U18s earn Aston Villa draw
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams' seventh goal of the season earned the U18s a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa
15.02.2015
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West Ham United battled to a tough 1-1 Barclays U18 Premier League draw at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers deservedly went ahead when Bermuda-born attacker Djair Parfitt-Williams finished low into the corner from Grady Diangana's cut-back, but the visitors then wasted several chances to double their advantage. It was the forward's seventh goal of a productive season. Villa pulled themselves level on 69 minutes when Rushian Hepburn-Murphy finished well into the corner, before England international goalkeeper Sam Howes denied the hosts a last-minute winner to secure a point for the Hammers. U18s coach Mark Phillips made six changes to the Academy side that had been defeated 3-2 at home by Fulham just a week earlier. Jake Eggleton and Declan Rice were replaced at the back by Tunji Akinola and Manny Onariase, while Alex Pike also returned to the squad. Kieran Bailey dropped to the bench, allowing Jerry Amoo a starting role at Bodymoor Heath, while Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Decarrey Sheriff both missed out on the trip to the Midlands and were replaced by recent Development Squad call-ups Jordan Brown and Djair Parfitt-Williams
Throughout the opening 20 minutes, both sides were very even in terms of possession and efforts on goal. Diangana fired high over the bar on nine minutes before Brown forced a low save out of the home goalkeeper. Down the other end of the pitch, Villa were looking threatening with their impressive combination of pace and skill, but the hosts also failed to turn their possession into meaningful efforts on goal.
After the break, the Hammers stepped up a level and began to push the hosts back deeper into their own half. They got their reward on 52 minutes when Diangana picked the ball up inside the Villa penalty area and found Parfitt-Williams unmarked near the edge of the box. He took the shot first time and buried it low into the far corner of the net. The Hammers could have made it two when a dangerous chip in the Villa box caused a goalmouth scramble that ended with left-back Oscar Borg flicking a shot towards goal that was cleared off the line.
Following that, Carter also had a chance to double the Hammers' slender advantage, but unlike Parfitt-Williams earlier in the half, the central midfielder failed to keep his low shot on target.
Aston Villa took advantage and grabbed themselves and equaliser just a minute later though, when the hosts broke quickly with pace and found Hepburn-Murphy, who duly finished the impressive move with a fine finish. In the closing stages, the hosts thought they had scored the goal to win them the game. However, Howes appeared from nowhere to superbly tip the ball just over the bar. The Hammers will return to action when they host Norwich City at Little Heath on Saturday 21 February 2015. Kick-off is at 12pm, with parking and admission both completely FREE of charge!
U18s: Howes, Knoyle, Onariase, Akinola, Borg, Pike, Carter, Diangana (Bailey), Amoo, Brown, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Bogard, Elsom, Eggleton, Hamilton
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SUNDAY ROUND-UP
By Iain Dale 15 Feb 2015 at 10:30
West Ham Till I Die
Well the Sunday papers and West Ham websites make for some interesting reading this morning. Here's a flavour to get your teeth stuck into.
Various papers say Romalu Lukaku wants to leave Everton for either West Ham or Tottenham. West Ham would pay for him by selling Enner Valencia to Tottenham.
The Express says Sam Allardyce's future at West Ham is under a cloud following West Ham fan reaction to the FA CUp defeat
Aaron Creswell is interesting Manchester City
Richard Keys reckons West Ham won't win many more games this season. Richard who?
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'The Three' were NOT Hammers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret &Hugh
Early reports that three Hammers supporters were killed in a road traffic accident are incorrect. Every media outlet, including ClaretandHugh, had been led to believe this was the case but Bedfordshire Police have issued a statement which shows that not to be the case. It read: "BEDFORDSHIRE Police investigating yesterday's (Sat 14 Feb) fatal collision on the M1 say the coach driver who was arrested at the time has been released. The man, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, was released on unconditional bail to return to police headquarters custody suite in Kempston in May. It is now known that all three passengers in the Audi A3 were men in their twenties who were returning to their Buckinghamshire homes following a night out in London. Two died at the scene and the third is in a critical but stable condition at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford following surgery. The driver of the car died and was a man in his late 50s from London. All next of kin have now been located and are being supported by specially trained family liaision officers from Bedfordshire Police. None of the victims will be named until formal identification has taken place and inquests are opened and adjourned, which will be early next week. No-one in the coach, which was travelling from Kent with a group of 60 women and three men in their late teens and early 20s, was hurt. They were given alternative transport home."
Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which happened on the northbound hard shoulder of the M1 between junction 12 and 13 at 6.46am. The road was closed for several hours." Our condolences to all those involved regardless and apologies for the misinformation.
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How many more points can Irons collect?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret &Hugh
Thirteen games to go and below you will see them listed! Some may say we have an easy run-in but nothing at all is straightforward at this level and at least five of the clubs we face are likely to be battling for their lives against relegation. At the top end four of those we face are battling for European places, making the situation as tough as it has been at any stage this season. The question we want answered this evening is just how many more points we can expect to add to the current total of 38 and we want to hear from YOU.
Our prediction is the Irons will end the season with 56 – over to you!
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Irons Cluedo e-mail truly the pits!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret &Hugh
Sometimes words are not enough! And the decision to send this automated e-mail to fans this morning given the shocking defeat against West Brom is one of those occasions. It appears to be the sickest joke imaginable and someone needs the dressing downs of dressing downs.
Look at the words, look at the beaming face and ask yourself: "Did the person in the West Ham marketing department responsible for this debacle actually have a clue what they were doing or saying? ClaretandHugh's phones haven't stopped since this shocking piece of promotional activity took place as it was a proper smack on the face for all those who travelled to the midlands yesterday. It beggars belief that anybody could dream up such a heading and associate it with the last piece of merchandise in the world that should have been promoted. For nobody this weekend inside the club appears to have a clue.
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What's gone wrong with Irons – an analysis
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
By Rich Sprent
Claret & Hugh
Six more wins or 1.38 points per game. That's the season's remaining target! West Ham sit in 8th spot, the Cup 'run' stopped before it got to mid-stride, but the pre-season target of 56pts still well within reach. The team is more than capable in achieving this total. Their early season form shows that they are able to play good attacking football and win points. However, the temporary solution to the injuries at central defence will need to be addressed. It is clear that Cheik Kouyate is a capable deputy at the back. However, it is also crystal that has a huge effect in the middle of the park. The club's failure to secure another midfielder in the transfer window means that the pedestrian pairing of Noble and Nolan is being seen far too often. It would be easy to direct all this at the club captain as many have done. He has shown that he can put in a shift and a recent article showed that the team win as many games with him as without him. Together however, their lack of ability, pace, acceleration and movement is a problem doubled. It causes less options for the player in possession; more pitch for him to have to ball carry ; gifts the opposition more time to reset and get bodies behind the ball; gives less space for the forwards to operate in and makes life more difficult. In brief, it stifles us.
And all of that explains Song is holding onto the ball; tries difficult passe with mire not coming off . It's why Downing sinks deeper to find the ball; why he is less effective; and he drifts out wide to find space.
It's why the fullbacks aren't raiding. Instead they are left covering after the midfield have been turned up the pitch; or are closed down with little support for the angle pass from the midfield. It is why Valencia and Sakho look like strangers to each other and their teammates. They revel in space and quick transition of play, hitting the opposition with pace and movement. How often have we seen the almost inevitable traffic jam of defenders around them by the time the ball is passed around the back to give time for either Nolan or Noble to find space to contribute? That or the inevitable easy long ball to try and turn the opposition back four. Meat and drink to a back six waiting to soak it up. One of either Noble or Nolan needs to be replaced in that centre pairing. Despite the populist view, to play the glittering way of early in the season, it really doesn't matter which of them. Kouyate is the obvious choice as Poyet is clearly not being considered ready yet. And if that means blooding Henry a little early or even trying Joey O'Brien back there. If not then 1.38pts per game looks like an arthritic lurch to the finish line with two players in the engine room who turn with the speed of the 15 bus at the White Horse, East Ham.
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Let's have an end to the excuse finding for failure
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret &Hugh
I am fully aware I have a reputation as being an anti Sam man – I wish it wasn't the case but I have always believed in personal responsibility and owning up rather than finding a handy excuse in the event of dismal failure.
After yesterday's game I waited with huge anticipation that he apologise for our shocking non performance and getting his team selection wrong – notably in the case of Kevin Nolan.
Instead we were told the team's energy levels were down because of matches against Manchester United last weekend and Saints in midweek.
His explanation quite apart from making the lads sound like a bunch of wimps didn't bear the closest examination because the same had been true of West Brom who had beaten Swansea and drawn with Burnley.
Thankfully Adrian came out a little later declaring that the players should always be 100 per cent for every game – nice to hear a bit of honesty and the aforementioned personal responsibility.
It doesn't matter whether it's Sam Allardyce or our kids, honesty and a refusal to excuse poor behaviour or performance is unacceptable.
Please, can we have an end to this excuse finding…it's poor form!
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West Ham striker Carlton Cole praises Tottenham's Harry Kane on Twitter
HITC
Mathew Nash
The pair may be club level rivals but Cole rates Kane very highly. It is no secret now that Harry Kane is having an absolutely sublime season at Tottenham Hotspur. The talented striker has already netted 23 goals for the club this season and is improving by the game.
Such performances are helping Tottenham stay in the race for the Champions League places while he is also on the cusp of an England call-up, as Roy Hodgson confirmed to TheFA.com this week. His performances are also being noticed by a striker who has played for England and is currently employed by one of Tottenham's fiercest rivals, West Ham United. Carlton Cole may not be the most appreciated striker around but he has managed to play seven times for his country since making his debut in 2013. But Cole took a moment on Twitter yesterday to put London rivalry between Spurs and West Ham to one side and just pay tribute to the Tottenham striker, banging in the goals this season.
Here is the Tweet in question:
Carlton Cole ✔ @CarltonCole1
Follow
You got to rate talent when it's due and Harry Kane is doing a lot right now ✊
The reality is Cole's England days are over but in Kane the country surely realises, as Cole himself likely does, they have a far superior up-and-comer.
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Sunday, February 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th February 2015
Adrian sorry for Cup capitulation
WHUFC.com
Adrian offered his apologies to supporters after the Hammers' FA Cup exit at
West Bromwich Albion
14.02.2015
Adrian offered no excuses for West Ham United's performance as they saw
their FA Cup dream die at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The Hammers were
thumped 4-0 to extinguish their hopes of going deep in the competition,
leaving Adrian and his teammates bitterly disappointed. Once Brown Ideye
had given the home side a 19th minute lead, the Baggies never looked back
and Adrian offered his apologies to the 5,500-strong travelling army as West
Ham rarely looked like responding. "Of course we are really disappointed.
It's a really, really bad result," he admitted. "They played well but we
never had an opportunity to get back into the game. They deserved the win,
and now we need to stand up and put in good performances in the league.
"Maybe the games we had this week had an effect, but we are professionals
and need to be at 100 percent for every match. "It broke the dream and we
are very disappointed for the fans, so sorry to them. They travelled a long
way to watch us and we played very badly. "We need to forget this horrible
game because we have a tough one against Tottenham next week."
The Hammers have the perfect opportunity to bounce back in style when they
visit Tottenham next weekend and Adrian says they will be fully focused on
making that happen. He added: "We need the next game to come quickly to help
us get over this one, and we have a good opportunity to show a good level."
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'It was a game too far'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham United were second best as they crashed out
of the FA Cup
14.02.2015
West Ham United's FA Cup dream died at The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion
romped to a 4-0 fifth-round triumph. The Hammers conceded two goals in
either half and also had former Baggie Morgan Amalfitano sent-off to
complete a miserable day in the Black Country. Speaking to West Ham TV
following a hugely disappointing day that had begun with so much optimism,
Sam Allardyce admitted his team had been second best by a long distance. "We
have done very well this season but we've only got the league to think about
now," Big Sam lamented. "We had the FA Cup as one of our dreams, but that
has gone now and we cannot let the season die now. "We need to get the
players fit and keep their energy levels up and get us playing like we did
against Manchester United six days ago - let's get back to that level. "It
was a huge disappointment but I can see why. We didn't really get to our
level because we didn't have the energy to get to that level, so it's the
old saying that this was a game too far for us. "The players have had to
cope a lot of games in a short space of time but unfortunately they couldn't
cope it against a West Brom side who played very, very well. "If we'd have
been on our top form then I think we'd have given them a much better game
but we couldn't because we couldn't get our energy levels right because of
what we've had to do over the last few days, it has unfortunately taken its
toll."
West Brom took the lead through Brown Ideye on 20 minutes, but not before
Craig Dawson appeared to have handled in the build-up. Having gone in front,
the hosts grew in confidence and, after Mark Noble lost possession in
midfield, James Morrison lashed in a second three minutes before half-time.
Ideye then headed in a second from a deflected cross before Amalfitano's red
card, which was followed moments later by Berahino's low strike. "The first
goal really was our mistake but there was a handball from Dawson and we
think Ideye was offside," the managed observed. "The second one was another
mistake, but when you're fatigued you make more mistakes, there is no doubt
about that. "The last thing we wanted to do at Southampton was to play with
nine men, but because of a poor refereeing decision that has now been
corrected, we had to do that and it hasn't helped us. "The extra effort the
lads put in to get that result and to try to beat Manchester United was
outstanding and gave us two top-class performances. On Saturday, because we
had to play three times in a short space of time with the same players
because of injuries, we couldn't quite manage it. "We've flogged the players
and you can't keep flogging them because they couldn't cope with the
physical need to play against West Brom."
The manager empathised with the 5,300-plus supporters who travelled to The
Hawthorns, many of whom were caught up in serious incidents on the roads and
the railways. "Everybody is disappointed because we're in a very good
position in the league and we've done very well up to now," Big Sam
continued. "At the end of the day, the players will try as hard as they can,
but it wasn't their day and wasn't a day where they could muster up the sort
of energy they needed to. I know how disappointed the players are, but I
also know they have given all they could."
One player who did not escape the manager's ire was Amalfitano, who
petulantly kicked former team-mate Chris Brunt before slapping the Baggies
captain in the face. "It's another miss for next week and another body less,
which was unprofessional from his point of view.
"We will probably have some players back, but we want them all back and fit
because we haven't got the biggest of squads in terms of numbers."
One player who will be missing for the foreseeable future is Andy Carroll,
who the manager expressed his sympathy for ahead of his knee surgery this
coming Tuesday. "It's crippling mentally for Andy of course because it was
such an innocuous situation when you saw it - he just ran into a defender.
"These things have been testing Andy for a number of years so we all feel
for him and we all miss him and want him playing for us, because you saw
what an impact he has made."
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Joint-Chairman thanks fans
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the Claret and Blue army for their
support on Saturday
14.02.2015
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the near 6,000 West Ham United
fans who made the trip to The Hawthorns on Saturday on what was ultimately a
disappointing day for the Club. The Hammers sold out their entire allocation
for the FA Cup fifth-round tie with West Bromwich Albion and despite some
serious travel disruption on the way to the West Midlands on the road and
rails, the away end was packed out come the 12.45pm kick-off. The
Joint-Chairman said he shared the disappointment of the travelling fans over
the eventual 4-0 defeat, but believes next Sunday's game at Tottenham
Hotspur offers the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
"It was a very disappointing afternoon for everyone connected to West Ham -
the Board, the coaching staff, players but most of all the supporters," he
said. "I know that the manager and players will have wanted to do nothing
more than fire us to an FA Cup quarter-final tie but I think ultimately our
exertions over the past week took their toll. "We know it's doubly
disappointing as we had made progress in the FA Cup a priority for this
season as was demonstrated by our strong line-ups in the three games we'd
played previously. "It will take a few days to get over this loss but we
have to dust ourselves down as we have the fantastic opportunity of bouncing
back in the big London derby with our neighbours Tottenham Hotspur on
Sunday. "We hope to have several of our injured players back and with a good
recovery and preparation period I believe we can go to Tottenham with
confidence that we can get a result. "I'd like to personally thank every
West Ham fan that went to The Hawthorns and assure them that we will be
doing all we can to make sure we continue for push for as high a place as
possible over the remaining 13 games in the Premier League."
