Hammers drawn at West Brom
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fifth
round
26.01.2015
West Ham United have been drawn away at West Bromwich Albion in the fifth
round of the FA Cup. The Hammers will travel to the Hawthorns on the weekend
of 14/15 February in their bid for a quarter-final spot. Big Sam's men have
already triumphed once at the home of the Baggies this term, when Kevin
Nolan and James Tomkins hit the target to secure a 2-1 Barclays Premier
League victory in December. West Ham have defeated Everton and Bristol City
to reach this stage of the competition, while Tony Pulis' side have seen off
non-league Gateshead and Championship side Birmingham City so far. The
Hammers have been drawn against the Baggies on five previous occasions in
the FA Cup, winning four of those ties, including in the third round in 1980
- the year they won the competition for the third time.
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Noble aiming for Wembley return
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble would love nothing more than to reward West Ham United fans with
a return to Wembley
26.01.2015
Mark Noble is determined to reward the loyalty of his fellow West Ham United
fans by giving them a day out at Wembley. The lifelong Hammer has run out in
Claret and Blue at virtually every major stadium in the country, including a
2012 Championship Play-Off final victory over Blackpool at the Home of
Football. The No16 helped his boyhood Club win through to the last 16 of the
FA Cup at Bristol City on Sunday, meaning the Hammers are now just two
victories from a semi-final date at Wembley. "I wouldn't mind a trip to
Wembley," said the midfielder, who was not even born the last time West Ham
played in a major final at the national stadium back in the 1981 League Cup
final. "It will be a great occasion. The semis are there as well so we are
only two games away from a trip to Wembley, so hopefully we can do it this
time. "To be honest, in this FA Cup we have got as good a chance as anyone.
We have beaten some top teams this year already, so we can beat anyone on
our day. We'll look forward to the draw and see how we got on."
For Noble, an FA Cup semi-final would also give West Ham the opportunity to
erase the memory of last season's 9-0 aggregate defeat by Manchester City in
the last four of the League Cup. "Do you know what, I was only talking to
the boys on Saturday in training about that," Noble revealed. "I know we
lost 9-0 to City last season and that was the semis as well. "That is what I
mean, we had no squad last season, we had a lot of injured players and I
know we got smashed, but we did get to the semis last year. So it was good
to get through a tough cup game on Sunday and stay in the hat in the FA
Cup."
Noble and his team-mates will be hoping for a favourable fifth-round draw as
they hope to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2010/11
season, when their hopes were ended by Stoke City. However, after overcoming
Everton on penalties and coming through a difficult examination at League
One promotion-chasers Bristol City, the 27-year-old insists West Ham have
nothing to fear. "That is the FA Cup for you, we knew it was going to be
tough. The days when you come to a League One team and walk all over them is
long gone. It isn't like that anymore. "They were playing against a Premier
League team, it was on TV, so they ran harder, tackled harder and wanted to
win more, so we just had to be stronger as a team. We kept a clean sheet and
won 1-0 in the end so it is on to the next round. "The clinical finish from
Diafra Sakho did for them in the end and I thought we were solid at the
back. We also had a little bit of luck with a couple of clearances off the
line. It was difficult when they have got four or five six-feet plus players
charging at you in the box, but I thought we handled it well to come away
from it with the win. "In these cup games it doesn't really matter how you
play as long as you win and we won."
As Noble mentioned, Sakho was West Ham's match-winner at Ashton Gate,
marking his return from three weeks out with a back injury in style by
heading home Andy Carroll's 81st-minute cross. With a tough run of Barclays
Premier League games to come, as well as the FA Cup fifth round, the
midfielder welcomed the timing of the striker's comeback. "He is having a
great season, he is a goal machine. He knows where the back of the net is
and he also knows where to be at the right time. We are over the moon to
have him back in the squad with us and we are going to need him for the
tough games to come."
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Westley: "It was a very close game"
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Terry Westley said there was very little between the Dev
Squad and the Saints
26.01.2015
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said there was very little
difference between the Development Squad and Southampton in their 2-0 defeat
by the Saints. The Saints took an early lead following a defensive mix up
when Dom Gape's in swinging corner was left by everyone and crept in. The
win sees Southampton go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League, and they
sealed the victory with just seven minutes to go when Ryan Seager poked home
from close range after Dev Squad goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel had his pass
intercepted. Speaking after the game, Westley said: "It was a bit same old,
same old since I've joined the club. We played well enough, we kept the
ball, but we didn't create enough going forward. The game was very, very
close, possession wise it was very even. "But in both boxes it wasn't
enough. The first goal is ridiculous really it's just a short corner and
within three minutes you are a goal down. To do that against any team in
this league, you're going to create a mountain for yourself. "The second
goal was also very disappointing. We tried to play it out of the back but we
got caught and it was in the back of the net. The game was over."
The defeat marks the end of a busy January for the Dev Squad, who played
their second game in just four days and five games in total. Their next game
is at home to Fulham at Rush Green Stadium on Friday 6 February 2015.
Despite the result, Westley pointed out a number of positives that the young
Hammers can take into the game with the Cottagers: "I thought we were as
good as Southampton, the league leaders, apart from the mistakes. They
didn't carve us open, we conceded two hideous goals. "What we have to
careful about is that we don't continue to repeat ourselves after each game
but that the players learn and improve. In terms of how we played and we
manoeuvred the ball around, I thought we showed some really good signs. In
Oxford and Powell we had two U16s on the pitch which is another positive."
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Diafra Sakho 'sadness' at Africa Cup of Nations criticism
BBC.co.uk
West Ham and Senegal striker Diafra Sakho says he has been "saddened" and
"angered" by criticism of his absence from the Africa Cup of Nations. Sakho
was ruled out of the competition with a back injury but came off the bench
on Sunday to score West Ham's winner in a FA Cup tie at Bristol City. "You
doubt my love and my patriotism," the 25-year-old wrote on social media.
"The dream to contribute to the victory of my country flew for this year but
is not dead." He added: "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never
doubt the passion that burns within you."
Sakho suffered a recurrence of an injury against West Brom on 1 January and
was ruled out of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, which began on 17
January. The match against the Baggies was his last game prior to returning
at Bristol City on Sunday. But a senior Senegal official accused the Hammers
of a "lack of respect" over the forward's withdrawal. Senegal wanted to
assess Sakho themselves but the Hammers said he could not travel. West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce, who described the treatment of an injury to Sakho while
on international duty last year as "outrageous", defended the Upton Park
club's conduct. "He's still unable to fly," Allardyce told Talksport after
the win at Ashton Gate. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday
afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes. "Today was about putting him on the bench with the hope we
didn't have to use him, but in the end bringing him on was the most
important tactical decision for us. "Yesterday I spoke with the chairman and
said he looks alright. We don't think we're doing anything wrong with what
we've done and how we've approached it."
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Away draw leaves West Ham fourth favourites for the Cup
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been made fourth favourites to win the 2015 FA Cup after the
draw for the fifth round was made this evening. BetVictor list West Ham at
9/1 to win the Cup for the fourth time behind Liverpool (6/1), Manchester
United (11/4) and favourites Arsenal (9/4). Meanwhile West Ham's fifth round
opponents West Bromwich Albion, who will also enjoy home advantage when they
meet the Irons, are priced at 25/1. Meanwhile the rank outsiders for the
competition are League Two side Cambridge United, who face a fourth round
replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford having drawn their first
meeting 0-0 last Friday. You can get a whacking 2000/1 on the U's lifting
the coveted old trophy at Wembley in May!
FA Cup 2015 Winners Odds
1. Arsenal 9/4
2. Manchester United 11/4
3. Liverpool 6/1
4. West Ham Utd 9/1
5. Stoke City 16/1
6. Aston Villa 20/1
7. Crystal Palace/West Bromwich Albion 25/1
9. Derby County 33/1
10. Leicester/Sunderland 40/1
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Sakho slammed in Senegal storm
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho's unexpected appearance for West Ham in yesterday's 1-0 win
against Bristol City has been met with a furious reaction by football fans
from his home nation. A steady stream of French and Senegalese supporters
took to Sakho's Facebook page in order to express their dissatisfaction at
his appearance at Ashton Gate yesterday whilst Senegal are preparing to face
Algeria in their third AFCON tie tomorrow. So surprised by the negative
reaction was Sakho - who scored the only goal of the game nine minutes from
time, having replaced Enner Valencia early in the second half - that he
composed a message to all those expressing their anger at his unexpectedly
early return to first team football. "I took the time to look at all your
reactions on social networks," he wrote. Very quickly the joy within me
after scoring and saving my club has turned into sadness and anger.
"Sadness because some of your words touched me deeply, in my heart - and
this without you knowing what really happened . Great wrath too, because
after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally wear
the jersey of my homeland - the only nation that matters to me - you doubt
my love and my patriotism. "My not going to the African Cup of Nations 2015
- my first AFCON - was not painless. The dream of contributing to the
victory of my country came this year, but is not dead. Never doubt the lion
sleeping in me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you."
Sam Allardyce, asked about Sakho's inclusion after the match said he wasn't
aware of West Ham having done anything wrong by fielding the 24-year-old,
who scored his tenth goal of the campaign today. "He's still unable to fly,"
Allardyce revealed. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday
afternoon, but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes. "Today was about putting him on the bench with the hope we
didn't have to use him, but in the end bringing him on was the most
important tactical decision for us. "Yesterday I spoke with the chairman and
said he looks alright. We don't think we're doing anything wrong with what
we've done and how we've approached it."
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Sarcy Giresse hails Sakho 'miracle recovery'
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
Senegal head coach Alain Giresse has blasted West Ham after Diafra Sakho
returned from injury earlier than expected to score the winning goal against
Bristol City yesterday. Giresse, who is currently preparing his Senegal side
for their third African Cup of Nations fixture against Algeria tomorrow
insisted that the situation involving Sakho - who was withdrawn from
Senegal's AFCON squad at the beginning of Janaury - would be closely
examined. The 62-year-old French coach was disappointed at Sakho's early
return to first team football having been told at the beginning of the month
by West Ham's medical team that the striker could face up to six weeks on
the sidelines with a back injury. As a result Giresse removed Sakho from
the squad, giving his place to Sion's Pape Moussa Konate. Sepaking to
L'Equipe this afternoon, a furious Giresse insisted that representatives
from the African country will examine the situation to determine whether any
action could be taken against West Ham. "First of all we will worry about
tomorrow's match, on the lads who are there and not those who are not," he
said. "But I was surprised to hear that he [Sakho] played. "Supposedly he
couldn't fly for six weeks but was able to return to playing. Maybe the
English have a miracle medicine. We will look into this later. "If things
like this happen and nothing is said, it becomes serious for international
football. We will end up with lots of players who are not allowed to travel
but can still play."
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West Ham's Diafra Sakho 'sad and angry' over AFCON criticism
Last Updated: 26/01/15 3:18pm
SSN
West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has spoken of his "sadness and anger" at
criticism directed towards him for not representing Senegal at the Africa
Cup of Nations this month. Sakho was ruled out of the three-week tournament
with a back injury, but came off the bench to score the winner on Sunday as
the Hammers beat Bristol City 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round. A number of
Senegal fans vented their frustration on Sakho's official Facebook page by
posting comments underneath a picture of him celebrating the goal at Ashton
Gate. One wrote: "So you're not injured?" and another commented:
"Congratulations on your goal, I hope you never play for Senegal again, the
Senegalese people feel betrayed." Sakho responded: "I took the time to
browse all your reactions on social networks. Very quickly my joy from
scoring and rescuing my club has turned into sadness and anger. "Sadness
because some of your words touched me deep in my person and my heart and
this, without you knowing what has really happened. "And great anger,
because after all my struggles day after day, season after season to finally
wear the jersey of my homeland, and my family, the only nation that matters
to me - you doubt my love and my patriotism. "My absence at CAN 2015 (the
African Nations Cup), my first CAN, was not painless. "The dream of
contributing to the victory of my country got away from me this year, but it
is not dead! "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the
passion that burns within you."
Senegal accused West Ham of a "lack of respect" when the striker withdrew
from the African Nations Cup earlier this month and threatened to consult
FIFA and the Football Association to prevent the 25-year-old from playing
during the competition. Sakho, who has scored 10 goals since moving to Upton
Park in the summer, suffered a recurrence of a back injury against West Brom
on New Year's Day. Senegal asked to carry out their own medical assessment
on the striker, as is their right according to FIFA rules, but West Ham said
Sakho could not fly and suggested Senegal's doctors came to London instead.
The Hammers also sent Senegal independent medical reports, as well as the
club's own examinations, to prove the extent of the injury. FIFA said they
would not comment on individual cases, but Annexe 1 of its regulations
state: "A player who has been called up by his association for one of its
representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant
association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered
during the period for which he has been released or should have been
released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe. "This restriction on
playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event
that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to
comply with the call-up."
Sakho could feature in two further games before the Africa Cup of Nations
ends, as West Ham play Liverpool and Manchester United before the tournament
final on February 8. Senegal are top of Group C and need only a draw against
Algeria on Tuesday to qualify for the knockout stages.
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West Ham's Andy Carroll heading back to his very best insists skipper and
pal Kevin Nolan
Jan 26, 2015 22:30 By Mike Walters
England striker continued his recent good form after a torrid year blighted
by injury and lack of goals by setting up FA Cup winner at Bristol City
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has been serving that well-known East end delicacy, humble pie
and mash, to his most strident critics. And as his West Ham skipper Kevin
Nolan invited the "keyboard warriors" who wrote off Carroll to eat their
words, the Hammers dared to dream of landing their first major trophy in 35
years. Nolan had the best view in the house for Carroll's latest floor show
in the 1-0 win against Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday as
he created Diafra Sakho's late winner at Ashton Gate. During a wretched year
of patchy form and fleeting fitness, striker Carroll endured a nightmare
spell of 322 days without a goal between April 2013 and March 2014.
And he missed the first three months of this season after suffering ankle
ligament damage on the Hammers' pre-season trip to New Zealand. But five
goals in 14 appearances since his return in November have maintained the
East Enders' unlikely push for European football and sent them into the last
16 in the Cup, where they will visit West Brom. Carroll's prowess in the air
came to the fore with a timely goal-line clearance from under his own bar
against City before his less-heralded right foot set up Sakho's headed
winner with a perfect cross. Nolan said: "People only see Andy for his
aerial ability all the time, but he has got a lot of ability on the floor as
well - we saw that recently against Leicester and at Swansea. "But I think
now he is getting up to full fitness, everything is coming together for him
and I'm delighted because he's had such a tough time with a lot of injuries.
"He never lost his hunger and desire. A lot of people looked in from the
outside and started to give him a lot of stick, but I hope they are starting
to eat their words now because he is beginning to show everyone what he is
all about. "He's always had it, but everyone seemed to forget it because he
wasn't there, doing it on the pitch, and now he is proving them all wrong.
"You get the keyboard warriors having a pop at him and it all escalated from
there, but they don't know the first thing about him. "But now everyone is
talking about him for the right reasons - he has had a torrid couple of
years, but he has put it all behind him and it's fantastic to see."
Nolan admitted the prospect of West Ham at Wembley was beginning to appear
on the horizon, adding: "The fans can go home and dream about it, and on our
day we can beat anyone. "A lot of big teams have gone out, so now it's down
to us to prove we can be successful in this competition. "The romance has
been rekindled, everyone is in love with the FA Cup again and there are no
easy routes to Wembley. We can only take small steps at a time, but give it
a few more weeks and we might be fulfilling our dreams."
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Manchester United grant Darren Fletcher a free transfer with West Ham his
likely destination
Jan 26, 2015 19:58 By David McDonnell
The Scot has struggled for first-team action under Louis van Gaal, and could
be set for a switch to East London in the next few days
The Mirror
Darren Fletcher has been granted a free transfer by Manchester United - with
West Ham in pole position to sign him. Midfielder Fletcher has been at
United since 2000 but has become a peripheral figure, despite being made
vice-captain by Louis van Gaal. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to take
Fletcher, 30, to Upton Park, but West Brom and Valencia are also keen on the
Scotland star. Fletcher is understood to be attracted by the prospect of a
move to Spain with Valencia, to experience a new challenge, but has yet to
make a final decision on his next club A one-club man thus far, Fletcher has
made 342 appearances for the Red Devils.
WHY!!!!!!
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Spooky FA Cup omens point to Wembley win!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
1980 history may be in the process of repeating itself with the Hammers
facing West Brom in the next round of the Cup. For back in that Trevor
Brooking-Cup winning season we had to beat the Baggies (after a replay),
Everton (after extra time!) and of course Arsenal in the Final to lift the
old trophy. Oh and another spooky element is that we also saw off Villa who
remain in the competition and meet Leicester City in the next round. Those
who believe in omens will be mightily encouraged!
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Sullivan: "Baggies not the ideal draw"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It's West Brom away.a disappointingly tough test for the Irons! So far this
season we just hold the edge over the midlanders with a win at the Hawthorns
followed by a draw at Upton Park but with Tony Pulis' feet firmly under this
will be as tough as it gets. And chairman David Sullivan's immediate
reaction - speaking to ClaretandHugh - said: "That's not the ideal draw. "We
desperately wanted a home draw for our supporters. However, it's a match we
are well capable of winning, though these are not the easiest of opponents."
The Baggies are unbeaten since Pulis took over and put seven past Gateshead
in the third round before beating local rivals Birmingham 2-1 at the weekend
in the fourth. In between times they have beaten Hull by the odd goal and
drawn away nil-nil at Everton. It's a very tough draw and of course. If we
are gonna win the Cup it really is going to be done the hard way.
