark as we hold a good option on him and we intend to offer him
an improved contract at the end of the season. "We would hope that will tie
him to the club for several years to come – maybe even to the end of his
playing days. We are preparing the deal and would expect him to sign."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Saturday's game with Aston Villa
07.11.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v ASTON VILLA
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS
Remembrance Day
West Ham United will be marking Remembrance Day and commemorating the
centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with a host of special
events at Saturday's game.
Soldiers from G Company 7 Rifles, based at the Army Reserve Centre in West
Ham, will form a guard of honour surrounding the Boleyn Ground pitch before
representatives from the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch) are
presented to the crowd.
A wreath-laying ceremony will then take place in the centre circle led by
Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and Aston Villa
chief executive Tom Fox.
This will be followed by a minute's silence that will begin and end on the
sound of the referee's whistle.
West Ham's players will join those from their 19 fellow Barclays Premier
League clubs by wearing shirts emblazoned with the special 'Football
Remembers' poppy.
Prior to kick-off, representatives Diane Hannan and Bill Daly from bus
operators Stagecoach (London) will also present a cheque for in excess of
£5,000 to Ken Hill, secretary of the Royal British Legion (East Ham Branch).
The funds were raised by the sale of a special badge designed by a member of
staff at Plumstead Garage, which was then distributed and sold through the
nine garages that form Stagecoach (London).
The company provided the 'B' bus purchased by the War Office in 1914 and
used in France and Belgium throughout the Great War as a troop carrier. The
bus has recently been returned to its wartime livery and is taking part in
Remembrance ceremonies in Britain, France and Belgium.
Every year, the Hammers support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by
wearing match shirts with the official Poppy on them. For Remembrance Day
2014, the Royal British Legion has approved a one-off Poppy with the
citation '1914-2014 Football Remembers'.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Service charity providing care
and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and
their families.
Fans can donate to the Poppy Appeal in a variety of ways:
• By phone on 0845 845 1945
• By mobile. To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* (*Cost £3 plus standard
network charges - typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). To donate £10,
text POPPY to 70111* (*Cost £10 plus standard network charges - typically
£9.92 goes to the Poppy Appeal).
• By post to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.
In brief
West Ham United host Aston Villa this Saturday as the Hammers look to extend
their unbeaten run of five games.
The Villans are currently 16th, having taken ten points from as many games.
Paul Lambert's side have struggled recently in losing their six league
games, scoring once in the process.
Sam Allardyce's team are eleven places ahead of Saturday's visitors, sitting
in fifth position after drawing 2-2 away at Stoke City having been 2-0 down.
Goals from new signing Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing, who has been
recalled by England manager Roy Hodgson, salvaged a point.
Last season the Hammers took four points from the Villans, drawing 0-0 at
home before securing a 2-0 away win with a brace from Kevin Nolan.
Related stories
Big Sam: On Aston Villa
Chadwell Chatter
Who are they?
Formed in 1874 from members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapal cricket team
Aston Villa enjoyed a very succesful start to life winning the FA Cup in
1887, 1895 and 1897 as well as winning the First Division five times in the
1890s.
Aston Villa moved into their iconic Villa Park stadium in 1911, going on to
win another two FA Cups later that decade.
Villa's crowning glory came in 1982 when they won their first European Cup
final, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam.
They have competed in the top flight of English football without relegation
since the 1988/89 season.
Team news
West Ham United
Diafra Sakho is back in contention for Saturday's game after overcoming a
shoulder injury, as is Winston Reid who could return after shaking off a
dead leg he suffered at Stoke City.
England striker Andy Carroll is also back in contention after he played in a
behind-closed-doors friendly during the week. Carroll could make his first
appearance of the season after recovering from ankle surgery.
Guy Demel is out with a thigh problem, however he should be back in the
squad after the international break.
Aston Villa
The visitors are missing some crucial squad memebers such as Fabian Delph
after he dislocated his shoulder in training.
They will also be without talismanic striker Christian Benteke following his
red card against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Villa will give central defender Phillippe Senderos a late fitness test to
determine whether the Swiss international has overcome a thigh strain.
