Preview - Leicester City
WHUFC.com
In brief
West Ham United travel to Leicester City on Saturday to face a team who find
themselves at the wrong end of the table. Having beaten Sunderland 1-0 in
their last game before the international break, the Hammers will be looking
to keep the momentum going by picking up three valuable points.
Sam Allardyce's men are currently ninth in the Barclays Premier League and
are on course for the highest points total since they were promoted back to
top flight status in 2012.
Nigel Pearson's Leicester have struggled to pick up points this season
despite some impressive performances. Currently propping up the league with
19 points from 29 games, they nonetheless showed great fight against
Tottenham Hotspur in their recent 4-3 defeat and were unlucky to come away
from White Hart Lane empty handed.
Earlier in the season, West Ham recorded a 2-0 win over Leicester at the
Boleyn Ground courtesy of goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.
Who are they?
Created in 1884, originally known as Leicester Fosse, they won their first
ever game 5-0 against Syston Fosse on 1 November 1884. In 1890 they competed
in the FA Cup for the first time, losing 4-0 to Burton Wanderers. Fosse
joined the Football League in 1894.
The Foxes won their one and only league title way back in the 1928/29
season, however they have had more success in the FA Cup winning it four
times – 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969.
More recently, the Foxes' silverware has come in the League Cup, winning
that competition in 1997 and 2000 as well as being runners up in 1999.
Having being relegated from the Premier League in the 2003/04 season they
are back in the top flight after a decade away.
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers are boosted by the return of defensive rock Winston Reid. The
New Zealand international could go straight into the starting XI having been
out of action for a month following an injury picked up against Chelsea.
Enner Valencia's laceration in his big toe has healed and he started to
train in his boots again on an individual basis on Monday. Valencia is
unlikely to feature on Saturday but he could be back for next weekend's tie
with Stoke City.
James Tomkins and Doneil Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from
shoulder and hamstring surgery.
Leicester City
Leicester's chances of survival are boosted by a relatively clean bill of
health. The only absentees for Pearson's side are former hammer Matthew
Upson and Dean Hammond. Both are suffering calf injuries.
Referee
Saturday's match referee is Mark Clattenburg. The Durham based official made
his Premier League debut in 2004. Eleven years on, the FIFA accredited
referee has taken charge of 232 games, dishing out 767 yellow and 38 red
cards.
This season Clattenburg has refereed three West Ham games – the 3-1 victory
away at Crystal Palace, the 2-1 defeat by Everton and the 1-1 draw with
Manchester United.
In addition, the 40-year-old has taken just the one Leicester game – their
famous 5-3 win over Manchester United.
One to Watch
West Ham United
James Collins
The central defender is likely to continue to hold the fort in defence as
Big Sam has to decide whether to stick with Cheikhou Kouyate or welcome back
Winston Reid.
The 31-year-old centre back has been in great form this season, particularly
in recent games. Having played in Wales' 3-0 win over Israel he will looking
to continue his collection of successive clean sheets, having played a key
role in the 1-0 over Sunderland.
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy
The 28-year-old striker may have only scored twice this season however his
blistering pace and impressive work rate could prove to be a handful on
Saturday afternoon.
Vardy played a key role in getting the Foxes promoted last season, scoring
16 goals in 41 appearances.
The striker has had an intriguing career path, only turning professional in
2011 when playing for Fleetwood Town. Four years later he's playing in the
Premier League. Having scored against Tottenham last time out he'll want to
get on the scoresheet again.
Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's game have all SOLD OUT.
Travel
For all travel information on getting to the King Power Stadium click here.
For fans travelling by public transport, there is a good train service from
London St Pancras International, with journey times of little over an hour
both ways. Click here for the National Rail website to book trains.
Weather
A cloudy day with sunny intervals is expected on Saturday, with temperatures
of 9C (48F) at kick-off.
Last away meeting
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
Championship
Saturday 23 April 2012
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Konchesky, Bamba, Morgan, King (St
Ledger 46), Drinkwater, Wellens (Dyer 22), Marshall, Beckford, Nugent
(Waghorn 65)
Subs: Howard, Vassell
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 76), Nolan, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Taylor, Noble, O'Neil, C Cole (D Collins 81), Vaz Te
Subs: Diop, Baldock
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Big Sam on: Leicester City
WHUFC.com
Big Sam faced the media ahead of Saturday's game with Leicester City. The
West Ham United manager answered questions on Winston Reid's fitness, the
difficulties that Leicester will pose and keeping players focused for the
last part of the season.
Good afternoon Sam, what have you been up to over the last fortnight?
SA: "We've been looking after the players mainly, they've had a bit of time
off to spend with family and friends. We were waiting on one or two players
to come back from international duty and thankfully they've all come back
fit and ready, Cheikhou was the last one to come back.
"Winston is back in full training, in the end he didn't go on the New
Zealand trip because he hasn't played for a while. It's been good for him
because he has been able to work on his fitness rather than do all that
travelling.
"I don't think Enner Valencia will make it for Saturday but he is back in
light training which is good. Apart from that we are all fit and ready for a
very difficult game away at Leicester."
How far away is Winston would you say?
SA: "He's OK now, he's in full training. He'll be available for selection,
he's had seven or so days of full training. He might be a bit short of match
sharpness but it's obviously great to have him back."
After beating Sunderland, do you think the international break came at a bad
time?
SA: "No, not really. We wouldn't have had Winston fit or Enner available so
now we're in a stronger position than we would have been if we had had a
game last weekend."
With eight games to go, are you still hoping for a European spot or looking
to consolidate a top ten spot?
SA: "Looking at the table, it's very tight between eighth and tenth. We have
a reasonable run in, some games are certainly more winnable than others. No
game is ever easy, Burnley beating Manchester City showed how difficult it
is.
"I thought Leicester did enough to get something from the Tottenham game, it
just hinged on a decision that went against them. For us, it's about getting
as many points as possible, hopefully we'll build on our win over Sunderland
last time out."
Leicester are bottom, but if you look at their results, they've haven't been
turned over by anybody, they've always been pretty close games, haven't
they?
SA: "Nigel must be pulling his hair out and thinking why haven't we got more
points that we do. On occasion, they've been good enough to win or score but
not quite managed to do so. At this level you get punished for that.
"It's a result business and they haven't gone as well as the performances
merit. At this stage of the season teams at the bottom can go on a good run,
last year it was Sunderland. We've got to make sure that doesn't happen
against us."
Leicester are eight games without a win, before the win over Sunderland you
were on a similar run, can you sympathise with Nigel Pearson?
SA: "Absolutely, our performances in that run we're some of the best we've
had this season. We know what to expect, Leicester will be up for it and I
think they've got great hope that they stay up. It's happened before, Alan
Curbishley did it here a few years ago. I did it at Bolton early on,
Sunderland did it last year, Roy Hodgson did it at Fulham. When you're
fighting for Premier league survival it can bring out the best in players."
Nigel Pearson has been under a lot of scrutiny this season, how do you think
he's handled that?
SA: "I think he's done OK. He's his own man with his own methods, he
believes in what he's doing. Like everyone under pressure he said one or two
things but that's normal, football managers are only human.
"In general he's done an unbelievable job as a manager, not just at
Leicester, but overall. They'll be disappointed about where they are but
they'll be happy with their performances."
How do you make sure that players remain focused for the last part of the
season?
SA: "It is a concern as a manager because you can't afford to switch off the
gas, no matter where you are in the table. We have to create as much revenue
as possible and it's about a £1 million more per place you finish so each
position does what a difference."
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Jarvis keen to build momentum
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis and his West Ham United teammates are desperate to build on
victory over Sunderland when they take on Leicester City on Saturday. The
Hammers ended an eight-game wait for victory with that success against the
Black Cats and, with a trip to bottom-of-the-table Leicester next on the
agenda, three points is the aim once again. Jarvis has had to be patient
this season with appearances limited, but having started the last two
fixtures, is keen to help out again. He said: "It was a massive win against
Sunderland. We needed to get some points on the board, particularly at home
with the fans behind us and hopefully it's the start of a good run. "The aim
is to get back to the sort of form we were showing at the start of the
season. Other than Man City, everyone else we're playing is below us, but
that will be tough too because those teams will be fighting. "It will be a
tough end to the season but one that we'll be looking to pick up a lot of
points from to push us right up the league again. "The manager was
disappointed with results up to the Sunderland game, not picking up as many
points as we should have done, but it was about staying positive, keep
trying to do the basics. We did that against Sunderland and picked up the
three points, now we need to carry that on. "Leicester will be looking to
have a fast start and get the crowd up. They need to go for it so we know it
will be an extremely tough game. "They work hard as a team and create a lot
of opportunities. They've shown their quality in parts of games but you get
punished in the Premier League and that's what's happened to them."
Jarvis is happy to have been given his chance in the starting XI, but knows
how intense competition for places is at the Boleyn Ground.
He added: "We've got a fantastic squad and we have been playing well this
season so it's nice to get back in and play the last two games. Hopefully it
continues. "The thing about having a great squad is that it gives the
manager a headache and it pushes everyone else. That's why I'm sure we're
doing well this season."
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On this day - 4 April
WHUFC.com
Anniversary
Name: Samassi Abou
Born: 4 April 1973, Gagnoa, Ivory Coast
Clubs: FC Martigues, Olympique Lyonnais, AS Cannes, West Ham United, Ipswich
Town (loan), Walsall (loan), Troyes (loan), Kilmarnock (loan), AC Ajaccio,
FC Lorient
Ivorian striker Samassi Abou is today celebrating his 42st birthday. He
spent three years as a Hammer between 1997 and 2000, although his
involvement with the first team was largely restricted to the first of those
campaigns. He netted six goals for the club in the 1997/98 season, including
two in the final day 4-3 Premier League victory over Leicester City at the
Boleyn Ground. Abou was loaned out to Ipswich the following campaign, then
Walsall, Troyes and Kilmarnock before returning to France - the country
where he spent the majority of his career. Prior to his spell with the
Hammers, Abou turned out for Martigues, Olympique Lyonnais and Cannes, then
his career closed with spells at Ajaccio and Lorient. In total, he played 31
games for West Ham, scoring six goals.
Classic match
Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 West Ham United
Premier League
4 April 1994
The Hammers gained sweet revenge for a 3-1 defeat suffered to Tottenham
Hotspur earlier in the 1993/94 season with a fine 4-1 victory in the return
fixture at White Hart Lane on this day 21 years ago.
Teddy Sheringham, who would go on to feature for the Hammers, notched from
the spot for the home side, but his strike was to count for little as West
Ham swept their hosts aside with a display of goalscoring power.
Trevor Morley scored twice, including a penalty of his own, while the other
goals came from Mike Marsh - who will be on the bench against Liverpool on
Sunday as the Reds' first-team coach - and substitute Steve Jones.
The thumping victory helped Harry Redknapp's side finish above Spurs in the
table, as the Hammers ended in 13th place with 52 points - two positions and
seven points clear of the north Londoners.
Complete record - 4 April
1925 West Ham United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1931 Leicester City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1936 West Ham United 0-0 Fulham (Division Two)
1947 Bury 4-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 Swansea Town 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1958 West Ham United 3-1 Notts County (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 3-2 Everton (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 2-4 Bolton Wanderers (Division One)
1967 West Ham United 0-2 Sheffield United (Division One)
1970 Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1972 Stoke City 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1977 Queens Park Rangers 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 West Ham United 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Division Two)
1988 West Ham United 0-0 Everton (Division One)
1990 West Bromwich Albion 1-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1992 Chelsea 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1994 Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 West Ham United (Premier League)
1998 Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2009 West Ham United 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
2010 Everton 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 20, Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 7, Scored 27, Conceded 29
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
I'm just back from playing three friendlies with the Uruguay U20s and it was
a good experience. I was a bit nervous about meeting a completely new group
but everything went well and all the lads were great with me.
There were three games and we didn't get the results we wanted but at the
end of the day it was about trying some new players ahead of the U20 World
Cup in the summer.
Most of the boys knew each other because they'd been part of all the ages
growing up but for players like me and a few others it was new, so it was
good to bring the whole group together.
The World Cup is an aim for me. As soon as I heard that I could play in
these friendlies it became one, but it's early days, there's still a way to
go.
It was a tough decision to take to play for Uruguay over England. It was a
new group for me to join, whereas with England I knew a lot of the players,
growing up with them and playing against them.
England is England and I've grown up here as well, but lately, in the last
year or so, I've said to both of them that I'd rather stay away until I made
the decision, and now I've decided to play for Uruguay.
We're now preparing for Leicester and it's a good game for us. They
obviously need the points as well but we can go there and hurt them if we
play to what we're capable of.
With the international break, most players are back fit so it might push me
back a bit, but being part of the group and just travelling with the boys in
my first season here Is more than enough for me. I'm very happy.
I'm very calm. I knew it was going to be a lot harder as soon as I joined
West Ham last summer, and I'm calm about things. I've got to learn my trade,
learn from the players who play week-in, week-out and see what the league's
about.
Hopefully in the future I'll get my chance and then can stay in the team.
Diego
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Leicester v West Ham
KO 15:00
3 April 2015
Last updated at 13:09
By Alistair Mann
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: King Power Stadium Date: Saturday, 4 April
TEAM NEWS
Leicester will be without injured pair Matthew Upson and Dean Hammond, while
Jeff Schlupp will be assessed after playing for Ghana in midweek. Defender
Liam Moore has returned from a loan spell at Brentford. West Ham have
Winston Reid available after a month out with a hamstring injury but Enner
Valencia is unlikely to be rushed back after a toe problem. Forward Andy
Carroll and defenders James Tomkins and Doneil Henry are all still sidelined
by injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
Of all the great footballing escapes that have occurred in recent times,
Sunderland's last season ranks among the most impressive in Premier League
history.
Seven points adrift of safety with just six games left to play, the
suggestion by then-head coach Gus Poyet that "only a miracle" could save
them seemed a realistic assessment.
Twelve months later it's Leicester with the seven-point gap to make up,
ironically with Sunderland the club in their sights.
Lawro's prediction
"Leicester are on the brink and, realistically, it is hard to see them
staying up. Nigel Pearson's side have got 19 points from their first 29
games, and are seven points adrift of safety. I don't know exactly what they
will need from their last nine matches to survive but even if they get
another 19 - which is not going to happen - that still leaves them short of
the magic 40-point mark."
Predictions: Lawro v Phil 'The Power' Taylor
The Black Cats' turnaround is just the kind of example that Nigel Pearson
can quote while others are writing his side off - he could also point to the
fact that they currently have nine games to plot their unlikely route,
rather than just six.
In the hunt for further positives there's no side in the top division with
as many as six home games left, while their three remaining away matches are
against relegation rivals.
In truth, though, the current statistics don't make pleasant reading for
even the most optimistic Foxes fan. Bottom since November, just four wins
all season, they must now realistically find more victories in the remaining
quarter of the campaign than they've managed in the first three quarters of
it.
If they are to defy the odds, this weekend's fixture seems to offer an
opportunity to begin their ascent, with West Ham in almost as poor form. The
Hammers' tally of just six points from a possible 24 recently has left
European qualification well out of reach. They were just four points off the
Champions League places prior to it.
While making predictions at this stage of the campaign can be foolhardy, if
Leicester succumb to their 19th league defeat on Saturday even a miracle may
not be sufficient to prevent their immediate return to the Championship.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Leicester, winning
the last three.
The Foxes' most recent win over West Ham was a 2-1 Premier League triumph in
December 2000.
Leicester
Leicester have the Premier League's worst home record, having taken 11
points from 13 games (W2, D5, L6).
The Foxes are without a home goal in five hours and 15 minutes since Paul
Konchesky's 45th-minute winner against Aston Villa on 10 January.
Nigel Pearson's side have kept only one clean sheet in eight league games
and conceded 15 goals in the process.
Only 30 goals have been scored at the King Power Stadium this season - the
equal fewest, along with Villa Park.
Three of Leicester's four league wins have been by 1-0.
Leonardo Ulloa scored five goals in his first five Premier League
appearances but has since managed only two in 23 appearances.
West Ham
The Hammers have won only twice in their last 13 league games (D5, L6).
They are without an away league victory in seven attempts since beating West
Brom on 2 December (D4, L3),
Sam Allardyce's side have kept only one away clean sheet, the equal-fewest
in the league.
No side has scored more goals in the 15 minutes after half-time than West
Ham, who have scored 11 times.
The Hammers have scored a league-high 15 headed goals, while Diafra Sakho
owns the individual highest tally with five.