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Leroy: 'African Cup decision was Diafra's alone'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I am absolutely convinced that had Diafra Sakho considered himself fit
enough to join the Senegal squad for the African Nations Cup tournament he
would have done so. And let's get this straight. At the end of it all this
will have been the player's decision not West Ham's. Of course they wouldn't
have wanted him to go but Diafra undoubtedly will have had the final say. No
doubt the Hammers are very happy that they have him available and perhaps
they attempted to persuade him to stay but I repeat, it was down to him. For
him to be getting stick from some daft fans for not being with the
international squad is unfair and wrong. He looks to me like a lad who leads
his life the way he plays his football - with great honesty - and this was
always going to be a no win situation for him. He was obviously injured and
I have no doubt the Hammers wanted to protect their prize asset as much as
possible after what happened the last time he was on international duty. But
they couldn't have stopped him if he was fit and wanted to go so o it's
pretty clear to me he wasn't and let that be an end to it.
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Nolan/Valencia issues crystal clear
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The Irons were poor yesterday - very poor and there were two reasons for
that in my opinion. Enner Valencia simply cannot play with Andy Carroll at
the present time and Kevin Nolan can't play in a diamond - he doesn't have
the legs to be getting up and down on the right side. And if that's the
shape we are going to keep - which we should - I think he will have to be
excluded from the team. Chjeif Kouyate is the obvious candidate to play in
that role when he returns because even Morgan Amafitano didn't seem to
understand it and wanted to stay out wide which I found surprising. As for
Enner - the boy had a shocker and was taking up ridiculous positions
dropping off in midfield with seemingly not a clue how to work with Andy.
Ok, he is in his first season and settling into the club so let's not talk
about him getting fed up with his role. He has to adapt and learn the same
lessons as Diafra Sakho. That lad made an immediate difference on his
arrival because he has such a great football brain and reads the game
brilliantly - he really is the man and loves running off players! Alex Song
was right off his game because the way we played saw him swamped in midfield
and he had to be taken off looking leggy and tired. But at the end of it all
we are through and a nice little home game against moderate opposition will
do us fine from tonight's draw. But Sam has some hard thinking to do about
Nolan if he is going to persist with the diamond because personally I really
don't believe he can hack it in there these days.
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Sorry Sam - Fletcher is not a top player
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
By Sean Whetstone
At the beginning of the transfer window Sam Allardyce insisted he would not
sign any other than a top player! Sorry but I don't think such a statement
would include Darren Fletcher. I'm really not convinced at all! His injury
record is appalling and recent game time hardly convinces he can return to
the level he reached before his illness.
Here's what Allardyce said: "So I'd say one top player, if he became
available, would be something we'd pursue - but someone may have to leave to
fund that. "There's no point in bringing in anybody less than a top player
because what we've got now is top drawer. We've got 22 players all fighting
for places in the team and playing really, really well. "Everybody has to
understand we are well into the second year of FFP so we are all in a much
more difficult position when every window comes, with the limit on spending
power, not just transfer fees but wages. And that's across the board now."
I don't understand what has changed! For me Darren Fletcher is not that top
player we need to sign during this transfer window.
I DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER I'M ALONE!
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Tuesday, January 27
Monday, January 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th January 2015
Reid relieved with FA Cup victory
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid admitted West Ham United rode their luck to make it through to the FA Cup fifth round
25.01.2015
Man of the Match Winston Reid said West Ham United were both happy and relieved to go through to the FA Cup fifth round at the first attempt. The Hammers were pushed all the way by League One title-chasers Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Sunday before prevailing through a late goal from substitute Diafra Sakho. On a weekend that saw a host of the Barclays Premier League's big guns fall to shock defeats, Reid admitted he and his teammates were delighted to have avoided their names being added to the list. "In the first half we were under pressure, which was always going to happen when you come away to these places," said the No2, who was involved in a game-long battle with Bristol City's giant striker Matt Smith and centre-back Aden Flint, among others. "They gave a good performance but fortunately for us we kept a clean sheet and Sakho came on and got the goal. "Obviously we wanted to finish off the game in one go, get a goal and get the win and we did that. Even though we didn't play our best football, we got there in the end and the most important thing is we're in the next round." "The manager was speaking beforehand about the amount of upsets and we didn't want to be one of them. We did all right and made the most of the opportunities that we created and are now in the hat for the last 16."
West Ham are one of just six top-flight sides who are guaranteed to be in the fifth round, while the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and the Hammers' third-round victims Everton are all out. The draw for the last-16 will be made live on BBC1's The One Show on Monday evening at 7pm, with West Ham taking ball No15.
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Sam happy to avoid FA Cup-set
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased with West Ham United's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at Bristol City
25.01.2015
Sam Allardyce hailed a job well done as West Ham United steered clear of a weekend of FA Cup fourth-round upsets by securing a 1-0 win at Bristol City. With Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur all suffering home exits on Saturday, there was a buzz of expectation of another shock around Ashton Gate ahead of Sunday's tie. The Hammers rode their luck at times in the West Country, but substitute Diafra Sakho marked his return from a back injury by heading in Andy Carroll's 81st-minute cross to send the Londoners into the last-16. Earlier, the League One title-chasers had gone close on a host of occasions, with Matt Smith seeing two headers cleared off the line. The giant striker also flashed another header wide in added-time, but West Ham held out to complete a professional victory.
"It was tough," the manager told West Ham TV. "We knew this game was never going to be easy. Everybody has had the big shocks over the weekend and we didn't want another shock happening here. "There were bigger shocks at Chelsea and Man City than there would have been at Bristol City, but my take on it was that we had to be utterly professional and try to play our best football, if possible, to break them down. "That wasn't the case. We didn't play our best football, but after the first 15 minutes we started to get better and better and, with the substitutions, we got better quality in possession. We were struggling a bit with the bobbling pitch and the ball bouncing around and not controlling it and passing it around as well as we can. "That got better and ultimately a piece of quality from Andy Carroll, wriggling his way through and producing the final ball for Diafra on the far post was the difference between both teams. "I think, for us, it's a very hard-earned victory to get through to the next round, but we're very pleased to be in the hat."
So, while there was frustration in some quarters that West Ham were unable to produce their fluent best against Steve Cotterill's side, Big Sam was quick to praise the home side. "I have said this for many years that I think that the standard of football in the lower divisions has got better and better. "I think we have to pay so much for Premier League footballers now that everybody expects the gulf to be huge, but that gulf has been proven not to be that big this weekend. Even though we spend multi-million pounds on players for the Premier League, players in the lower leagues can lift themselves and match you on the day and be very close to you and, on occasions, better than you as we've seen this weekend. "We have managed to overcome a very difficult cup tie against a team that's in fantastic form and has got a huge amount of confidence because of where they are in the league and very rarely loses a game here at Ashton Gate. "They had nothing to lose. We had everything to lose and nothing to gain and sadly for them they haven't come away with anything. They'll be disappointed considering the way they performed, but from our point of view we were very professional and it's a fantastic victory against a team that played their best."
With victory in Bristol, West Ham are through to the last-16 for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010/11. With many of the Barclays Premier League's big guns having already been fired out of the competition, the manager believes West Ham have a great chance to go all the way to Wembley this season. "We've got a better chance than normal because we're not going to be drawing Manchester City or Chelsea or Tottenham and we've already seen off Everton, so that gives us a better chance. "It'll never be easy against a Middlesbrough or Bradford, but you would rather have them in the hat than a Chelsea, Tottenham or Manchester City. "Hopefully we'll get a good draw, a home draw and we can progress even farther than we have today."
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Jenko glad to come through tough test
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson said the Hammers had to show their mettle to defeat Bristol City on Sunday
25.01.2015
Carl Jenkinson was not surprised by the questions asked of West Ham United by Sky Bet League One high-flyers Bristol City on Sunday. The Hammers progressed through to the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to Diafra Sakho's 81st minute header, but not before the Robins had two Matt Smith efforts cleared off the line by Mark Noble and Andy Carroll. West Ham eventually took control of the contest to get their winner and on-loan right back Jenkinson was delighted to have thrown their name into the hat for Monday's draw. "It was always going to be that sort of FA Cup tie," he said. "It was very important to keep a clean sheet - we did that and scored a great goal. "It was difficult because they were a good side, especially in the first half. We came more into the game as it went on and to be fair they did get some balls into the box. They were a handful from set pieces as they had some big lads and we tried to nullify that as much as we could. "We did in the main - they didn't have too many clear cut chances other than a couple in the first half and we were always going to have to ride the storm a little bit. "We're very happy with the result in the end."
The Hammers have now kept successive clean sheets and Jenkinson knows how vital that is towards maintaining their good form - as well as the strikers being sharp in front of goal. He continued: "As a defender it's always nice to keep the ball out of the net - we've got a strong defensive unit now. That's not just the keeper and the back four but the midfield's doing a good job as well. "We have a good understanding. We're doing well defensively at the moment and that's a good sign. "Diafra knows where the back of the net is and it was a nice header. I think the credit has to go to Andy. He did some fantastic work out on the right and put in a tremendous ball. "It was a well-worked goal and I'm glad it was those two involved because they're our strikers and we want them getting goals."
Saturday may have been a day of dramatic FA Cup shocks, but West Ham did their bit to ensure Sunday was not a repeat, and having been involved in a cup winning effort with Arsenal last term, Jenkinson would love another tilt at glory. He continued: "We don't want to get too carried away but there were some good results yesterday for the smaller teams. We just think about ourselves and focused on our own game on Sunday. "We didn't worry about the upsets or who we would be getting in the next round. We focused on Bristol City and I think it worked. "It would be fantastic [to have another run]. Last year at Arsenal we took it one game at a time and that's what we've got to do here. "I think we're doing well at that. We're concentrating and taking it game-by-game - we're not getting too carried away whether it be in the league or the cup. "We've had a couple of good results now and it's important that we kick on because we have some tough fixtures coming up."
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Bristol City 0 West Ham 1
25 January 2015
Last updated at 16:33
By Steve Canavan
BBC Sport
Diafra Sakho headed a late winner as West Ham withstood a frantic start from Bristol City to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
The League One side dominated the opening exchanges at a sell-out Ashton Gate and striker Matt Smith twice had headers cleared off the line. But West Ham kept their composure and Sakho headed in Andy Carroll's tempting cross nine minutes from the end. Sakho, who came on as a 56th minute substitute, also hit the crossbar. Bristol City went into the contest in imperious form, on the back of four straight wins and with just one defeat in their last 12 outings. Much of the Robins' success in League One this season has been built on a strong defence. They have conceded just 22 goals in 25 league games and sit joint-top alongside Swindon. And Steve Cotterill's team began in confident fashion, with the pace of Luke Freeman and the height and physical presence of forward Smith causing the Hammers problems.
Twice Smith had headers cleared off the line, first by Mark Noble before Andy Carroll came to West Ham's rescue with a superb clearance after keeper Adrian was again beaten by Smith. Carroll had his arm raised but television replays showed he used his head to clear the ball.
The Hammers, who are seventh in the Premier League and unbeaten since the turn of the year, improved markedly after the break, especially after the introduction of Sakho and fellow substitute Morgan Amalfitano. Sakho gave warning of what was to come when he clipped the crossbar with a strong shot. His goal came courtesy of good work on the right by Carroll, who delivered an inviting cross which Sakho headed past Frank Fielding. Smith had one last headed attempt for the home side, connecting with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's stoppage-time cross but he put his effort wide of the post. The Hammers had reached the fourth round courtesy of a 9-8 penalty shoot-out replay win over Everton and West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had made it clear to his players that he did not want to waste that hard work. After a weekend of shocks, with Chelsea and Manchester City losing, West Ham avoided going the same way.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "I knew it was going to be tough and it was exactly that. Bristol City showed why they are where they are in their league. "We found it difficult to get our passing game going but thankfully Andy's cross and Sakho's header was all we needed to get a very important win. "This is a pretty big result for us."
Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill: "We've played like that for most of the season but we had to score in that first half hour because our tempo was so good. "I was surprised at how many times we got a look at their goal. But overall I am very proud of the lads."
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All eyes on number 15
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have been allocated the number 15 ball for tomorrow night's FA Cup fifth round draw. The Hammers are in the pot having beaten Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate this afternoon courtesy of Diafra Sakho's late strike, and join 20 other teams in the draw.
With half of the Premier League having been dumped out of the competition already, West Ham are now the third-highest ranked team left in the competition behind only Manchester United (fourth in the BPL table) and Arsenal (fifth). The draw takes place at 7.20pm (GMT) on Monday evening and may be seen live here on KUMB (link to be announced tomorrow). The full set of numbers for the fifth round draw are as follows:
1. Crystal Palace
2. Cambridge United or Manchester United
3. Blackburn Rovers
4. Bradford City
5. Derby County
6. Preston North End or Sheffield United
7. West Bromwich Albion
8. Aston Villa
9. Reading
10. Liverpool or Bolton
11. Leicester City
12. Arsenal
13. Rochdale or Stoke City
14. Sunderland or Fulham
15. West Ham
16. Middlesbrough
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits relief after 1-0 win at Bristol City
Last Updated: 25/01/15 5:56pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted he was relieved after West Ham beat Bristol City 1-0 to avoid joining the list of big-name FA Cup fourth-round casualties. Substitute Diafra Sakho broke City hearts with an 81st-minute winner, rising at the far post to beat goalkeeper Frank Fielding after Andy Carroll had done well to cross from the right. The outcome was harsh on the League One high-flyers and Allardyce admitted to be fearing the worse early on. "I expected us to play a lot better than we did," Allardyce said. "In the end one moment of quality has put us in the next round and that is the most important thing. "All credit to Bristol City for never being overawed and taking their league form, which has been outstanding, into the FA Cup. Twice the visitors were forced to clear the ball off the line as Matt Smith caused the Hammers rearguard all sorts of problems, but Allardyce's men stood firm, and the West Ham boss believes withstanding the physicality of the home side was key to victory. "Keeping a clean sheet made all the difference and it was a hard-earned victory for us," Allardyce added. "They had their best spell in the opening 15 or 20 minutes, but we battled all the way through to make that one bit of quality count. "With the size Bristol have in their team, we knew we had to protect ourselves as best we could from set-pieces. We put players on each post because we felt at some point they would get headers at our goal and it proved a wise tactic. "How far we can go in the competition will depend on the draw. We will have to face Premier League opposition at some point if we progress, but I would rather leave that until the final!"
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Substitute Diafra Sakho grabs late winner as West Ham earn 1-0 win at Bristol City
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 25/01/15 8:12pm
SSN
Substitute Diafra Sakho popped up at the back post to help West Ham secure a 1-0 win at Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round. With the game seemingly heading for a replay, Andy Carroll picked out his strike partner Diafra Sakho with just nine minutes left to head the Hammers through. The League One high flyers looked like the Premier League team in the opening period as they played neat, intricate football to try and break the Premier League side down. Twice in the first half the visitors had to clear the ball off the line from Matt Smith headers, with Carroll's efforts underneath his own crossbar especially impressive. After the break the pace of the game slowed somewhat as West Ham started to get a foothold in the match. Sakho clipped the top of the crossbar with a thunderous strike from a tight angle as it looked like the visitors would be frustrated by the determined League One side. However, the Senegalese striker arrived in the right place at the right time after superb work from Carroll to pick him out to snatch victory for the Sam Allardyce's men as they continued to impress this season. Right from the word go, the home side showed why they are flying high in League One, and actually looked like they were the Premier League side as Sam Allardyce's men struggled to cope with their pace on the counter.
The first of Smith's chances came in just the fifth minute, as he looped a header form a corner over Adrian in the West Ham goal, but Mark Noble got behind his 'keeper to head away. West Ham struggled to get out of their own half early on as the Robins continued to dominate. Luke Freeman was the instigator of all that was good about the hosts, and he was inches away on several occasions from finding that killer pass. Smith then thought he had broken the deadlock with another powerful header, but Carroll brilliantly got his head to it to divert Smith's effort over the bar. Carroll was then at his favoured end of the pitch, getting on the end of a firm Carl Jenkinson cross, but his stab at goal was well saved by an otherwise untested Frank Fielding in the home goal. After the break the visitors came into the contest much more as the League One side tired. The arrival of Sakho and Morgan Amalfitano added more impetus to the Hammers attack, and along with Carroll, they started to cause the hosts some problems. Stewart Downing fired over the bar as he arrived late in the box before Sakho came mightily close to breaking the deadlock. Picking up the ball in a wide position, Sakho flicked the ball over his own head and unleashed a ferocious effort at goal, which beat Fielding, but clipped the top of the crossbar. The Senegalese hitman wasn't to be outdone however, but the plaudits must go to Carroll for the assist for West Ham's winner. The former Liverpool striker brought a bouncing ball under control and clipped a perfect cross to the back post which picked out an unmarked Sakho, who found the roof of the net from close range. Smith again looked most likely to get on the scoresheet for the home side, but his header in the dying moments flew just wide with Adrian struggling to get across. The result sees West Ham avoid being another Premier League scalp on a weekend of shocks, but the Robins can be proud of their efforts, as they more than held their own against superior opposition.
