Daily WHUFC News - 30th January 2015

Big Sam on: Liverpool
WHUFC.com
The manager faces the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool
29.01.2015

Sam Allardyce faced the media on Thursday morning ahead of the weekend's
Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool. The Hammers are looking for a
first win at Anfield in over half-a-century, but Big Sam revealed that he
has some injury concerns.

Good morning Sam, do you have a clean bill of health for Saturday's game
with Liverpool?

SA: "No, we've got a few knocks and bruises. One or two lads have been
receiving treatment this week, particularly Alex Song, James Tomkins and
Carl Jenkinson. We're also waiting on James Collins so hopefully they'll be
fit for Saturday but we're going to have to wait patiently. Everyone else is
OK."

Are any of those four definitely out?

SA: "Not definitely. Carl Jenkinson and James Tomkins are touch and go.
James Collins is joining in with training today so if there's no reaction he
should be OK. Joey O'Brien has had a slight hamstring issue so we'll have to
wait and see tomorrow."

How will Diafra Sakho be travelling to Liverpool?

SA: "How do you think?"

In a nice comfy limousine?

SA: "Yes, just like the one he went to Bristol in, the same chauffeur too."

Are you worried at all that he could face a ban?

SA: "No, I'm not worried at all about it. We've stuck to every rule and
regulation in the book by the FA and by FIFA. We haven't broken any rule or
regulation whatsoever. We're extremely disappointed in Senegal's reaction,
it's not like they haven't had Cheikhou Kouyate."

How's Diafra coping with the situation?

SA: "He's coping fine with it because he's got nothing to burn his bridges
about. The situation is between the Club and Senegal not with Diafra.
They've fallen out with us, not us with them, although we could have done.
We've kept a professional level like we always do."

Is Stephen Hendrie is having a medical here today with a view to move in the
summer?

SA: "It's with view to a move in the summer yes. He's one for the future,
not for now."

What is the situation with Darren Fletcher?

SA: "It is still a possibility. It's not dead yet, so it still could
happen."

Is it frustrating that you haven't managed to get it over the line?

SA: "You have to patient sometimes. We're not desperate, as we've got
several good options in midfield but we want to add to that if we can."

Is there any truth in the rumour that your interested in Bafetimbi Gomis?

SA: "No."

Another name mentioned was Danny Ings, any movement there?

SA: "No, with us having Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Enner
Valencia we have more than enough front men to cope with the demand for the
rest of the season. In the summer we'll reassess our aims and the squad but
for now we're fine with the four options we've got."

I'm sure you were pleased to see Liverpool play 120 minutes in midweek?

SA: "Yes, it was a fantastic game actually. I think they'll be very
disappointed that they lost. They were the team with most of the chances and
in the end they were punished. Like for all us it doesn't matter how well
you play, it's all about the final result. Over the two legs against Chelsea
I don't think they could have played much better but it came down to missed
chances, like it always does."

When do you expect Cheikhou Kouyate to be back?

SA: "Later today."

So could he play against Liverpool?

SA: "He could, yes."

Is getting results away at places like Liverpool the next step in West Ham's
evolution?

SA: "I think we're still a way off from there. But on any given day we have
a chance, plus the fact they played 120 minutes in mid-week. I think
Liverpool are in the best form of the season at the moment. The way they are
now playing is up there with the level they were at last season. They
obviously don't have the massive goal threat that they had last year with
Suarez gone and Sturridge injured. It sounds like there is a good chance
Sturridge will feature against us whether off the bench or not. I think they
are at the top of their game at the moment so it will be a very difficult
game. But with the position we're in, it's a game we should be looking
forward to. We'll give it our best shot and hopefully we'll get a result. We
beat Liverpool earlier in the season, that was a major shock at the time."

It's been a long time since West Ham last beat Liverpool at Anfield. Bearing
that in mind, do you approach the game any differently?

SA: "We drew at Anfield a couple of seasons ago so we know we can go there
and get a result. Having beaten them before this season we know what we're
capable of. I think it will come down to taking the chances you get, because
you don't usually get many at Anfield. Having said that, we know we can
score goals. The slight concern is that we have finally forged a defensive
unit, with two successive clean sheets, now we might have to mix it around
due to the injuries. We know we'll have to defend well not many teams score
more than one goal."

Andy Carroll is going back there for the first time since his departure, do
you think he will be a key player in this match?

SA: "I hope he doesn't try too hard because that can put you off your game.
But football is a team game, so we want everyone to do well and help each
other out. I'm sure Andy would like to score and we'll certainly do what we
can to try and help him do that. I certainly don't think he has anything to
prove, everyone knows how good he is. He just needs to focus and prepare
like he does for every game, keep and calm head and play his normal game."

Having beaten them once, does that help with your team talk and preparation?

SA: "That win was a while ago now, the challenge now is to get a result away
from home. Getting results away at the big boys is a key challenge for
ourselves. We need to rise to the challenge. Doing the double over one of
the best teams doesn't happen very often in life but it is a possibility.
We'll have to be in top form and every player at 100% and then take the
opportunities we do get."

Andy Carroll has scored more goals than Liverpool's strikeforce this season…

SA: "It makes a nice change because I think Suarez outscored our whole team
when we went up there last season. I'm not surprised considering the absence
of Suarez and Sturridge. Brendan lost two fantastic goal threats. Rickie
Lambert hasn't quite hit it off and their lack of goals has been their major
problem this season. When you sign as many players as they did, it takes a
while to settle in but they look like they have done now."

There's been some reports that Chelsea have sounded out West Ham over Diafra
Sakho and Enner Valencia…

SA: "By email, text or phone? How have they sounded us out? The only way it
has been sounded out is through the media, certainly not through club to
club."

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Nolan thrilled for pal Andy
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is delighted to see Andy Carroll return to his best form
following injury
29.01.2015

Andy Carroll is showing signs of returning to his very best form, according
to the player who knows him better than most. Carroll and Kevin Nolan formed
deadly partnerships both at Newcastle United and West Ham United, and after
a couple of years dogged by injury for the No9, Nolan is delighted to see
him thrive this term. The Geordie has five goals to his name since returning
to the side in November, but it is not just in his goals that the Hammers
are seeing his ability. He is also a selfless worker for the team, and that
was evidenced superbly by his goalline block at Bristol City last Sunday,
before laying on the winner for strike partner Diafra Sakho. "That's what
Andy's about," Nolan explained. "People obviously see him for his aerial
ability, but he's got a lot of ability on the floor and you've seen that in
a couple of his goals - Swansea and the finish against Leicester. "Now he's
getting to full fitness everything is going really well for him and I'm
delighted. After the tough time he's had with injuries he's come back with
hunger and desire. "A lot of people sat there and gave him a lot of stick,
but he's starting to show what he's all about. Now everyone's talking about
him for the right things."

Reflecting on that Bristol City success and progress to an FA Cup fifth
round tie at West Bromwich Albion, Nolan was satisfied with the job done by
his side. He added: "You could see on Sunday why Bristol City have been so
good this season. It was always going to be a difficult one - they were
going to raise their game and we had to be professional and do the right
things. "I think we limited them to not too many chances and then we got the
goal we needed at the end. It wasn't the greatest performance but sometimes
when you want to go on a run you just need to get in the next round."

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Cup draw conjures Parkes memories
WHUFC.com
Phil Parkes was in outstanding form when the Hammers faced West Brom in the
FA Cup back in 1980
29.01.2015

For Phil Parkes, West Ham United's FA Cup fifth-round draw away at West
Bromwich Albion conjured memories of arguably his finest day in a Hammers
shirt. The goalkeeper was just eleven months into his 12-year West Ham
career when John Lyall's side headed for The Hawthorns for a third-round tie
on 5 January 1980. At the time, West Ham were in the old Second Division,
while Ron Atkinson's Baggies were in the top flight and firm favourites to
go through to the next round. Thanks in large part to Parkes, who made a
succession of wonderful saves, the Hammers held their hosts to a 1-1 draw
before prevailing 2-1 in a replay at the Boleyn Ground. The rest, as the old
saying goes, is history. "I was watching the draw and I could not believe it
when we drew West Brom away!" said Parkes. "Back in 1980 we were in Second
Division, while they were in Division One and had a really good side with
players like Bryan Robson, Gary Owen, Lawrie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis.
"Everyone had written us off and was saying we were just making the numbers
up, but it was one of those days when everything went right for us, and for
me in particular. "I can still remember a lot of the saves I made that day,
but my favourite was one I made from a free-kick from Gary Owen than
deflected off Ray Stewart. I was already diving, but I managed to change
direction in mid-air and keep it out."

With Parkes in outstanding form, the Hammers took an unlikely early lead
through Stuart Pearson. Just 45 minutes into their FA Cup run, Parkes
revealed that Billy Bonds was already confident that West Ham would lift the
trophy. While the Baggies did net an equaliser, the Hammers won the replay
and five months later the captain was proved correct when West Ham upset
Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. "Billy Bonds said to me at half-time 'We should be
6-1 down, but instead we're 1-0 up, so you never know, our name could be on
that cup' and he was right!" Parkes recalled. "You need a bit of luck in any
cup run and we had lots that year - not only up at West Brom but when Ken
McNaught handballed with five minutes to go up at Aston Villa, and why was
Frank Lampard up there to dive and head the winner against Everton in the
semi-final?"

Fast forward 35 years and West Ham will hope for similar good fortune at The
Hawthorns. However, Parkes says the modern-day Hammers will need to get the
better of one of his former team-mates if they are to reach the
quarter-finals. The goalkeeper played alongside Gerry Francis for Queens
Park Rangers prior to his world-record move to West Ham in February 1979.
Francis went on to enjoy a successful managerial career with, among others,
QPR and Tottenham Hotspur, before joining forces with Tony Pulis at Stoke
City, Crystal Palace and now West Brom. "Not only does the draw bring back
memories of 1980 but an old friend of mine, Gerry Francis, has recently gone
there as a member of Tony's backroom staff," he confirmed. "I played with
Gerry for QPR and England and he knows the game. He went into management and
now he sits in the Directors Box for Tony and goes down at half-time and
full-time and points out anything he thinks needs changing.
"Gerry is an important part of their backroom staff and he has been
everywhere with Tony."

After a difficult opening half of the season under Alan Irvine, West Brom
appointed Pulis on New Year's Day - the same day the Baggies secured a 1-1
Barclays Premier League draw at West Ham. The Baggies have yet to lose under
the Welshman and Parkes knows the Hammers face a difficult task to emulate
their achievements of 35 years ago. "They are a different proposition than
they were when we went up there in the league," Parkes continued. "Tony has
a totally different style and he doesn't mind who he upsets. Tony tells it
how it is and he will have them up for this game and they will be tough
opposition. "He wants players who will listen to him and that's why he was
Manager of the Year at Crystal Palace last season, where what he did was
amazing. Now, we can see him doing the same thing at West Brom."

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Darren Fletcher deal still on says West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says a deal to sign Darren Fletcher from
Manchester United is "not dead yet". Scotland captain Fletcher, 30, has been
granted a free transfer to allow him to move to another club during the
mid-season transfer window. "It's still a possibility. But it's not
absolutely certain," Allardyce said. The West Ham manager, though, dismissed
reports that he was looking to sign Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis or
Burnley forward Danny Ings. Asked if there was any truth in reports linking
him with either player, Allardyce said: "No. I think that with us having
Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll, I've more than
enough frontmen to cope with the demands of the rest of this season. "In the
summer, we'll see what happens but certainly at the moment we're fine with
the four options we've got up front now." Allardyce indicated on Tuesday
that the signing of Fletcher would depend on whether the midfielder wanted
to make the move. Speaking on Thursday, the manager added: "We'd like a
quality player of Darren's talent, if that's at all possible, but if it
doesn't happen, we're not in a position where we desperately need players."

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Diafra Sakho: West Ham confident player will not be banned
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is confident striker Diafra Sakho will not be
banned from playing for the club despite a row with Senegal.
Senegal have reportedly complained to Fifa after Sakho missed the Africa Cup
of Nations with a back injury, but then played for his club. Fifa rules say
a player cannot play for a club if he was meant to be on international duty.
But Allardyce said: "We've stuck to every rule and regulation in the book."
He added: "I'm not worried at all that he could be facing a ban whatsoever.
We have not breached any rules and regulations whatsoever and I have to say
I'm extremely disappointed by Senegal's reaction." Sakho, 25, withdrew from
the squad before the tournament and Senegal were told he could not fly to
them for assessment because of his injury. He then played - and scored the
only goal - in Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City which led to
Senegal boss Alain Giresse claiming that West Ham had "set a dangerous
precedent".