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West Ham FA Cup defeat at West Brom leads to apology for fans
BBC.co.uk
West Ham chairman David Gold and goalkeeper Adrian both apologised to the
travelling supporters following the Hammers' 4-0 FA Cup loss at West Brom.
The visitors conceded two goals in each half and finished with 10 men after
substitute Morgan Amalfitano was sent off after 70 minutes. Gold tweeted:
"I feel sorry for myself but most of all I feel sorry for the thousands of
travelling West Ham fans."
Adrian called the result "shameful" as West Brom eased into the last eight.
The Spaniard, able to play after his red card from a sending off against
Southampton in mid-week was over-turned, added via Twitter: "After this
shameful result in FA Cup, just we can say SORRY to all West Ham fans! Now
we need to be united and fight in Premier League."
West Ham are eighth in the Premier League table and lost for only the second
time in 10 games. Manager Sam Allardyce claimed draws against Manchester
United and Southampton - when they effectively ended the match with nine men
duo to Adrian's dismissal and an injury to Andy Carroll - in the previous
six days had taken their toll on his side. Allardyce said: "I would say it
(the defeat) was probably coming based on what we've had to cope with over
the last few weeks and I think it told on us, there's no doubt about that.
"I have to give West Brom a lot of credit - they were very good. But I look
at the players and there was not the energy we know they've got based on all
they've done in the last few weeks."
Amalfitano was sent off after pushing Chris Brunt in the face, moments after
being booked for kicking the West Brom defender. Allardyce added: "It's
unprofessional, isn't it? That will be dealt with, as always, internally and
we'll move on. "But I don't think it's made any difference to the result."
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Fatigue and injuries cost us a Cup run, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes that fatigue cost his team a stab at the last eight
of this year's FA Cup. The Hammers were soundly beaten 4-0 at the Hawthorns
this afternoon having produced arguably their worst display of the season so
far, given that it was a reasonably strong starting eleven. However
Allardyce insisted this afternoon that the excesses of having to play three
games in seven days - combined with a string of injuries to vital players -
was responsible for today's hugely disappointing Cup exit. "It's probably
come based on what we've had to cope with over the last few weeks. It told
on us today, there's no doubt about that," he said. "I have to give West
Brom a lot of credit, they were very good - but I look at the players and
there wasn't the energy we know they've got. "Last Sunday we gave a huge
effort at 4 o'clock against Manchester United and then we had to do 30
minutes with nine men at Southampton on Wednesday. Those two games really
caught up with us today. "The players couldn't get anywhere near the energy
levels we know they can and we couldn't live with West Brom in the end. Even
though we thought the first goal was offside, they played much better on the
day."
Despite few (if any) players having done enough in the eyes of the
supporters to have been considered a success on the day, Allardyce refused
to blame his team for a defeat eerily reminiscent of last season's third
round defeat at Nottingham Forest. "I'm not going to criticise my players,
they've given everything they've got," he said. "Anybody who says they
haven't done that doesn't know much about football. "We just couldn't get
to the levels we can because they've played too many games, under the
circumstances, in less than six days. "Too many things have gone against us
in the end to prevent us from having a fantastic run in this competition.
We've not been able to cope squad-wise in the end because of the injuries
we've had - and it's caught up with us. "Andy is out, Jarvis is out,
Collins, Reid and Poyet. We want all of those back and hopefully none of
these players picked up an injury today. We've got some good recovery time
because we don't play Tottenham until a week tomorrow. "That will hopefully
give us time to enable the players to carry on where they left off last week
against Man United and Southampton but, unfortunately today when it
mattered, not against West Brom."
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Amalfitano was unprofessional, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Morgan Amalfitano is about to receive a hefty fine for his dismissal in this
afternoon's FA Cup defeat at former club West Bromwich Albion. The French
winger, a second half substitute had been on the pitch for just ten minutes
when he was issued a yellow card for a late tackle on Chris Brunt, then a
straight red for reacting to Brunt's reaction by pushing the former
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder in the face. "It's unprofessional, isn't it,"
Allardyce admitted after the match. "The punishment is laid out in our code
of conduct for getting sent off for something like that. It'll be dealt with
internally as with everybody else and we move on. "But I don't think it
made any difference to the result, I don't think we'd have got back in the
game the way we were today. He had come on and given us a little bit more on
the ball, but we just simply didn't cope today."
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West Brom 4-0 West Ham: Sam Allardyce supports players after FA Cup exit
Last Updated: 14/02/15 5:42pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce brushed off the fury of West Ham's travelling supporters after
his side were dumped out of the FA Cup at West Brom. The Hammers manager had
promised to focus on the FA Cup after securing Premier League safety, but
they were thrashed 4-0 in Saturday's fifth-round clash at The Hawthorns
thanks to two goals from Brown Ideye, plus strikes from James Morrison and
Saido Berahino. Allardyce was abused and his substitutions were jeered by
the away fans, but he refused to criticise his players at the end of a week
that had seen them record Premier League draws with Southampton and
Manchester United and lose striker Andy Carroll for the rest of the season
through injury. "Fans get disappointed because there's 6,500 who have
travelled up here and we have built the FA Cup to be one of our big
successes this year," he said. "When you have travelled this way and the
performance has not been as good as they have experienced for most of this
season, they express their disappointment. "I am going to defend the players
because we couldn't cope with the injury list and fixture list and it has
not given us the level we can play at. "I can't afford to get disappointed
in things like that, it's about me supporting the players. They have given
everything they could. "It wasn't enough but they have done their best. They
have given so much in such a short period of time. They were dead on their
feet."
Morgan Amalfitano was sent off for West Ham after pushing Chris Brunt in the
face just 10 minutes after coming on in the second half and Allardyce
admitted he was disappointed by the actions of the former Albion loanee. He
added: "It's irresponsible and the other thing is we are so short of bodies,
so the last thing we need is another suspension. I am sure Morgan will be
disappointed as well. We will have to cope."
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WEST BROM 4, WEST HAM 0. SHAMBOLICALLY, PATHETICALLY AWFUL.
By David Hautzig 14 Feb 2015 at 16:19
West Ham Till I Die
The first time I knew that West Ham were on top of my personal mantle of
teams I support was in 2001. I fell out of bed after an epic night of
intoxication to go watch West Ham play Sunderland in the fifth round. There
were about 15 West Ham supporters at McCormacks in Manhattan, and I sat on a
bar stool eating as large a fry up as they had available. Hangover + Bacon =
Relief. When Freddie Kanoute scored the winner in the 76th minute, after
missing too many chances to count, I went mental. High fives, hugs, all the
crazy stuff we supporters do with perfect strangers in moments of euphoria.
It was very much the same in the sixth round against Spurs, except for the
result obviously. But the camaraderie got me and has kept hold of me ever
since.
The thing that made today's FA Cup tie at The Hawthorns special, at least in
my opinion, was that the entire West Ham community was up for the match.
It's been quite a few years since West Ham have been able to approach a cup
match with more enthusiasm than a quest for three points. But with 38 points
in the bag, and safety essentially achieved, it was very much about The Cup.
So I was more enthusiastic for today's game than I had been for any other
game this season.
Then the game had to start, ruining not only my day but likely the rest of
my week. Some of you have made comments about the length of some of my
reports. Without changing my writing style, I have tried to be cognizant of
the kinds of points I make in order to be more streamlined. Well, today you
will get the shortest report of my infamous career here. We were awful, and
I don't need to relive it any more than necessary.
Let's get this over with, shall we?
In the 20th minute, Craig Gardner sent a long pass to Dawson out wide.
Cresswell tried to intercept it, but it bounced off of Dawson and towards
the touch line. He gathered it, sent a cross to Ideye who calmly directed it
past Adrian. There were shouts that he was offside. There were shouts that
the ball hit Dawson's arm. On another day I might have addressed that. Not
today. Because even if one of those were called we would have lost this
game.
West Brom 1, West Ham 0.
In the 40th minute, West Ham's midfield collectively lost the ball near the
center circle. The ball came to James Morrison. As he strolled towards our
penalty area, James Tomkins decided he wanted to back up to have a better
look at what Morrison was doing. What he saw was a 25 yard strike that would
have taken Adrian's hand off if he had touched it.
Halftime. West Brom 2, West Ham 0.
As per usual after an awful first half, Twitter was ablaze with complaints
and suggestions. Valencia and Sakho were simply not on the same wavelength,
which wasn't helped by the former giving up the ball virtually every time he
touched it. Downing was ineffective at best, and despite the formation
placing him at the tip of the midfield diamond, he was often out wide on the
left. Song was only noticeable when he lost the ball or misplaced a pass. At
the end of the day, a weak Tomkins header from a corner was the only thing
that remotely resembled a threat.
In the 57th minute, after a long Alex Song type pass just missed Ideye, West
Ham's defense must have though it was mighty unfair for him to be denied
another goal after such a decent through ball. So they let Sessegnon
retrieve the ball and send it back into the box to a completely unmarked
Ideye.
West Brom 3, West Ham 0.
You know what I did then? I loaded my car with trash so my wife could go to
what we call The Dump over here. By the time I came back to the TV it was
4-0 and we were down to ten men. A quick rewind of the DVR showed Amalfitano
losing his mind and three games worth of work. Then some impressive
interplay between Berahino and Ideye ended with Berahino smashing it past
Adrian at the near post.
West Brom 4, West Ham 0.
There's no creative way to say this, and you can all add your own adjective
if you wish.
We were crap. I predict Sam will say that their first goal was offside,
should have been waved off, and we had to chase the game after that. He
might also say the injuries put us at a severe disadvantage, ignoring the
fact that it was the same starting eleven that played Manchester United off
the pitch for long stretches last week. Whatever excuse he and the players
offer up will be of little consolation to the over 5000 traveling supporters
who had to go through what sounded like a traffic nightmare to get there.
We are out of The FA Cup in a year that it was open for a team like ours to
make a serious run. I know this is cliché, but if we had played well and
lost (as I expected us to) then I could have felt good about the run so far.
But that was as shambolic a performance as I can remember under Sam.
Too bad I couldn't take West Ham to the dump.
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Pitiful Irons produce a shocker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
West Bromwich Albion 4 West Ham 0
Claret & Hugh
West Ham produced their most pitiful performance of the season as they
crashed out of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns. And the shame became a nightmare
when Morgan Amalfatano was sent off ten minutes after coming on when pushing
Chris Brunt in the face. Kevin Nolan will get plenty of stick after being
subbed in the second half with even TV pundit Robbie Savage declaring: "I
don't think he gives the team anything much." And he followed up by
expressing his deepest sympathies for the Hammers fans declaring: "Their
team has given them nothing." He was right. This was an unspeakable
performance – woeful without a clue and even the usually impeccable Aaron
Cresswell was at fault for a couple of goals.
With just three wins in eight League games this appalling departure
departure from the FA Cup was more than any of us should have been expected
to take. No fight, no spirit, no courage, no desire, no result and no hope
on the strength of this performance. Sorry, this site gets stick for
negativity on occasions but that was inexcusable. We were second best
throughout and after falling behind on the 20th minute to Ideye's close
range stab after Cresswell had been caught out wide, it always looked like
curtains. In the 36th minute Gardner almost made it two when he unleashed a
thunderous shot from 22 yards which rebounded off the crossbar. But Morrison
put the home side further ahead when after some sloppy Irons challenges the
striker crashed home a drive from 25 yards. Twelve minutes into the second
half the Baggies were three up when Ideye grabbed his second heading home
from close range after Sessegnon's cross slams into Cresswell's foot, down
into the turf and up for the home striker to convert
Kevin Nolan was subbed on the hour when it should have been far earlier
given the paucity of his performance but 10 minutes later his replacement
Amalfitano was sent off for shoving Chris Brunt in the face. Two minutes
later Berahino had space in the right channel and smashed home at Adrian's
near post with Cresswell again failing to close his man down. The Hammers
failed to get a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes and a furious David
Sullivan was spotted leaving the stadum before the end along with hundreds
of Hammers fans.
Shocking – quite shocking.
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Adrian: We need to be at 100 pc for every game
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian has told manager Sam Allardyce and the fans that the players need to
be at 100 per cent for EVERY game! The manager claimed after yesterday's
defeat at West Brom that he would not criticise the players given their
energy levels were down after their efforts against Manchester United and at
southampton in midweek. But Adrian was seemingly having none of that as he
spoke after a game which most will want to erase from their memories as
quickly as possible. He told the official site: "Of course we are really
disappointed. It's a really, really bad result. "They played well but we
never had an opportunity to get back into the game. They deserved the win,
and now we need to stand up and put in good performances in the league.
"Maybe the games we had this week had an effect, but we are professionals
and need to be at 100 percent for every match."
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Let's pause and remember "The Three"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Some things are far bigger than football! This morning – as the rows rage
over yesterday's FA Cup non performance at West Brom – three Hammers are
dead. Details are sketchy but they lost their lives in a road traffic
accident as they travelled to watch the team they had loved all their lives.
So before we continue with our appraisal of the match and its fall- out,
let's stop and pause and realise that in the midst of life is death. This
morning an extended family and friends are grieving and everybody at
ClaretandHugh sends their heartfelt condolences to them all. To the three
who are gone all we can say is RIP each one of you.
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Richard Keys West Ham Banter
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
King of banter, Sports presenter Richard Keys has suggested he doesn't
expect West Ham to win too many more games this season following our 4-0
embarrassing defeat at the Hawthorns yesterday. Speaking on twitter account
after the match Keys said "Didn't expect W Brom to win that big today. Keep
a count on how many more games the Hammers win this season."
Let's hope it was only Banter!
West Ham last won in the league on 18th January against Hull but before that
it is Leicester on the 20th December. It leaves us just two wins from the
last ten in the Premier League. West Ham sit 12th in the Premier League
table and have been steadily dropping.
Richard Keys @richardajkeys
Follow
Didn't expect W Brom to win that big today. Keep a count on how many more
games the Hammers win this season.
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West Ham with and without Kevin Nolan
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Sean Whetstone
I was disappointed to hear Kevin Nolan was booed yet again today, a fate he
has suffered several times from West Ham fans. Just last week there was also
talk of a mass walk-out and a banner of 'Nolan Out' at the Manchester United
game if Sam Allardyce started him. Despite his drop in form and his lack of
goals I believe Kevin Nolan still offers something to West Ham and he proved
that during the Manchester United draw. He is also a good captain and has a
major influence in the dressing room which cannot be underestimated. One
statistic doing the rounds on social media and forums recently suggested a
West Ham win rate with Nolan of just 33.33% with the win rate without Nolan
equaling 62.5%. I decided to check our these unverified statistics myself.
I calculated wins, losses and draws for the whole of this current season
including cup games where Kevin Nolan played 60 minutes or more. My
statistics show a win rate of 44% with Nolan and a win rate of 43% without
Nolan.
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Sullivan thanks travelling Irons army
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has thanked the 6,000 fans who travelled to the Hawthorns
today and left bitterly disappointed after seeing the team beaten 4-0. He
experienced the fury of a group of mindless fans as he left the stadium who
hit him with a barrage of foul language on a video which emerged on Twitter.