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Bristol City 0-1 West Ham: Diafra Sakho heads Hammers past the Robins into the fifth round
Jan 25, 2015 22:00 By Mike Walters
The Senegalese clambered off the bench to meet an Andy Carroll cross and ensure Sam Allardyce's men will be in the hat for Monday's draw
The Mirror
Andy Carroll was the headline act on Pie and Mash of the Day as gritty West Ham broke the cider house rules. Saviour at one end with a brilliant goalline clearance, Carroll created Diafra Sakho's 81st-minute winner at Ashton Gate. The Hammers lived dangerously at times, but 35 years after the Cup was paraded through the East End, Sam Allardyce's men are marching on Wembley again. Twelve months ago, Allardyce was clinging on to his job after losing 5-0 at Notingham Forest in the FA Cup and 9-0 on aggregate to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-finals... but look at him now. So many big guns have fallen by the wayside, this could be the year he finally lands a trophy. "We were never at our best, but we did enough to get through to the next round, which is the most important thing," admitted Allardyce after surviving a scare in Cider country. "I told the players, 'Don't be victims, don't be another casualty of Cup shocks, make sure you are utterly professional in everything you do' – and they were. I'm just glad we are not one of the bigger teams crying all the way home this weekend, and in the end that one bit of quality we produced for the goal was all it needed. "As we have seen over the past couple of days, a team can be inspired by the FA Cup and although there is a big gap between the Premier League and the lower divisions in terms of finance, the gap in quality is not as big as everyone thinks. "Bristol City took their League form into this game and they were not overawed."
City boss Steve Cotterill can be chippier than Chippy Minton, the carpenter in toddlers' TV serial Trumpton, but he was entitled to go home with matching chips on each shoulder. Tenacious, spirited and well-organised, the Robins deserved a replay at Upton Park. For an hour, until Sakho joined the fray, City were more purposeful, more threatening, more convincing in all departments. Cotterill can be proud of the way his League One front runners gave the Hammers a fright, especially in the first half-hour when Mark Noble and, especially, Carroll were required to make urgent interventions to clear off the line from Matt Smith. And from an unfavourable angle, young midfielder Joe Bryan drove a decent chance beyond Adrian's left-hand post. But when Sakho replaced the ineffective Enner Valencia 12 minutes into the second half, West Ham were transformed from toothless to ruthless. Sakho soon made his presence felt by clipping the bar with a nifty half-volley, but City did not heed the warning and nine minutes from time the Senegalese striker delivered the proverbial knockout blow. Carroll, surging to the dead-ball line on the right-hand edge of the box, somehow managed to squeeze his cross to the far post, where Sakho – out injured since New Year's Day – rose to head his 10th goal of the season under the angle of bar and post.
Allardyce added: "One moment of quality has put us in the next round and that is the most important thing. "Keeping a clean sheet made all the difference and it was a hard-earned victory for us. They had their best spell in the opening 15 or 20 minutes, but we battled all the way through. "With the size Bristol have in their team, we knew we had to protect ourselves as best we could from set-pieces. We put players on each post because we felt at some point they would get headers at our goal – and it proved a wise tactic. "How far we can go in the competition will depend on the draw. We will have to face Premier League opposition at some point if we progress, but I would rather leave that until the final!"
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Cup glory can boost the Song cause!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
An FA Cup winning season is likely to put another brick in the Alex Song wall! Until now all the talk has been of pride and glory but a winning appearance at Wembley in the final of this competition is far more important to West Ham than any of that, Generally speaking there are three UEFA Europa League places given to English clubs who fulfil the following criteria: winning the FA Cup, winning the Capital One Cup and finishing fifth in the Barclays Premier League.
This may well be our best chance of making Europe and and it would be a huge boost to our hopes of persuading Song his future is with us.
The Song issue has been way up on their on the agenda almost since he arrived and that's another reason why today's match takes on such an importance. Sam Allardyce says: "It is whether Alex wants to stay, if he wants to stay then I would want him to stay of course.
"Whether it is financially feasible we will see. If a greater size entices him away or if Alex says he wants to further his career with West Ham after what he has done this year, then great."
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Fletcher record makes grim reading
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Darren Fletcher remains at the centre of rumours tonight that he has – or is about – to sign a deal with the Irons in a deal driven entirely by manager Sam Allardyce. But none of our regular sources have confirmed that either a two and a half or three and a half year deal has been done on the 30 year old.
The player's injury track record remains a big worry for the 'financial heads' inside the club along with the fact that he has only completed two games for United this season.
And you have to ask if he's not good enough for the United first team why would consider him a prize acquisition. He lasted 90 minutes in two early season games against Swansea and Burnley, appeared for 63 mins against Sunderland, 25 against us, a minute apiece against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Arsenal, 16 mins against Hull, four against Stoke and 46 and 28 against Aston Villa and Newcastle.
He has spent 90 mins on the bench against QPR, Leicester City, Everton, West Brom, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs and Stoke City and has not been involved in the squad over the last two games
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Super 'Sak' returns a conquering hero
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Priceless Diafra Sakho came off the bench to send the Irons into the velvet bag for the fifth round draw of the FA Cup. The striker rose at the far post (pictured) to head home an Andy Carroll cross from close range in the 81st minute on a comeback appearance. Sakho's goal was a massive relief given the pressure the Irons had been forced to soak up throughout the 80 minutes as the Keague One put the pressure on and never rook their foot off the gas. Giant striker Matt Smith was a constant threat seeing an early shot blocked by James Tomkins and presenting constant aerial problems. Mark Noble was forced to produce a clearing header off the line from the big man before Bryan shot wide of a far post with Adrian well beaten.
It was Smith though who dominated and his counterpart Andy Carroll was forced to clear off the Irons goal line again from another towering effort. The Hammers had been unable to find any rhythm or serious energy in a first half totally dominated by City although there were signs the Hammers were finding a toehold as the first half ended. Emmanuel-Thomas' had the first chance of the second half but although on target, Adrian was right behind his free kick, saving with ease. The arrival of Sakho though started to change the flow of the game and the Irons produced a good move which saw Cresswell cut the ball back for him but keeper Flint blocked. The Senegal hitman though was close when skimming the crossbar after bringing the ball under control brilliantly. And just six minutes later 'Sak' got his reward when Carroll's persistence on the right saw him make space for the cross and his partner arrived to crash home a header from close range. He then produced his trademark run to the fans arms crossed across his chest – he is the MAN! It was never easy. It was never pretty but after the shocks of yesterday we are through an looking towards Wembley.
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Fletcher: No deal…much doubt
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
No deal has yet been done to bring Darren Fletcher to Upton Park. Despite widespread rumours on forums that the player has agreed a three and a half year deal, ClaretandHugh has been told within the last few minutes: "There's no deal." And we also learned that the player will need to face a very stern medical should the club decide to push things further down the road. A top insider told us exclusively a few minutes ago: "There's no deal on Fletcher at this stage. He hasn't even had a medical yet and were we to go further with this, we would do a very strict medical." Whilst Sam Allardyce is desperately keen to push a deal through there remains much doubt about taking the player among important Boleyn 'faces.' One said: "It's very much a Sam deal. Some of us aren't so sure. He's obviously out of favour at Old Trafford. "There are doubts among several of us here and as I say he'll face a very strong medical before we even consider taking it further."
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Karren Brady reacts to West Ham United's win v Bristol City in FA Cup
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
1 hour ago
West Ham United edged past Bristol City 1-0 away from home in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has taken to social networking site Twitter to revel in the team's success in the FA Cup. Premier League outfit West Ham booked their place in the fifth round of the prestigious competition with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bristol City on Sunday. Diafra Sakho's goal nine minutes from full time proved to be the difference between the two sides at the Ashton Gate Stadium. It was not the best of performances from the Hammers, who could have easily lost the fourth-round tie had City been able to take their chances.
That did not affect Brady's mood, though, as she was just pleased to see Sam Allardyce's side progress to the last-16 stage of the FA Cup. After the victory in Bristol, the West Ham vice-chairman took to Twitter to express her delight.
Karren Brady ✔ @karren_brady
So pleased - into the next round of the FA CUP, season just keeps getting better and better
West Ham are having a fabulous season and are very much in with a chance of finishing in the top four of the Premier League. The Hammers are currently seventh in the league table with 36 points from 22 matches, just four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
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WHUFC.com
Winston Reid admitted West Ham United rode their luck to make it through to the FA Cup fifth round
25.01.2015
Man of the Match Winston Reid said West Ham United were both happy and relieved to go through to the FA Cup fifth round at the first attempt. The Hammers were pushed all the way by League One title-chasers Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Sunday before prevailing through a late goal from substitute Diafra Sakho. On a weekend that saw a host of the Barclays Premier League's big guns fall to shock defeats, Reid admitted he and his teammates were delighted to have avoided their names being added to the list. "In the first half we were under pressure, which was always going to happen when you come away to these places," said the No2, who was involved in a game-long battle with Bristol City's giant striker Matt Smith and centre-back Aden Flint, among others. "They gave a good performance but fortunately for us we kept a clean sheet and Sakho came on and got the goal. "Obviously we wanted to finish off the game in one go, get a goal and get the win and we did that. Even though we didn't play our best football, we got there in the end and the most important thing is we're in the next round." "The manager was speaking beforehand about the amount of upsets and we didn't want to be one of them. We did all right and made the most of the opportunities that we created and are now in the hat for the last 16."
West Ham are one of just six top-flight sides who are guaranteed to be in the fifth round, while the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and the Hammers' third-round victims Everton are all out. The draw for the last-16 will be made live on BBC1's The One Show on Monday evening at 7pm, with West Ham taking ball No15.
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Sam happy to avoid FA Cup-set
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased with West Ham United's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at Bristol City
25.01.2015
Sam Allardyce hailed a job well done as West Ham United steered clear of a weekend of FA Cup fourth-round upsets by securing a 1-0 win at Bristol City. With Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur all suffering home exits on Saturday, there was a buzz of expectation of another shock around Ashton Gate ahead of Sunday's tie. The Hammers rode their luck at times in the West Country, but substitute Diafra Sakho marked his return from a back injury by heading in Andy Carroll's 81st-minute cross to send the Londoners into the last-16. Earlier, the League One title-chasers had gone close on a host of occasions, with Matt Smith seeing two headers cleared off the line. The giant striker also flashed another header wide in added-time, but West Ham held out to complete a professional victory.
"It was tough," the manager told West Ham TV. "We knew this game was never going to be easy. Everybody has had the big shocks over the weekend and we didn't want another shock happening here. "There were bigger shocks at Chelsea and Man City than there would have been at Bristol City, but my take on it was that we had to be utterly professional and try to play our best football, if possible, to break them down. "That wasn't the case. We didn't play our best football, but after the first 15 minutes we started to get better and better and, with the substitutions, we got better quality in possession. We were struggling a bit with the bobbling pitch and the ball bouncing around and not controlling it and passing it around as well as we can. "That got better and ultimately a piece of quality from Andy Carroll, wriggling his way through and producing the final ball for Diafra on the far post was the difference between both teams. "I think, for us, it's a very hard-earned victory to get through to the next round, but we're very pleased to be in the hat."
So, while there was frustration in some quarters that West Ham were unable to produce their fluent best against Steve Cotterill's side, Big Sam was quick to praise the home side. "I have said this for many years that I think that the standard of football in the lower divisions has got better and better. "I think we have to pay so much for Premier League footballers now that everybody expects the gulf to be huge, but that gulf has been proven not to be that big this weekend. Even though we spend multi-million pounds on players for the Premier League, players in the lower leagues can lift themselves and match you on the day and be very close to you and, on occasions, better than you as we've seen this weekend. "We have managed to overcome a very difficult cup tie against a team that's in fantastic form and has got a huge amount of confidence because of where they are in the league and very rarely loses a game here at Ashton Gate. "They had nothing to lose. We had everything to lose and nothing to gain and sadly for them they haven't come away with anything. They'll be disappointed considering the way they performed, but from our point of view we were very professional and it's a fantastic victory against a team that played their best."
With victory in Bristol, West Ham are through to the last-16 for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010/11. With many of the Barclays Premier League's big guns having already been fired out of the competition, the manager believes West Ham have a great chance to go all the way to Wembley this season. "We've got a better chance than normal because we're not going to be drawing Manchester City or Chelsea or Tottenham and we've already seen off Everton, so that gives us a better chance. "It'll never be easy against a Middlesbrough or Bradford, but you would rather have them in the hat than a Chelsea, Tottenham or Manchester City. "Hopefully we'll get a good draw, a home draw and we can progress even farther than we have today."
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Jenko glad to come through tough test
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson said the Hammers had to show their mettle to defeat Bristol City on Sunday
25.01.2015
Carl Jenkinson was not surprised by the questions asked of West Ham United by Sky Bet League One high-flyers Bristol City on Sunday. The Hammers progressed through to the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to Diafra Sakho's 81st minute header, but not before the Robins had two Matt Smith efforts cleared off the line by Mark Noble and Andy Carroll. West Ham eventually took control of the contest to get their winner and on-loan right back Jenkinson was delighted to have thrown their name into the hat for Monday's draw. "It was always going to be that sort of FA Cup tie," he said. "It was very important to keep a clean sheet - we did that and scored a great goal. "It was difficult because they were a good side, especially in the first half. We came more into the game as it went on and to be fair they did get some balls into the box. They were a handful from set pieces as they had some big lads and we tried to nullify that as much as we could. "We did in the main - they didn't have too many clear cut chances other than a couple in the first half and we were always going to have to ride the storm a little bit. "We're very happy with the result in the end."
The Hammers have now kept successive clean sheets and Jenkinson knows how vital that is towards maintaining their good form - as well as the strikers being sharp in front of goal. He continued: "As a defender it's always nice to keep the ball out of the net - we've got a strong defensive unit now. That's not just the keeper and the back four but the midfield's doing a good job as well. "We have a good understanding. We're doing well defensively at the moment and that's a good sign. "Diafra knows where the back of the net is and it was a nice header. I think the credit has to go to Andy. He did some fantastic work out on the right and put in a tremendous ball. "It was a well-worked goal and I'm glad it was those two involved because they're our strikers and we want them getting goals."
Saturday may have been a day of dramatic FA Cup shocks, but West Ham did their bit to ensure Sunday was not a repeat, and having been involved in a cup winning effort with Arsenal last term, Jenkinson would love another tilt at glory. He continued: "We don't want to get too carried away but there were some good results yesterday for the smaller teams. We just think about ourselves and focused on our own game on Sunday. "We didn't worry about the upsets or who we would be getting in the next round. We focused on Bristol City and I think it worked. "It would be fantastic [to have another run]. Last year at Arsenal we took it one game at a time and that's what we've got to do here. "I think we're doing well at that. We're concentrating and taking it game-by-game - we're not getting too carried away whether it be in the league or the cup. "We've had a couple of good results now and it's important that we kick on because we have some tough fixtures coming up."
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Bristol City 0 West Ham 1
25 January 2015
Last updated at 16:33
By Steve Canavan
BBC Sport
Diafra Sakho headed a late winner as West Ham withstood a frantic start from Bristol City to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
The League One side dominated the opening exchanges at a sell-out Ashton Gate and striker Matt Smith twice had headers cleared off the line. But West Ham kept their composure and Sakho headed in Andy Carroll's tempting cross nine minutes from the end. Sakho, who came on as a 56th minute substitute, also hit the crossbar. Bristol City went into the contest in imperious form, on the back of four straight wins and with just one defeat in their last 12 outings. Much of the Robins' success in League One this season has been built on a strong defence. They have conceded just 22 goals in 25 league games and sit joint-top alongside Swindon. And Steve Cotterill's team began in confident fashion, with the pace of Luke Freeman and the height and physical presence of forward Smith causing the Hammers problems.
Twice Smith had headers cleared off the line, first by Mark Noble before Andy Carroll came to West Ham's rescue with a superb clearance after keeper Adrian was again beaten by Smith. Carroll had his arm raised but television replays showed he used his head to clear the ball.
The Hammers, who are seventh in the Premier League and unbeaten since the turn of the year, improved markedly after the break, especially after the introduction of Sakho and fellow substitute Morgan Amalfitano. Sakho gave warning of what was to come when he clipped the crossbar with a strong shot. His goal came courtesy of good work on the right by Carroll, who delivered an inviting cross which Sakho headed past Frank Fielding. Smith had one last headed attempt for the home side, connecting with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's stoppage-time cross but he put his effort wide of the post. The Hammers had reached the fourth round courtesy of a 9-8 penalty shoot-out replay win over Everton and West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had made it clear to his players that he did not want to waste that hard work. After a weekend of shocks, with Chelsea and Manchester City losing, West Ham avoided going the same way.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "I knew it was going to be tough and it was exactly that. Bristol City showed why they are where they are in their league. "We found it difficult to get our passing game going but thankfully Andy's cross and Sakho's header was all we needed to get a very important win. "This is a pretty big result for us."
Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill: "We've played like that for most of the season but we had to score in that first half hour because our tempo was so good. "I was surprised at how many times we got a look at their goal. But overall I am very proud of the lads."
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All eyes on number 15
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 25th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have been allocated the number 15 ball for tomorrow night's FA Cup fifth round draw. The Hammers are in the pot having beaten Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate this afternoon courtesy of Diafra Sakho's late strike, and join 20 other teams in the draw.