Senegal have since been knocked out of the tournament, and Allardyce is also
not happy with the handling of midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who was with the
squad and is now free to return to West Ham. "Kouyate has been difficult to
find over the last 48 hours," Allardyce said. "We know where he is but we
have had trouble finding him. We are expecting him back today after chasing
him down for the last 48 hours. He could play against Liverpool on
Saturday."

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Sam Allardyce: No chance West Ham striker Diafra Sakho will be banned
Last Updated: 29/01/15 5:25pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce says he has no concerns Diafra Sakho might be banned for
missing the Africa Cup of Nations. The West Ham striker withdrew from
Senegal's squad with a back injury but returned to score the winner in last
weekend's FA Cup tie against Bristol City. Sakho defended himself against
criticism on social media, while West Ham stand by an independent medical
assessment that said the player was unable to fly for six weeks. Under FIFA
rules players can be banned from playing for their clubs if they dodge
international call-ups, and Senegal coach Alain Giresse said Sakho's casse
set "a dangerous precedent". But Allardyce, speaking at a press conferece
ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool, said: "I'm not worried that Sakho
will face a ban whatsoever. We have stuck by every rule and regulation in
the book." Sakho's availability and Andy Carroll's return to full fitness
means Allardyce has ruled out looking for a striker before the transfer
window closes, but his pursuit of Manchester Untied's long-serving
midfielder Darren Fletcher remains ongoing. "Fletcher is still a
possibility," he said. "The move isn't dead yet, but we'll see."

The Anfield trip, meanwhile, represents another chance for Carroll to score
against Liverpool for the first time since he was deemed surplus to
requirements by Brendan Rodgers. Allardyce said: "I'm sure Andy would like
to score at Anfield, but we don't want him to get over anxious about going
out to prove anything." James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson are "touch and go"
for the weekend, according to the manager, who expects to have James Collins
fit.

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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
By Bianca Westwood 29 Jan 2015 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die

I had a bit of a shouting match with the fam on Sunday. It's always a bit
fraught and tense watching football with the men in my family, especially if
the Hammers don't have a great start from the moment the referee puts the
whistle to his lips. Firstly, because they're the most impatient, touchy,
critical sods on the planet during the game and secondly they think they
know everything.

Right from kick off my youngest brother Billy was annoying me with his
moaning. It takes all of the enjoyment out of watching, not that there was
too much enjoyment to gain from that first half if I'm honest. But both him
and my step-dad have got it in for Kevin Nolan and it was really doing my
head in. Every single time he touched the ball, lost the ball, went in for a
challenge, mistimed a tackle, hit a pass (stray or not), they were up in
arms. "He's useless!" "What is he even doing on the pitch?!" "Sam has to
drop him!!" "Why didn't he start Poyet instead?!" Blah, blah, blah it went
on and on. I lost it in the end and we ended up shouting at each other for a
second or two until my brother wheeled out his go-to phrase "Bianca, this is
men watching football!"

Say what now?? Hold on, wait a moment, breathe, count to ten before
answering…

"Excuse me? So men watching football means you have to whine like little
bitches for 90 minutes? Ranting on at the TV about a situation that, as far
as I can tell, isn't going to change any time soon? What's the point? Get
over it!"

Bearing in mind I was watching football and going to matches when Billy was
still a mere glint in my step-dad's eye he's got a bloody cheek. Anyway it
went on like this for the entire game until the 88th minute when Super Kev
(as I am calling him from now on just to wind my brother up) was
substituted. Cue cheers from the "men watching football".

To a certain extent I understand where my brother is coming from. These are
the arguments against…

Nolan is no longer the player he was. I think he'd even admit that himself.
West Ham isn't the team it was a few months ago…the glory days of late 2014.
As the season commenced injuries forced Sam's hand, no Nolan or Carroll, so
the new boys had to be tried and tested, Downing was shifted, experiments
were made and risks taken. Somehow it worked and the pundits, bloggers,
fans' forums, and hacks with their headlines dedicated hours on gushing
words of appraisal and outbursts of pleasant surprise. A light shone on
Upton Park and it felt good.

However, old habits die hard and since Nolan and Carroll's return we have
reluctantly watched the slow drip drip drip back to the old ways, revisiting
former formations and moving players to accommodate them. For Carroll he has
flourished at times, finding ways to adjust, make his mark, rediscover his
form and fitness, to get in the game! For Nolan it has been harder and
unsurprisingly he has sometimes floundered. The team has moved on, at a much
faster pace, and some have suggested he has struggled to keep up. So instead
the team has found itself slowing down to adapt. It's more functional, less
fluid, more systematic, less dynamic. Apart from his offering at the
Hawthorns he is failing to do what he used to do best, score goals from
midfield. At the moment there is no final product, so the question has been
asked, if he's not scoring what is he there for?

In the past few weeks our midfield has become steadily less effective, it is
frequently being bypassed, our creativity has subsided, there's a lack of
vision. When Song and Noble sit deep, they need a certain type of player in
front of them, one with vim and vigour, who can work the ball, lots of
movement, pace, who can seek out the runs in behind, split defences, make
pin-point passes, run at defenders even. I lost count of the number of times
the word 'revelation' was used to describe Downing in this role. But in the
first half against Hull and again against Bristol City he was pushed out
wide where he becomes the forgotten man.

So yes, I understand the frustrations. But, come on, the yawnfest at Ashton
Gate wasn't all down to Nolan. Alex Song had a bad game and was hauled off,
Downing as I said was marginalised, Noble wasn't at his best either. The
midfield was pretty ineffectual for the first half. Up front Carroll hustled
and bustled in vain and Valencia couldn't hold on to the ball or held on too
long. It was messy. Dire in fact. Credit to the Robins they worked hard and
created good chances. Allardyce changed tack against Hull and again at
Bristol City. He recognised what wasn't working and made the necessary
alterations. He didn't take Nolan off though…so there's a case to argue that
it's the plan and not the man that's the main problem. If Big Sam knows
what's wrong and can identify our best approach only he can tell you why he
doesn't start with it. I can't answer that one.

What grates with the fans is that, in or out of form, Nolan seems to be a
shoe-in, the managers son, Sam's man who walks into the team as and when,
guaranteed a place in the starting XI.

I disagree!

I'm not having it. It's not as black and white as that. In actual fact apart
from Chelsea (and I've already expressed my feelings on that team selection)
Nolan has only played when one or more of the regular first team midfielders
has been out. When Kouyate, Downing, Noble and Song have been available they
have all got the nod. With the added bonus of Amalfitano sprinkled here and
there. Super Kev hasn't started every game since coming back. Allardyce has
tinkered with the midfield be it because of injury or the AFCON, so, with
that in mind, how can we argue that Nolan's name is automatically first on
the team sheet?

We all think we know what's best for the team. We all think we know who
should play where and when. Certain supporters just do not like the style of
football played when Nolan is in the team. I get it. They pay their money
they're entitled to vent…yet sometimes I feel he's not given a fair crack of
the whip.

Obviously I'd prefer to watch the West Ham of earlier this season too. All
the time! But is that really sustainable? Can any team maintain that level
of energy, tempo and creativity consistently without a break? Sometimes
games are stagnant, sometimes players' levels drop (nice holiday Raheem?)
sometimes buses are parked by the best managers in the world (yes Jose even
you!)

Maybe we're not always going to get that exhilarating, pulsating,
barn-storming style of football when Nolan plays. I thought the second half
of the Hull game was pretty decent though and a cup win is a win however it
comes…as I said earlier, Nolan was still on the pitch for those. He does a
job. There were some big scalps taken by lower league teams at the weekend.
West Ham wasn't one of them and Nolan was part of our progression to the
next round. It wasn't pretty and I was half asleep by the end of it but he
was there!

Consider this, he's one of the hardest working members of the team, he
clocks up the miles, his stats stand up to, and often surpass, any of his
teammates. Ok there's not always an end result and we sometimes see headless
chicken instead of funky chicken but he's an example to others that graft
matters. He cares!

He's been a fine servant of the club, he dropped down a league to join a
Championship club in disarray, which at the time was a monumental decision.
He helped get us up and keep us up, yes I grant you his remuneration has
been more than sufficient but he's no mercenary. I don't believe he did it
just for the money. It's a two way street. You give your services you get
paid for them and like it or not that's how much players earn. You get what
you pay for. It was the owners shout, funded by you to the tune of £4m plus
salary…haven't we got our money's worth?

He's given us goals, important goals and he helped lift a dressing room that
was on its knees. A dressing room that is now unrecognisable. He has been a
valued representative for his team and a positive influence at the training
ground. Priceless.

During his career he's scored 99 league goals and only four central
midfielders have scored more Premier League goals than him…Steven Gerrard,
Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Gary Speed (stat via The Telegraph). I'm not
saying he deserves a place because he WAS a good player, but I don't agree
that he is no longer a good player. I've also seen a couple of blogs and
articles slagging him off…listen he is our club captain and deserves a bit
of respect. We've only lost five of the games he's been involved in and two
of those were Chelsea and Arsenal. Spurs we should have won, Man U we were
unlucky and the other was our bogey team. So give the guy a break. You know
who you are. BILLY!

When Kouyate returns and Sam has a fully fit midfield to choose from that
will be the true litmus test. I suspect Nolan will make way. His starts will
stop. An incoming Darren Fletcher would further seal his fate.

We've got some tough fixtures coming up. The next few weeks will reveal how
good we really are and how adept a manager Sam Allardyce can actually be at
West Ham. Nolan would be far more suited as an impact player coming off the
bench. For me he's still got a significant role to play. He remains an
asset. 99 goals and counting…I'd love a century at Anfield.

Come on you Irons!

B x

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BAFETIMBI GOMIS TO REPLACE ENNER VALENCIA - SURELY NOT!
By S J Chandos 29 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

There was a report yesterday evening, by Sports Mail online, that the club
management are supposedly concerned at losing Enner Valencia and are in the
process of lining up Swansea's Gomis as a possible replacement. We always
have to take news from that source with a pinch of salt, but if it is true,
I really do dispair. How is Gomis an appropriate replacement for Valencia?
It is not exactly replacing like-for-like, is it?

I personally disagree with swapping Valencia for Remy, but that is at least
a reasonably viable proposition. Gomis replacing Valencia is a retrograde
step for the club. It is such a unlikely move that I can only assume that it
is an erroneous news story. But regardless, it still fills me with a certain
degree of apprehension. One can only hope that the board rejects any Chelsea
bids for Valencia and, if necessary, blocks any questionable incoming
transfer deals. After all, the current manager is in the final year of his
contract and we are not yet 100% certain that he will be in charge next
season. In that situation, it is surely legitimate for the board to
especially scrutinize and approve any major transfer moves in this January
window.

It has also been reported that Stephen Hendrie will today be signing a
pre-contract agreement with the club, His contract expires in June and David
Sullivan has apparently smoothed Hamiliton's ruffled feathers with a £1m
compensation package. This, of course, means that Hendrie will see out the
remainder of this season with Hamiliton and join West Ham for pre-season
training. There are good reports on the youngster's ability/potential and he
is obviously being brought in to increase competition/cover at left-back. At
a fee of £1m, the player is well worth a punt. It may, however, mean the end
of Danny Potts' tenure at the club. There are strong rumours of an approach
by Blackpool FC to sign Potts. We shall see if that materialises before the
window closes.

Elsewhere, Arsenal's alleged interest in Winston Reid may have ended with
their signing of Villrreal defender, Gabriel Paulista. So, if that is the
case, that probably reduces Reid's alternative London based options to just
Spurs. Surely, in footballing terms, Reid would be better off signing the
alleged £60k a week deal on the table to stay with the Hammers. Financially,
it is obviously a different matter, with a Bosman move being very lucrative.
The likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Everton could still be interested.
However, the much publicised north London interest could prove to be a red
herring. Perhaps Reid has a a pre-contract agreed with a continental club?
Do not be surprised if that is how it transpires. If Reid does leave
(whatever his destination) it will be a great shame, but the club need to
respond in the right way and just keep pushing forward. No player is bigger
than the club and that is certainly the case with Winston Reid.

Finally, there are reports of a wholesale clear out of youngsters at U-21
level in the Academy. The U-21s have not performed well this season and
there is obviously a process afoot to clear out the deadwood and create
opportunities for the talent at U-18 and below to come through and develop.
Considering that we have prospects like Oxford and Borg amongst that younger
age group, that is perhaps an understandable move.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham flop Ravel Morrison agrees four-year contract with Serie A side
Lazio, starting this summer
12:47, 29 January 2015 By John Cross
The 21-year-old former Manchester United trainee will move to Italy at the
end of the season when his contract at Upton Park expires
The Mirror

Ravel Morrison has signed a four-year contract with Lazio. West Ham
midfielder Morrison, 21, is out of contract at Upton Park in the summer and
has signed a pre-contract to join the Italians from next season. England
under-21 starlet Morrison is regarded as one of English football's biggest
talents but has yet to fulfil the early promise he showed at Manchester
United. Morrison has had spells at Cardiff, QPR and Birmingham before his
career at West Ham went sour. He has fallen out of favour at West Ham but
they eventually gave him permission to go to Rome to sign after an initial
hold up.