Referee
Saturday's referee will be Jonathan Moss, who was born in the North East.
The 44-year-old played for Sunderland and Millwall as a schoolboy.
Moss won a football scholarship at Central Connecticut State University in
the United States before completing a degree in teaching and physical
education at the University of Leeds.
After progressing through the Northern Counties East League and Northern
Premier League, Moss was promoted to the National Group of assistant
referees in 2003.
He refereed the 2005 Conference Play-Off final between Carlisle United and
Stevenage Borough before being promoted to the National Group of Referees
who officiate in the Football League the same year.
After seeing his first Premier League appointment - Wigan Athletic versus
today's visitors Aston Villa - postponed due to snow in December 2010, he
made his top-flight debut in Blackpool's home defeat by Birmingham City the
following month.
He was promoted to the Select Group of referees in June 2011.
Moss will be assisted by 2014 FIFA World Cup assistant referee Mike
Mullarkey and Derek Eaton, while the fourth official will be Mike Jones.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 7
Yellow cards shown: 26
Red cards shown: 4
Penalties awarded: 4
One to watch
West Ham United
The in form Stewart Downing has been called up for England duty by Roy
Hodgson.
The midfielder has been in fine form this season, particularly when playing
at the tip of the midfield diamond. The 30-year-old will be looking to
continue his goalscoring form after netting the equaliser against Stoke City
last Saturday.
Aston Villa
American goalkeeper Brad Guzan is one of standout 'keepers in the league. He
is an integral part of the Villa defence having played every minute of every
league game this season.
If Guzan is on top form, the Hammers' strikeforce will have to be at their
best to get past him.
Tickets
Standard tickets for this game have now sold out. However, tickets may
become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist their seats.
Tickets for the Hammers next home game with Newcastle United are available
here.
Weather
Saturday is set to be an overcast day with rain forecast for the second
half. The predicted temperature at kick-off is 13C (55F)
Last home meeting
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
2 November 201
The Hammers picked up a valuable point in the same fixture last season,
ending a run of three straight home defeats.
The visitors had the better chances with Christian Benteke's header hitting
the post yet the Hammers clung on to their seventh clean sheet of the
season.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Lowton,
Bacuna, Sylla, Benteke, Weimann (Kozak)
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, Rat, Downing, Jarvis (J
Cole 62), Collison (C Cole 63), Morrison, Nolan
Subs: Adrian, O'Brien, Potts, Maiga
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers scoop awards double
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho have been honoured with Barclays monthly
awards for October
07.11.2014
West Ham United completed a win double as Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho
scooped the October Barclays Premier League Manager and Player of the Month
awards. Big Sam guided his side to a perfect October, with the Hammers
rising to fourth in the table courtesy of convincing home wins over Queens
Park Rangers and champions Manchester City and a stylish 3-1 victory at
Burnley.
The manager, who celebrated his 60th birthday on 19 October, wins the sixth
Premier League Manager of the Month award of his outstanding career, taking
him level with the late Sir Bobby Robson and Rafael Benitez in sixth on the
all-time list. Most recently, Big Sam was also presented with the award in
February 2014, when his West Ham team won all four matches to all but ensure
their Barclays Premier League future. He is one of four West Ham bosses to
have won the award, with the others being Harry Redknapp (November 1998),
Glenn Roeder (March 2003) and Alan Pardew (February 2006). "I was delighted
to be presented with the Barclays Manager of the Month award for October,"
said Big Sam. "It is an award I accepted gratefully on behalf of everybody
at West Ham, from the owners to the tea lady. "We all enjoy life more when
we're winning football matches and certainly life has become that little bit
easier for us all in recent weeks, with the reward being a very nice trophy.
"The pinnacle of October was obviously beating Manchester City, but the most
important thing was being able to put away two teams we were expected to
beat in QPR and Burnley. Because we did that, we had the platform to go into
the Man City game with confidence and the impetus to beat the champions.
"For me, it was a great month and the players have grown in confidence. The
performances have been there all season, bar the Southampton game, but in
October we got the results we deserved. We are undefeated in four games and
now the emphasis is on how long we can keep this run going and keep us where
we are in the table and, who knows, take us even higher."