With half of the Premier League having been dumped out of the competition already, West Ham are now the third-highest ranked team left in the competition behind only Manchester United (fourth in the BPL table) and Arsenal (fifth). The draw takes place at 7.20pm (GMT) on Monday evening and may be seen live here on KUMB (link to be announced tomorrow). The full set of numbers for the fifth round draw are as follows:
1. Crystal Palace
2. Cambridge United or Manchester United
3. Blackburn Rovers
4. Bradford City
5. Derby County
6. Preston North End or Sheffield United
7. West Bromwich Albion
8. Aston Villa
9. Reading
10. Liverpool or Bolton
11. Leicester City
12. Arsenal
13. Rochdale or Stoke City
14. Sunderland or Fulham
15. West Ham
16. Middlesbrough
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits relief after 1-0 win at Bristol City
Last Updated: 25/01/15 5:56pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted he was relieved after West Ham beat Bristol City 1-0 to avoid joining the list of big-name FA Cup fourth-round casualties. Substitute Diafra Sakho broke City hearts with an 81st-minute winner, rising at the far post to beat goalkeeper Frank Fielding after Andy Carroll had done well to cross from the right. The outcome was harsh on the League One high-flyers and Allardyce admitted to be fearing the worse early on. "I expected us to play a lot better than we did," Allardyce said. "In the end one moment of quality has put us in the next round and that is the most important thing. "All credit to Bristol City for never being overawed and taking their league form, which has been outstanding, into the FA Cup. Twice the visitors were forced to clear the ball off the line as Matt Smith caused the Hammers rearguard all sorts of problems, but Allardyce's men stood firm, and the West Ham boss believes withstanding the physicality of the home side was key to victory. "Keeping a clean sheet made all the difference and it was a hard-earned victory for us," Allardyce added. "They had their best spell in the opening 15 or 20 minutes, but we battled all the way through to make that one bit of quality count. "With the size Bristol have in their team, we knew we had to protect ourselves as best we could from set-pieces. We put players on each post because we felt at some point they would get headers at our goal and it proved a wise tactic. "How far we can go in the competition will depend on the draw. We will have to face Premier League opposition at some point if we progress, but I would rather leave that until the final!"
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Substitute Diafra Sakho grabs late winner as West Ham earn 1-0 win at Bristol City
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 25/01/15 8:12pm
SSN
Substitute Diafra Sakho popped up at the back post to help West Ham secure a 1-0 win at Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round. With the game seemingly heading for a replay, Andy Carroll picked out his strike partner Diafra Sakho with just nine minutes left to head the Hammers through. The League One high flyers looked like the Premier League team in the opening period as they played neat, intricate football to try and break the Premier League side down. Twice in the first half the visitors had to clear the ball off the line from Matt Smith headers, with Carroll's efforts underneath his own crossbar especially impressive. After the break the pace of the game slowed somewhat as West Ham started to get a foothold in the match. Sakho clipped the top of the crossbar with a thunderous strike from a tight angle as it looked like the visitors would be frustrated by the determined League One side. However, the Senegalese striker arrived in the right place at the right time after superb work from Carroll to pick him out to snatch victory for the Sam Allardyce's men as they continued to impress this season. Right from the word go, the home side showed why they are flying high in League One, and actually looked like they were the Premier League side as Sam Allardyce's men struggled to cope with their pace on the counter.
The first of Smith's chances came in just the fifth minute, as he looped a header form a corner over Adrian in the West Ham goal, but Mark Noble got behind his 'keeper to head away. West Ham struggled to get out of their own half early on as the Robins continued to dominate. Luke Freeman was the instigator of all that was good about the hosts, and he was inches away on several occasions from finding that killer pass. Smith then thought he had broken the deadlock with another powerful header, but Carroll brilliantly got his head to it to divert Smith's effort over the bar. Carroll was then at his favoured end of the pitch, getting on the end of a firm Carl Jenkinson cross, but his stab at goal was well saved by an otherwise untested Frank Fielding in the home goal. After the break the visitors came into the contest much more as the League One side tired. The arrival of Sakho and Morgan Amalfitano added more impetus to the Hammers attack, and along with Carroll, they started to cause the hosts some problems. Stewart Downing fired over the bar as he arrived late in the box before Sakho came mightily close to breaking the deadlock. Picking up the ball in a wide position, Sakho flicked the ball over his own head and unleashed a ferocious effort at goal, which beat Fielding, but clipped the top of the crossbar. The Senegalese hitman wasn't to be outdone however, but the plaudits must go to Carroll for the assist for West Ham's winner. The former Liverpool striker brought a bouncing ball under control and clipped a perfect cross to the back post which picked out an unmarked Sakho, who found the roof of the net from close range. Smith again looked most likely to get on the scoresheet for the home side, but his header in the dying moments flew just wide with Adrian struggling to get across. The result sees West Ham avoid being another Premier League scalp on a weekend of shocks, but the Robins can be proud of their efforts, as they more than held their own against superior opposition.
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Bristol City 0-1 West Ham: Diafra Sakho heads Hammers past the Robins into the fifth round
Jan 25, 2015 22:00 By Mike Walters
The Senegalese clambered off the bench to meet an Andy Carroll cross and ensure Sam Allardyce's men will be in the hat for Monday's draw
The Mirror
Andy Carroll was the headline act on Pie and Mash of the Day as gritty West Ham broke the cider house rules. Saviour at one end with a brilliant goalline clearance, Carroll created Diafra Sakho's 81st-minute winner at Ashton Gate. The Hammers lived dangerously at times, but 35 years after the Cup was paraded through the East End, Sam Allardyce's men are marching on Wembley again. Twelve months ago, Allardyce was clinging on to his job after losing 5-0 at Notingham Forest in the FA Cup and 9-0 on aggregate to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-finals... but look at him now. So many big guns have fallen by the wayside, this could be the year he finally lands a trophy. "We were never at our best, but we did enough to get through to the next round, which is the most important thing," admitted Allardyce after surviving a scare in Cider country. "I told the players, 'Don't be victims, don't be another casualty of Cup shocks, make sure you are utterly professional in everything you do' – and they were. I'm just glad we are not one of the bigger teams crying all the way home this weekend, and in the end that one bit of quality we produced for the goal was all it needed. "As we have seen over the past couple of days, a team can be inspired by the FA Cup and although there is a big gap between the Premier League and the lower divisions in terms of finance, the gap in quality is not as big as everyone thinks. "Bristol City took their League form into this game and they were not overawed."
City boss Steve Cotterill can be chippier than Chippy Minton, the carpenter in toddlers' TV serial Trumpton, but he was entitled to go home with matching chips on each shoulder. Tenacious, spirited and well-organised, the Robins deserved a replay at Upton Park. For an hour, until Sakho joined the fray, City were more purposeful, more threatening, more convincing in all departments. Cotterill can be proud of the way his League One front runners gave the Hammers a fright, especially in the first half-hour when Mark Noble and, especially, Carroll were required to make urgent interventions to clear off the line from Matt Smith. And from an unfavourable angle, young midfielder Joe Bryan drove a decent chance beyond Adrian's left-hand post. But when Sakho replaced the ineffective Enner Valencia 12 minutes into the second half, West Ham were transformed from toothless to ruthless. Sakho soon made his presence felt by clipping the bar with a nifty half-volley, but City did not heed the warning and nine minutes from time the Senegalese striker delivered the proverbial knockout blow. Carroll, surging to the dead-ball line on the right-hand edge of the box, somehow managed to squeeze his cross to the far post, where Sakho – out injured since New Year's Day – rose to head his 10th goal of the season under the angle of bar and post.
Allardyce added: "One moment of quality has put us in the next round and that is the most important thing. "Keeping a clean sheet made all the difference and it was a hard-earned victory for us. They had their best spell in the opening 15 or 20 minutes, but we battled all the way through. "With the size Bristol have in their team, we knew we had to protect ourselves as best we could from set-pieces. We put players on each post because we felt at some point they would get headers at our goal – and it proved a wise tactic. "How far we can go in the competition will depend on the draw. We will have to face Premier League opposition at some point if we progress, but I would rather leave that until the final!"
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Cup glory can boost the Song cause!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
An FA Cup winning season is likely to put another brick in the Alex Song wall! Until now all the talk has been of pride and glory but a winning appearance at Wembley in the final of this competition is far more important to West Ham than any of that, Generally speaking there are three UEFA Europa League places given to English clubs who fulfil the following criteria: winning the FA Cup, winning the Capital One Cup and finishing fifth in the Barclays Premier League.
This may well be our best chance of making Europe and and it would be a huge boost to our hopes of persuading Song his future is with us.
The Song issue has been way up on their on the agenda almost since he arrived and that's another reason why today's match takes on such an importance. Sam Allardyce says: "It is whether Alex wants to stay, if he wants to stay then I would want him to stay of course.
"Whether it is financially feasible we will see. If a greater size entices him away or if Alex says he wants to further his career with West Ham after what he has done this year, then great."
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Fletcher record makes grim reading
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Darren Fletcher remains at the centre of rumours tonight that he has – or is about – to sign a deal with the Irons in a deal driven entirely by manager Sam Allardyce. But none of our regular sources have confirmed that either a two and a half or three and a half year deal has been done on the 30 year old.
The player's injury track record remains a big worry for the 'financial heads' inside the club along with the fact that he has only completed two games for United this season.
And you have to ask if he's not good enough for the United first team why would consider him a prize acquisition. He lasted 90 minutes in two early season games against Swansea and Burnley, appeared for 63 mins against Sunderland, 25 against us, a minute apiece against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Arsenal, 16 mins against Hull, four against Stoke and 46 and 28 against Aston Villa and Newcastle.
He has spent 90 mins on the bench against QPR, Leicester City, Everton, West Brom, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs and Stoke City and has not been involved in the squad over the last two games
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Super 'Sak' returns a conquering hero
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Priceless Diafra Sakho came off the bench to send the Irons into the velvet bag for the fifth round draw of the FA Cup. The striker rose at the far post (pictured) to head home an Andy Carroll cross from close range in the 81st minute on a comeback appearance. Sakho's goal was a massive relief given the pressure the Irons had been forced to soak up throughout the 80 minutes as the Keague One put the pressure on and never rook their foot off the gas. Giant striker Matt Smith was a constant threat seeing an early shot blocked by James Tomkins and presenting constant aerial problems. Mark Noble was forced to produce a clearing header off the line from the big man before Bryan shot wide of a far post with Adrian well beaten.
It was Smith though who dominated and his counterpart Andy Carroll was forced to clear off the Irons goal line again from another towering effort. The Hammers had been unable to find any rhythm or serious energy in a first half totally dominated by City although there were signs the Hammers were finding a toehold as the first half ended. Emmanuel-Thomas' had the first chance of the second half but although on target, Adrian was right behind his free kick, saving with ease. The arrival of Sakho though started to change the flow of the game and the Irons produced a good move which saw Cresswell cut the ball back for him but keeper Flint blocked. The Senegal hitman though was close when skimming the crossbar after bringing the ball under control brilliantly. And just six minutes later 'Sak' got his reward when Carroll's persistence on the right saw him make space for the cross and his partner arrived to crash home a header from close range. He then produced his trademark run to the fans arms crossed across his chest – he is the MAN! It was never easy. It was never pretty but after the shocks of yesterday we are through an looking towards Wembley.
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Fletcher: No deal…much doubt
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
No deal has yet been done to bring Darren Fletcher to Upton Park. Despite widespread rumours on forums that the player has agreed a three and a half year deal, ClaretandHugh has been told within the last few minutes: "There's no deal." And we also learned that the player will need to face a very stern medical should the club decide to push things further down the road. A top insider told us exclusively a few minutes ago: "There's no deal on Fletcher at this stage. He hasn't even had a medical yet and were we to go further with this, we would do a very strict medical." Whilst Sam Allardyce is desperately keen to push a deal through there remains much doubt about taking the player among important Boleyn 'faces.' One said: "It's very much a Sam deal. Some of us aren't so sure. He's obviously out of favour at Old Trafford. "There are doubts among several of us here and as I say he'll face a very strong medical before we even consider taking it further."
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Karren Brady reacts to West Ham United's win v Bristol City in FA Cup
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
1 hour ago
West Ham United edged past Bristol City 1-0 away from home in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has taken to social networking site Twitter to revel in the team's success in the FA Cup. Premier League outfit West Ham booked their place in the fifth round of the prestigious competition with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bristol City on Sunday. Diafra Sakho's goal nine minutes from full time proved to be the difference between the two sides at the Ashton Gate Stadium. It was not the best of performances from the Hammers, who could have easily lost the fourth-round tie had City been able to take their chances.
That did not affect Brady's mood, though, as she was just pleased to see Sam Allardyce's side progress to the last-16 stage of the FA Cup. After the victory in Bristol, the West Ham vice-chairman took to Twitter to express her delight.
Karren Brady ✔ @karren_brady
So pleased - into the next round of the FA CUP, season just keeps getting better and better
West Ham are having a fabulous season and are very much in with a chance of finishing in the top four of the Premier League. The Hammers are currently seventh in the league table with 36 points from 22 matches, just four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
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Sunday, January 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th January 2015
Preview - Bristol City
WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Sunday's game against Bristol City
24.01.2015
BRISTOL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND
ASHTON GATE
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 2PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON
In brief
The Hammers return to FA Cup action this weekend when they travel to play League One high flyers Bristol City in the fourth round.
The Robins have been in superb form this season, currently sitting second with 54 points with a game in hand. Should they win that game, they would leapfrog lead leaders Swindon Town.
Steve Cotterill's men go into Sunday's game on the back of a fruitful run of games which has sees them unbeaten in seven, winning ten of their last 12 matches.
Having come through that epic third round replay against Everton with Adrian's winning penalty, the Hammers went on to beat Hull City 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 18 January.
Sam Allardyce's men are currently enjoying a record points total at this stage of the season, with 36 points from 22 games, lying seventh in the Premier League table.
Related Stories
Big Sam on: Bristol City
Chadwell Chatter
Betting Preview
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Who are they?
Founded in 1894 as Bristol South End Football Club, they were renamed Bristol City is 1897. In 1900, they became a professional outfit having merged with Bedminster FC, moving to Ashton Gate in the process.
The Robins recorded their highest ever league placing in 1907, finishing as runners-up of Division One.
The closest they have come to winning the FA Cup came two years later when they were runners up in 1909. The Robins managed to get their hands on some silverware when they won the Football League Trophy in 1985/86 and 2002/03.
Currently, Ashton Gate is undergoing major refurbishment. Incidentally, the East Stand at the Boleyn Ground was opened for the only previous FA Cup meeting with Bristol City in January 1969!
After a delay of one week, due to icy weather conditions postponing the Hammers' final home League game of the year, the new East Stand was used for the first time for the visit of Bristol City on Saturday 4 January 1969 on the occasion of the FA Cup third round tie and the attendance of 32,526 produced then record receipts of £11,058.
It's cantilever style construction made the Stand one of the most modern in the Football League. It cost £170,000 to build and with no pylons to obscure the view of the pitch the Stand was an outstanding example of current constructional engineering.
The new feature of Boleyn Ground replaced the primitive building made of timber with a corrugated iron roof and sides which had stood on that side of the pitch for many decades and was affectionally known as "The Chicken Run."
Team news
West Ham United
James Collins is unavailable having suffered a back injury in the 3-0 win over Hull City. In his place, the Hammers could welcome back Winston Reid after he made his return to first team in the victory over the Tigers. He is likely to play alongside the in form James Tomkins.
Diafra Sakho (back) is still out, while Cheikhou Kouyate is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Bristol City
The Robins will be without prolific striker Aaron Wilbraham who has an injured hip. The former Crystal Palace man has scored 13 goals this season.
Kieran Agard is also struggling with an ankle problem. James Tavernier is cup-tied having played for Wigan in the previous round.
Referee
Sunday's referee is Lee Mason. The Lancashire based referee has taken charge of one game involving West Ham this season - the Hammers' narrow 2-1 defeat by Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was sent off for a rash challenge on Stewart Downing before Kevin Nolan's late equaliser was ruled out dubiously for offside.
Mason's previous involvement in the FA Cup this season was Leicester City's 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the third round.
The assistant referees will be Stuart Burt and Marc Perry, while Roger East is the fourth official.
One to watch
West Ham United
Andy Carroll scored his fifth goal of the season when he opened the scoring against Hull City last Sunday. The England international has been in superb form recently and will be looking to open his FA Cup account this weekend.
Bristol City
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been in great goalscoring form recently, netting four goals in his last three appearances. The former Arsenal youngster will come up against Aaron Cresswell, who were teammates at Ipswich Town.
Television Coverage
Sunday's game will be shown live on BBC One, kick off is at 2pm.
Tickets
Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.
Travel
For all your travel information on getting to and from Ashton Gate, click here
For the latest news on National Rail disruptions, click here.
Weather
Sunday is expected to be a cloudy but dry day. Temperature at kick-off is predicted to be 9C (48F).
Last meeting
Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United
English Championship
Tuesday 17 April 2012
The Hammers took the lead through a James Tomkins header from Mark Nobles' deep free kick. Their lead did not last long as Cole Skuse equalised for the Robins just four minutes later.
The draw virtually ended the Hammers chance of an automatic promotion place, meaning they would have to go through the play offs.
Bristol City: Gerken, Fontaine, Foster, Bikey, McGivern, Skuse, Cisse (Woolford 69), Pearson, Stead (Carey 88), Bolasie (Adomah 69), Wood
Subs not used: James, Kilkenny
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 74), Collins (Carew 63), Nolan, Taylor, Noble, Lansbury, Maynard (Collison 74), Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Diop
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Downing's up for the cup
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing wants to continue his terrific form against Bristol City in the FA Cup
25.01.2015
West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing has been enjoying a great season, scoring five goals in 2014/15 as well as contributing seven assists.
The 30-year-old midfielder has largely played in a more central position, at the tip of the diamond formation that manager Sam Allardyce has favoured for the majority of this campaign.