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Sam Allardyce wants West Ham to achieve best ever Premier League finish
Last Updated: 03/04/15 3:05pm
SSN
Manager Sam Allardyce insists everyone at West Ham is determined to ensure
the club finishes this season with a flourish. West Ham are ninth in the
Premier League and recorded their first win since January with a 1-0 victory
over Sunderland in their last match before the international break. The
Hammers, who looked in contention to qualify for Europe earlier this season,
travel to bottom club Leicester on Saturday and Allardyce is confident his
players are not in holiday-mode just yet. "It's sometimes a little bit of a
concern for any manager, but the reality is at this level, you cannot switch
off the gas," he said. "You have to be spot on no matter where you are in
the table. There is always emphasis on the size of the financial pot for the
football club. "If we want to get better we have to create more revenue -
and one of the ways is by finishing as high as possible. It's nearly a £1m a
place. That's not in the players mind but in terms of the club's. "For the
players it is a case of finishing the season with the best season we have
had since getting back into Premier League. That is the ultimate goal.
"Having finished better than 10th, finishing with more points, is very
important to us in last few games."
New Zealand centre-back Winston Reid is set to return for West Ham after
missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. James Collins is likely
to partner Reid at the heart of West Ham's defence and the Wales
international has his sights set on a record 8th-place Premier League finish
for The Hammers. "You can't take your foot off the pedal, we want to win
every game left, that's enough of an incentive," he told the club's official
website. "Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table
and that would be a fantastic achievement. We've got three home games left
and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we've been promoted, tenth
is the best we've done so to better that would be great."
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Leicester v West Ham preview: Time running out for Foxes survival bid
Last Updated: 04/04/15 7:16am
SSN
Leicester host West Ham in the Premier League sitting bottom of the table
with just nine games remaining. Nigel Pearson's side are seven points from
safety with a game in hand over their opponents, but are without a win since
January 10, losing six of their last eight games.
West Ham ended a seven-match winless streak in the league by beating
Sunderland 1-0 before the international break, but look consigned to
mid-table, sitting 11 points off seventh place but six points clear of the
bottom half. Sam Allardyce's Hammers won the return game earlier in the
season 2-0, thanks to goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.
Team news
Leicester welcome Liam Moore back to their squad after recalling the England
U21 defender from his loan spell at Brentford, but Dean Hammond (calf) and
Zoumana Bakayogo (knee) are still out.
West Ham have Winston Reid (hamstring) back, although Enner Valencia is not
fit to play as he is still recovering from a toe injury.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Leicester will be tough opposition to
play against as they look to avoid relegation
Opta facts
Leicester have won just one of their last 10 Premier League home matches (W1
D3 L6).
West Ham United are unbeaten in their last seven league games against
Leicester City (W4 D3 L0).
Allardyce's team have won none of their last seven Barclays Premier League
away matches (W0 D4 L3).
After scoring five goals in his first five Premier League appearances for
Leicester City, Leonardo Ulloa has scored only two in his 23 apps since.
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson believes home form will be key to their
survival
Diafra Sakho has scored a league-high five headed goals this season, while
only Graziano Pelle (25) has attempted more headed shots than the Hammer
(23).
Merson's prediction
This is Leicester's cup final. They just have to win. If they don't I think
that will be it and they will be relegated.
With six out of their last nine games at home Pearson's side definitely have
a chance of survival but they must beat West Ham. A draw is just not good.
But, backed by their home support, I think they can get the result they need
and I'm backing them for a 2-1 win against a West Ham side who have just one
win from their last eight in the league.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with SkyBet)
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Hammers get a Foxes warning
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has warned West Ham the Foxes "must make
their move now" if they are to esacape relegation from the Premier League.
The Irons arrive at the King Power Stadium tomorrow as City start bid to
breach a seven-point gap within nine games.
Pearson said: "We have got to win games. Drawing games is not good enough
now. It will be really important for us to remain positive."
Victory could see the hosts move off the bottom of the Premier League for
the first time since November and Pearson said: "I think it would be a big
lift. But we need to keep our focus on what we are doing and not get
involved in the tug of war that people like to ramp up at this stage of the
season. "We are coming up against a West Ham side that is very underrated.
Sam (Allardyce) has done a very good job there, I know him well, and I've
worked with him." "It is always striking the balance between being positive
in a game, and not setting yourself up to be caught out. "We can talk about
staying in touch, but we have got to make a move. We have got to keep our
focus on the fact we cannot affect other results. "It remains a huge
challenge for us, but it is one that I know the players are looking forward
t
"Is the pressure off us? Maybe a little bit. I think the teams we are up
against have a healthy respect for us. I don't think other teams expect an
easy game just because of our league position. There is plenty of fight left
in us."
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Leroy: Lots of brave talk but season looks over
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Let's be 100 per cent up front about it – the Hammers bubbles have been
bursting at a rate of knots and I can't fancy them to beat Leicester City
tomorrow. The season looks all over to me. Of course there will be a lot of
brave talk about finishing with a flourish but once you have hit the sort of
run we have been on, that's what it usually is …TALK! Despite their results
– and they were well unlucky to get beat by Spurs 4-3 – City have been
playing some great stuff. We haven't. And with no Enner Valencia available
it's all gonna be on Diafra Sakho's shoulders again which will be a real
test for the lad – good as he is. City – as Rob Savage said here yesterday –
have nothing to lose and I expect Nigel Pearson to go two- up as the Foxes
go in search of a win and a miracle. As for us, we are playing for pride now
and those players who are close to Sam Allardyce may be concerned for their
futures. I said in a previous piece on the site that players don't care who
the manager is so long as they are playing but those Sam likes may not be if
he's not around next term and that will be preying on their minds. Hugh said
yesterday he'd like to see Nene get a run-out. So would I because whenever
he's appeared he's shown flair and ingenuity. I'm not sure he'll get on of
course but he should – good player. It's all been very disappointing after
such a start to the season and the team have a long way to come to retain
that level of performance. For me tomorrow it looks like 1-1 AT BEST!
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Allardyce: Threatened teams can go on a run!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has warned Hammers fans that whilst the Irons have a
reasonable run-in, Burnley's recent win over Manchester City showed how
difficult life can be. And of our game against Leicester City tomorrow he
said: "It's a result business and they (Leicester) haven't gone as well as
the performances merit. "At this stage of the season teams at the bottom can
go on a good run, last year it was Sunderland. We've got to make sure that
doesn't happen against us." "Looking at the table, it's very tight between
eighth and tenth. We have a reasonable run in, some games are certainly more
winnable than others. No game is ever easy. "Leicester will be up for it and
I think they've got great hope that they stay up. It's happened before, Alan
Curbishley did it here a few years ago. I did it at Bolton early on,
Sunderland did it last year, Roy Hodgson did it at Fulham. When you're
fighting for Premier league survival it can bring out the best in players."
"I thought Leicester did enough to get something from the Tottenham game, it
just hinged on a decision that went against them. For us, it's about getting
as many points as possible, hopefully we'll build on our win over Sunderland
last time out."
And commenting on how to keep the team focused given there's not too much
tpo play for at top or bottom of the table Allardyce said: "It is a concern
as a manager because you can't afford to switch off the gas, no matter where
you are in the table. We have to create as much revenue as possible and it's
about a £1 million more per place you finish so each position does what a
difference."
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Bring the swagger back …and no excuses
Posted by bubbles fanzine on April 3, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Richard Oses
Founder of Bubbles Fanzine Richard tells the Irons to finish with a flourish
as the finishing line comes into sight. Find Bubbles Fanzine
@https://www.facebook.com/bubblesfanzine?
The difficult run is over!
We have all accepted that West Ham were not good enough to pick up a string
of wins against the league's elite. Some would even say we did quite well to
draw against the likes of Man Utd and Spurs.
Whichever way anyone look at it we didn't win enough games, end of story.
So now the Hammers face an easier run of games but Sam Allardyce has already
put the stoppers on high expectations by stating that Leicester are too good
to be relegated and are simply unlucky.
Considering the majority of our remaining fixtures are versus teams fighting
for survival or for honour (Man City away) it leaves us as the only team
with nothing left to play for.
Where exactly does that leave us then? Are the other teams we face set to
put us to the sword because they need the points more?
Do we hold our hands up to the fact that by starting the season in such
spectacular fashion set us up nicely for a top ten finish therefore we can
all look ahead to next season with nothing to fear?
Absolutly not! Not in my books and I trust most certainly not in yours. That
early mentality; whoever we play, whatever the outcome we shall fight till
the bitter end for those three points or die trying needs to come back!
That swagger and confidence displayed by the Hammers is the stuff champions
are made off.
No, I do not think we should have been in the top four, but at the same
time, I think every game is a potentially winnable game if the attitude is
right.
This last month and a half of the Premier League that is left to play should
highlight and showcase how good this side really is and how no matter who we
play or why THEY need the points, we are not here to make up the numbers, we
are here to win!
No more half hearted attempts riddled with excuses please.
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Saturday, April 4
Friday, April 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd April 2015
Valencia back in training
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia is determined to prove he is cut above after returning to
training after severely lacerating his toe in a freak accident.
The Ecuador forward suffered a deep gash when he accidentally stepped on a
shard of a broken toothbrush holder during a night-time trip to the
bathroom. After an emergency visit to hospital to have the wound cleaned and
stitched up and three weeks of healing, Valencia returned to the training
pitch at Chadwell Heath this week. The No31 told West Ham TV he hopes to
pull on a Claret and Blue shirt as soon as possible, with a chance that he
could feature in Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit to Leicester City.
"Basically, what happened is that about one or two o'clock in the afternoon,
a cup that was on the toilet where I kept the toothbrushes and toothpaste
fell on the ground and broke," Valencia explained. "I picked up the pieces
and I didn't realise I had missed a piece. Then, in the middle of the night
I went to the toilet bare-footed and half-asleep and stepped right on it.
"I'm feeling great at the moment as I've been able to get back on the pitch
this week and kick the ball. I've been running for a few days and am feeling
very well, so it just depends on what the manager and the staff decide now."
For Valencia, the injury came at a bad time, with West Ham desperate to end
a run of indifferent results and Ecuador contesting important international
matches with Mexico and Argentina in the United States. With the Hammers
looking to end the season strongly and the striker seeking a place in his
country's squad for this summer's Copa America, the 25-year-old is eager to
get back to competitive action as soon as he can. "Of course I am desperate
to get back on the pitch with my teammates to help out the squad. We know
the end of the season is going to be tough, so we all need to be there and
do our best for West Ham. "Right now I'm only thinking about West Ham
because it's approaching the end of the season and we have tough games. I'm
concentrating on playing for West Ham and if, after the season, they call me
for the national team then it will be a great summer."
This week, Valencia joined fellow South American Nene at the Club's Basildon
Store, where the pair spent two hours meeting Hammers fans.
"The support from all the West Ham fans has been fantastic throughout the
whole season, and being able to get a smile out of a child is the best thing
ever!" Valencia smiled, before talking about spending welcome time with
three-month-old daughter Amelia, his wife and son during his recent injury
lay-off. "I had to stay at home the whole time in the early part of my
recovery because I couldn't even walk, so the bright side was that I got to
spend a lot of time with my family."
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Collins wants victory over Foxes
WHUFC.com
In form centre-back James Collins is hoping his beloved West Ham United can
emulate his native Wales when they travel to play Leicester City on Saturday
4 April. Collins has been a regular for both club and country this season,
totalling 23 appearances. During the international break, Wales recorded an
emphatic 3-0 away win away against Israel thanks to an Aaron Ramsey opener
before Gareth Bale netted a brace. Speaking about the win, which takes Wales
level on points with table-topping Belgium, the experienced defender said:
"The win over Israel was a massive game, the way we did it, winning 3-0 and
playing very well was pleasing. "They came on to us a lot, which we
expected, playing away from home. I thought we dealt with that well, I was
playing on the right of a back three. I am delighted to get three points and
I'm buzzing for Wales."
After the win, which puts Wales in a great position to qualify for next
summer's European Championship finals in France, Collins heralded the
performance of compatriot, teammate and friend Bale. "During the second half
it was pretty quiet defensively because they were struggling to deal with
him. I was talking to Ashley Williams and we were saying how we wouldn't
know how to stop him. They tried to bring him down to stop him and one of
them got sent-off. "It's great to be on his team, he's one of the best
players in the world and he showed that on Saturday. He's bringing Welsh
football forward and it's great to be a part of it. I'm pretty close with
him, I speak to him regularly, and it's great to see him doing well for
Wales."
Having returned from international duty, Collins is now fully focused on a
tough trip to relegation-threatened Leicester. While many fans and pundits
may be expecting the Hammers to record a convincing victory, the 31-year-old
is anticipating a hard challenge. "I've watched Leicester play a few times
and they've played well, I remember them scoring five against Manchester
United earlier in the season and they're capable of scoring goals. "We beat
them 2-0 earlier in the season, it wasn't the prettiest games we've had, but
it was a very important victory."
A further boost for Collins and fans alike is the prospect of having
central-defensive partner Winston Reid back fit after a month out with a
hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea. While Cheikhou Kouyate proved
himself to be a more than capable stand-in, Collins welcomed the probable
return of the New Zealand international. "Having Winston back fit is
obviously a big boost, he's been in training for while so hopefully he'll be
fit for Saturday and help us try and get another clean sheet."
With eight games left of the season, Collins insisted that the Hammers have
plenty left to play for, most notably a highest points total since getting
promoted back to the Premier League back in 2012. "You can't take your foot
off the pedal, we want to win every game left, that's enough of an
incentive."Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table
and that would be a fantastic achievement. We've got three home games left
and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we've been promoted, tenth
is the best we've done so to better that would be great."
Looking further ahead to West Ham's last season at the Boleyn Ground and the
move to the new Stadium in time for the 2016/17 season, the defender
stressed his commitment to the Club. "We want to finish strong because next
season is a huge year. I've been here a long time, I love it here, I always
have done. I didn't really want to leave, it was put upon me and I left with
a heavy heart [when I joined Aston Villa in 2009]. When I had the
opportunity to come back, I was delighted. "I like to think I get on with
the fans here, they've been great with me. I've got next year left on my
contract, I feel fit as ever. I'm playing a fair amount of games and my
family are happy here. "If I was offered a longer contract I'd jump at it, I
know I need my football to do the talking, hopefully we can get something
sorted."
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Dev Squad set for Hong Kong Sevens
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Development Squad are set to participate in the annual
Hong Kong Football Club Soccer Sevens from 29-31 May 2015.
Having last competed in the competition back in 2012, the Hammers will
compete alongside fellow English clubs Stoke City, five-time champions Aston
Villa, Leicester City and Newcastle United. The Development Squad will be
hoping to extend English sides' recent run of success following Aston Villa
(2011), Newcastle United (2012) and Leicester City (2013) being crowned
champions. Notable players who have played in the tournament include West
Ham's Anton Ferdinand and Glen Johnson, as well as Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc
Albrighton, David Bentley, Sammy Ameobi, Shaun Maloney, Jack Grealish and
Rolando Aarons. Tony Bratsanos, Chairman of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens
Organising Committee, said: "We're excited that West Ham will be coming back
after a brief break, as they were a very popular side when they played here,
and we're also proud that we were able to secure Stoke City for their
tournament debut. Stoke are enjoying a fine season and will be a welcome
addition to the Main competition."
English clubs have won ten of the 15 editions of the tournament since its
inauguration in 1999. Aston Villa have won a record five times (2002, 2004,
2007, 2008, 2010), while Blackburn Rovers (1999), Arsenal (2001), Newcastle
(2012), Leicester (2013) and Manchester City (2014) are the other English
clubs to have lifted the Cup.
There will be match reports, previews and updates on the Development Squad's
progress during the tournament on www.whufc.com and across our social media
platforms.
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Merson's predictions: Chelsea and Manchester City backed for wins
Last Updated: 02/04/15 10:08pm
Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of an important weekend
in the Premier League. The Premier League is back and so is Merse as he
casts his expert eye over the Premier League fixtures. Here's how the 'Magic
Man' sees the 10 games going.
Leicester v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Merse thinks Leicester cannot afford any slip-ups against West Ham This is
Leicester's cup final. They just have to win. If they don't I think that
will be it and they will be relegated. With six out of their last nine games
at home Nigel Pearson's side definitely have a chance of survival but they
must beat West Ham. A draw is just not good. But, backed by their home
support, I think they can get the result they need and I'm backing them for
a 2-1 win against a West Ham side who have just one win from their last
eight in the league.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
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Sam Allardyce says Leicester can take heart from Sunderland's survival last
term
Last Updated: 02/04/15 5:58pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Saturday's opponents Leicester remain
capable of retaining their Premier League status. Allardyce takes his team
to the King Power Stadium to face the league's bottom club who are without a
win in their last seven matches and seven points adrift of safety. But
Allardyce says Nigel Pearson's men should use Sunderland's improbable escape
from relegation last season as motivation in their own quest to beat the
drop. "At this stage of the season generally, at that level at the lower
end of the league, if they can win four out of six, or three out of five
they can give themselves a lifeline," Allardyce said. "Last year it was
Sunderland, so that can happen with the performances that Leicester have
shown. Leicester will not give up and they've still got great hope that they
can get out of trouble. "What we've got to do is make sure that is not
against us. We've got to make sure we are on top of our game and deliver the
performance we need to because they are fighting for their lives down there.