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West Ham deny any wrongdoing over Diafra Sakho injury row as Senegal lodge
FIFA complaint
15:44, 28 January 2015 By Darren Lewis
The 24-year-old withdrew from the Africa Cup of Nations only to feature
against Bristol City last weekend as the club vs country row continues
The Mirror

West Ham insist they will be vindicated in the escalating club v country row
over striker Diafra Sakho. Sakho, 25, is facing a ban after his country
Senegal made an official complaint to FIFA about him playing in the FA Cup
for West Ham. The Lions, knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on
Tuesday, remain angry that Sakho withdrew from their squad before the
tournament with a back injury. Senegal officials are particularly upset at
not being able to examine the frontman themselves because West Ham insisted
he could not fly. The Hammers, however, strongly deny any wrongdoing and
insist they have not pulled a fast one. Co-owner David Sullivan has stressed
they have been acting solely on the advice of leading medical professionals.
He said: "Any FIFA hearing will vindicate us. The player missed four games
as a result of injuries incurred whilst playing for Senegal. We have done
nothing untoward." To prove their point, Sakho will be driven north by West
Ham while his team-mates are flying to Merseyside to play against Brendan
Rodgers' men on Saturday. Senegal national team coach, Alain Giresse, saw
red after Sakho played against Bristol City on Sunday and insisted the
Hammers are opening the door for other players to follow suit. Giresse
fumed: "This sets a dangerous precedent because you're going to have players
claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play
football." Sakho came on in the 57th minute of the FA Cup Fourth Round tie
and scored the winning goal. Giresse said afterwards: "I'm surprised to
learn he played."

Sakho was also criticised in his homeland and took to social media to defend
himself, writing: "Never doubt the lion sleeping in me, as I never doubt the
passion that burns within you.". West Ham, however, maintain they are
following the advice of leading specialists who have warned that the player
is prohibited from flying. As such, Sakho also travelled to Bristol by road
on Sunday while his team-mates were flown from London. But Giresse said:
"When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing a
football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fletcher: A four day silence
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have had no contact with Darren Fletcher's advisers for four days.
And the assumption at Upton Park is the player and his agent may be trying
to do a deal with West Bromwich Albion. Sam Allardyce insisted earlier
toiday that the deal was not dead and "that sometimes you have to be
patient" but time is ticking down. And this evening ClaretandHugh was told:
"We've heard nothing and if we are to it will need to be in time for a full
and very stern medical. "It's impossible to say what will happen from here
but it's significant to us that we have heard nothing which suggests they
are trying to do a deal elsewhere. West Brom are interested so that may be
the situation but we'll need to talk soon if anything's to happen at West
Ham."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho and Valencia are under lock and key
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hugh

I have no doubts whatsoever that Chelsea are sniffing around out better
players – the only shock would be if they weren't! I am equally convinced
that neither Enner Valencia or Diafra Sakho will be moving this winter and
the latter could be around for a long time time come. Nobody can yet vouch
for the truth of our so called bid for Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis although I
fully expect more to become clear on that over the next few days. Sam
Allardyce has denied such a bid has been made but Sun journo Alan Nixon is
no 'chancer' and was the guy who initially broke the Sakho for West Ham
story. We'll wait and see. More will soon become clear. I can guarantee that
and you'll read about it first here. What I do like about all this is that
it proves we aren't kidding ourselves when we speak so highly of out summer
signings – it's been a long time since we have found ourselves in this
position. Enjoy it! And remember this, Chelsea have no chance of stealing
either the Senegal or Ecuadorian international away on the cheap because
neither has an escape clause in his deal – both of them are under lock and
key for the duration of their deals. The deals are watertight. Many lessons
have been learned at Upton Park over the last couple of seasons and escape
clauses are a thing of the past. Sakho is going nowhere, Valencia? There's a
tiny chance but if he does and Chelsea are the buyers they will have to pay
right over the top!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's Ravel 4 in new Rome home!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison has signed for Lazio and immediately released a picture of
his new shirt. Hopefully he has developed a taste for Italian grub and that
life in one of the world's great cities will help him mature as a man and a
footballer. All at ClaretandHugh wish him well!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho "is going nowhere"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Diafra Sakho will not be leaving West Ham for Chelsea or anywhere else! And
there remains only the tiniest chance that Jose Mourinho will be able to
prise Enner Valencia away from Upton Park. Morning reports that the two
players interest the Premier League leaders have not been denied by West Ham
but ClaretandHugh has been told emphatically Chelsea's inquiry is getting
short shrift inside the club. It was reported this morning that the duo
interested the south west London club but it is Valencia who really appeals
to Mourinho. And we have just been told by a top Hammers insider: "There is
absolutely no chance of Diafra Sakho leaving the club. "We are aware of the
interest in Valencia but there is only the tiniest chance of him moving."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle and West Ham club together to fly players home from Africa
• Sides want Cheikhou Kouyaté and Papiss Cissé for weekend
• Communication difficulties after Senegal are knocked out
Louise Taylor
Thursday 29 January 2015 22.30 GMT
The Guardian

Newcastle United and West Ham have initiated an attempted 'airlift' of
Premier League players from Equatorial Guinea. With Senegal now out of the
Africa Cup of Nations, Newcastle are keen to have Papiss Cissé back in time
to play at Hull City on Saturday and West Ham United would like Cheikhou
Kouyaté back for the trip to Liverpool the same day.

The two clubs are sharing the cost of chartering a private plane to fly the
pair home from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea – the going rate is
around £65,000 – with the only problem now being ensuring their players
board it. "We have got together and we're trying to put a plane on to bring
them back," said John Carver, Newcastle's interim head coach who is seeking
his first win since succeeding Alan Pardew in a caretaker capacity.

"The Senegal FA haven't been too helpful and we're not happy about that," he
added. "But hopefully Papiss will be back on Friday, meet us at the hotel on
Friday night and be involved at Hull on Saturday. Papiss is our top scorer
and the only way you're going to win matches is by having your top scorer
around."

Cissé, however, is proving slightly elusive at present. "We've been trying
to get in touch with him and it hasn't been easy," said Carver. "But I've
spoken to his agent and left a message with Papiss. Lee Charnley
[Newcastle's managing director] has spoken to the Senegalese FA but they
haven't been very helpful."

Sam Allardyce is not surprised. "We've had to take responsibility and sort
it out," said the West Ham manager. "We've got together with the other clubs
and stumped up for a private jet for the players to all come back together.
The chairmen have been good enough to stump up and split the costs to make
sure we get them back for this weekend. "I think Senegal are not quite as
organised as we are. There's a lack of organisation, a lack of booking
people's flights to come back. I've experienced it many times before but
when it's right in the middle of the season you want your players back as
quickly as you can. We've taken the right route."

Considering that Africa Cup of Nations regulations state that players will
be returned to their clubs within 48 hours of their elimination, Senegal's
disorganisation is a source of annoyance for Allardyce. "It lies with the
association of that particular country to sort it out," he said. "It's not
just that, though. Players will try to sneak a couple of days. That's what
they normally do. I learnt that at Bolton."

It seems Southampton and Stoke City have had a happier experience
transporting their Senegal internationals, Sadio Mané and Mame Biram Diouf
respectively, from Equatorial Guinea. Stoke say Diouf is en route
independently and Southampton say they felt no need to become involved in
hiring the plane.

Carver meanwhile is happy to work purely as a head coach with no input in
transfer business. "I don't think anyone is going to come in this window,"
he said. "But I'm not interested in who is coming or who is going out. My
role is to get the team right, pick the team and get results, not to get
involved in anything outside of that. I don't have a problem with that. I'm
comfortable with it.

"You will not hear me making an excuse saying‚ 'They haven't got me the
right players'. You won't hear me say that, I will never, ever say that. You
have to got to believe in your own ability. You have got to trust people to
bring the right people in, for me to work with, to get the right results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Furious West Ham and Newcastle consider joining forces to bring players back
from African Cup of Nations
Both clubs having trouble locating their Senegalese internationals
Sam Allardyce unable to track down midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate
John Carver has not been able to speak to striker Papiss Cisse
By SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE and CRAIG HOPE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:32, 29 January 2015 | UPDATED: 22:32, 29 January 2015

West Ham and Newcastle are furious with the Senegalese Football Association
for their lack of assistance in returning their players from the Africa Cup
of Nations and on Thursday were considering joining forces to charter a
private jet. The two clubs were desperate to get their players back from the
tournament, after they were knocked out on Tuesday, so they would be
available for this weekend's league matches. In the past two days, West Ham
have had difficulty locating midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Newcastle were
trying to find striker Papiss Cisse. West Ham travel to Liverpool and
Newcastle to Hull on Saturday and faced a race against time to get their
players back. They, and another unspecified club, were exploring the option
of hiring their own plane, but eventually shelved the plans. Clubs found
Senegal particularly unhelpful in arranging the return of players to England
following their exit from the competition on Tuesday.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: 'There's been a lack of organisation
booking people's flights to come back. We've had to take responsibility and
get it sorted out. 'We and two other clubs stumped up for a private jet for
a group of players to come back on the same plane. 'The chairman – as well
as the ones from the others clubs – was good enough to split that cost to
make sure we get them back for this weekend.'

They eventually managed to find a separate flight back for Kouyate, but
Allardyce added: 'I've experienced it many times before. I've been good
enough in the past, particularly at Bolton, to send out medical staff and
masseurs to travel around with the players. I think they're not quite as
well organised as we are. 'When it's right in the middle of the season you
want your players back as quickly as you can. We've taken the right route to
make sure our players are available. Hopefully by the time Kouyate gets back
he's not too fatigued or there's no injury. We don't actually know the full
extent yet.' Newcastle manager John Carver is frustrated with the Senegalese
FA for their lack of assistance when they attempted to track Cisse down.
'We've been trying to get in touch with him and it hasn't been easy,' Carver
explained. 'I have spoken to his agent and I have left a message with
Papiss. 'Lee Charnley (managing director) has spoken to the Senegalese FA
and they have not been very helpful. There is a group of clubs with their
players who have got together to put a plane on to bring them back.
Southampton, West Ham and Stoke are also trying to get their players back.'
Newcastle were also able to find a scheduled flight for Cisse to return by
himself, which arrives on Friday.

Allardyce blamed the African countries involved for the confusion, but
admitted that players often try to squeeze in extra time off from their club
duties. He said: 'Responsibility lies with the association of that
particular country to sort it out. It's not just that though. Players will
try to sneak a couple of days. That's what they normally do. I learnt that
in 2004 at Bolton with El Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Faye when they got
delayed in Paris for some reason.' Southampton, Stoke, Cardiff, Bournemouth,
Charlton and Doncaster are all due players back from the tournament. Stoke,
who have Mame Biram Diouf returning, and Southampton, who were waiting on
Sadio Mane to come back, deny being part of the trio considering chartering
the jet.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 29th January 2015

England U17 call for Hammers duo
WHUFC.com
Reece Oxford and Jahmal Hector-Ingram have been named in the England U17
squad
28.01.2015

Two West Ham United Academy prospects have been named in the England U17
squad for the Algarve Tournament in February. Defender Reece Oxford, who
recently put pen-to-paper on his first professional deal with the Club, and
striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram have both been called up by Young Lions coach
John Peacock for the four-team tournament. England will take on the
Netherlands, hosts Portugal and Germany over an intense five-day period,
which will serve as preparation for their UEFA U17 Championship Elite Round
qualifiers in March.
16-year-old Oxford has been capped eight times at this level already, while
Hector-Ingram has two goals to his name from six England U17 caps.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA Cup date set
WHUFC.com
The Hammers' FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Bromwich Albion will kick-off at
12.45pm on Saturday 14 February
28.01.2015

West Ham United can confirm that the FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Bromwich
Albion will kick-off at 12.45pm on Saturday 14 February. The Hammers can
also announce that the Club has received a full allocation of 5,500 Standard
tickets for the last-16 tie at The Hawthorns.
Standard tickets will be priced at £20 Adults, £15 Over-65s, £10 Under-21s
and £5 Under 17. Tickets will go on sale to supporters on the following
dates:
*Bond Holders/Corporate - 9am, Wednesday 4 February
*Priority Post Deadline - 5pm, Wednesday 4 February (for processing on
Thursday 5 February)
*Season Ticket Holders General Sale - 9am, Friday 6 February
*Academy/Youth Academy Members - 9am, Saturday 7 February
*General Sale - 10am, Sunday 8 February

Official Club Coaches will leave the Boleyn Ground at 8am, with seats priced
as follows:
*Season Ticket Holders and Academy Members - £22 Adults and £19 Concessions
*Non-Members - £27 Adults, £24 Over 65s/Under 16s

The Valentine's Day match will see the two sides meet for the third time
this season, with West Ham holding the edge in the two Barclays Premier
League meetings, winning 2-1 in the West Midlands in early December and
drawing 1-1 at the Boleyn Ground on New Year's Day.
West Ham have met West Brom five times previously in the FA Cup, winning
through on four occasions, including a third-round replay in January 1980 on
their way to lifting the trophy for a third time that May.

