Big Sam on: West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
The manager speaks to the press ahead of Thursday's game against West
Bromwich Albion
30.12.2014
Sam Allardyce faced the media on Tuesday morning ahead ot the New Year's Day
meeting with West Bromwich Albion. With the Hammers facing a third game in
the space of a week, the manager spoke on team news, the West Brom
managerial situation and more.
Good morning Sam, frosty morning today, does that affect your training
plans?
SA: "No, we have undersoil heating under one of our training pitches so it's
soft enough for us to go out and do some football. At this stage of the
season with the heavy schedule it's more for the players who haven't played
as much to keep their fitness up. I think we've done well over the last two
games but we just don't have anything to show for it. "Thankfully injuries
are at a minimum. The only player out is James Tomkins through suspension so
James Collins will come in and we also have Carl Jenkinson available again
who has been outstanding for us. We're facing West Brom, obviously without a
manager, it's mainly recuperating from Arsenal and trying to ensure we
perform to our best on Thursday."
Your third game in seven days, do you rotate the squad again?
SA: "James Collins will come in but we'll assess the rest of the squad
nearer the time. We out passed Arsenal for the first time ever even though
we didn't win. So we can certainly take some positives and a lot of
confidence into the West Brom game."
Is it an advantage or disadvantage playing West Brom, considering they
sacked their manager last night?
SA: "I think initially it can be a disadvantage. When West Brom experienced
change last year we played them soon after and we lost 1-0. For us it's
about trying to re-establish our winning ways because we had a run of seven
unbeaten at home. "West Brom will be a tough game, I saw their game against
Manchester City and they created a lot of chances. They'll be a threat and
we need to be aware of that. It was a tough 2-1 win for us earlier in the
year."
News on the grapevine is that Tony Pulis may take over at West Brom, will
that be a bit of a worry for you?
SA: "I don't know how much effect you can have in such a short space of
time. It's about being aware of what they are and we need to be spot on. We
need to make sure there's no hangover from the two defeats and hit the sort
of form we showed against Arsenal."
With all the managerial changes in the last few days, does anything surprise
you in football anymore?
SA: "No, not a lot suprises me today. The game is results driven, and more
than ever before. If you don't get the results then clubs change the manager
quicker than they ever did before. When we get closer to a transfer window
it seems to have an effect and force a few hands.
What's the situation with Mauro Zarate at the moment, is he having a medical
at QPR?
SA: "Yes he is."
Do you anticipate he'll be going out on loan soon?
SA: "Yes I would."
Yesterday, the club posted record post tax profits, as a year, how would you
sum up 2014?
SA: "I think 2014 has been a good year. Our media man Rob Pritchard who
writes my programme notes gave me a stat the other day that said we got 56
points in the calendar year. So that's very pleasing. So if you add the
profit to that it makes me wonder why I got so much stick but there you go.
We had a tough patch in January but since then we've had a magnificent year.
So from a financial year and a progress point of view we've grown and
developed a lot which is very pleasing to see."
How do the achievements of 2014 compare with the other highlights of your
career?
SA: "It's up there with revitalising Notts County after the only relegation
I've ever experienced. We were champions the next year. Then at Bolton, I
did a similar to job to here. We got promoted then struggled for a few years
but after that we really pushed on. Years four, five and six were some
fantastic years. We had cup finals as well as European places. So hopefully
we're on a similar path at West Ham. We've invested in the squad, bought
some young players in who will hopefully be here for a while and take the
Club to the next level."
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Vote for your Player of the Month
WHUFC.com
Voting is open for December's Player of the Month
30.12.2014
Voting is now open for the whufc.com Player of the Month for December. It
was another successful month for the Hammers, despite defeat at its end
against Chelsea and Arsenal, with ten points collected from six games.
There were plenty of goals scored and positives to take and you can pick
from our shortlist of five below.
Adrian
The goalkeeper was in outstanding form during December, making a string of
fine saves to keep the Hammers in the games against Chelsea and Arsenal. The
No13 also kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Leicester City.
James Tomkins
Tomkins started the month with a bang, nodding home the Hammers' winner in
their 2-1 success at West Bromwich Albion. He missed the game at Chelsea
through injury, but featured in the remainder of the month's matches as West
Ham kept their fine form going.
Alex Song
The on-loan Barcelona midfielder continues to impress at the heart of the
Hammers' midfield, proving himself an influential figure throughout the
month. He started the victories against Swansea and Leicester, as well as
giving a man-of-the-match performance in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing's fine season shows no sign of slowing with December proving
to be another vintage month for the No11. He notched vital goals against
both Sunderland and Leicester City to take his season's tally to four.
Andy Carroll
The big No9 has returned to action with a bang since overcoming his ankle
injury, enjoying an outstanding December. A brace of towering headers
against Swansea was followed by a deft finish against Leicester as the
striker bagged his first goals of the season.
Vote at whufc.com
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Morgan bemoans bad luck
WHUFC.com
Morgan Amalfitano felt his West Ham United side did enough to merit a point
against Arsenal on Sunday
30.12.2014
Morgan Amalfitano says West Ham United can count themselves unlucky to have
departed the Boleyn Ground empty handed on Sunday. The Hammers mounted a
formidable second-half comeback against Arsenal, having earlier conceded
twice in the space of three minutes as the first half drew to a close.
Though their efforts were ultimately to no avail, the Frenchman was still
able to take heart from a spirited Barclays Premier League showing. He
told West Ham TV: "We're disappointed because we've shown our quality on
Sunday, particularly by comparison to the game two days earlier at Chelsea.
We've been a bit unlucky. It's a question of small details and so it's a
shame to lose out. "We couldn't get back on level terms but the game was an
even one in the second half. We've just not had the fortune to score the
equaliser. "Had we not conceded those two late goals in the first half, it
would have been a different game altogether. We gave it our best but it's
not been enough and that's disappointing."
Restored to the starting XI for the first time since the start of December,
Amalfitano was a bright spark in a competitive West Ham midfield. Though his
performance was certainly a good one, the 29-year-old is only interested in
earning points for his team. He continued: "I give my best but it's true
that when we don't win, we're always disappointed as a team. I gave it my
all on Sunday as I always do. You try to do things for the team and bring
all that you can, but the fact remains we're disappointed."
Attention now turns to the New Year's Day visit of Amalfitano's former club
West Bromwich Albion, themselves on a run of three successive defeats. The
midfielder is thankful that the games are coming thick and fast, thereby
providing another opportunity to make amends. "We need to win [against West
Brom]. We're at home and we've not lost many there, so it's for us to win
the game. As I've said, we're disappointed but the next game's not far away
and we go again to take the three points against West Brom."
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Hammers report strong results
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have published their accounts for year ending 31 May 2014
29.12.2014
West Ham United are pleased to announce a record group profit before tax of
£10.3m following a successful 2013/14 for the Club both on and off the
pitch. This is a significant improvement on last year's loss before tax of
£3.5m. As the team overcame a difficult start to the season to finish 13th
in the Barclays Premier League, the Club increased revenues to an all-time
high. Turnover was up to £114.8m compared to £89.8m the previous year,
helped by the new Broadcast deal and an increase in most other income
sources. The wage/turnover ratio also decreased to 55.6% against 62.6% last
year, the lowest ratio since this was first calculated 15 years ago. It all
added up to a fine year for the Club, who finish 2014 in sixth position
following their best-ever Premier League start. August 2015 will bring the
beginning of the Club's final season at the Boleyn Ground ahead of the move
to a stunning new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2016 and the
commercial opportunities that will create.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are satisfied with the
achievements we have made in the 2013/14 season, the highlights for us being
retaining our Premier League status and reaching the semi-final of the
Capital One Cup, signing an agreement to sell the Boleyn Ground in
preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season, and
our fantastic support despite our many injuries and therefore subsequent
challenging performances on the pitch.
"We continue to believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by
investing in the team, the brand and managing the business well."
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady added: "Through the hard work of a fantastic,
dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has
grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off
the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the
manager and the team delivered on the pitch."
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Sam Allardyce expects Mauro Zarate to leave West Ham
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce expects Mauro Zarate to move to QPR on loan
in the January transfer window. Allardyce added that the player was
undergoing a medical on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Argentina striker has
scored twice in eight appearances for the Hammers since joining from Velez
Sarsfield last summer. Zarate was quoted in the national press as saying
that Allardyce refused to play him because he was signed by Hammers
co-chairman David Sullivan.
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Sam Allardyce: Mauro Zarate not good enough for West Ham
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will let Argentina striker Mauro Zarate join QPR
on loan because he "wasn't good enough" to play regularly at Upton Park.
Zarate, 27, was quoted in the national press as saying that Allardyce
refused to play him because he was signed by Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan. Allardyce claimed that was "not true" and offered an alternative
reason. "He wasn't good enough," Allardyce, 60, replied when asked why
Zarate had not featured more for the Hammers. Zarate has scored twice in
eight appearances for the Hammers since he joined from Velez Sarsfield last
summer. He has fallen behind fellow summer signings Enner Valencia and
Diafra Sakho in the pecking order, while Allardyce also has Carlton Cole and
Andy Carroll at his disposal. "I base my feelings on what I consider to be
the best team. It's a professional, clinical decision, not an emotional
one," added Allardyce. "Mauro is not good enough to play as regularly as he
wants compared to the others. It's as simple as that."
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Kelly eyes three points at the Boleyn
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Brom's caretaker manager Rob Kelly says he could do with "a bit of good
luck" when his side tackle West Ham United at the Boleyn on New Year's Day.
Kelly - who has no interest in taking the position on a full-time basis -
was asked late last night to take temporary charge of the team following the
dismissal of Alan Irvine. This morning, just a matter of hours later, he
addressed the media ahead of the trip to east London. Explaining the current
position at the club, he said: "I got a phone call last night from Alan
[Irvine]. I was then asked to prepare the team as best we can for the
forthcoming fixture against West Ham. "It wasn't a shock or surprise and we
came into work. That's what we do. We've just prepared as we would have done
with Alan, as it was the right thing to do. "It's an experience I've been
asked to do so I'll get on with it, along with Keith [Downing] and Dean
[Kiely], to the best of our ability. We'll do as best as we possibly can to
go and get a result down at West Ham. "The players know how important the
game is. They're obviously disappointed that Alan has gone as they've got a
lot of respect for him not just as a coach, but as a person. "But they're
professionals and they've all been through changes of managers, so most of
them will know how to cope and get on with it. We'll do our very best to go
and get a result for the fans - and we could always do with a bit of good
luck."
Kelly - who previously managed Leicester from 2006 to 2007 - was also full
of praise for the Irons' management duo of Sam Allardyce and Neil McDonald.
"I'm not surprised by West Ham's form," he added. "I don't know Sam
personally but I know Neil well and they've moved forward. Sam's doing a
fantastic job. "People think they just put balls in your box, but they've
got other assets and parts to their games that make them really difficult
opponents. I'm not overly surprised [by their form]. They ask questions of
you in the last third. They're obviously very good at throwing balls into
your box with Andy Carroll and one or two others. They've got some good
individual players, but so have we. "We're aware of their threats, we're
aware of their capabilities. We only played them a month ago and it was a
good game, one we felt we should have got something out of. "While being
aware of what they can do, we've also got some weapons ourselves that we'll
try and work on."
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Enner Valencia named 'Best Legionnaire'
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's Ecuador international Enner Valencia has been named as the
country's best export of 2014, according to a local poll. In a survey
conducted by Monday Sports, Valencia was named as 'Best Legionnaire' - or
best player to play abroad - by coaches in Ecuador's Serie A and Serie B
(the equivalent of England's Premier League and Championship). Valencia -
who scored three times for Ecuador at last summer's World Cup Finals - beat
Manchester United's Antonio Valencia and Swansea City's Jefferson Montero
into second and third place respectively. The 25-year-old has scored three
times for West Ham in 17 appearances since moving to London in the summer;
those goals coming against against Hull, Burnley and Stoke. He is yet to
score at the Boleyn Ground.
* In the same poll, Emelec striker Miler Bolanos was named Ecuador's Player
of the Year having scored 19 goals for his club this season.
The uncapped 24-year-old, who previously spent a season on loan at Chivas in
the MLS in 2012/13 before returning to Ecuador 18 months ago took 11 of the
28 votes in winning the ballot.
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Newcastle want James Tomkins - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Not for the first time, Newcastle United are being linked with a transfer
window move for West Ham central defender James Tomkins.
The Magpies, who are on the verge of announcing the departure of Alan Pardew
are nonetheless reported by the Times and Telegraph to be considering making
an offer for the 25-year-old centre half, who made his 200th appearance for
the Irons against Arsenal on Sunday.
* In terms of potential arrivals - and specifically strikers, now that Mauro
Zarate is on his way to Queens Park Rangers - one name that refuses to go
away is that of Islam Slimani, Sporting's Algerian international striker.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Slimani has been linked with a
move to West Ham since the January transfer window last year and was top of
United's wish-list last summer, along with Enner Valencia. That move fell
through with his current club demanding £12million for his services - funds
that were eventually invested in Valencia instead. However if reports are to
be believed, West Ham's interest has not subsided.
* In other transfer news, former Hammer Tyrone Mears has left the UK to join
Seattle Sounders. Now 31, Mears - who spent one season at the Boleyn
(2006/07) - has left Bolton, who he has represented for the last three
years, to join the MLS side.
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Allardyce confirms Zarate departure
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Mauro Zarate has been allowed to join
Queens Park Rangers on loan for the remainder of the season.
Speaking in his press conference at Chadwell Heath this morning, Big Sam was
asked whether Zarate was on his way to west London. "Yes he is," he replied
tersely. The boss, speaking ahead of the visit of managerless West Brom on
New Year's Day also confirmed that James Collins would replace James
Tomkins, who is suspended having picked up a fifth booking of the season
against Arsenal. And he was delighted that bar Tomkins and the outgoing
Zarate, he has a fully-fit squad to choose from. "Thankfully injuries are at
a minimum. The only player out is Tomkins through suspension so James
Collins will come in," he confirmed. "We also have Carl Jenkinson available
again who has been outstanding for us. We're facing West Brom, obviously
without a manager, it's mainly recuperating from Arsenal and trying to
ensure we perform to our best on Thursday."
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Hammers to face managerless West Brom
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's next opponents will go into the game manager-less, after
they sacked Alan Irvine late tonight. The Hammers will be looking to bounce
back against the Baggies on New Years Day, following back-to-back defeats
against Chelsea and Arsenal over Christmas - the first time this season
United have lost two consecutive matches. And they will do so with Albion in
utter turmoil following the departure of the under-fire Irvine, who has only
been in charge at the Hawthorns since the summer. Albion's Technical
Director Terry Burton said:"We appointed Alan in the summer convinced that
we had taken on one of the foremost coaches in the UK and nothing that has
happened since then has altered our view. "Alan has impressed everyone with
his manner, dedication and diligence but he knows that results have simply
not been good enough. This was a decision taken with regret but sadly driven
by necessity."
Assistant Head Coach Rob Kelly has been named as temporary coach and will be
in charge when Albion visit the Boleyn Ground on Thursday. He will be
assisted by Keith Downing, whilst West Brom hope to announce the name of
Irvine's successor by the weekend.
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West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is having a medical at QPR
Last Updated: 30/12/14 11:22am
SSN
West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is undergoing a medical at QPR ahead of a
proposed loan move to Loftus Road. Zarate, who has scored two goals this
season, has struggled to secure a place in Sam Allardyce's side after
falling down the pecking order behind Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Carlton
Cole. The 27-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Argentine side Velez
Sarsfield in the summer, has played just eight times this season and will
join up with Harry Redknapp's side in a bid to get more first team football.
Zararte has hit out at his lack of opportunities at Upton Park claiming the
fact he was brought in by co-chairman David Sullivan rather than Allardyce
is the real reason behind his lack of chances. "I respect the other strikers
at the club who have done a good job," he is quoted as saying. "But I
believe my record entitles me to respect and I have not had that from the
manager. The chairman has confidence in me. I know this because he brought
me to the club. "But for this reason the manager has refused to play me. He
did not want me. I made it clear many weeks ago that I wanted to leave."
QPR have also been linked with former Tottenham duo Jermaine Defoe and
Robbie Keane but Redknapp has played down the rumours.
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Merson's predictions: Chelsea and Manchester City to get back to winning
ways
Sky Sports pundit also tips wins for Newcastle, QPR and West Ham
SSN
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
Allardyce was not expecting West Ham to be beaten by Arsenal on Sunday,
claims Merson I expect West Ham to win this. I did not expect them to get
beaten by Arsenal if I am being totally honest, I thought they had been
playing well enough to cause them real problems at home. And I think they
will be majorly disappointed with that result. In fact, I think Sam
Allardyce was shocked with that result, I don't think he thought he would
get beaten.
As for West Brom, if they get Tony Pulis, then that is bad, bad news for all
the teams at the bottom because they will stay up, and that will be one of
them out of the equation, it is as simple as that. All their rivals will not
want Tony to be their manager, if I am being honest.
So I am going to go 2-0 to West Ham there.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
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Sam Allardyce keeps focus away from West Brom managerial question
Last Updated: 30/12/14 1:52pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce cannot afford to worry about the managerial
situation at West Brom ahead of their New Year's Day clash.
The Hammers will start 2015 in sixth place in the Premier League, despite
defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal in their last two games, and they look to get
their quest for Europe back on track against the managerless Baggies, who
fired Alan Irvine on Monday. Allardyce expects the decision to fire up West
Brom's players, and he has recent experience of such a change, but he is
keen to stress no change in the way he is preparing his side for Thursday,
whoever might end up in the opposing dugout.
Talented
"Initially, it can be a disadvantage," Allardyce said. "West Brom players
have experienced change, we had it last year and played West Brom when they
changed their manager - we lost 1-0. "For us, it's about trying to
re-establish our own form and results. Arsenal was the first home game we
had lost in seven and I didn't think we deserved to lose it. We've just got
to try and get back to winning ways.