ClaretandHugh personally apologised to the co chairman on behalf of all our
followers who had sent sent messages of support to the club chief via our
forum. We received a personal message of thanks and in a message via
www.whufc.com he added: "It was a very disappointing afternoon for everyone
connected to West Ham – the board, the coaching staff, players but most of
all the supporters. "I know that the manager and players will have wanted to
do nothing more than fire us to an FA Cup quarter-final tie but I think
ultimately our exertions over the past week took their toll. "I'd like to
personally thank every West Ham fan that went to The Hawthorns and assure
them that we will be doing all we can to make sure we continue for push for
as high a place as possible over the remaining 13 games in the Premier
League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shameful mob tirade at Sullivan
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's 66-year-old chairman David Sullivan was this afternoon subjected
to the kind of posse mentality which wouldn't have been out of place in the
old wild west. After leaving the Hawthorns before the end of this
afternoon's debacle he attempted to shake hands with a group of Irons
supporters understandably furious at the team's appalling performance. He
made a gesture to shake hands with them all but was driven backwards by a
baying mob freely using the F word. The video can be viewed at the site but
this was not a mob of hoodies and teenagers. The people involved all looked
like middle aged guys who seriously should no better.To scream and holler at
an elderly gentleman is pretty desperate in any circumstances and quite what
they expected him to say as one demanded on three separate occasions "Can we
have some answers – and not on Twitter " goodness only knows. It was a sad
sad sight. Entirely embarrassing and entirely pointless. Oh and how ironic
that it emerged on the very outlet where the guy didn't want the answers –
Twitter! Frankly, it was shameful
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce blames fixture list
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hugh
Sam Allardyce put today's pitiful performance down to "tiredness." The
Hammers boss refused to point the finger at any member of the teams saying:
"I wasn't shocked – it has been coming given the games we have had to cope
with. "There wasn't the energy level because of the big effort against
Manchester United and them playing with 10 men for 30 minutes at
Southampton. "West Brom were much better than us today but I'm not going to
criticise my players and those who do don't know very much about football.
"We also have players injured that we need to get back!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Angry West Ham fans confront co-owner David Sullivan after 4-0 FA Cup
thrashing by West Brom
Metro Sport Reporter for Metro.co.uk
Saturday 14 Feb 2015 6:45 pm
West Ham's humiliating 4-0 defeat to West Brom in the FA Cup on Saturday was
too much for some fans to take – after a handful of supporters were filmed
angrily confronting co-owner David Sullivan following the game. Sam
Allardyce – who was without striker Andy Carroll for the fifth-round match
at the Hawthorns – saw his Hammers side concede two goals either side of
half time while substitute Morgan Amalfitano was sent off for pushing Chris
Brunt in the face. Despite West Ham's eighth-place position in the Premier
League, the FA Cup elimination left some travelling Hammers fans angry after
Sullivan was confronted by frustrated supporters when he tried to shake
their hands following the game.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce responds to angry West Ham fans after FA Cup drubbing
Express.co.uk
Published: 22:30, Sat, February 14, 2015
By JOHN RICHARDSON
SAM ALLARDYCE'S long-term West Ham United future was thrown into doubt after
Hammers fans angrily turned on him during the FA Cup defeat at West Brom.
Despite only suffering his second defeat in 10 games and the Hammers lying
eighth in the Premier League, Big Sam was subjected to vicious personal
chanting from the 6,500 travelling supporters. Brown Ideye struck twice for
West Brom and by the final whistle the West Ham end was virtually empty.
Allardyce insisted his side were running on empty following a tough fixture
list and a run of injuries, including striker Andy Carroll. He said: "When
you come and see the performance and it isn't as good as we have been this
season the fans express their disappointment. "I will defend the players as
they couldn't cope with the fixture list." But the fans' backlash comes at a
critical time for Allardyce, with his contract up at the end of the season.
So far no talks have been scheduled.
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WHUFC.com
Adrian offered his apologies to supporters after the Hammers' FA Cup exit at
West Bromwich Albion
14.02.2015
Adrian offered no excuses for West Ham United's performance as they saw
their FA Cup dream die at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The Hammers were
thumped 4-0 to extinguish their hopes of going deep in the competition,
leaving Adrian and his teammates bitterly disappointed. Once Brown Ideye
had given the home side a 19th minute lead, the Baggies never looked back
and Adrian offered his apologies to the 5,500-strong travelling army as West
Ham rarely looked like responding. "Of course we are really disappointed.
It's a really, really bad result," he admitted. "They played well but we
never had an opportunity to get back into the game. They deserved the win,
and now we need to stand up and put in good performances in the league.
"Maybe the games we had this week had an effect, but we are professionals
and need to be at 100 percent for every match. "It broke the dream and we
are very disappointed for the fans, so sorry to them. They travelled a long
way to watch us and we played very badly. "We need to forget this horrible
game because we have a tough one against Tottenham next week."
The Hammers have the perfect opportunity to bounce back in style when they
visit Tottenham next weekend and Adrian says they will be fully focused on
making that happen. He added: "We need the next game to come quickly to help
us get over this one, and we have a good opportunity to show a good level."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'It was a game too far'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham United were second best as they crashed out
of the FA Cup
14.02.2015
West Ham United's FA Cup dream died at The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion
romped to a 4-0 fifth-round triumph. The Hammers conceded two goals in
either half and also had former Baggie Morgan Amalfitano sent-off to
complete a miserable day in the Black Country. Speaking to West Ham TV
following a hugely disappointing day that had begun with so much optimism,
Sam Allardyce admitted his team had been second best by a long distance. "We
have done very well this season but we've only got the league to think about
now," Big Sam lamented. "We had the FA Cup as one of our dreams, but that
has gone now and we cannot let the season die now. "We need to get the
players fit and keep their energy levels up and get us playing like we did
against Manchester United six days ago - let's get back to that level. "It
was a huge disappointment but I can see why. We didn't really get to our
level because we didn't have the energy to get to that level, so it's the
old saying that this was a game too far for us. "The players have had to
cope a lot of games in a short space of time but unfortunately they couldn't
cope it against a West Brom side who played very, very well. "If we'd have
been on our top form then I think we'd have given them a much better game
but we couldn't because we couldn't get our energy levels right because of
what we've had to do over the last few days, it has unfortunately taken its
toll."
West Brom took the lead through Brown Ideye on 20 minutes, but not before
Craig Dawson appeared to have handled in the build-up. Having gone in front,
the hosts grew in confidence and, after Mark Noble lost possession in
midfield, James Morrison lashed in a second three minutes before half-time.
Ideye then headed in a second from a deflected cross before Amalfitano's red
card, which was followed moments later by Berahino's low strike. "The first
goal really was our mistake but there was a handball from Dawson and we
think Ideye was offside," the managed observed. "The second one was another
mistake, but when you're fatigued you make more mistakes, there is no doubt
about that. "The last thing we wanted to do at Southampton was to play with
nine men, but because of a poor refereeing decision that has now been
corrected, we had to do that and it hasn't helped us. "The extra effort the
lads put in to get that result and to try to beat Manchester United was
outstanding and gave us two top-class performances. On Saturday, because we
had to play three times in a short space of time with the same players
because of injuries, we couldn't quite manage it. "We've flogged the players
and you can't keep flogging them because they couldn't cope with the
physical need to play against West Brom."
The manager empathised with the 5,300-plus supporters who travelled to The
Hawthorns, many of whom were caught up in serious incidents on the roads and
the railways. "Everybody is disappointed because we're in a very good
position in the league and we've done very well up to now," Big Sam
continued. "At the end of the day, the players will try as hard as they can,
but it wasn't their day and wasn't a day where they could muster up the sort
of energy they needed to. I know how disappointed the players are, but I
also know they have given all they could."
One player who did not escape the manager's ire was Amalfitano, who
petulantly kicked former team-mate Chris Brunt before slapping the Baggies
captain in the face. "It's another miss for next week and another body less,
which was unprofessional from his point of view.
"We will probably have some players back, but we want them all back and fit
because we haven't got the biggest of squads in terms of numbers."
One player who will be missing for the foreseeable future is Andy Carroll,
who the manager expressed his sympathy for ahead of his knee surgery this
coming Tuesday. "It's crippling mentally for Andy of course because it was
such an innocuous situation when you saw it - he just ran into a defender.
"These things have been testing Andy for a number of years so we all feel
for him and we all miss him and want him playing for us, because you saw
what an impact he has made."
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Joint-Chairman thanks fans
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the Claret and Blue army for their
support on Saturday
14.02.2015
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has thanked the near 6,000 West Ham United
fans who made the trip to The Hawthorns on Saturday on what was ultimately a
disappointing day for the Club. The Hammers sold out their entire allocation
for the FA Cup fifth-round tie with West Bromwich Albion and despite some
serious travel disruption on the way to the West Midlands on the road and
rails, the away end was packed out come the 12.45pm kick-off. The
Joint-Chairman said he shared the disappointment of the travelling fans over
the eventual 4-0 defeat, but believes next Sunday's game at Tottenham
Hotspur offers the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
"It was a very disappointing afternoon for everyone connected to West Ham -
the Board, the coaching staff, players but most of all the supporters," he
said. "I know that the manager and players will have wanted to do nothing
more than fire us to an FA Cup quarter-final tie but I think ultimately our
exertions over the past week took their toll. "We know it's doubly
disappointing as we had made progress in the FA Cup a priority for this
season as was demonstrated by our strong line-ups in the three games we'd
played previously. "It will take a few days to get over this loss but we
have to dust ourselves down as we have the fantastic opportunity of bouncing
back in the big London derby with our neighbours Tottenham Hotspur on
Sunday. "We hope to have several of our injured players back and with a good
recovery and preparation period I believe we can go to Tottenham with
confidence that we can get a result. "I'd like to personally thank every
West Ham fan that went to The Hawthorns and assure them that we will be
doing all we can to make sure we continue for push for as high a place as
possible over the remaining 13 games in the Premier League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham FA Cup defeat at West Brom leads to apology for fans
BBC.co.uk
West Ham chairman David Gold and goalkeeper Adrian both apologised to the
travelling supporters following the Hammers' 4-0 FA Cup loss at West Brom.
The visitors conceded two goals in each half and finished with 10 men after
substitute Morgan Amalfitano was sent off after 70 minutes. Gold tweeted:
"I feel sorry for myself but most of all I feel sorry for the thousands of
travelling West Ham fans."
Adrian called the result "shameful" as West Brom eased into the last eight.
The Spaniard, able to play after his red card from a sending off against
Southampton in mid-week was over-turned, added via Twitter: "After this
shameful result in FA Cup, just we can say SORRY to all West Ham fans! Now
we need to be united and fight in Premier League."
West Ham are eighth in the Premier League table and lost for only the second
time in 10 games. Manager Sam Allardyce claimed draws against Manchester
United and Southampton - when they effectively ended the match with nine men
duo to Adrian's dismissal and an injury to Andy Carroll - in the previous
six days had taken their toll on his side. Allardyce said: "I would say it
(the defeat) was probably coming based on what we've had to cope with over
the last few weeks and I think it told on us, there's no doubt about that.
"I have to give West Brom a lot of credit - they were very good. But I look
at the players and there was not the energy we know they've got based on all
they've done in the last few weeks."
Amalfitano was sent off after pushing Chris Brunt in the face, moments after
being booked for kicking the West Brom defender. Allardyce added: "It's
unprofessional, isn't it? That will be dealt with, as always, internally and
we'll move on. "But I don't think it's made any difference to the result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fatigue and injuries cost us a Cup run, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes that fatigue cost his team a stab at the last eight
of this year's FA Cup. The Hammers were soundly beaten 4-0 at the Hawthorns
this afternoon having produced arguably their worst display of the season so
far, given that it was a reasonably strong starting eleven. However
Allardyce insisted this afternoon that the excesses of having to play three
games in seven days - combined with a string of injuries to vital players -
was responsible for today's hugely disappointing Cup exit. "It's probably
come based on what we've had to cope with over the last few weeks. It told
on us today, there's no doubt about that," he said. "I have to give West
Brom a lot of credit, they were very good - but I look at the players and
there wasn't the energy we know they've got. "Last Sunday we gave a huge
effort at 4 o'clock against Manchester United and then we had to do 30
minutes with nine men at Southampton on Wednesday. Those two games really
caught up with us today. "The players couldn't get anywhere near the energy
levels we know they can and we couldn't live with West Brom in the end. Even
though we thought the first goal was offside, they played much better on the
day."
Despite few (if any) players having done enough in the eyes of the
supporters to have been considered a success on the day, Allardyce refused
to blame his team for a defeat eerily reminiscent of last season's third
round defeat at Nottingham Forest. "I'm not going to criticise my players,
they've given everything they've got," he said. "Anybody who says they
haven't done that doesn't know much about football. "We just couldn't get
to the levels we can because they've played too many games, under the
circumstances, in less than six days. "Too many things have gone against us
in the end to prevent us from having a fantastic run in this competition.
We've not been able to cope squad-wise in the end because of the injuries
we've had - and it's caught up with us. "Andy is out, Jarvis is out,
Collins, Reid and Poyet. We want all of those back and hopefully none of
these players picked up an injury today. We've got some good recovery time
because we don't play Tottenham until a week tomorrow. "That will hopefully
give us time to enable the players to carry on where they left off last week
against Man United and Southampton but, unfortunately today when it
mattered, not against West Brom."
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Amalfitano was unprofessional, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
Morgan Amalfitano is about to receive a hefty fine for his dismissal in this
afternoon's FA Cup defeat at former club West Bromwich Albion. The French
winger, a second half substitute had been on the pitch for just ten minutes
when he was issued a yellow card for a late tackle on Chris Brunt, then a
straight red for reacting to Brunt's reaction by pushing the former
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder in the face. "It's unprofessional, isn't it,"
Allardyce admitted after the match. "The punishment is laid out in our code
of conduct for getting sent off for something like that. It'll be dealt with
internally as with everybody else and we move on. "But I don't think it
made any difference to the result, I don't think we'd have got back in the
game the way we were today. He had come on and given us a little bit more on
the ball, but we just simply didn't cope today."
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West Brom 4-0 West Ham: Sam Allardyce supports players after FA Cup exit
Last Updated: 14/02/15 5:42pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce brushed off the fury of West Ham's travelling supporters after
his side were dumped out of the FA Cup at West Brom. The Hammers manager had
promised to focus on the FA Cup after securing Premier League safety, but
they were thrashed 4-0 in Saturday's fifth-round clash at The Hawthorns
thanks to two goals from Brown Ideye, plus strikes from James Morrison and
Saido Berahino. Allardyce was abused and his substitutions were jeered by
the away fans, but he refused to criticise his players at the end of a week
that had seen them record Premier League draws with Southampton and
Manchester United and lose striker Andy Carroll for the rest of the season
through injury. "Fans get disappointed because there's 6,500 who have
travelled up here and we have built the FA Cup to be one of our big
successes this year," he said. "When you have travelled this way and the
performance has not been as good as they have experienced for most of this
season, they express their disappointment. "I am going to defend the players
because we couldn't cope with the injury list and fixture list and it has
not given us the level we can play at. "I can't afford to get disappointed
in things like that, it's about me supporting the players. They have given
everything they could. "It wasn't enough but they have done their best. They
have given so much in such a short period of time. They were dead on their
feet."
Morgan Amalfitano was sent off for West Ham after pushing Chris Brunt in the
face just 10 minutes after coming on in the second half and Allardyce
admitted he was disappointed by the actions of the former Albion loanee. He
added: "It's irresponsible and the other thing is we are so short of bodies,
so the last thing we need is another suspension. I am sure Morgan will be
disappointed as well. We will have to cope."
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WEST BROM 4, WEST HAM 0. SHAMBOLICALLY, PATHETICALLY AWFUL.
By David Hautzig 14 Feb 2015 at 16:19
West Ham Till I Die
The first time I knew that West Ham were on top of my personal mantle of
teams I support was in 2001. I fell out of bed after an epic night of
intoxication to go watch West Ham play Sunderland in the fifth round. There
were about 15 West Ham supporters at McCormacks in Manhattan, and I sat on a
bar stool eating as large a fry up as they had available. Hangover + Bacon =
Relief. When Freddie Kanoute scored the winner in the 76th minute, after
missing too many chances to count, I went mental. High fives, hugs, all the
crazy stuff we supporters do with perfect strangers in moments of euphoria.
It was very much the same in the sixth round against Spurs, except for the
result obviously. But the camaraderie got me and has kept hold of me ever
since.
The thing that made today's FA Cup tie at The Hawthorns special, at least in
my opinion, was that the entire West Ham community was up for the match.
It's been quite a few years since West Ham have been able to approach a cup
match with more enthusiasm than a quest for three points. But with 38 points
in the bag, and safety essentially achieved, it was very much about The Cup.
So I was more enthusiastic for today's game than I had been for any other
game this season.