With the Hammers currently in good form, sitting in seventh in the Premier League with 36 points, Downing is hopeful that his teammates can bring their good league record into their FA Cup fourth round tie with Bristol City.
Speaking ahead of the game, Downing said: "This season has been very enjoyable. Maybe we've surprised a few people, but in this building itself this is what we wanted. We all believe in the ability of the squad and we've proved it. We lost the first game but from then on the way we've played has been really pleasing. I think we deserve to be where we are.
"I spoke to the manager in pre-season, even when I signed we talked playing in the middle in a three or off the frontman. I don't think he's had the luxury of doing that until now. This season he can mix it about which has helped me out massively but also the team.
"The new role really suits me. Playing with really good players obviously helps. The lads behind me do a lot to get me the ball and get into dangerous positions. I'm really enjoying it, the way we're playing especially at home has been really good. You can sense that the confidence in the team is high, and mine certainly is too."
Sunday's opponents Bristol City have also been in great form as they seek promotion to the Championship. Currently, Steve Cotterill's men are second in League One with 54 points and Downing knows that the Robins will provide a stern test.
"We will approach the game the same way we would if we played Chelsea. Playing at their place it is going to rocking. Obviously they play differently to a Chelsea but it will still be difficult. I've played there before with Middlesbrough. They made it hard for us, it finished 2-2 and we finally beat them on penalties. Cup games are never easy.
"I think you have to treat every game the same. If you don't then you can be punished. It's massive for them and I'm sure they'll treat it as a cup final.
"I've been there a few times, it is a difficult place to play at. The pitch wasn't great and the noise was loud. Sheffield United proved that playing lower league teams is never easy when they beat us at home."
Since the midfielder joined the Hammers in 2013, Downing has experienced two very contrasting seasons. While the Hammers struggled last term due to persistent injury problems, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man praised his manager, Sam Allardyce, for the way he handled the pressure.
"The manager gives us a lot of confidence. When we were struggling last season he kept on saying keep on doing the right things and we'll get out of it. He an enthusiastic person and he gets in among the lads.
"Last year he was under a lot pressure but he helped to take it off the lads and shouldered it himself. Where we are in the league is very good but we have to keep on going.
"Deep down he must be enjoying this season. The lads are playing well and performing for him. I think picking the team must be difficult because everyone is doing well. The big thing is flexibility, he's got the numbers and the options to change things around when necessary.
"When I joined West Ham I was hoping we would do something like this. It didn't really click in until the last few games. This season, we've kept fit and shown everyone what we can do. We're not there by luck or fluke, we've beaten some of the teams around us."
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U18s clip Seagulls
WHUFC.com
A goal in each half saw West Ham United U18s edge out Brighton at Little Heath
24.01.2015
West Ham United grabbed a deserved three points as they saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in the Barclays U18 Premier League at Little Heath. The home side opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Anthony Scully's right-wing cross was headed home by England U17 international striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram, before Connor Tighe levelled from the penalty spot minutes before half-time. After the break, the Hammers sealed the victory when Jerry Amoo (pictured) was well-placed in the six yard box to stab home from Joe Powell's cross. The Hammers made three changes to the starting XI which lost 2-0 at Southampton the previous weekend. Jake Eggleton, Kieran Bailey and Joe Powell were given the nod to replace Alex Pike, Grady Diangana and Vashon Neufville. Noha Sylvestre dropped into right-back, allowing Bailey to partner Matt Carter in the centre of midfield, while Scully took up a more central role in attack. Both Powell and Carter featured for the U18s after getting important minutes under their belts for Steve Potts' U21 squad against Chelsea on Friday evening. After suffering a heart-breaking defeat by the Saints, where they created and missed a host of chances, the Hammers may have been worrying about a similar outcome after wasting several opportunities in the opening 20 minutes against Brighton. It was Hector-Ingram who had his head in his hands after just three minutes when Carter raced towards the byline and supplied a low cross, only for the striker put the ball high over the bar.
Brighton came back strong and were only denied an opening goal of their own by an outstanding acrobatic save from Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes. After Tunji Akinola lost the ball in the defence, Brighton winger Tighe attempted an audacious lob from 40 yards out, but Howes managed to get enough of a hand to it to clear the danger. West Ham raised the tempo and began to control the game. Bailey and Carter worked hard in the midfield to open up attacking opportunities, but neither Amoo, Scully nor Powell could keep their efforts on target.
The Hammers did eventually break the deadlock, however. Sylvestre spotted the run of Scully down the right touchline and, after picking up the ball and shrugging off his marker, the schoolboy midfielder picked out Hector-Ingram in the penalty box and the cutest of headers put the hosts ahead.
It was a deserved lead for the Hammers and they continued to dominate for much the remainder of the opening 45 minutes. Just three minutes before the break, though, Brighton dragged themselves level. Emmanuel Onariase got the wrong side of his marker in the penalty area and committed a foul, allowing Tighe to step up and bring the visitors back into the game from the spot. On 48 minutes, the Hammers regained the lead when Powell's cross fell perfectly at Amoo's feet at the back post, with the speedy winger tapping in under pressure from a number of Brighton defenders. West Ham got stronger as the game continued, looking for a third goal to kill the game off. Powell narrowly shot wide of the post before Hector-Ingram fired straight at Brighton 'keeper Bailey Vose and Scully also blazed over from just yards out. Brighton struggled to get a foothold back in the match in the final stages and the Hammers held on to take the three points.
"I said to the players last weekend that their performance against Southampton was fantastic, but they just didn't score," revealed caretaker manager Mark Phillips. "This week, we created less chances in front of goal and had less possession but got the three points. I suppose that's football sometimes. "Having said that, I still think that we deserved to win the game against Brighton and I feel that maybe a victory by the odd goal is a fair result based on the way the game played out. "Brighton came back into it during the second half but I think that might've been down to the fact that we were a very young team that started to fatigue. "We had several U16 players and even U15 players on that pitch in the second half so perhaps Brighton thought that they could exploit that and work their way back into the game. "Overall, I'm very happy with the result and we will prepare ourselves again for the trip to Arsenal next weekend."
The Hammers travel to Arsenal's London Colney Training Centre on Saturday 31 January 2015, with kick-off scheduled for 11am.
U18s: Howes, Sylvestre (Kanu), Onariase, Akinola, Eggleton, Carter (Rice), Bailey, Scully (Morris), Amoo, Powell, Hector-Ingram
Subs not used: Boness, Trialist
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Lletget: "It was a good lesson"
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget said a youthful Dev Squad did well against a tough Chelsea side
24.01.2015
West Ham United Development Squad midfielder Sebastian Lletget was pleased to score his first goal of the season in a 3-1 defeat by league leaders Chelsea. The Blues, who named a strong side, took an early lead when Kasey Palmer's impressive flick nestled in the far corner. The west London outfit took a commanding lead into the break when Dominic Solanke scored twice, despite his first looking as though he had come back from an offside position. Nevertheless, the Dev Squad, in Steve Potts' first game since being appointed U21s coach, rallied when Lletget bundled in Djair Parfitt-Williams pinpoint cross. Speaking after the game, Lletget said: "It was a tough game, Chelsea always are. I thought we prepared well under Steve Potts, it was his first game tonight. I thought we did OK but its our first game really. "It was nice to score. I've been practising my movement in the box and finally it paid off. Djair did really well to set the cross up and I just had to put it away."
The win sees Chelsea go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League, however Lletget insisted the game would be a good lesson for the Hammers, who included ten U18s in their squad. "I thought they did well, considering Chelsea is always a very tough game. They're up at the top of the league so it was a tough game but it was a good lesson. "We let a couple of goals in in the first half but the important thing is that we came back in the second half, we didn't crumble and we'll take that from the game. "They were definitely up the there with the best teams we've faced this year, especially in terms of moving the ball around, they were outstanding."
January has been a busy month for the Dev Squad and their fixture is on Monday 26 Janaury, away at Southampton: "We've got just two days to recover and then we're back at it against Southampton on Monday. Hopefully we will get a win because we really need a win." The Dev Squad's next home game is Fulham at Rush Green Stadium on Friday 6 February, kick is 7pm.
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West Ham striker returns to Accrington Stanley
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Sean Maguire has rejoined League Two side Accrington Stanley on an initial month-long loan. The 20-year-old scored four goals in 16 appearances during a four-month loan at Accrington, which expired last week. Maguire is now available for another seven games, with his latest loan deal running until February 22. "I'm sure he can be as much of a success for us as he was first time around," Accrington manager John Coleman told the club website.
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Sakho back for Liverpool trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has revealed that he expects leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho to be fit enough to face Liverpool on January 31. The Senegalese striker was forced to miss out on the African Cup of Nations after aggravating a back injury originally sustained at the tail end of 2014 against West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day. However co-owner Gold, speaking via Twitter revealed that the 24-year-old should be back in time for the trip to Anfield - where West Ham will be seeking their first win since 1962.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@whu333: Any truth that Sakho could return against Liverpool
I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool. dg
The 78-year-old, who celebrated five years at the helm of West Ham last week also revealed that the club are hoping to expand their squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which is just ten days away. When asked whether supporters can expect to see any new signings before the closure of the window, Gold said: "Our intention is to strengthen the squad."
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Cav for Rav swap mooted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are keeping tabs on Lazio's Belgian youth international defender Luis Pedro Cavanda. The 24-year-old right-back - who can also play on the left side of defence - was born in Angola but moved to Europe at an early age, since when he has represented his new country at Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 level. And according to Tutto Mercato Web this afternoon, West Ham - who would prefer to make Carl Jenkinson's loan spell permanent but have baulked at the £8million asking price - have made tentative enquiries into his availability.
One player Cavenda could be replacing at West Ham is Ravel Morrison, who is on his way to Italy at the end of the season on a free transfer according to reports this morning.
A fortnight ago we revealed that the out-of-favour midfielder, who was recently cleared of all charges relating to an incident with an ex-girlfriend and her mother, could be on his way to mainland Europe. And with no UK-based club willing to make the troubled Morrison a suitable offer, it appears that the 21-year-old has opted for a spell in Serie A with Lazio who are said to have reached agreement with the player over a permanent contract.
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Ravel Morrison is to join Lazio at the end of the season
Last Updated: 24/01/15 2:02pm
SSN
Sky sources are reporting that West Ham's Ravel Morrison has agreed to join Italian side Lazio on a free transfer at the end of the season. Morrison's deal expires in the summer and he has agreed a contract with the Serie A side, although he has not formally signed yet. A very skilful performer, Morrison was a hot property as a youngster at Manchester United and has represented England at U16, U17, U18, and U21 level. He was signed by the Hammers on a three and a half year deal in January 2012 but his career has stalled a little since his arrival and he has been sent to three different clubs on loan. The 21-year-old spent time in previous seasons at Birmingham and QPR, featuring regularly for the London side towards the end of last season, although he was an unused substitute for their play-off final win over Derby. This term he joined Cardiff on a three-month loan switch in September but he returned early in December. Several clubs in Europe have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Morrison during the current transfer window but it looks like he has opted to let his contract expire before departing Upton Park.
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ARE THE NEXT FEW GAMES 'MAKE OR BREAK'?
By Iain Dale 23 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Benjamin Cronin
With a convincing second half performance that led to a comfortable victory against a struggling Hull side, talk of Europa League and (don't say it too loud) Champions League football is on the lips of many a West Ham fan once again. We're creeping closer to the the business end of the season and rather than concerning ourselves with those fabled relegation six pointers, Big Sam is looking up and thinking positive as he takes his side into possibly the most important seven games of the season. Granted, a good start or strong finish can always save a team or salvage one of those top four places. But what will these next few games tell us about West Ham?
Within the next month or so, The Mighty Irons will host Manchester United and the current leaders of the Premier League, Chelsea, as well as travelling to another three of the six sides who sit above us in the table; Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal. As if this task didn't seem daunting enough, it all kicks off with a trip to Anfield to face a side who sit just one place and one point below us. So, will the bubbles streaming from the Boleyn soon be burst or will even the most optimistic of Hammers fans be in for a shock come 24th May?
With Liverpool seemingly creeping towards their form of last year (albeit still a long way off), the trip to Anfield will be a lot more of a challenge than it would have appeared only a few weeks back, or certainly more than the reverse fixture when we had them beat within the first ten minutes in September. The Reds League Cup success could both help and hinder The Irons, another positive performance against Chelsea could see them reach the final and boost morale ahead of the encounter but a loss could deflate the side who will also be left with fitness concerns (assuming Rodgers plays Gerrard, it's most likely he would need to be rested for the following game) after the second leg of their tie. In a game that is sure to be a close run thing, the likes of Carroll and Downing can return to what will undoubtedly be a frosty reception at Anfield and prove they do have the ability that earned them big money moves to Merseyside. As Liverpool currently sit second in the leagues form table, I would be looking for a strong defensive performance with avoiding defeat perhaps more important than trying to steal a win. Big Sam and the boys coming back to the East End with a point would be a positive but there's always a chance of nabbing all three if we keep it close.
Next is a home game against Manchester United, which, bar the last two seasons, would usually only go one way. Although we've had numerous 'big results' back in the days of Ferguson, United would always seemingly scrape through (or score a 50-yard half volley) and get a result. They've had a few moments where they've played well and shown how Van Gaals much publicised 'football philosophy' could potentially work but there's still no caparison to the side who, under Ferguson, could play terribly and come away with a 3-0 win. It tense game at Old Trafford, when two early goals put United in the driving seat and they managed to cling on for a win. It's another game that I'd like to see the side of Allardyce that had many calling for his head last season. Defence should be given priority (as I'm sure it will with concerns over clean sheets coming to the fore over the last few weeks) and providing we take the chances that will undoubtedly be created, a win wouldn't be a shock but again, I'd settle for a point.
Trips to St. Mary's and White Hart Lane are always going to be difficult with both teams showing consistent form. Although no one can deny how impressive Southampton have been this season, Tottenham aren't exactly cruising to victories (with a late 2-1 apparently popping up every week). Spurs are perhaps more accustomed to their current position but have a completely new squad to the one that reached the Champions League and have been there or thereabouts since, as well as a new manager who after a good few seasons in the Premier League still appears to divide opinion. With Crystal Palace following these two fixtures I would expect a minimum of four points out of the three games but between six and nine wouldn't come as a surprise.
Southampton are perhaps one side who have come to the Boleyn this season and actually outplayed West Ham. Another side who have the potential to do the same is the current leaders and favourites for the title, Chelsea. In all honestly, West Ham were lucky to come back from Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day without being embarrassed like Swansea last weekend. Mourinho's men ran the game and it was only thanks to Adrian that the deficit wasn't more than two. If Chelsea turn up and play well, The Hammers will have to be at their resolute best for the entire 90 minutes to keep them out. Although the Blues have been by far the best team in the league this season, they have shown instances of struggling through games. Big Sam will be hoping that Jose and his team aren't at their sleek and stylish best (an exit from the League Cup could help this) and that the crowd and our impressive home form can get us a result.
A trip to the emirates brings an end to this run of crucial fixtures and come mid-March, we could be expecting rather than speculating about the prospect of European football. It certainly doesn't feel like it was eight-years ago that Bobby Zamora scored the goal that helped West Ham, then led by Curbishley, to be the first side to win at the Emirates, but in that time a lot has changed. We've been down and up and now, on the verge of our own 'big move', are a completely differently club. After Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher apparently jumped ship and started supporting Arsenal following their performance against City, I'm still yet to be convinced. City were far from at their best and although Arsenal took advantage of it, I'm sure Neville and Carragher will be picking holes in the Gunners defensive frailties in the not too distant future. It's another game in which our multi-faceted approach could be key. A strong, physical defensive performance tends to result in Arsenal struggling and that, paired with Carrol and Valencia putting pressure on a notoriously (despite the pundits drastic change of opinion) defence, a positive result isn't out of reach. Again, avoiding defeat must be given priority but it's a game I can see us growing into and taking three points from.
The likes of Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Song, Downing and Carroll have stood out for me this season but I feel the next few games will be decided by smart tactics and Big Sam can show just what a great manager he can be. The much maligned solid and compact system from last year may well return over the next few weeks and although many fans would like to see us continue our attacking football against the likes of; Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea it will instead be the ability to provide disciplined defensive performances that will define our season. If the side manage to get through the next month or so with only one or two extra losses on the record, there is a great possibility of kicking on and finishing the season strongly. The consistency of the first half of the season must remain, those influential players previous mentioned need to avoid the inevitable injuries and with a little bit of luck (turning draws against the likes of Swansea and West Brom into victories), The Boleyn could be hosting some of Europe's finest next year.
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AND MY PLAYERS OF THE SEASON SO FAR ARE...
By Iain Dale 24 Jan 2015 at 08:40
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Banjo
You will be delighted to know I am not intending to make a habit of this but I thought I would offer this as a Guest Post because me and my droogs spent a whole journey to the Academy and back debating the subject and we could not agree between the five of us. We ended up allowing each person to choose a top three, strictly in order, with 2 honourable mentions (2 because no one could limit it to one!)
We spent the whole journey on Sunday, both ways, on this subject and summing up took place on the back of paper napkins late in the evening in the local curry house. Here was my entry and subsequent reasoning;
1. Andy Carroll – I know the front 2 divides opinion but I just love it when the big man plays. I see the pain on the defenders faces during the match and the relief as they walk off after 90 mins knowing they will not have to play him again for 6 months. All 3 main strikers have played nearly the same number of matches this season ( Valencia 12 and Sakho and Carroll 11 each) so whilst I hope the distribution of starts continue, the big man is my first choice. I love it when he scores, love his big smile and when he blows a kiss to Billie. I know some have been critical of his lifestyle in the past but he really seems to be in a good place right now.