"Whatever position West Brom are in now, they are still a talented side. I
watched the Manchester City game and I saw how many opportunities they
missed. "When we played them at their place it was a real tough 2-1 victory
for us, one that we had to be very resilient to try and get, so we'll have
to be very careful on New Year's Day about how we approach the game."
No hangover
Tony Pulis is favourite to take over from Irvine, and could be installed in
time for the trip to Upton Park, but Allardyce expects current members of
the West Brom coaching staff to set them up and feels a new manager, whoever
it might be, will need time to bring in his working practices. "I don't know
how much effect you can have as a manager if you haven't worked with a
team," he added. "You might have an effect with what you might say before
the game but I am sure he'll leave it to the lads who are in charge to pick
the team. We'll wait and see. "Like I said, it's all about being aware of
what they are in terms of their ability, and we have to make sure we are
spot on, with no hangover from the two defeats we've suffered."
No surprise
And Allardyce admits he is not shocked to see managers under pressure as the
January transfer window approaches. Along with Irvine, Crystal Palace fired
Neil Warnock and Newcastle could be looking for a new manager if Alan Pardew
makes the move to Selhurst Park.
"I don't think it has surprised me. The game is results driven, more than
ever before, and if you don't get results clubs change managers more
regularly," he said. "When it comes up to a transfer window it also looks
like it has a major effect on owners where they see they have a manager who
may have proposed some players to bring in in the window, and they may have
taken the opinion they would sooner give that to a new manager."
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MAURO ZARATE TO JOIN QPR ON LOAN?
By S J Chandos 30 Dec 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
According to a recent report in the Daily Mirror, Mauro Zarate is on the
cusp of a loan move to QPR for the remainder of the season. If this story is
true, it is a development that hardly comes as a surprise to most Hammers
fans. It has been clear for some considerable time that the player is
marginal to the current manager's plans. And this is regardless of the fact
that the player has impressed in his eight first team appearances;
exhibiting abilities, and a style of play, that are markedly different to
our other main strikers. One had hoped that with Sakho's absence on
international duty at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations tournament,
there might have been a window of opportunity for Zarate to get a sustained
run in the first team. Unfortunately, that now appears to be a vain hope, at
least for the time being.
The Mirror article also attributes quotes to Zarate, which are to the effect
that he has been marginalised by the manager because he was signed by David
Sullivan. This, of course, gives substance to a rumour that has been
circulating since the beginning of the season. Does this parting salvo mean
that the loan deal is a prelude to a permanent exit in the summer? Well, I
guess that all depends on who is in the Managerial hot seat next summer and
whether they rate Zarate? That issue is far from clear cut at the moment,
with negotiations on a contract extension for Allardyce deferred until
April-May.
I found David Sullivan's recently quoted comments on Sam Allardyce's future
at the club very interesting. Particularly, the suggestion that Allardyce
could price himself out of a new deal or (more cryptically) that he might
chose to exit the club on a high. My view is that the board invested
significant funds to create a strong squad, one that is well equipped to
secure European qualification. The revamped squad are currently genuine
contenders for a Champions League place. Failure to achieve at least Europa
League qualification (given the strong performance in the first half of the
season) could be viewed critically by the West Ham board and, of course,
within that context, the incumbent manager may be held responsible.
Claret and Hugh have argued that there is an element of risk in Zarate
moving to QPR on loan, in the sense that if he performs well then that will
reflect badly on the decision to dispose of his services. That effect could
even be doubled if Harry Redknapp also acquires Ravel Morrison in January
and gets him fit and performing to his full potential. Is this really the
end for Zarate at the club? Perhaps, but alternatively it could prove to be
a temporary move, pending developments next summer. As well as being a
diplomatic manouvre (appeasing the manager), the loan will also help reduce
the first team wage bill, in the short-term, and increase the scope for one
or two potential additions in the January window; ahead of a second phase of
squad improvement next summer. Beyond this, could Zarate yet return to a
further augmented squad in 2015-16? We shall see as events unfold?
Finally, a word or two on the double Christmas reverse to Chelsea and
Arsenal. The Boxing Day defeat at Stamford Bridge was hugely disappointing
because the starting selection effectively cost us the game in the first
half. However, we can count ourselves very unfortunate to lose the Arsenal
match. My major criticism is that the players obviously let the double blow
of Song's disallowed goal and the award of a soft penalty to effect their
concentration. That lapse led to Welbeck's goal and us suddenly finding
ourselves 0-2 down against the run of play. At the end of the day, this was
to prove the true difference between losing and gaining a point.
Regardless, West Ham gave a good account of themselves and demonstrated just
how far they have come this season. Arsene Wenger, despite his standard
mantra that his side deserved the win, looked a very relieved manager in the
post-match conference. Plus, the Arsenal team 'selfie' and
self-congratulatory tweets by the gooner players, represents a back-handed
compliment to this very good West Ham Utd side. Arsenal clearly had to dig
very deep for victory and saw it has a major result against a genuine rival.
That response is very significant. Although Podalski was just being
ridiculous in tweeting that the gooners support could ever 'take over' Upton
Park. It has not happened in the last 100 plus years, so it is unlikely to
happen now. But, the Hammers support at their place, now that is another
matter entirely!
We need to place the Arsenal defeat in the file marked 'lessons learnt –
season 2014/15' and move on to secure a victory over WBA on New Years Day.
We were bound to have back-to-back defeats at some point in the season. The
important thing, much like Southampton have done recently, is to recover
from any bad run and get back on track as quickly as possible. It is all to
play for and the 3rd & 4th places are still within easy striking distance.
Indeed, the forthcoming Arsenal Vs Southampton fixture gives us the perfect
opportunity to retrieve ground. I know many Hammers fans think Champions
League qualification fanciful, but I feel it is both a possibility and an
exceptional opportunity. We, as a club, must be totally committed and single
minded in its pursuit. All I ask is that the squad do their very best, as
they have done so far this season, to ensure that we are in the final mix.
Do that and there is always a chance.
What a truly great thing it would be to bring Champions League football to
Upton Park in our last season at the ground! And what a tribute to the grand
old stadium and the great players that have represented the club there over
the years. It is admittedly a dream, but dreams can come true if there is
sufficient motivation and discipline to turn them in to reality. COYI !
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham facing Alex Song blow with Cameroon ready to stage Africa Cup of
Nations call-up U-turn
Dec 30, 2014 10:34 By Darren Lewis
The midfielder was initially left out of his country's squad for next
month's tournament, but Head Coach Volker Finke is considering recalling him
The Mirror
West Ham are facing a fresh blow with the news that Cameroon are ready to
stage a U-turn and call Alex Song up for the Africa Cup of Nations. The east
Londoners were initially delighted last week after the 27-year-old
midfielder was left out of Head Coach Volker Finke's squad for the
competition, which starts on January 17. But fans are now set to plead with
the former Arsenal star, on loan from Barcelona, to stay after sources close
to the Cameroon set-up claimed his country still wants him. A decision is
expected to be made soon. Should his recall be confirmed, Song could miss
his club's FA Cup game against Everton and their League clashes against
Swansea, Hull and Liverpool.
Song has been frozen out of his country's international set-up since being
sent off in their 4-0 defeat at the World Cup for elbowing Croatia's Mario
Mandzukic. When the squad for the AFCON was named last week Finke stuck
mainly to the players that he used in the country's successful qualifying
campaign. Pressure is understood to have been put on Finke, however, to
reach out to Song after his impressive performances in the Premier League
this season.
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Mauro Zarate joins QPR and slams West Ham boss Sam Allardyce over 'lack of
respect'
Dec 29, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The striker has joined the R's until the end of the season and accused the
Hammers boss of refusing to play him because he was signed by chairman David
Sullivan
The Mirror
Harry Redknapp has sealed a deal to take Mauro Zarate to Queens Park Rangers
on loan until the end of the season. And the 27-year-old West Ham striker
has aimed a furious parting shot at Sam Allardyce, accusing the Hammers boss
of refusing to play him because he was signed by chairman David Sullivan.
Zarate, set to undergo a medical on Tuesday, said: "I now have the chance to
play for a coach who has faith in me and will not allow his personal
feelings to get in the way of what is good for the team. "I respect the
other strikers at the club who have done a good job. "But I believe my
record entitles me to respect and I have not had that from the manager. "The
chairman has confidence in me. I know this because he brought me to the
club. "But for this reason the manager has refused to play me. He did not
want me."
Zarate has made just eight appearances under Allardyce, scoring twice. He
has still found himself out of Big Sam's plans behind Diafra Sakho, Andy
Carroll and Carlton Cole. He added: "I made it clear many weeks ago that I
wanted to leave. "I wanted to go to a club where I was appreciated. Where I
could play every week as the manager at West Ham has made it difficult for
me ever since I arrived. "I now believe that at QPR under Redknapp, a coach
I respect, I will get the chance to show that I can score goals and that I
can be an important player to the team." The deal is now set to be confirmed
when the transfer window reopens, subject to the relevant paperwork.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce warns West Ham stars to expect West Brom backlash following
Alan Irvine sacking
Dec 30, 2014 13:26 By Neil McLeman
Irvine was shown the door by Albion after a poor run of form saw them slip
towards the relegation places, but Allardyce is wary of the positive
reaction from WBA
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has warned his West Ham players to expect a West Brom backlash
after the sacking of Alan Irvine. The Hammers boss said Tony Pulis will not
be able to affect his new team if he is appointed before their New Year's
Day clash. But the Hammers boss warned the Baggies will still be difficult
opponents as his side seeks to avoid a Christmas "hangover". West Brom drew
3-3 at Upton Park last December under caretaker manager Keith Downing in a
match best remembered for Nicolas Anelka's quenelle gesture. And Allardyce
said: "I think initially it can be a disadvantage for us when West Brom
players have experienced change. We did it last year when we played them
when they had lost their manager. "But we have to try and re-establish our
home results, not our form. It was our first home we had lost in seven and I
don't think we deserved to lose it. "We have just got to try and get back to
winning ways. West Brom, whatever position they are at the moment, are a
talented side I think. "I watched the Man City game and I saw the amount of
chances WBA actually missed against Man City. I think that when we played
them at our place, it was a really tough 2-1 victory for us. "One that we
had to be very resilient to try and get so I think we have to be very
careful on New Year's Day about how we approach the game."
Former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss Pulis is the favourite to take the
Hawthorns job. But Allardyce, whose side have lost their last two games to
Chelsea and Arsenal, said: "I don't know how much affect you can have as a
manager if you have not worked with a team. "He can affect things by what he
might say before the game but I am sure he will leave it to the lads who are
in charge to certainly select the team if that is the case. "We will wait
and see. But it is all about being aware of their abilities but also being
sure we are spot on.
"On New Year's Day and there is no hangover from the two defeats we have
suffered and we hopefully get back to winning ways. And to do that, we have
to hit the kind of form we hit against Arsenal on the 28th."
James Tomkins is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card so James
Collins will return along with Carl Jenkinson.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
RAFA SILVA COULD BE UPTON PARK-BOUND AS WEST HAM SHIP OUT ZARATE
One out could be counter-acted with one in as the Hammers look to get
January deals done early
30 December 2014
Ladbrokes.com
On the same day that Sam Allardyce confirms that he expects Mauro Zarate to
end the season on loan at QPR, West Ham are reportedly eyeing up a loan deal
of their own, with Braga midfielder Rafa Silva rumoured to be en route to
east London for the rest of the campaign.
While getting rid of one player who is rarely given a chance to shine and
signing one in a similar mould may seem a strange move, it might not be
Zarate's playing ability that has seen him shown the door. There had been
rumours that the Argentine had fallen out with the Hammers boss behind the
scenes, going some way to explain his potential exit.
So who is the man likely to come in a replace him? Rafa Silva has been a
mainstay in the Braga side that currently third in the Liga Sagres, and has
been making a name for himself in his homeland. With plenty of skills and
tricks in the bag, he could be a handful for Premier League defences and has
the pace and passing ability to slice through opposition back-lines. A deal
to the end of the season, with an option to make it permanent at the
conclusion of the campaign is apparently in the offing, and it could be a
shrewd bit of business for the Upton Park side. He made his breakthrough
into the Portuguese senior side towards the start of 2014, and was a member
of their World Cup squad in Brazil, although he failed to make an appearance
when Paulo Bento's side suffered an early exit. At 21-years-old there is
probably plenty of improvement left from the creative midfielder, and could
be one for the future for a side who look like they are on the up. First
though, the Hammers will have to halt a two game slide that has seen them
taste defeat to both Chelsea and Arsenal. A visit of West Brom on New Year's
Day is next up, as the Irons look to maintain their challenge on the top
six, and outrun their odds of 4/1.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce tells Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to stop
moaning
JOSE MOURINHO has been told to stop moaning.
Daily Star
By Tim Gray / Published 30th December 2014
The Chelsea boss claims there is a vendetta against his league leaders with
rival bosses, tv pundits and even referees conspiring together. But West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce reckons the Special One os talking nonsense. Mourinho
blew his top on Sunday after Cesc Fabregas was wrongly booked for diving
against Southampton. "It's just that, like anybody else, the referees and
the assistant referees, with the pressure they work under, have to try to
get better when it comes to making decisions"Before that he was upset with
Allardyce after he accused Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic of taking a
dive in the Hammers' Boxing Day defeat at Stamford Bridge. He reckons his
players - including Gary Cahill, Willian and Diego Costa - are being
unfairly targetted. But Allardyce hit back yesterday and said: "Name and
shame them? What's he on about?" Allardyce insists his side have suffered
just as much from questionable refereeing decisions.
He said: "Is there a campaign against West Ham? No, I don't think that's the
case. "It's just that, like anybody else, the referees and the assistant
referees, with the pressure they work under, have to try to get better when
it comes to making decisions. "Morgan Amalfitano should have had a blatant
penalty in the last few minutes of the game (against Arsenal) and because he
didn't dive over like Santi Cazorla dived over then it's never going to be
given when it should be given. "When you are impeded by the opposition and
it stops you doing it then the referee has to be brave enough to give it.
"Unfortunately, referees are not brave enough to give those penalties
because of the whole atmosphere surrounding these arenas that we play in, it
doesn't look like one.
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Nolan contract clause 100 per cent FALSE
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Wild rumours doing the rounds for years that Kevin Nolan has a special
clause in his deal ensuring he makes the field of play if in the squad are
100 PER CENT FALSE! As we head into the New year ClaretandHugh made it our
business to find out once and for all the truth or otherwise of what sounds
one of the dodgiest claims ever! We were prompted by the piece on another
Hammers website writted by Twitter Hammers source @ExWHUemployee. Ex
admitted he didn't believe it to be the case despite finding – after
checking the record books – that Nolan appears to have featured at some
stage every time he's been in the squad, "if only for a minute."
But he wrote: "However, I do not think this is written in his contract but I
thought it was an interesting statistic." Today we put the claims on two
insiders extremely close to the situation and was told: "That is a totally
ridiculous claim – no club or manager would ever agree such a clause. It is
100 per cent b……s" That's good enough for us – however attractive it maybe
to believe the opposite!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Record turnover/record profit but still in debt
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham accounts released this week show a record turnover of close to
£115m, an increase of nearly £25m and a record profit on paper of £10.3m
after many years of losses. The figures are impressive on paper but it
doesn't alter the fact that the Hammers are massively in debt although it is
now under control.
Despite the £10m profit Chairmen Gold and Sullivan injected another £3.5m of
cash in shareholders loans to bring the total they have loaned the club to
close to £50m. Although external and bank debt has reduced significantly the
shareholders have taken the debt burden including refinancing the bank debt
which the Icelandic's and David Sullivan took on personally. A trusted
source told Claret and Hugh "To reduce the debt from £110m to £70m you have
to make £40m profit somewhere/some years. "We lost £30m the year where we
were in the championship and we've spend money improving or trying to
improve the team, rather than running West Ham United like an accountant
would run it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers valued at £400m
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have been valued at £400m and Joint Chairman David Sullivan has
suggested he would still welcome an investor to take 20% of the Hammers off
his hands for around £80m. The two Davids bought 50% of the club for around
£52m in 2010 valuing the club at £105m. The purchase took the form of cash
to the Icelandic owners plus injection of cash into the club to help running
costs. Since the takeover Gold and Sullivan have increased their
shareholding to 86.2% with Sullivan retaining a controlling share of 51.1%.
A trusted source close to the club told Claret and Hugh that the owners have
always wanted someone to join them and were still hoping for that to be the
case.
He said: "Now it is unlikely but of course you never know. It could be a
group of people or one person, but its very unlikely." West Ham accounts
released this week show that Gold and Sullivan have loaned the club £49.2m
over the four years with over£6m in accrued interest to date increasing at a
rate of around £3m per year. The chairman invested another £3m of their own
money in the last financial year in share holders despite the club making a
paper profit of £10.3m.
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Hammers continue use of pay day loans
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham accounts released yesterday have confirmed the Hammers continue to
rely on loans from the mysterious Vibrac Corporation. The accounts published
yesterday at Companies House reveal they borrowed £15m as a pay day loan in
August 2013. It was repaid in August 2014. It then took out a further £18m
short term loan recently in August 2014 against future Premier League TV
income. The Vibrac Corporation's involvement in football is not a new
phenomenen with Everton borrowing £13 million back in 2011 at a rate of 10
per cent interest and the club has have renewed that facility every year
since. It is not known who owns the Vibrac corporation but they are based in
the same building as BCR Sports, the company through which Robert Earl
controls his stake in Everton FC. In the past a similar facility was also
provided to Southampton and Fulham to enable the club to borrow against
future guaranteed income.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate: It was always going to end in tears
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It was absolutely nailed on that the Mauro Zarate signing would end in tears
– Mauro's ways are not Sam's ways! Many, many readers predicted it and sadly
all those fears came to pass yesterday with the player making his feelings
about Sam Allardyce very well known as he prepares for a Loftus Road exit.
The history of the signing is well known with the two Davids suggesting to
Sam Allardyce that he might be a decent buy and the manager agreeing.