Then the game had to start, ruining not only my day but likely the rest of
my week. Some of you have made comments about the length of some of my
reports. Without changing my writing style, I have tried to be cognizant of
the kinds of points I make in order to be more streamlined. Well, today you
will get the shortest report of my infamous career here. We were awful, and
I don't need to relive it any more than necessary.
Let's get this over with, shall we?
In the 20th minute, Craig Gardner sent a long pass to Dawson out wide.
Cresswell tried to intercept it, but it bounced off of Dawson and towards
the touch line. He gathered it, sent a cross to Ideye who calmly directed it
past Adrian. There were shouts that he was offside. There were shouts that
the ball hit Dawson's arm. On another day I might have addressed that. Not
today. Because even if one of those were called we would have lost this
game.
West Brom 1, West Ham 0.
In the 40th minute, West Ham's midfield collectively lost the ball near the
center circle. The ball came to James Morrison. As he strolled towards our
penalty area, James Tomkins decided he wanted to back up to have a better
look at what Morrison was doing. What he saw was a 25 yard strike that would
have taken Adrian's hand off if he had touched it.
Halftime. West Brom 2, West Ham 0.
As per usual after an awful first half, Twitter was ablaze with complaints
and suggestions. Valencia and Sakho were simply not on the same wavelength,
which wasn't helped by the former giving up the ball virtually every time he
touched it. Downing was ineffective at best, and despite the formation
placing him at the tip of the midfield diamond, he was often out wide on the
left. Song was only noticeable when he lost the ball or misplaced a pass. At
the end of the day, a weak Tomkins header from a corner was the only thing
that remotely resembled a threat.
In the 57th minute, after a long Alex Song type pass just missed Ideye, West
Ham's defense must have though it was mighty unfair for him to be denied
another goal after such a decent through ball. So they let Sessegnon
retrieve the ball and send it back into the box to a completely unmarked
Ideye.
West Brom 3, West Ham 0.
You know what I did then? I loaded my car with trash so my wife could go to
what we call The Dump over here. By the time I came back to the TV it was
4-0 and we were down to ten men. A quick rewind of the DVR showed Amalfitano
losing his mind and three games worth of work. Then some impressive
interplay between Berahino and Ideye ended with Berahino smashing it past
Adrian at the near post.
West Brom 4, West Ham 0.
There's no creative way to say this, and you can all add your own adjective
if you wish.
We were crap. I predict Sam will say that their first goal was offside,
should have been waved off, and we had to chase the game after that. He
might also say the injuries put us at a severe disadvantage, ignoring the
fact that it was the same starting eleven that played Manchester United off
the pitch for long stretches last week. Whatever excuse he and the players
offer up will be of little consolation to the over 5000 traveling supporters
who had to go through what sounded like a traffic nightmare to get there.
We are out of The FA Cup in a year that it was open for a team like ours to
make a serious run. I know this is cliché, but if we had played well and
lost (as I expected us to) then I could have felt good about the run so far.
But that was as shambolic a performance as I can remember under Sam.
Too bad I couldn't take West Ham to the dump.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pitiful Irons produce a shocker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
West Bromwich Albion 4 West Ham 0
Claret & Hugh
West Ham produced their most pitiful performance of the season as they
crashed out of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns. And the shame became a nightmare
when Morgan Amalfatano was sent off ten minutes after coming on when pushing
Chris Brunt in the face. Kevin Nolan will get plenty of stick after being
subbed in the second half with even TV pundit Robbie Savage declaring: "I
don't think he gives the team anything much." And he followed up by
expressing his deepest sympathies for the Hammers fans declaring: "Their
team has given them nothing." He was right. This was an unspeakable
performance – woeful without a clue and even the usually impeccable Aaron
Cresswell was at fault for a couple of goals.
With just three wins in eight League games this appalling departure
departure from the FA Cup was more than any of us should have been expected
to take. No fight, no spirit, no courage, no desire, no result and no hope
on the strength of this performance. Sorry, this site gets stick for
negativity on occasions but that was inexcusable. We were second best
throughout and after falling behind on the 20th minute to Ideye's close
range stab after Cresswell had been caught out wide, it always looked like
curtains. In the 36th minute Gardner almost made it two when he unleashed a
thunderous shot from 22 yards which rebounded off the crossbar. But Morrison
put the home side further ahead when after some sloppy Irons challenges the
striker crashed home a drive from 25 yards. Twelve minutes into the second
half the Baggies were three up when Ideye grabbed his second heading home
from close range after Sessegnon's cross slams into Cresswell's foot, down
into the turf and up for the home striker to convert
Kevin Nolan was subbed on the hour when it should have been far earlier
given the paucity of his performance but 10 minutes later his replacement
Amalfitano was sent off for shoving Chris Brunt in the face. Two minutes
later Berahino had space in the right channel and smashed home at Adrian's
near post with Cresswell again failing to close his man down. The Hammers
failed to get a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes and a furious David
Sullivan was spotted leaving the stadum before the end along with hundreds
of Hammers fans.
Shocking – quite shocking.
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Adrian: We need to be at 100 pc for every game
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Adrian has told manager Sam Allardyce and the fans that the players need to
be at 100 per cent for EVERY game! The manager claimed after yesterday's
defeat at West Brom that he would not criticise the players given their
energy levels were down after their efforts against Manchester United and at
southampton in midweek. But Adrian was seemingly having none of that as he
spoke after a game which most will want to erase from their memories as
quickly as possible. He told the official site: "Of course we are really
disappointed. It's a really, really bad result. "They played well but we
never had an opportunity to get back into the game. They deserved the win,
and now we need to stand up and put in good performances in the league.
"Maybe the games we had this week had an effect, but we are professionals
and need to be at 100 percent for every match."
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Let's pause and remember "The Three"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Some things are far bigger than football! This morning – as the rows rage
over yesterday's FA Cup non performance at West Brom – three Hammers are
dead. Details are sketchy but they lost their lives in a road traffic
accident as they travelled to watch the team they had loved all their lives.
So before we continue with our appraisal of the match and its fall- out,
let's stop and pause and realise that in the midst of life is death. This
morning an extended family and friends are grieving and everybody at
ClaretandHugh sends their heartfelt condolences to them all. To the three
who are gone all we can say is RIP each one of you.
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Richard Keys West Ham Banter
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 15, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
King of banter, Sports presenter Richard Keys has suggested he doesn't
expect West Ham to win too many more games this season following our 4-0
embarrassing defeat at the Hawthorns yesterday. Speaking on twitter account
after the match Keys said "Didn't expect W Brom to win that big today. Keep
a count on how many more games the Hammers win this season."
Let's hope it was only Banter!
West Ham last won in the league on 18th January against Hull but before that
it is Leicester on the 20th December. It leaves us just two wins from the
last ten in the Premier League. West Ham sit 12th in the Premier League
table and have been steadily dropping.
Richard Keys @richardajkeys
Follow
Didn't expect W Brom to win that big today. Keep a count on how many more
games the Hammers win this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham with and without Kevin Nolan
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Sean Whetstone
I was disappointed to hear Kevin Nolan was booed yet again today, a fate he
has suffered several times from West Ham fans. Just last week there was also
talk of a mass walk-out and a banner of 'Nolan Out' at the Manchester United
game if Sam Allardyce started him. Despite his drop in form and his lack of
goals I believe Kevin Nolan still offers something to West Ham and he proved
that during the Manchester United draw. He is also a good captain and has a
major influence in the dressing room which cannot be underestimated. One
statistic doing the rounds on social media and forums recently suggested a
West Ham win rate with Nolan of just 33.33% with the win rate without Nolan
equaling 62.5%. I decided to check our these unverified statistics myself.
I calculated wins, losses and draws for the whole of this current season
including cup games where Kevin Nolan played 60 minutes or more. My
statistics show a win rate of 44% with Nolan and a win rate of 43% without
Nolan.
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Sullivan thanks travelling Irons army
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has thanked the 6,000 fans who travelled to the Hawthorns
today and left bitterly disappointed after seeing the team beaten 4-0. He
experienced the fury of a group of mindless fans as he left the stadium who
hit him with a barrage of foul language on a video which emerged on Twitter.
ClaretandHugh personally apologised to the co chairman on behalf of all our
followers who had sent sent messages of support to the club chief via our
forum. We received a personal message of thanks and in a message via
www.whufc.com he added: "It was a very disappointing afternoon for everyone
connected to West Ham – the board, the coaching staff, players but most of
all the supporters. "I know that the manager and players will have wanted to
do nothing more than fire us to an FA Cup quarter-final tie but I think
ultimately our exertions over the past week took their toll. "I'd like to
personally thank every West Ham fan that went to The Hawthorns and assure
them that we will be doing all we can to make sure we continue for push for
as high a place as possible over the remaining 13 games in the Premier
League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shameful mob tirade at Sullivan
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's 66-year-old chairman David Sullivan was this afternoon subjected
to the kind of posse mentality which wouldn't have been out of place in the
old wild west. After leaving the Hawthorns before the end of this
afternoon's debacle he attempted to shake hands with a group of Irons
supporters understandably furious at the team's appalling performance. He
made a gesture to shake hands with them all but was driven backwards by a
baying mob freely using the F word. The video can be viewed at the site but
this was not a mob of hoodies and teenagers. The people involved all looked
like middle aged guys who seriously should no better.To scream and holler at
an elderly gentleman is pretty desperate in any circumstances and quite what
they expected him to say as one demanded on three separate occasions "Can we
have some answers – and not on Twitter " goodness only knows. It was a sad
sad sight. Entirely embarrassing and entirely pointless. Oh and how ironic
that it emerged on the very outlet where the guy didn't want the answers –
Twitter! Frankly, it was shameful
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce blames fixture list
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 14, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & hugh
Sam Allardyce put today's pitiful performance down to "tiredness." The
Hammers boss refused to point the finger at any member of the teams saying:
"I wasn't shocked – it has been coming given the games we have had to cope
with. "There wasn't the energy level because of the big effort against
Manchester United and them playing with 10 men for 30 minutes at
Southampton. "West Brom were much better than us today but I'm not going to
criticise my players and those who do don't know very much about football.
"We also have players injured that we need to get back!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Angry West Ham fans confront co-owner David Sullivan after 4-0 FA Cup
thrashing by West Brom
Metro Sport Reporter for Metro.co.uk
Saturday 14 Feb 2015 6:45 pm
West Ham's humiliating 4-0 defeat to West Brom in the FA Cup on Saturday was
too much for some fans to take – after a handful of supporters were filmed
angrily confronting co-owner David Sullivan following the game. Sam
Allardyce – who was without striker Andy Carroll for the fifth-round match
at the Hawthorns – saw his Hammers side concede two goals either side of
half time while substitute Morgan Amalfitano was sent off for pushing Chris
Brunt in the face. Despite West Ham's eighth-place position in the Premier
League, the FA Cup elimination left some travelling Hammers fans angry after
Sullivan was confronted by frustrated supporters when he tried to shake
their hands following the game.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce responds to angry West Ham fans after FA Cup drubbing
Express.co.uk
Published: 22:30, Sat, February 14, 2015
By JOHN RICHARDSON
SAM ALLARDYCE'S long-term West Ham United future was thrown into doubt after
Hammers fans angrily turned on him during the FA Cup defeat at West Brom.
Despite only suffering his second defeat in 10 games and the Hammers lying
eighth in the Premier League, Big Sam was subjected to vicious personal
chanting from the 6,500 travelling supporters. Brown Ideye struck twice for
West Brom and by the final whistle the West Ham end was virtually empty.
Allardyce insisted his side were running on empty following a tough fixture
list and a run of injuries, including striker Andy Carroll. He said: "When
you come and see the performance and it isn't as good as we have been this
season the fans express their disappointment. "I will defend the players as
they couldn't cope with the fixture list." But the fans' backlash comes at a
critical time for Allardyce, with his contract up at the end of the season.
So far no talks have been scheduled.
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Saturday, February 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th February 2015
Preview - West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Saturday's FA Cup game with West Bromwich
Albion
13.02.2015
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND TIE
THE HAWTHORNS
SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
In brief
West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion for
the second time this season as the Hammers look to continue their FA Cup run
against the Baggies. In previous rounds, the Hammers had to overcome Everton
thanks to Adrian's penalty shootout heroics before beating a determined
Bristol City 1-0 away.
The Baggies, who sit in 14th in the Premier League table on 26 points, are
enjoying a resurgence of form as Tony Pulis looks to have had an impressive
impact since joining in January. The Baggies dispatched non-league Gateshead
7-0 before beating fellow Midlands club Birmingham City 2-1 at St. Andrews.
Sam Allardyce's men enjoyed success at the Hawthorns earlier in the season,
coming from a goal down to win 2-1. The Baggies went ahead through Craig
Dawson before goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured the three
points.
Who are they?
West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich. They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in
1882, by an impressive 26-0 margin, and went on to win the Staffordshire
Senior Cup, their first trophy, the next season.
West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.
The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66. More recently, they have
established themselves as a Premier League club after being promoted back to
the top flight in 2010.
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers will be without England striker Andy Carroll for a number of
months after he suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw away at Southampton.
Midfielder Mark Noble has recovered from illness while Kevin Nolan is back
in contention having overcome a foot injury sustained against Manchester
United. Cheikhou Kouyate looks set to continue at centre-back while Doneil
Henry and Guy Demel are available having recovered from injury.
West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies will have to wait on Victor Anichebe who is suffering from a
groin strain. Youssef Mulumbu is out with a hamstring injury while Jonas
Olsson is also out.
Referee
Saturday's referee is the experienced Martin Atkinson. Hammers fans will be
pleased to hear that in the three games Atkinson has officiated this season
involving their side, West Ham remain unbeaten. They include the impressive
2-1 win over Manchester City and the 3-0 home win over Hull City. In the FA
Cup, Atkinson has been involved in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town
and Stoke City's 4-1 win over Rochdale. The assistant referees are Gary
Beswick and Stephen Child, while Chris Foy is the Fourth Official.
One to watch
West Ham United
25-year-old central defender James Tomkins has been in excellent form
recently, which has been recognised in the form of a five-and-a-year
contract. The Academy graduate has made 20 appearances this season, scoring
the winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns in December.
West Bromwich Albion Livewire Saido Berahino could prove to be a real
handful after returning to form against Swansea City in midweek with a
powerful finish to secure a vital win for the Baggies. The 21-year-old
striker has scored 15 goals already this season, leading to speculation
about his long term future at the Hawthorns.
TV coverage
Saturday's game is live on BT Sport 1, kick off is 12.45pm and coverage
starts at midday.
Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with
Crystal Palace on Saturday 28 February are available here.
Travel
For all the information on how to get to the Hawthorns, click here. Please
note that with replacement buses operating on the Chiltern Line out of
London Marylebone, engineering works which were due to affect the London
Euston-Birmingham New Street route have been postponed.
Weather
Saturday afternoon is due to be an overcast day with temperature at kick off
forecast to be 6C (43F).
Last away meeting
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
2 December 2014
The Hammers recorded an important 2-1 win away at the Hawthorns to maintain
their good run of form. Craig Dawson headed then manager Alan Irvine's side
into a ten minute lead before Kevin Nolan pounced in the six yard box to
equalise. On the stroke of half-time James Tomkins rose highest at the back
post to head home Stewart Downing's floated corner.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Lescott, Baird (Ideye 83), Dawson, Wisdom,
Sessegnon, Gardner (Varela 65), Brunt (Mulumbu 45+3), Dorrans, Anichebe,
Berahino
Subs not used: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Samaras
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Downing,
Amalfitano (Collins 65), Nolan, Kouyate, Carroll (Valencia 65), Zarate (Cole
78)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, O'Brien, Demel
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to make a Wembley return with West Ham United
12.02.2015
Hello everyone,
There was a time a couple of weeks ago where it looked like I might be with
Saturday's opponents West Bromwich Albion rather than still here at West Ham
United. As you know, I was up at West Brom on transfer deadline day but the
deal didn't go through. These things happen and you just have to get on with
it. A bit was written about what happened but they are things in the past
and I am looking to the future. Because I hadn't been playing much here, it
is normal when a team shows interest in you and offers you game-time that
you are going to react a certain way if it doesn't go through, but obviously
the manager here has talked to me since that and we have moved on from
there.