'Performances'
"Overall, Nigel must be pulling his hair out and saying: 'Why haven't our
performances given us more results?' "I suppose that shows the cruelty of
the Premier League where some teams, who don't take advantage of things, by
not scoring chances, ultimately pay the price." Defender Winston Reid looks
set to return for West Ham after missing their last two matches with a
hamstring injury but Allardyce confirmed Enner Valencia is unlikely to be
fit for the weekend. "We've got Winston Reid back in full training," he
said. "But I don't think Enner Valencia is going to make it, although he is
back in some sort of training. "Winston will be available as he's had the
last seven days back in full training."
Allardyce, whose long-term future at West Ham continues to be debated, said
he is not unduly concerned about the latest wave of speculation, insisting
his only focus is finishing the season well. "It's very tight between eighth
and tenth now for us. We have a reasonable run-in although no game is ever
easy at this level. For us it's about achieving as many points as possible
in the run-in. Hopefully we can kick off on a good run having beaten
Sunderland.
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QPR eye West Ham manager Sam Allardyce for next season if he leaves the
Hammers this summer
22:30, 1 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
Upton Park boss has also been linked with Sunderland, while the Irons have
David Moyes and Eddie Howe on their radar ahead of big Olympic Stadium move
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is a candidate for the Queens Park Rangers job if he is not
kept on by West Ham. Hammers boss Allardyce, 60, is out of contract at the
end of the season and the club will not hold talks over a new deal until
then. Sunderland have already targeted Big Sam as a long-term replacement
for Gus Poyet, but there are some at QPR who feel Allardyce's experience
would be an asset at Loftus Road next season. Current boss Chris Ramsey, 52,
has the support of Rangers' director of football Les Ferdinand. The club,
however, have yet to confirm that Ramsey will remain in charge after the
current campaign and Mark Warburton of west London neighbours Brentford has
also been linked with the job. The Hoops' players have responded positively
to Ramsey since he was put in charge at the start of February and want him
to stay in the job. The club have continued losing, however, with six
defeats in seven outings since Harry Redknapp's departure.
QPR have crucial games coming up at West Brom and Aston Villa, before they
welcome Premier League leaders Chelsea to Loftus Road for a local derby.
Allardyce, who steered the Irons up from the Championship in 2012 and has
kept them in the top flight since, has claimed he is comfortable with their
policy of leaving contract talks until the end of the season. The east
Londoners, however, have Real Sociedad boss David Moyes and Bournemouth
rising star Eddie Howe in their sights if a deal cannot be agreed. But
Hammers legend Sir Geoff Hurst has called on the club to keep Big Sam after
his work guiding the club into the top half of the table. Hurst said: "There
are a section of fans that say he should go, but overall he has done a good
job. This year we have looked comfortable and could finish just outside the
top six or seven. There's been a vast improvement in terms of results and
performances. "I just don't think it's the right thing to do to get a new
manager. I don't know why they are not talking to him. There's still time
for them to look at it. The final eight games could influence the owners,
but Sam should be the manager next year regardless. "You need continuity.
Next season is the year before they move into the Olympic Stadium, so they
need to be careful."
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Allardyce QPR link surfaces again
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce is this morning again being linked with Queens Park Rangers as
a new end of season boss. Darren Lewis - who covers West Ham for The Mirror
writes: "Sam Allardyce is a candidate for the Queens Park Rangers job if he
is not kept on by West Ham." Sunderland also remain interested in the 60
year old who is seen as a dab hand at taking relegated teams up and keeping
struggling teams afloat. Some at QPR have felt that his experience would be
an asset at Loftus Road next season and the story first emerged after Harry
Redknapp quit the club. Much as Rangers may want him, however, a lot will
depend on which league they are playing in next season with the team
currently rooted second off bottom with 22 points. Sunderland, meanwhile,
hare in 17th and neither looks the most attractive proposition as things
stand. Allardyce has regularly claimed, however, that he will discuss his
future with the Irons board at the end of the season and that until then
such reports are "pure speculation."
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Irons fans deserve some real excitement
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Whilst a win at Leicester is expected and of paramount importance, am I
alone in wanting a lot more than that from Saturday's game?
The preferred A game we've been watching with growing despair until the much
needed win over Sunderland arrived - desperate though it was - has been
failing us for weeks. And yes, before anyone else mentions it, I know there
have been injuries! But with most attacking and midfield options now
available can we please see a bit of Morgan Amaltfitano and Nene - remember
him anybody? Our season really does need to be spiced up one way or another.
Of course, the Frenchman didn't himself no favours with the red card against
West Brom but now available, he needs to be included as at his best he
provides some much needed creativity. Nene may too, were he to be given a
chance, but thus far - as most expected - he's merely flitted around the was
of the action for a few minutes at a time. I'm sure if we can give over
extended run-outs to the likes of Matt Jarvis and the captain then it might
be fair to expect that Morgan and Nene might be introduced to provide so,e
much needed flair. It would be great to think that Reece Oxford may get a
chance too at some stage although nobody will be holding their breath on
that one. Personally, however, I want some excitement and although a win
over the bottom placed club would be welcome we need more than that I
reckon. I really don't want to go through to the end of the season hearing
the words: "The only thing that matters is the result no matter how it's
achieved." We need something to raise the blood levels. Grinding out results
(or not) is no way to send the fans off for summer. We've been there
before! Too often. Surely a little flair, imagination and excitement is not
too much to expect.
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Your chance to meet the Irons stars
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have announced an opportunity for Season Ticket holders and
Academy/Youth Academy members to meet three of the senior squad in a fans
forum at the Boleyn Ground next week. Fan favourites Adrian, Carlton Cole
and Stewart Downing will be present at the ground on Tuesday 7 April at
6.30pm to take questions.
coleIt's the second fans' forum of the season and follows a series of
events throughout the campaign aimed at keeping fans informed and in touch
with not only the players but important goings-on at the club. The fans will
also have the chance to meet the players informally with the opportunity to
obtain photos and autographs. The club's website have said that it is a
first come first serve basis, so those looking to attend this need to call
the Ticket Office on 0871 529 1966 - option 3*. The full story and more
details can be found on the official club website, www.whufc.com, including
details on how to get your questions submitted for the players attending.
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Irons talk on QPR defender link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have - in the last few minutes - denied any interest "whatsoever"
in Queens Park Rangers central defender Nedum Onuoha.
A national newspaper this morning claimed the Irons could be interested in
the 28 year old who will almost certainly wan t out of Loftus Road if they
relegated. But a top source inside Upton Park said: "There's no interest -
none whatsoever. We have Winston Reid, James Tomkins, James Collins, Doneil
Henry and Reece Oxford set to break through. "We are looking at various
players but this is the first time we have heard Nedum's name mentioned."
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Diarra puts boot into Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Alou Diarra - having been at Charlton on a loan spell until the end of the
season - has put the boot into Sam Allardyce. He remains unhappy at his
treatment under the 60 year old at Upton Park and has given way to his
Boleyn frustrations. Speaking to South London Today he said: "I wasn't first
choice. I gave everything in training but it wasn't enough for the manager.
"It was unfair because before I came to West Ham I was in the France squad
for the European Championships in 2012 and playing in the Champions League.
'My past was good. I played a lot of good games before I signed. But I
wasn't first choice at West Ham - I don't know if it would've been different
with a different manager. "I have a new chance to play now. West Ham was not
my fault - I gave everything.'
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Foxes old boy Savage on City v Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Love him or hate him you can always rely on Mr Robbie Savage to give you a
view or ten! Sav - a good friend of ClaretandHugh - was a Leicester City
stalwart in their 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill but is deeply
despondent of their fate this season. He also has a special affection for
David Gold and David Sullivan under whom he worked at Birmingham City and
says: "They are both great guys but I think they will come home from the
Walker Stadium a bit cheesed off this weekend." "The Hammers haven't been on
the greatest run and it was all about the performance against Sunderland. If
they can take something from the victory into the match on Saturday I could
be wrong but to be honest City have far more to play for. "When you are in
that situation you kinda say: "B...ks to it, let's give it the lot - there's
absolutely nothing to lose and to be fair to them that's what they have been
doing most of the time this term. "They have been very unlucky at times
because they have been in every game without getting the rub of the green -
Saturday may be different. I think it will because things are absolutely
desperate now. "It's a real hard one to call because the Hammers are capable
of playing some great stuff although they aren't that steady away from home.
"It'll depend on which West Ham turns up but I'll take the Foxes to win it
2-1. Having said that I think they will go down anyway. They're not good
enough. "The Hammers can't compain at their season though. They have become
a solid mid table premier League team!"
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No summer break for Carroll
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll - helped by warm weather training in Dubai - continues to make
progress from his knee surgery but will have no summer break. Stijn
Vandenbroucke, Head of Medical and Sports Science, in his regular updates on
the injury situation at the official site reported: "He will not have a
summer break this year as he will be working hard on his rehab during that
period." He also revealed that Winston Reid is fit and is training hard to
be ready for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Leicester City
whilst Enner Valencia's position is re-evaluatied on a daily basis." James
Tomkins and Doneil Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from
shoulder and hamstring surgery. He said: Doneil has resumed walking normally
this week, which is the next step in his rehab and something he is really
happy about."
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Valencia on his Leicester chances
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia has given an update on his injured foot, explaining he is
back in training pitch and kicking balls again. Whether he plays on Saturday
at Leicester City, however, will depend entirely on Sam Allardyce with Enner
admitting: "It just depends on what the manager and the staff decide now."
The striker revealed how he had damaged his foot saying: "Basically, what
happened is that about one or two o'clock in the afternoon, a cup that was
on the toilet where I kept the toothbrushes and toothpaste fell on the
ground and broke. "I picked up the pieces and I didn't realise I had missed
a piece. Then, in the middle of the night I went to the toilet bare-footed
and half-asleep and stepped right on it."
Valencia stayed at home during the international break to work on his
recovery, and he is hoping to feature against the Foxes having returned to
full training. "I'm feeling great at the moment as I've been able to get
back on the pitch this week and kick the ball," he added.
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WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia is determined to prove he is cut above after returning to
training after severely lacerating his toe in a freak accident.
The Ecuador forward suffered a deep gash when he accidentally stepped on a
shard of a broken toothbrush holder during a night-time trip to the
bathroom. After an emergency visit to hospital to have the wound cleaned and
stitched up and three weeks of healing, Valencia returned to the training
pitch at Chadwell Heath this week. The No31 told West Ham TV he hopes to
pull on a Claret and Blue shirt as soon as possible, with a chance that he
could feature in Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit to Leicester City.
"Basically, what happened is that about one or two o'clock in the afternoon,
a cup that was on the toilet where I kept the toothbrushes and toothpaste
fell on the ground and broke," Valencia explained. "I picked up the pieces
and I didn't realise I had missed a piece. Then, in the middle of the night
I went to the toilet bare-footed and half-asleep and stepped right on it.
"I'm feeling great at the moment as I've been able to get back on the pitch
this week and kick the ball. I've been running for a few days and am feeling
very well, so it just depends on what the manager and the staff decide now."
For Valencia, the injury came at a bad time, with West Ham desperate to end
a run of indifferent results and Ecuador contesting important international
matches with Mexico and Argentina in the United States. With the Hammers
looking to end the season strongly and the striker seeking a place in his
country's squad for this summer's Copa America, the 25-year-old is eager to
get back to competitive action as soon as he can. "Of course I am desperate
to get back on the pitch with my teammates to help out the squad. We know
the end of the season is going to be tough, so we all need to be there and
do our best for West Ham. "Right now I'm only thinking about West Ham
because it's approaching the end of the season and we have tough games. I'm
concentrating on playing for West Ham and if, after the season, they call me
for the national team then it will be a great summer."
This week, Valencia joined fellow South American Nene at the Club's Basildon
Store, where the pair spent two hours meeting Hammers fans.
"The support from all the West Ham fans has been fantastic throughout the
whole season, and being able to get a smile out of a child is the best thing
ever!" Valencia smiled, before talking about spending welcome time with
three-month-old daughter Amelia, his wife and son during his recent injury
lay-off. "I had to stay at home the whole time in the early part of my
recovery because I couldn't even walk, so the bright side was that I got to
spend a lot of time with my family."
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Collins wants victory over Foxes
WHUFC.com
In form centre-back James Collins is hoping his beloved West Ham United can
emulate his native Wales when they travel to play Leicester City on Saturday
4 April. Collins has been a regular for both club and country this season,
totalling 23 appearances. During the international break, Wales recorded an
emphatic 3-0 away win away against Israel thanks to an Aaron Ramsey opener
before Gareth Bale netted a brace. Speaking about the win, which takes Wales
level on points with table-topping Belgium, the experienced defender said:
"The win over Israel was a massive game, the way we did it, winning 3-0 and
playing very well was pleasing. "They came on to us a lot, which we
expected, playing away from home. I thought we dealt with that well, I was
playing on the right of a back three. I am delighted to get three points and
I'm buzzing for Wales."
After the win, which puts Wales in a great position to qualify for next
summer's European Championship finals in France, Collins heralded the
performance of compatriot, teammate and friend Bale. "During the second half
it was pretty quiet defensively because they were struggling to deal with
him. I was talking to Ashley Williams and we were saying how we wouldn't
know how to stop him. They tried to bring him down to stop him and one of
them got sent-off. "It's great to be on his team, he's one of the best
players in the world and he showed that on Saturday. He's bringing Welsh
football forward and it's great to be a part of it. I'm pretty close with
him, I speak to him regularly, and it's great to see him doing well for
Wales."
Having returned from international duty, Collins is now fully focused on a
tough trip to relegation-threatened Leicester. While many fans and pundits
may be expecting the Hammers to record a convincing victory, the 31-year-old
is anticipating a hard challenge. "I've watched Leicester play a few times
and they've played well, I remember them scoring five against Manchester
United earlier in the season and they're capable of scoring goals. "We beat
them 2-0 earlier in the season, it wasn't the prettiest games we've had, but
it was a very important victory."
A further boost for Collins and fans alike is the prospect of having
central-defensive partner Winston Reid back fit after a month out with a
hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea. While Cheikhou Kouyate proved
himself to be a more than capable stand-in, Collins welcomed the probable
return of the New Zealand international. "Having Winston back fit is
obviously a big boost, he's been in training for while so hopefully he'll be
fit for Saturday and help us try and get another clean sheet."
With eight games left of the season, Collins insisted that the Hammers have
plenty left to play for, most notably a highest points total since getting
promoted back to the Premier League back in 2012. "You can't take your foot
off the pedal, we want to win every game left, that's enough of an
incentive."Realistically, eighth is the best we can do looking at the table
and that would be a fantastic achievement. We've got three home games left
and we are certainly looking to win them. Since we've been promoted, tenth
is the best we've done so to better that would be great."
Looking further ahead to West Ham's last season at the Boleyn Ground and the
move to the new Stadium in time for the 2016/17 season, the defender
stressed his commitment to the Club. "We want to finish strong because next
season is a huge year. I've been here a long time, I love it here, I always
have done. I didn't really want to leave, it was put upon me and I left with
a heavy heart [when I joined Aston Villa in 2009]. When I had the
opportunity to come back, I was delighted. "I like to think I get on with
the fans here, they've been great with me. I've got next year left on my
contract, I feel fit as ever. I'm playing a fair amount of games and my
family are happy here. "If I was offered a longer contract I'd jump at it, I
know I need my football to do the talking, hopefully we can get something
sorted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad set for Hong Kong Sevens
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Development Squad are set to participate in the annual
Hong Kong Football Club Soccer Sevens from 29-31 May 2015.
Having last competed in the competition back in 2012, the Hammers will
compete alongside fellow English clubs Stoke City, five-time champions Aston
Villa, Leicester City and Newcastle United. The Development Squad will be
hoping to extend English sides' recent run of success following Aston Villa
(2011), Newcastle United (2012) and Leicester City (2013) being crowned
champions. Notable players who have played in the tournament include West
Ham's Anton Ferdinand and Glen Johnson, as well as Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc
Albrighton, David Bentley, Sammy Ameobi, Shaun Maloney, Jack Grealish and
Rolando Aarons. Tony Bratsanos, Chairman of the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens
Organising Committee, said: "We're excited that West Ham will be coming back
after a brief break, as they were a very popular side when they played here,
and we're also proud that we were able to secure Stoke City for their
tournament debut. Stoke are enjoying a fine season and will be a welcome
addition to the Main competition."
English clubs have won ten of the 15 editions of the tournament since its
inauguration in 1999. Aston Villa have won a record five times (2002, 2004,
2007, 2008, 2010), while Blackburn Rovers (1999), Arsenal (2001), Newcastle
(2012), Leicester (2013) and Manchester City (2014) are the other English
clubs to have lifted the Cup.