Sakho continued his outstanding opening to life in Claret and Blue by
scoring in all three games - all three with his head - to take his overall
tally to seven goals in seven starts following his summer move from French
club Metz. He becomes just the fourth West Ham player to win the prestigious
award, following Stuart Pearce (February 2001), Anton Ferdinand (January
2006) and Scott Parker (February 2011).
The 24-year-old is the second Senegalese to be recognised in this way, with
Newcastle United's former West Ham striker Demba Ba scooping the award in
December 2011. It is not the first time Sakho's goalscoring prowess has been
recognised publicly. Last season, his 20 goals led Metz to promotion from
Ligue 2 and earned the striker the division's Player of the Year award.
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Poyet joins Huddersfield on loan
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet has linked up with Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town
07.11.2014
Diego Poyet has joined Sky Bet Championship side Huddersfield Town on a
month-long loan to run until 6 December. The 19-year-old midfielder, who has
appeared twice in the Barclays Premier League for West Ham United this term,
will link up with his former Charlton Athletic boss Chris Powell at the John
Smith's Stadium. Poyet's breakthrough came with the Addicks last season when
he lifted their Player of the Year award, and he will now build his
experience with the Yorkshire side. Huddersfield are currently 15th in the
Championship table, but have lost only one of their last eight league
fixtures. Poyet could make his Terriers debut at Fulham on Saturday, with
his loan spell also set to take in home fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday
and Brentford, as well as an away game at Bolton Wanderers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kouyate's aiming high
WHUFC.com
The Hammers aren't finished yet according to Senegal midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate
07.11.2014
Cheikhou Kouyate says West Ham United will remain grounded despite their
fine run of recent form. A perfect October saw manager Sam Allardyce and
striker Diafra Sakho pick up the Barclays Premier League Manager and Player
of the Month awards respectively. Kouyate feels that is just reward for a
fantastic month but believes there is more to come from the team still. He
said: "Beating top teams is great for our confidence but we also need to
keep our feet on the ground. As a team we haven't achieved anything yet and
there's still a long way to go. "All we want to do is reach our aims for the
season and to do that we have to keep working hard and produce on the pitch.
"Our aim is to do as the manager said and improve on last season. We want to
finish as high as possible in the top half, and play good football which the
fans enjoy."
Kouyate has taken to English football like a duck to water and he is keen to
build on his fine start. He added: "I'm very happy here and my first few
months have been great. I was well welcomed by everyone at the Club and it
has been a great start. "Everyone here has really helped the new players
settle in and we've done our best not to disappoint. We've done well for
ourselves and for the team and we want it to continue. "Anderlecht is a big
club in Belgium with fantastic supporters. Mo Diame told me before I came
here that the fans are amazing but I couldn't have expected them to be how
they are. "The atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground is wonderful and I get
goosebumps when I'm out on the pitch. It gives everyone here even more
enthusiasm and desire to perform in front of the supporters."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho pens an exclusive blog for whufc.com after being named Barclays
Premier League Player of the Month
07.11.2014
Hello everybody.
I was thrilled to be named as Barclays Premier League Player of the Month
for October on Friday. It's an award that's not just for me - it's for the
whole club. West Ham have welcomed me incredibly well since the very first
day and this is the best way for me to say thank you to the supporters.
There isn't really a secret as to how I've settled in. I've worked hard here
and I worked hard at my previous club, Metz. I didn't think the adaptation
process would be this fast, but I would also like to thank my old coaches at
Metz, who helped me progress, and I hope I can continue in the same vein of
form for the rest of the season.
Of course I'm very happy to be part of the history of this Club, by scoring
in six consecutive Premier League games. Scoring goals is very important but
the main thing is for the Club to reach its objectives. I'm ready to return
on Saturday. I've been ready since Monday and of course the final decision
is down to the manager whether I start the game or not, but I'm ready to
help the team again. Finally, I was delighted to be named in the Senegal
squad for their games next week against Botswana and Egypt. For all the
Senegalese people the dream is to win against Egypt and we will do our best
to achieve qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations and return a smile to
our people.
Come on you Irons!