Prior to that, the first FA Cup meeting came in January 1913, when the
Hammers prevailed after a two first-round replays. In January 1933, West Ham
defeated the Baggies 2-0 in the third round on their way to the semi-finals.

In January 1953, West Brom scored their only FA Cup success over West Ham
with a 4-1 victory at the Boleyn Ground. More recently, West Ham triumphed
again in the third round in 1980 before scoring a 2-0 third-round victory at
The Hawthorns in January 1993.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Terry Westley
WHUFC.com
Academy Manager Terry Westley wants to produce more first team players
28.01.2015

West Ham United Academy Manager and Head of Coaching and Player Development
Terry Westley is excited about the Academy prospects Reece Oxford and Joe
Powell who recently signed professional contracts.

In an exclusive interview with whufc.com, we talk to the experienced coach
about the importance of promoting players above their age groups, the
restructuring of the Academy and producing more first team players.

Terry, fantastic news that Reece Oxford and Joe Powell have signed
professional contracts with the club, how happy does that make you?

TW: "I think that because we've got them long term we can plan for the next
four years. This allows us to put things in place, ensure that they develop
and make sure they become first team players. "First and foremost, we are
delighted that they have committed to the club, but from a developer's point
of view it gives me time now to work with them. They both have all the
ingredients to become first team players."

Reece in particular has attracted a lot of attention recently, there was
interest from a lot of other clubs, so does keeping him here send out a
message that the Academy means business?

TW: "Yes I think it has made a statement to other clubs out there that we're
not going to let our best players leave. There was a lot of interest with
Joe as well, which is why we needed to offer them a contract and get them
committed to a long term programme. "They now have a great opportunity to
become first team players sometime in the near future. We look at it in
terms of four year cycles, like the Olympics. You concentrate on London
2012, and then focus on Rio 2016. The gold medal for us is young players
playing first team football in the new stadium."

There is a tradition at West Ham of producing young players, how important
is it for these two players as well as their contemporaries to continue this
tradition?

TW: "I hope it sends out a sign to the other four boys that we've offered
contracts to. They have a future here and we have committed to keeping our
best players here. "We want to go back to that culture of West Ham
producing their own. We are all behind that here, the first team staff, the
manager and the owners have particularly backed us on these signings. So
I've got a big smile on my face that we signed Reece and Joe and hopefully
we'll get a few more signed soon."

For the fans who haven't seen Reece or Joe play before, what can you tell us
about them?

TW: "Joe Powell is a real attacker. He can beat people, come off the right
wing and hit shots with his left foot. He comes from a family with a
pedigree that have played, his brother was here and he now plys his trade at
Millwall in the first team. He's the right shape, good athleticism, mentally
tough enough and he's got the ability to become a professional player. "With
Reece, I think everyone is seeing, if you're a West Ham supporter there was
interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. Having seen
him play for England, as captain across Europe, he is one of the best
centre-backs in Europe. He's got a big future and we hope to see them both
one day in the first team."

Both are U16s who have played in older age groups, does that show the
potential that they have?

TW: "Yes, and that has got to continue. If you are an U16 you've got to be
playing U18 football, if you are an U18 you have to be playing
U21s. And if you are an early developer you can push on into the U21s which
is what Reece has done that."

There's been a restructuring at the top for the U21s with Steve Potts coming
in from the U18s, can you explain the thinking behind that?

TW: "At U21 level we believe you need coaches rather than managers, so Steve
has joined the U21s as a coach and will continue to work across age groups.
We believe he can still work with the U16s and U18s which will benefit them.
His knowledge and experience can really help them. His work with the U21s is
also important so there is a sense of continuity. So that is first in my
mind. "Steve is committed to the club, he's got two boys in the system,
Freddie at U11 and Dan in the U21s. Given the amount of times he played for
the club he is a legend. He's dedicated and hardworking and a very important
member of staff at the Academy. Hopefully these conditions will help him to
flourish. I want to see our staff work across a number of age ranges."

As you say, Steve has been a big part of the Academy for a number of years.
First with the U16s, then the U18s and now U21s...

TW: "Yes, and that will go with all the staff across the Academy. James Rowe
is a talented coach, he's young but he wants to improve. One week he may
work with the U18s, the next week the U10s. Mark Phillips is the same, U14s
and U18s. That is the structure that we're working with."

Finally, how important is the U21s as a bridge between the Academy and the
first team?

TW: "Yep, that's the next challenge. Once we've got the structure in place
and we secure signatures of players, the next step is getting players into
the first team. Rio Ferdinand was 17 when he was around the first team,
Frank Lampard the same, Joe Cole, the list is endless. We have to get back
to that. James Tomkins and Mark Noble are regular first team players, so we
need to produce more."

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Heartbreak for Kouyate & Senegal
WHUFC.com
Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday
27.01.2015

Cheikhou Kouyate and his Senegal side suffered the heartbreak of an early
elimination from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Needing a point to secure their progress from the group stage, they came up
short against Algeria as goals from Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez and Nabil
Bentaleb, of Tottenham Hotspur, secured a 2-0 win for the North Africans.
With Ghana coming from behind to dramatically defeat South Africa 2-1 in the
group's other concluding fixture, it meant Senegal dropped from top to
third, two points behind both Ghana and Algeria. Senegal started the
tournament promisingly, with Kouyate starting in a 2-1 win over Ghana. The
Hammers No8 was then a used substitute in their 1-1 draw against South
Africa and returned to the starting XI against Algeria, but was unable to
help the Lions of Teranga get the result they craved.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Young pair depart
WHUFC.com
Development Squad duo Jamie Harney and Danny Whitehead have both left West
Ham United
28.01.2015

Development Squad duo Jamie Harney and Danny Whitehead have both left West
Ham United. Northern Ireland U21 international centre-back Harney (pictured)
has turned his loan spell with League One club Colchester United into a
permanent move. The 18-year-old has made one first-team appearance for the
U's since moving to the Essex outfit in November 2014.

Midfielder Whitehead (below), who was signed from Conference National side
Stockport County in summer 2013, has had his contract with the Hammers
cancelled with immediate effect. The 21-year-old made one first-team
appearance for the Hammers in an FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest
in January 2014.

West Ham United would like to thank both Jamie and Danny for their hard work
and wish them all the best for their future careers.

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Stephen Hendrie: West Ham in talks with Hamilton full-back
BBC.co.uk

Hamilton Accies left-back Stephen Hendrie has flown to London to hold
signing talks with West Ham United. Hendrie, 20, is out of contract at the
end of the season and could agree a pre-contract deal to join the English
Premier League club in the summer. Accies vice-chairman Ronnie MacDonald
last week criticised the London club, claiming that a transfer fee in excess
of £2m had been agreed. He said Hendrie agreed terms but that West Ham did
not complete the deal. MacDonald was irked because a fee had been agreed
with Crystal Palace for the 20-year-old product of Accies' youth system
before the Hammers made their interest known. The Scottish Premiership
outfit had been keen to sell during the January transfer window rather than
wait for compensation in the summer. However, it now looks likely that the
Scotland Under-21 international will remain at New Douglas Park for the rest
of the season. Hendrie, who had also been linked with Celtic, made his debut
for Accies aged 16 and has made 97 appearances for the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Jamie Harney makes permanent Colchester switch
BBC.co.uk

Colchester United have signed defender Jamie Harney on a free transfer from
Premier League club West Ham. The 18-year-old, who has made one substitute
appearance for the U's since joining on loan in November, has signed a deal
until 2016. He can play either centre-half or right-back, but has mostly
featured for Colchester's Under-21 side since moving from the Hammers.
Harney has been is capped at age group levels up to U21 by Northern Ireland.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison: West Ham midfielder in Italy for Lazio talks
BBc.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has travelled to Italy for talks with a
view to signing a pre-contract agreement with Lazio, with the Premier League
club's consent. It had been reported the Hammers had blocked Morrison, 21,
from travelling to Italy over a breach of his contract. However, it is
understood the delay was down to existing training commitments. If he signs
for Lazio they would become Morrison's sixth club in a career blemished by
off-field controversies. Earlier this month the Crown Prosecution Service
dropped all charges against the England Under-21 international pertaining to
allegations that he assaulted his former girlfriend and her mother.
Morrison would become the first Englishman to play for Lazio since Paul
Gascoigne's spell with with the Italian outfit from 1992 to 1995, should the
deal go through.

Here BBC Sport looks at the ups and downs of Morrison's career.
'Better out of Manchester'

Ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Morrison was "better out of
Manchester" Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed the
14-year-old Morrison was the most talented youngster he had seen at the club
since the schoolboy Paul Scholes and handed him a first-team debut in the
League Cup in 2010 against Wolves. Morrison won the FA Youth Cup with
United, but only managed a further two senior appearances in the League Cup
in the 2011-12 campaign. With his contract set to expire in the summer of
2012, Ferguson allowed Morrison to join West Ham in January of that year.
Ferguson labelled the player's contract demands "unrealistic" and said he
was "better out of Manchester" because of his troubles away from football.

A temperamental talent, transformed...
Morrison was branded "the best footballer since Gascoigne" by former Blues
boss Lee Clark in 2014 After just one appearance in the Championship in the
2011-12 season for West Ham following his transfer to Upton Park, Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce sent Morrison out on a season-long loan to Birmingham
City in the following campaign. The then Birmingham boss, Lee Clark, praised
Morrison for transforming his approach to football after the player overcame
an uncertain start to life at St Andrew's, in which Clark considered
terminating the loan, to become a consistent performer. "The conversation we
had a couple of weeks ago seems to have done the trick," Clark told BBC WM
in October 2012 as he insisted the player had turned a corner. "Since then
he's been nothing short of brilliant in terms of his application and his
attitude."

Flawed genius
Morrison has been described as "a fantastic talent" by QPR boss Harry
Redknapp Morrison forced his way into Allardyce's team in the first half of
the 2013-14 season and produced some eye-catching performances as he scored
five goals in his first 12 games for the Hammers.
The playmaker's most memorable goal came in West Ham's 3-0 win over
Tottenham in October 2013 when he effortlessly glided from his own half and
through the Spurs defence before ending the run with a chipped finish.
Allardyce described it as a "bit of genius" and said Morrison had "sorted
himself out".

Broken relationship
Morrison was called up to the England Under-21 squad the same month, but he
subsequently fell out of favour with Allardyce, who claimed the player
overstated minor injury problems. Allardyce also denied allegations in the
Guardian newspaper that his relationship had broken down with Morrison in
relation to a disagreement over agents.

'Greatest player since Gascoigne'
The precocious performer scored six goals in 17 appearances for QPR Despite
Morrison's early season form for West Ham, which saw him talked of as a
possible contender for England's 2014 World Cup squad and helped him draw
praise from Roy Hodgson, his differences with Allardyce saw him sent on loan
to Championship side QPR in February 2014. Alluding to Morrison and
Everton's Ross Barkley, Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek in
December 2013: "These two must realise we do have great faith in them and
enormous admiration for their talent." After Morrison scored two brilliant
goals in QPR's 2-0 win over Birmingham , Blues boss Lee Clark labelled him
"the best footballer since Paul Gascoigne" . Clark had been a former
team-mate of Gascoigne at Newcastle. Under Harry Redknapp's management
Morrison played a key role in QPR's promotion-winning campaign and finished
the season with a combined total of 11 goals in 38 appearances for QPR and
West Ham.