There will be match reports, previews and updates on the Development Squad's
progress during the tournament on www.whufc.com and across our social media
platforms.
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Merson's predictions: Chelsea and Manchester City backed for wins
Last Updated: 02/04/15 10:08pm
Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of an important weekend
in the Premier League. The Premier League is back and so is Merse as he
casts his expert eye over the Premier League fixtures. Here's how the 'Magic
Man' sees the 10 games going.
Leicester v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Merse thinks Leicester cannot afford any slip-ups against West Ham This is
Leicester's cup final. They just have to win. If they don't I think that
will be it and they will be relegated. With six out of their last nine games
at home Nigel Pearson's side definitely have a chance of survival but they
must beat West Ham. A draw is just not good. But, backed by their home
support, I think they can get the result they need and I'm backing them for
a 2-1 win against a West Ham side who have just one win from their last
eight in the league.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
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Sam Allardyce says Leicester can take heart from Sunderland's survival last
term
Last Updated: 02/04/15 5:58pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Saturday's opponents Leicester remain
capable of retaining their Premier League status. Allardyce takes his team
to the King Power Stadium to face the league's bottom club who are without a
win in their last seven matches and seven points adrift of safety. But
Allardyce says Nigel Pearson's men should use Sunderland's improbable escape
from relegation last season as motivation in their own quest to beat the
drop. "At this stage of the season generally, at that level at the lower
end of the league, if they can win four out of six, or three out of five
they can give themselves a lifeline," Allardyce said. "Last year it was
Sunderland, so that can happen with the performances that Leicester have
shown. Leicester will not give up and they've still got great hope that they
can get out of trouble. "What we've got to do is make sure that is not
against us. We've got to make sure we are on top of our game and deliver the
performance we need to because they are fighting for their lives down there.
'Performances'
"Overall, Nigel must be pulling his hair out and saying: 'Why haven't our
performances given us more results?' "I suppose that shows the cruelty of
the Premier League where some teams, who don't take advantage of things, by
not scoring chances, ultimately pay the price." Defender Winston Reid looks
set to return for West Ham after missing their last two matches with a
hamstring injury but Allardyce confirmed Enner Valencia is unlikely to be
fit for the weekend. "We've got Winston Reid back in full training," he
said. "But I don't think Enner Valencia is going to make it, although he is
back in some sort of training. "Winston will be available as he's had the
last seven days back in full training."
Allardyce, whose long-term future at West Ham continues to be debated, said
he is not unduly concerned about the latest wave of speculation, insisting
his only focus is finishing the season well. "It's very tight between eighth
and tenth now for us. We have a reasonable run-in although no game is ever
easy at this level. For us it's about achieving as many points as possible
in the run-in. Hopefully we can kick off on a good run having beaten
Sunderland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
QPR eye West Ham manager Sam Allardyce for next season if he leaves the
Hammers this summer
22:30, 1 April 2015 By Darren Lewis
Upton Park boss has also been linked with Sunderland, while the Irons have
David Moyes and Eddie Howe on their radar ahead of big Olympic Stadium move
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is a candidate for the Queens Park Rangers job if he is not
kept on by West Ham. Hammers boss Allardyce, 60, is out of contract at the
end of the season and the club will not hold talks over a new deal until
then. Sunderland have already targeted Big Sam as a long-term replacement
for Gus Poyet, but there are some at QPR who feel Allardyce's experience
would be an asset at Loftus Road next season. Current boss Chris Ramsey, 52,
has the support of Rangers' director of football Les Ferdinand. The club,
however, have yet to confirm that Ramsey will remain in charge after the
current campaign and Mark Warburton of west London neighbours Brentford has
also been linked with the job. The Hoops' players have responded positively
to Ramsey since he was put in charge at the start of February and want him
to stay in the job. The club have continued losing, however, with six
defeats in seven outings since Harry Redknapp's departure.
QPR have crucial games coming up at West Brom and Aston Villa, before they
welcome Premier League leaders Chelsea to Loftus Road for a local derby.
Allardyce, who steered the Irons up from the Championship in 2012 and has
kept them in the top flight since, has claimed he is comfortable with their
policy of leaving contract talks until the end of the season. The east
Londoners, however, have Real Sociedad boss David Moyes and Bournemouth
rising star Eddie Howe in their sights if a deal cannot be agreed. But
Hammers legend Sir Geoff Hurst has called on the club to keep Big Sam after
his work guiding the club into the top half of the table. Hurst said: "There
are a section of fans that say he should go, but overall he has done a good
job. This year we have looked comfortable and could finish just outside the
top six or seven. There's been a vast improvement in terms of results and
performances. "I just don't think it's the right thing to do to get a new
manager. I don't know why they are not talking to him. There's still time
for them to look at it. The final eight games could influence the owners,
but Sam should be the manager next year regardless. "You need continuity.
Next season is the year before they move into the Olympic Stadium, so they
need to be careful."
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Allardyce QPR link surfaces again
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce is this morning again being linked with Queens Park Rangers as
a new end of season boss. Darren Lewis - who covers West Ham for The Mirror
writes: "Sam Allardyce is a candidate for the Queens Park Rangers job if he
is not kept on by West Ham." Sunderland also remain interested in the 60
year old who is seen as a dab hand at taking relegated teams up and keeping
struggling teams afloat. Some at QPR have felt that his experience would be
an asset at Loftus Road next season and the story first emerged after Harry
Redknapp quit the club. Much as Rangers may want him, however, a lot will
depend on which league they are playing in next season with the team
currently rooted second off bottom with 22 points. Sunderland, meanwhile,
hare in 17th and neither looks the most attractive proposition as things
stand. Allardyce has regularly claimed, however, that he will discuss his
future with the Irons board at the end of the season and that until then
such reports are "pure speculation."
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Irons fans deserve some real excitement
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Whilst a win at Leicester is expected and of paramount importance, am I
alone in wanting a lot more than that from Saturday's game?
The preferred A game we've been watching with growing despair until the much
needed win over Sunderland arrived - desperate though it was - has been
failing us for weeks. And yes, before anyone else mentions it, I know there
have been injuries! But with most attacking and midfield options now
available can we please see a bit of Morgan Amaltfitano and Nene - remember
him anybody? Our season really does need to be spiced up one way or another.
Of course, the Frenchman didn't himself no favours with the red card against
West Brom but now available, he needs to be included as at his best he
provides some much needed creativity. Nene may too, were he to be given a
chance, but thus far - as most expected - he's merely flitted around the was
of the action for a few minutes at a time. I'm sure if we can give over
extended run-outs to the likes of Matt Jarvis and the captain then it might
be fair to expect that Morgan and Nene might be introduced to provide so,e
much needed flair. It would be great to think that Reece Oxford may get a
chance too at some stage although nobody will be holding their breath on
that one. Personally, however, I want some excitement and although a win
over the bottom placed club would be welcome we need more than that I
reckon. I really don't want to go through to the end of the season hearing
the words: "The only thing that matters is the result no matter how it's
achieved." We need something to raise the blood levels. Grinding out results
(or not) is no way to send the fans off for summer. We've been there
before! Too often. Surely a little flair, imagination and excitement is not
too much to expect.
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Your chance to meet the Irons stars
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have announced an opportunity for Season Ticket holders and
Academy/Youth Academy members to meet three of the senior squad in a fans
forum at the Boleyn Ground next week. Fan favourites Adrian, Carlton Cole
and Stewart Downing will be present at the ground on Tuesday 7 April at
6.30pm to take questions.
coleIt's the second fans' forum of the season and follows a series of
events throughout the campaign aimed at keeping fans informed and in touch
with not only the players but important goings-on at the club. The fans will
also have the chance to meet the players informally with the opportunity to
obtain photos and autographs. The club's website have said that it is a
first come first serve basis, so those looking to attend this need to call
the Ticket Office on 0871 529 1966 - option 3*. The full story and more
details can be found on the official club website, www.whufc.com, including
details on how to get your questions submitted for the players attending.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons talk on QPR defender link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have - in the last few minutes - denied any interest "whatsoever"
in Queens Park Rangers central defender Nedum Onuoha.
A national newspaper this morning claimed the Irons could be interested in
the 28 year old who will almost certainly wan t out of Loftus Road if they
relegated. But a top source inside Upton Park said: "There's no interest -
none whatsoever. We have Winston Reid, James Tomkins, James Collins, Doneil
Henry and Reece Oxford set to break through. "We are looking at various
players but this is the first time we have heard Nedum's name mentioned."
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Diarra puts boot into Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Alou Diarra - having been at Charlton on a loan spell until the end of the
season - has put the boot into Sam Allardyce. He remains unhappy at his
treatment under the 60 year old at Upton Park and has given way to his
Boleyn frustrations. Speaking to South London Today he said: "I wasn't first
choice. I gave everything in training but it wasn't enough for the manager.
"It was unfair because before I came to West Ham I was in the France squad
for the European Championships in 2012 and playing in the Champions League.
'My past was good. I played a lot of good games before I signed. But I
wasn't first choice at West Ham - I don't know if it would've been different
with a different manager. "I have a new chance to play now. West Ham was not
my fault - I gave everything.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Foxes old boy Savage on City v Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Love him or hate him you can always rely on Mr Robbie Savage to give you a
view or ten! Sav - a good friend of ClaretandHugh - was a Leicester City
stalwart in their 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill but is deeply
despondent of their fate this season. He also has a special affection for
David Gold and David Sullivan under whom he worked at Birmingham City and
says: "They are both great guys but I think they will come home from the
Walker Stadium a bit cheesed off this weekend." "The Hammers haven't been on
the greatest run and it was all about the performance against Sunderland. If
they can take something from the victory into the match on Saturday I could
be wrong but to be honest City have far more to play for. "When you are in
that situation you kinda say: "B...ks to it, let's give it the lot - there's
absolutely nothing to lose and to be fair to them that's what they have been
doing most of the time this term. "They have been very unlucky at times
because they have been in every game without getting the rub of the green -
Saturday may be different. I think it will because things are absolutely
desperate now. "It's a real hard one to call because the Hammers are capable
of playing some great stuff although they aren't that steady away from home.
"It'll depend on which West Ham turns up but I'll take the Foxes to win it
2-1. Having said that I think they will go down anyway. They're not good
enough. "The Hammers can't compain at their season though. They have become
a solid mid table premier League team!"
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No summer break for Carroll
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll - helped by warm weather training in Dubai - continues to make
progress from his knee surgery but will have no summer break. Stijn
Vandenbroucke, Head of Medical and Sports Science, in his regular updates on
the injury situation at the official site reported: "He will not have a
summer break this year as he will be working hard on his rehab during that
period." He also revealed that Winston Reid is fit and is training hard to
be ready for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Leicester City
whilst Enner Valencia's position is re-evaluatied on a daily basis." James
Tomkins and Doneil Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from
shoulder and hamstring surgery. He said: Doneil has resumed walking normally
this week, which is the next step in his rehab and something he is really
happy about."
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Valencia on his Leicester chances
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 2, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia has given an update on his injured foot, explaining he is
back in training pitch and kicking balls again. Whether he plays on Saturday
at Leicester City, however, will depend entirely on Sam Allardyce with Enner
admitting: "It just depends on what the manager and the staff decide now."
The striker revealed how he had damaged his foot saying: "Basically, what
happened is that about one or two o'clock in the afternoon, a cup that was
on the toilet where I kept the toothbrushes and toothpaste fell on the
ground and broke. "I picked up the pieces and I didn't realise I had missed
a piece. Then, in the middle of the night I went to the toilet bare-footed
and half-asleep and stepped right on it."
Valencia stayed at home during the international break to work on his
recovery, and he is hoping to feature against the Foxes having returned to
full training. "I'm feeling great at the moment as I've been able to get
back on the pitch this week and kick the ball," he added.
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Thursday, April 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd April 2015
From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
The positive news is that all of the players who went away on international
and testimonial duty have returned in good condition. With regard to the
other players, you can read and watch an in-depth update regarding Andy
Carroll's recovery here. Andy is currently working on his rehab following
knee surgery in warm-weather conditions in Dubai, as this is the perfect
stage of his recovery to do so. He will not have a summer break this year as
he will be working hard on his rehab during that period. Following the
hamstring injury he suffered against Chelsea on 4 March, Winston Reid is fit
and is training hard to be ready for Saturday's Barclays Premier League
fixture at Leicester City. Enner Valencia's laceration in his big toe that
he suffered in an accident at his home on 10 March has healed. He started to
train in his boots again on an individual basis on Monday. We are
re-evaluating Enner's situation on a daily basis. James Tomkins and Doneil
Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from shoulder and hamstring
surgery. Doneil has resumed walking normally this week, which is the next
step in his rehab and something he is really happy about.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Carroll steps up recovery
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll ticked off a significant milestone in his recovery from knee
surgery last week when he left the crutches and knee brace behind to step up
his work in the gym and swimming pool. Carroll had to go under the surgeon's
knife to repair damage to his medial knee ligament after suffering the
injury at Southampton in February and had to keep the knee immobilised for
the first stage of his rehabilitation. Under the watchful eye of the Club's
head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke, Carroll has now been
able to increase his workload as he aims to leave behind the injuries which
have hampered him over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old is pleased to
have taken another step along the road to recovery.
He said: "I'm feeling alright. It's a lot better, getting off the crutches,
out of the brace and being able to move more on the bike and do some work in
the pool. "It's good to come in to work at the training ground and see the
lads too. If you're working away from the Club you might not see them for a
while, but it's nice to come in in the mornings and have breakfast and lunch
with them. "I couldn't move my leg for a month or so after the operation. I
was at 90 degrees and I couldn't really do any more, but doing work where I
can move now is good. "Last week was the first time I went in the pool and
there'll be a lot more new stuff to come as well."
For Vandenbroucke, he is pleased with the progress his charge has made since
his surgery. He explained: "We've reached week six of Andy's rehab so we've
increased the exercises. He's on the bike, he's in the pool and we're doing
more exercises in the gym. "It's becoming more enjoyable now, the most
boring stuff is behind us so we're looking forward to the next phase of the
rehab. "It's important that we don't get carried away too much and on the
other hand it's important we don't do too little, so it's about finding the
right balance between me, Andy and the knee. "We've made good progress. He's
very good and works hard. The knee doesn't react so we're very happy. "Next
he's going to work hard in the pool, and you can really work hard
fitness-wise in the pool to start building that up again. It doesn't mean
that he has not worked hard before - he has been drilled core-wise and
muscle-wise. Now he will continue to work, we can just increase the volume."
After returning to Chadwell Heath last week, Carroll is currently continuing
his rehab with a Hammers physio in the warmer environment of Dubai, giving
the striker the optimal conditions to work in as he increases the intensity
of his work.
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Reid relishing U-20 World Cup role
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is hoping the FIFA U-20 World Cup will have the same effect on
his fellow New Zealanders as the 2010 FIFA World Cup had on his own career.
The West Ham United defender caught the imagination of the football world
when he headed in the unfancied All Whites' last-gasp equaliser to earn a
group-stage draw with Slovakia. Then just 21, the goal - plus further draws
with Italy and Paraguay - put the spotlight on the centre-back, who was
playing for Danish club FC Midtjylland at the time. Within weeks of his
heroics in South Africa, the Hammers swooped to bring Reid to the Premier
League. Five years later, the 26-year-old is one of the best defenders in
English football, is his country's national-team captain and has been
appointed Ambassador for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played
in his homeland this May/June. "It's massive for the country," Reid told
FIFA.com. "The U-20s is a huge tournament on the world stage and we'll have
a lot of the very top nations in New Zealand competing for the trophy. "It
will be great for those teams too because they're going to a country with so
much to offer. Anyone visiting New Zealand will really enjoy themselves and,
as hosts, it's our job to make sure they leave with memories for life. "The
tournament should be a great success and I really hope the public get behind
it. Football is growing in New Zealand but it's still not the main sport, so
hopefully this tournament can help the game gain more recognition."
West Ham experienced the passion for football first-hand in a country more
commonly associated with rugby union and cricket when they visited for a
tour in July 2014. Reid and his teammates were treated wonderfully by the
New Zealand people, playing two matches with A-League clubs Wellington
Phoenix and Sydney FC, holding open training sessions and immersing
themselves in the diverse culture. As the son of Maori parents, Reid is
hoping that children with a similar background to his own - he was raised in
the Auckland district of North Harbour - will be enthused by the FIFA U-20
World Cup finals and follow in his footsteps. "There's going to be something
different about every single match," continued Reid, who moved to Europe
aged ten and played age-group football for Denmark before switching
allegiance to the country of his birth in 2010. "Each team will bring its
own philosophy and way of playing, and you never know - this might be the
only time a World Cup of this stature comes to New Zealand. Hopefully not,
but I think people should make the most of the opportunity. It's definitely
well worth ditching the oval ball for a couple of months to come out and
watch! "Both my mum and dad are Maori, so that heritage is important to me.