It was nothing personal, I just felt a little bit hard done by, but these
things happen in football. I just have to be a professional and get on with
it and wait for my chance to come, which came at Southampton and I am
thankful for that.
The gaffer here kept faith in me by playing me at Southampton on Wednesday
night. I didn't expect to start and he knows that I am going to put in a
solid performance out there and try and influence the game as much as I can.
He knows what he is getting from me and that is probably what Tony Pulis saw
in me too. I didn't really get a chance to score on Wednesday, but when it
comes, hopefully I can take it.
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have both said to me that scoring at West Brom
would be something else after what happened. These things do happen in
football and I want to have more influence and build on my performance at St
Mary's.
Concentrating on Wednesday's game for a moment, the boys played with a bit
of fatigue in the team. A few of them were tired, but they have put in a
good shift. I just tried to put myself about, I didn't really get any
chances to score, but we tried to do our best and we have to respect the
point. I knew when Jussi came on he would be solid. He has got vast
experience in the Premier League, so I would have had faith in him all the
time. It was like a win at the end. We needed to get some sort of result
coming away from home against a team so high in the league. It is a great
point and I thought we fought well and at the end I was watching from the
bench anxious that they didn't score. The boys had a massive influence with
their defending which shows what we have been doing. Cheikhou Kouyate was
not really known as a defender in the Premier League, but he is now. He has
done brilliantly and I am really happy for him. He was awesome on Wednesday,
he was all over the field and it just shows you that we have the heart and
the spirit and the solidarity to go forward as well. As I said earlier, we
are all looking forward now and we have an FA Cup fifth-round tie to prepare
for.
I've obviously played for West Ham at Wembley before and we are not that far
away from going back. We just need to stay solid as a unit. We got the
result up there before, so we need to do that again and put in a proper,
solid performance. We will have some players back from injury as well which
will boost us. I know we can get a result up there. Everybody dreams of
scoring at Wembley and I have done that. For West Ham it was one of my best
moments and it will be a privilege for me to get into that position again. I
know you would all love another day out at Wembley too, so let's keep
working together and see what we can achieve!
Coley
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Carroll injury update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday
13.02.2015
Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday following
assessment by a specialist on Friday afternoon. The England international
injured his left knee during the second half of Wednesday night's 0-0
Barclays Premier League draw at Southampton.
The recovery phase is expected to keep Carroll out for the remainder of the
2014/15 season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers successful in Adrian appeal
WHUFC.com
Adrian available to play at West Bromwich Albion after successful appeal
13.02.2015
West Ham United are pleased to confirm that their appeal over Adrian's red
card at Southampton has been upheld. An Independent Regulatory Commission
heard the appeal on Friday and decided that the Club were correct in
challenging the dismissal for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
His one-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate
effect and the 28-year-old goalkeeper is now clear to play in Saturday's FA
Cup fifth round tie at West Bromwich Albion.
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Cheik keen for FA Cup glory
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate wants to add to his medal collection by winning the FA Cup
13.02.2015
Cheikhou Kouyate is dreaming of adding another winner's medal to his
impressive collection by lifting this season's FA Cup. The West Ham United
No8 won seven trophies during a triumphant five-year spell with Belgian
giants RSC Anderlecht, before moving to east London last summer. Now, the
Senegal star is preparing for an FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Bromwich
Albion, knowing the Hammers are just three victories from a Wembley final.
"In Senegal I was a little boy and I looked at the FA Cup all the time on
the TV," said the 25-year-old. "I remember some Senegalese players like
El-Hadji Diouf and Papa Bouba Diop playing in the FA Cup and I liked that a
lot. "My ambition is to go to the final. If we go to West Brom and fight for
90 minutes for the qualification, we can do it and it's very important. I am
very ambitious and it's my dream to go to the final. "This is football and
it's very possible that we can win it - you have to have that in your mind.
This a cup and one or two wins and you can go to the final. We'll all be
fighting for it."
With James Collins and Winston Reid struggling with injuries, Kouyate is
expected to fill a central defensive role again at The Hawthorns - a role
he has filled with aplomb in Barclays Premier League draws with Manchester
United and Southampton. After blunting the likes of Robin van Persie, Falcao
and Graziano Pelle, the Hammers favourite will join forces with James
Tomkins again this Saturday, when the pair will face rising star Saido
Berahino and Nigeria powerhouse Brown Ideye. "Brown Ideye is a very good
striker, he is strong and speedy," Kouyate observed. "It's the same for
Berahino, who has strength, speed and very good technique. They are very
good strikers, but will fight them and I am not worried. "We've had two very
big, very hard games. Against Manchester United, we were unlucky because
they scored in the last minute, which was very frustrating. This is
football. "On Wednesday at Southampton, I loved the fighting spirit of the
team because it wasn't easy to play with nine men for 20 to 25 minutes. It
was very hard but we got a good point. "We played with great spirit and
mentality with all the players fighting all the time and fighting together.
This is a very good mentality for the team."
While their partnership may be just two games old, Kouyate and Tomkins
already look like they have played together for years. The Dakar-born player
may prefer a more advanced position, but he has taken to his defensive role
with admirable commitment and no little ability.
"I am a little experienced at centre-back. I played there for one year for
Anderlecht, including six games in the Champions League, so it's not a new
position for me. "Centre-back is a crucial position because you need to
concentrate all the time. If you lose one ball, it is very dangerous for the
team. You have to concentrate, play simple and keep a clean sheet if you can
- that's the aim for a defender.
"Tomkins is a good player, he is a very good defender. He makes it very easy
for me to play with him because he is helping me and talking to me all the
time."
While Kouyate's primary role will be to stop West Brom, he will also be
looking to make his mark at the attacking end of the pitch, having scored
twice in his last four West Ham appearances. After netting a header against
Arsenal and a right-foot volley against Manchester United, can he complete a
perfect hat-trick against the Baggies? "Ha! My left foot is very average! I
scored one time with my left foot in Belgium, but all things are possible in
football, so wait and see!" Perhaps more likely is a goal from Kouyate's
compatriot and close friend Diafra Sakho, who has ten to his name in just 18
appearances this season. "Diafra Sakho is a score-boy! He is Diafra-goal!
This guy is crazy, he is very hungry and all the time he sees the goal. All
the time he comes to me and says 'Cheik, tomorrow I'm scoring a goal' and
this guy is unbelievable and this guy is fantastic."
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Phillips targeting Villa victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips is looking to beat Aston Villa on
Saturday
13.02.2015
West Ham United U18 coach Mark Phillips is looking ahead to Saturday's game
away at Aston Villa as the Hammers look to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat
last weekend by Fulham. After a slow start, the Academy side found
themselves 2-0 down and despite a much improved second half, left themselves
too much to do. Speaking ahead of Saturday's game with the Villains,
Phillips said: "Aston Villa will be a tough game, unfortunately they beat us
3-1 earlier in the season. They came to Little Heath and played pretty well.
"They're currently second in the league so it will be a tough game. We want
to bounce back after losing to Fulham last weekend. It was disappointing to
lose but I thought overall we played well. We had a lot of school boys
playing for us and I thought they did well."
With just three league games left of the season until the play offs,
Phillips is targeting a top four finish for the U18s. Currently fourth in
the Barclays U18 Premier League South Division, with 28 points from 19
games, they are on course to do just that. "We want to finish in the top
four for the play offs. Finishing in the top four is much more prestigious
and would be a harder test for the players which is exactly what we want.
"If we do get into the top four we'll play the likes Manchester United,
Manchester City and Everton, so that would be great."
With the Development Squad not in action for a few weeks, Phillips suggested
a number of those who were involved in the impressive 2-1 win over Fulham
last Friday at Rush Green would feature for the U18s this weekend. "We will
be utilising all the players we have available, including the players who
were involved with the U21s successfully last week. "They really played
well, it was an excellent performance from start to finish, by everyone.
Fulham had two experienced professionals in their side, a 27 and 28-year-old
whereas our team was predominantly youth team players. "It undoubtedly helps
that they have grown together for a number of years. I think almost everyone
playing against Fulham last week played in the youth cup last year. There's
a good team spirit and camaraderie and I think it showed on the pitch.
"After the U21s won on Friday, Neil McDonald came into the dressing room and
said with the first team in a secure position they hope to give younger
players a go before the end of the season. That's a great incentive for all
of the players."
Some of the youth players have already made that step as Reece Oxford, Reece
Burke and Elliot Lee were al on the bench for the Hammers' draw away at
Southampton. "It's a very proud moment for everyone when you see youth
players involved with the first team. It was fantastic to see all three on
the bench. It's a shame they didn't get on but the circumstances of the game
didn't allow it really."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom v West Ham
KO 12:45
13 February 2015
Last updated at 15:32
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Saturday, 14 February Kick-off: 12:45 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score
and Match of the Day
West Brom will have Chris Brunt as captain for the FA Cup fifth-round tie
with West Ham as midfielder Darren Fletcher is cup tied. Striker Victor
Anichebe is a doubt with a groin strain, but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill may play
after a finger injury.
Midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble could return for West Ham after
missing the goalless draw with Southampton. Nolan had a foot injury while
Noble had a virus. Striker Andy Carroll is likely to miss the rest of the
season.
West Brom have beaten Gateshead and Birmingham City to reach the fifth
round.
Lawro's prediction : "I hope this is an open game where both sides go for
it. It will be close, though. They are both in decent form - West Brom have
only lost one of their last eight games, and for West Ham it is one defeat
in nine." The Baggies are four points above the relegation zone but manager
Tony Pulis is keen to steer the club to Wembley. "We are a couple of games
from Wembley with the semi-finals staged there," he said. "If we can get
through this challenge and get a favourable draw...who knows what might be
ahead? "It is the excitement of the cup and I know this club has a great
history in the competition."
West Ham, have overcome Everton and Bristol City in this season's FA Cup,
and boss Sam Allardyce is also targeting a run to Wembley.
"We're safe in the league so we can really concentrate on doing well in the
cup," he said.
MATCH FACTS
This is the sixth time these sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup,
with West Ham progressing four times and West Brom just once previously.
West Brom have won the trophy on five occasions, though not since 1968.
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis guided Stoke to the final in 2011, where
they were beaten by Manchester City.
West Ham won the FA Cup three times, though not since 1980. They were more
recently beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final in
Cardiff.
West Ham beat West Brom in the Third Round on their way to their last FA Cup
trophy in 1980.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We need to replace Carroll, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan revealed tonight that West Ham are in the hunt for another
striker following the news that Andy Carroll will miss the rest of the
season. The club confirmed on Friday that the injury sustained by the
26-year-old against Southampton in midweek would rule him out for the rest
of the campaign. And co-owner Sullivan told LBC's Iain Dale tonight that he
was exploring all avenues as he seeks to redress that imbalance. The
66-year-old also confirmed that West Ham had agreed to pay the London living
wage - following a request last year from the capital's mayor, Boris
Johnson. "We said to him at the time that if we survive in the Premier
League, we will pay it. We're now in a position where we're virtually
certain to survive - and hopefully do a lot better - so we've announced
today that we're going to do it.
"The problem with football is that all the money goes to the players and the
agents. But we think as a company we can afford to pay the living wage and
it's something I strongly support. "It's very difficult for people in London
and it's right that should earn more than the minimum wage. It might work if
you live in Accrington - it doesn't work if you live in London or Essex."
The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, insisted 48 hours
earlier that it is not his organisation's responsibility to ensure member
clubs pay their staff a living wage. "At the end of the day there's a thing
called the living wage but there's also a minimum wage," he said.
"Politicians have the power to up that minimum wage. That's entirely for the
politicians to do; that's not for us to do." West Ham are the second Premier
League club to commit to paying the living wage, following on from Chelsea's
lead.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
#justiceforjeff
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham supporters travelling to the Midlands tomorrow are being asked to
join Albion fans in a round of applause in memory of Baggies legend Jeff
Astle. The former England striker died aged just 59 in 2002 as a result of
head injuries sustained by heading heavy footballs during his career, which
spanned nearly 20 years. Since then, Astle's family have been campaigning to
raise awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition
commonly seen in former boxers who suffered serial blows to the head.
Tomorrow, during West Ham's 5th Round FA Cup tie at the Hawthorns, West Brom
fans will play their part by staging a round of applause for ex-centre
froward Astle in the ninth minute. And KUMB have been asked to raise
awareness of the momentary applause by Claire Astle, Jeff's daughter who
runs the #justiceforjeff campaign.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boo! West Ham charged for Soton spat
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been charged for failing to control their players during
Wednesday night's goalless draw with Southampton. The FA - who also
confirmed that Adrian's red card had been overturned - announced that West
Ham have five days to respond to the charge, which appears to be the result
of a melee that occurred at the time of the goalkeeper's sending off. "West
Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute of
this game", read an FA statement.
"The club have until 6pm on 18 February 2015 to respond to the charge."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom and West Ham eyeing FA Cup glory at the Hawthorns
Last Updated: 14/02/15 6:22am
SSN
West Bromwich Albion entertain West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round at
The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in a meeting of two clubs who have won
the competition eight times between them. However, with the home side's last
triumph coming way back in 1968, and the visitors' in 1980, this tie
represents a great opportunity for both to move a step closer to getting
their hands on the famous old trophy. West Brom will be confident of
advancing to what would be a first quarter-final appearance since 2008 after
losing just once in seven games in all competitions since Tony Pulis took
charge on January 1. Sam Allardyce's team won 2-1 at the Hawthorns when the
two met in the league in December, while West Ham also beat the Baggies on
the way to winning the cup 35 years ago.
Team news
West Brom striker Victor Anichebe will have a late fitness test after
missing Wednesday's win over Swansea with a groin problem, but both
midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring) and defender Jonas Olsson (calf) are
absent through injury and captain Darren Fletcher is cup-tied.
Meanwhile, West Ham frontman Andy Carroll has been ruled out for between
four and six weeks after tearing a medial ligament in his knee at
Southampton in midweek, although goalkeeper Adrian features after having his
red card in that match overturned. But Allardyce will also be without
centre-backs Winston Reid and James Collins with hamstring problems, while
midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble (illness), as well as right-back Guy
Demel, all face late fitness tests.
Sky Bet make West Brom 7/5 favourites for the victory with West Ham 19/10 to
progress in 90 minutes. However, with the draw a 23/10 chance, the Hammers
are actually just 5/6 to book their place in the quarter-finals, be it on
Saturday or via a replay.
Saido Berahino is the 5/1 favourite to score first followed by Brown Ideye
(11/2), while Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are considered the visitors'
biggest threats at 6/1 apiece.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom boss Tony Pulis says no hard feelings with West Ham over Carlton
Cole
Last Updated: 13/02/15 11:31pm
SSN
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has revealed clear-the-air talks were held
between West Ham chairman David Sullivan and Baggies counterpart Jeremy
Peace following the recent collapse of a deal for Carlton Cole. Cole was
poised to join Albion on transfer deadline day having agreed terms and
passed a medical, with the Hammers in turn ready to tie up a deal for
Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor. But as that deal fell through at the last
minute, so West Ham pulled the plug on Cole's move to the Hawthorns. Less
than two weeks later, Cole is now likely to figure for West Ham in
Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie. Pulis said: "That's the way it spins at
times. There was never a deal to be done unless West Ham agreed to it, which
was right through to the last minutes of the negotiations. "West Ham had
said right from the start - they were very up front and very honest - they
had to bring someone in before they would let Carlton go, and we understood
that. Both clubs thought it was going to be done at one stage, but it
wasn't, which is no fault of West Ham's whatsoever.
Player Profile
Carlton Cole
Appearances 5 (10)
Goals 3
Assists 0
Yellows 2
Reds 0
"David Sullivan even called our chairman (Peace) and spoke to him, and that
shows you how disappointed both parties were. "But there was never any
secret as to what the situation was. If they (West Ham) had brought someone
in Carlton would have been available. "If they didn't he was going back,
which was made clear, so that was fine. I've always thought he's a good
player who gives you different options. On his day he's a handful, whilst
his goalscoring record - when he plays - is decent. For us, he would have
been different to what we have."