That's the way it works at West Ham and all the stuff about this one being a
Sullivan signing and that one an Allardyce deal, is wrong. It remains a
consultative process. Had the bookies been offering odds the player would
have been on his way by January, however, I'd have been shovelling my
hard-earned over the counter. Zarate is not a work rate player beloved of
our manager. He's a skilled striker/poacher with lots of tricks and
invention. These are not trademarks of the Allardyce brand of management.
Zarate's departure was as near a given therefore as it's possible to get.
The player also has a big personality edge having previous in his approach
to clubs if it goes wrong! Remember he went AWOL from Lazio claiming
sickness before being discovered taken an unofficial holiday! Thus, when he
eventually allowed his frustration to boil over yesterday and an explosion
of words were directed at the manager nobody should have been surprised.
Whether he was correct to do so is neither here nor there. He is what he is
and claimed he hasn't been offered a decent chance. Anyone arguing? Before
sitting down to write this I was told by an insider: " We feel the player
needed games and that he will get them at QPR. Then we will assess if he's
good enough for our first team next season. "The player was very frustrated
not playing and its not good to have unhappy players around the camp." All
of that avoids the hard fact that he is clearly considered more dispensable
than let's say Kevin Nolan or Carlton Cole which frankly seems an absurdity.
Whatever people may or may think of Harry Redknapp nobody would disagree
that he knows a player. That it's him again who has come in to nick a guy
who personally I think is a class act continues to reflect the fact that Sam
Allardyce prefers grafting to giftings. And that all this has taken place a
few days before Diafra Sakho disappears for the African Nations Cup makes
the thinking almost incomprehensible.
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Wednesday, December 31
Tuesday, December 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th December 2014
Hammers report strong results
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have published their accounts for year ending 31 May 2014
29.12.2014
West Ham United are pleased to announce a record group profit before tax of
£10.3m following a successful 2013/14 for the Club both on and off the
pitch. This is a significant improvement on last year's loss before tax of
£3.5m. As the team overcame a difficult start to the season to finish 13th
in the Barclays Premier League, the Club increased revenues to an all-time
high. Turnover was up to £114.8m compared to £89.8m the previous year,
helped by the new Broadcast deal and an increase in most other income
sources. The wage/turnover ratio also decreased to 55.6% against 62.6% last
year, the lowest ratio since this was first calculated 15 years ago. It all
added up to a fine year for the Club, who finish 2014 in sixth position
following their best-ever Premier League start. August 2015 will bring the
beginning of the Club's final season at the Boleyn Ground ahead of the move
to a stunning new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2016 and the
commercial opportunities that will create.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are satisfied with the
achievements we have made in the 2013/14 season, the highlights for us being
retaining our Premier League status and reaching the semi-final of the
Capital One Cup, signing an agreement to sell the Boleyn Ground in
preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season, and
our fantastic support despite our many injuries and therefore subsequent
challenging performances on the pitch. "We continue to believe we will
deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and
managing the business well."
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady added: "Through the hard work of a fantastic,
dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has
grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off
the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the
manager and the team delivered on the pitch."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
O'Brien - 'West Brom is massive'
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien has labelled the visit of West Brom as the biggest game of the
season so far
29.12.2014
Joey O'Brien believes West Ham United's New Year's Day showdown with West
Bromwich Albion is the Hammers' biggest game of the Barclays Premier League
campaign to date. Following Christmas defeats by Chelsea and then Arsenal,
Sam Allardyce's side will bid to get back on track against the struggling
Baggies on Thursday, a game which O'Brien believes will really test the
Club's top-six credentials. The Republic of Ireland full-back started his
first game on Sunday since August and despite the 2-1 reverse was
understandably thrilled to be back in the thick of things, particularly
against the Gunners. "It was great to get back out and play," he told West
Ham TV. "I probably haven't started in about four months and it's great to
play. "Throughout my career I've had some of my finer moments playing
against the Arsenal. When I first broke into the team at Bolton, it was
against Arsenal at Highbury. "It's been frustrating for me personally but
the lads have been great and obviously we've been sitting fourth and fifth
in the league, it's hard to get a game when the lads are winning all the
time."
With so little football in recent weeks to call upon, Sunday's encounter was
something of a baptism of fire. But far from being fearful of the challenge
presented by Arsenal's rapid and technically gifted front three, O'Brien
positively relished it. He continued: "That's what you want, that's one of
the reasons why it's nice to play against them. Their front line is real,
real quality, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I
thought we coped with it really well, up until the last part of the game,
when we were pushing for the equaliser. "Then obviously the game's getting
stretched, we're going for the equaliser and they're obviously going to be
able to hit you on the break with the pace and the quality they've got. We
could've nicked something at the end I suppose."
O'Brien felt the penalty award against Winston Reid was a real body blow,
what with the decisive second following in such quick succession. But for
that momentary loss of focus, the full-back reckons it would have been a
completely different affair. He explained: "We started off really well in
the game and we were the better team up until the penalty. I think the
penalty was a penalty, but maybe throughout the whole team it affected us.
"We probably just lost concentration for that last five minutes and had we
got in at 1-0 and settled back down the way we were doing, it could have
been a different game. But with them 2-0 up, it was just that little bit too
big a lead to get back. "But we came out and had a right good go here. I
think the fans appreciated that, you could hear that at the end of the
game."
With precious little time to lick wounds, O'Brien says it is all systems go
again for the visit of West Brom on Thursday. If West Ham are to harbour
European ambitions, then this, insists the 28-year-old, is the sort of game
that they absolutely have to win at home. "The next game against West Brom
is a massive game in my eyes, probably the biggest game of the season so far
us. If we have aspirations of being in the top, top part of the league,
these are the games you need to bounce back on to get us back to winning
ways. "Looking at where we are in the league, we've had a couple of defeats,
but we're still up and around there. With a couple of the lads going to the
Africa Cup of Nations, it's their last game, so they'll want to put in a big
performance before they go. Hopefully we can get the win."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins backs Hammers to recover
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins says West Ham United will emerge from the festive period
stronger despite two defeats
28.12.2014
James Tomkins was mystified as to how West Ham United's seven-game unbeaten
home run came to an end against Arsenal on Sunday. The Hammers were giving
just as good as they got in the first half until two goals in three minutes
gave Arsenal a position of strength just before the interval. West Ham
rallied and Tomkins set up a goal for Cheikhou Kouyate on 54 minutes, and
although they ended the game strongly, winning a number of dangerous set
pieces around the box they could not quite take advantage. It meant Arsenal
leapfrogged the Hammers into the top five of the table, but Tomkins will not
get too downhearted ahead of the second half of the campaign. The No5
explained: "I couldn't believe we couldn't get that final goal to get a draw
out of this game. We battered them in the first half, but then they got two
goals against the run of play. "Once you concede one, to concede two against
a team like Arsenal is always going to give you a mountain to climb. It
wasn't quite to be. "I'm not sure I've been involved in a game as end-to-end
as that and it must have been entertaining for the neutral. "We threw
everything at them and sometimes you need a bit of luck and we didn't get it
today where in other games we may have. "We're bitterly disappointed today
but we'll be back stronger knowing we can play like that against a team like
Arsenal. "We played really well and I don't think we should feel too down.
The kitchen sink got thrown at them."
West Ham started the game at pace and thought they had taken the lead when
Alex Song lashed home a volley from 25 yards only for an offside flag
against Cheikhou Kouyate in Wojciech Szczesny's eyeline. Tomkins felt if
that had been allowed to stand the end result could have been very
different. He added: "If we had scored the first goal maybe the outcome
would have been different. I had a chance, and I think Stewie had one too,
and sometimes you need that bit of good fortune."
Tomkins' appearance was his 200th in a claret and blue shirt and he has his
eyes on many more milestones with the Hammers. He said: "I'm very proud to
reach the landmark of 200 games for West Ham. I can look back at it and be
proud, but hopefully there's many ore to come.
"It would have been nice to reach 200 with a win - that would have made it
better, but it's a proud moment."
Thursday sees West Ham return to action with the visit of West Bromwich
Albion and although Tomkins is banned after collecting his fifth yellow card
of the season, he believes the team can bounce back. "The lads have put a
big shift in these last few days, with two games against great opposition,"
he concluded. "I'm suspended for Thursday now, but the lads will be firing
and ready to go and as a team we need to beat West Brom. "We've done it once
already this season and let's see if we can do it again."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
2013/14 Accounts: TV deal leads to record turnover
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United FC's revenue rose by some £25million in 2013/14 - thanks
largely to the extra income generated by the new TV sponsorship deal.
The Club generated a record £114.9million turnover last season, with the
bulk of the extra income as a result of the new TV deal which generated
£75.4million in 2013/14 - up from £51.8million the previous year.
That resulted in the Club reporting a profit of £10.3million - a rise of
just under £7million on 2012/13.
Also up were match day ticket sales, which rose from £18million to
£19.5million - whilst the wages to turnover ratio dropped from 62.6 per cent
to 55.6 per cent (a figure lower than 70 per cent is generally considered
healthy).
On the negative side, West Ham United's overall level of debt remains above
the £100m mark, with more than half of that figure owed to co-Chairmen David
Gold and David Sullivan who have taken responsibility for much of the
external debt.
A further injection of £3.5million was required by he owners - who now own
86.2 per cent of the club between them - during the 2013/14 season, whilst
the average gate at the Boleyn Ground in 2013/14 was down fractionally from
34,720 to 34,007.
David Sullivan, speaking in his statement said that he was "satisfied with
the achievements we have made this season", but added that the current
campaign was proving to be even better.
"A lot has been made about 'the West Ham way' and exactly what it is," he
said. "Personally I think what we are witnessing right now at the club is
exactly how I would sum it up.
"We are playing attacking football with everybody giving 100 per cent, and
we are getting results at the same time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wenger on... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Arsene Wenger did see the penalty and he felt it was the right decision.
More from the Arsenal manger in his post-match press conference...
Arsene: A tough game, you must be pleased with the win?
Yes; it was a solid, combative and united performance from the first to the
last minute. Looking at the goal chances,we deserved to win the game. It was
a typically direct game where we needed to be solid in the air, take our
chances on the breaks. When it cam back to 2-1 we had five or six chances on
counter-attacks that we couldn't take but overall everybody did their job
very well, from the 'keeper to up front.
Koscielny made a big difference today?
Look, we know that. We need to be stable defensively and when you miss
importnt players at the back it's always difficult to be stable.
What does that do for the belief that you can finish in the top four, when
you come to places like this and win?
I always have belief but it's far from done. We just want to win the next
game and be consistent in our performances. Today we've wn away from hom, if
you look at our recent results we look to be more stable.
We have a big game in front of us now at Southampton and nobody else coming
back, so the players who were out there today have given a lot but they have
to recover and prepare well for the Southampton game.
Was there any doubt about the penalty for you?
Look, everybody who has played football has missed a penalty. Anybody can
miss.
I was talking about the award - was there any doubt about it being a
penalty?
There's always a doubt.
But you thought it was a foul?
I thought it was a penalty, yes.
How about Coquelain today?
I felt he played very well, especially in the first half he was very
influential. In the second half he fatigued a bit in the last 20 minutes but
he had a very good performance - not only defensively but also with the
ball. His passing was quick, sharp, through the lines and overall it was a
convincing performance.
You could say it was a bit of a gamble, but you didn't have any second
thoughts about playing him?
It was a gamble, yes, but I felt that we needed to protect [the area] in
front of the defence with two players, with Carroll on the long ball which
needed protection. But, he was the right choice.
In terms of creativity, do you see any progress in your team in the last
three or four months?
With the ball I think we had a very difficult game today but always looked
dangerous. We couldn't the game off which was down to the quality of their
goalkeeper. Sometimes, we missed our chances and sometimes maybe there was a
player in a better position but overall we created chances. Look at the
other results today, there's not too many goals. 48 hours everybody played
and that of course has an impact.
Was there a lack of finesse in the final third?
It was more of a fight than a creative game today but you need to have that
in England as well, especially when you have played two days before with ten
men for 40 minutes. When I looked at how much we gave physically I was
worriesd for today. We knew before the game that we had to dig deep to win
the game, but we did that.
How important is it for you now to re-establish yourselves in the top four
now?
It is vital for us.
Do you feel you're able to do that now?
We have done it for 17 years now, so at least we're entitled to believe we
can do it! It's all to do, when you look at the league everybody fights very
hard for it. You have Southampton, Tottenham, Man United - so many teams who
can fight for these positions.
Was Rosicky injured or was two days in three games just beyond him?
I just gave him a complete recovery today. When I took him off with ten
minutes to go against QPR he had cramp in the calf and hamstring so I didn't
want to take a gamble.
Is there anything to report on Podolski?
Podolski?
Italian papers are reporting that Inter Milan are interested?
No, there's nothing concrete there.
Are you adamant that he won't go in January?
At the moment, nobody goes out. He's coming back soon and there's a lot of
competition up front.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate and Reid on the move?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
According to this morning's Mail, Arsenal are poised to launch a £4million
bid for West Ham's Winston Reid. The 26-year-old Kiwi is out of contract at
West Ham this summer and although chairman David Sullivan stated last week
that no first team players would be sold in January, a deal involving on
loan right-back Carl Jenkinson could persuade him otherwise. Meanwhile Mauro
Zarate continues to be linked with moves both domestically and in Europe.
Last week the Argentine striker, who has barely featured for West Ham since
moving to east London in the summer was linked with a return to Italy on
loan (Torino). Rather closer to home, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers,
Sunderland AND Southampton are reported by various sources to be keen on the
former Velez goalscorer. In other transfer news, Vedran Corluka - formerly
of Tottenham - is one of several defenders tipped to replace Winston Reid.
Currently playing for Lokomotiv Moscow, the 28-year-old is rated around the
£5million mark and is said to have been monitored by both West Ham and
Everton (Mirror).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham announce record profit
Last Updated: 29/12/14 4:03pm
SSN
West Ham United have announced a record group profit before tax of £10.3m -
a marked improvement on last year's loss before tax of £3.5m.
Turnover was up to £114.8m compared to £89.8m the previous year, while the
wage/turnover ratio also decreased to 55.6% from 62.6% last year, the lowest
ratio since this was first calculated 15 years ago. The club finished last
season in 13th place in the Premier League while they will end 2014 in sixth
position following their best-ever Premier League start. The 2015-16 season
will be their final season at the Boleyn Ground ahead of a move to the
Olympic Stadium in 2016. Joint-chairman David Sullivan said: "My board and
I are satisfied with the achievements we have made in the 2013/14 season.
"The highlights for us were retaining our Premier League status and reaching
the semi-final of the Capital One Cup, signing an agreement to sell the
Boleyn Ground in preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the
2016/17 season, and our fantastic support despite our many injuries and
therefore subsequent challenging performances on the pitch. "We continue to
believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team,
the brand and managing the business well."
Vice-chairman Karren Brady added: "Through the hard work of a fantastic,
dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has
grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. "The management team off
the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the
manager and the team delivered on the pitch." At the weekend, Sullivan
revealed he and his co-owner David Gold had put a 20 per cent stake in the
club up for sale. He said they are looking to raise £80m to help reduce
debts which currently stand at £110m, of which £55m is owed to Gold and
Sullivan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE WINSTON REID SAGA CONTINUES
By Iain Dale 29 Dec 2014 at 10:33
West Ham till I Die
There's more speculation about Winston Reid's future this morning in the
Daily Mail. They suggest that Arsenal will be making a £4 million bid after
watching him in every game since November.
Claret & Hugh have an anonymous quote from a club spokeman pouring cold
water on the story…
"The story isn't true . We have had no contact whatsoever from Arsenal.
Nothing can be ruled out but there has never been any contact and we would
have expected it by now. He collected his eighth yellow card of the season
yesterday and had a very poor game which obviously wouldn't have helped his
chances of a move if Arsenal are remotely interested!"
Ouch.
I can't say I thought Reid performed poorly yesterday. It was Tomkins who
was at fault for Arsenal's second goal, not Reid. But as I said a week ago,
this saga will soon become very debstabilising for the whole team if it
continues much longer. I hope Sam has already identified a replacement. We
don't need to spend money in other areas of the team but we do need an extra
central defender anyway, even if Reid doesn't go.
Who would be on your shortlist?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CandH Exclusive: Redknapp – "I want Zarate"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has tonight confirmed he is keen to
take Mauro Zarate to Loftus Road on loan next month. 'Arry spoke exclusively
to ClaretandHugh after we had broken the story earlier today making it clear
his interest was "real." The former Hammers boss is developing a track
record for taking Irons players to south west London having given Modibo
Maiga, Ravel Morrison and Gary O'Neill a temporary home at Loftus Road since
he took over as manager. And tonight when we caught up with him he said:
"Yes, it's true I am interested in Mauro. We are talking about the
possibility of doing a loan deal. "He's a player I like and if West Ham want
to do business then hopefully we can thrash something out over the next few
days." He added: "The interest is real but it's in West Ham's court. We
would be ready to get something sorted out." However, he made it clear he
was not interested in Ravel Morrison returning to Loftus Road saying: "No
that one is not likely to happen."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate QPR move may cause Sam a big problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Harry Redknapp's interest in Mauro Zarate is now an open secret – a
development which has the potential to prove Sam Allardyc e's judgement of
the player correct or leave him with a red face. ClaretandHugh broke the
story exclusively earlier today and The Telegraph has now followed up
declaring: "Queens Park Rangers are ready to end striker Mauro Zarate's West
Ham United's misery by taking him on loan for the rest of the season.
"Newcastle United have also expressed an interested in Zarate, but it is
thought the 27-year-old believes he has a better chance of playing regular
first-team football at Loftus Road."
The "Zarate problem" has been exercising the minds of club insiders and fans
alike over the last few months with the general view being that Sam has
some problem with the player – as yet unexplained. ClaretandHugh has known
for several weeks that much interest has been expressed in the striker from
Italy, Spain and even Mexico. However, it's Mr Redknapp's interest which
will possibly prove a very awkward development for Sam who really wouldn't
want the lad clearing off to Loftus Road and becoming a massive hit. His
judgement of course could be proved correct although based on what we've
seen so far that seems unlikely. Sam might find it preferable to send the
Argentinian off to Serie A, La Liga or the Mexican League working perhaps on
the "out of sight out of mind " basis. I could see how that might make
sense. However, the big problem is that Zarate wants to show that he is
indeed a Premier League player and thus we have an intriguing political
drama on our hands. It really will fascinating to see where the boy finishes
up and what happens over the rest of the season when he gets there! Let's
hope we fans find out whether he is a Premier League player or not. My view?