I really hope that more Maori and Pacific island kids can get involved in
football because their genetics are fantastic. So many of them are big and
strong - great attributes as a footballer. If I can inspire some of these
kids to get involved in the game, I'd be thrilled."
The FIFA U-20 World Cup finals will kick-off at Auckland's North Harbour
Stadium - West Ham's training base in 2014 - with New Zealand's Group A
clash with Ukraine. The final will be played at the same venue on 20 June
2015.
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The Big Interview - Aaron Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell is ready for the return of Barclays Premier League football
this weekend. West Ham United travel to bottom-of-the-table Leicester City
looking to complete a league double and make it back-to-back wins following
success against Sunderland. Speaking at the Club's shop signing event at the
Boleyn Ground this week, Cresswell said he is raring to go.
Aaron, always nice to see the fans, particularly on school holidays and with
lots of smiles on faces?
AC: "Definitely. It's only something little for us, so it's nice to give
something back, sign a few autographs and take a few pictures."
I guess during an international break you have a bit more time on your hands
perhaps. How do you spend the time when you're not training?
AC: "The season's still on, so we still do the same things that we do when
the games are still on. We're training every day, preparing for Leicester on
Saturday."
Do you keep a close eye on your teammates playing around the world? Ginge
was in Israel and Cheikhou in France.
AC: "Yes, I watched a bit of the Wales game the other night and speaking of
Ginge he missed an absolute sitter apparently! My little brother said to me
'did you see that?' But I missed it.
"They're all away on international duty and Jenks was away with England U21
as well so it'll be nice to get them back."
It was a great result for Wales and it must help when players come back
having won games?
AC: "Definitely. They're doing very well in their group and with a 3-0 win
he's going to come back full of confidence and feeling good about himself."
It's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big boys left.
There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league.
Aaron Cresswell
Looking ahead to the weekend. Leicester are bottom of the league, but
they'll be scrapping for everything and in a way is that almost as tough as
playing the teams nearer the top?
AC: "It'll definitely be a tough game, especially away from home. They're
fighting against relegation and we want to finish as high as we can with
eight games remaining.
"We're going to go there full of confidence and try to get the three
points."
Is it particularly tough away from home when they've got the full support of
their crowd?
AC: "Yes. They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're in a
tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so they
will want the three points. But as I say, we're confident and we want to
bring the three points back ourselves."
How are you enjoying your football at the moment? There were lots of
plaudits after the Sunderland game?
AC: "We needed the three points, first and foremost. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday."
That would give us a huge boost towards the end of the season and what is a
series of pretty winnable games.
AC: "Definitely. We've only lost two games against teams below us, so
obviously it's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big
boys left. There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league."
There's been a bit of talk about the Fair Play league. We're top of that and
it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we could qualify for Europe
through that. Is that something the boys are aware of?
AC: "It's not really crossed our minds, but obviously it would be massive to
get into Europe however you get there. It would be massive for the Club and
the fans."
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Bielsea - Here's what Irons may get!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa may be something of a mystery man to many Hammers
fans. The Marseilles boss has been a runner as next boss since it began to
look likely Upton Park may have a new man at the helm next season. So here
in a special feature we look at the Marseilles boss - a man of whom Pep
Guardiola said three years ago: "He's the best manager in world football."
By Staff Reporter
Marcelo Bielsa isn't your typical manager. Intense and fiercely intelligent,
Bielsa has earned the nickname 'El Loco' throughout his career, but doesn't
fit the usual PL stereotype. In fact, it could be argued that he is - for
example - Sam Allardyce's very antithesis. A burly, stocky defender, Bielsa
retired at the age of 25 after playing for Newell's Old Boys, Instituto and
Argentino de Rosario, and subsequently qualified as a PE teacher.
Shortly after, he became Newell's manager and, so, in 1990, his managerial
odyssey began. Known by many names, Bielsa is a very 'hipster' coach. Take a
stroll into any press room in any country in the world and you can guarantee
that a style invoking a "high press" will be referred to as
'Bielsa-inspired'. He is meticulous. He is obsessive. And he has a ferocious
will to win.
While at Athletic Bilbao, Bielsa famously drenched certain areas of the
pitch in order to prevent Barcelona from playing their tiki-taka quite so
effectively. Yet he employs a stunning tactical rigidity.
Whilst at Bilbao, he simply refused to change his system even when Javi
Martinez was injured. A keen advocate of a three-man defence - involving a
'free' defender, who is able to drop into the heart of the backline
depending on how many attackers the opposition have on the pitch - he simply
drafted in a less able replacement instead of refining his gameplan.
Yet he is incredibly attacking. While with the Chile national team, Bielsa
devised a 3-3-1-3 system, which demanded excellence and unwavering
discipline from his players. Alexis Sanchez was the jewel in his particular
crown there, as Chile attacked with a swarm-like philosophy, with and
without the ball.
He has been known to employ spies to peek on opposition tactics; has been
spotted by his players trawling through the local countryside seeking out
undiscovered talent that may have escaped the attention of his usual
scouting networks, and has also been known to draw on players' boots during
training sessions in an attempt to show them exactly how the ball should be
played.
West Ham will have never seen anything quite like it.
He plans for every eventuality, drafts every potential substitution and
immerses himself completely in match preparation. Nothing is left to chance.
If something goes wrong, the chances are that the players simply weren't
carrying out his instructions properly.
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola called him "the best manager in the world"
in 2012. High praise, but well earned. He has not won a domestic trophy
since 1998 but he is a man with a clear philosophy. Whereas others - Louis
van Gaal is one - merely speak of their "philosophies", Bielsa implements
his and gets results.
Of course, it will mean an alteration to the way things are done in east
London if he is to get the job. It cannot be forgotten that Marseille are
third in Ligue 1 under Bielsa's guidance and sit just two points behind
leaders Paris Saint-Germain - he may yet win the French title before heading
to England.
But there will be adjustments. If he is to implement his 3-3-1-3 system,
players will be shifted; the likes of James Collins, Joey O'Brien, Kevin
Nolan, Carlton Cole and, just perhaps, Andy Carroll may well become
obsolete.
Collins and O'Brien simply won't cut the mustard, while Nolan is a mere
water-carrier - a midfielder constantly scurrying around looking to regain
the possession he has lost. Cole isn't good enough and, well, Carroll simply
isn't as dynamic as either Diafra Sakho or Enner Valencia.
The latter two would thrive under the Argentine - their pacey, skilful
styles meshing perfectly with Bielsa's versatility-inspired formation.
Somewhat ironically, Alex Song would fit perfectly into the team, as the
midfield three play high but without the normal brief to attack. The job is
to win the ball and recycle possession quickly - something Song has had to
do at the very highest level with both Arsenal and Barcelona. Bielsa will
want to keep him.
But don't expect instant results. Bielsa's methods often take time to adjust
to, and results tend not to set the world alight within weeks of his
appointment, while he has to work the players to the bone as he attempts to
drum in his modus operandi.
Training sessions are hard, and he is known to blow a gasket even in the
simplest drills if things do not go just as he had planned. But once it
clicks - and it always does - then quite sparkling football tends to follow.
See Athletic Bilbao's Europa League journey in 2012 for evidence; the La
Liga side reached the final - though they lost to Atletico Madrid - and
outclassed Manchester United, both at home and away, en route.
West Ham fans often talk of 'The West Ham Way'. The 'Bielsa Way' may not be
too far off.
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Irons want Song AND Busquets
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will have another Barcelona target on their minds when they talk to
the Catalan giants about Alex Song at the end of the season.
For although the chances are remote they want to discuss a possible deal for
Sergio Busquets to strengthen their midfield. With the club heading for the
Olympic Stadium and a new boss almost certain to be installed, they believe
it is worth at least trying to get an answer on a player who has been in and
out of the Barca team and on their minds for some time. David Gold and David
Sullivan are ready to start a new Hammers era and that the news has leaked
out to ClaretandHugh as early as April 1 shows that ambition. The player has
made over 200 appearances for Barca.
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Bielsa/Amafitano have no problems
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There's at least one player inside the West Ham dressing room who won't be
unhappy if Marseilles boss Guy Bielsa shoudl arrive in the summer as the
club's next boss - Morgan Amalfitano. The Frenchman was in Bielsa's bad
books last year after a trining ground bust up but has since privately told
West Ham staff he would have stayed at Marseilles had he realised the
quality of football Bielsa produced.
The pair's training ground altercation took place in August but later the
manager was very helpful in easing our midfielder's passage to West Ham and
was personally thanked by the midfeilder. A source told us: "Yes they had a
little fall out. It happens all the time on the training ground but there's
no ill will between the two and they could work together again. Football -
FA Premier League - West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC"Bielsa remains very
much in the frame for the Irons job with Sam Allardyce;s days now looking
very much numbered.
Bielsea is widely admired across the world and has drawn words of hign
praise from Carlos Tevez who said back in 2012 as manchester United
challenged for the Title: " I think Ferguson and Bielsa are the best
managers. "I know Ferguson didn't have the best relationship with me but
together with Bielsa, those two are the best managers I had." Tottenham boss
and fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino is another big admirer of the
man!
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Cressie expects Foxes bite
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Aaron Creswell is the latest player to warn that Leicester City have
everything to play for at the Walker Stadium this weekend. It's clear the
Irons will need to be at their best if they are to come away with three
points given the desperate atmosphere around the bottom placed side.
Absolutely nobody inside the club sees the game against the Foxes than one
of the toughest calls possible at this time.
Cressie declared: They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're
in a tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so
they will want the three points. But we're confident and "We needed the
three points, first and foremost against Sunderland. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday. It's not an easy run-in but we only have Manchester City
of the big boys left."
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Cottee: West Ham let these two youngsters slip through their fingers
HITC
Billy Hawkins
Tony Cottee is disappointed that West Ham United did not give more
opportunities to two former youngsters. Speaking to London24, the Hammers
legend named two former youngsters as disappointing cases in West Ham's
academy production. He said: "Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip."
The East Londoners are known for their famed academy system, and it is a
reputation that has been with them for much of their distinguished history.
Most regarded for producing a number of the England team that won the 1966
World Cup, in recent years the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James
Tomkins have made the first-team, while Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe
Cole and Michael Carrick have gone on to have great success elsewhere. Yet
it is Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas that Cottee names as not being given
a fair chance at the Boleyn Ground. 25-year-old Stanislas is now playing for
Bournemouth in the Championship, and could be back in the Premier League
next season, while Hines, 26, is turning out for Dagenham & Redbridge in
League Two. Between them, they made 78 first-team appearances for the
Hammers after progressing through the youth ranks, but neither really
cemented themselves as a key player. Unfortunately for them, they progressed
at a time when the Irons were buying a lot of players from abroad, and
Cottee is correct to presume that they were not given a great chance for
success. However, for Hines especially, considering the level they are
playing at now, maybe the former English youth duo just weren't good enough
for a club of West Ham's stature.
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An insult to West Ham United
HITC
Dan Coombs
West Ham Mark Noble's absence from the England squad was bad enough, until
Roy Hodgson made it even worse last night. England secured a 1-1 draw away
to Italy last night, but it was almost despite the bizarre team selection of
manager Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions boss selected a diamond formation in
midfielder, with Arsenal's Theo Walcott ineffective at the tip of it through
the centre. His choice of holding midfielder was just as bad, picking
Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones to play the role. It is a position
in which Jones has played in the past, even under Fabio Capello for England,
but it is not one he has been playing recently for Manchester United. His
limitations were badly exposed by the technically gifted Italians and he was
withdrawn for Michael Carrick, only then did England improve.
Perhaps if only England had a player specialised in the position other than
Carrick who Roy Hodgson could have started? In fact they do, but he was at
home in east London, preparing for West Ham United's next Premier League
match. Mark Noble's continued absence from the England squad remains a
bemusement to many, who have seen him become one of the Premier League's
most consistent performers in recent seasons. Leaving him out of the squad
was one thing, but picking Phil Jones out of position in his place was an
insult to him and West Ham. If Noble needed any more motivation to prove
Hodgson wrong this was it. The England boss deemed Ryan Mason not ready for
a starting spot, while Fabian Delph also had a poor game. Hodgson's
selection shows that he is unsettled on his best player for the position,
and there is still a chance for Noble to force his way into the team if the
England boss can get past his blind spot when it comes to the 27-year-old.
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West Ham's Cottee: Forget club rivalry, we must all applaud Kane
17:30 01 April 2015
Lonodn 24
Tony Cottee
Our West Han columnist wants to see more English players coming through
I am a season ticket holder at Wembley Stadium and normally when I go, the
view is great, the hospitality is superb and the football is terrible. Not
so on Friday night. I know it was only Lithuania, but you can only beat what
is in front of you and I thought we played really well. The travelling and
the hospitality was not so good this time, but at least I saw us play well
and Harry Kane score his first international goal. Forget club rivalry, it
is just great to see a young English player do so well. I have never in my
seven years of watching England at Wembley, seen a player get a standing
ovation when he came on, but that was what happened for Harry and I was up
clapping too.
Greg Dyke has called for less foreign players in the Premier League and more
English youngsters like Kane to develop and I have to say I agree with him.
I have nothing against the likes of Di Canio, Cantona and Henry coming over
here, but it is the cheap average players who take the squad spots of
English players that annoys me. Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip
I have got a lot of time for Greg Dyke and I really hope he gets his way.
The Hammer of the Year voting is just around the corner and it seems to be
wide open. There were some who did really well in the first half of the
season, but it is consistency that counts. If I were to choose right now, it
would be for Aaron Cresswell in first place and Diafra Sakho just behind
him. Hopefully both will play on Saturday at my old team Leicester, but
anyone who thinks it will be an easy game for us is sadly mistaken. They are
a decent team and they are fighting for their lives, so we will need to get
our attitude right, stop their danger men and then hit them on the counter.
I still think it will be a tight game, but with the likes of Winston Reid
and Enner Valencia hopefully back, I am going for a battling 1-0 win. West
Ham is my team, followed by Everton and then Leicester City and I am
desperate for the Foxes to stay up, but hopefully their string of wins will
come after Saturday! COYI
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WHUFC.com
The positive news is that all of the players who went away on international
and testimonial duty have returned in good condition. With regard to the
other players, you can read and watch an in-depth update regarding Andy
Carroll's recovery here. Andy is currently working on his rehab following
knee surgery in warm-weather conditions in Dubai, as this is the perfect
stage of his recovery to do so. He will not have a summer break this year as
he will be working hard on his rehab during that period. Following the
hamstring injury he suffered against Chelsea on 4 March, Winston Reid is fit
and is training hard to be ready for Saturday's Barclays Premier League
fixture at Leicester City. Enner Valencia's laceration in his big toe that
he suffered in an accident at his home on 10 March has healed. He started to
train in his boots again on an individual basis on Monday. We are
re-evaluating Enner's situation on a daily basis. James Tomkins and Doneil
Henry are continuing with their rehabilitation from shoulder and hamstring
surgery. Doneil has resumed walking normally this week, which is the next
step in his rehab and something he is really happy about.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Carroll steps up recovery
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll ticked off a significant milestone in his recovery from knee
surgery last week when he left the crutches and knee brace behind to step up
his work in the gym and swimming pool. Carroll had to go under the surgeon's
knife to repair damage to his medial knee ligament after suffering the
injury at Southampton in February and had to keep the knee immobilised for
the first stage of his rehabilitation. Under the watchful eye of the Club's
head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke, Carroll has now been
able to increase his workload as he aims to leave behind the injuries which
have hampered him over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old is pleased to
have taken another step along the road to recovery.
He said: "I'm feeling alright. It's a lot better, getting off the crutches,
out of the brace and being able to move more on the bike and do some work in
the pool. "It's good to come in to work at the training ground and see the
lads too. If you're working away from the Club you might not see them for a
while, but it's nice to come in in the mornings and have breakfast and lunch
with them. "I couldn't move my leg for a month or so after the operation. I
was at 90 degrees and I couldn't really do any more, but doing work where I
can move now is good. "Last week was the first time I went in the pool and
there'll be a lot more new stuff to come as well."
For Vandenbroucke, he is pleased with the progress his charge has made since
his surgery. He explained: "We've reached week six of Andy's rehab so we've
increased the exercises. He's on the bike, he's in the pool and we're doing
more exercises in the gym. "It's becoming more enjoyable now, the most
boring stuff is behind us so we're looking forward to the next phase of the
rehab. "It's important that we don't get carried away too much and on the
other hand it's important we don't do too little, so it's about finding the
right balance between me, Andy and the knee. "We've made good progress. He's
very good and works hard. The knee doesn't react so we're very happy. "Next
he's going to work hard in the pool, and you can really work hard
fitness-wise in the pool to start building that up again. It doesn't mean
that he has not worked hard before - he has been drilled core-wise and
muscle-wise. Now he will continue to work, we can just increase the volume."