L'enfant terrible
Morrison has made seven appearances for Cardiff City in his loan spell at
the Welsh club A couple of appearances for West Ham at the start of the
2014-15 season suggested Morrison was back in Allardyce's thoughts, but he
was then loaned out for a third time to a second tier club in September 2014
when he joined Cardiff on a three-month deal. Morrison revealed he had
started to learn French while at the Welsh club, but returned to West Ham
early because of personal reasons. Allardyce said following Morrison's
return to Upton Park that he was in despair at watching the 21-year-old
"wasting his talent".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United rising high in all-time chart
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are just two wins away from becoming the 15th most successful
English league club of all time. Last year the Hammers surpassed both Leeds
United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the all-time points list for the
English Premier League/old Division One. Now, just two more wins would see
them join Derby County on 2,510 points - although West Ham have played 2,304
top-flight matches to achieve that total and the Rams, 2,468. Whilst that
particular target should be easily attainable before the end of the current
campaign, at this season's rate of 1.64 points per match it will take the
Irons approximately four-and-a-half years to surpass the team immediately
above them. That's current Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, who have
a total of 2,781 points! West Ham are one of only four clubs in the top 20
never to have won the Division One/Premier League title; the others being
West Brom, Bolton and Middlesbrough.

English Premier League : All Time Table (Top 20)

* Denotes club not currently in the Premier League. Average points per game
in parenthesis. Points total based upon points-per-win system applicable at
the time.

1. Liverpool Pld 3966 Pts 5350
2. Arsenal Pld 3966 Pts 5291
3. Everton Pld 4350 Pts 5158
4. Manchester United Pld 3610 Pts 5088
5. Aston Villa Pld 4016 Pts 4679
6. Chelsea Pld 3230 Pts 3988
7. Tottenham Hotspur Pld 3226 Pts 3947
8. Manchester City Pld 3438 Pts 3860
9. Newcastle United Pld 3334 Pts 3785
10. Sunderland Pld 3248 Pts 3424
11. West Bromwich Albion Pld 2978 Pts 2996
12. Blackburn Rovers * Pld 2720 Pts 2947
13. Bolton Wanderers * Pld 2802 Pts 2824
14. Sheffield Wednesday * Pld 2582 Pts 2781
15. Derby County * Pld 2468 Pts 2510
16. West Ham United Pld 2304 Pts 2504
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers * Pld 2422Pts 2480
18. Leeds United * Pld 2060 Pts 2455
19. Nottingham Forest * Pld 2178 Pts 2404
20. Middlesbrough * Pld 2400 Pts 2401

The current Premier League clubs outside of the all-time Top 20 are Stoke
City (22nd, 2,146 points), Burnley (24th, 2,065 points), Leicester City
(25th, 1,856 points), Southampton (26th, 1,772 points), Queens Park Rangers
(35th, 1,050 points), Crystal Palace (42nd, 582 points), Swansea City (49th,
275 points) and Hull City (52nd, 121 points).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kouyate could make Liverpool comeback
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Senegal's elimination from the African Cup of Nations may have been bad news
for the West African nation - but potentially a huge boost for West Ham
ahead of this coming weekend's trip to Liverpool. Chiekhou Kouyate - who
played a full 90 minutes in Senegal's 2-0 defeat against Algeria, one that
sent them tumbling out of the competition - will now return to West Ham
sooner than expected. That means the midfielder should return to England
this week - and possibly in time to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday
afternoon, according to co-chairman David Gold.

Kouyate, who joined West Ham last June in a £7million switch from Anderlecht
has made 16 appearances for United since moving to England - all in the
Premier League. His only goal so far came in the 2-1 defeat at home to
Arsenal on 28 December.

* Senegal's exit also meant the end of the road for head coach Alain
Giresse, who yesterday complained bitterly about Diafra Sakho's inclusion in
West Ham's match day squad for the FA Cup tie with Bristol City. "I am out
of contract. My contract has finished," he said. "The road ends here for
Senegal. There will be a lot of changes in and around the team. What happens
next I don't know, but I know what I am going to do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stephen Hendrie to sign pre-contract agreement
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Hamilton Academicals full back Stephen Hendrie is on his way to London in
order to sign for West Ham, say reports north of the border.
The 20-year-old left-sided defender will sign a pre-contract agreement with
West Ham allowing him to move South in the summer upon the expiry of his
current contract (Daily Record). Although Hendrie had hoped to complete his
move to London this month, before the end of the current transfer window the
two clubs were unable to agree terms. That particular deal was cancelled
last week by the Accies, whose vice-chairman Ronnie MacDonald blasted West
Ham for their conduct during negotiations. "The fee was agreed, Stephen
agreed personal terms through his agent and they were meant to come up to
our place on New Year's Day to sign off the deal and didn't appear. They
then said they would up on the 4th but didn't appear so I just cancelled the
deal. "I'm getting phone calls from London saying they want to resurrect it
but as fas as I'm concerned it's off. I think West Ham are shambolic and if
that's how they carry on their business that's up to them, They should do
things properly."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We'll have Lassana
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are reported to be monitoring free agent Lassana Diara's planned
move to Inter. TuttoMercatoWeb claim that West Ham, along with German club
Hamburg are waiting in the wings should the French midfielder's move to
Roberto Mancini's Serie A side fall through. Although technically a free
agent Diarra is still involved in a legal dispute with former club Lokomotiv
Moscow, who sacked him in August 2014 after the former French international
failed to turn up for training. That led to Celtic dropping a planned bid to
sign the 29=year-old earlier in the season and has thus far prevented the
Italians from completing their approach. Diarra has several years'
experience of Premier League football having previously featured for
Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth. However it is six years now since he left
Portsmouth to join Real Madrid, since when he has represented Russian clubs
Anzhi Makhachkala and Moscow - for whom he last featured in July 2014.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Ravel Morrison in Rome to finalise Lazio deal
Last Updated: 28/01/15 12:36pm
SSN

Ravel Morrison has arrived in Rome to finalise his pre-contract agreement
with Lazio. The midfielder's West Ham deal is up at the end of the season
which means he is entitled to negotiate with European clubs. And an
agreement to join Serie A Lazio this summer should be sealed if the England
U21 passes a medical. Morrison came through the ranks at Manchester United,
where he was highly thought of, but disciplinary issues contributed to their
decision to sell him to West Ham three years ago. The 21-year-old has since
spent time on loan at Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff and last appeared in the
Premier League back in August.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE BIG QUESTION: WILL THE OLYMPIC STADIUM IMPROVE OUR PERFORMANCES?
By Bobby Shovels 28 Jan 2015 at 15:00
West Ham till I Die

In the early days of our muted move to Stratford, I was a fervent opponent.
Why not rebuild the Chicken Run? Do we really want a running track in a
stadium that is not purely our own? What about the aura of the Boleyn?
Another stadium banished to the history books like The Dell, the Baseball
Ground, Roker Park and Highbury.

That pessimism has had to give way to reality, as well as democracy, after a
supporter poll found strong backing for our move from E13 to E20 (the
ground, not the nightclub in EastEnders). I had to understand that despite
my misgivings about the business of football, money matters and the added
revenue and the surge in executive packages would help solidify West Ham's
place among the country's elite.


However, my pessimism – like any West Ham fan's worries – has not completely
died and I was reminded of this while listening to a podcast from a few
years back. It cited a 2003 report by Thomas Dohmen, from Bonn's Institute
for the Study of Labor, that looked at 3,519 matches over 12 Bundesliga
seasons. The title of the study was, "In Support of the Supporters? Do
Social Forces Shape Decisions of the Impartial?"

Of course, as with any such report, the title doesn't do the paper justice.
What Dohmen found was that in football (well, German football at least)
referees were influenced by the crowd and often ended up favouring home
teams. This took the form of lengthening games when the home was behind by
one goal, especially when the crowd was dominated by a large section of home
fans. Referees were even found to favour the home side in terms of penalty
kick and goal decisions.

Yet here's the big takeaway: the report found that the strength of a
referee's favouritism depended on the crowd's closeness to the pitch and was
even influenced by the presence of a running track separating the home fans
from the pitch. Such was the case in Berlin and Munich's Olympic stadiums.

"A remarkable finding is also that more penalties are awarded in stadiums
without a running track," Dohmen said. "Strikingly, given that a penalty was
awarded, the decision was more likely to be correct when the game took place
in a stadium in which a track separates the stands from the field."

His conclusion: "A likely explanation for the observed behaviour is that
referees are emotionally influenced by the atmosphere in the stadium."

Now, there are many problems with the study: in the year the report was
published, Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga while playing in a stadium with
a running track. Furthermore, the report only surveyed German football and,
perhaps more importantly, you can't say a referee is the most important
determinant in the outcome of a football match.

You may also add that our stadium has retractable seating – yet I still
remain to be convinced by this plan and there are already concerns about a
sizeable gap between the fixed upper tier and retractable lower tier.

My history may be blinkered, but I certainly feel that West Ham's home
advantage was far more evident during the days when the West Stand had not
become the behemoth it is now, and with the pitch shifting away from the
boisterous Chicken Run. In the fifth-placed finish of 1999, we won 11 of our
19 home games, losing only 5.

In fact, a quick bit of dodgy maths: I looked at the average number of home
games we lost in the 12 seasons since 2002 (just after the West Stand was
built) and compared that to the 12 seasons before. On average, before the
new stand was built, we lost 4.91 home games per season; since then, it's
been 6.58.

Now, in the years since the West Stand was built we've spent a couple of
seasons in the Championship, so we had to play more games. Yet arguably,
maybe we went down because the atmosphere was just not as intimidating?

Then again, it could just have been about the lack of decent football,
something Dohmen's report did not look into either. So maybe the conclusion
is much simpler: just play good football in the new ground.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MOURINHO'S ALLEGED INTEREST SHOULD STEEL WEST HAM'S RESOLVE TO RETAIN
VALENCIA!
By S J Chandos 28 Jan 2015 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

Are we determined to continue moving forward as a club? Is this season the
start of a process of positive transformation or is it merely a brief
interlude, which will see us return to our former status as a club of
perpetual underachievement? As rumours circulate about West Ham cashing-in
on Enner Valencia, these are pertinent questions. Last summer we completed
the major overhaul of the squad that was so urgently required and it has
paid enormous dividends. It has turned us in to serious contenders for a top
six PL finish and rendered last season's struggles a distant memory. Now, we
must retain our best players, move out those players surplus to requirements
and add yet further quality to the squad. We do not need to sell a striker
of great quality, such as Valencia, who is still settling in to the English
game. And certainly not mere months after his arrival and to a team like
Chelsea!

Enner Valencia will come good and I want to see him do it in a West Ham
shirt, not the blue of Chelsea FC. Certainly, Jose Mourinho knows quality
when he sees it and his alleged interested should steel West Ham's resolve
to retain the player. Valencia needs to adjust to the physical side of the
English game and develop his striking partnerships with Carroll & Sakho. It
will happen, we fans need to be patient and Valencia must continue to work
at his game. And conversely, Sam Allardyce also needs to start playing to
Valencia's obvious strengths, particularly his lightening pace. More
accurate balls need to be played forward, in to space, to allow him to
capitalise on his pace and finishing ability.

So, as far as I am concerned, the club should defintely rebuff Chelsea's
overtures and retain the striking triumvirate of Carroll, Valencia and
Sakho. Moreover, We need to ensure stability in the quality core of the
squad. That needs to be accompanied by an ongoing process of continuous
improvement, adding players of greater quality in each window and increasing
competition for places. If a player of quality moves on (a la the
possibility of Winston Reid leaving on a Bosman) then we must set ourselves
the ambitious objective of always replacing them with a player of equal or
greater quality. That is the recipe for sustained success. And I sincerely
hope that this will soon involve not only incoming transfers, but also the
elevation out own young players via the Academy. I have high hopes of Reece
Burke successfully making the first team transition and we can take great
confidence from the fact that such outstanding prospects as Oxford and Borg
are currently in the pipeline.

One hopes that David Sullivan stands by his expressed resolve to retain our
best players and that he rejects any bid for Valencia. Similarly, I cannot
say that I am too keen on the proposed Darren Fletcher deal. I am sure
Fletcher has been a very good player for Man Utd in the past, but we must
think seriously before signing a 30 year old, with a recent history of
health problems, on an alleged £60,000 a week, three and a half year
contract. With Kouyate's impending early return from the African Cup of
Nations, do we really need Fletcher? I would prefer another midfielder, who
could compete with Downing for the spot at the offensive apex of the
midfield diamond. Moreover, with Morrison's seemingly inevitable exit in the
summer, would it not be a positive step to line up a move for a youngster of
comprarable promise. One such prospect that West Ham could consider bidding
for is Derby County's outstanding midfielder starlet, Will Hughes. The
acquisition of Hughes would be a real transfer coup, which would send out
another clear and positive indicator that West Ham have ambition and are
moving in the right direction.