2. Aaron Cresswell – for me the buy of the pre-season. At last a player that can fill Julian Dicks boots and wear the no. 3 shirt. I feel assured when he is defending, I love it when he gets forward and his crosses into the box are as good as any. I also think he is making free kicks in a certain position his own. He has been ever present since joining us, he is loving it, and it shows.
3. Alex Song – the first 2 were easy, this was the tough one. Either of the honourable mentions could have had the 3rd birth but I went for Alex Song because I think he has been key to our success. So much that we do goes through him and perhaps if he was really ours he might have got the top spot. I love it when he makes a pass through a gap and the defenders watch it thread through them in the knowledge the next boot it will find will belong to a West Ham player. Suckers!
Honourable mentions – again this was really tough and both could have made the top three, how lucky are we this season? But I went for Stewart Downing, without doubt the most improved player this year with 5 goals, most assists and like Cresswell ever present. And of course Diafa Sakho, how I can mention him last after 8 goals is lunacy but there you go.
Adrian, Collins and Jenkinson all featured on my pals list and if I am honest I couldn't disagree with any of their choices and reasoning.
My wife word checked this to remove my "annoying" abbreviations so I hope it passes the reasonable grammar test.
There are no rules, and even if there were I wouldn't change them half way through the post, so no one is right or wrong so need to argue :)
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MATCH PREVIEW: BRISTOL CITY
By Dan Coker 24 Jan 2015 at 13:29
West Ham Till I Die
Blast from the past
Today's blast from the past features our only previous FA Cup encounter with this weekend's opponents, Bristol City. It was a third round tie on the 4th of January 1969, a 3-2 win for West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground in front of 32,526 spectators.
Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, The Beatles' White Album topped the album charts and the top-flight Hammers began their 1969 FA Cup campaign against the Second Division Robins. John Galley gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but Martin Peters levelled with a header from Harry Redknapp's corner just four minutes later. That's how the game remained at half-time but the hosts led within seven minutes of the restart after Geoff Hurst hooked the ball over Mike Gibson. Peters notched his second of the game on 64 minutes but Alan Skirton reduced the deficit by scoring with two minutes remaining.
The Hammers would go on to win 2-0 at Huddersfield in the fourth round but would be knocked out in a 3-0 reverse at Third Division Mansfield in the fifth round. The FA Cup was won by Manchester City in 1969 as they defeated Leicester City 1-0 in the Final at Wembley. In doing so they became, behind West Ham United in 1975, the second-last all-English team to win the FA Cup.
West Ham United: Bobby Ferguson, Billy Bonds, Bobby Moore, Alan Stephenson, John Cushley, John Charles, Harry Redknapp, Ronnie Boyce, Jimmy Lindsay, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst.
Bristol City: Mike Gibson, Trevor Jacobs, Alec Briggs, Ken Wimshurst, Jack Connor, Gordon Parr, Alan Skirton, Chris Garland, John Galley, Bobby Kellard, Gerry Sharpe.
Club Connections
A reasonably large list of players have turned out for both Bristol City and West Ham United over the years. These include: Fred Harrison, Ray Atteveld, David Noble, Marlon Harewood, Jordan Spence, Paul Allen, Hugh Monteith, Jack Landells, Fred Corbett, David James, Bobby Gould, Leroy Rosenior, George Parris, Albert Carnelly, Nicky Maynard, Gavin Williams, Joe Durrell, Steve Jones, Hogan Ephraim, Eamonn Dolan, William Ingham, Ralph Milne, Stephen Henderson and Sam Baldock.
Today's focus though is on a forward who came through the youth system at West Ham and went on to enjoy goalscoring success with Bristol City. Nicky Morgan was born in East Ham on the 30th October 1959. He began his career at his boyhood club, West Ham United, starting as an apprentice before earning a professional contract in 1978. He made his first-team debut in a 1-0 Second Division victory at home against Luton on 9th April 1979, following that up with another appearance the following month in a 0-0 draw at Cardiff. Morgan made seven appearances in 1979/80, scoring his first goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Charlton on 5th May 1980. He came on as a substitute at Wembley in the 1-0 Charity Shield defeat to Liverpool in August 1980 and went on to make six appearances in the promotion campaign of 1980/81, scoring the winner in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on 8th May 1981. He also experienced European football, turning out three times in the European Cup Winners' Cup – Morgan played in both legs against Castilla and in the home leg against Poli Timisoara.
Morgan spent the 1981/82 season on loan with Den Haag, scoring 6 goals in 20 appearances, but the Dutch club were relegated at the end of the campaign. He returned to east London to play in seven First Division matches in 1982/83, although he didn't score, and the 1-1 home draw with Stoke on 19th March 1983 would transpire to be his last outing in claret and blue. Having scored 2 goals in 26 Hammers outings, he left for Portsmouth later that month.
Morgan enjoyed three full seasons at Fratton Park, spent almost exclusively in the second tier, before joining Stoke in the early part of 1986/87. After almost four full seasons with the Potters, he dropped down to the Third Division to sign for Bristol City in April 1990. Morgan scored four goals in seven matches for the Robins as they secured promotion to the Second Division, ironically swapping places with the team he had just departed. He scored 17 goals in 1990/91, his highest return in a season for any of his clubs, as City ended the campaign in ninth place. He dropped out of the first-team picture at Ashton Gate in 1991/92 however and spent a short spell on loan at Bournemouth in 1992/93. He left Bristol City permanently in August 1993, signing for Exeter City having scored 29 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for the Robins. After 4 goals in 12 matches with Exeter, Morgan decided to retire from professional football.
Referee
Sunday's referee will be Lee Mason from Greater Manchester. Mason refereed four of our games last season, sending off two of our players (Mark Noble against Everton and James Tomkins at Cardiff) and disallowing a perfectly good Stewart Downing equaliser at Crystal Palace. He has officiated in one Hammers match this term, that being the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford when he sent off Wayne Rooney, denied the Hammers a penalty when Morgan Amalfitano's cross struck Radamel Falcao's arm and disallowed Kevin Nolan's last-minute strike for a marginal offside.
Mason was also the ref for our home fixture with Manchester United in 2011. He awarded West Ham two penalties, both converted by Mark Noble, but then failed to give Nemanja Vidic a red card for a professional foul on Demba Ba with the score at 2-0 to the Hammers. United went on to win 4-2, with their crucial third a very controversial penalty for handball against Matthew Upson, which Rooney converted. Mason also sent off Noble at Birmingham the season before.
Possible line-ups
Bristol City are currently second in League One under Steve Cotterill having battled against relegation for much of last season. The Robins also seem set for Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy having established a first-leg lead over Gillingham in the Southern Area Final. Sunday's game at Ashton Gate, however, will be the first time the club have appeared in the FA Cup fourth round since 2007. Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has scored seven goals in his past eight Cup matches while fellow forward Matt Smith, on loan from Fulham, has nine goals in his last seven matches. Bristol City have doubts over striker Aaron Wilbraham, who is struggling with a hip problem and has not featured for the Robins since December, and Kieran Agard who last played on Boxing Day. Defender James Tavernier is cup-tied after playing for parent club Wigan in their 1-0 defeat to Bolton in the previous round. City defender Aden Flint stands at 6'5 – he is likely to be marking Andy Carroll. Cotterill has largely employed a 3-5-2 system this season.
West Ham United are unbeaten in their past 10 meetings with Bristol City in all competitions in a run stretching back to February 1978. Sam Allardyce has ruled out Welsh international defender James Collins, while fellow centre-back James Tomkins also limped out of last week's victory over Hull with a hamstring strain. Should a decision be made not to risk Tomkins, Joey O'Brien is likely to fill in at centre-back after Reece Burke played 90 minutes for the Development Squad on Friday. Morgan Amalfitano scored and impressed from the bench last week and could claim a starting place ahead of Mark Noble, who put in a rare below-par performance last time out.
Possible Bristol City XI: Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little, Elliott, K Smith, Freeman, Bryan; Emmanuel-Thomas, M Smith.
Possible West Ham United XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, O'Brien, Reid, Cresswell; Song, Nolan, Amalfitano; Downing; Carroll, Valencia.
Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!
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Gold confirms Sakho recovery
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold has confirmed that Diafra Sakho is back in the selection frame for the Irons. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively a few hours ago that the striker had an outside chance of making the bench for tomorrow's fourth round FA Cup clash at Ashton Gate adding that next week's match against Liverpool at Anfield was a real target. And the co chairman has confirmed that is the case in responding to a follower who asked if there was "any truth" in the story. Gold declared: "I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool." A source told us: "There remains a small chance he'll make the bench tomorrow. He has recovered quicker than expected."
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Sakho back in the selection frame
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho has an outside chance of making it onto the Hammers bench against Bristol City although in the last few minutes we have been told it's more likely he'll feature at Liverpool next week! Whewther it's tomorrow or next weekend , the Hammers will have no hesitation in thrusting him into FA Cup action despite earlier threats from the Senegal Football Federation. They had claimed after his back injury against West Brom that should he return to Premier League action before the end of the African Cup of Nations they would throw the Fifa rule book at the Irons. However, they ,may find that difficult given that Leicester City's Jeffrey Schlupp who missed joining the Ghana squad with a knee injury was fit to play against Stoke City last week.
Foxes Boss Nigel Pearson revealed that he had acted entirely within the rules by telling Ghana the player would be out for between 10-14 days just as the Hammers did Senegal over Sakho explaining it could take up to four or six weeks. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively this morning: "Diafra has made a quicker than expected recovery and may feature on the bench at Ashton Gate – we will see. However, it could be we will give him another seven days. "There's less than a 50 per cent chance of Senegal taking action given the Leicester City precedent and should the player be fit, we'll take our chances!"
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Central defender NEVER a target
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe is not in London and has never been a West Ham target! Sam Allardyce has confirmed the ClaretandHugh story of several weeks ago when we revealed that the player was not remotely on the club's radar. In talking up the possibility of a Darren Fletcher switch to the club, the manager let it be known that the 25 year old central defender was not a target for us. And that suggests Winston Reid is set to stay with the club at least until the summer with a source telling us: "There have still been no inquiries for the player." Allardyce revealed: "We have not taken a Nigerian defender. It is not the case that he has flown in."
And on the Darren Fletcher situation he added: ""I don't know what the timeline is going to be but for me if any of the other packages we have offered are accepted then we will accept that. "If someone else accepts and the other one hasn't made their mind up, or they are negotiating somewhere else, then that would be it because we couldn't wait for ever. "At this stage of the window if you do get something nailed on you must take it because you might very well end up with nothing if you don't."
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Hammers update signings situation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's chiefs have told the fans not to hold their breath on January signings! Unless the board is 100 per cent convinced a new signing will "definitely improve the squad." they will be keeping the coffers firmly shut. Last year's moves for striker Marco Borriello,midfielder Antonio Nocerino (pictured above) and Colombia left back Paolo Armero – brought in on top wages – were all released after deeply disappointing spells. Thirty four year old Dirk Kuyt is the latest veteran to be linked with the club after a week in which Darren Fletcher was been at the centre of the club's thoughts. But this morning an insider told ClaretandHugh:"There's been a lot of talking going on all week but nothing has been concluded. It's a time to look around of course but in the main January buys are never good buys. "We are in a good position to only buy players who we really believe will improve the team, either short or long term.
"If you look at the money spent over previous January windows, the cost has run to tens of millions with fees, agents fees and wages and very few of the players had any impact. Our position is very healthy."
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Bristol City show real class to us Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Bristol City is a very likeable club. I've spent many afternoons inside Ashton Gate reporting games over the years and it has always been a hospitable , media friendly place where people know how to behave and respond. So it came as absolutely no surprise to find that The Robins had decided to allow the Irons to take their bubbles machine to the ground this afternoon on the basis that they want "everybody to enjoy themselves." I'm an Iron to my backbone but credit where it's due. Chairman Steve Lansdown and his team have shown real class and Claretandhugh would like to say 'thank you' on behalf of all our fans who we believe will have a winning afternoon out. Football is full of measly and miserly-mouthed individuals without a thought in their heads for anyone but themselves. And although it's only a tiny gesture in the great scheme of things it shows some much needed qualityand our co chairman David Gold was quick to offer his thanks to the club. He told ClaretandHugh: "Well done Bristol City – that is absolutely brilliant and shows real class. We're grateful." A shower of bubbles over Ashton Gate following a day of incredible FA shocks will give the lads a lift as they take to the field. Thank you City and "COME ON YOU IRONS!"
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DG: "Cup shocks best team talk ever for the lads"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold claimed this evening that the FA shocks of this afternoon will have a greater impact on the West Ham players than any pep talk Sam Allardyce can give them. DG sat at home this afternoon watching like most of us in disbelief as Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs were kicked out of the FA Cup. And he told ClaretandHugh: "It's a massive warning of what can happen and the players will be sitting in their hotel saying: "We can't let that happen to us." And he roared with laughterwhen he declared: : "Of course, I'm absolutely heartbroken for Tottenham Hotspur!" "It will help that we have set our stall out since pre-season as far as this competiton is concerned – it has always been very high on the priority list but everybody inside the club and every player will be aware of what can happen if we are not bang on our game after today. "I believe we have learned our lesson in the past. We will put possibly our strongest team out and so long as we are at our best we can get the result. "It's all about Wembley – we want to go to Wembley for the semi-finals and the Final and with these massive clubs now out of the competition our chance is clear. "There's a balancing act for the players – they can see the chance but must make sure they don't suffer the same fate. They will be prepared and ready, "It will be an exciting and I believe a winning afternoon in Bristol. We can't fail."
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Man U's Fletcher: more deal details revealed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hUgh
Sam Allardyce is keen to take Darren Fletcher on loan for six months with the offer of a two and half year deal at the end of it! The manager is the driving force behind a deal which remains very much in the balance as the Manchester United midfielder studies options he has received from us and West Bromwich Albion. Others inside the club are cooler are on the player but are backing the manager up to a point as they wait to hear back from Fletcher. Allardyce this morning in outspoken national newspaper comments attempted to pile pressure on Fletcher to sign and ClaretandHugh – as a result – spoke to club contacts about the forces driving the deal. At 30 years of age the player sits outside the board's stated policy of taken no players older than 27 but it seems the manager is seeking an exception is made in the case of a player he rates highly. And he's ready to agree terms that would take Fletcher up to beyond his 33rd birthday as a medium term replacement for captain Kevin Nolan.
Our source said: "Sam wants this deal. Bizarrely, a clause is wanted which says he stays on if we remain in the Premier League which is a given anyway. "Some of the staff have worries about his injury record. The last thing we want is a player on a two and a half year deal who isn't available for periods of time. "Everybody has a high regard to how the player has overcome serious health problems but clubs can't be overly sentimental when a lot of money is onvolved."
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WHUFC.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of Sunday's game against Bristol City
24.01.2015
BRISTOL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND
ASHTON GATE
SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 2PM
REFEREE: LEE MASON
In brief
The Hammers return to FA Cup action this weekend when they travel to play League One high flyers Bristol City in the fourth round.
The Robins have been in superb form this season, currently sitting second with 54 points with a game in hand. Should they win that game, they would leapfrog lead leaders Swindon Town.
Steve Cotterill's men go into Sunday's game on the back of a fruitful run of games which has sees them unbeaten in seven, winning ten of their last 12 matches.
Having come through that epic third round replay against Everton with Adrian's winning penalty, the Hammers went on to beat Hull City 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 18 January.
Sam Allardyce's men are currently enjoying a record points total at this stage of the season, with 36 points from 22 games, lying seventh in the Premier League table.
Related Stories
Big Sam on: Bristol City
Chadwell Chatter
Betting Preview
.
Who are they?
Founded in 1894 as Bristol South End Football Club, they were renamed Bristol City is 1897. In 1900, they became a professional outfit having merged with Bedminster FC, moving to Ashton Gate in the process.
The Robins recorded their highest ever league placing in 1907, finishing as runners-up of Division One.
The closest they have come to winning the FA Cup came two years later when they were runners up in 1909. The Robins managed to get their hands on some silverware when they won the Football League Trophy in 1985/86 and 2002/03.
Currently, Ashton Gate is undergoing major refurbishment. Incidentally, the East Stand at the Boleyn Ground was opened for the only previous FA Cup meeting with Bristol City in January 1969!
After a delay of one week, due to icy weather conditions postponing the Hammers' final home League game of the year, the new East Stand was used for the first time for the visit of Bristol City on Saturday 4 January 1969 on the occasion of the FA Cup third round tie and the attendance of 32,526 produced then record receipts of £11,058.
It's cantilever style construction made the Stand one of the most modern in the Football League. It cost £170,000 to build and with no pylons to obscure the view of the pitch the Stand was an outstanding example of current constructional engineering.
The new feature of Boleyn Ground replaced the primitive building made of timber with a corrugated iron roof and sides which had stood on that side of the pitch for many decades and was affectionally known as "The Chicken Run."
Team news
West Ham United
James Collins is unavailable having suffered a back injury in the 3-0 win over Hull City. In his place, the Hammers could welcome back Winston Reid after he made his return to first team in the victory over the Tigers. He is likely to play alongside the in form James Tomkins.