After returning to Chadwell Heath last week, Carroll is currently continuing
his rehab with a Hammers physio in the warmer environment of Dubai, giving
the striker the optimal conditions to work in as he increases the intensity
of his work.
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Reid relishing U-20 World Cup role
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is hoping the FIFA U-20 World Cup will have the same effect on
his fellow New Zealanders as the 2010 FIFA World Cup had on his own career.
The West Ham United defender caught the imagination of the football world
when he headed in the unfancied All Whites' last-gasp equaliser to earn a
group-stage draw with Slovakia. Then just 21, the goal - plus further draws
with Italy and Paraguay - put the spotlight on the centre-back, who was
playing for Danish club FC Midtjylland at the time. Within weeks of his
heroics in South Africa, the Hammers swooped to bring Reid to the Premier
League. Five years later, the 26-year-old is one of the best defenders in
English football, is his country's national-team captain and has been
appointed Ambassador for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played
in his homeland this May/June. "It's massive for the country," Reid told
FIFA.com. "The U-20s is a huge tournament on the world stage and we'll have
a lot of the very top nations in New Zealand competing for the trophy. "It
will be great for those teams too because they're going to a country with so
much to offer. Anyone visiting New Zealand will really enjoy themselves and,
as hosts, it's our job to make sure they leave with memories for life. "The
tournament should be a great success and I really hope the public get behind
it. Football is growing in New Zealand but it's still not the main sport, so
hopefully this tournament can help the game gain more recognition."
West Ham experienced the passion for football first-hand in a country more
commonly associated with rugby union and cricket when they visited for a
tour in July 2014. Reid and his teammates were treated wonderfully by the
New Zealand people, playing two matches with A-League clubs Wellington
Phoenix and Sydney FC, holding open training sessions and immersing
themselves in the diverse culture. As the son of Maori parents, Reid is
hoping that children with a similar background to his own - he was raised in
the Auckland district of North Harbour - will be enthused by the FIFA U-20
World Cup finals and follow in his footsteps. "There's going to be something
different about every single match," continued Reid, who moved to Europe
aged ten and played age-group football for Denmark before switching
allegiance to the country of his birth in 2010. "Each team will bring its
own philosophy and way of playing, and you never know - this might be the
only time a World Cup of this stature comes to New Zealand. Hopefully not,
but I think people should make the most of the opportunity. It's definitely
well worth ditching the oval ball for a couple of months to come out and
watch! "Both my mum and dad are Maori, so that heritage is important to me.
I really hope that more Maori and Pacific island kids can get involved in
football because their genetics are fantastic. So many of them are big and
strong - great attributes as a footballer. If I can inspire some of these
kids to get involved in the game, I'd be thrilled."
The FIFA U-20 World Cup finals will kick-off at Auckland's North Harbour
Stadium - West Ham's training base in 2014 - with New Zealand's Group A
clash with Ukraine. The final will be played at the same venue on 20 June
2015.
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The Big Interview - Aaron Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell is ready for the return of Barclays Premier League football
this weekend. West Ham United travel to bottom-of-the-table Leicester City
looking to complete a league double and make it back-to-back wins following
success against Sunderland. Speaking at the Club's shop signing event at the
Boleyn Ground this week, Cresswell said he is raring to go.
Aaron, always nice to see the fans, particularly on school holidays and with
lots of smiles on faces?
AC: "Definitely. It's only something little for us, so it's nice to give
something back, sign a few autographs and take a few pictures."
I guess during an international break you have a bit more time on your hands
perhaps. How do you spend the time when you're not training?
AC: "The season's still on, so we still do the same things that we do when
the games are still on. We're training every day, preparing for Leicester on
Saturday."
Do you keep a close eye on your teammates playing around the world? Ginge
was in Israel and Cheikhou in France.
AC: "Yes, I watched a bit of the Wales game the other night and speaking of
Ginge he missed an absolute sitter apparently! My little brother said to me
'did you see that?' But I missed it.
"They're all away on international duty and Jenks was away with England U21
as well so it'll be nice to get them back."
It was a great result for Wales and it must help when players come back
having won games?
AC: "Definitely. They're doing very well in their group and with a 3-0 win
he's going to come back full of confidence and feeling good about himself."
It's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big boys left.
There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league.
Aaron Cresswell
Looking ahead to the weekend. Leicester are bottom of the league, but
they'll be scrapping for everything and in a way is that almost as tough as
playing the teams nearer the top?
AC: "It'll definitely be a tough game, especially away from home. They're
fighting against relegation and we want to finish as high as we can with
eight games remaining.
"We're going to go there full of confidence and try to get the three
points."
Is it particularly tough away from home when they've got the full support of
their crowd?
AC: "Yes. They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're in a
tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so they
will want the three points. But as I say, we're confident and we want to
bring the three points back ourselves."
How are you enjoying your football at the moment? There were lots of
plaudits after the Sunderland game?
AC: "We needed the three points, first and foremost. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday."
That would give us a huge boost towards the end of the season and what is a
series of pretty winnable games.
AC: "Definitely. We've only lost two games against teams below us, so
obviously it's not an easy run-in but we've only got Man City of the big
boys left. There's no reason why we can't finish higher in the league."
There's been a bit of talk about the Fair Play league. We're top of that and
it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we could qualify for Europe
through that. Is that something the boys are aware of?
AC: "It's not really crossed our minds, but obviously it would be massive to
get into Europe however you get there. It would be massive for the Club and
the fans."
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Bielsea - Here's what Irons may get!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa may be something of a mystery man to many Hammers
fans. The Marseilles boss has been a runner as next boss since it began to
look likely Upton Park may have a new man at the helm next season. So here
in a special feature we look at the Marseilles boss - a man of whom Pep
Guardiola said three years ago: "He's the best manager in world football."
By Staff Reporter
Marcelo Bielsa isn't your typical manager. Intense and fiercely intelligent,
Bielsa has earned the nickname 'El Loco' throughout his career, but doesn't
fit the usual PL stereotype. In fact, it could be argued that he is - for
example - Sam Allardyce's very antithesis. A burly, stocky defender, Bielsa
retired at the age of 25 after playing for Newell's Old Boys, Instituto and
Argentino de Rosario, and subsequently qualified as a PE teacher.
Shortly after, he became Newell's manager and, so, in 1990, his managerial
odyssey began. Known by many names, Bielsa is a very 'hipster' coach. Take a
stroll into any press room in any country in the world and you can guarantee
that a style invoking a "high press" will be referred to as
'Bielsa-inspired'. He is meticulous. He is obsessive. And he has a ferocious
will to win.
While at Athletic Bilbao, Bielsa famously drenched certain areas of the
pitch in order to prevent Barcelona from playing their tiki-taka quite so
effectively. Yet he employs a stunning tactical rigidity.
Whilst at Bilbao, he simply refused to change his system even when Javi
Martinez was injured. A keen advocate of a three-man defence - involving a
'free' defender, who is able to drop into the heart of the backline
depending on how many attackers the opposition have on the pitch - he simply
drafted in a less able replacement instead of refining his gameplan.
Yet he is incredibly attacking. While with the Chile national team, Bielsa
devised a 3-3-1-3 system, which demanded excellence and unwavering
discipline from his players. Alexis Sanchez was the jewel in his particular
crown there, as Chile attacked with a swarm-like philosophy, with and
without the ball.
He has been known to employ spies to peek on opposition tactics; has been
spotted by his players trawling through the local countryside seeking out
undiscovered talent that may have escaped the attention of his usual
scouting networks, and has also been known to draw on players' boots during
training sessions in an attempt to show them exactly how the ball should be
played.
West Ham will have never seen anything quite like it.
He plans for every eventuality, drafts every potential substitution and
immerses himself completely in match preparation. Nothing is left to chance.
If something goes wrong, the chances are that the players simply weren't
carrying out his instructions properly.
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola called him "the best manager in the world"
in 2012. High praise, but well earned. He has not won a domestic trophy
since 1998 but he is a man with a clear philosophy. Whereas others - Louis
van Gaal is one - merely speak of their "philosophies", Bielsa implements
his and gets results.
Of course, it will mean an alteration to the way things are done in east
London if he is to get the job. It cannot be forgotten that Marseille are
third in Ligue 1 under Bielsa's guidance and sit just two points behind
leaders Paris Saint-Germain - he may yet win the French title before heading
to England.
But there will be adjustments. If he is to implement his 3-3-1-3 system,
players will be shifted; the likes of James Collins, Joey O'Brien, Kevin
Nolan, Carlton Cole and, just perhaps, Andy Carroll may well become
obsolete.
Collins and O'Brien simply won't cut the mustard, while Nolan is a mere
water-carrier - a midfielder constantly scurrying around looking to regain
the possession he has lost. Cole isn't good enough and, well, Carroll simply
isn't as dynamic as either Diafra Sakho or Enner Valencia.
The latter two would thrive under the Argentine - their pacey, skilful
styles meshing perfectly with Bielsa's versatility-inspired formation.
Somewhat ironically, Alex Song would fit perfectly into the team, as the
midfield three play high but without the normal brief to attack. The job is
to win the ball and recycle possession quickly - something Song has had to
do at the very highest level with both Arsenal and Barcelona. Bielsa will
want to keep him.
But don't expect instant results. Bielsa's methods often take time to adjust
to, and results tend not to set the world alight within weeks of his
appointment, while he has to work the players to the bone as he attempts to
drum in his modus operandi.
Training sessions are hard, and he is known to blow a gasket even in the
simplest drills if things do not go just as he had planned. But once it
clicks - and it always does - then quite sparkling football tends to follow.
See Athletic Bilbao's Europa League journey in 2012 for evidence; the La
Liga side reached the final - though they lost to Atletico Madrid - and
outclassed Manchester United, both at home and away, en route.
West Ham fans often talk of 'The West Ham Way'. The 'Bielsa Way' may not be
too far off.
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Irons want Song AND Busquets
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will have another Barcelona target on their minds when they talk to
the Catalan giants about Alex Song at the end of the season.
For although the chances are remote they want to discuss a possible deal for
Sergio Busquets to strengthen their midfield. With the club heading for the
Olympic Stadium and a new boss almost certain to be installed, they believe
it is worth at least trying to get an answer on a player who has been in and
out of the Barca team and on their minds for some time. David Gold and David
Sullivan are ready to start a new Hammers era and that the news has leaked
out to ClaretandHugh as early as April 1 shows that ambition. The player has
made over 200 appearances for Barca.
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Bielsa/Amafitano have no problems
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
There's at least one player inside the West Ham dressing room who won't be
unhappy if Marseilles boss Guy Bielsa shoudl arrive in the summer as the
club's next boss - Morgan Amalfitano. The Frenchman was in Bielsa's bad
books last year after a trining ground bust up but has since privately told
West Ham staff he would have stayed at Marseilles had he realised the
quality of football Bielsa produced.
The pair's training ground altercation took place in August but later the
manager was very helpful in easing our midfielder's passage to West Ham and
was personally thanked by the midfeilder. A source told us: "Yes they had a
little fall out. It happens all the time on the training ground but there's
no ill will between the two and they could work together again. Football -
FA Premier League - West Ham United FC v Liverpool FC"Bielsa remains very
much in the frame for the Irons job with Sam Allardyce;s days now looking
very much numbered.
Bielsea is widely admired across the world and has drawn words of hign
praise from Carlos Tevez who said back in 2012 as manchester United
challenged for the Title: " I think Ferguson and Bielsa are the best
managers. "I know Ferguson didn't have the best relationship with me but
together with Bielsa, those two are the best managers I had." Tottenham boss
and fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino is another big admirer of the
man!
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Cressie expects Foxes bite
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 1, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Aaron Creswell is the latest player to warn that Leicester City have
everything to play for at the Walker Stadium this weekend. It's clear the
Irons will need to be at their best if they are to come away with three
points given the desperate atmosphere around the bottom placed side.
Absolutely nobody inside the club sees the game against the Foxes than one
of the toughest calls possible at this time.
Cressie declared: They've got to try and fight to beat relegation. They're
in a tough battle and there's still a few teams who could get sucked in, so
they will want the three points. But we're confident and "We needed the
three points, first and foremost against Sunderland. We were on a bad run
having won one game in twelve, and now we're looking for another three
points on Saturday. It's not an easy run-in but we only have Manchester City
of the big boys left."
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Cottee: West Ham let these two youngsters slip through their fingers
HITC
Billy Hawkins
Tony Cottee is disappointed that West Ham United did not give more
opportunities to two former youngsters. Speaking to London24, the Hammers
legend named two former youngsters as disappointing cases in West Ham's
academy production. He said: "Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip."
The East Londoners are known for their famed academy system, and it is a
reputation that has been with them for much of their distinguished history.
Most regarded for producing a number of the England team that won the 1966
World Cup, in recent years the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James
Tomkins have made the first-team, while Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe
Cole and Michael Carrick have gone on to have great success elsewhere. Yet
it is Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas that Cottee names as not being given
a fair chance at the Boleyn Ground. 25-year-old Stanislas is now playing for
Bournemouth in the Championship, and could be back in the Premier League
next season, while Hines, 26, is turning out for Dagenham & Redbridge in
League Two. Between them, they made 78 first-team appearances for the
Hammers after progressing through the youth ranks, but neither really
cemented themselves as a key player. Unfortunately for them, they progressed
at a time when the Irons were buying a lot of players from abroad, and
Cottee is correct to presume that they were not given a great chance for
success. However, for Hines especially, considering the level they are
playing at now, maybe the former English youth duo just weren't good enough
for a club of West Ham's stature.
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An insult to West Ham United
HITC
Dan Coombs
West Ham Mark Noble's absence from the England squad was bad enough, until
Roy Hodgson made it even worse last night. England secured a 1-1 draw away
to Italy last night, but it was almost despite the bizarre team selection of
manager Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions boss selected a diamond formation in
midfielder, with Arsenal's Theo Walcott ineffective at the tip of it through
the centre. His choice of holding midfielder was just as bad, picking
Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones to play the role. It is a position
in which Jones has played in the past, even under Fabio Capello for England,
but it is not one he has been playing recently for Manchester United. His
limitations were badly exposed by the technically gifted Italians and he was
withdrawn for Michael Carrick, only then did England improve.
Perhaps if only England had a player specialised in the position other than
Carrick who Roy Hodgson could have started? In fact they do, but he was at
home in east London, preparing for West Ham United's next Premier League
match. Mark Noble's continued absence from the England squad remains a
bemusement to many, who have seen him become one of the Premier League's
most consistent performers in recent seasons. Leaving him out of the squad
was one thing, but picking Phil Jones out of position in his place was an
insult to him and West Ham. If Noble needed any more motivation to prove
Hodgson wrong this was it. The England boss deemed Ryan Mason not ready for
a starting spot, while Fabian Delph also had a poor game. Hodgson's
selection shows that he is unsettled on his best player for the position,
and there is still a chance for Noble to force his way into the team if the
England boss can get past his blind spot when it comes to the 27-year-old.
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West Ham's Cottee: Forget club rivalry, we must all applaud Kane
17:30 01 April 2015
Lonodn 24
Tony Cottee
Our West Han columnist wants to see more English players coming through
I am a season ticket holder at Wembley Stadium and normally when I go, the
view is great, the hospitality is superb and the football is terrible. Not
so on Friday night. I know it was only Lithuania, but you can only beat what
is in front of you and I thought we played really well. The travelling and
the hospitality was not so good this time, but at least I saw us play well
and Harry Kane score his first international goal. Forget club rivalry, it
is just great to see a young English player do so well. I have never in my
seven years of watching England at Wembley, seen a player get a standing
ovation when he came on, but that was what happened for Harry and I was up
clapping too.
Greg Dyke has called for less foreign players in the Premier League and more
English youngsters like Kane to develop and I have to say I agree with him.
I have nothing against the likes of Di Canio, Cantona and Henry coming over
here, but it is the cheap average players who take the squad spots of
English players that annoys me. Having only 32 per cent of players in the
Premier League eligible for England is not good enough and though West Ham
are much better than most, we have still let talents like Zavon Hines,
Junior Stanislas and others slip through our fingers because they haven't
got a fair crack of the whip
I have got a lot of time for Greg Dyke and I really hope he gets his way.
The Hammer of the Year voting is just around the corner and it seems to be
wide open. There were some who did really well in the first half of the
season, but it is consistency that counts. If I were to choose right now, it
would be for Aaron Cresswell in first place and Diafra Sakho just behind
him. Hopefully both will play on Saturday at my old team Leicester, but
anyone who thinks it will be an easy game for us is sadly mistaken. They are
a decent team and they are fighting for their lives, so we will need to get
our attitude right, stop their danger men and then hit them on the counter.