Certainly, we need to move heaven and earth to sign Song and Jenkinson next
summer. Both players have been instrumental to our success this season. Song
will command a hefty fee and a substantial wage package, but quality always
costs! It will be a major mistake to let Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City
steal Song away from us. While, Jenkinson will probably not cost the quoted
£12m fee. It is much more likely to be in the region of c.£6m and that is a
fair transfer fee for a young player of Jenkinson's ability and potential to
develop and progress. It has been confirmed that the club will have a
substantial transfer/wages budget next summer and appropriate resources need
to be committed, as a priority, to secure Song and Jenkinson on long-term
contracts.

Currently, in this window, it would appear that the club are making new
overtures to sign Hamiliton left-back, Stephen Hendrie. While, there are
rumours that Dan Potts is considering a possible move to Blackpool FC. It
may prove to be a loan move, but if Hendrie does join then that could mean
that a permanent deal is on the cards for Potts. We shall see? There is also
talk of the likes of WBA and Cardiff City making a loan move for Matt
Jarvis. Personally, I would be surprised if Jarvis moved, at least in the
January window. Arguably, we need to retain the wide options guaranteed by
his continued inclusion in the squad. While, it will also be very
interesting to see how Don Henry shapes up and whether Marcus Nilsson's
current trial proves successful?

Finally, it appears that the Senegelese FA have made a complaint to FIFA
about Sakho's participation in our FA Cup tie at Bristol City. It has been
reported that they are pushing for a ban for Sakho until the end of the
African Cup of Nations competition and a possible FA Cup expulsion for the
club! In the meantime, West Ham intend to include Sakho in the squad for the
forthcoming PL fixture at Anfield. And quite rightly so! Talking of Anfield,
this would really prove to be a notable season if we could manage to grab
our first win there since 1963-64! Surely, what is probably the longest
hoodoo in English football has to end at some point? Could this be the
season? Lets hope so.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham deny any wrongdoing over Diafra Sakho injury row as Senegal lodge
FIFA complaint
15:44, 28 January 2015 By Darren Lewis
The 24-year-old withdrew from the Africa Cup of Nations only to feature
against Bristol City last weekend as the club vs country row continues
The Mirror

West Ham insist they will be vindicated in the escalating club v country row
over striker Diafra Sakho. Sakho, 25, is facing a ban after his country
Senegal made an official complaint to FIFA about him playing in the FA Cup
for West Ham. The Lions, knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations on
Tuesday, remain angry that Sakho withdrew from their squad before the
tournament with a back injury. Senegal officials are particularly upset at
not being able to examine the frontman themselves because West Ham insisted
he could not fly. The Hammers, however, strongly deny any wrongdoing and
insist they have not pulled a fast one. Co-owner David Sullivan has stressed
they have been acting solely on the advice of leading medical professionals.
He said: "Any FIFA hearing will vindicate us. The player missed four games
as a result of injuries incurred whilst playing for Senegal. We have done
nothing untoward." To prove their point, Sakho will be driven north by West
Ham while his team-mates are flying to Merseyside to play against Brendan
Rodgers' men on Saturday. Senegal national team coach, Alain Giresse, saw
red after Sakho played against Bristol City on Sunday and insisted the
Hammers are opening the door for other players to follow suit. Giresse
fumed: "This sets a dangerous precedent because you're going to have players
claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play
football." Sakho came on in the 57th minute of the FA Cup Fourth Round tie
and scored the winning goal. Giresse said afterwards: "I'm surprised to
learn he played." Sakho was also criticised in his homeland and took to
social media to defend himself, writing: "Never doubt the lion sleeping in
me, as I never doubt the passion that burns within you.".
West Ham, however, maintain they are following the advice of leading
specialists who have warned that the player is prohibited from flying. As
such, Sakho also travelled to Bristol by road on Sunday while his team-mates
were flown from London. But Giresse said: "When you cannot fly for six weeks
and then suddenly you're playing a football game, there must be miraculous
medicine in England."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winston Reid proved West Ham are still on his mind with fine Bristol City
showing
11:06, 28 January 2015
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
The New Zealand international is out of contract and looks all set to leave
Upton Park - his performance at Ashton Gate shows he'll be missed
The Mirror

There were several players who emerged with immense credit for West Ham's
win at Bristol City. It was an FA Cup tie that no­-one in the Premier League
would have relished – especially in light of the carnage the day before when
Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all had their dreams dashed in
spectacular fashion. But West Ham were ultra­-professional. The first 20
minutes were always going to be crucial and West Ham survived. Andy Carroll
showed just what a fit Andy Carroll is capable of achieving. James Tomkins
grows in stature with every game. And Mark Noble was just the kind of
midfield player you need on a January afternoon in the West Country when the
going is tough. But if one man warrants a special mention, it is Winston
Reid. Everyone in the East End knows that the New Zealander is on his way –
either in the next six days when the winter transfer window is still open or
in the summer when it opens again for business.

Come June, he will be on a free transfer. An an extremely lucrative one at
that. Manager Sam Allardyce is already making preparations for that
eventuality and his central defence of choice since it became clear that
Reid would not sign a new deal has been Tomkins and James "The Ginger Pele"
Collins. But Collins was injured and Allardyce drafted in Reid. And Reid
looked anything but disinterested in what was a major test of his
professionalism. In short, he was outstanding – especially against a huge
mountain of a striker in Matt Smith. The man on loan from Fulham is a
genuine handful but Reid handled any threat with calm, with aggression when
needed and with immense composure. Many in his position would not have
fancied the demands of last Sunday afternoon and participation in a frantic
cup tie that would test nerve and character. Reid passed that test – and
credit to him because his mind could easily have been elsewhere.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Massive Dev Squad clear-out on the way
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are set to stage a massive cull of the Development Squad over the
next few weeks. The club confirmed today that Jamie Harney and Danny
Whitehead have both have both left West Ham United. And this follows
announcements on their social media channels that Ben Marlow and Kieron
Bywater will not be signing new contracts. Colchester United later announced
they had signed former Hammers U21 defender Harney on a free transfer
following his release.

It won't stop there with no news of contract offers to 14 others -Danny
Potts, Elliot Lee, Seb Lletget, Paul Mccallum, Lewis Page, Taylor Tombides,
Josh Cullen, Balir Tugott, Matthias Fanimo, Kieran Sadlier, Raphael Spiegel,
Moses Makasi, Nathan Mavila, Amos Nasha and Sam Westley.

If all of them leave the club in addition to the four already named it will
be a complete clear out of the Academy built by Tony Carr and Nick Haycock.
Terry Westley took over the Academy last Summer with Steve Potts announced
as the Under 21 manager last week. It is understood Terry has been tasked by
the board with getting return on the £4m plus investment made into the
Academy every year. The Hammers U21's remain bottom of the Premier League
U21 league with eight points after losing eight of their 12 games this
season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff Jarvis wage share makes "zero sense"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Matt Jarvis is set to stay at Upton Park despite Cardiff City's attempts to
take him to the club on loan. The Hammers have reacted to stories linking
him with the club making it clear that as things stand the winger will stay
where he is. A source told ClaretandHugh: "It's correct that Cardiff have
asked to take him but the terms aren't good enough for us to do the deal.
"Cardiff want to pay half his wages but that made zero sense to us given
that we could be left short on numbers at some stage." However should the
Welsh club to come back with an improved offer a deal could still be done
but that doesn't look likely.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison off to Rome
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Ravel Morrison has flown to Rome and looks set to finally put pen to paper
on a pre-contract with Italian club Lazio assuming he passes a medical.
Because he has already played for two clubs this season – West Ham and
Cardiff City, he is not permitted to play for a third club meaning he will
have to wait until the summer before he can wear a Lazio shirt. West Ham
will continue to pay Ravel Morrison's wages of £15,000 per week until the
end of his contract in the summer adding another £300,000 to the player who
will leave on a free transfer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Senegal spite unfair on Sakho
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Well it seems as if Senegal are ready to spill as much West Ham blood as
possible in general and Diafra Sakho's in particular. And whilst we should
all spare a little sympathy for them following a shock exit from the African
Cup of Nations and Sakho's inability to help them out, coach Alain Giresse
and the National Federation do seem to be pushing things perhaps a tad too
far. Seeking revenge on the striker and his club for allegedly misleading
them over his back injury maybe understandable to some but is entirely
pointless in reality.

Nor does it help the player before his international career has begun and is
in my view very unfair to him because they were offered every opportunity to
check things out. Club v country rows are as old as the hill and entirely
boring – this one has been made into one of the most unpleasant. I have
little doubt that West Ham did all they could to persuade the player to stay
at Upton Park prior to the injury- none of us are stupid are we? They wanted
their prize asset available and after the injury he sustained at the hands
of the national team on his last excursion to Africa that was
understandable. However, he was injured against West Brom and as a result
the club sent all the medical reports to his national team and even invited
them to London to check him out themselves. They flatly chose not to do so
and thus any view they may have of his injury is entirely invalid and should
surely not be taken seriously by Fifa. Senegal were told the player would be
out for up to six weeks. He came back after three so where exactly is their
complaint. Giresse has shown himself to have a very big mouth – shame he
didn't save some of the words for his medics by ordering them to London to
check the player. He now stands on the sidelines issuing of unpleasant and
malicious remarks about miracle cures in England and suchlike. I hope he has
a Twitter account – many love that sort of crap on there. You can have your
suspicions but to voice them at Fifa based on no evidence whatsoever when in
fact you were offered the opportunity is stupid and ill informed. Any
complaint should go absolutely nowhere! Senegal have nothing to gain from
this little bit

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons clear up OS banding worries
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The Hanmmers have cleared up confusion caused to season ticket holders in
Sir Trevor Brooking upper after the West Ham Olympic Stadium migration
brochure sent to over 21,000 season ticket holders appeared to show they
have been moved from band 4 to band 3. Claret and Hugh has been told by a
senior club source the problem was caused by a printing error and fans
should not worry. Concern was growing in social media that West Ham were
planning to move the Family enclosure from price band 4 to price band in the
Olympic Stadium with one fan tweeting chairman David Gold to demand answers.
A senior source told Claret and Hugh "In the Boleyn/Migration brochure there
is a printing error on the Boleyn Ground seating map which wrongly
classifies the existing Sir Trevor Upper as Band 3 not Band 4 (a difference
in the shade of blue). "The error has been rectified on the websites and we
have explained the mistake to a few supporters who have enquired as they
sit in that area and were understandably perplexed. "As you know the banding
for the OS has yet to been released so I can only assume that supporters
have noticed the apparent change in banding and presumed it was a precursor
to a change at the OS. The family area at the OS will remain Band 4 although
it may increase in size to encompass other bands (thereby offering more
choice to families). "I am very confident that supporters will believe we
are staying true to our commitment to affordable family football when the
pricing structure is released."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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Daily WHUFC News - 28th January 2015

Hammers to host Open Academy Trials
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are to hold Open Academy Trials for aspiring footballers
aged between U6 and U13
27.01.2015

West Ham United are to hold Open Academy Trials for aspiring footballers
aged between U6 and U13. The Academy of Football has long been considered
one of the finest in the world when it comes to discovering and developing
not only good footballers, but good people. Throughout their 120-year
history, the Hammers have put huge value on producing home-grown players who
have gone on to glory with Club and country. England's 1966 FIFA World
Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore and goalscoring heroes Geoff Hurst and
Martin Peters all came through the West Ham ranks. In more recent decades,
England stars Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard
have all graduated from the Academy of Football, while current first-team
players Mark Noble and James Tomkins also learnt their trade at Little
Heath. Open Academy Trials will be held in the U6, U7, U8, U10, U12 and U13
age-groups. "West Ham United has always taken great pride in producing its
own players and will continue to do so in the future," said Academy head of
recruitment Dave Hunt. "The Academy of Football and the development of
home-grown potential first-team players of the future remain an integral
part of the Club. "The Club invests millions of pounds every year in the
Academy, which has the highest Category One status, giving young players the
best possible opportunity to develop their talent. "In our experience,
previous Open Academy Trials have unearthed stars of the future and we are
sure we will discover a great deal of talent again this time around."