Diafra Sakho (back) is still out, while Cheikhou Kouyate is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Bristol City
The Robins will be without prolific striker Aaron Wilbraham who has an injured hip. The former Crystal Palace man has scored 13 goals this season.
Kieran Agard is also struggling with an ankle problem. James Tavernier is cup-tied having played for Wigan in the previous round.
Referee
Sunday's referee is Lee Mason. The Lancashire based referee has taken charge of one game involving West Ham this season - the Hammers' narrow 2-1 defeat by Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was sent off for a rash challenge on Stewart Downing before Kevin Nolan's late equaliser was ruled out dubiously for offside.
Mason's previous involvement in the FA Cup this season was Leicester City's 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the third round.
The assistant referees will be Stuart Burt and Marc Perry, while Roger East is the fourth official.
One to watch
West Ham United
Andy Carroll scored his fifth goal of the season when he opened the scoring against Hull City last Sunday. The England international has been in superb form recently and will be looking to open his FA Cup account this weekend.
Bristol City
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been in great goalscoring form recently, netting four goals in his last three appearances. The former Arsenal youngster will come up against Aaron Cresswell, who were teammates at Ipswich Town.
Television Coverage
Sunday's game will be shown live on BBC One, kick off is at 2pm.
Tickets
Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.
Travel
For all your travel information on getting to and from Ashton Gate, click here
For the latest news on National Rail disruptions, click here.
Weather
Sunday is expected to be a cloudy but dry day. Temperature at kick-off is predicted to be 9C (48F).
Last meeting
Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United
English Championship
Tuesday 17 April 2012
The Hammers took the lead through a James Tomkins header from Mark Nobles' deep free kick. Their lead did not last long as Cole Skuse equalised for the Robins just four minutes later.
The draw virtually ended the Hammers chance of an automatic promotion place, meaning they would have to go through the play offs.
Bristol City: Gerken, Fontaine, Foster, Bikey, McGivern, Skuse, Cisse (Woolford 69), Pearson, Stead (Carey 88), Bolasie (Adomah 69), Wood
Subs not used: James, Kilkenny
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 74), Collins (Carew 63), Nolan, Taylor, Noble, Lansbury, Maynard (Collison 74), Vaz Te
Subs not used: Henderson, Diop
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Downing's up for the cup
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing wants to continue his terrific form against Bristol City in the FA Cup
25.01.2015
West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing has been enjoying a great season, scoring five goals in 2014/15 as well as contributing seven assists.
The 30-year-old midfielder has largely played in a more central position, at the tip of the diamond formation that manager Sam Allardyce has favoured for the majority of this campaign.
With the Hammers currently in good form, sitting in seventh in the Premier League with 36 points, Downing is hopeful that his teammates can bring their good league record into their FA Cup fourth round tie with Bristol City.
Speaking ahead of the game, Downing said: "This season has been very enjoyable. Maybe we've surprised a few people, but in this building itself this is what we wanted. We all believe in the ability of the squad and we've proved it. We lost the first game but from then on the way we've played has been really pleasing. I think we deserve to be where we are.
"I spoke to the manager in pre-season, even when I signed we talked playing in the middle in a three or off the frontman. I don't think he's had the luxury of doing that until now. This season he can mix it about which has helped me out massively but also the team.
"The new role really suits me. Playing with really good players obviously helps. The lads behind me do a lot to get me the ball and get into dangerous positions. I'm really enjoying it, the way we're playing especially at home has been really good. You can sense that the confidence in the team is high, and mine certainly is too."
Sunday's opponents Bristol City have also been in great form as they seek promotion to the Championship. Currently, Steve Cotterill's men are second in League One with 54 points and Downing knows that the Robins will provide a stern test.
"We will approach the game the same way we would if we played Chelsea. Playing at their place it is going to rocking. Obviously they play differently to a Chelsea but it will still be difficult. I've played there before with Middlesbrough. They made it hard for us, it finished 2-2 and we finally beat them on penalties. Cup games are never easy.
"I think you have to treat every game the same. If you don't then you can be punished. It's massive for them and I'm sure they'll treat it as a cup final.
"I've been there a few times, it is a difficult place to play at. The pitch wasn't great and the noise was loud. Sheffield United proved that playing lower league teams is never easy when they beat us at home."
Since the midfielder joined the Hammers in 2013, Downing has experienced two very contrasting seasons. While the Hammers struggled last term due to persistent injury problems, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man praised his manager, Sam Allardyce, for the way he handled the pressure.
"The manager gives us a lot of confidence. When we were struggling last season he kept on saying keep on doing the right things and we'll get out of it. He an enthusiastic person and he gets in among the lads.
"Last year he was under a lot pressure but he helped to take it off the lads and shouldered it himself. Where we are in the league is very good but we have to keep on going.
"Deep down he must be enjoying this season. The lads are playing well and performing for him. I think picking the team must be difficult because everyone is doing well. The big thing is flexibility, he's got the numbers and the options to change things around when necessary.
"When I joined West Ham I was hoping we would do something like this. It didn't really click in until the last few games. This season, we've kept fit and shown everyone what we can do. We're not there by luck or fluke, we've beaten some of the teams around us."
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U18s clip Seagulls
WHUFC.com
A goal in each half saw West Ham United U18s edge out Brighton at Little Heath
24.01.2015
West Ham United grabbed a deserved three points as they saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in the Barclays U18 Premier League at Little Heath. The home side opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Anthony Scully's right-wing cross was headed home by England U17 international striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram, before Connor Tighe levelled from the penalty spot minutes before half-time. After the break, the Hammers sealed the victory when Jerry Amoo (pictured) was well-placed in the six yard box to stab home from Joe Powell's cross. The Hammers made three changes to the starting XI which lost 2-0 at Southampton the previous weekend. Jake Eggleton, Kieran Bailey and Joe Powell were given the nod to replace Alex Pike, Grady Diangana and Vashon Neufville. Noha Sylvestre dropped into right-back, allowing Bailey to partner Matt Carter in the centre of midfield, while Scully took up a more central role in attack. Both Powell and Carter featured for the U18s after getting important minutes under their belts for Steve Potts' U21 squad against Chelsea on Friday evening. After suffering a heart-breaking defeat by the Saints, where they created and missed a host of chances, the Hammers may have been worrying about a similar outcome after wasting several opportunities in the opening 20 minutes against Brighton. It was Hector-Ingram who had his head in his hands after just three minutes when Carter raced towards the byline and supplied a low cross, only for the striker put the ball high over the bar.
Brighton came back strong and were only denied an opening goal of their own by an outstanding acrobatic save from Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes. After Tunji Akinola lost the ball in the defence, Brighton winger Tighe attempted an audacious lob from 40 yards out, but Howes managed to get enough of a hand to it to clear the danger. West Ham raised the tempo and began to control the game. Bailey and Carter worked hard in the midfield to open up attacking opportunities, but neither Amoo, Scully nor Powell could keep their efforts on target.
The Hammers did eventually break the deadlock, however. Sylvestre spotted the run of Scully down the right touchline and, after picking up the ball and shrugging off his marker, the schoolboy midfielder picked out Hector-Ingram in the penalty box and the cutest of headers put the hosts ahead.
It was a deserved lead for the Hammers and they continued to dominate for much the remainder of the opening 45 minutes. Just three minutes before the break, though, Brighton dragged themselves level. Emmanuel Onariase got the wrong side of his marker in the penalty area and committed a foul, allowing Tighe to step up and bring the visitors back into the game from the spot. On 48 minutes, the Hammers regained the lead when Powell's cross fell perfectly at Amoo's feet at the back post, with the speedy winger tapping in under pressure from a number of Brighton defenders. West Ham got stronger as the game continued, looking for a third goal to kill the game off. Powell narrowly shot wide of the post before Hector-Ingram fired straight at Brighton 'keeper Bailey Vose and Scully also blazed over from just yards out. Brighton struggled to get a foothold back in the match in the final stages and the Hammers held on to take the three points.
"I said to the players last weekend that their performance against Southampton was fantastic, but they just didn't score," revealed caretaker manager Mark Phillips. "This week, we created less chances in front of goal and had less possession but got the three points. I suppose that's football sometimes. "Having said that, I still think that we deserved to win the game against Brighton and I feel that maybe a victory by the odd goal is a fair result based on the way the game played out. "Brighton came back into it during the second half but I think that might've been down to the fact that we were a very young team that started to fatigue. "We had several U16 players and even U15 players on that pitch in the second half so perhaps Brighton thought that they could exploit that and work their way back into the game. "Overall, I'm very happy with the result and we will prepare ourselves again for the trip to Arsenal next weekend."
The Hammers travel to Arsenal's London Colney Training Centre on Saturday 31 January 2015, with kick-off scheduled for 11am.
U18s: Howes, Sylvestre (Kanu), Onariase, Akinola, Eggleton, Carter (Rice), Bailey, Scully (Morris), Amoo, Powell, Hector-Ingram
Subs not used: Boness, Trialist
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Lletget: "It was a good lesson"
WHUFC.com
Sebastian Lletget said a youthful Dev Squad did well against a tough Chelsea side
24.01.2015
West Ham United Development Squad midfielder Sebastian Lletget was pleased to score his first goal of the season in a 3-1 defeat by league leaders Chelsea. The Blues, who named a strong side, took an early lead when Kasey Palmer's impressive flick nestled in the far corner. The west London outfit took a commanding lead into the break when Dominic Solanke scored twice, despite his first looking as though he had come back from an offside position. Nevertheless, the Dev Squad, in Steve Potts' first game since being appointed U21s coach, rallied when Lletget bundled in Djair Parfitt-Williams pinpoint cross. Speaking after the game, Lletget said: "It was a tough game, Chelsea always are. I thought we prepared well under Steve Potts, it was his first game tonight. I thought we did OK but its our first game really. "It was nice to score. I've been practising my movement in the box and finally it paid off. Djair did really well to set the cross up and I just had to put it away."
The win sees Chelsea go top of the Barclays U21 Premier League, however Lletget insisted the game would be a good lesson for the Hammers, who included ten U18s in their squad. "I thought they did well, considering Chelsea is always a very tough game. They're up at the top of the league so it was a tough game but it was a good lesson. "We let a couple of goals in in the first half but the important thing is that we came back in the second half, we didn't crumble and we'll take that from the game. "They were definitely up the there with the best teams we've faced this year, especially in terms of moving the ball around, they were outstanding."
January has been a busy month for the Dev Squad and their fixture is on Monday 26 Janaury, away at Southampton: "We've got just two days to recover and then we're back at it against Southampton on Monday. Hopefully we will get a win because we really need a win." The Dev Squad's next home game is Fulham at Rush Green Stadium on Friday 6 February, kick is 7pm.
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West Ham striker returns to Accrington Stanley
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Sean Maguire has rejoined League Two side Accrington Stanley on an initial month-long loan. The 20-year-old scored four goals in 16 appearances during a four-month loan at Accrington, which expired last week. Maguire is now available for another seven games, with his latest loan deal running until February 22. "I'm sure he can be as much of a success for us as he was first time around," Accrington manager John Coleman told the club website.
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Sakho back for Liverpool trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has revealed that he expects leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho to be fit enough to face Liverpool on January 31. The Senegalese striker was forced to miss out on the African Cup of Nations after aggravating a back injury originally sustained at the tail end of 2014 against West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day. However co-owner Gold, speaking via Twitter revealed that the 24-year-old should be back in time for the trip to Anfield - where West Ham will be seeking their first win since 1962.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@whu333: Any truth that Sakho could return against Liverpool
I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool. dg
The 78-year-old, who celebrated five years at the helm of West Ham last week also revealed that the club are hoping to expand their squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which is just ten days away. When asked whether supporters can expect to see any new signings before the closure of the window, Gold said: "Our intention is to strengthen the squad."
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Cav for Rav swap mooted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th January 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are keeping tabs on Lazio's Belgian youth international defender Luis Pedro Cavanda. The 24-year-old right-back - who can also play on the left side of defence - was born in Angola but moved to Europe at an early age, since when he has represented his new country at Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 level. And according to Tutto Mercato Web this afternoon, West Ham - who would prefer to make Carl Jenkinson's loan spell permanent but have baulked at the £8million asking price - have made tentative enquiries into his availability.
One player Cavenda could be replacing at West Ham is Ravel Morrison, who is on his way to Italy at the end of the season on a free transfer according to reports this morning.
A fortnight ago we revealed that the out-of-favour midfielder, who was recently cleared of all charges relating to an incident with an ex-girlfriend and her mother, could be on his way to mainland Europe. And with no UK-based club willing to make the troubled Morrison a suitable offer, it appears that the 21-year-old has opted for a spell in Serie A with Lazio who are said to have reached agreement with the player over a permanent contract.
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Ravel Morrison is to join Lazio at the end of the season
Last Updated: 24/01/15 2:02pm
SSN
Sky sources are reporting that West Ham's Ravel Morrison has agreed to join Italian side Lazio on a free transfer at the end of the season. Morrison's deal expires in the summer and he has agreed a contract with the Serie A side, although he has not formally signed yet. A very skilful performer, Morrison was a hot property as a youngster at Manchester United and has represented England at U16, U17, U18, and U21 level. He was signed by the Hammers on a three and a half year deal in January 2012 but his career has stalled a little since his arrival and he has been sent to three different clubs on loan. The 21-year-old spent time in previous seasons at Birmingham and QPR, featuring regularly for the London side towards the end of last season, although he was an unused substitute for their play-off final win over Derby. This term he joined Cardiff on a three-month loan switch in September but he returned early in December. Several clubs in Europe have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Morrison during the current transfer window but it looks like he has opted to let his contract expire before departing Upton Park.
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ARE THE NEXT FEW GAMES 'MAKE OR BREAK'?
By Iain Dale 23 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Benjamin Cronin
With a convincing second half performance that led to a comfortable victory against a struggling Hull side, talk of Europa League and (don't say it too loud) Champions League football is on the lips of many a West Ham fan once again. We're creeping closer to the the business end of the season and rather than concerning ourselves with those fabled relegation six pointers, Big Sam is looking up and thinking positive as he takes his side into possibly the most important seven games of the season. Granted, a good start or strong finish can always save a team or salvage one of those top four places. But what will these next few games tell us about West Ham?
Within the next month or so, The Mighty Irons will host Manchester United and the current leaders of the Premier League, Chelsea, as well as travelling to another three of the six sides who sit above us in the table; Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal. As if this task didn't seem daunting enough, it all kicks off with a trip to Anfield to face a side who sit just one place and one point below us. So, will the bubbles streaming from the Boleyn soon be burst or will even the most optimistic of Hammers fans be in for a shock come 24th May?
With Liverpool seemingly creeping towards their form of last year (albeit still a long way off), the trip to Anfield will be a lot more of a challenge than it would have appeared only a few weeks back, or certainly more than the reverse fixture when we had them beat within the first ten minutes in September. The Reds League Cup success could both help and hinder The Irons, another positive performance against Chelsea could see them reach the final and boost morale ahead of the encounter but a loss could deflate the side who will also be left with fitness concerns (assuming Rodgers plays Gerrard, it's most likely he would need to be rested for the following game) after the second leg of their tie. In a game that is sure to be a close run thing, the likes of Carroll and Downing can return to what will undoubtedly be a frosty reception at Anfield and prove they do have the ability that earned them big money moves to Merseyside. As Liverpool currently sit second in the leagues form table, I would be looking for a strong defensive performance with avoiding defeat perhaps more important than trying to steal a win. Big Sam and the boys coming back to the East End with a point would be a positive but there's always a chance of nabbing all three if we keep it close.
Next is a home game against Manchester United, which, bar the last two seasons, would usually only go one way. Although we've had numerous 'big results' back in the days of Ferguson, United would always seemingly scrape through (or score a 50-yard half volley) and get a result. They've had a few moments where they've played well and shown how Van Gaals much publicised 'football philosophy' could potentially work but there's still no caparison to the side who, under Ferguson, could play terribly and come away with a 3-0 win. It tense game at Old Trafford, when two early goals put United in the driving seat and they managed to cling on for a win. It's another game that I'd like to see the side of Allardyce that had many calling for his head last season. Defence should be given priority (as I'm sure it will with concerns over clean sheets coming to the fore over the last few weeks) and providing we take the chances that will undoubtedly be created, a win wouldn't be a shock but again, I'd settle for a point.
Trips to St. Mary's and White Hart Lane are always going to be difficult with both teams showing consistent form. Although no one can deny how impressive Southampton have been this season, Tottenham aren't exactly cruising to victories (with a late 2-1 apparently popping up every week). Spurs are perhaps more accustomed to their current position but have a completely new squad to the one that reached the Champions League and have been there or thereabouts since, as well as a new manager who after a good few seasons in the Premier League still appears to divide opinion. With Crystal Palace following these two fixtures I would expect a minimum of four points out of the three games but between six and nine wouldn't come as a surprise.
Southampton are perhaps one side who have come to the Boleyn this season and actually outplayed West Ham. Another side who have the potential to do the same is the current leaders and favourites for the title, Chelsea. In all honestly, West Ham were lucky to come back from Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day without being embarrassed like Swansea last weekend. Mourinho's men ran the game and it was only thanks to Adrian that the deficit wasn't more than two. If Chelsea turn up and play well, The Hammers will have to be at their resolute best for the entire 90 minutes to keep them out. Although the Blues have been by far the best team in the league this season, they have shown instances of struggling through games. Big Sam will be hoping that Jose and his team aren't at their sleek and stylish best (an exit from the League Cup could help this) and that the crowd and our impressive home form can get us a result.