Most definitely a YES to that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons battle Senegal FA over Sakho and Kouyate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are in a battle with the Senegal Football Association over sending
club medics to look after Diafra Sakho and Cheik Kouyate at the African
Nation Cup Finals. ClaretandHugh has learned that despite the Irons being
ready to foot the bill for a medical team to attend the event, the national
association may insist that the letter of their rule book is followed. And
that will mean the duo will be in the care of the physios and doctors
appointed by the national team. Sakho was in their hands when suffering a
mild back problem which was worsened under treatment and led the club to
make a decision to send their own people with the two players after he
missed games on his return. We were told by a well placed source: "The plan
all along since the Sakho incident has been to send our own people with the
players. "However, it appears that's not straightforward and we are being
forced to argue it out with their football association."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG sees Hammers Gold…en era
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold insists there will be no slowdown in team investment next summer.
The co chairman could not be more delighted with the team's progress but he
wants this to be the start of a new Hammers 'golden era.' He told
ClaretandHugh: "Our aim is to get stronger and stronger with every
successive year. We have had am amazing year – every single signing has paid
off. it's been brilliant but see it as a starting point."
Gold is a massive admirer of Alex Song and made it clear the club had made
him a major target saying: We will do everything possible to bring him here.
"We cannot stand still. We have arrived at a level and we have to move on as
we look towards entering our new home at the Olympic Stadium. "We are
committed to building a great team for a great stadium. We've had a taste of
life at the top this season and we like it so we will be strengthening
again."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United have published their accounts for year ending 31 May 2014
29.12.2014
West Ham United are pleased to announce a record group profit before tax of
£10.3m following a successful 2013/14 for the Club both on and off the
pitch. This is a significant improvement on last year's loss before tax of
£3.5m. As the team overcame a difficult start to the season to finish 13th
in the Barclays Premier League, the Club increased revenues to an all-time
high. Turnover was up to £114.8m compared to £89.8m the previous year,
helped by the new Broadcast deal and an increase in most other income
sources. The wage/turnover ratio also decreased to 55.6% against 62.6% last
year, the lowest ratio since this was first calculated 15 years ago. It all
added up to a fine year for the Club, who finish 2014 in sixth position
following their best-ever Premier League start. August 2015 will bring the
beginning of the Club's final season at the Boleyn Ground ahead of the move
to a stunning new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2016 and the
commercial opportunities that will create.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "My Board and I are satisfied with the
achievements we have made in the 2013/14 season, the highlights for us being
retaining our Premier League status and reaching the semi-final of the
Capital One Cup, signing an agreement to sell the Boleyn Ground in
preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season, and
our fantastic support despite our many injuries and therefore subsequent
challenging performances on the pitch. "We continue to believe we will
deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and
managing the business well."
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady added: "Through the hard work of a fantastic,
dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has
grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. The management team off
the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the
manager and the team delivered on the pitch."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
O'Brien - 'West Brom is massive'
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien has labelled the visit of West Brom as the biggest game of the
season so far
29.12.2014
Joey O'Brien believes West Ham United's New Year's Day showdown with West
Bromwich Albion is the Hammers' biggest game of the Barclays Premier League
campaign to date. Following Christmas defeats by Chelsea and then Arsenal,
Sam Allardyce's side will bid to get back on track against the struggling
Baggies on Thursday, a game which O'Brien believes will really test the
Club's top-six credentials. The Republic of Ireland full-back started his
first game on Sunday since August and despite the 2-1 reverse was
understandably thrilled to be back in the thick of things, particularly
against the Gunners. "It was great to get back out and play," he told West
Ham TV. "I probably haven't started in about four months and it's great to
play. "Throughout my career I've had some of my finer moments playing
against the Arsenal. When I first broke into the team at Bolton, it was
against Arsenal at Highbury. "It's been frustrating for me personally but
the lads have been great and obviously we've been sitting fourth and fifth
in the league, it's hard to get a game when the lads are winning all the
time."
With so little football in recent weeks to call upon, Sunday's encounter was
something of a baptism of fire. But far from being fearful of the challenge
presented by Arsenal's rapid and technically gifted front three, O'Brien
positively relished it. He continued: "That's what you want, that's one of
the reasons why it's nice to play against them. Their front line is real,
real quality, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I
thought we coped with it really well, up until the last part of the game,
when we were pushing for the equaliser. "Then obviously the game's getting
stretched, we're going for the equaliser and they're obviously going to be
able to hit you on the break with the pace and the quality they've got. We
could've nicked something at the end I suppose."
O'Brien felt the penalty award against Winston Reid was a real body blow,
what with the decisive second following in such quick succession. But for
that momentary loss of focus, the full-back reckons it would have been a
completely different affair. He explained: "We started off really well in
the game and we were the better team up until the penalty. I think the
penalty was a penalty, but maybe throughout the whole team it affected us.
"We probably just lost concentration for that last five minutes and had we
got in at 1-0 and settled back down the way we were doing, it could have
been a different game. But with them 2-0 up, it was just that little bit too
big a lead to get back. "But we came out and had a right good go here. I
think the fans appreciated that, you could hear that at the end of the
game."
With precious little time to lick wounds, O'Brien says it is all systems go
again for the visit of West Brom on Thursday. If West Ham are to harbour
European ambitions, then this, insists the 28-year-old, is the sort of game
that they absolutely have to win at home. "The next game against West Brom
is a massive game in my eyes, probably the biggest game of the season so far
us. If we have aspirations of being in the top, top part of the league,
these are the games you need to bounce back on to get us back to winning
ways. "Looking at where we are in the league, we've had a couple of defeats,
but we're still up and around there. With a couple of the lads going to the
Africa Cup of Nations, it's their last game, so they'll want to put in a big
performance before they go. Hopefully we can get the win."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins backs Hammers to recover
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins says West Ham United will emerge from the festive period
stronger despite two defeats
28.12.2014
James Tomkins was mystified as to how West Ham United's seven-game unbeaten
home run came to an end against Arsenal on Sunday. The Hammers were giving
just as good as they got in the first half until two goals in three minutes
gave Arsenal a position of strength just before the interval. West Ham
rallied and Tomkins set up a goal for Cheikhou Kouyate on 54 minutes, and
although they ended the game strongly, winning a number of dangerous set
pieces around the box they could not quite take advantage. It meant Arsenal
leapfrogged the Hammers into the top five of the table, but Tomkins will not
get too downhearted ahead of the second half of the campaign. The No5
explained: "I couldn't believe we couldn't get that final goal to get a draw
out of this game. We battered them in the first half, but then they got two
goals against the run of play. "Once you concede one, to concede two against
a team like Arsenal is always going to give you a mountain to climb. It
wasn't quite to be. "I'm not sure I've been involved in a game as end-to-end
as that and it must have been entertaining for the neutral. "We threw
everything at them and sometimes you need a bit of luck and we didn't get it
today where in other games we may have. "We're bitterly disappointed today
but we'll be back stronger knowing we can play like that against a team like
Arsenal. "We played really well and I don't think we should feel too down.
The kitchen sink got thrown at them."
West Ham started the game at pace and thought they had taken the lead when
Alex Song lashed home a volley from 25 yards only for an offside flag
against Cheikhou Kouyate in Wojciech Szczesny's eyeline. Tomkins felt if
that had been allowed to stand the end result could have been very
different. He added: "If we had scored the first goal maybe the outcome
would have been different. I had a chance, and I think Stewie had one too,
and sometimes you need that bit of good fortune."
Tomkins' appearance was his 200th in a claret and blue shirt and he has his
eyes on many more milestones with the Hammers. He said: "I'm very proud to
reach the landmark of 200 games for West Ham. I can look back at it and be
proud, but hopefully there's many ore to come.
"It would have been nice to reach 200 with a win - that would have made it
better, but it's a proud moment."
Thursday sees West Ham return to action with the visit of West Bromwich
Albion and although Tomkins is banned after collecting his fifth yellow card
of the season, he believes the team can bounce back. "The lads have put a
big shift in these last few days, with two games against great opposition,"
he concluded. "I'm suspended for Thursday now, but the lads will be firing
and ready to go and as a team we need to beat West Brom. "We've done it once
already this season and let's see if we can do it again."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
2013/14 Accounts: TV deal leads to record turnover
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United FC's revenue rose by some £25million in 2013/14 - thanks
largely to the extra income generated by the new TV sponsorship deal.
The Club generated a record £114.9million turnover last season, with the
bulk of the extra income as a result of the new TV deal which generated
£75.4million in 2013/14 - up from £51.8million the previous year.
That resulted in the Club reporting a profit of £10.3million - a rise of
just under £7million on 2012/13.
Also up were match day ticket sales, which rose from £18million to
£19.5million - whilst the wages to turnover ratio dropped from 62.6 per cent
to 55.6 per cent (a figure lower than 70 per cent is generally considered
healthy).
On the negative side, West Ham United's overall level of debt remains above
the £100m mark, with more than half of that figure owed to co-Chairmen David
Gold and David Sullivan who have taken responsibility for much of the
external debt.
A further injection of £3.5million was required by he owners - who now own
86.2 per cent of the club between them - during the 2013/14 season, whilst
the average gate at the Boleyn Ground in 2013/14 was down fractionally from
34,720 to 34,007.
David Sullivan, speaking in his statement said that he was "satisfied with
the achievements we have made this season", but added that the current
campaign was proving to be even better.
"A lot has been made about 'the West Ham way' and exactly what it is," he
said. "Personally I think what we are witnessing right now at the club is
exactly how I would sum it up.
"We are playing attacking football with everybody giving 100 per cent, and
we are getting results at the same time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wenger on... West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Arsene Wenger did see the penalty and he felt it was the right decision.
More from the Arsenal manger in his post-match press conference...
Arsene: A tough game, you must be pleased with the win?
Yes; it was a solid, combative and united performance from the first to the
last minute. Looking at the goal chances,we deserved to win the game. It was
a typically direct game where we needed to be solid in the air, take our
chances on the breaks. When it cam back to 2-1 we had five or six chances on
counter-attacks that we couldn't take but overall everybody did their job
very well, from the 'keeper to up front.
Koscielny made a big difference today?
Look, we know that. We need to be stable defensively and when you miss
importnt players at the back it's always difficult to be stable.
What does that do for the belief that you can finish in the top four, when
you come to places like this and win?
I always have belief but it's far from done. We just want to win the next
game and be consistent in our performances. Today we've wn away from hom, if
you look at our recent results we look to be more stable.
We have a big game in front of us now at Southampton and nobody else coming
back, so the players who were out there today have given a lot but they have
to recover and prepare well for the Southampton game.
Was there any doubt about the penalty for you?
Look, everybody who has played football has missed a penalty. Anybody can
miss.
I was talking about the award - was there any doubt about it being a
penalty?
There's always a doubt.
But you thought it was a foul?
I thought it was a penalty, yes.
How about Coquelain today?
I felt he played very well, especially in the first half he was very
influential. In the second half he fatigued a bit in the last 20 minutes but
he had a very good performance - not only defensively but also with the
ball. His passing was quick, sharp, through the lines and overall it was a
convincing performance.
You could say it was a bit of a gamble, but you didn't have any second
thoughts about playing him?
It was a gamble, yes, but I felt that we needed to protect [the area] in
front of the defence with two players, with Carroll on the long ball which
needed protection. But, he was the right choice.
In terms of creativity, do you see any progress in your team in the last
three or four months?
With the ball I think we had a very difficult game today but always looked
dangerous. We couldn't the game off which was down to the quality of their
goalkeeper. Sometimes, we missed our chances and sometimes maybe there was a
player in a better position but overall we created chances. Look at the
other results today, there's not too many goals. 48 hours everybody played
and that of course has an impact.
Was there a lack of finesse in the final third?
It was more of a fight than a creative game today but you need to have that
in England as well, especially when you have played two days before with ten
men for 40 minutes. When I looked at how much we gave physically I was
worriesd for today. We knew before the game that we had to dig deep to win
the game, but we did that.
How important is it for you now to re-establish yourselves in the top four
now?
It is vital for us.
Do you feel you're able to do that now?
We have done it for 17 years now, so at least we're entitled to believe we
can do it! It's all to do, when you look at the league everybody fights very
hard for it. You have Southampton, Tottenham, Man United - so many teams who
can fight for these positions.
Was Rosicky injured or was two days in three games just beyond him?
I just gave him a complete recovery today. When I took him off with ten
minutes to go against QPR he had cramp in the calf and hamstring so I didn't
want to take a gamble.
Is there anything to report on Podolski?
Podolski?
Italian papers are reporting that Inter Milan are interested?
No, there's nothing concrete there.
Are you adamant that he won't go in January?
At the moment, nobody goes out. He's coming back soon and there's a lot of
competition up front.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate and Reid on the move?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
According to this morning's Mail, Arsenal are poised to launch a £4million
bid for West Ham's Winston Reid. The 26-year-old Kiwi is out of contract at
West Ham this summer and although chairman David Sullivan stated last week
that no first team players would be sold in January, a deal involving on
loan right-back Carl Jenkinson could persuade him otherwise. Meanwhile Mauro
Zarate continues to be linked with moves both domestically and in Europe.
Last week the Argentine striker, who has barely featured for West Ham since
moving to east London in the summer was linked with a return to Italy on
loan (Torino). Rather closer to home, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers,
Sunderland AND Southampton are reported by various sources to be keen on the
former Velez goalscorer. In other transfer news, Vedran Corluka - formerly
of Tottenham - is one of several defenders tipped to replace Winston Reid.
Currently playing for Lokomotiv Moscow, the 28-year-old is rated around the
£5million mark and is said to have been monitored by both West Ham and
Everton (Mirror).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham announce record profit
Last Updated: 29/12/14 4:03pm
SSN
West Ham United have announced a record group profit before tax of £10.3m -
a marked improvement on last year's loss before tax of £3.5m.
Turnover was up to £114.8m compared to £89.8m the previous year, while the
wage/turnover ratio also decreased to 55.6% from 62.6% last year, the lowest
ratio since this was first calculated 15 years ago. The club finished last
season in 13th place in the Premier League while they will end 2014 in sixth
position following their best-ever Premier League start. The 2015-16 season
will be their final season at the Boleyn Ground ahead of a move to the
Olympic Stadium in 2016. Joint-chairman David Sullivan said: "My board and
I are satisfied with the achievements we have made in the 2013/14 season.
"The highlights for us were retaining our Premier League status and reaching
the semi-final of the Capital One Cup, signing an agreement to sell the
Boleyn Ground in preparation for our move to the Olympic Stadium for the
2016/17 season, and our fantastic support despite our many injuries and
therefore subsequent challenging performances on the pitch. "We continue to
believe we will deliver both on and off the pitch by investing in the team,
the brand and managing the business well."
Vice-chairman Karren Brady added: "Through the hard work of a fantastic,
dedicated, loyal and determined team both on and off the pitch the club has
grown in size, revenue and in stature this season. "The management team off
the pitch were able to capitalise and maximise on all the opportunities the
manager and the team delivered on the pitch." At the weekend, Sullivan
revealed he and his co-owner David Gold had put a 20 per cent stake in the
club up for sale. He said they are looking to raise £80m to help reduce
debts which currently stand at £110m, of which £55m is owed to Gold and
Sullivan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE WINSTON REID SAGA CONTINUES
By Iain Dale 29 Dec 2014 at 10:33
West Ham till I Die
There's more speculation about Winston Reid's future this morning in the
Daily Mail. They suggest that Arsenal will be making a £4 million bid after
watching him in every game since November.
Claret & Hugh have an anonymous quote from a club spokeman pouring cold
water on the story…
"The story isn't true . We have had no contact whatsoever from Arsenal.
Nothing can be ruled out but there has never been any contact and we would
have expected it by now. He collected his eighth yellow card of the season
yesterday and had a very poor game which obviously wouldn't have helped his
chances of a move if Arsenal are remotely interested!"
Ouch.
I can't say I thought Reid performed poorly yesterday. It was Tomkins who
was at fault for Arsenal's second goal, not Reid. But as I said a week ago,
this saga will soon become very debstabilising for the whole team if it
continues much longer. I hope Sam has already identified a replacement. We
don't need to spend money in other areas of the team but we do need an extra
central defender anyway, even if Reid doesn't go.
Who would be on your shortlist?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CandH Exclusive: Redknapp – "I want Zarate"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has tonight confirmed he is keen to
take Mauro Zarate to Loftus Road on loan next month. 'Arry spoke exclusively
to ClaretandHugh after we had broken the story earlier today making it clear
his interest was "real." The former Hammers boss is developing a track
record for taking Irons players to south west London having given Modibo
Maiga, Ravel Morrison and Gary O'Neill a temporary home at Loftus Road since
he took over as manager. And tonight when we caught up with him he said:
"Yes, it's true I am interested in Mauro. We are talking about the
possibility of doing a loan deal. "He's a player I like and if West Ham want
to do business then hopefully we can thrash something out over the next few
days." He added: "The interest is real but it's in West Ham's court. We
would be ready to get something sorted out." However, he made it clear he
was not interested in Ravel Morrison returning to Loftus Road saying: "No
that one is not likely to happen."
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Zarate QPR move may cause Sam a big problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Harry Redknapp's interest in Mauro Zarate is now an open secret – a
development which has the potential to prove Sam Allardyc e's judgement of
the player correct or leave him with a red face. ClaretandHugh broke the
story exclusively earlier today and The Telegraph has now followed up
declaring: "Queens Park Rangers are ready to end striker Mauro Zarate's West
Ham United's misery by taking him on loan for the rest of the season.