Diafra
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Huddersfield Town sign West Ham United's Diego Poyet
BBC.co.uk
Huddersfield Town have signed West Ham United midfielder Diego Poyet on a
one-month loan deal. The 19-year-old, the son of Sunderland boss Gus Poyet,
joined the Hammers from Charlton in the summer. He has made three
appearances for Sam Allardyce's side, with his last coming in the 2-1 defeat
by Manchester United in September. Poyet could make his debut for Chris
Powell's Terriers in Saturday's trip to Fulham.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Awards for Sam Allardyce & Diafra Sakho
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been named the Barclays Premier League
manager of the month for October. Allardyce's side beat Queens Park Rangers,
Burnley and champions Manchester City as they recorded three wins out of
three in the month. Striker Diafra Sakho made it a double swoop for the
Hammers, collecting the player of the month award. The summer signing from
Metz scored in all three victories and has six goals from six starts. West
Ham lie in fifth place in the Premier League, level on points with Arsenal.
The award marks a change in fortunes for a manager who was under huge
pressure earlier this year following a poor run of results. Some fans have
cited a change in the style of play , following the arrival of Teddy
Sheringham as attacking coach, as a reason for the side's recent turnaround.
However, former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United boss
Allardyce said West Ham's best ever start to a Premier League season is not
down to any change in coaching style. "My philosophy has never changed,"
said Allardyce. "How the team plays best and how the best way of playing
suits the team individually and collectively, the goal is always to get
better and better, and always to play to win more games and be entertaining.
"It's never changed. So my philosophy is always about staying focused,
trying to make the team better."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Aston Villa
KO 15:00
7 November 2014
Last updated at 11:28
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 8 November
TEAM NEWS
West Ham will assess Winston Reid, who suffered a dead leg at Stoke, and
could welcome back Diafra Sakho, who missed that game with a shoulder
injury. Andy Carroll may be involved for the first time this season after
recovering from an ankle injury, but full-back Guy Demel is still out.
Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke begins a three-game ban following his
sending off against Tottenham. Philippe Senderos could return after three
games out with a thigh problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
Saturday's game at Upton Park brings together two Claret and Blue armies
marching in very different directions. The Hammers are riding high in fifth
place, having claimed 10 points from a possible 12. Villa, meanwhile, have
slumped to 16th after a run of six consecutive defeats - their worst run in
the top flight since 1964. It has been a pretty disastrous losing streak -
even if they have faced some of the Premier League's strongest teams. They
have scored just once and conceded 15 goals - a dramatic fall from grace for
a club that rose to second following victory at Liverpool two months ago.
Manager Paul Lambert has been hamstrung by the absence of keys players
recently, with Fabian Delph, Philippe Senderos and Alan Hutton all big
misses. Christian Benteke's three-game suspension - just as he appeared to
be getting back to his best following an Achilles injury - is another blow.
With few forward options, Villa have little choice but to restore Gabriel
Agbonlahor to a central striking role.
West Ham are a complete contrast. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia are both
in fine goalscoring form, and with record signing Andy Carroll nearing a
comeback, boss Sam Allardyce could have a pleasant selection headache on
his hands before too long.
Lawro's prediction : "This Hammers team look a completely different
proposition to last season, partly helped by how much confidence they have
throughout their team at the moment. "Last weekend, they were poor for an
hour against Stoke, but their comeback showed they now have the strength and
quality in their squad to change games." The Hammers have scored 19 goals in
their opening 10 games - which is their best start to a top-flight campaign,
in terms of goalscoring, for 28 years. With Lionel Messi's Argentina due to
play Croatia in a friendly at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday , the home
faithful are being spoilt for entertainment this season. Whilst goalscorers
invariably grab the headlines, it is worth noting that one of West Ham's
unsung heroes, midfielder Mark Noble, is nearing a landmark. Saturday will
be his 203rd Premier League appearance - leaving him one short of the West
Ham club record, set by Steve Potts.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The Hammers have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games against
Villa, including both of last season's meetings.
Villa have won just two of their last 14 top-flight games at Upton Park,
although eight of those matches ended in draws.
West Ham United
The Hammers have scored in nine successive Premier League games - their best
run since a 10-match streak between September and November 2009.