I still think it will be a tight game, but with the likes of Winston Reid
and Enner Valencia hopefully back, I am going for a battling 1-0 win. West
Ham is my team, followed by Everton and then Leicester City and I am
desperate for the Foxes to stay up, but hopefully their string of wins will
come after Saturday! COYI
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Wednesday, April 1
Daily WHUFC News - 1st April 2015
Cole urges fans to join Ebola fight
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole is calling on West Ham United fans to support Football Fighting
Ebola. The Hammers striker co-founded the campaign in late 2014 to raise
funds to battle the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed
thousands of people across West Africa. Cole, whose parents were both born
in the region, feels a personal duty to fight the disease and has joined
forces with fellow England international Nathaniel Clyne to host a Football
Fighting Ebola fundraising event in central London on Sunday 12 April. The
reception will raise funds for the King's Sierra Leone Partnership, which is
providing volunteer doctors and nurses and medical expertise and supplies
for hospitals in the country's capital, Freetown. While the Ebola outbreak,
which surfaced in Guinea in late 2013, was thought to be on the wane, new
fears of the disease re-appearing and spreading to new parts of Guinea,
Sierra Leone and neighbouring Liberia have been raised in recent weeks.
"Everyone can see what is happening out in West Africa," Cole began. "My Mum
is from Sierra Leone and my Dad is from Nigeria and the region holds a big
place in my heart. "My uncle Duncan is still living out there working and
trying to help with aid in the area, and I'm doing my best by getting
involved in Football Fighting Ebola. "Myself and Nathaniel Clyne are
Ambassadors and we will attending the fundraiser, which will be hosted by my
good friend Godfrey Torto, who co-founded the campaign and who has helped me
with all my other fundraisers in the past. "Hopefully we can raise some
money to help the people out there in West Africa."
Aside from inviting his West Ham teammates to back Football Fighting Ebola
on social media, Cole has also been working alongside actor Idris Elba,
whose own parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana. As part of the Africa
United campaign, London-based Elba has filmed television commercials
instructing residents of the affected countries to help prevent the spread
of Ebola, which is transmitted through bodily fluids. Meanwhile, Cole and
other footballers have been wearing shirts with the names of healthcare
workers on the backs. "I've done a load of other stuff with Idris Elba as
well to aid the workers out there, because they don't get any recognition
for what they are doing. "We are just trying to help in any way we can to
fight Ebola, because we need to get this crisis over and done with as soon
as possible."
Tickets for the Football Fighting Ebola fundraising reception, which will
take place at Searcy's in Knightsbridge from 6.30pm on Sunday 12 April, are
priced at £100 per person and available here.
Alternatively, you can donate £10 to the King's Sierra Leone Project by
texting 'StopEbola' to 70030.
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Former Player Blog - Tony Cottee
WHUFC.com
Tony Cottee scored 146 goals for the Hammers
Hello everyone,
We face one of my old clubs, Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium on
Saturday and it's a massive game for them considering they are bottom of the
table as things stand. Leicester are just not taking their chances and
that's been their problem all season. They had a slow start to the season,
then famously beat Manchester United 5-3 in a fantastic game, but then they
had a dip in form and have been struggling in the bottom three ever since.
Aside from the odd game, Leicester have got a big problem with scoring
goals. They paid a lot of money for Leonardo Ulloa and he started well, but
he has faded off a little bit. They also paid a lot of money for the
Croatian Andrej Kramaric and he got a couple of goals when he first came
into the team but hasn't scored for a while. They've also got David Nugent
and Jamie Vardy as well, so they have got a lot of forward players there but
they have struggled to take their chances and convert draws into wins.
If they had converted some of them, they would be higher up the league. I
always felt it was going to be a difficult season for them, because coming
up from the Championship is always tough. The main aim for a club like
Leicester is to finish 17th or above, even if it comes down to the last kick
of the season, just stay in the Premier League. They have still got a chance
of doing that, but they've got to start taking chances and winning games.
If you look at their squad, you would say it has enough quality in it to
stay in the Premier League, but you've got to get results. Speaking from
experience, even though it is 15 years since I played in the Premier League,
I am sure every single game is a hard slog because it is a physically and
mentally demanding league.
You have to be on your game every week and if you are in a
relegation-threatened team, it happens too often that you are not quite on
your game as an individual or as a team and you go three goals down and you
start playing and can't make up the goals. It's a difficult league and
you've got to be on your game. Yes, there is enough quality in that squad,
but you have got to get the results. There has been some turmoil with Nigel
Pearson and you've got to have stability at a football club to get the best
out of the players. Yes, I believe Leicester can stay up but they are
certainly making hard work of it. Talking of Nigel, I think he has done
well. He took over and got Leicester promoted with a really great season
last year. He has got his own unique way of managing, I think it is fair to
say. I was in his press conferences and it is interesting to listen to him.
You don't always get what you want out of him, but it's always an
interesting interview when you watch him. He likes to manage from the stands
and has been criticised for that, but I don't get it because you get a
better view from the stand. If that's what he wants to do, then as long as
you're in contact with the bench, I don't see it as a problem.
As I say, he has a unique way of managing but he'll ultimately be judged on
results. It's a harsh world out there and everyone wants immediate success
and to stay in the Premier League, but it's immensely difficult for
Leicester to do that. There are a lot of teams scrapping away to try to keep
their heads above water. I hope it doesn't happen, but if Leicester do get
relegated there will be big pressure on Nigel and I think he is big enough
to handle that pressure. When you are relegated, there are no guarantees
that you will come back up. I cover the Championship games week-in, week-out
for Sky and I turn up not knowing who is going to beat who. I covered a game
recently between Fulham and Derby and everyone was expecting Derby to win
four or five-nil, yet Fulham won two-nil. Fulham, Cardiff and Norwich have
all had difficult times this season and once you drop into the Championship
there is no guarantee you will get out of it.
No-one should under-estimate the job Sam did in getting the Club back into
the Premier League after just one season out of it. We did it the best
possible way by winning the Play-Off final at Wembley – a great day my two
sons still talk about now. We did a great job getting back because the
Championship is a really tough league and it's somewhere you don't want to
go back to. We've had a good season and don't need to talk about relegation.
We were safe by Christmas and that's where we want to be as a football club,
looking up above us and seeing if we can compete with the top seven and for
a place in the Europa League. We need to steady the ship and gradually build
for the coming years.
Enjoy the game on Saturday. Come on you Irons!
Tony Cottee
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Jenkinson stars in U21 victory
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson gave a Man of the Match performance as England U21 twice came
from behind to defeat old rivals Germany 3-2 in an international friendly at
Middlesbrough on Monday night. Gareth Southgate's team had to show plenty of
spirit after Germany started impressively and Philipp Hofmann gave the
visitors an early lead. England rallied with Jenkinson, who was a used
substitute in Friday's victory in the Czech Republic, laying on the leveller
for Manchester United's Jesse Lingaard. Shortly after the interval England
found themselves behind again with Hofmann once more the man to strike. Just
as before, England responded strongly with two goals inside the final ten
minutes turning the contest around. Nathan Redmond swept in the second
equaliser from twelve yards, then, with seven minutes left to play,
Jenkinson fed Southampton's James Ward-Prowse, who beat Barcelona stopper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen to seal the success. England's attentions now turn to
the summer's U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic, with
Jenkinson hoping to play his part.
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Valencia and Nene welcomed in Essex
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st March 2015
By: Staff Writer
A large crowd assembled in Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre this
afternoon to greet Hammers stars Enner Valencia and recent arrival Nene. The
South American duo generated huge interest in South East Essex when they
made a guest appearance at the club's newest store, which is a 100 yards or
so away from where West Ham's former shop used to be. An orderly queue that
formed outside the store from around 2pm had doubled back on itself by the
time the players arrived an hour later. They remained on site to meet and
greet Hammers fans - both young and old! - for around two hours, before
calling it a day.
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West Ham register 12 point improvement on last term
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st March 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have accrued 12 points more this season than from the
corresponding matches in 2013/14.
With just eight games of the current campaign left to play, Sam Allardyce's
Class of 2015 are a dozen points clear of the total achieved last season
from the equivalent opposition.
The Hammers have improved on their corresponding results from 2013/14 on no
less than ten occasions (replacing relegated teams with promoted teams) -
and on only five occasions have they fared worse that last season.
With a further 24 points left to play for, the Hammers are currently just 15
points behind the club's record Premier League total of 57, achieved some 16
years ago during Harry Redknapp's reign.
That was enough to catapult West Ham into European competition in the late
nineties - a feat only likely to be emulated this year via the UEFA Fair
Play table, which West Ham currently lead.
On the Up: Better Than Last Season
1. Crystal Palace (a) 3pts (last season 0pts) +3pts
2. Hull City (a) 1pt (0pts) +1pt
3. Liverpool (h) 3pts 3-1 (0pts) +3pts
4. Burnley (a) 3pts (Fulham, 0pts) +3pts
5. Man City (h) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
6. Stoke City 1pt (0pts) +1pt
7. Newcastle Utd (h) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
8. West Brom (a) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
9. Man Utd (h) 1pt (0pts) +1pt
10. Sunderland (h) 3pts (1pt) +2pts
Total: +23pts
On The Slide: Worse Than Last Season
1. Tottenham (h) 0pts (last season 3pts) -3pts
2. Southampton (h) 0pts (3pts) -3pts
3. Sunderland (a) 1pt (3pts) -2pts
4. Chelsea (a) 0pts (1pt) -1pt
5. Tottenham (a) 1pt (3pts) -2pts
Total: -11pts
The Same As It Ever Was
1. Man Utd (a) 0pts (0pts)
2. QPR (h) 3pts (Cardiff, 3pts)
3. Aston Villa (h) 1pt (1pt)
4. Everton (a) 0pts (0pts)
5. Swansea (h) 3pts (3pts)
6. Leicester (h) 3pts (Norwich, 3pts)
7. Arsenal (h) 0pts (0pts)
8. West Brom (h) 1pt (1pt)
9. Swansea (a) 1pt (1pt)
10. Hull CIty (h) 3pts (3pts)
11. Liverpool (a) 0pts (0pts)
12. Southampton (a) 1pt (1pt)
13. Crystal Palace (h) 0pts (0pts)
14. Arsenal (a) 0pts (0pts)
Still To Play
1. Leicester (a) (Norwich, 0pts)
2. Stoke City (h) (0pts)
3. Man City (a) (0pts)
4. QPR (a) (Cardiff, 3pts)
5. Burnley (h) (Fulham, 3pts)
6. Aston Villa (a) (3pts)
7. Everton (h) (0pts)
8. Newcastle (a) (1pt)
Total last season: 10pts
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Diafra Sakho eager to become West Ham's first goalscorer at the Olympic
Stadium
17:18, 31 March 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Senegal striker, who has had an impressive first season at the club,
also aims to be the last scorer at Upton Park before the Irons move out next
year
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho wants to carve his name into West Ham legend by becoming the
first scorer at the club's new stadium. The Senegal striker, who has had an
impressive first season at the club, also aims to be the last scorer at
Upton Park before the Irons move out next year.
West Ham are gearing up for an emotional final campaign at the Boleyn before
their move to the 54,000-seater Olympic Stadium in the summer of 2016. They
are looking to brink in more firepower this summer with his international
team-mate Moussa Konate among the candidates. But Sakho wants to be the man
who makes history when the club kick off in their new arena. The former Metz
forward, who has scored 12 goals this season, said: "Everyone dreams of
playing there. "I would even like to score the first goal in the new
stadium. That would be amazing. "I hope to score the last goal at Upton Park
as well and then the first one at the Olympic Stadium. You have to be
ambitious.
To go from 35,000 to 54,000 is massive. I think season tickets are going to
go very quickly this year. That's for sure." West Ham's impressive first
half of the season led to growing optimism within the club that they could
launch a shock bid for the Champions League places. They have fallen away
during the second half of the season with their most recent victory, 1-0
over Sunderland , only their second in 12 matches. Sakho, however, maintains
the Hammers will be stronger for the experience next season. He also
insisted the club will be striving to ensure the club are able to conclude
their tenure at Upton Park by taking European football into the Olympic
Stadium.
"It's the club's objective at the moment to play European football at the
new stadium. We as players are here to make that happen. We'll give it our
all in the next year to get there.
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Right lads action this time please – not words!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I remember laughing out loud when I was told by a Boleyn big hitter a few
weeks ago: "Don't worry about our finishing position – we have an easy run
in and will end up in the top eight!" I guess if we consider games against
relegation threatened teams such as Leicester City, QPR and Aston Villa (
all away) , Manchester City (away) and an end of season game at Newcastle as
easy then all will be well.
Stoke City, Burnley and Everton at home aren't the easiest either with the
Clarets in particular fighting hard in every game to secure their Premier
League future. But there we are, it's all in the eyes of the beholder
although personally I can't see any genuine gimmees on our run-in although
I find it hard to believe that QPR won't be beaten and anything other that a
win on Saturday would be hard to take. Morgan Amalfitano – like most players
before games – says the right things but we know all about words and
actions. He says:"We have a lot of games against the teams below us, but
that's not going to be easy. You have to be focused and we will be against
Leicester." "We've had a week's rest due to the international break and
hopefully we will be able to follow the last game and build on the win we
had against Sunderland at home, because we need that. "Maybe it is not good
to have that break straight away after a win, but we will see. The rest
could do us good." As he says: "We'll see" but after the mid-season slump
the fans deserve a big finish. Let's hope it really is about the action
this time and not all those well rehearsed words.
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Valencia "chat" despite watertight contract
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia has been told he will be going nowhere this summer despite
murmurings that Chelsea retain an interest. Valencia was at the centre of
transfer speculation in January that he could be on his way to Stamford
Bridge but no formal bid was tabled. However, Upton Park sources have again
heard "some agent talk" that the Ecuador striker may be on Jose Mourinho's
summer wanted list. We were told: "The same people who originated the chat
last time – basically agents – are at it again and no doubt it will all
start to fizz up when the window gets underway. "Enner has a watertight
contract with the club – there are no escape clauses involved – and he's
going nowhere. He has had a campaign of adjustment and we expect to see the
finished article next season. "He has been settling into a very different
way of life and that takes time. We are looking forward to seeing him reach
his full potential at West Ham United."
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Irons linked to Senegal striker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The Irons are this morning (Tues) reported as being ready to make a summer
move for Senegal striker Moussa Konate. There has been no formal
confirmation but the claim is he is also of interest to Newcastle and Aston
villa after replacing Diafra Sakho at January's Africa Cup of Nations. The
6ft 21 year old came off the bench to score twice in his country's 2-1 win
over Ghana and has scored 11 times in 17 appearances for his club, Swiss
side FC Sion, this season.
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Hammers on Senegal striker link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham today moved quickly to dispel speculation surrounding their
possible interest in Senegal striker Moussa Konate. The story emerged this
morning, probably as a result of the growing Senegal connection, but top
insiders were quick to knock the rumour down There has been no formal
comment on the story until now but when ClaretandHugh approached it's best
source inside the club we were told: "There's nothing in that whatsoever –
someone has a rich imagination." Newcastle and Aston Villa are reported as
being interested but we are entirely convinced Upton Park is not a
destination for the guy who replaced Diafra Sakho at January's Africa Cup of
Nations.
He came off the bench to score twice in his country's 2-1 win over Ghana and
has scored 11 times in 17 appearances for his club, Swiss side FC Sion, this
season.
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Amalfitano: Why I signed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Morgan Amalfitano is a very happy Hammer! Having earned himself a new deal
the Frenchman – speaking better English at any time over his time at West
Brom on loan and now a full time Iron – has spoken of his delight at being a
permanent part of Upton Park scene. He told the official site: ""It was good
to sign because I like England and English football, The Premier League is
the best I think and I wanted to stay and try to improve my game again. "I
feel happy here, my family do too and I want to learn better English. London
is a very nice place and in my head it was that reason that I decided to
sign a new deal. "I think the club is right for me and I would like to give
as much as I can back. As long as I do my best that is all I need to do." He
could have ended with a quick chorus of 'Maybe it's because i'm a Londoner'
but not sure the English stretched that far!
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Sullivan open to Hammers defender Doneil Henry leaving on loan
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham are happy for Doneil Henry to rejoin Blackburn Rovers next season.
West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has told the Lancashire Telegraph
that Doneil Henry could be loaned out again next campaign, as he continues
to adapt to English football. Henry has already been on a temporary spell at
Blackburn Rovers this season, but injury cut his time at the Championship
club short. That was a disappointment for all parties, as Henry was
performing well at Blackburn, but Sullivan's words today should boost Gary
Bowyer's side.
Bowyer has made no secret of his desire to re-sign the Canadian defender for
next term, and it seems that West Ham would be open to the move. "If he's
ready for the Premier League then he could get a chance, otherwise it might
be that he goes out on loan again to gain more experience," he said. West
Ham already have a number of defensive options, with the likes of Winston
Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all ahead of Henry in the pecking
order and therefore the powerful defender's chances of breaking through in
the near future seem slim. It means that the likelihood is that Blackburn
could be in luck if they do continue their pursuit of the 21-year-old. If
Henry does leave on loan again he will be hoping to pick up where he left
off, because his initial impression in English football has been a very
positive one.