"Newcastle United have also expressed an interested in Zarate, but it is
thought the 27-year-old believes he has a better chance of playing regular
first-team football at Loftus Road."
The "Zarate problem" has been exercising the minds of club insiders and fans
alike over the last few months with the general view being that Sam has
some problem with the player – as yet unexplained. ClaretandHugh has known
for several weeks that much interest has been expressed in the striker from
Italy, Spain and even Mexico. However, it's Mr Redknapp's interest which
will possibly prove a very awkward development for Sam who really wouldn't
want the lad clearing off to Loftus Road and becoming a massive hit. His
judgement of course could be proved correct although based on what we've
seen so far that seems unlikely. Sam might find it preferable to send the
Argentinian off to Serie A, La Liga or the Mexican League working perhaps on
the "out of sight out of mind " basis. I could see how that might make
sense. However, the big problem is that Zarate wants to show that he is
indeed a Premier League player and thus we have an intriguing political
drama on our hands. It really will fascinating to see where the boy finishes
up and what happens over the rest of the season when he gets there! Let's
hope we fans find out whether he is a Premier League player or not. My view?
Most definitely a YES to that.
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Irons battle Senegal FA over Sakho and Kouyate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are in a battle with the Senegal Football Association over sending
club medics to look after Diafra Sakho and Cheik Kouyate at the African
Nation Cup Finals. ClaretandHugh has learned that despite the Irons being
ready to foot the bill for a medical team to attend the event, the national
association may insist that the letter of their rule book is followed. And
that will mean the duo will be in the care of the physios and doctors
appointed by the national team. Sakho was in their hands when suffering a
mild back problem which was worsened under treatment and led the club to
make a decision to send their own people with the two players after he
missed games on his return. We were told by a well placed source: "The plan
all along since the Sakho incident has been to send our own people with the
players. "However, it appears that's not straightforward and we are being
forced to argue it out with their football association."
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DG sees Hammers Gold…en era
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 29, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold insists there will be no slowdown in team investment next summer.
The co chairman could not be more delighted with the team's progress but he
wants this to be the start of a new Hammers 'golden era.' He told
ClaretandHugh: "Our aim is to get stronger and stronger with every
successive year. We have had am amazing year – every single signing has paid
off. it's been brilliant but see it as a starting point."
Gold is a massive admirer of Alex Song and made it clear the club had made
him a major target saying: We will do everything possible to bring him here.
"We cannot stand still. We have arrived at a level and we have to move on as
we look towards entering our new home at the Olympic Stadium. "We are
committed to building a great team for a great stadium. We've had a taste of
life at the top this season and we like it so we will be strengthening
again."
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Monday, December 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th December 2014
Hammers suffer Arsenal defeat
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were edged out by the odd goal in three against Arsenal at
the Boleyn Ground
28.12.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal
West Ham United were caught cold by two Arsenal goals in the space of four
first-half minutes, as the Hammers succumbed to a 2-1 Barclays Premier
League defeat in a thrilling contest at the Boleyn Ground. Having been
felled by Winston Reid, Santi Cazorla slotted home from the spot in the 41st
minute, before Danny Welbeck converted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's centre to
hand the Gunners a two-goal cushion at the break. Cheikhou Kouyate headed
his first Hammers goal to give the home side hope with 54 gone, culminating
in a breathless last half hour. It was chances galore at both ends, but,
somehow, 2-1 it would remain, with the Gunners leapfrogging West Ham into
fifth. As expected, Sam Allardyce rang the changes following Friday's Boxing
Day defeat at Stamford Bridge. The fit-again James Tomkins came in for James
Collins, while Joey O'Brien made his first start since August, in place of
the ineligible Carl Jenkinson. Elsewhere, Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano
got the nod in midfield, as did Diafra Sakho up front.
Song was always likely to be centre of attention against his former
employers and so it proved. Skipper for the day, the No30 thought he had
opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after just six minutes. When a
corner from the left fell to him 25 yards from goal, the stylish midfielder
lashed a volley into the bottom left corner of Wojciech Szczesny's goal.
Kouyate and Sakho, however, both had to take evasive action in front of the
Arsenal stopper and so the linesman's flag cut short West Ham celebrations.
At the other end, Arsenal were zipping the ball around menacingly, with
Alexis Sanchez tormentor in chief. Oxlade-Chamberlain sped down the right
and as Welbeck pleaded for it, O'Brien came to the rescue with a supremely
timed challenge. After 20 minutes, Amalfitano's cross from the right
isolated Mathieu Debuchy at the far post, allowing Andy Carroll to outmuscle
the full-back. But the No9's strike was wayward and cleared away. Santi
Cazorla's eyes then lit up as he was presented with acres of space on the
right-edge of the Hammers box. Thankfully, Aaron Cresswell was out quickly
to block the Spaniard's drive.
The chances continued to come and go, with Tomkins this time the guilty
party. Stewart Downing's delivery found the No5 unmarked at the back stick
and though the Basildon boy probably had time to take it down, he opted to
volley first time and sent it over.
But the contest was to turn on a penalty decision in the 41st minute.
Cazorla burst into the box and once Reid's attempted clearance had cannoned
straight back into the Spaniard, he was felled by the leg of a then grounded
Reid. Neil Swarbrick obliged in pointing to the spot and Cazorla did the
rest, slotting into the left corner and sending Adrian the wrong way. Just
three minutes later it was two, courtesy of the two Englishmen in the
Gunners' line-up. Oxlade-Chamberlain made his way into the box and his
cut-back went through the legs of Reid at the near post and there was
Welbeck to prod home. West Ham might have halved the deficit before the
interval, but Downing screwed wide from 18 yards. They would only have to
wait eight second-half minutes to get their goal, one that began with
Sakho's industry down the right, with his hanging cross forcing Per
Mertesacker into a last-ditch header at the far post. From the resulting
corner, Tomkins skipped past his man and then dinked a delightful centre
towards Kouyate, whose header ricocheted off Debuchy and past a flat-footed
Szczesny.
Back came Arsenal, through the familiar combination of Oxlade-Chamberlain
and Cazorla. The winger teed up the Spaniard on the edge of the box and his
strike forced Adrian into an excellent one-handed stop. West Ham's custodian
should have been busy again moments later, but
Debuchy wastefully nodded the resulting corner over the top.
With the hour approaching, Kouyate's cute cross had Sakho scampering at the
far post and despite his best efforts, the ball squirmed
behind for a goal-kick. For all West Ham's endeavour in the Arsenal half,
Adrian twice came to the hosts' aid in a matter of minutes, repelling
Oxlade-Chamberlain's point-blank header, before saving with his feet from
Sanchez. With time running out, West Ham became somewhat ragged at the back,
as Downing presented Welbeck with a gilt-edged chance to make it three. He
blazed over and Cazorla did likewise from the edge of the box soon after.
West Ham threw caution to the wind in the dying minutes and substitute Kevin
Nolan's low drive had Szczesny worried, though he managed to cling on. Even
Adrian marched forward for several a late set-piece as West Ham laid siege
to the Arsenal goal. Enner Valencia had the best of the late chances, but
could only head into the side-netting with Szczesny stranded, as Arsenal
consigned the Hammers to a first home defeat since August.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Tomkins, Kouyate (Nolan 78),
Carroll, Downing, Sakho (Valencia 62), O'Brien (Demel 78), Amalfitano, Song
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Collins, Cole
Goal: Kouyate 54
Booked: Carroll, Tomkins, Reid
Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain
(Chambers 89), Sanchez, Monreal, Cazorla, Flamini, Welbeck (Gibbs 84),
Coquelin
Subs: Ospina, Podolski, Walcott, Chambers, Campbell, Akpom
Goals: Cazorla 41, Welbeck 44
Booked: Sanchez, Debuchy, Coquelin
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
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Big Sam disputes disallowed goal
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce felt Alex Song's early strike should have stood in Sunday's
2-1 defeat by Arsenal
28.12.2014
Sam Allardyce pointed to Alex Song's controversially disallowed goal and
missed chances when asked for his defining moments in West Ham United's 2-1
home defeat by Arsenal. Song thought he had volleyed the Hammers ahead
against his old club after just five minutes on Sunday. However, referee
Neil Swarbrick ruled the spectacular strike out because Cheikhou Kouyate was
in an offside position when the ball passed through his legs on its way into
the bottom corner. Big Sam claimed the Senagalese midfielder was not in
goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's line of vision, but the flag went up and
Swarbrick agreed with his assistant. The hosts were on top for the majority
of the first half, only for their frustration to be compounded by two goals
in four minutes at the end of it. First, Winston Reid was penalised for
tripping Santi Cazorla, and the Spaniard converted from the penalty spot,
then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got to the byline before crossing for Danny
Welbeck to slide home.
West Ham responded well in the second half, with Kouyate nodding in James
Tomkins' cross on 56 to give them hope, before both sides traded missed
chances for the remainder of the game - the last of which saw substitute
Enner Valencia head narrowly over in the sixth minute of added time. "The
biggest shock of the lot was that we were 2-0 down at half-time from our
point of view and we have ourselves to blame for that," said the manager.
"We just got the stuffing knocked out of us by the penalty and we didn't
recover from that.
"Arsenal nicked another and there really had been nothing in the game up to
then, except from us. We hadn't scored in that period when we were on top
for two reasons - one was the chances we missed and the second was a really
unbelievable decision to rule out Alex Song's goal, which was bewildering me
that it was disallowed. "When these things go against you at the wrong time
in a game, it can contribute to a massive part of the result, and that has
not allowed us to go 1-0 up when we should have done. We could have built
from there and we might easily have won the game. "We could also have lost,
but we would have lost through two teams playing against each other without
a big mistake and a big contribution from the officials."
The manager disputed that Kouyate's presence played any part in the 'goal'
being ruled out. "They said he was the line of sight, but when you see it
back, he clearly isn't. How can the assistant referee put his flag up and
judge from that position whether he is in front of the goalkeeper or not?
"There were several bodies in front of the referee Neil Swarbrick, so he
cannot see for definite. When you look at it, he is miles off the goalie!
"One of these decisions has never been given like that. Cheik has not
touched the ball, he is coming out away from goal and has let it through his
legs. He is nowhere near Szczesny or in his eye-line. If he wasn't there, he
wouldn't have saved it and that's the bottom line, but sadly we can't do
anything about that now."
While Big Sam was not happy with Song's strike being ruled out, he admitted
Reid's foul on Cazorla for West Ham's opener was a fair decision. "Having
seen it, Reidy sticks his leg up and while it's a bit soft, I can see why he
has given it, because if Reidy keeps his leg down there is no penalty.
Because he lifted his leg, he has dived over it. "Then again, Morgan
Amalfitano has rolled Nacho Monreal in the box later on and Monreal has both
arms around him, but because Morgan has tried to stay on his feet and get
the equaliser the referee has chosen not to give us what was a blatant
penalty. "They moan about players diving, but what do you say to your
player? You have to tell them to go down because the referee won't give it
to you if you stay on your feet. "It was a frustrating afternoon, and then
we missed our chances to boot. What we were in control of was our clinical
finishing, but we didn't do it. Even the one at the end, I did expect Enner
to score, but he probably headed it too well and it went over the bar. "It
was a tremendous effort and brilliant end-to-end entertainment, but sadly we
were on the wrong end of the result."
West Ham complete 2014 having collected 56 points from their 38 league games
in the calendar year, with 31 coming in 19 this season so far. "Fifty-six
points in one year is a pretty good record and that would probably finish us
in the top eight at least. "We just need to carry that on and make sure we
get 56 this season, or more, because if we can do it one year, let's try and
do it in one season and see where it gets us."
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Hammers duo in Senegal squad
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate have been named in Senegal's provisional
Africa Cup of Nations squad
28.12.2014
West Ham United pair Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate have been named in
Senegal's provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The duo have been in outstanding form for the Hammers since joining from
Metz and Anderlecht respectively in the summer and have been rewarded with
their call-up to the 28-man squad, which will later be cut to 23. Kouyate
has long been established with the Teranga Lions, having won 14 caps since
his 2012 debut. Sakho is more of a newcomer on the international scene,
following his stunning rise from the lower divisions of French football to
the top flight in recent seasons. The 25-year-old debuted earlier this year
and has three caps to his name. Senegal will start their training camp for
the tournament in Dakar on 2 January, before departing for Morocco on 7
January - the same day coach Alain Giresse is expected to name his final
squad. The tournament in Equatorial Guinea gets underway on 17 January.
Cameroon's Alex Song was not named in his country's squad.
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West Ham 1 Arsenal 2
28 December 2014
Last updated at 20:19
By Andy Cryer
BBC Sport
Arsenal moved above West Ham in to the Premier League top five after
inflicting a first home defeat on the Hammers since August. Alex Song had a
20-yard volley ruled out for offside for the hosts. Santi Cazorla put the
visitors ahead from the penalty spot, following a foul by Winston Reid,
before Danny Welbeck put Arsenal further in front. Cheikhou Kouyate's header
gave the hosts hope but West Ham were unable to avoid a second successive
defeat. It was Arsenal's ninth win in a row in all competitions against West
Ham as they moved level on points with fourth-placed Southampton and just
three points behind Manchester United in third. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce,
who opted to rest key players Song and Diafra Sakho for the 2-0 defeat at
Chelsea on Boxing Day, disagreed strongly with the decision to disallow
Song's goal, claiming Sakho was not in the eyeline of the goalkeeper when he
was adjudged to be offside. The Hammers had won six of their last seven
league home games but, despite heavy late second-half pressure, lacked the
quality needed for the leveller. Former Arsenal man Song, on loan from
Barcelona, almost made an instant impact with a low volley into the bottom
corner of the net from 20 yards early on. Sakho was penalised for standing
in an offside position in front of goal, though, despite not touching the
ball.
While Allardyce's men have exceeded expectations this season, Arsenal have
had a mixed start to the campaign and they were very much on the back foot
in the opening stages. But the Gunners had failed to score in only one of
their last 11 away matches in the Premier League and they were at it again
before the break. Cazorla punished Reid's high leg in the box to roll home
the resulting penalty for the opener. The lead was doubled minutes later as
Welbeck was on hand to slide the ball in to the net from close range after
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's low cross from the right. Stunned by the deficit,
West Ham restored hope soon after the break with Kouyate bundling Sakho's
cross from the right in to the net via Mathieu Debuchy. But it was Arsenal
who had the better chances, with Hammers keeper Adrian brilliantly denying
Alexis Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain, before the visitors survived a late
aerial bombardment.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We had a committed and united performance.
The keeper made some good saves. We knew we needed to be good in the air
today. "I didn't know why Alex Song's goal didn't stand, I thought it would.
We scored a good second goal and had many opportunities to score another. It
didn't come and at 2-1 I thought the last 30 minutes would be difficult. "We
did dig deep. It is down to consistency and we are slowly getting there."
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West Ham: Sam Allardyce angry with "nonsense" decision
BBC.co.uk
A "baffled" West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says the decision to disallow an
early Alex Song goal was "complete nonsense" as his side lost a second
straight Premier League match. The Barcelona loanee had a volley ruled out,
after Diafra Sakho was flagged for offside, before the Hammers went on to
lose to Arsenal 2-1. "The officials clearly got it horribly wrong," said
Allardyce. "Frustrated is an understatement. Baffled is more the feeling."
Song's 20-yard volley flew through the legs of Sakho and in to the net early
on, only for the Hammers striker to be penalised for offside, before Arsenal
went ahead on 41 minutes through a penalty from Santi Cazorla. Danny Welbeck
doubled the visitors' lead and, despite Cheikhou Kouyate pulling a goal back
after the break, Allardyce was furious at referee Neil Swarbrick's early
decision."They said the attacker was in the eyeline of the goalkeeper," said
Allardyce. "Complete nonsense. It is impossible for the assistant referee to
say that. They are wrong, Sakho is not in the eyeline of the goalkeeper.
"Neil Swarbrick could only guess he might be in front of the goalkeeper.
Sakho is running away from goal and lets the ball through his legs - 99 out
of 100 are given as a goal this year. I am totally and utterly confused. "If
we'd been allowed that goal we wouldn't have lost. We would have kicked on
and Arsenal would have found life very difficult from then on."
Allardyce also disputed the first-half penalty that enabled Cazorla to open
the scoring, after Swarbrick ruled that the Spaniard had been tripped in the
box by Winston Reid. When asked if he thought it was a spot-kick, Allardyce
said: "No. Reid stuck his leg up and he's gone over on it. I just wish
Morgan Amalfitano had done something similar when he got tugged by Nacho
Monreal in the last minute. "He stayed on his feet. He was being fouled but
didn't go down. There's another scenario for you - simulation is not nice,
but when you don't get free-kicks for staying on your feet, you're in a
difficult situation."
The West Ham boss added: "I've not spoken to the ref because I don't see any
point in confronting him when you know you're 100 per cent right and he
hasn't had the visuals. You can't get anything out of telling him how wrong
he's been." Allardyce's comments came hours after Jose Mourinho's
suggestions that the West Ham boss has played a part in a campaign to
influence referees' decisions against his Chelsea side. Speaking after the
Blues' 1-1 draw with Southampton, during which Mourinho felt his side were
denied a clear penalty, the Portuguese made reference to the meeting between
his side and West Ham on Boxing Day, after which Allardyce accused Branislav
Ivanovic of going down "looking for a penalty".
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Allardyce on... Arsenal
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce was a frustrated man having witnessed his team denied an early
lead by a dubious call - one of many - by referee Neil Swarbrick in today's
Premier League clash with Arsenal...
Sam: You must be wondering, after such a good opening 40 minutes in the
first half, how you go in 2-0 down?
Hmm! It was a real blow for the way we started the game, the way we
approached it and the style we wanted to attack Arsenal with. A combination
of a couple of bad misses and a very poor decision to disallow the goal was
a key element to how we ended up behind, falling asleep in the last couple
of minutes.
After the first, conceding the second was a bit of a blow. It was a great
recovery in the second half but we couldn't recover enough to get anything
out of the game. The way we're going at home, if we'd been allowed that goal
- as we should have been - I don't think we would have lost to Arsenal
today.