West Ham have scored eight headed goals in this season's Premier League -
more than any other side prior to this weekend.
Stewart Downing already has twice as many goals (two) and twice as many
assists (four) this season as he managed in 32 Premier League games for West
Ham in 2013-14.
Aston Villa
Villa have lost their last six games - their worst run in the top flight
since a similar sequence between April and August 1964.
The only time they have endured a longer losing run in the top flight was
between March and May 1963, when they suffered 11 consecutive league
defeats.
Andreas Weimann has scored or assisted all but one of Villa's five league
goals this season (three goals, one assist).
Villa have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League games against London
sides. Their only win in that sequence was March's 1-0 victory against
Chelsea.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce welcomes striker's engagement
BBC.co.uk
During his career West Ham forward Andy Carroll has often been deployed as a
lone striker. But Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, 60, believes it could take
a partnership to bring out the best in the 25-year-old - namely his
off-field coupling with reality TV star Billi Mucklow.
Allardyce has backed the pair's recent engagement, saying: "Andy has now
got a different life - romance has blossomed. "It can be very good for a
footballer when they settle down off the field." Andy Carroll asked The Only
Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow to marry him in Rome England international
Carroll is closing in on a return from ankle surgery and could come into
contention for Saturday's Premier League match at home to Aston Villa. And
Allardyce believes Carroll can come back better than ever. "When you have a
relationship, you start building on that relationship by the fondness you
have for each other," he said. "I think that can only be good for Andy and
his football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In-form West Ham host free-falling Aston Villa at Upton Park
Last Updated: 07/11/14 1:27pm
SSN
Aston Villa will be desperate to address their Premier League descent when
they visit West Ham United on Saturday afternoon. Paul Lambert's squad have
lost six successive matches, setting club records in the process, in a
dreadful run of form which has seen them sink to 16th position. Villa, who
most recently suffered a bad-tempered, late defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in
which Christian Benteke was sent off, are also only one point above the
relegation zone. And, to make matters worse, they could drop into the bottom
three if results do not go their way at the weekend.
In contrast, West Ham are flying high and making a mockery of their critics
as Manager of the Month Sam Allardyce's team could move into the top four if
they get the results they require. A West Ham side full of pace and goals
have lost just once in their last seven games and they upset Stoke City last
weekend by fighting back from two down for a draw. Stewart Downing inspired
that recovery and the former Villa winger's current form has led to his
England recall after more than two years in the international wilderness.
Team news
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho is expected to return from a shoulder injury
and Andy Carroll could be in the squad for the first time this season
following an ankle problem. Sam Allardyce and Diafra Sakho picked up the
awards for Premier League manager and player of the month
Defender Winston Reid will be assessed after suffering a dead leg during the
draw at Stoke but Guy Demel (thigh) remains sidelined.
Villa will have to deal with the major absence of star striker Benteke as
the Belgium international starts a three-match suspension for his dismissal
against Tottenham. But Villa could welcome Philippe Senderos back from a
thigh injury, although another defender, Alan Hutton, is still unavailable
due to an ankle problem. Joe Cole is in contention to face his boyhood club,
West Ham, on the day he will be celebrating his 33rd birthday.
Paul Merson's prediction
I don't know where Villa are going to go without Christian Benteke. Things
were better against Tottenham but their confidence will be low and I can't
see a worse place to go at the moment. West Ham are scoring goals and have
pace. They are my banker of the weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce refusing to get carried away with West Ham's position
Last Updated: 07/11/14 4:08pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce insists he is not getting carried away by West Ham's
impressive league form. The Hammers have won four of their last six games to
move into a Europa League place. But Allardyce, whose side face Aston Villa
on Saturday, has pointed to the form of this weekend's riva.s as evidence of
how quickly things can go wrong. Paul Lambert's side have lost six in a row
since their victory at Liverpool on September 13 took their points tally to
10 from their opening four matches. Allardyce, who was named manager of the
month for October, said: "It is only 10 games, it is far too early. "Look at
Aston Villa's start: everyone was going on what a fantastic start they had,
with 10 points in the first four or five games. Look at how quickly it can
turn. "Our big test comes in the end of November and December when all the
games come thick and fast. "So until we get to the end of this year, I am
not going to change any areas of the targets we are trying to hit." The
hosts are set to welcome back striker Diafra Sakho from a shoulder injury,
having scored in six consecutive league games. And following the draw 2-2
draw with Stoke last weekend, where the Londoners rallied from two goals
down, Allardyce said his side cannot afford to be complacent. "It is a
difficult one, the players in our team and squad have to maintain 100 per
cent a physical, mental, technical and tactical attitude to every game.