Sam Allardyce may have been ready to sell Cole last month but now he is
backing the former Chelsea striker to make his mark in claret and blue -
particularly in light of Andy Carroll's injury setback. Cole is out of
contract in the summer but he started Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at
Southampton and is expected to be handed another start in this Cup tie.
"He's a very important player for us," said the West Ham manager. "Certainly
he comes more into focus now that Andy is out for a few weeks as well. "The
fact he is there for us, he has never let us down. If needed on Saturday,
hopefully he comes up with the goal. that would be very nice for us and him.
"His character is such that he loves training and he loves football. He is a
very pleasant, very bubbly character and he is one of those lads that
doesn't throw the toys out of the pram for too long. He comes in and enjoys
his life, enjoys training, enjoys playing football. He had a big
disappointment but he hasn't let that affect him too much, which I'm very
pleased about."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham admit Andy Carroll's season ending knee injury is "a huge blow" to
their ambitions
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis, Neil McLeman
Luckless England striker who missed the first half of last season and only
began this campaign in November following ankle surgery needs another op
The Mirror
David Sullivan has admitted West Ham have been left reeling by the news Andy
Carroll is out for the rest of the season. England striker Carroll will have
a knee operation on Tuesday after picking up an injury in Wednesday's 0-0
draw at Southampton. Chairman Sullivan said: "It's a huge blow for Andy and
a huge blow for us. He is a fantastic player who has proven to us just how
important he is since he has come back into the team. "We know that he will
come back stronger from this and we are continuing to support him." Carroll,
who will have the surgery in London, is understood to be "devastated" at the
news. The setback is the FIFTH major injury for the luckless frontman - West
Ham's record signing at £15.5million - in his two and a half years at the
east London club. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "It is a big blow for him
and it is a big blow for us. It is traumatic when someone is going through a
period where you overcome one injury and another occurs. "It is very
depressing for Andy but he knows the process and he has to be very strong in
terms of overcoming this injury and coming back as quickly as possible. "He
just have to do what he has been doing far too often. He has to get his head
down and focus on recovery."
The Hammers are now even more annoyed that Spurs frustrated their bid to
take Emmanuel Adebayor on loan on transfer deadline night earlier this
month. To rub salt into the wound, Adebayor has been left out of the last
two Tottenham squads as the club look to freeze him out.
Carroll, 26, damaged his left knee on Wednesday in a clash with Saints
defender Maya Yoshida but had to play on because West Ham had used all their
substitutes. It is felt, however, that the damage had already been done by
them. It is particularly galling for West Ham - away to West Brom on
Saturday in the fifth round of the FA Cup - and the player, as Carroll only
started his season in November after being sidelined for four months
following ankle ligament surgery last July. This new blow means he will fail
to make 15 starts for the Hammers for the second season running, since being
bought from Liverpool. Carroll managed just 13 last year and his season been
cut short prematurely this term with just 14. Only once in his
injury-plagued nine seasons as a professional has Carroll managed more than
30 starts - in 2009-10, when he racked up 35 during Newcastle's
Championship-winning campaign.
* WEST HAM goalkeeper Adrian has had a one-match ban overturned following
his dismissal in the Southampton match.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Darren Fletcher transfer interest sparked pay-scale grumbling
among their players
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis
Midfielder who ended up joining West Brom from Man United would have become
the Hammers' second highest earner after Andy Carroll on £75k a week
The Mirror
West Ham players believe the club were right to pull the plug on their
£75,000-a-week move for Darren Fletcher. Midfielder Fletcher, 32, joined
West Brom on Deadline Day after the Hammers ended their interest two days
previously. Fletcher went on to help the Baggies come from 2-0 down to earn
a point at Burnley last Sunday. West Ham wanted to back boss Sam Allardyce
with the ex-Manchester United midfielder.
They felt the respected Fletcher - who lifted five titles at Old Trafford -
would have brought even more quality to the squad. But Mirror Sport has
learned some Hammers stars were shocked by the proposed package for the
Scotland international who made just five starts for United since Louis van
Gaal took over last summer. Talks between Fletcher - who has recovered from
ulcerative colitis - and West Ham broke down after the east Londoners
decided against a permanent deal and opted for a loan instead. The player's
Upton Park salary would have made him the club's second-highest earner
behind £100,000-a-week Andy Carroll. The Irons' star defender Winston Reid
is on just £25,000-a-week and has so far been unable to agree a new deal at
the club with less than six months of his contract left to run. Fletcher's
earnings would also have been more than vice-captain Mark Noble, who is on
£40,000-a-week.
Skipper Kevin Nolan is on £50,000-a-week, the same as in-form Stewart
Downing - among the most improved players in the Premier League this season.
While there is no animosity felt towards Fletcher whatsoever, some players
felt the expenditure was not justified when they have worked hard to keep
the club in contention for a shock European place. Before the West Ham move
fell through over the weekend, the impending deal - and the implications for
the other players - had been the talk of the squad as they travelled up to
Merseyside for their Premier League game at Liverpool. Meanwhile, Mirror
Sport understands West Ham failed in audacious deadline day moves for Paris
Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marseille hitman Andre Pierre
Gignac as they searched for alternatives to Emmanuel Adebayor. As we
revealed on deadline day, Spurs blocked the Hammers' attempt to take
Adebayor on loan for the rest of the season as they did not want to
subsidise his wages.West Ham instead tried for 29-year-old Lavezzi,
disciplined and frozen out at PSG for missing a winter training camp. The
Argentinian, however, rejected the move. France international Gignac has
been in fine form this season with 14 goals in 23 appearances for Marseille.
He is out of contract in the summer, but he too decided to stay with his
club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom's Pulis warns West Ham boss Allardyce: We're BOTH stuck with
long-ball merchant tag
22:30, 13 February 2015 By James Nursey
The Baggies' former Stoke boss hasn't shaken a reputation for route-one
football and feels his FA Cup fifth round opponent is in the same boat
The Mirror
Tony Pulis has warned Sam Allardyce he will NEVER shake off his reputation
form playing direct football. Dutchman Louis Van Gaal bristled at West Ham
boss Allardyce's description of his Manchester United side as "long-ball"
and produced a dossier in rsponse. And ahead of Saturday's FA Cup visit from
Big Sam's Hammers, West Brom manager Pulis - who hasn't been able to lose
the route-one merchant label he acquired in his days at Stoke - insisted:
"Perception is a big thing and the perception will always be there with Sam.
I don't think you lose that. "But I don't think Sam takes it personally now.
He can't at his age, or can he? You get on with it. It is my life and
football is Sam's life as well and Van Gaal's life. "I don't know what has
happened between the two of them, I will let them get on with it. "It is not
a long ball when Manchester United play it, it is a long pass. I watched a
bit of the game and the last 20 minutes Manchester United brought on
Marouane Fellaini and they looked as though they did hit some long balls
into him. "Whether it is long balls or long passes, both teams have
tremendous ability – West Ham and Manchester United. Football is a game of
which there are variations and there should be variations in systems and the
people play. "I have watched West Ham on tape this morning and they play
some fantastic football. They move the ball back through midfield and up to
their strikers and play some good football. "They have some outstanding
players. Stewart Downing is having an outstanding season and has really made
them tick."
The Hammers are eighth in the Premier League and West Brom 14th. Pulis
added: "We know how tough it will be. When the draw was made it was lovely
to play at home but we knew West Ham would be one of the toughest games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce presented with Louis van Gaal's dossier - but insists he's
moved on from long-ball row
13:03, 13 February 2015 By James Whaling
The Hammers chief held his media briefing ahead of their clash with West
Brom tomorrow, but said there was 'no point' in going further into the
matter
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce was presented with Louis van Gaal's long-ball dossier at his
press conference this morning, but insists he has moved on from the row.
Allardyce accused the Red Devils of snatching a late point off his side by
using a direct style of play, a jibe which clearly hit a nerve with the
Dutchman, who compiled a four-page document for journalists at his press
conference earlier this week. A reporter handed Allardyce the sheets at his
media briefing today, but the 60-year-old Irons boss was reluctant to go
over old ground. "I shall have a look at that when I get the opportunity,"
said Allardyce. "Thank you very much. "I don't think there's any point in me
going into it again, it is what it is and he's made of it what he's made of
it. "I said what I saw on the day but we've moved on – we've played another
Premier League game since then and the focus for us now is on the FA Cup and
trying to progress to the next round."
Van Gaal had requested at his news conference before the Burnley game
earlier this week that the document be given to Allardyce today.
He said: "When a colleague of mine is saying this kind of thing, then you
have to see the data and you have to put the data in the right context, I
believe. "So I give you this, you can see this also. I give it to you and
maybe you can go Big Sam and show it to him." The Hammers take on West Brom
in the FA Cup tomorrow, while United travel to Preston on Monday evening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan: "We are looking for a striker"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has admitted the club is hunting for an out of contract
striker to provide additional cover following Andy Carroll's season ending
knee injury. With only Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole
available the Irons will be looking at what's available among the out of
contract players. He has not given any names but admitted in an interview
this evening on LBC that the club was now actively looking for a players.
Mauro Zarate is unable to return from Queens Park Rangers where he is on
loan until the end of the season and with Diafra Sakho suffering a recurring
back injury, the situation could get difficult. Sullivan – speaking of
Carroll's injury – said: "That's football. You have to cope with it. We are
looking for a striker as cover now."
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Gold: Irons have an edge on West Brom
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes the Irons will be in a totally different place mentally
to West Brom when the two sides clash at the Hawthorns in the fifth round FA
Cup clash. The co chairman believes the club's points total frees them
completely to concentrate on the job in hand rather than worry about league
position. But he believes the same is most certainly not true of Tony Pulis'
Baggies who may still be worrying about staying out of the relegation
places. Gold told ClaretandHugh: "We are really up for the Cup this year and
can give it 100 per cent concentration. The same may not be true of Tony
Pulis and who will surely be looking over his shoulder. "We have the luxury
of knowing we are safe and that should give us a big psychological
advantage. If we drop a couple of points it is no where near as big a deal
as West Brom doing the same. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to
advance on Wembley. I want to finish the tie up there but if not we have no
worries about bringing them back under the Upton Park lights for a replay."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce confirms Diarra problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
Sam Allardyce looks ready to move in on Lassana Diarra again at the end of
the season…and blames himself for wasting time trying to sign him over the
last three weeks. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively earlier this week that
the player and his club Moscow Lokomoitiv had unresolved financial issues to
be solved before the player was free to move on. And with Fifa still
probing the situation it was never likely to be possible for the player to
move to Upton Park, Allardyce came close to confirming all of that in his
London Evening Standard column today saying: "The fact we couldn't get the
Lassana Diarra deal across the line was probably more my fault than his. "I
thought it was a simple contract cancellation – but it wasn't as
straightforward as that. Maybe I should have investigated the circumstances
more thoroughly before we negotiated for more than three weeks. "It turned
out it wasn't a mutual contract cancellation between Lassana and his
previous club, Lokomotiv Moscow, and didn't fulfil the Fifa criteria on
signing players outside the transfer window."
Now the player will clearly be a target in the summer for as again revealed
by this site he enters the last year of his contract with the Moscow club
and can walk away if he chooses under Fifa rules. However, the Irons boss
intimated that he could resurrect a deal for Diarra at the end of the
season, when he is expected to be available free of hassle. Allardyce said:
"We may well return to him in the summer. Lassana is a fine player who needs
to resurrect his career and re-establish himself as the player he used to
be.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham charged by the FA
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute
against Southampton at St Marys on Wednesday 11th February. The standard
fine for this offence is £20,000 if the club admit breaching FA Rules in
relation to player conduct. West Ham and Everton were each fined £20,000
after the clubs admitted breaching FA Rules in relation to player conduct
back in November last year. The club have until 6pm on 18th February 2015 to
respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll saga – is this a problem too far?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Calret & Hugh
It's seriously hard to work out where the Andy Carroll/West Ham saga goes
next. The big striker's injury problems have taken on "Shakespearian
tragedy" proportions with the facts reading:
Transfer fee: £17.5 million appx
0 2014-15: 16 played – five goals
O 2013-14: 16 played – two goals
The club have just revealed he's out for the rest of the seas picking up an
entirely new injury to his knee with David Gold wondering in an interview on
this site just how unlucky can one guy be? I take absolutely no pleasure
from player injuries. However, this again represents an opportunity to team
up what many believe is our best partnership – Diafra Sakho and Enner
Valencia – but there is a big worry.
With Sakho's back a problem – and I understand there are some out there that
are cynical – what happens now in the event of an injury to one of the other
of them?
Sam Allardyce appeared to have the Carroll dilemma nailed early doors when
explaining that the player goes into too many risky challenges
Here's what he said only in December: "I have said I want him to be careful
with the way he goes in at times but ultimately it will be Andy who makes
that decision. You have to remember that although Andy has been around for a
few years, sadly too much of the time he's been on the treatment table.
You're not gaining the experience if you're injured."
Less than two months later the big fella is back on the same treatment table
and there are deep concerns within the club. With four months left on
Carlton Cole's contract there are big decisions to be made on the Carroll
cover position – does the club's long time servant get a new deal or do the
club invest decent money in a new long term target man?
The other two major questions in all of this is whether we will need such a
player should Sam Allardyce not be offered a new deal and whether the club
should cash in on Carroll should they be offered let's say £7 million or
above. The other alternatives are to stick with him or pay up his contract
and start again. I want to make it crystal clear that all my sympathies are
with Andy Carroll who has suffered more than enough but the imponderables
build relentlessly For me, it's too early to say but we have great respect
for our readers on this site and throw it open to every one of you such is
the importance of the issue.
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WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Saturday's FA Cup game with West Bromwich
Albion
13.02.2015
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND TIE
THE HAWTHORNS
SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2015
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
In brief
West Ham United travel to the Black Country to face West Bromwich Albion for
the second time this season as the Hammers look to continue their FA Cup run
against the Baggies. In previous rounds, the Hammers had to overcome Everton
thanks to Adrian's penalty shootout heroics before beating a determined
Bristol City 1-0 away.
The Baggies, who sit in 14th in the Premier League table on 26 points, are
enjoying a resurgence of form as Tony Pulis looks to have had an impressive
impact since joining in January. The Baggies dispatched non-league Gateshead
7-0 before beating fellow Midlands club Birmingham City 2-1 at St. Andrews.
Sam Allardyce's men enjoyed success at the Hawthorns earlier in the season,
coming from a goal down to win 2-1. The Baggies went ahead through Craig
Dawson before goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured the three
points.
Who are they?
West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich. They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in
1882, by an impressive 26-0 margin, and went on to win the Staffordshire
Senior Cup, their first trophy, the next season.
West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.
The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66. More recently, they have
established themselves as a Premier League club after being promoted back to
the top flight in 2010.
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers will be without England striker Andy Carroll for a number of
months after he suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw away at Southampton.
Midfielder Mark Noble has recovered from illness while Kevin Nolan is back
in contention having overcome a foot injury sustained against Manchester
United. Cheikhou Kouyate looks set to continue at centre-back while Doneil
Henry and Guy Demel are available having recovered from injury.
West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies will have to wait on Victor Anichebe who is suffering from a
groin strain. Youssef Mulumbu is out with a hamstring injury while Jonas
Olsson is also out.
Referee
Saturday's referee is the experienced Martin Atkinson. Hammers fans will be
pleased to hear that in the three games Atkinson has officiated this season
involving their side, West Ham remain unbeaten. They include the impressive
2-1 win over Manchester City and the 3-0 home win over Hull City. In the FA
Cup, Atkinson has been involved in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town
and Stoke City's 4-1 win over Rochdale. The assistant referees are Gary
Beswick and Stephen Child, while Chris Foy is the Fourth Official.
One to watch
West Ham United
25-year-old central defender James Tomkins has been in excellent form
recently, which has been recognised in the form of a five-and-a-year
contract. The Academy graduate has made 20 appearances this season, scoring
the winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns in December.