Having won six and drawn one in the last seven here, with the confidence we
have, going one-nil up that early would have kicked the lads on and I think
Arsenal would have found it very difficult from thereon. It wasn't to be and
sadly we've ended up losing a game which was probably a great spectacle.
I thought we'd captured it in the end in the last minute, which would have
been nice. There's nothing better than something happening in the last
minute for you to give you the result, but Enner headed the one over the bar
and it wasn't to be today.
There's no doubt in your mind that the goal should have stood? Did you speak
to the ref?
Not really, because I don't see any point in confronting a referee after a
game when you know you're 100 per cent right and he's only got the visuals
of when it actually happened. You get nowhere by telling him how wrong he's
been in terms of the decision he's given.
For me, it's more what we're told at the start of the season - more what
we're shown, what is and what isn't offside. You base your opinion on your
experience and your life as a manager. You base your opinion on what they
tell you and from what they told us, he [Swarbrick] has got it horribly
wrong.
He wasn't in the eye-line of the goalkeeper; he didn't touch the ball; yes,
he was in an offside position but we've seen so many of those been allowed
as goals and I've never seen one that's actually not been given.
If you cast your minds back to Everton away, Lukaku was stood offside
although the ball ricocheted off our player to him and that was onside. So
can you tell me what is offside and what isn't, because now I'm totally and
utterly confused and bewildered.
How frustrating are those inconsistencies?
I think there's far too many of them. The responsibility for me as a manager
like the PGMO itself is a responsibility to get the referees better and
better. I think some of the major decisions that seem to keep appearing more
often than ever before, sadly.
There might have been more than one player offside, which one were you
referring to?
It's gone through Sakho's legs, who's two or three yards to the right of
Szczesny so he's not in his eye-line. He's not obstructing his eye-line. If
you talk about obstructing his eye-line then there's six players obstructing
him. The shot has come through six players, it's come through everybody!
Clearly Neil Swarbrick cannot have a clear view of whether Diafra Sakho is
directly in Szczesny's eye-line.
Like I said, I haven't seen one of these chalked off this season. If I
revert back to Everton away then you can see why I'm so angry and
frustrated. Winston Reid blocked a shot, it goes to Lukaku who's offside.
Lukaku puts it in and the referee says 'that's a goal'. So I'm totally and
utterly bemused by that.
That said, we missed too many chances in the first half as well. We went for
broke in the second and our goalkeeper did some brilliant work again,
fantastic goalie that he is and we nearly got a result, a draw, in the end -
which I think we probably deserved.
Was it a penalty?
No, no. Reidy stuck his leg up and he's gone over on it. You know, he's done
well. I just wish Morgan had done similar when he got tugged in the last
minute by Monreal, who put both arms around him - but Morgan stayed on his
feet and tried to get us an equaliser.
He'd been fouled but didn't go down - there's another scenario for you, with
everybody moaning about simulation. It's alright talking about not doing it,
it's not nice, but what do you do when you don't get free kicks when you're
being honest and stay on your feet? Then you're in a difficult position
again.
That said, I thought it was a great game really, considering we both had to
play twice in 48 hours. End to end stuff but unfortunately for us, the wrong
result.
Did Adrian go up with five minutes left with your blessing?
Yes! Throw caution to the wind and try and get an equaliser. That pressure
nearly paid off in the end with the final free kick from Alex Song where
Szczesny actually came and missed that one. Aaron Cresswell headed it back
in and Enner just had to nod it in the net, which would have made a
fantastic few days for him because his girlfriend has just given birth to
his daughter in the last couple of days. So that would have been very nice
for him and for us.
Southampton have just proved that if you lose a few games...
We've only lost two, not five. We want to bounce back as quickly as we can
against West Brom. I'm pleased with the performance of the players, really
pleased with their application, commitment and attitude but sad for them
that they haven't got a result today.
Are you happy with your team's pace on counter attacks? Are they fast
enough?
We're relatively okay as a counter-attacking side. There are some teams who
are a little bit quicker than us on the counter, Arsenal being one of them.
They're pretty good at it. We're not too bad.
You've got to be quick and accurate with your passing but we didn't have to
rely too much on counter-attacking today. It was more about us trying to
break Arsenal down and them counter-attacking, rather than us
counter-attacking Arsenal.
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Arsenal withstand second-half fightback to beat West Ham
By James Walker-Roberts. Last Updated: 28/12/14 6:24pm
SSN
Arsenal moved above West Ham in the Premier League after withstanding a
strong second-half fightback to win 2-1 at Upton Park. The hosts enjoyed the
better of the opening 45 minutes but fell behind shortly before the break
when Winston Reid fouled Santi Cazorla in the box and the Spaniard
dispatched the subsequent penalty. Danny Welbeck doubled Arsenal's advantage
a couple of minutes later as he tapped in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross
from a few yards out. Sam Allardyce was angered with the match officials
following Alex Song's early disallowed goal. The Hammers halved the deficit
early in the second half as Cheikhou Kouyate headed in his first goal for
the club. But despite piling on the pressure they could not grab an
equaliser as Enner Valencia headed over the bar in injury time and the
Gunners held on for all three points. The win is the perfect end to the year
for Arsenal, who largely coped well with the Hammers' physical presence and
also looked threatening throughout on the break during an entertaining
encounter. Both sides made a number of changes from their Boxing Day outings
48 hours earlier, with Sam Allardyce preferring Diafra Sakho ahead of
Valencia and Arsenal replacing the suspended Olivier Giroud with
Oxlade-Chamberlain and handing a first start since January 2013 to Francis
Coquelin. Former Gunner Alex Song thought he had broken the deadlock early
on when he drove in a brilliant volley from 25 yards, only for it to be
ruled out for offside.
It looked to be a harsh decision as no West Ham player touched the ball on
its way through a crowd, but the linesman ruled the players in an offside
position in front of Wojciech Szczesny were interfering with play. The
Hammers were also aggrieved a few minutes later as Sakho went down in the
box under a challenge from Mathieu Debuchy and the penalty appeals were
waved away. At the other end, a crucial block from Joey O'Brien prevented
Alexis Sanchez closing in on goal before the Chilean miscued a header from
Cazorla's free-kick.
Andy Carroll served warning of his threat as he easily outmuscled Debuchy as
they competed for a high ball, only to then drag his volley well off target.
Dangerous
The Hammers continued to look dangerous from set pieces and spurned a decent
chance to take the lead when James Tomkins wastefully volleyed over the bar
from an excellent position. The miss would prove costly as the Gunners then
stunned the home side with two goals in as many minutes just before
half-time. There was a hint of fortune about the first as the ball
ricocheted through kindly for Cazorla, but he was then clearly fouled by
Reid inside the box and made no mistake from the penalty spot. That was
Arsenal's first shot on target and they made it 2-0 with their second as
Oxlade-Chamberlain combined well with Debuchy down the right and then
crossed for Welbeck to tap in.
Stewart Downing went close to halving the deficit as he dragged a shot wide
from just inside the box before Sanchez saw an effort deflected just wide at
the other end. While the home side would have been disappointed to be 2-0
down at the break, it didn't take them long to get on the scoresheet in the
second half. After Per Mertesacker did well to beat Carroll to a header, the
ball was lofted back into the box by Tomkins and Kouyate easily rose above
Debuchy to head home. The goal was just what the Hammers needed and Sakho
was inches away from turning in Kouyate's cross to equalise moments later.
With the Arsenal box under regular bombardment, the visitors' best moments
came on the break, with Adrian pulling off excellent saves to deny both
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez. Welbeck, though, should have put the game to
bed when a misplaced pass from Downing gave the England striker a clear run
at goal, but he shot over the bar.The Hammers piled on the pressure in the
closing stages, with Adrian even going forward for a few set pieces, but
Valencia headed their last chance over the bar in the dying stages.
Phil Thompson says Arsenal just about deserved to win a thrilling London
derby against West Ham. "For the neutral this was absolutely stunning, it
was a magnificent game. It was a second game in three days, with both sides
giving everything. I didn't want the game to end, it was that good. Szczesny
deserves great compliments because he has made a big decision that anything
in the air he is going to come and get and control the air in the penalty
area. He had to be precise."
Player ratings
West Ham: Adrian (7), O'Brien (5), Reid (5), Tomkins (5), Amalfitano (6),
Downing (5),Kouyate (7), Song (5), Carroll (6), Sakho (6).
Subs: Demel (5), Nolan (5), Valencia (6).
Arsenal: Szczesny (7), Debuchy (5), Mertesacker (6), Koscielny (6), Monreal
(5), Coquelin (6), Flamini (6), Cazorla (7), Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), Welbeck
(7), Sanchez (7).
Subs: Chambers (5), Gibbs (5).
Man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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Sam Allardyce accuses referee of guessing wrongly over disallowed Alex Song
goal
Last Updated: 28/12/14 7:02pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce said referee Neil Swarbrick 'guessed wrongly'
when he disallowed Alex Song's early goal for offside in the 2-1 defeat to
Arsenal. The former Gunner thought he had given West Ham the lead when he
drove in a brilliant volley from outside the box through a crowd of players.
But the effort was ruled out for offside as Hammers players were deemed to
be interfering with play and in the eyeline of keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Allarydce, though, said the decision proved extremely costly and accused the
referee of guessing that players were blocking Szczesny's view. "I asked the
fourth official why he disallowed it and he said our player was in front of
the keeper, so I then said how can you judge that from where the assistant
is," he told Sky Sports. "It had to be the referee who judged that was the
case, so having looked at it at half-time both of them are wrong and sadly
we have not the goal we deserved.
"If the referee has given it for being in front of his eyeline then he has
guessed and guessed wrongly sadly. We would have been 1-0 up and on the
basis of our form at home I would have banked on us not losing. "But because
that was taken away from us we couldn't gain that advantage and then fell
asleep for five minutes at the end of the first half and ended up bizarrely
2-0 down."
After falling behind, the Hammers did stage a spirited second-half fightback
and halved the deficit shortly after the break through Cheikhou Kouyate. But
they could not grab an equaliser and Allardyce was also disappointed they
weren't awarded a penalty. "I think we should have had a penalty when Morgan
Amalfitano was wrestled to the ground by (Nacho) Monreal," he said. "It was
a disappointing day but a great effort. "To finish with nothing and a
defeat, the way we have had to accept it, is very disappointing indeed. "We
have had two of the hardest games in 48 hours, Chelsea away and Arsenal
home. We didn't deserve anything at Chelsea but we did today and we have to
take it on the chin, not let it affect our confidence and hope we get back
to winning ways and better decisions against West Brom."
Despite his disappointments, Allardyce admitted he was delighted with how
his side have progressed in 2014. "In one year 56 points is pretty good
going," he said. "To try and get 56 or more in a season would be one hell of
a season. It's been a terrific 2014, it's been a fantastic recovery from
where we were at the end of the January, particularly from the players."
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West Ham's owners put 20 per cent stake in the club up for sale
Last Updated: 28/12/14 1:24pm
SSN
West Ham's owners have put a 20 per cent stake in the club up for sale in a
bid to reduce debts of £110m. David Sullivan insists there was no danger of
Sam Allardyce being sacked in the summer and says he played a part in
bringing Diafra Sakho to the club. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan told the
Sunday Telegraph that he and fellow owner David Gold are seeking to raise
£80m to help reduce debts which currently stand at £110m, of which £55m is
owed to Gold and Sullivan. Sullivan claims that West Ham's upcoming move to
the Olympic Stadium at the end of next season means the club is worth £400m
- almost four times its value when he and Gold bought the Hammers in January
2010. "We've no desire to give up the whole club," Sullivan said. "But we're
still £110m in debt - albeit now £55m of that is to ourselves. So the
third-party debt has been halved, but only because we've put the money in.
Market value
"We lost £30m when we went down (to the Championship in 2011) and we made
£10m on paper last year. What's on paper is not cash-flow and we have to pay
down the debt all the time and we have to be clear of bank debt when we move
to the Olympic Stadium. "I'd love someone to come in and buy 20 per cent and
the money would not go to us, it would go to the club. But we won't be
giving it away and we'd want market value for it. "Going to the Olympic
Stadium we are a £400m club and that would pay down most of the debt. But if
it doesn't happen we'll dig deep in our pockets and keep the club afloat."
Sullivan also revealed that he does know if manager Sam Allardyce, who has
led West Ham to fifth place in the Premier League, will sign a new contract
with the club. "I must say if come April we are where we are now, which is
extremely unlikely but is possible, we'd probably sit down a month early and
say, 'Look Sam, do you want to stay or do you want to go?' Sam may decide he
wants to go out a winner," Sullivan said.
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Leroy: "Oh Winston and with Wenger watching!"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 28, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I have no complaints about the team's performance against Arsenal nor should
any other fan because we gave it absolutely everything against a very good
side and on any other day would have come out with something. But my
overwhelming impression was of Winston Reid who showing again that he's
simply not a top four club player and if he was trying to impress Arsene
Wenger he failed miserably. He could have no complaints about the penalty
yet there he was jumping up and down pleading the case. Sorry mate, you
brought him down plain and simple and for much of the game looked pretty
average. Everybody who was inside the ground or watching on a stream could
feel nothing but sympathy for the Irons but I'm afraid I can't agree with
Sam and the others who believe the early strike by Alex Song should have
stood. Diafra was offside plain and simple and I don't believe the official
had any other decision to make than to raise his flag.
Arsenal were strong and showed great movement at times but no better than us
and all in all it was a great game which we weren't allowed to enjoy
properly because of the final result. However, the supporters will have left
a lot happier than they did at Chelsea where the team showed nothing. You
can't con Irons supporters. If you put in the shift and given it your best
they will stay with you. Obviously Adrian was outstanding and as Hugh wrote
yesterday the Spanish national team should be beckonng very soon. Morgan
Amalfitano was a revelation. He has real skill and invention and a terrific
work ethic. But for Adrian he would have been my man of the match.
I think we can take terrific encouragement and confidence from the Arsenal
game and get right back on track against West Brom.And as we head towards
the end of the year I'd like to thank and congratulate everybody at the club
for a terrific first half. You've all done a great job. Let's kick on –
we're a top six or better club!
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Things we learned in defeat by Gunners
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 28, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Match verdict
They tell me today's game was a thriller and hugely enjoyable. Well I
watched it and didn't enjoy it at all because we lost and didn't manage to
take a single point from the Christmas matches. Nor is the prelude to a Sam
Allardyce blast because I didn't hear too many complaints about his team
selection before the match. However, the defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal has
shown us one or two things quite clearly:
O that we are now in a position seemingly where our strike force will be
Andy Carroll and one other;
O that Mauro Zarate is on his way;
O that Morgan Amalfitano may be a better option anyway
O that Winston Reid may not be a top four club player after all
O and that Adrian needs to be watched by the Spanish national coach.
Alex Song scored a great goal and the official who wouldn't take his flag
down deserved a 'slap.' That was a goal plain and simple.
It may or may not have been a different game after that but when that was
ruled out and James Tomkins blasted over the top when he had time to spare
in front of goal, an ominous feeling started to form in the pit of my
stomach. You just knew didn't you….! We gave it everything and it wasn't
enough and now we look to West Brom in order to get back on the straight and
narrow. We will do but there's one thing which continues to worry me more
than any other – that Andy Carroll now gets played regardless of team and
conditions.
No question this was a game for him against a dodgy Per Mertesacker but
Chelsea with John Terry winning everything against him in the air was not.
Other players it seems – Song, Sakho for example – need rests after injury.
The same rule clearly doesn't apply to AC.
It's obvious we played our best football earlier in the season when Sakho
and Valencia caused mayhem. Will we ever see them together again? I think
it's very very doubtful and that is a terrible shame. Having said all that
and although I was desperately unhappy with the attitude and tactics at
Chelsea, nobody can moan at the effort and no little skill at Upton Park
today. It just didn't go for us ….BUT onwards and upwards!
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Special clause in Nolan's contract? – The ExWHUemployee Column
By ExWHUemployee on December 28, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Ironsview.com
Well I am extremely disappointed writing this after the Arsenal game; a game
that we didn't deserve to lose. Although I haven't seen a replay, I really
do not think Alex Song's goal should have been disallowed. In the vast
amount of cases you would not see a side penalised in this kind of offside
situation so I was left shocked when the assistant ref raised his flag. We
seem to have been the victim of a number of dodgy offside calls with Nolan's
goal at Old Trafford and Lukaku at Everton being examples of this. There
were other decisions that seemed to go against us too. I think there was a
foul on Amalfitano leading up to the penalty as well. I was disappointed in
the refereeing display to say the least.
We really should be looking to beat WBA especially if they still have Irvine
as manager. I would personally put Andy Carroll on the bench for this one
and go back to the proven partnership of Sakho and Valencia. When these two
are up front it encourages us to play on the floor rather than using Carroll
as the target man. Once their pace has got at WBA, depending on the impact
of that, Andy could come on when the defence is tiring. He may need a rest
anyway with the amount of games he has played after a serious injury.
I thought Adrian was our man of the match again and he really has been
turning in some high quality displays in recent months. If he could learn to
dominate his area from set plays I think he would develop into one of the
best 'keepers in the league. I also thought Amalfitano deserved his place in
the team after his impressive performance against Chelsea and he was our
best outfield player against Arsenal. I thought Winston Reid and Alex Song
were quite poor against Arsenal but this may have done us an indirect favour
and hopefully put Arsenal off signing either one of them.
I have touched on this in my column before but I really do not agree with
booing players and again Kevin Nolan was booed by some when he came on. I
understand people's frustrations and I personally do not think he should
been playing as much is he is either but booing does not help anyone. All
players, no matter how good they are, would be negatively impacted by their
own fans booing them. His first pass was awful but other than that I thought
he did alright after coming on. I have been asked in someone's rage whether
it is in Kevin Nolan's contract to always have to feature at some point on
the pitch even if he is named as a substitute. I checked the record books
and it does appear that every single time Nolan has been named as a sub he
has come on in a league game since he has been with us, even if it is just
for a minute. He has been an unused sub in Capital One cup games but in
league matches he has always featured at some point. I am happy to be proven
wrong by someone if they can find the evidence, however. I do not think this
is written in his contract but I thought it was an interesting statistic.