"They have to be on top form to have a chance of winning every game they
play. "Anything less than that then the opposition in the Premier League is
so strong, whether you play the bottom or top team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Diafra Sakho in line for new £10million deal – but only after
12 more games
Nov 07, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The 24-year-old has been sensational since arriving from Metz, netting in
each of his first six starts for the Londoners
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho will have to play another 12 games before he picks up his new
£10million deal at West Ham The 24-year-old marksman, who cost just
£4.7million, has been linked with a lucrative reward already after his
record-equalling six goals in his first six starts for the club . But Sakho
has a clause in his contract which states it is reviewed after 20 games if
he produces the kind of goalscoring form that earned him the Player of the
Year award at French club Metz last season. Sakho hit 20 goals in 36
appearances as Metz won promotion to Ligue 1 His fine form at Upton Park
this season has also earned him a recall to the Senegal squad for this
month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He also picked up the Premier
League player of the month gong on Friday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce backs Carl Jenkinson to follow Stewart Downing into the
England set-up
Nov 07, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The young right-back has impressed the Hammers boss in their short time
together and he thinks he could make it into Roy Hodgson's plans
The Mirror
Carl Jenkinson could be the next West Ham star called up by England,
according to Sam Allardyce. Stewart Downing has been rewarded for his fine
start to the season by Roy Hodgson. And with the Hammers up in fifth place,
Allardyce reckons the on-loan Arsenal defender is an answer to England's
right-back "problem". Glen Johnson has been dropped with the uncapped
Nathaniel Clyne and Calum Chambers included for the games against Slovenia
and Scotland. Allardyce, who also named Mark Noble as an England candidate,
said: "There seems to be a particular problem at right-back at the minute
and I think he's got the potential, based on my short time with him, of
getting a chance.
"He's been at Charlton, then Arsenal and he's now playing regularly for us.
It just seems that Kyle Walker has been out for a long time and Glen Johnson
at Liverpool seems to get the odd injury here and there. Right back has
become a bit of a challenge for Roy - who are they? Where are they? And how
good are they?"
Allardyce said Aston Villa, who were up in the Champions League places after
the first four games, were a warning how quickly a season can turn. Paul
Lambert's side have lost six consecutive matches to slide to one point above
the drop zone. But he does not blame the Villa manager. "There is a huge
pressure which comes upon you when you lose so many games on the trot," said
the Irons boss. "He must be wondering what he is doing wrong. I think if he
had as much money to spend as Martin O'Neill he would be very very happy and
you would expect he wouldn't be in this position. "There was a change of
financial policy at Aston Villa and when he eventually took over it was
about reduction of wages rather than increase of wages. "When you've had to
manage that period and that level it would be the biggest learning
experience as a manager that he's every experienced. "It's a very difficult
period to manage in and then continue to focus and get results and keep the
club around the expectations that Villa fans expect them to be. I think
where they are at the minute is a very bad position."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bumper Noble deal in pipeline
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 7, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will take up the two year option on Mark Noble's current contract
at the end of the season whilst preparing a bumper new deal for the loyal
midfielder. The Hammers board are entirely relaxed about the position with
the midfield ace but are keen to ensure that his value as a player and
loyalty are rewarded. They may have their problems convincing Winston Reid
he can achieve all his aims at the club, but negotiations with Noble are
expected to prove much more straightforward. We were told today: "We have no
worries on Mark as we hold a good option on him and we intend to offer him
an improved contract at the end of the season. "We would hope that will tie
him to the club for several years to come – maybe even to the end of his
playing days. We are preparing the deal and would expect him to sign."
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