West Bromwich Albion Livewire Saido Berahino could prove to be a real
handful after returning to form against Swansea City in midweek with a
powerful finish to secure a vital win for the Baggies. The 21-year-old
striker has scored 15 goals already this season, leading to speculation
about his long term future at the Hawthorns.
TV coverage
Saturday's game is live on BT Sport 1, kick off is 12.45pm and coverage
starts at midday.
Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. Tickets for the Hammers' next home game with
Crystal Palace on Saturday 28 February are available here.
Travel
For all the information on how to get to the Hawthorns, click here. Please
note that with replacement buses operating on the Chiltern Line out of
London Marylebone, engineering works which were due to affect the London
Euston-Birmingham New Street route have been postponed.
Weather
Saturday afternoon is due to be an overcast day with temperature at kick off
forecast to be 6C (43F).
Last away meeting
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
2 December 2014
The Hammers recorded an important 2-1 win away at the Hawthorns to maintain
their good run of form. Craig Dawson headed then manager Alan Irvine's side
into a ten minute lead before Kevin Nolan pounced in the six yard box to
equalise. On the stroke of half-time James Tomkins rose highest at the back
post to head home Stewart Downing's floated corner.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Lescott, Baird (Ideye 83), Dawson, Wisdom,
Sessegnon, Gardner (Varela 65), Brunt (Mulumbu 45+3), Dorrans, Anichebe,
Berahino
Subs not used: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Samaras
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Downing,
Amalfitano (Collins 65), Nolan, Kouyate, Carroll (Valencia 65), Zarate (Cole
78)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jarvis, O'Brien, Demel
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole would love to make a Wembley return with West Ham United
12.02.2015
Hello everyone,
There was a time a couple of weeks ago where it looked like I might be with
Saturday's opponents West Bromwich Albion rather than still here at West Ham
United. As you know, I was up at West Brom on transfer deadline day but the
deal didn't go through. These things happen and you just have to get on with
it. A bit was written about what happened but they are things in the past
and I am looking to the future. Because I hadn't been playing much here, it
is normal when a team shows interest in you and offers you game-time that
you are going to react a certain way if it doesn't go through, but obviously
the manager here has talked to me since that and we have moved on from
there.
It was nothing personal, I just felt a little bit hard done by, but these
things happen in football. I just have to be a professional and get on with
it and wait for my chance to come, which came at Southampton and I am
thankful for that.
The gaffer here kept faith in me by playing me at Southampton on Wednesday
night. I didn't expect to start and he knows that I am going to put in a
solid performance out there and try and influence the game as much as I can.
He knows what he is getting from me and that is probably what Tony Pulis saw
in me too. I didn't really get a chance to score on Wednesday, but when it
comes, hopefully I can take it.
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have both said to me that scoring at West Brom
would be something else after what happened. These things do happen in
football and I want to have more influence and build on my performance at St
Mary's.
Concentrating on Wednesday's game for a moment, the boys played with a bit
of fatigue in the team. A few of them were tired, but they have put in a
good shift. I just tried to put myself about, I didn't really get any
chances to score, but we tried to do our best and we have to respect the
point. I knew when Jussi came on he would be solid. He has got vast
experience in the Premier League, so I would have had faith in him all the
time. It was like a win at the end. We needed to get some sort of result
coming away from home against a team so high in the league. It is a great
point and I thought we fought well and at the end I was watching from the
bench anxious that they didn't score. The boys had a massive influence with
their defending which shows what we have been doing. Cheikhou Kouyate was
not really known as a defender in the Premier League, but he is now. He has
done brilliantly and I am really happy for him. He was awesome on Wednesday,
he was all over the field and it just shows you that we have the heart and
the spirit and the solidarity to go forward as well. As I said earlier, we
are all looking forward now and we have an FA Cup fifth-round tie to prepare
for.
I've obviously played for West Ham at Wembley before and we are not that far
away from going back. We just need to stay solid as a unit. We got the
result up there before, so we need to do that again and put in a proper,
solid performance. We will have some players back from injury as well which
will boost us. I know we can get a result up there. Everybody dreams of
scoring at Wembley and I have done that. For West Ham it was one of my best
moments and it will be a privilege for me to get into that position again. I
know you would all love another day out at Wembley too, so let's keep
working together and see what we can achieve!
Coley
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Carroll injury update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday
13.02.2015
Andy Carroll will have surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday following
assessment by a specialist on Friday afternoon. The England international
injured his left knee during the second half of Wednesday night's 0-0
Barclays Premier League draw at Southampton.
The recovery phase is expected to keep Carroll out for the remainder of the
2014/15 season.
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Hammers successful in Adrian appeal
WHUFC.com
Adrian available to play at West Bromwich Albion after successful appeal
13.02.2015
West Ham United are pleased to confirm that their appeal over Adrian's red
card at Southampton has been upheld. An Independent Regulatory Commission
heard the appeal on Friday and decided that the Club were correct in
challenging the dismissal for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
His one-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate
effect and the 28-year-old goalkeeper is now clear to play in Saturday's FA
Cup fifth round tie at West Bromwich Albion.
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Cheik keen for FA Cup glory
WHUFC.com
Cheikhou Kouyate wants to add to his medal collection by winning the FA Cup
13.02.2015
Cheikhou Kouyate is dreaming of adding another winner's medal to his
impressive collection by lifting this season's FA Cup. The West Ham United
No8 won seven trophies during a triumphant five-year spell with Belgian
giants RSC Anderlecht, before moving to east London last summer. Now, the
Senegal star is preparing for an FA Cup fifth-round tie at West Bromwich
Albion, knowing the Hammers are just three victories from a Wembley final.
"In Senegal I was a little boy and I looked at the FA Cup all the time on
the TV," said the 25-year-old. "I remember some Senegalese players like
El-Hadji Diouf and Papa Bouba Diop playing in the FA Cup and I liked that a
lot. "My ambition is to go to the final. If we go to West Brom and fight for
90 minutes for the qualification, we can do it and it's very important. I am
very ambitious and it's my dream to go to the final. "This is football and
it's very possible that we can win it - you have to have that in your mind.
This a cup and one or two wins and you can go to the final. We'll all be
fighting for it."
With James Collins and Winston Reid struggling with injuries, Kouyate is
expected to fill a central defensive role again at The Hawthorns - a role
he has filled with aplomb in Barclays Premier League draws with Manchester
United and Southampton. After blunting the likes of Robin van Persie, Falcao
and Graziano Pelle, the Hammers favourite will join forces with James
Tomkins again this Saturday, when the pair will face rising star Saido
Berahino and Nigeria powerhouse Brown Ideye. "Brown Ideye is a very good
striker, he is strong and speedy," Kouyate observed. "It's the same for
Berahino, who has strength, speed and very good technique. They are very
good strikers, but will fight them and I am not worried. "We've had two very
big, very hard games. Against Manchester United, we were unlucky because
they scored in the last minute, which was very frustrating. This is
football. "On Wednesday at Southampton, I loved the fighting spirit of the
team because it wasn't easy to play with nine men for 20 to 25 minutes. It
was very hard but we got a good point. "We played with great spirit and
mentality with all the players fighting all the time and fighting together.
This is a very good mentality for the team."
While their partnership may be just two games old, Kouyate and Tomkins
already look like they have played together for years. The Dakar-born player
may prefer a more advanced position, but he has taken to his defensive role
with admirable commitment and no little ability.
"I am a little experienced at centre-back. I played there for one year for
Anderlecht, including six games in the Champions League, so it's not a new
position for me. "Centre-back is a crucial position because you need to
concentrate all the time. If you lose one ball, it is very dangerous for the
team. You have to concentrate, play simple and keep a clean sheet if you can
- that's the aim for a defender.
"Tomkins is a good player, he is a very good defender. He makes it very easy
for me to play with him because he is helping me and talking to me all the
time."
While Kouyate's primary role will be to stop West Brom, he will also be
looking to make his mark at the attacking end of the pitch, having scored
twice in his last four West Ham appearances. After netting a header against
Arsenal and a right-foot volley against Manchester United, can he complete a
perfect hat-trick against the Baggies? "Ha! My left foot is very average! I
scored one time with my left foot in Belgium, but all things are possible in
football, so wait and see!" Perhaps more likely is a goal from Kouyate's
compatriot and close friend Diafra Sakho, who has ten to his name in just 18
appearances this season. "Diafra Sakho is a score-boy! He is Diafra-goal!
This guy is crazy, he is very hungry and all the time he sees the goal. All
the time he comes to me and says 'Cheik, tomorrow I'm scoring a goal' and
this guy is unbelievable and this guy is fantastic."
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Phillips targeting Villa victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s coach Mark Phillips is looking to beat Aston Villa on
Saturday
13.02.2015
West Ham United U18 coach Mark Phillips is looking ahead to Saturday's game
away at Aston Villa as the Hammers look to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat
last weekend by Fulham. After a slow start, the Academy side found
themselves 2-0 down and despite a much improved second half, left themselves
too much to do. Speaking ahead of Saturday's game with the Villains,
Phillips said: "Aston Villa will be a tough game, unfortunately they beat us
3-1 earlier in the season. They came to Little Heath and played pretty well.
"They're currently second in the league so it will be a tough game. We want
to bounce back after losing to Fulham last weekend. It was disappointing to
lose but I thought overall we played well. We had a lot of school boys
playing for us and I thought they did well."
With just three league games left of the season until the play offs,
Phillips is targeting a top four finish for the U18s. Currently fourth in
the Barclays U18 Premier League South Division, with 28 points from 19
games, they are on course to do just that. "We want to finish in the top
four for the play offs. Finishing in the top four is much more prestigious
and would be a harder test for the players which is exactly what we want.
"If we do get into the top four we'll play the likes Manchester United,
Manchester City and Everton, so that would be great."
With the Development Squad not in action for a few weeks, Phillips suggested
a number of those who were involved in the impressive 2-1 win over Fulham
last Friday at Rush Green would feature for the U18s this weekend. "We will
be utilising all the players we have available, including the players who
were involved with the U21s successfully last week. "They really played
well, it was an excellent performance from start to finish, by everyone.
Fulham had two experienced professionals in their side, a 27 and 28-year-old
whereas our team was predominantly youth team players. "It undoubtedly helps
that they have grown together for a number of years. I think almost everyone
playing against Fulham last week played in the youth cup last year. There's
a good team spirit and camaraderie and I think it showed on the pitch.
"After the U21s won on Friday, Neil McDonald came into the dressing room and
said with the first team in a secure position they hope to give younger
players a go before the end of the season. That's a great incentive for all
of the players."
Some of the youth players have already made that step as Reece Oxford, Reece
Burke and Elliot Lee were al on the bench for the Hammers' draw away at
Southampton. "It's a very proud moment for everyone when you see youth
players involved with the first team. It was fantastic to see all three on
the bench. It's a shame they didn't get on but the circumstances of the game
didn't allow it really."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom v West Ham
KO 12:45
13 February 2015
Last updated at 15:32
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Saturday, 14 February Kick-off: 12:45 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score
and Match of the Day
West Brom will have Chris Brunt as captain for the FA Cup fifth-round tie
with West Ham as midfielder Darren Fletcher is cup tied. Striker Victor
Anichebe is a doubt with a groin strain, but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill may play
after a finger injury.
Midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble could return for West Ham after
missing the goalless draw with Southampton. Nolan had a foot injury while
Noble had a virus. Striker Andy Carroll is likely to miss the rest of the
season.
West Brom have beaten Gateshead and Birmingham City to reach the fifth
round.
Lawro's prediction : "I hope this is an open game where both sides go for
it. It will be close, though. They are both in decent form - West Brom have
only lost one of their last eight games, and for West Ham it is one defeat
in nine." The Baggies are four points above the relegation zone but manager
Tony Pulis is keen to steer the club to Wembley. "We are a couple of games
from Wembley with the semi-finals staged there," he said. "If we can get
through this challenge and get a favourable draw...who knows what might be
ahead? "It is the excitement of the cup and I know this club has a great
history in the competition."
West Ham, have overcome Everton and Bristol City in this season's FA Cup,
and boss Sam Allardyce is also targeting a run to Wembley.
"We're safe in the league so we can really concentrate on doing well in the
cup," he said.
MATCH FACTS
This is the sixth time these sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup,
with West Ham progressing four times and West Brom just once previously.
West Brom have won the trophy on five occasions, though not since 1968.
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis guided Stoke to the final in 2011, where
they were beaten by Manchester City.
West Ham won the FA Cup three times, though not since 1980. They were more
recently beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final in
Cardiff.
West Ham beat West Brom in the Third Round on their way to their last FA Cup
trophy in 1980.
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We need to replace Carroll, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan revealed tonight that West Ham are in the hunt for another
striker following the news that Andy Carroll will miss the rest of the
season. The club confirmed on Friday that the injury sustained by the
26-year-old against Southampton in midweek would rule him out for the rest
of the campaign. And co-owner Sullivan told LBC's Iain Dale tonight that he
was exploring all avenues as he seeks to redress that imbalance. The
66-year-old also confirmed that West Ham had agreed to pay the London living
wage - following a request last year from the capital's mayor, Boris
Johnson. "We said to him at the time that if we survive in the Premier
League, we will pay it. We're now in a position where we're virtually
certain to survive - and hopefully do a lot better - so we've announced
today that we're going to do it.
"The problem with football is that all the money goes to the players and the
agents. But we think as a company we can afford to pay the living wage and
it's something I strongly support. "It's very difficult for people in London
and it's right that should earn more than the minimum wage. It might work if
you live in Accrington - it doesn't work if you live in London or Essex."
The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, insisted 48 hours
earlier that it is not his organisation's responsibility to ensure member
clubs pay their staff a living wage. "At the end of the day there's a thing
called the living wage but there's also a minimum wage," he said.
"Politicians have the power to up that minimum wage. That's entirely for the
politicians to do; that's not for us to do." West Ham are the second Premier
League club to commit to paying the living wage, following on from Chelsea's
lead.
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#justiceforjeff
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham supporters travelling to the Midlands tomorrow are being asked to
join Albion fans in a round of applause in memory of Baggies legend Jeff
Astle. The former England striker died aged just 59 in 2002 as a result of
head injuries sustained by heading heavy footballs during his career, which
spanned nearly 20 years. Since then, Astle's family have been campaigning to
raise awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition
commonly seen in former boxers who suffered serial blows to the head.
Tomorrow, during West Ham's 5th Round FA Cup tie at the Hawthorns, West Brom
fans will play their part by staging a round of applause for ex-centre
froward Astle in the ninth minute. And KUMB have been asked to raise
awareness of the momentary applause by Claire Astle, Jeff's daughter who
runs the #justiceforjeff campaign.
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Boo! West Ham charged for Soton spat
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th February 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been charged for failing to control their players during
Wednesday night's goalless draw with Southampton. The FA - who also
confirmed that Adrian's red card had been overturned - announced that West
Ham have five days to respond to the charge, which appears to be the result
of a melee that occurred at the time of the goalkeeper's sending off. "West
Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute of
this game", read an FA statement.
"The club have until 6pm on 18 February 2015 to respond to the charge."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom and West Ham eyeing FA Cup glory at the Hawthorns
Last Updated: 14/02/15 6:22am
SSN
West Bromwich Albion entertain West Ham United in the FA Cup fifth round at
The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in a meeting of two clubs who have won
the competition eight times between them. However, with the home side's last
triumph coming way back in 1968, and the visitors' in 1980, this tie
represents a great opportunity for both to move a step closer to getting
their hands on the famous old trophy. West Brom will be confident of
advancing to what would be a first quarter-final appearance since 2008 after
losing just once in seven games in all competitions since Tony Pulis took
charge on January 1. Sam Allardyce's team won 2-1 at the Hawthorns when the
two met in the league in December, while West Ham also beat the Baggies on
the way to winning the cup 35 years ago.
Team news
West Brom striker Victor Anichebe will have a late fitness test after
missing Wednesday's win over Swansea with a groin problem, but both
midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring) and defender Jonas Olsson (calf) are
absent through injury and captain Darren Fletcher is cup-tied.