I do sometimes think, however, that our fans are very harsh and quick to
turn on certain players. I was shocked in the week to read such negative
comments about Mark Noble – a player who plays his heart out for the club
and has for many years. He was Hammer of the Year last year and played
really well this season – most wanted him in the England squad at the start
of the year. He had a poor game against Chelsea but he was recovering from
an injury and probably rushed himself back too quickly. I have seen similar
comments about Collins and Carroll – two players who have played key roles
this season. I totally stand by the fact that we all have opinions and we
all have preferences over who should play and who shouldn't; it is what
makes the game interesting, but I do think we can be too harsh at times and
we should do more "supporting".
One player I would have liked to have featured more is Zarate. It does
appear that he is on his way out of the club – probably on a season loan –
and this would explain why he hasn't made the bench for the last few games.
It has been reported that he has secured a loan deal to QPR but I have not
heard that myself. It does appear that the club are about to take the
option of taking 40k a week of the wages which could be spent elsewhere. I
think this is a real shame as he does seem to have a lot of flair and
something different to what we already have.
Anyway I think we were very unlucky against Arsenal and must put this behind
us and go on and beat WBA to get our season back on track. This is the last
column of the year so I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! COYI
ExWHUemployee
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United were edged out by the odd goal in three against Arsenal at
the Boleyn Ground
28.12.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal
West Ham United were caught cold by two Arsenal goals in the space of four
first-half minutes, as the Hammers succumbed to a 2-1 Barclays Premier
League defeat in a thrilling contest at the Boleyn Ground. Having been
felled by Winston Reid, Santi Cazorla slotted home from the spot in the 41st
minute, before Danny Welbeck converted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's centre to
hand the Gunners a two-goal cushion at the break. Cheikhou Kouyate headed
his first Hammers goal to give the home side hope with 54 gone, culminating
in a breathless last half hour. It was chances galore at both ends, but,
somehow, 2-1 it would remain, with the Gunners leapfrogging West Ham into
fifth. As expected, Sam Allardyce rang the changes following Friday's Boxing
Day defeat at Stamford Bridge. The fit-again James Tomkins came in for James
Collins, while Joey O'Brien made his first start since August, in place of
the ineligible Carl Jenkinson. Elsewhere, Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano
got the nod in midfield, as did Diafra Sakho up front.
Song was always likely to be centre of attention against his former
employers and so it proved. Skipper for the day, the No30 thought he had
opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after just six minutes. When a
corner from the left fell to him 25 yards from goal, the stylish midfielder
lashed a volley into the bottom left corner of Wojciech Szczesny's goal.
Kouyate and Sakho, however, both had to take evasive action in front of the
Arsenal stopper and so the linesman's flag cut short West Ham celebrations.
At the other end, Arsenal were zipping the ball around menacingly, with
Alexis Sanchez tormentor in chief. Oxlade-Chamberlain sped down the right
and as Welbeck pleaded for it, O'Brien came to the rescue with a supremely
timed challenge. After 20 minutes, Amalfitano's cross from the right
isolated Mathieu Debuchy at the far post, allowing Andy Carroll to outmuscle
the full-back. But the No9's strike was wayward and cleared away. Santi
Cazorla's eyes then lit up as he was presented with acres of space on the
right-edge of the Hammers box. Thankfully, Aaron Cresswell was out quickly
to block the Spaniard's drive.
The chances continued to come and go, with Tomkins this time the guilty
party. Stewart Downing's delivery found the No5 unmarked at the back stick
and though the Basildon boy probably had time to take it down, he opted to
volley first time and sent it over.
But the contest was to turn on a penalty decision in the 41st minute.
Cazorla burst into the box and once Reid's attempted clearance had cannoned
straight back into the Spaniard, he was felled by the leg of a then grounded
Reid. Neil Swarbrick obliged in pointing to the spot and Cazorla did the
rest, slotting into the left corner and sending Adrian the wrong way. Just
three minutes later it was two, courtesy of the two Englishmen in the
Gunners' line-up. Oxlade-Chamberlain made his way into the box and his
cut-back went through the legs of Reid at the near post and there was
Welbeck to prod home. West Ham might have halved the deficit before the
interval, but Downing screwed wide from 18 yards. They would only have to
wait eight second-half minutes to get their goal, one that began with
Sakho's industry down the right, with his hanging cross forcing Per
Mertesacker into a last-ditch header at the far post. From the resulting
corner, Tomkins skipped past his man and then dinked a delightful centre
towards Kouyate, whose header ricocheted off Debuchy and past a flat-footed
Szczesny.
Back came Arsenal, through the familiar combination of Oxlade-Chamberlain
and Cazorla. The winger teed up the Spaniard on the edge of the box and his
strike forced Adrian into an excellent one-handed stop. West Ham's custodian
should have been busy again moments later, but
Debuchy wastefully nodded the resulting corner over the top.
With the hour approaching, Kouyate's cute cross had Sakho scampering at the
far post and despite his best efforts, the ball squirmed
behind for a goal-kick. For all West Ham's endeavour in the Arsenal half,
Adrian twice came to the hosts' aid in a matter of minutes, repelling
Oxlade-Chamberlain's point-blank header, before saving with his feet from
Sanchez. With time running out, West Ham became somewhat ragged at the back,
as Downing presented Welbeck with a gilt-edged chance to make it three. He
blazed over and Cazorla did likewise from the edge of the box soon after.
West Ham threw caution to the wind in the dying minutes and substitute Kevin
Nolan's low drive had Szczesny worried, though he managed to cling on. Even
Adrian marched forward for several a late set-piece as West Ham laid siege
to the Arsenal goal. Enner Valencia had the best of the late chances, but
could only head into the side-netting with Szczesny stranded, as Arsenal
consigned the Hammers to a first home defeat since August.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Tomkins, Kouyate (Nolan 78),
Carroll, Downing, Sakho (Valencia 62), O'Brien (Demel 78), Amalfitano, Song
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Collins, Cole
Goal: Kouyate 54
Booked: Carroll, Tomkins, Reid
Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain
(Chambers 89), Sanchez, Monreal, Cazorla, Flamini, Welbeck (Gibbs 84),
Coquelin
Subs: Ospina, Podolski, Walcott, Chambers, Campbell, Akpom
Goals: Cazorla 41, Welbeck 44
Booked: Sanchez, Debuchy, Coquelin
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
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Big Sam disputes disallowed goal
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce felt Alex Song's early strike should have stood in Sunday's
2-1 defeat by Arsenal
28.12.2014
Sam Allardyce pointed to Alex Song's controversially disallowed goal and
missed chances when asked for his defining moments in West Ham United's 2-1
home defeat by Arsenal. Song thought he had volleyed the Hammers ahead
against his old club after just five minutes on Sunday. However, referee
Neil Swarbrick ruled the spectacular strike out because Cheikhou Kouyate was
in an offside position when the ball passed through his legs on its way into
the bottom corner. Big Sam claimed the Senagalese midfielder was not in
goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's line of vision, but the flag went up and
Swarbrick agreed with his assistant. The hosts were on top for the majority
of the first half, only for their frustration to be compounded by two goals
in four minutes at the end of it. First, Winston Reid was penalised for
tripping Santi Cazorla, and the Spaniard converted from the penalty spot,
then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got to the byline before crossing for Danny
Welbeck to slide home.
West Ham responded well in the second half, with Kouyate nodding in James
Tomkins' cross on 56 to give them hope, before both sides traded missed
chances for the remainder of the game - the last of which saw substitute
Enner Valencia head narrowly over in the sixth minute of added time. "The
biggest shock of the lot was that we were 2-0 down at half-time from our
point of view and we have ourselves to blame for that," said the manager.
"We just got the stuffing knocked out of us by the penalty and we didn't
recover from that.
"Arsenal nicked another and there really had been nothing in the game up to
then, except from us. We hadn't scored in that period when we were on top
for two reasons - one was the chances we missed and the second was a really
unbelievable decision to rule out Alex Song's goal, which was bewildering me
that it was disallowed. "When these things go against you at the wrong time
in a game, it can contribute to a massive part of the result, and that has
not allowed us to go 1-0 up when we should have done. We could have built
from there and we might easily have won the game. "We could also have lost,
but we would have lost through two teams playing against each other without
a big mistake and a big contribution from the officials."
The manager disputed that Kouyate's presence played any part in the 'goal'
being ruled out. "They said he was the line of sight, but when you see it
back, he clearly isn't. How can the assistant referee put his flag up and
judge from that position whether he is in front of the goalkeeper or not?
"There were several bodies in front of the referee Neil Swarbrick, so he
cannot see for definite. When you look at it, he is miles off the goalie!
"One of these decisions has never been given like that. Cheik has not
touched the ball, he is coming out away from goal and has let it through his
legs. He is nowhere near Szczesny or in his eye-line. If he wasn't there, he
wouldn't have saved it and that's the bottom line, but sadly we can't do
anything about that now."
While Big Sam was not happy with Song's strike being ruled out, he admitted
Reid's foul on Cazorla for West Ham's opener was a fair decision. "Having
seen it, Reidy sticks his leg up and while it's a bit soft, I can see why he
has given it, because if Reidy keeps his leg down there is no penalty.
Because he lifted his leg, he has dived over it. "Then again, Morgan
Amalfitano has rolled Nacho Monreal in the box later on and Monreal has both
arms around him, but because Morgan has tried to stay on his feet and get
the equaliser the referee has chosen not to give us what was a blatant
penalty. "They moan about players diving, but what do you say to your
player? You have to tell them to go down because the referee won't give it
to you if you stay on your feet. "It was a frustrating afternoon, and then
we missed our chances to boot. What we were in control of was our clinical
finishing, but we didn't do it. Even the one at the end, I did expect Enner
to score, but he probably headed it too well and it went over the bar. "It
was a tremendous effort and brilliant end-to-end entertainment, but sadly we
were on the wrong end of the result."
West Ham complete 2014 having collected 56 points from their 38 league games
in the calendar year, with 31 coming in 19 this season so far. "Fifty-six
points in one year is a pretty good record and that would probably finish us
in the top eight at least. "We just need to carry that on and make sure we
get 56 this season, or more, because if we can do it one year, let's try and
do it in one season and see where it gets us."
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Hammers duo in Senegal squad
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate have been named in Senegal's provisional
Africa Cup of Nations squad
28.12.2014
West Ham United pair Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate have been named in
Senegal's provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The duo have been in outstanding form for the Hammers since joining from
Metz and Anderlecht respectively in the summer and have been rewarded with
their call-up to the 28-man squad, which will later be cut to 23. Kouyate
has long been established with the Teranga Lions, having won 14 caps since
his 2012 debut. Sakho is more of a newcomer on the international scene,
following his stunning rise from the lower divisions of French football to
the top flight in recent seasons. The 25-year-old debuted earlier this year
and has three caps to his name. Senegal will start their training camp for
the tournament in Dakar on 2 January, before departing for Morocco on 7
January - the same day coach Alain Giresse is expected to name his final
squad. The tournament in Equatorial Guinea gets underway on 17 January.
Cameroon's Alex Song was not named in his country's squad.
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West Ham 1 Arsenal 2
28 December 2014
Last updated at 20:19
By Andy Cryer
BBC Sport
Arsenal moved above West Ham in to the Premier League top five after
inflicting a first home defeat on the Hammers since August. Alex Song had a
20-yard volley ruled out for offside for the hosts. Santi Cazorla put the
visitors ahead from the penalty spot, following a foul by Winston Reid,
before Danny Welbeck put Arsenal further in front. Cheikhou Kouyate's header
gave the hosts hope but West Ham were unable to avoid a second successive
defeat. It was Arsenal's ninth win in a row in all competitions against West
Ham as they moved level on points with fourth-placed Southampton and just
three points behind Manchester United in third. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce,
who opted to rest key players Song and Diafra Sakho for the 2-0 defeat at
Chelsea on Boxing Day, disagreed strongly with the decision to disallow
Song's goal, claiming Sakho was not in the eyeline of the goalkeeper when he
was adjudged to be offside. The Hammers had won six of their last seven
league home games but, despite heavy late second-half pressure, lacked the
quality needed for the leveller. Former Arsenal man Song, on loan from
Barcelona, almost made an instant impact with a low volley into the bottom
corner of the net from 20 yards early on. Sakho was penalised for standing
in an offside position in front of goal, though, despite not touching the
ball.
While Allardyce's men have exceeded expectations this season, Arsenal have
had a mixed start to the campaign and they were very much on the back foot
in the opening stages. But the Gunners had failed to score in only one of
their last 11 away matches in the Premier League and they were at it again
before the break. Cazorla punished Reid's high leg in the box to roll home
the resulting penalty for the opener. The lead was doubled minutes later as
Welbeck was on hand to slide the ball in to the net from close range after
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's low cross from the right. Stunned by the deficit,
West Ham restored hope soon after the break with Kouyate bundling Sakho's
cross from the right in to the net via Mathieu Debuchy. But it was Arsenal
who had the better chances, with Hammers keeper Adrian brilliantly denying
Alexis Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain, before the visitors survived a late
aerial bombardment.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We had a committed and united performance.
The keeper made some good saves. We knew we needed to be good in the air
today. "I didn't know why Alex Song's goal didn't stand, I thought it would.
We scored a good second goal and had many opportunities to score another. It
didn't come and at 2-1 I thought the last 30 minutes would be difficult. "We
did dig deep. It is down to consistency and we are slowly getting there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham: Sam Allardyce angry with "nonsense" decision
BBC.co.uk
A "baffled" West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says the decision to disallow an
early Alex Song goal was "complete nonsense" as his side lost a second
straight Premier League match. The Barcelona loanee had a volley ruled out,
after Diafra Sakho was flagged for offside, before the Hammers went on to
lose to Arsenal 2-1. "The officials clearly got it horribly wrong," said
Allardyce. "Frustrated is an understatement. Baffled is more the feeling."
Song's 20-yard volley flew through the legs of Sakho and in to the net early
on, only for the Hammers striker to be penalised for offside, before Arsenal
went ahead on 41 minutes through a penalty from Santi Cazorla. Danny Welbeck
doubled the visitors' lead and, despite Cheikhou Kouyate pulling a goal back
after the break, Allardyce was furious at referee Neil Swarbrick's early
decision."They said the attacker was in the eyeline of the goalkeeper," said
Allardyce. "Complete nonsense. It is impossible for the assistant referee to
say that. They are wrong, Sakho is not in the eyeline of the goalkeeper.
"Neil Swarbrick could only guess he might be in front of the goalkeeper.
Sakho is running away from goal and lets the ball through his legs - 99 out
of 100 are given as a goal this year. I am totally and utterly confused. "If
we'd been allowed that goal we wouldn't have lost. We would have kicked on
and Arsenal would have found life very difficult from then on."
Allardyce also disputed the first-half penalty that enabled Cazorla to open
the scoring, after Swarbrick ruled that the Spaniard had been tripped in the
box by Winston Reid. When asked if he thought it was a spot-kick, Allardyce
said: "No. Reid stuck his leg up and he's gone over on it. I just wish
Morgan Amalfitano had done something similar when he got tugged by Nacho
Monreal in the last minute. "He stayed on his feet. He was being fouled but
didn't go down. There's another scenario for you - simulation is not nice,
but when you don't get free-kicks for staying on your feet, you're in a
difficult situation."
The West Ham boss added: "I've not spoken to the ref because I don't see any
point in confronting him when you know you're 100 per cent right and he
hasn't had the visuals. You can't get anything out of telling him how wrong
he's been." Allardyce's comments came hours after Jose Mourinho's
suggestions that the West Ham boss has played a part in a campaign to
influence referees' decisions against his Chelsea side. Speaking after the
Blues' 1-1 draw with Southampton, during which Mourinho felt his side were
denied a clear penalty, the Portuguese made reference to the meeting between
his side and West Ham on Boxing Day, after which Allardyce accused Branislav
Ivanovic of going down "looking for a penalty".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Arsenal
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce was a frustrated man having witnessed his team denied an early
lead by a dubious call - one of many - by referee Neil Swarbrick in today's
Premier League clash with Arsenal...
Sam: You must be wondering, after such a good opening 40 minutes in the
first half, how you go in 2-0 down?
Hmm! It was a real blow for the way we started the game, the way we
approached it and the style we wanted to attack Arsenal with. A combination
of a couple of bad misses and a very poor decision to disallow the goal was
a key element to how we ended up behind, falling asleep in the last couple
of minutes.
After the first, conceding the second was a bit of a blow. It was a great
recovery in the second half but we couldn't recover enough to get anything
out of the game. The way we're going at home, if we'd been allowed that goal
- as we should have been - I don't think we would have lost to Arsenal
today.
Having won six and drawn one in the last seven here, with the confidence we
have, going one-nil up that early would have kicked the lads on and I think
Arsenal would have found it very difficult from thereon. It wasn't to be and
sadly we've ended up losing a game which was probably a great spectacle.
I thought we'd captured it in the end in the last minute, which would have
been nice. There's nothing better than something happening in the last
minute for you to give you the result, but Enner headed the one over the bar
and it wasn't to be today.
There's no doubt in your mind that the goal should have stood? Did you speak
to the ref?
Not really, because I don't see any point in confronting a referee after a
game when you know you're 100 per cent right and he's only got the visuals
of when it actually happened. You get nowhere by telling him how wrong he's
been in terms of the decision he's given.
For me, it's more what we're told at the start of the season - more what
we're shown, what is and what isn't offside. You base your opinion on your
experience and your life as a manager. You base your opinion on what they
tell you and from what they told us, he [Swarbrick] has got it horribly
wrong.
He wasn't in the eye-line of the goalkeeper; he didn't touch the ball; yes,
he was in an offside position but we've seen so many of those been allowed
as goals and I've never seen one that's actually not been given.
If you cast your minds back to Everton away, Lukaku was stood offside
although the ball ricocheted off our player to him and that was onside. So
can you tell me what is offside and what isn't, because now I'm totally and
utterly confused and bewildered.