To apply for your child to take part in the Open Academy Trials, please
email openacademytrials@westhamunited.co.uk for an automated response
including an application form.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'We will try to do it the hard way'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce says West Ham United will have to rise to the challenge away
from home again in the FA Cup
27.01.2015

Sam Allardyce says West Ham United will have to rise to the challenge away
from home again in the FA Cup after being drawn at West Bromwich Albion in
the fifth round. The Hammers were pulled out of the hat second for the third
straight round in this year's competition, following ties at Everton and
Bristol City. Having drawn at Goodison Park - before prevailing in a
thrilling replay penalty shootout at the Boleyn Ground - and won narrowly at
Ashton Gate, Big Sam's side will have to show their resilience and ability
on enemy territory yet again over the weekend of 14/15 February. "It is sad
we have been drawn away from home again, but we have won two rounds and will
have to try and do it the hard way," said the manager. West Ham have lost
just three of the 12 away matches they have played this season - at
Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League - and
won 2-1 at The Hawthorns on 2 December.
The Hammers are also unbeaten in four previous FA Cup ties at the home of
the Baggies. West Ham drew 1-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two
clubs in the first round before prevailing 3-0 in a second replay in January
1913, then drew 1-1 in the third round on their way to winning the trophy in
1980. In all, West Ham and West Brom have been drawn together five times in
the FA Cup, with the Londoners winning through on four occasions - the most
recent being a 2-0 third-round win at The Hawthorns on 2 January 1993, when
Clive Allen and Mark Robson got the goals. A former West Brom player and
assistant manager himself, Big Sam would love nothing better than to see
West Ham overcome his old club and continue down the Road to Wembley.
However, he knows a quarter-final place will not come easy against Tony
Pulis's side, who earned a 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at the Boleyn
Ground on New Year's Day. "It is every player and every manager's dream to
win the FA Cup," the manager explained. "As time goes by you realise how
difficult it is and it comes and goes over many years. There are times when
it gets close and goes away again. "In this competition, you need a bit of
luck. Whether it be the draw going through the rounds, it can be a
refereeing decision, it could be a lucky bounce, or an own goal. Those sort
of things need to go in your favour. "Players are going to need to be at
their best in the FA Cup, if you have an off day it is over. It would be
fantastic for me, to walk out at Wembley and take your team there is what
you do the job for really."

*Ticket details and broadcast selections for the FA Cup fifth-round tie at
West Bromwich Albion are yet to be confirmed. Keep a close eye on whufc.com
and our Official Twitter feed for details.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Heartbreak for Kouyate & Senegal
WHUFC.com
Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday
27.01.2015

Cheikhou Kouyate and his Senegal side suffered the heartbreak of an early
elimination from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Needing a point to secure their progress from the group stage, they came up
short against Algeria as goals from Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez and Nabil
Bentaleb, of Tottenham Hotspur, secured a 2-0 win for the North Africans.
With Ghana coming from behind to dramatically defeat South Africa 2-1 in the
group's other concluding fixture, it meant Senegal dropped from top to
third, two points behind both Ghana and Algeria. Senegal started the
tournament promisingly, with Kouyate starting in a 2-1 win over Ghana. The
Hammers No8 was then a used substitute in their 1-1 draw against South
Africa and returned to the starting XI against Algeria, but was unable to
help the Lions of Teranga get the result they craved.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diafra Sakho: Senegal coach angry at West Ham playing striker
BBC.co.uk

2015 Africa Cup of Nations: Senegal v Algeria
Date: Tuesday, 27 January.
Time: 18:00 GMT.
Venue: Estadio De Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

West Ham "set a dangerous precedent" by playing striker Diafra Sakho at the
weekend, according to Senegal national coach Alain Giresse.
Sakho, 25, withdrew from Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations squad earlier this
month because of a back injury, but played for the Hammers on Sunday. "When
you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing a football
game, there must be miraculous medicine in England," said Giresse. "I'm
surprised to learn he played."

Sakho had been selected in his country's 23-man squad before withdrawing
ahead of the tournament, which began on 17 January. Senegal wanted to assess
their player, but was told he could not fly because of his injury. However,
Sakho came on in the 57th minute of West Ham's FA Cup fourth-round tie at
League One side Bristol City and scored the only goal. "This sets a
dangerous precedent because you're going to have players claiming they
cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football," added
Giresse. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has defended his decision to pick Sakho,
and insisted he was unable to fly. "We had to drive him down in a limo on
Saturday but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes," Allardyce told Talksport. Speaking on Sunday, Sakho said
he had been "saddened" and "angered" by criticism of his absence from the
tournament. Senegal have beaten Ghana 2-1 and drew 1-1 with South Africa in
the Africa Cup of Nations and will qualify for the quarter-finals if they
avoid a defeat against Algeria on Tuesday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mystery club makes Enner Valencia approach
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

An unknown club has made an enquiry regarding Enner Valencia and a potential
swap deal. According to the well-placed KUMB source an unnamed club has
approached West Ham with view to landing the Ecuador international, who only
arrived in east London back in July 2014.
West Ham are currently negotiating with the unknown club with view to a
potential player plus cash deal, according to our source - who confirmed
tonight that whilst a deal is far from certain, discussions have already
taken place between the two parties. Valencia's career at the Boleyn has
been hit and miss so far. Whilst he hit the ground running with technically
excellent goals against Hull and Stoke, he has struggled to maintain a place
in Sam Allardyce's first team. The Ecuador international, who cost West Ham
circa £12.5million when signing from Pachuca last summer has thus far scored
just four goals in his 23 appearances for the Hammers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Here we go again!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admits that he would have preferred a home draw in the fifth
round of the FA Cup - but wasn't too disappointed with the outcome. West
Ham's reward for beating Everton and Bristol City is a trip to the Hawthorns
where fellow Premier League side West Brom await. The Hammers have of course
already won at Albion this season, having secured a 2-1 victory back in
December. "It is sad we have been drawn away from home again, but we have
won two rounds and will have to try and do it the hard way," admitted
Allardyce - who also feels this could be his year to finally lift the
coveted old trophy. "In this competition you need a bit of luck," he mused.
"Whether it be the draw going through the rounds, a refereeing decision, a
lucky bounce or an own goal - those sort of things need to go in your
favour. "But it is every player and every manager's dream to win the FA Cup.
As time goes by you realise how difficult it is. There are times when it
gets close and goes away again. "Players are going to need to be at their
best; if you have an off day, it's over. It would be fantastic for me - to
take your team to Wembley is what you do the job for really."

West Ham face Albion on the weekend of February 14/15. The full draw for the
fifth round of the FA Cup, as made last night, is as follows:

Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton Wanderers
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Aston Villa v Leicester City
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United
Bradford City v Sunderland or Fulham
Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City
Derby County v Reading
Preston or Sheffield Utd v Man Utd or Cambridge

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid eyes tricky Hawthorns trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid believes West Ham will have their work cut out when they face
West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Kiwi defender, speaking via his latest column for Fanbookz, admitted
that he would have preferred an easier draw but in no way views the visit to
the Hawthorns as an insurmountable task. "Last night we were drawn against
West Brom away in the next round," he said. "Ideally you'd like a home
fixture but we've got to produce a similar performance to those we've had
away from home this season in order to win. "It's part of the cup, and
they've improved since Tony Pulis came in so it's always going to be tricky
playing against his teams."

Reid - who earned the Man of the Match award for his performance against
Bristol City on Sunday - was nonetheless delighted at securing a place in
the next round, having come through the tricky Ashton Gate tie. "We were put
under pressure and we had to make a few saves, a couple of goal line
clearances and we knew it was going to be tough," he surmised. "We were
restricted to a few chances and we took one of them; it was just that extra
little bit of quality that edged it for us. "Getting man of the match
topped off the performance. But for me it's always about the team – we're
playing well, and my performances are good but you need your team-mates to
help out as it's obviously a team sport."

* There was no mention of Reid's contract situation in this week's column.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies seeking new Chairman
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham Utd Ladies FC are inviting open applications from any parties
interested in becoming their new club Chairman and taking them to the next
level. The Ladies are managed by West Ham Utd legend Julian Dicks and
currently play in the FA Womens Premier League (WPL), just one promotion
away from the prestigious Womens' Super League (WSL). The Hammers ladies
currently sit fifth place in the WPL, whilst the reserve squad are riding
high in second place in their respective league. The club is fortunate to
have access to Premier League facilities at West Ham United's Chadwell Heath
training base, whilst also boasting a very strong junior set-up. First team
manager, Julian Dicks, believes the club has the potential to challenge for
promotion and reach the WSL "We are not far off, and even a moderate
financial injection could make a real difference," he said. "I think
someone with a strong business background, maybe a West Ham fan, could
really help take this club places." Previous chairman Ray Wood recently
stepped down from the role but is currently assisting the club until a
suitable replacement is found. The club would love to hear from someone
(maybe a West Ham fan) with a strong business background who thinks they
could help the club achieve its ambitions. All interested parties are
invited to contact the club at whulfcchairman@hotmail.com with details of
their previous experience and reasons for wanting to take on the role.

* West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little was a recent guest on the KUMB West
Ham Podcast. You may listen to that episode - which also featured West Ham
United's attacking coach Teddy Sheringham - here.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The OS is not West Ham's stadium, says Athletics chief
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos says he wants the Olympic Stadium
to be "the beating heart of Athletics" for many years to come. Despite the
Hammers being granted first dibs at the stadium during the football season
from 2016/17 - a requirement of participation in the Premier League - during
the summer months, a whole host of non-football-related events will be
staged there. Some of those events will include Athletics meetings, with the
sport having been granted the right to stage events at the Olympic Stadium
for one month each year for the next 50 years. de Vos, speaking in an
interview with the Standard revealed that he viewed the Olympics Stadium as
the sport's own Wembley Stadium - and expects the legacy of the 2012 summer
Olympic Games to be centred on the new home of West Ham United FC. "For us,
this is not West Ham's stadium, this is Athletics' stadium," he said. "For
that month each year it is just that. We're not the summer tenant. We want
to make it an amazing place for people to do the sport and watch it. "We
want the Olympic Stadium to be the beating heart of athletics. It's not the
only place for the sport, of course, but all roads lead there and it has to
be a very physical illustration of the sport at all levels. "We need that to
be our Wembley, to be our Wimbledon. If you're an up-and-coming athlete now,
you need to think, 'I want to be running on the Olympic track in the Olympic
Stadium'. "That's a responsibility that's going to weigh pretty heavy on us.
We've won the right to host for every month every year for 50 years. We need
to make that a month the nation stops for athletics. "We made a fuss to keep
this as we need a national home of athletics - so we need to make sure we
make the most of the opportunity. "

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Another one bites the dust
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

The cull of West Ham's under-achieving youth squad continued today as
midfielder Ben Marlow bade farewell to the club. The 19-year-old midfielder,
who usually plays in a central role tweeted his farewells having been told
he will not be offered a new contract at the end of the season.
Unfortunately my time at West Ham United has come to an end," he wrote. "I
would like to thank them for the ten years I have been there, I've learnt a
lot and have many good memories. "Now it's time to move on and look to the
future, wherever it may be. Hopefully it will be the start of a new era and
better things will come."

Marlow, who is in the third and final year of his scholarship at Chadwell
Heath joins the likes of Kieran Bywater in leaving the club this season.
Others, such as Elliot Lee and Danny Whitehead are also widely tipped to
move on as Academy Director Terry Westley continues his revamp of the
Chadwell Heath set-up. West Ham's Development Squad are currently bottom of
the Under 21 Premier League table with eight points from 12 games, having
won just twice in the league this season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WE WOULDN'T SWAP VALENCIA FOR REMY.... WOULD WE? COULD WE?
By Iain Dale 27 Jan 2015 at 20:27
West Ham Till I Die

There are reports tonight that Chelsea have contacted West Ham about a swap
deal involving Enner Valencia and Loic Remy and £5 million coming West Ham's
way. Now that's quite an interesting one.

I certainly don't think we have seen the best of Enner Valencia yet, but we
have seen flashes of what he can do and what we bought him for. However, I
don't think even he would maintain that he has hit the ground running in the
way that Diafra Sakho has. But in many ways, so what? He's more than two
years younger than Remy and he was always going to take time to gel. Lest we
forget, he played a big part in us getting into the top four earlier in the
season.

I've always rated Loic Remy. He has scored goals wherever he has played. We
tried to sign him many years ago but he decided to stay put in France. Since
then he has played for QPR, Newcastle and Chelsea, making 50 appearances and
scoring 22 goals. He's scored several against us. In many ways a front three
of Carroll, Sakho and Remy would be mouthwatering. And what competition
there would be with two up front. It would be the strongest front line we
have had since the days of McAvennie and Cottee.

But it isn't going to happen for one very simple reason.

Under FIFA rules a player can only play for two separate clubs in a season.
Remy has already appeared for twice for QPR and eight times for Chelsea.
Article 5 Paragraph 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of
Players would be invoked by FIFA. This rule dictates that a player can be
registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season but can only play
for two of them — with the sole exception of a move between clubs with
overlapping seasons. I am assuming this FIFA rule still applies, although I
can't find any mention of it after 2011.

But even if this rule didn't exist, would you even entertain the notion of
swapping Enner Valencia for Loic Remy?