Meanwhile, West Ham frontman Andy Carroll has been ruled out for between
four and six weeks after tearing a medial ligament in his knee at
Southampton in midweek, although goalkeeper Adrian features after having his
red card in that match overturned. But Allardyce will also be without
centre-backs Winston Reid and James Collins with hamstring problems, while
midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble (illness), as well as right-back Guy
Demel, all face late fitness tests.
Sky Bet make West Brom 7/5 favourites for the victory with West Ham 19/10 to
progress in 90 minutes. However, with the draw a 23/10 chance, the Hammers
are actually just 5/6 to book their place in the quarter-finals, be it on
Saturday or via a replay.
Saido Berahino is the 5/1 favourite to score first followed by Brown Ideye
(11/2), while Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are considered the visitors'
biggest threats at 6/1 apiece.
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West Brom boss Tony Pulis says no hard feelings with West Ham over Carlton
Cole
Last Updated: 13/02/15 11:31pm
SSN
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has revealed clear-the-air talks were held
between West Ham chairman David Sullivan and Baggies counterpart Jeremy
Peace following the recent collapse of a deal for Carlton Cole. Cole was
poised to join Albion on transfer deadline day having agreed terms and
passed a medical, with the Hammers in turn ready to tie up a deal for
Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor. But as that deal fell through at the last
minute, so West Ham pulled the plug on Cole's move to the Hawthorns. Less
than two weeks later, Cole is now likely to figure for West Ham in
Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie. Pulis said: "That's the way it spins at
times. There was never a deal to be done unless West Ham agreed to it, which
was right through to the last minutes of the negotiations. "West Ham had
said right from the start - they were very up front and very honest - they
had to bring someone in before they would let Carlton go, and we understood
that. Both clubs thought it was going to be done at one stage, but it
wasn't, which is no fault of West Ham's whatsoever.
Player Profile
Carlton Cole
Appearances 5 (10)
Goals 3
Assists 0
Yellows 2
Reds 0
"David Sullivan even called our chairman (Peace) and spoke to him, and that
shows you how disappointed both parties were. "But there was never any
secret as to what the situation was. If they (West Ham) had brought someone
in Carlton would have been available. "If they didn't he was going back,
which was made clear, so that was fine. I've always thought he's a good
player who gives you different options. On his day he's a handful, whilst
his goalscoring record - when he plays - is decent. For us, he would have
been different to what we have."
Sam Allardyce may have been ready to sell Cole last month but now he is
backing the former Chelsea striker to make his mark in claret and blue -
particularly in light of Andy Carroll's injury setback. Cole is out of
contract in the summer but he started Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at
Southampton and is expected to be handed another start in this Cup tie.
"He's a very important player for us," said the West Ham manager. "Certainly
he comes more into focus now that Andy is out for a few weeks as well. "The
fact he is there for us, he has never let us down. If needed on Saturday,
hopefully he comes up with the goal. that would be very nice for us and him.
"His character is such that he loves training and he loves football. He is a
very pleasant, very bubbly character and he is one of those lads that
doesn't throw the toys out of the pram for too long. He comes in and enjoys
his life, enjoys training, enjoys playing football. He had a big
disappointment but he hasn't let that affect him too much, which I'm very
pleased about."
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West Ham admit Andy Carroll's season ending knee injury is "a huge blow" to
their ambitions
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis, Neil McLeman
Luckless England striker who missed the first half of last season and only
began this campaign in November following ankle surgery needs another op
The Mirror
David Sullivan has admitted West Ham have been left reeling by the news Andy
Carroll is out for the rest of the season. England striker Carroll will have
a knee operation on Tuesday after picking up an injury in Wednesday's 0-0
draw at Southampton. Chairman Sullivan said: "It's a huge blow for Andy and
a huge blow for us. He is a fantastic player who has proven to us just how
important he is since he has come back into the team. "We know that he will
come back stronger from this and we are continuing to support him." Carroll,
who will have the surgery in London, is understood to be "devastated" at the
news. The setback is the FIFTH major injury for the luckless frontman - West
Ham's record signing at £15.5million - in his two and a half years at the
east London club. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "It is a big blow for him
and it is a big blow for us. It is traumatic when someone is going through a
period where you overcome one injury and another occurs. "It is very
depressing for Andy but he knows the process and he has to be very strong in
terms of overcoming this injury and coming back as quickly as possible. "He
just have to do what he has been doing far too often. He has to get his head
down and focus on recovery."
The Hammers are now even more annoyed that Spurs frustrated their bid to
take Emmanuel Adebayor on loan on transfer deadline night earlier this
month. To rub salt into the wound, Adebayor has been left out of the last
two Tottenham squads as the club look to freeze him out.
Carroll, 26, damaged his left knee on Wednesday in a clash with Saints
defender Maya Yoshida but had to play on because West Ham had used all their
substitutes. It is felt, however, that the damage had already been done by
them. It is particularly galling for West Ham - away to West Brom on
Saturday in the fifth round of the FA Cup - and the player, as Carroll only
started his season in November after being sidelined for four months
following ankle ligament surgery last July. This new blow means he will fail
to make 15 starts for the Hammers for the second season running, since being
bought from Liverpool. Carroll managed just 13 last year and his season been
cut short prematurely this term with just 14. Only once in his
injury-plagued nine seasons as a professional has Carroll managed more than
30 starts - in 2009-10, when he racked up 35 during Newcastle's
Championship-winning campaign.
* WEST HAM goalkeeper Adrian has had a one-match ban overturned following
his dismissal in the Southampton match.
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West Ham's Darren Fletcher transfer interest sparked pay-scale grumbling
among their players
22:30, 13 February 2015 By Darren Lewis
Midfielder who ended up joining West Brom from Man United would have become
the Hammers' second highest earner after Andy Carroll on £75k a week
The Mirror
West Ham players believe the club were right to pull the plug on their
£75,000-a-week move for Darren Fletcher. Midfielder Fletcher, 32, joined
West Brom on Deadline Day after the Hammers ended their interest two days
previously. Fletcher went on to help the Baggies come from 2-0 down to earn
a point at Burnley last Sunday. West Ham wanted to back boss Sam Allardyce
with the ex-Manchester United midfielder.
They felt the respected Fletcher - who lifted five titles at Old Trafford -
would have brought even more quality to the squad. But Mirror Sport has
learned some Hammers stars were shocked by the proposed package for the
Scotland international who made just five starts for United since Louis van
Gaal took over last summer. Talks between Fletcher - who has recovered from
ulcerative colitis - and West Ham broke down after the east Londoners
decided against a permanent deal and opted for a loan instead. The player's
Upton Park salary would have made him the club's second-highest earner
behind £100,000-a-week Andy Carroll. The Irons' star defender Winston Reid
is on just £25,000-a-week and has so far been unable to agree a new deal at
the club with less than six months of his contract left to run. Fletcher's
earnings would also have been more than vice-captain Mark Noble, who is on
£40,000-a-week.
Skipper Kevin Nolan is on £50,000-a-week, the same as in-form Stewart
Downing - among the most improved players in the Premier League this season.
While there is no animosity felt towards Fletcher whatsoever, some players
felt the expenditure was not justified when they have worked hard to keep
the club in contention for a shock European place. Before the West Ham move
fell through over the weekend, the impending deal - and the implications for
the other players - had been the talk of the squad as they travelled up to
Merseyside for their Premier League game at Liverpool. Meanwhile, Mirror
Sport understands West Ham failed in audacious deadline day moves for Paris
Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marseille hitman Andre Pierre
Gignac as they searched for alternatives to Emmanuel Adebayor. As we
revealed on deadline day, Spurs blocked the Hammers' attempt to take
Adebayor on loan for the rest of the season as they did not want to
subsidise his wages.West Ham instead tried for 29-year-old Lavezzi,
disciplined and frozen out at PSG for missing a winter training camp. The
Argentinian, however, rejected the move. France international Gignac has
been in fine form this season with 14 goals in 23 appearances for Marseille.
He is out of contract in the summer, but he too decided to stay with his
club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Brom's Pulis warns West Ham boss Allardyce: We're BOTH stuck with
long-ball merchant tag
22:30, 13 February 2015 By James Nursey
The Baggies' former Stoke boss hasn't shaken a reputation for route-one
football and feels his FA Cup fifth round opponent is in the same boat
The Mirror
Tony Pulis has warned Sam Allardyce he will NEVER shake off his reputation
form playing direct football. Dutchman Louis Van Gaal bristled at West Ham
boss Allardyce's description of his Manchester United side as "long-ball"
and produced a dossier in rsponse. And ahead of Saturday's FA Cup visit from
Big Sam's Hammers, West Brom manager Pulis - who hasn't been able to lose
the route-one merchant label he acquired in his days at Stoke - insisted:
"Perception is a big thing and the perception will always be there with Sam.
I don't think you lose that. "But I don't think Sam takes it personally now.
He can't at his age, or can he? You get on with it. It is my life and
football is Sam's life as well and Van Gaal's life. "I don't know what has
happened between the two of them, I will let them get on with it. "It is not
a long ball when Manchester United play it, it is a long pass. I watched a
bit of the game and the last 20 minutes Manchester United brought on
Marouane Fellaini and they looked as though they did hit some long balls
into him. "Whether it is long balls or long passes, both teams have
tremendous ability – West Ham and Manchester United. Football is a game of
which there are variations and there should be variations in systems and the
people play. "I have watched West Ham on tape this morning and they play
some fantastic football. They move the ball back through midfield and up to
their strikers and play some good football. "They have some outstanding
players. Stewart Downing is having an outstanding season and has really made
them tick."
The Hammers are eighth in the Premier League and West Brom 14th. Pulis
added: "We know how tough it will be. When the draw was made it was lovely
to play at home but we knew West Ham would be one of the toughest games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce presented with Louis van Gaal's dossier - but insists he's
moved on from long-ball row
13:03, 13 February 2015 By James Whaling
The Hammers chief held his media briefing ahead of their clash with West
Brom tomorrow, but said there was 'no point' in going further into the
matter
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce was presented with Louis van Gaal's long-ball dossier at his
press conference this morning, but insists he has moved on from the row.
Allardyce accused the Red Devils of snatching a late point off his side by
using a direct style of play, a jibe which clearly hit a nerve with the
Dutchman, who compiled a four-page document for journalists at his press
conference earlier this week. A reporter handed Allardyce the sheets at his
media briefing today, but the 60-year-old Irons boss was reluctant to go
over old ground. "I shall have a look at that when I get the opportunity,"
said Allardyce. "Thank you very much. "I don't think there's any point in me
going into it again, it is what it is and he's made of it what he's made of
it. "I said what I saw on the day but we've moved on – we've played another
Premier League game since then and the focus for us now is on the FA Cup and
trying to progress to the next round."
Van Gaal had requested at his news conference before the Burnley game
earlier this week that the document be given to Allardyce today.
He said: "When a colleague of mine is saying this kind of thing, then you
have to see the data and you have to put the data in the right context, I
believe. "So I give you this, you can see this also. I give it to you and
maybe you can go Big Sam and show it to him." The Hammers take on West Brom
in the FA Cup tomorrow, while United travel to Preston on Monday evening.
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Sullivan: "We are looking for a striker"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan has admitted the club is hunting for an out of contract
striker to provide additional cover following Andy Carroll's season ending
knee injury. With only Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole
available the Irons will be looking at what's available among the out of
contract players. He has not given any names but admitted in an interview
this evening on LBC that the club was now actively looking for a players.
Mauro Zarate is unable to return from Queens Park Rangers where he is on
loan until the end of the season and with Diafra Sakho suffering a recurring
back injury, the situation could get difficult. Sullivan – speaking of
Carroll's injury – said: "That's football. You have to cope with it. We are
looking for a striker as cover now."
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Gold: Irons have an edge on West Brom
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold believes the Irons will be in a totally different place mentally
to West Brom when the two sides clash at the Hawthorns in the fifth round FA
Cup clash. The co chairman believes the club's points total frees them
completely to concentrate on the job in hand rather than worry about league
position. But he believes the same is most certainly not true of Tony Pulis'
Baggies who may still be worrying about staying out of the relegation
places. Gold told ClaretandHugh: "We are really up for the Cup this year and
can give it 100 per cent concentration. The same may not be true of Tony
Pulis and who will surely be looking over his shoulder. "We have the luxury
of knowing we are safe and that should give us a big psychological
advantage. If we drop a couple of points it is no where near as big a deal
as West Brom doing the same. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to
advance on Wembley. I want to finish the tie up there but if not we have no
worries about bringing them back under the Upton Park lights for a replay."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce confirms Diarra problem
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh
Sam Allardyce looks ready to move in on Lassana Diarra again at the end of
the season…and blames himself for wasting time trying to sign him over the
last three weeks. ClaretandHugh revealed exclusively earlier this week that
the player and his club Moscow Lokomoitiv had unresolved financial issues to
be solved before the player was free to move on. And with Fifa still
probing the situation it was never likely to be possible for the player to
move to Upton Park, Allardyce came close to confirming all of that in his
London Evening Standard column today saying: "The fact we couldn't get the
Lassana Diarra deal across the line was probably more my fault than his. "I
thought it was a simple contract cancellation – but it wasn't as
straightforward as that. Maybe I should have investigated the circumstances
more thoroughly before we negotiated for more than three weeks. "It turned
out it wasn't a mutual contract cancellation between Lassana and his
previous club, Lokomotiv Moscow, and didn't fulfil the Fifa criteria on
signing players outside the transfer window."
Now the player will clearly be a target in the summer for as again revealed
by this site he enters the last year of his contract with the Moscow club
and can walk away if he chooses under Fifa rules. However, the Irons boss
intimated that he could resurrect a deal for Diarra at the end of the
season, when he is expected to be available free of hassle. Allardyce said:
"We may well return to him in the summer. Lassana is a fine player who needs
to resurrect his career and re-establish himself as the player he used to
be.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham charged by the FA
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure that its players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 61st minute
against Southampton at St Marys on Wednesday 11th February. The standard
fine for this offence is £20,000 if the club admit breaching FA Rules in
relation to player conduct. West Ham and Everton were each fined £20,000
after the clubs admitted breaching FA Rules in relation to player conduct
back in November last year. The club have until 6pm on 18th February 2015 to
respond to the charge.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll saga – is this a problem too far?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 13, 2015 in Whispers
Calret & Hugh
It's seriously hard to work out where the Andy Carroll/West Ham saga goes
next. The big striker's injury problems have taken on "Shakespearian
tragedy" proportions with the facts reading:
Transfer fee: £17.5 million appx
0 2014-15: 16 played – five goals
O 2013-14: 16 played – two goals
The club have just revealed he's out for the rest of the seas picking up an
entirely new injury to his knee with David Gold wondering in an interview on
this site just how unlucky can one guy be? I take absolutely no pleasure
from player injuries. However, this again represents an opportunity to team
up what many believe is our best partnership – Diafra Sakho and Enner
Valencia – but there is a big worry.
With Sakho's back a problem – and I understand there are some out there that
are cynical – what happens now in the event of an injury to one of the other
of them?
Sam Allardyce appeared to have the Carroll dilemma nailed early doors when
explaining that the player goes into too many risky challenges
Here's what he said only in December: "I have said I want him to be careful
with the way he goes in at times but ultimately it will be Andy who makes
that decision. You have to remember that although Andy has been around for a
few years, sadly too much of the time he's been on the treatment table.
You're not gaining the experience if you're injured."
Less than two months later the big fella is back on the same treatment table
and there are deep concerns within the club. With four months left on
Carlton Cole's contract there are big decisions to be made on the Carroll
cover position – does the club's long time servant get a new deal or do the
club invest decent money in a new long term target man?
The other two major questions in all of this is whether we will need such a
player should Sam Allardyce not be offered a new deal and whether the club
should cash in on Carroll should they be offered let's say £7 million or
above. The other alternatives are to stick with him or pay up his contract
and start again. I want to make it crystal clear that all my sympathies are
with Andy Carroll who has suffered more than enough but the imponderables
build relentlessly For me, it's too early to say but we have great respect
for our readers on this site and throw it open to every one of you such is
the importance of the issue.
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