How frustrating are those inconsistencies?
I think there's far too many of them. The responsibility for me as a manager
like the PGMO itself is a responsibility to get the referees better and
better. I think some of the major decisions that seem to keep appearing more
often than ever before, sadly.
There might have been more than one player offside, which one were you
referring to?
It's gone through Sakho's legs, who's two or three yards to the right of
Szczesny so he's not in his eye-line. He's not obstructing his eye-line. If
you talk about obstructing his eye-line then there's six players obstructing
him. The shot has come through six players, it's come through everybody!
Clearly Neil Swarbrick cannot have a clear view of whether Diafra Sakho is
directly in Szczesny's eye-line.
Like I said, I haven't seen one of these chalked off this season. If I
revert back to Everton away then you can see why I'm so angry and
frustrated. Winston Reid blocked a shot, it goes to Lukaku who's offside.
Lukaku puts it in and the referee says 'that's a goal'. So I'm totally and
utterly bemused by that.
That said, we missed too many chances in the first half as well. We went for
broke in the second and our goalkeeper did some brilliant work again,
fantastic goalie that he is and we nearly got a result, a draw, in the end -
which I think we probably deserved.
Was it a penalty?
No, no. Reidy stuck his leg up and he's gone over on it. You know, he's done
well. I just wish Morgan had done similar when he got tugged in the last
minute by Monreal, who put both arms around him - but Morgan stayed on his
feet and tried to get us an equaliser.
He'd been fouled but didn't go down - there's another scenario for you, with
everybody moaning about simulation. It's alright talking about not doing it,
it's not nice, but what do you do when you don't get free kicks when you're
being honest and stay on your feet? Then you're in a difficult position
again.
That said, I thought it was a great game really, considering we both had to
play twice in 48 hours. End to end stuff but unfortunately for us, the wrong
result.
Did Adrian go up with five minutes left with your blessing?
Yes! Throw caution to the wind and try and get an equaliser. That pressure
nearly paid off in the end with the final free kick from Alex Song where
Szczesny actually came and missed that one. Aaron Cresswell headed it back
in and Enner just had to nod it in the net, which would have made a
fantastic few days for him because his girlfriend has just given birth to
his daughter in the last couple of days. So that would have been very nice
for him and for us.
Southampton have just proved that if you lose a few games...
We've only lost two, not five. We want to bounce back as quickly as we can
against West Brom. I'm pleased with the performance of the players, really
pleased with their application, commitment and attitude but sad for them
that they haven't got a result today.
Are you happy with your team's pace on counter attacks? Are they fast
enough?
We're relatively okay as a counter-attacking side. There are some teams who
are a little bit quicker than us on the counter, Arsenal being one of them.
They're pretty good at it. We're not too bad.
You've got to be quick and accurate with your passing but we didn't have to
rely too much on counter-attacking today. It was more about us trying to
break Arsenal down and them counter-attacking, rather than us
counter-attacking Arsenal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal withstand second-half fightback to beat West Ham
By James Walker-Roberts. Last Updated: 28/12/14 6:24pm
SSN
Arsenal moved above West Ham in the Premier League after withstanding a
strong second-half fightback to win 2-1 at Upton Park. The hosts enjoyed the
better of the opening 45 minutes but fell behind shortly before the break
when Winston Reid fouled Santi Cazorla in the box and the Spaniard
dispatched the subsequent penalty. Danny Welbeck doubled Arsenal's advantage
a couple of minutes later as he tapped in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross
from a few yards out. Sam Allardyce was angered with the match officials
following Alex Song's early disallowed goal. The Hammers halved the deficit
early in the second half as Cheikhou Kouyate headed in his first goal for
the club. But despite piling on the pressure they could not grab an
equaliser as Enner Valencia headed over the bar in injury time and the
Gunners held on for all three points. The win is the perfect end to the year
for Arsenal, who largely coped well with the Hammers' physical presence and
also looked threatening throughout on the break during an entertaining
encounter. Both sides made a number of changes from their Boxing Day outings
48 hours earlier, with Sam Allardyce preferring Diafra Sakho ahead of
Valencia and Arsenal replacing the suspended Olivier Giroud with
Oxlade-Chamberlain and handing a first start since January 2013 to Francis
Coquelin. Former Gunner Alex Song thought he had broken the deadlock early
on when he drove in a brilliant volley from 25 yards, only for it to be
ruled out for offside.
It looked to be a harsh decision as no West Ham player touched the ball on
its way through a crowd, but the linesman ruled the players in an offside
position in front of Wojciech Szczesny were interfering with play. The
Hammers were also aggrieved a few minutes later as Sakho went down in the
box under a challenge from Mathieu Debuchy and the penalty appeals were
waved away. At the other end, a crucial block from Joey O'Brien prevented
Alexis Sanchez closing in on goal before the Chilean miscued a header from
Cazorla's free-kick.
Andy Carroll served warning of his threat as he easily outmuscled Debuchy as
they competed for a high ball, only to then drag his volley well off target.
Dangerous
The Hammers continued to look dangerous from set pieces and spurned a decent
chance to take the lead when James Tomkins wastefully volleyed over the bar
from an excellent position. The miss would prove costly as the Gunners then
stunned the home side with two goals in as many minutes just before
half-time. There was a hint of fortune about the first as the ball
ricocheted through kindly for Cazorla, but he was then clearly fouled by
Reid inside the box and made no mistake from the penalty spot. That was
Arsenal's first shot on target and they made it 2-0 with their second as
Oxlade-Chamberlain combined well with Debuchy down the right and then
crossed for Welbeck to tap in.
Stewart Downing went close to halving the deficit as he dragged a shot wide
from just inside the box before Sanchez saw an effort deflected just wide at
the other end. While the home side would have been disappointed to be 2-0
down at the break, it didn't take them long to get on the scoresheet in the
second half. After Per Mertesacker did well to beat Carroll to a header, the
ball was lofted back into the box by Tomkins and Kouyate easily rose above
Debuchy to head home. The goal was just what the Hammers needed and Sakho
was inches away from turning in Kouyate's cross to equalise moments later.
With the Arsenal box under regular bombardment, the visitors' best moments
came on the break, with Adrian pulling off excellent saves to deny both
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez. Welbeck, though, should have put the game to
bed when a misplaced pass from Downing gave the England striker a clear run
at goal, but he shot over the bar.The Hammers piled on the pressure in the
closing stages, with Adrian even going forward for a few set pieces, but
Valencia headed their last chance over the bar in the dying stages.
Phil Thompson says Arsenal just about deserved to win a thrilling London
derby against West Ham. "For the neutral this was absolutely stunning, it
was a magnificent game. It was a second game in three days, with both sides
giving everything. I didn't want the game to end, it was that good. Szczesny
deserves great compliments because he has made a big decision that anything
in the air he is going to come and get and control the air in the penalty
area. He had to be precise."
Player ratings
West Ham: Adrian (7), O'Brien (5), Reid (5), Tomkins (5), Amalfitano (6),
Downing (5),Kouyate (7), Song (5), Carroll (6), Sakho (6).
Subs: Demel (5), Nolan (5), Valencia (6).
Arsenal: Szczesny (7), Debuchy (5), Mertesacker (6), Koscielny (6), Monreal
(5), Coquelin (6), Flamini (6), Cazorla (7), Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), Welbeck
(7), Sanchez (7).
Subs: Chambers (5), Gibbs (5).
Man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce accuses referee of guessing wrongly over disallowed Alex Song
goal
Last Updated: 28/12/14 7:02pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce said referee Neil Swarbrick 'guessed wrongly'
when he disallowed Alex Song's early goal for offside in the 2-1 defeat to
Arsenal. The former Gunner thought he had given West Ham the lead when he
drove in a brilliant volley from outside the box through a crowd of players.
But the effort was ruled out for offside as Hammers players were deemed to
be interfering with play and in the eyeline of keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Allarydce, though, said the decision proved extremely costly and accused the
referee of guessing that players were blocking Szczesny's view. "I asked the
fourth official why he disallowed it and he said our player was in front of
the keeper, so I then said how can you judge that from where the assistant
is," he told Sky Sports. "It had to be the referee who judged that was the
case, so having looked at it at half-time both of them are wrong and sadly
we have not the goal we deserved.
"If the referee has given it for being in front of his eyeline then he has
guessed and guessed wrongly sadly. We would have been 1-0 up and on the
basis of our form at home I would have banked on us not losing. "But because
that was taken away from us we couldn't gain that advantage and then fell
asleep for five minutes at the end of the first half and ended up bizarrely
2-0 down."
After falling behind, the Hammers did stage a spirited second-half fightback
and halved the deficit shortly after the break through Cheikhou Kouyate. But
they could not grab an equaliser and Allardyce was also disappointed they
weren't awarded a penalty. "I think we should have had a penalty when Morgan
Amalfitano was wrestled to the ground by (Nacho) Monreal," he said. "It was
a disappointing day but a great effort. "To finish with nothing and a
defeat, the way we have had to accept it, is very disappointing indeed. "We
have had two of the hardest games in 48 hours, Chelsea away and Arsenal
home. We didn't deserve anything at Chelsea but we did today and we have to
take it on the chin, not let it affect our confidence and hope we get back
to winning ways and better decisions against West Brom."
Despite his disappointments, Allardyce admitted he was delighted with how
his side have progressed in 2014. "In one year 56 points is pretty good
going," he said. "To try and get 56 or more in a season would be one hell of
a season. It's been a terrific 2014, it's been a fantastic recovery from
where we were at the end of the January, particularly from the players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's owners put 20 per cent stake in the club up for sale
Last Updated: 28/12/14 1:24pm
SSN
West Ham's owners have put a 20 per cent stake in the club up for sale in a
bid to reduce debts of £110m. David Sullivan insists there was no danger of
Sam Allardyce being sacked in the summer and says he played a part in
bringing Diafra Sakho to the club. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan told the
Sunday Telegraph that he and fellow owner David Gold are seeking to raise
£80m to help reduce debts which currently stand at £110m, of which £55m is
owed to Gold and Sullivan. Sullivan claims that West Ham's upcoming move to
the Olympic Stadium at the end of next season means the club is worth £400m
- almost four times its value when he and Gold bought the Hammers in January
2010. "We've no desire to give up the whole club," Sullivan said. "But we're
still £110m in debt - albeit now £55m of that is to ourselves. So the
third-party debt has been halved, but only because we've put the money in.
Market value
"We lost £30m when we went down (to the Championship in 2011) and we made
£10m on paper last year. What's on paper is not cash-flow and we have to pay
down the debt all the time and we have to be clear of bank debt when we move
to the Olympic Stadium. "I'd love someone to come in and buy 20 per cent and
the money would not go to us, it would go to the club. But we won't be
giving it away and we'd want market value for it. "Going to the Olympic
Stadium we are a £400m club and that would pay down most of the debt. But if
it doesn't happen we'll dig deep in our pockets and keep the club afloat."
Sullivan also revealed that he does know if manager Sam Allardyce, who has
led West Ham to fifth place in the Premier League, will sign a new contract
with the club. "I must say if come April we are where we are now, which is
extremely unlikely but is possible, we'd probably sit down a month early and
say, 'Look Sam, do you want to stay or do you want to go?' Sam may decide he
wants to go out a winner," Sullivan said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leroy: "Oh Winston and with Wenger watching!"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 28, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I have no complaints about the team's performance against Arsenal nor should
any other fan because we gave it absolutely everything against a very good
side and on any other day would have come out with something. But my
overwhelming impression was of Winston Reid who showing again that he's
simply not a top four club player and if he was trying to impress Arsene
Wenger he failed miserably. He could have no complaints about the penalty
yet there he was jumping up and down pleading the case. Sorry mate, you
brought him down plain and simple and for much of the game looked pretty
average. Everybody who was inside the ground or watching on a stream could
feel nothing but sympathy for the Irons but I'm afraid I can't agree with
Sam and the others who believe the early strike by Alex Song should have
stood. Diafra was offside plain and simple and I don't believe the official
had any other decision to make than to raise his flag.
Arsenal were strong and showed great movement at times but no better than us
and all in all it was a great game which we weren't allowed to enjoy
properly because of the final result. However, the supporters will have left
a lot happier than they did at Chelsea where the team showed nothing. You
can't con Irons supporters. If you put in the shift and given it your best
they will stay with you. Obviously Adrian was outstanding and as Hugh wrote
yesterday the Spanish national team should be beckonng very soon. Morgan
Amalfitano was a revelation. He has real skill and invention and a terrific
work ethic. But for Adrian he would have been my man of the match.
I think we can take terrific encouragement and confidence from the Arsenal
game and get right back on track against West Brom.And as we head towards
the end of the year I'd like to thank and congratulate everybody at the club
for a terrific first half. You've all done a great job. Let's kick on –
we're a top six or better club!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Things we learned in defeat by Gunners
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 28, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Match verdict
They tell me today's game was a thriller and hugely enjoyable. Well I
watched it and didn't enjoy it at all because we lost and didn't manage to
take a single point from the Christmas matches. Nor is the prelude to a Sam
Allardyce blast because I didn't hear too many complaints about his team
selection before the match. However, the defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal has
shown us one or two things quite clearly:
O that we are now in a position seemingly where our strike force will be
Andy Carroll and one other;
O that Mauro Zarate is on his way;
O that Morgan Amalfitano may be a better option anyway
O that Winston Reid may not be a top four club player after all
O and that Adrian needs to be watched by the Spanish national coach.
Alex Song scored a great goal and the official who wouldn't take his flag
down deserved a 'slap.' That was a goal plain and simple.
It may or may not have been a different game after that but when that was
ruled out and James Tomkins blasted over the top when he had time to spare
in front of goal, an ominous feeling started to form in the pit of my
stomach. You just knew didn't you….! We gave it everything and it wasn't
enough and now we look to West Brom in order to get back on the straight and
narrow. We will do but there's one thing which continues to worry me more
than any other – that Andy Carroll now gets played regardless of team and
conditions.
No question this was a game for him against a dodgy Per Mertesacker but
Chelsea with John Terry winning everything against him in the air was not.
Other players it seems – Song, Sakho for example – need rests after injury.
The same rule clearly doesn't apply to AC.
It's obvious we played our best football earlier in the season when Sakho
and Valencia caused mayhem. Will we ever see them together again? I think
it's very very doubtful and that is a terrible shame. Having said all that
and although I was desperately unhappy with the attitude and tactics at
Chelsea, nobody can moan at the effort and no little skill at Upton Park
today. It just didn't go for us ….BUT onwards and upwards!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Special clause in Nolan's contract? – The ExWHUemployee Column
By ExWHUemployee on December 28, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Ironsview.com
Well I am extremely disappointed writing this after the Arsenal game; a game
that we didn't deserve to lose. Although I haven't seen a replay, I really
do not think Alex Song's goal should have been disallowed. In the vast
amount of cases you would not see a side penalised in this kind of offside
situation so I was left shocked when the assistant ref raised his flag. We
seem to have been the victim of a number of dodgy offside calls with Nolan's
goal at Old Trafford and Lukaku at Everton being examples of this. There
were other decisions that seemed to go against us too. I think there was a
foul on Amalfitano leading up to the penalty as well. I was disappointed in
the refereeing display to say the least.
We really should be looking to beat WBA especially if they still have Irvine
as manager. I would personally put Andy Carroll on the bench for this one
and go back to the proven partnership of Sakho and Valencia. When these two
are up front it encourages us to play on the floor rather than using Carroll
as the target man. Once their pace has got at WBA, depending on the impact
of that, Andy could come on when the defence is tiring. He may need a rest
anyway with the amount of games he has played after a serious injury.
I thought Adrian was our man of the match again and he really has been
turning in some high quality displays in recent months. If he could learn to
dominate his area from set plays I think he would develop into one of the
best 'keepers in the league. I also thought Amalfitano deserved his place in
the team after his impressive performance against Chelsea and he was our
best outfield player against Arsenal. I thought Winston Reid and Alex Song
were quite poor against Arsenal but this may have done us an indirect favour
and hopefully put Arsenal off signing either one of them.
I have touched on this in my column before but I really do not agree with
booing players and again Kevin Nolan was booed by some when he came on. I
understand people's frustrations and I personally do not think he should
been playing as much is he is either but booing does not help anyone. All
players, no matter how good they are, would be negatively impacted by their
own fans booing them. His first pass was awful but other than that I thought
he did alright after coming on. I have been asked in someone's rage whether
it is in Kevin Nolan's contract to always have to feature at some point on
the pitch even if he is named as a substitute. I checked the record books
and it does appear that every single time Nolan has been named as a sub he
has come on in a league game since he has been with us, even if it is just
for a minute. He has been an unused sub in Capital One cup games but in
league matches he has always featured at some point. I am happy to be proven
wrong by someone if they can find the evidence, however. I do not think this
is written in his contract but I thought it was an interesting statistic.
I do sometimes think, however, that our fans are very harsh and quick to
turn on certain players. I was shocked in the week to read such negative
comments about Mark Noble – a player who plays his heart out for the club
and has for many years. He was Hammer of the Year last year and played
really well this season – most wanted him in the England squad at the start
of the year. He had a poor game against Chelsea but he was recovering from
an injury and probably rushed himself back too quickly. I have seen similar
comments about Collins and Carroll – two players who have played key roles
this season. I totally stand by the fact that we all have opinions and we
all have preferences over who should play and who shouldn't; it is what
makes the game interesting, but I do think we can be too harsh at times and
we should do more "supporting".
One player I would have liked to have featured more is Zarate. It does
appear that he is on his way out of the club – probably on a season loan –
and this would explain why he hasn't made the bench for the last few games.
It has been reported that he has secured a loan deal to QPR but I have not
heard that myself. It does appear that the club are about to take the
option of taking 40k a week of the wages which could be spent elsewhere. I
think this is a real shame as he does seem to have a lot of flair and
something different to what we already have.
Anyway I think we were very unlucky against Arsenal and must put this behind
us and go on and beat WBA to get our season back on track. This is the last
column of the year so I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! COYI
ExWHUemployee
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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