UPDATE: Cheikou Kouyate will be back at Upton Park very soon after Senegal
were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations today.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Senegalese want West Ham's Diafra Sakho banned and Hammers kicked out of FA
Cup in injury row
Jan 27, 2015 22:30 By John Cross
Striker's homeland demand FIFA action as medical expert stops him flying -
including to the Africa Cup of Nations - but lets him travel to games by
road
The Mirror

Diafra Sakho faces a lengthy ban after Senegal football chiefs made a formal
complaint to FIFA. West Ham striker Sakho was absent from his homeland's
short-lived Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which ended on Tuesday with a
group-stage exit, after suffering a back injury.
But Senegalese FA chiefs were furious that he was fit enough to play - and
score the winner - in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Bristol City.
They have contacted world football's governing body FIFA demanding action -
and that could see him suspended from playing for West Ham at Liverpool on
Saturday and in further games. Although Senegal are out, FIFA have the power
to stop Sakho appearing for his club for the duration of the tournament in
Equatorial Guinea - which ends on February 8 - but they could impose an even
longer ban and a heavy fine.
Senegal fans are even demanding Sam Allardyce's men are kicked out of the FA
Cup, where they are scheduled to face West Brom in the last 16.

A FIFA spokesman told Mirror Sport on Tuesday night: "We can confirm that we
have been contacted by the Senegal FA concerning this matter. The matter is
now pending with our services. We cannot comment further at this stage."
FIFA will investigate and pass on their findings to the Football
Association, who are aware of the complaint. West Ham stressed on Tuesday
that they had not broken any rules, and they are adamant that Sakho will be
picked for this weekend's trip to Liverpool. While the rest of the team flew
to Bristol, Hammers' top-scorer Sakho was driven there in a luxury Mercedes
saloon car to protect his back. He will make a 450-mile road trip to
Liverpool by the same method. West Ham supplied a medical report - carried
out by an independent specialist - which stated Sakho would be unable to fly
for six weeks. Senegal were therefore unable to select him in their 23-man
squad for the finals. But, three weeks later, he is playing in matches, and
that has enraged his countrymen. West Ham stressed that the independent
specialist cleared him to play at Ashton Gate on Sunday, but insisted he
could not fly to Bristol because it would make the back injury worse.

The Londoners told Mirror Sport they invited Senegal to perform their own
medical inspection but, to the best of their knowledge, they did not do so.
They also say they have been inconvenienced, because Sakho has missed four
games with the injury he originally suffered while on international duty.
Senegal FA general secretary Victor Cisse was contacted by Mirror Sport on
Tuesday, and the organisation is considering its next step. Sakho tweeted
his anger over the row on Monday after an anti-West Ham campaign was
launched on social media in Senegal. Senegal's head coach Alain Giresse said
after Sakho's FA Cup winner on Sunday it "set a dangerous precedent" that
West Ham could claim he couldn't fly to matches but could take part in them.
Giresse added: "When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're
playing a football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matt Jarvis wanted by Cardiff after falling out of favour at Upton Park
Jan 27, 2015 20:55 By Darren Lewis
Winger signed from Wolves in a £10.75m deal three years ago has made just
six appearances this season and could be bound for the Championship
The Mirror

Cardiff have made an approach to West Ham for winger Matt Jarvis. The
28-year-old wide man was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a
£10.75million deal three years ago. He has two and a half years remaining on
his contract at Upton Park. He has fallen out of favour with boss Sam
Allardyce, however, and has made just six appearances so far this season. It
is understood that the Irons would be prepared to allow Jarvis to leave the
club if they were to get the right offer. The winger has also been a target
for West Brom boss Tony Pulis, but he has since moved for the cheaper Callum
McManaman at Wigan. West Ham are in the process of offloading a number of
fringe players in an attempt to free up space on their wage bill to land
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hope to catch a break in Stephen Hendrie pursuit as they go back in
for Hamilton defender
Jan 27, 2015 19:04 By Darren Lewis
The Hammers are back in for the defender after Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie
McDonald accused Big Sam's side of dragging their heels over an offer
The Mirror

West Ham are hoping they have not snookered themselves in their bid to land
highly-regarded Hamilton left-back Stephen Hendrie.
MirrorFootball revealed the Irons' interest in the 20-year-old defender last
week. Talks with the Scottish Premiership side looked to be progressing last
week despite Hendrie being out of contract in the summer. Negotiations then
collapsed, however, after Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie McDonald accused
West Ham of dragging their heels after an initial offer. The east Londoners
have since re-established contact and West Ham are hoping to have the
defender - a Scotland Under-21 international - in London for a medical later
this week.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Senegal and West Ham at odds over Diafra Sakho and striker's AFCON snub
Jan 27, 2015 13:57 By Ben Burrows
The 25-year-old withdrew from the squad prior to the tournament with injury
only to go on and score the winner for the Hammers this weekend
The Mirror

West Ham have been slammed by Senegal's national coach for playing striker
Diafra Sakho. The 25-year-old withdrew from his national side's squad for
this month's African Cup of Nations with a back injury. Senegal were keen to
assess the striker for themselves but were apparently told he could not fly
due to the nature of his injury. But then on Sunday Sakho came off the bench
in the Hammers' FA Cup fourth round tie with Bristol City and scored the
winner. Senegal coaxch Alain Giresse has been left furious with the whole
affair and claims West Ham have set "a dangerous precedent" with their
actions. "When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing
a football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England," he said.
"I'm surprised to learn he played." He added: "This sets a dangerous
precedent because you're going to have players claiming they cannot catch
planes to Africa but who can still play football."
Boss Sam Allardyce has defended his player and his decision to play him at
Ashton Gate on Sunday. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday but
other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just see how he
goes," he told talkSPORT.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham flop Ravel Morrison flying to Rome on Wednesday to seal summer
switch to Lazio
Jan 27, 2015 13:52 By Tom Hopkinson
The former Man United bad boy has made little impact at Upton Park and looks
set to join the Serie A giants when he contract expires
The Mirror

Ravel Morrison will fly to Rome tomorrow to agree terms on a summer switch
to Lazio. West Ham have finally given the 21-year-old midfielder permission
to travel to Italy to conclude negotiations on his proposed move and he is
set to sign for the Serie A side within the next 36 hours. Portuguese side
Sporting Lisbon were also keen to sign the striker on a pre-contract this
month, but he prefers the move to Lazio, who are further down the line in
their negotiations with his representatives. Morrison, whose £15,000-a-week
contract at Upton Park expires at the end of June, will join Stefano Piolo's
side as a free agent three turbulent years after joining West Ham from
Manchester United. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was confident he could tame
the youngster when he signed him in 2012 after Sir Alex Ferguson's patience
finally snapped but, like his close pal, he has failed to get the best out
of the player for any sustained period of time. A parting of the ways became
inevitable when Morrison's loan spell at Cardiff was terminated early by
Bluebirds boss Russell Slade and when the former England youth international
returned to West Hamhis relationship with the club finally hit rock bottom.
He took a dispute over unpaid wages for December to the players' union - the
club are understood to have held back £60,000 over an accumulation of fines
- with the PFA finally negotiating a settlement 11 days ago. Morrison has
been training with West Ham's Under-21s but he will fly to Rome tomorrow
buoyed by the fact that a move to Lazio in July will give him the chance to
resurrect his career.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fletcher deal hitting snags
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are refusing to rush into the Darren Fletcher deal as more and more
behind-the-scenes doubts emerge. Major 'players' inside the club are cooling
on signing the 30 year old who is believed to want a three and a half year
deal on £60k a week. As previously reported on ClaretandHugh, should the
club decide to move in Fletcher will face a seriously stern medical along
with general health checks but tonight things aren't looking great for a
deal. The full impact of such a deal is focusing minds although manager Sam
Allardyce is still hopeful he will get a successful outcome. ClaretandHugh
was told exclusively by a top source: "We are not rushing into this at all
as we have severe doubts about giving this player a 3.5 year contract on big
wages. We want younger, hungrier players on lower wages.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea Valencia offer revealed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Chelsea have made an inquiry for Enner Valencia in a swap deal involving
Loic Remy plus £5 million. Speculation on forums has been circulating all
day that a top Premier League club is keen to do a deal with one of the
Hammers first teamers. And ClaretandHugh has been told over the last few
minutes that Valencia is indeed the player in question and it's Jose
Mourinho who is behind the move. And we understand that Remy is the bait
being offered in a deal which would see Chelsea also part with £5 million
after triggering his £10.5 million release clause from Queens Park Rangers
last year. Hammers insiders insist they won't entertain a player plus cash
deal and speaking to Claretandhugh one said: "We'll be glad when this window
closes." However, it would be wrong to 'never say never' but at this stage
it looks unlikely despite the inquiry valuing the Ecuadorian at around £3
million more than we paid for the player.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons reject offers for stars
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's squad has been attracting attention from across the Premier
League with several offers having been made for first team members. But the
club has resisted all overtures and this afternoon insisted it's very
unlikely anybody will be sold despite keen interest. Speculation of a deal
involving a player swap plus cash started earlier today and although club
insiders are keeping names of those involved to themselves there was denial
that there had been much activity and interest behind the scenes. However, a
top insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "Nothing is likely to happen and
100 per cent not players plus cash. The quicker this window shuts the better
for us." Enner Valencia (pictured above) has been touted as interesting
Chelsea, Diafra Sakho has been regularly linked with Liverpool and Aaron
Cresswell has also been watched. However, our source declared: "There are
lots of offers, but we've turned them all down as we do not want to lose
players at this time."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG unworried by 'the Pulis effect'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold isn't worried about the 'Pulis effect' which has seen West Brom
go unbeaten since the Welshman took over at the Hawthorns.
Commenting on the fifth round FA Cup draw and describing the game as
"winnable" DG told ClaretandHugh: "I'm aware of their record took over and
he's a good manager but we will go there with loads of confidence. "We are
unbeaten in January and our form is good despite struggling at Bristol on
Saturday. The new manager effect is nothing new. It's sometimes a different
story when he's been there a few weeks though! "In my view we are well
capable of finishing the tie up there and if we have to do it under the
Upton Park lights so be it. "Tony and Sam are two dogged and very determined
managers and it will be tight but this could very easily be our year and I
go up there optimistic."

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Fletcher: The finances revealed!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Darren Fletcher will cost the Irons north of £50k a week in personal terms
if a deal is competed to take him to the club. And that means – should he
sign a three year deal – the Irons will be paying a minimum of £7.2 million
plus any signing on fees. However, the deal is likely to cost closer to £10
million if he get closer to the £60k a week which ClaretandHugh understand
he is earning currently. We have also received unconfirmed reports the
Hammers are trying to set up a six month deal initially that would allow
them to make an assessment of the player's fitness. Fletcher though is
believed to want a straightforward two year deal with a year's option or a
three year contract. The Hammers are ready to offer Fletcher a medical ahead
of personal negotiations but as yet he still hasn't responded to the club's
offers and Sam Allardyce has been quoted as saying that he doesn't know one
way or the other which way the deal will ultimately bounce. A source told
ClaretandHugh exclusively: " I understand it the personal terms are in
advance of £50k a week and probably closer to £60k. At the moment the player
is hesitant about what the club may be ready to do ahead of course of any
medical…and it would be a big one."

WHY!!!!

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Adrian flies back to Spain
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham goal keeper Adrian has been given special permission to fly home to
Spain to spend some personal time with his family. Adrian was spotted by
eagle eyed West Ham fans boarding a Stansted Ryan Air flight to Seville on
Monday morning. He told fans at Stansted airport that he is due to return to
London on Thursday to resume training after agreeing some time off with
manager Sam Allardyce.

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West Ham return to rekindle transfer for Hamilton left back Stephen Hendrie
Hamilton left-back Stephen Hendrie is still a target for West Ham
Darren Fletcher could still join West Ham this January transfer window
30-year-old midfielder has also had offers from Valencia and West Brom
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 27 January 2015 | UPDATED: 22:31, 27 January 2015

West Ham have revived their deal for Hamilton left back Stephen Hendrie. The
20-year-old is poised to fly down to London and undergo a medical this week
ahead of finalising terms. The move looked to be off last week when
Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie McDonald criticised West Ham, however, David
Sullivan has smoothed over negotiations. Reading and Bournemouth have also
shown an interest in the Scotland Under 21 international but he had his
heart set on a move to Upton Park. West Ham left-back Dan Potts is
discussing a move to Blackpool while talks are continuing with Manchester
United midfielder Darren Fletcher who is available on a free. Manchester
United will allow the 30-year-old to leave and will contribute to his salary
but there is still some negotiating to be done to reach the desired
contract. It may take until the weekend for it to be resolved. Fletcher is
cured of his ulcerative colitis and is looking to make up for lost time with
his next move. The Scotland international is a popular figure at Old
Trafford but wants to play regular first team football.

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