A trip to the emirates brings an end to this run of crucial fixtures and come mid-March, we could be expecting rather than speculating about the prospect of European football. It certainly doesn't feel like it was eight-years ago that Bobby Zamora scored the goal that helped West Ham, then led by Curbishley, to be the first side to win at the Emirates, but in that time a lot has changed. We've been down and up and now, on the verge of our own 'big move', are a completely differently club. After Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher apparently jumped ship and started supporting Arsenal following their performance against City, I'm still yet to be convinced. City were far from at their best and although Arsenal took advantage of it, I'm sure Neville and Carragher will be picking holes in the Gunners defensive frailties in the not too distant future. It's another game in which our multi-faceted approach could be key. A strong, physical defensive performance tends to result in Arsenal struggling and that, paired with Carrol and Valencia putting pressure on a notoriously (despite the pundits drastic change of opinion) defence, a positive result isn't out of reach. Again, avoiding defeat must be given priority but it's a game I can see us growing into and taking three points from.
The likes of Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Song, Downing and Carroll have stood out for me this season but I feel the next few games will be decided by smart tactics and Big Sam can show just what a great manager he can be. The much maligned solid and compact system from last year may well return over the next few weeks and although many fans would like to see us continue our attacking football against the likes of; Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea it will instead be the ability to provide disciplined defensive performances that will define our season. If the side manage to get through the next month or so with only one or two extra losses on the record, there is a great possibility of kicking on and finishing the season strongly. The consistency of the first half of the season must remain, those influential players previous mentioned need to avoid the inevitable injuries and with a little bit of luck (turning draws against the likes of Swansea and West Brom into victories), The Boleyn could be hosting some of Europe's finest next year.
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AND MY PLAYERS OF THE SEASON SO FAR ARE...
By Iain Dale 24 Jan 2015 at 08:40
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Banjo
You will be delighted to know I am not intending to make a habit of this but I thought I would offer this as a Guest Post because me and my droogs spent a whole journey to the Academy and back debating the subject and we could not agree between the five of us. We ended up allowing each person to choose a top three, strictly in order, with 2 honourable mentions (2 because no one could limit it to one!)
We spent the whole journey on Sunday, both ways, on this subject and summing up took place on the back of paper napkins late in the evening in the local curry house. Here was my entry and subsequent reasoning;
1. Andy Carroll – I know the front 2 divides opinion but I just love it when the big man plays. I see the pain on the defenders faces during the match and the relief as they walk off after 90 mins knowing they will not have to play him again for 6 months. All 3 main strikers have played nearly the same number of matches this season ( Valencia 12 and Sakho and Carroll 11 each) so whilst I hope the distribution of starts continue, the big man is my first choice. I love it when he scores, love his big smile and when he blows a kiss to Billie. I know some have been critical of his lifestyle in the past but he really seems to be in a good place right now.
2. Aaron Cresswell – for me the buy of the pre-season. At last a player that can fill Julian Dicks boots and wear the no. 3 shirt. I feel assured when he is defending, I love it when he gets forward and his crosses into the box are as good as any. I also think he is making free kicks in a certain position his own. He has been ever present since joining us, he is loving it, and it shows.
3. Alex Song – the first 2 were easy, this was the tough one. Either of the honourable mentions could have had the 3rd birth but I went for Alex Song because I think he has been key to our success. So much that we do goes through him and perhaps if he was really ours he might have got the top spot. I love it when he makes a pass through a gap and the defenders watch it thread through them in the knowledge the next boot it will find will belong to a West Ham player. Suckers!
Honourable mentions – again this was really tough and both could have made the top three, how lucky are we this season? But I went for Stewart Downing, without doubt the most improved player this year with 5 goals, most assists and like Cresswell ever present. And of course Diafa Sakho, how I can mention him last after 8 goals is lunacy but there you go.
Adrian, Collins and Jenkinson all featured on my pals list and if I am honest I couldn't disagree with any of their choices and reasoning.
My wife word checked this to remove my "annoying" abbreviations so I hope it passes the reasonable grammar test.
There are no rules, and even if there were I wouldn't change them half way through the post, so no one is right or wrong so need to argue :)
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MATCH PREVIEW: BRISTOL CITY
By Dan Coker 24 Jan 2015 at 13:29
West Ham Till I Die
Blast from the past
Today's blast from the past features our only previous FA Cup encounter with this weekend's opponents, Bristol City. It was a third round tie on the 4th of January 1969, a 3-2 win for West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground in front of 32,526 spectators.
Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, The Beatles' White Album topped the album charts and the top-flight Hammers began their 1969 FA Cup campaign against the Second Division Robins. John Galley gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but Martin Peters levelled with a header from Harry Redknapp's corner just four minutes later. That's how the game remained at half-time but the hosts led within seven minutes of the restart after Geoff Hurst hooked the ball over Mike Gibson. Peters notched his second of the game on 64 minutes but Alan Skirton reduced the deficit by scoring with two minutes remaining.
The Hammers would go on to win 2-0 at Huddersfield in the fourth round but would be knocked out in a 3-0 reverse at Third Division Mansfield in the fifth round. The FA Cup was won by Manchester City in 1969 as they defeated Leicester City 1-0 in the Final at Wembley. In doing so they became, behind West Ham United in 1975, the second-last all-English team to win the FA Cup.
West Ham United: Bobby Ferguson, Billy Bonds, Bobby Moore, Alan Stephenson, John Cushley, John Charles, Harry Redknapp, Ronnie Boyce, Jimmy Lindsay, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst.
Bristol City: Mike Gibson, Trevor Jacobs, Alec Briggs, Ken Wimshurst, Jack Connor, Gordon Parr, Alan Skirton, Chris Garland, John Galley, Bobby Kellard, Gerry Sharpe.
Club Connections
A reasonably large list of players have turned out for both Bristol City and West Ham United over the years. These include: Fred Harrison, Ray Atteveld, David Noble, Marlon Harewood, Jordan Spence, Paul Allen, Hugh Monteith, Jack Landells, Fred Corbett, David James, Bobby Gould, Leroy Rosenior, George Parris, Albert Carnelly, Nicky Maynard, Gavin Williams, Joe Durrell, Steve Jones, Hogan Ephraim, Eamonn Dolan, William Ingham, Ralph Milne, Stephen Henderson and Sam Baldock.
Today's focus though is on a forward who came through the youth system at West Ham and went on to enjoy goalscoring success with Bristol City. Nicky Morgan was born in East Ham on the 30th October 1959. He began his career at his boyhood club, West Ham United, starting as an apprentice before earning a professional contract in 1978. He made his first-team debut in a 1-0 Second Division victory at home against Luton on 9th April 1979, following that up with another appearance the following month in a 0-0 draw at Cardiff. Morgan made seven appearances in 1979/80, scoring his first goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Charlton on 5th May 1980. He came on as a substitute at Wembley in the 1-0 Charity Shield defeat to Liverpool in August 1980 and went on to make six appearances in the promotion campaign of 1980/81, scoring the winner in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on 8th May 1981. He also experienced European football, turning out three times in the European Cup Winners' Cup – Morgan played in both legs against Castilla and in the home leg against Poli Timisoara.
Morgan spent the 1981/82 season on loan with Den Haag, scoring 6 goals in 20 appearances, but the Dutch club were relegated at the end of the campaign. He returned to east London to play in seven First Division matches in 1982/83, although he didn't score, and the 1-1 home draw with Stoke on 19th March 1983 would transpire to be his last outing in claret and blue. Having scored 2 goals in 26 Hammers outings, he left for Portsmouth later that month.
Morgan enjoyed three full seasons at Fratton Park, spent almost exclusively in the second tier, before joining Stoke in the early part of 1986/87. After almost four full seasons with the Potters, he dropped down to the Third Division to sign for Bristol City in April 1990. Morgan scored four goals in seven matches for the Robins as they secured promotion to the Second Division, ironically swapping places with the team he had just departed. He scored 17 goals in 1990/91, his highest return in a season for any of his clubs, as City ended the campaign in ninth place. He dropped out of the first-team picture at Ashton Gate in 1991/92 however and spent a short spell on loan at Bournemouth in 1992/93. He left Bristol City permanently in August 1993, signing for Exeter City having scored 29 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for the Robins. After 4 goals in 12 matches with Exeter, Morgan decided to retire from professional football.
Referee
Sunday's referee will be Lee Mason from Greater Manchester. Mason refereed four of our games last season, sending off two of our players (Mark Noble against Everton and James Tomkins at Cardiff) and disallowing a perfectly good Stewart Downing equaliser at Crystal Palace. He has officiated in one Hammers match this term, that being the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford when he sent off Wayne Rooney, denied the Hammers a penalty when Morgan Amalfitano's cross struck Radamel Falcao's arm and disallowed Kevin Nolan's last-minute strike for a marginal offside.
Mason was also the ref for our home fixture with Manchester United in 2011. He awarded West Ham two penalties, both converted by Mark Noble, but then failed to give Nemanja Vidic a red card for a professional foul on Demba Ba with the score at 2-0 to the Hammers. United went on to win 4-2, with their crucial third a very controversial penalty for handball against Matthew Upson, which Rooney converted. Mason also sent off Noble at Birmingham the season before.
Possible line-ups
Bristol City are currently second in League One under Steve Cotterill having battled against relegation for much of last season. The Robins also seem set for Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy having established a first-leg lead over Gillingham in the Southern Area Final. Sunday's game at Ashton Gate, however, will be the first time the club have appeared in the FA Cup fourth round since 2007. Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has scored seven goals in his past eight Cup matches while fellow forward Matt Smith, on loan from Fulham, has nine goals in his last seven matches. Bristol City have doubts over striker Aaron Wilbraham, who is struggling with a hip problem and has not featured for the Robins since December, and Kieran Agard who last played on Boxing Day. Defender James Tavernier is cup-tied after playing for parent club Wigan in their 1-0 defeat to Bolton in the previous round. City defender Aden Flint stands at 6'5 – he is likely to be marking Andy Carroll. Cotterill has largely employed a 3-5-2 system this season.
West Ham United are unbeaten in their past 10 meetings with Bristol City in all competitions in a run stretching back to February 1978. Sam Allardyce has ruled out Welsh international defender James Collins, while fellow centre-back James Tomkins also limped out of last week's victory over Hull with a hamstring strain. Should a decision be made not to risk Tomkins, Joey O'Brien is likely to fill in at centre-back after Reece Burke played 90 minutes for the Development Squad on Friday. Morgan Amalfitano scored and impressed from the bench last week and could claim a starting place ahead of Mark Noble, who put in a rare below-par performance last time out.
Possible Bristol City XI: Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little, Elliott, K Smith, Freeman, Bryan; Emmanuel-Thomas, M Smith.
Possible West Ham United XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, O'Brien, Reid, Cresswell; Song, Nolan, Amalfitano; Downing; Carroll, Valencia.
Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!
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Gold confirms Sakho recovery
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold has confirmed that Diafra Sakho is back in the selection frame for the Irons. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively a few hours ago that the striker had an outside chance of making the bench for tomorrow's fourth round FA Cup clash at Ashton Gate adding that next week's match against Liverpool at Anfield was a real target. And the co chairman has confirmed that is the case in responding to a follower who asked if there was "any truth" in the story. Gold declared: "I am hopeful he will be available for selection against Liverpool." A source told us: "There remains a small chance he'll make the bench tomorrow. He has recovered quicker than expected."
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Sakho back in the selection frame
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho has an outside chance of making it onto the Hammers bench against Bristol City although in the last few minutes we have been told it's more likely he'll feature at Liverpool next week! Whewther it's tomorrow or next weekend , the Hammers will have no hesitation in thrusting him into FA Cup action despite earlier threats from the Senegal Football Federation. They had claimed after his back injury against West Brom that should he return to Premier League action before the end of the African Cup of Nations they would throw the Fifa rule book at the Irons. However, they ,may find that difficult given that Leicester City's Jeffrey Schlupp who missed joining the Ghana squad with a knee injury was fit to play against Stoke City last week.
Foxes Boss Nigel Pearson revealed that he had acted entirely within the rules by telling Ghana the player would be out for between 10-14 days just as the Hammers did Senegal over Sakho explaining it could take up to four or six weeks. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively this morning: "Diafra has made a quicker than expected recovery and may feature on the bench at Ashton Gate – we will see. However, it could be we will give him another seven days. "There's less than a 50 per cent chance of Senegal taking action given the Leicester City precedent and should the player be fit, we'll take our chances!"
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Central defender NEVER a target
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe is not in London and has never been a West Ham target! Sam Allardyce has confirmed the ClaretandHugh story of several weeks ago when we revealed that the player was not remotely on the club's radar. In talking up the possibility of a Darren Fletcher switch to the club, the manager let it be known that the 25 year old central defender was not a target for us. And that suggests Winston Reid is set to stay with the club at least until the summer with a source telling us: "There have still been no inquiries for the player." Allardyce revealed: "We have not taken a Nigerian defender. It is not the case that he has flown in."
And on the Darren Fletcher situation he added: ""I don't know what the timeline is going to be but for me if any of the other packages we have offered are accepted then we will accept that. "If someone else accepts and the other one hasn't made their mind up, or they are negotiating somewhere else, then that would be it because we couldn't wait for ever. "At this stage of the window if you do get something nailed on you must take it because you might very well end up with nothing if you don't."
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Hammers update signings situation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's chiefs have told the fans not to hold their breath on January signings! Unless the board is 100 per cent convinced a new signing will "definitely improve the squad." they will be keeping the coffers firmly shut. Last year's moves for striker Marco Borriello,midfielder Antonio Nocerino (pictured above) and Colombia left back Paolo Armero – brought in on top wages – were all released after deeply disappointing spells. Thirty four year old Dirk Kuyt is the latest veteran to be linked with the club after a week in which Darren Fletcher was been at the centre of the club's thoughts. But this morning an insider told ClaretandHugh:"There's been a lot of talking going on all week but nothing has been concluded. It's a time to look around of course but in the main January buys are never good buys. "We are in a good position to only buy players who we really believe will improve the team, either short or long term.
"If you look at the money spent over previous January windows, the cost has run to tens of millions with fees, agents fees and wages and very few of the players had any impact. Our position is very healthy."
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Bristol City show real class to us Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Bristol City is a very likeable club. I've spent many afternoons inside Ashton Gate reporting games over the years and it has always been a hospitable , media friendly place where people know how to behave and respond. So it came as absolutely no surprise to find that The Robins had decided to allow the Irons to take their bubbles machine to the ground this afternoon on the basis that they want "everybody to enjoy themselves." I'm an Iron to my backbone but credit where it's due. Chairman Steve Lansdown and his team have shown real class and Claretandhugh would like to say 'thank you' on behalf of all our fans who we believe will have a winning afternoon out. Football is full of measly and miserly-mouthed individuals without a thought in their heads for anyone but themselves. And although it's only a tiny gesture in the great scheme of things it shows some much needed qualityand our co chairman David Gold was quick to offer his thanks to the club. He told ClaretandHugh: "Well done Bristol City – that is absolutely brilliant and shows real class. We're grateful." A shower of bubbles over Ashton Gate following a day of incredible FA shocks will give the lads a lift as they take to the field. Thank you City and "COME ON YOU IRONS!"
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DG: "Cup shocks best team talk ever for the lads"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold claimed this evening that the FA shocks of this afternoon will have a greater impact on the West Ham players than any pep talk Sam Allardyce can give them. DG sat at home this afternoon watching like most of us in disbelief as Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs were kicked out of the FA Cup. And he told ClaretandHugh: "It's a massive warning of what can happen and the players will be sitting in their hotel saying: "We can't let that happen to us." And he roared with laughterwhen he declared: : "Of course, I'm absolutely heartbroken for Tottenham Hotspur!" "It will help that we have set our stall out since pre-season as far as this competiton is concerned – it has always been very high on the priority list but everybody inside the club and every player will be aware of what can happen if we are not bang on our game after today. "I believe we have learned our lesson in the past. We will put possibly our strongest team out and so long as we are at our best we can get the result. "It's all about Wembley – we want to go to Wembley for the semi-finals and the Final and with these massive clubs now out of the competition our chance is clear. "There's a balancing act for the players – they can see the chance but must make sure they don't suffer the same fate. They will be prepared and ready, "It will be an exciting and I believe a winning afternoon in Bristol. We can't fail."
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Man U's Fletcher: more deal details revealed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 24, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hUgh
Sam Allardyce is keen to take Darren Fletcher on loan for six months with the offer of a two and half year deal at the end of it! The manager is the driving force behind a deal which remains very much in the balance as the Manchester United midfielder studies options he has received from us and West Bromwich Albion. Others inside the club are cooler are on the player but are backing the manager up to a point as they wait to hear back from Fletcher. Allardyce this morning in outspoken national newspaper comments attempted to pile pressure on Fletcher to sign and ClaretandHugh – as a result – spoke to club contacts about the forces driving the deal. At 30 years of age the player sits outside the board's stated policy of taken no players older than 27 but it seems the manager is seeking an exception is made in the case of a player he rates highly. And he's ready to agree terms that would take Fletcher up to beyond his 33rd birthday as a medium term replacement for captain Kevin Nolan.
Our source said: "Sam wants this deal. Bizarrely, a clause is wanted which says he stays on if we remain in the Premier League which is a given anyway. "Some of the staff have worries about his injury record. The last thing we want is a player on a two and a half year deal who isn't available for periods of time. "Everybody has a high regard to how the player has overcome serious health problems but clubs can't be overly sentimental when a lot of money is onvolved."
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