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WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole is calling on West Ham United fans to support Football Fighting
Ebola. The Hammers striker co-founded the campaign in late 2014 to raise
funds to battle the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed
thousands of people across West Africa. Cole, whose parents were both born
in the region, feels a personal duty to fight the disease and has joined
forces with fellow England international Nathaniel Clyne to host a Football
Fighting Ebola fundraising event in central London on Sunday 12 April. The
reception will raise funds for the King's Sierra Leone Partnership, which is
providing volunteer doctors and nurses and medical expertise and supplies
for hospitals in the country's capital, Freetown. While the Ebola outbreak,
which surfaced in Guinea in late 2013, was thought to be on the wane, new
fears of the disease re-appearing and spreading to new parts of Guinea,
Sierra Leone and neighbouring Liberia have been raised in recent weeks.
"Everyone can see what is happening out in West Africa," Cole began. "My Mum
is from Sierra Leone and my Dad is from Nigeria and the region holds a big
place in my heart. "My uncle Duncan is still living out there working and
trying to help with aid in the area, and I'm doing my best by getting
involved in Football Fighting Ebola. "Myself and Nathaniel Clyne are
Ambassadors and we will attending the fundraiser, which will be hosted by my
good friend Godfrey Torto, who co-founded the campaign and who has helped me
with all my other fundraisers in the past. "Hopefully we can raise some
money to help the people out there in West Africa."
Aside from inviting his West Ham teammates to back Football Fighting Ebola
on social media, Cole has also been working alongside actor Idris Elba,
whose own parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana. As part of the Africa
United campaign, London-based Elba has filmed television commercials
instructing residents of the affected countries to help prevent the spread
of Ebola, which is transmitted through bodily fluids. Meanwhile, Cole and
other footballers have been wearing shirts with the names of healthcare
workers on the backs. "I've done a load of other stuff with Idris Elba as
well to aid the workers out there, because they don't get any recognition
for what they are doing. "We are just trying to help in any way we can to
fight Ebola, because we need to get this crisis over and done with as soon
as possible."
Tickets for the Football Fighting Ebola fundraising reception, which will
take place at Searcy's in Knightsbridge from 6.30pm on Sunday 12 April, are
priced at £100 per person and available here.
Alternatively, you can donate £10 to the King's Sierra Leone Project by
texting 'StopEbola' to 70030.
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Former Player Blog - Tony Cottee
WHUFC.com
Tony Cottee scored 146 goals for the Hammers
Hello everyone,
We face one of my old clubs, Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium on
Saturday and it's a massive game for them considering they are bottom of the
table as things stand. Leicester are just not taking their chances and
that's been their problem all season. They had a slow start to the season,
then famously beat Manchester United 5-3 in a fantastic game, but then they
had a dip in form and have been struggling in the bottom three ever since.
Aside from the odd game, Leicester have got a big problem with scoring
goals. They paid a lot of money for Leonardo Ulloa and he started well, but
he has faded off a little bit. They also paid a lot of money for the
Croatian Andrej Kramaric and he got a couple of goals when he first came
into the team but hasn't scored for a while. They've also got David Nugent
and Jamie Vardy as well, so they have got a lot of forward players there but
they have struggled to take their chances and convert draws into wins.
If they had converted some of them, they would be higher up the league. I
always felt it was going to be a difficult season for them, because coming
up from the Championship is always tough. The main aim for a club like
Leicester is to finish 17th or above, even if it comes down to the last kick
of the season, just stay in the Premier League. They have still got a chance
of doing that, but they've got to start taking chances and winning games.
If you look at their squad, you would say it has enough quality in it to
stay in the Premier League, but you've got to get results. Speaking from
experience, even though it is 15 years since I played in the Premier League,
I am sure every single game is a hard slog because it is a physically and
mentally demanding league.
You have to be on your game every week and if you are in a
relegation-threatened team, it happens too often that you are not quite on
your game as an individual or as a team and you go three goals down and you
start playing and can't make up the goals. It's a difficult league and
you've got to be on your game. Yes, there is enough quality in that squad,
but you have got to get the results. There has been some turmoil with Nigel
Pearson and you've got to have stability at a football club to get the best
out of the players. Yes, I believe Leicester can stay up but they are
certainly making hard work of it. Talking of Nigel, I think he has done
well. He took over and got Leicester promoted with a really great season
last year. He has got his own unique way of managing, I think it is fair to
say. I was in his press conferences and it is interesting to listen to him.
You don't always get what you want out of him, but it's always an
interesting interview when you watch him. He likes to manage from the stands
and has been criticised for that, but I don't get it because you get a
better view from the stand. If that's what he wants to do, then as long as
you're in contact with the bench, I don't see it as a problem.
As I say, he has a unique way of managing but he'll ultimately be judged on
results. It's a harsh world out there and everyone wants immediate success
and to stay in the Premier League, but it's immensely difficult for
Leicester to do that. There are a lot of teams scrapping away to try to keep
their heads above water. I hope it doesn't happen, but if Leicester do get
relegated there will be big pressure on Nigel and I think he is big enough
to handle that pressure. When you are relegated, there are no guarantees
that you will come back up. I cover the Championship games week-in, week-out
for Sky and I turn up not knowing who is going to beat who. I covered a game
recently between Fulham and Derby and everyone was expecting Derby to win
four or five-nil, yet Fulham won two-nil. Fulham, Cardiff and Norwich have
all had difficult times this season and once you drop into the Championship
there is no guarantee you will get out of it.
No-one should under-estimate the job Sam did in getting the Club back into
the Premier League after just one season out of it. We did it the best
possible way by winning the Play-Off final at Wembley – a great day my two
sons still talk about now. We did a great job getting back because the
Championship is a really tough league and it's somewhere you don't want to
go back to. We've had a good season and don't need to talk about relegation.
We were safe by Christmas and that's where we want to be as a football club,
looking up above us and seeing if we can compete with the top seven and for
a place in the Europa League. We need to steady the ship and gradually build
for the coming years.
Enjoy the game on Saturday. Come on you Irons!
Tony Cottee
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Jenkinson stars in U21 victory
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson gave a Man of the Match performance as England U21 twice came
from behind to defeat old rivals Germany 3-2 in an international friendly at
Middlesbrough on Monday night. Gareth Southgate's team had to show plenty of
spirit after Germany started impressively and Philipp Hofmann gave the
visitors an early lead. England rallied with Jenkinson, who was a used
substitute in Friday's victory in the Czech Republic, laying on the leveller
for Manchester United's Jesse Lingaard. Shortly after the interval England
found themselves behind again with Hofmann once more the man to strike. Just
as before, England responded strongly with two goals inside the final ten
minutes turning the contest around. Nathan Redmond swept in the second
equaliser from twelve yards, then, with seven minutes left to play,
Jenkinson fed Southampton's James Ward-Prowse, who beat Barcelona stopper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen to seal the success. England's attentions now turn to
the summer's U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic, with
Jenkinson hoping to play his part.
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Valencia and Nene welcomed in Essex
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st March 2015
By: Staff Writer
A large crowd assembled in Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre this
afternoon to greet Hammers stars Enner Valencia and recent arrival Nene. The
South American duo generated huge interest in South East Essex when they
made a guest appearance at the club's newest store, which is a 100 yards or
so away from where West Ham's former shop used to be. An orderly queue that
formed outside the store from around 2pm had doubled back on itself by the
time the players arrived an hour later. They remained on site to meet and
greet Hammers fans - both young and old! - for around two hours, before
calling it a day.
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West Ham register 12 point improvement on last term
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 31st March 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have accrued 12 points more this season than from the
corresponding matches in 2013/14.
With just eight games of the current campaign left to play, Sam Allardyce's
Class of 2015 are a dozen points clear of the total achieved last season
from the equivalent opposition.
The Hammers have improved on their corresponding results from 2013/14 on no
less than ten occasions (replacing relegated teams with promoted teams) -
and on only five occasions have they fared worse that last season.
With a further 24 points left to play for, the Hammers are currently just 15
points behind the club's record Premier League total of 57, achieved some 16
years ago during Harry Redknapp's reign.
That was enough to catapult West Ham into European competition in the late
nineties - a feat only likely to be emulated this year via the UEFA Fair
Play table, which West Ham currently lead.
On the Up: Better Than Last Season
1. Crystal Palace (a) 3pts (last season 0pts) +3pts
2. Hull City (a) 1pt (0pts) +1pt
3. Liverpool (h) 3pts 3-1 (0pts) +3pts
4. Burnley (a) 3pts (Fulham, 0pts) +3pts
5. Man City (h) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
6. Stoke City 1pt (0pts) +1pt
7. Newcastle Utd (h) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
8. West Brom (a) 3pts (0pts) +3pts
9. Man Utd (h) 1pt (0pts) +1pt
10. Sunderland (h) 3pts (1pt) +2pts
Total: +23pts
On The Slide: Worse Than Last Season
1. Tottenham (h) 0pts (last season 3pts) -3pts
2. Southampton (h) 0pts (3pts) -3pts
3. Sunderland (a) 1pt (3pts) -2pts
4. Chelsea (a) 0pts (1pt) -1pt
5. Tottenham (a) 1pt (3pts) -2pts
Total: -11pts
The Same As It Ever Was
1. Man Utd (a) 0pts (0pts)
2. QPR (h) 3pts (Cardiff, 3pts)
3. Aston Villa (h) 1pt (1pt)
4. Everton (a) 0pts (0pts)
5. Swansea (h) 3pts (3pts)
6. Leicester (h) 3pts (Norwich, 3pts)
7. Arsenal (h) 0pts (0pts)
8. West Brom (h) 1pt (1pt)
9. Swansea (a) 1pt (1pt)
10. Hull CIty (h) 3pts (3pts)
11. Liverpool (a) 0pts (0pts)
12. Southampton (a) 1pt (1pt)
13. Crystal Palace (h) 0pts (0pts)
14. Arsenal (a) 0pts (0pts)
Still To Play
1. Leicester (a) (Norwich, 0pts)
2. Stoke City (h) (0pts)
3. Man City (a) (0pts)
4. QPR (a) (Cardiff, 3pts)
5. Burnley (h) (Fulham, 3pts)
6. Aston Villa (a) (3pts)
7. Everton (h) (0pts)
8. Newcastle (a) (1pt)
Total last season: 10pts
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diafra Sakho eager to become West Ham's first goalscorer at the Olympic
Stadium
17:18, 31 March 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Senegal striker, who has had an impressive first season at the club,
also aims to be the last scorer at Upton Park before the Irons move out next
year
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho wants to carve his name into West Ham legend by becoming the
first scorer at the club's new stadium. The Senegal striker, who has had an
impressive first season at the club, also aims to be the last scorer at
Upton Park before the Irons move out next year.
West Ham are gearing up for an emotional final campaign at the Boleyn before
their move to the 54,000-seater Olympic Stadium in the summer of 2016. They
are looking to brink in more firepower this summer with his international
team-mate Moussa Konate among the candidates. But Sakho wants to be the man
who makes history when the club kick off in their new arena. The former Metz
forward, who has scored 12 goals this season, said: "Everyone dreams of
playing there. "I would even like to score the first goal in the new
stadium. That would be amazing. "I hope to score the last goal at Upton Park
as well and then the first one at the Olympic Stadium. You have to be
ambitious.
To go from 35,000 to 54,000 is massive. I think season tickets are going to
go very quickly this year. That's for sure." West Ham's impressive first
half of the season led to growing optimism within the club that they could
launch a shock bid for the Champions League places. They have fallen away
during the second half of the season with their most recent victory, 1-0
over Sunderland , only their second in 12 matches. Sakho, however, maintains
the Hammers will be stronger for the experience next season. He also
insisted the club will be striving to ensure the club are able to conclude
their tenure at Upton Park by taking European football into the Olympic
Stadium.
"It's the club's objective at the moment to play European football at the
new stadium. We as players are here to make that happen. We'll give it our
all in the next year to get there.
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Right lads action this time please – not words!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I remember laughing out loud when I was told by a Boleyn big hitter a few
weeks ago: "Don't worry about our finishing position – we have an easy run
in and will end up in the top eight!" I guess if we consider games against
relegation threatened teams such as Leicester City, QPR and Aston Villa (
all away) , Manchester City (away) and an end of season game at Newcastle as
easy then all will be well.
Stoke City, Burnley and Everton at home aren't the easiest either with the
Clarets in particular fighting hard in every game to secure their Premier
League future. But there we are, it's all in the eyes of the beholder
although personally I can't see any genuine gimmees on our run-in although
I find it hard to believe that QPR won't be beaten and anything other that a
win on Saturday would be hard to take. Morgan Amalfitano – like most players
before games – says the right things but we know all about words and
actions. He says:"We have a lot of games against the teams below us, but
that's not going to be easy. You have to be focused and we will be against
Leicester." "We've had a week's rest due to the international break and
hopefully we will be able to follow the last game and build on the win we
had against Sunderland at home, because we need that. "Maybe it is not good
to have that break straight away after a win, but we will see. The rest
could do us good." As he says: "We'll see" but after the mid-season slump
the fans deserve a big finish. Let's hope it really is about the action
this time and not all those well rehearsed words.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valencia "chat" despite watertight contract
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia has been told he will be going nowhere this summer despite
murmurings that Chelsea retain an interest. Valencia was at the centre of
transfer speculation in January that he could be on his way to Stamford
Bridge but no formal bid was tabled. However, Upton Park sources have again
heard "some agent talk" that the Ecuador striker may be on Jose Mourinho's
summer wanted list. We were told: "The same people who originated the chat
last time – basically agents – are at it again and no doubt it will all
start to fizz up when the window gets underway. "Enner has a watertight
contract with the club – there are no escape clauses involved – and he's
going nowhere. He has had a campaign of adjustment and we expect to see the
finished article next season. "He has been settling into a very different
way of life and that takes time. We are looking forward to seeing him reach
his full potential at West Ham United."
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Irons linked to Senegal striker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The Irons are this morning (Tues) reported as being ready to make a summer
move for Senegal striker Moussa Konate. There has been no formal
confirmation but the claim is he is also of interest to Newcastle and Aston
villa after replacing Diafra Sakho at January's Africa Cup of Nations. The
6ft 21 year old came off the bench to score twice in his country's 2-1 win
over Ghana and has scored 11 times in 17 appearances for his club, Swiss
side FC Sion, this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers on Senegal striker link
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham today moved quickly to dispel speculation surrounding their
possible interest in Senegal striker Moussa Konate. The story emerged this
morning, probably as a result of the growing Senegal connection, but top
insiders were quick to knock the rumour down There has been no formal
comment on the story until now but when ClaretandHugh approached it's best
source inside the club we were told: "There's nothing in that whatsoever –
someone has a rich imagination." Newcastle and Aston Villa are reported as
being interested but we are entirely convinced Upton Park is not a
destination for the guy who replaced Diafra Sakho at January's Africa Cup of
Nations.
He came off the bench to score twice in his country's 2-1 win over Ghana and
has scored 11 times in 17 appearances for his club, Swiss side FC Sion, this
season.
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Amalfitano: Why I signed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 31, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Morgan Amalfitano is a very happy Hammer! Having earned himself a new deal
the Frenchman – speaking better English at any time over his time at West
Brom on loan and now a full time Iron – has spoken of his delight at being a
permanent part of Upton Park scene. He told the official site: ""It was good
to sign because I like England and English football, The Premier League is
the best I think and I wanted to stay and try to improve my game again. "I
feel happy here, my family do too and I want to learn better English. London
is a very nice place and in my head it was that reason that I decided to
sign a new deal. "I think the club is right for me and I would like to give
as much as I can back. As long as I do my best that is all I need to do." He
could have ended with a quick chorus of 'Maybe it's because i'm a Londoner'
but not sure the English stretched that far!
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Sullivan open to Hammers defender Doneil Henry leaving on loan
HITC
John Verrall
West Ham are happy for Doneil Henry to rejoin Blackburn Rovers next season.
West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has told the Lancashire Telegraph
that Doneil Henry could be loaned out again next campaign, as he continues
to adapt to English football. Henry has already been on a temporary spell at
Blackburn Rovers this season, but injury cut his time at the Championship
club short. That was a disappointment for all parties, as Henry was
performing well at Blackburn, but Sullivan's words today should boost Gary
Bowyer's side.
Bowyer has made no secret of his desire to re-sign the Canadian defender for
next term, and it seems that West Ham would be open to the move. "If he's
ready for the Premier League then he could get a chance, otherwise it might
be that he goes out on loan again to gain more experience," he said. West
Ham already have a number of defensive options, with the likes of Winston
Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all ahead of Henry in the pecking
order and therefore the powerful defender's chances of breaking through in
the near future seem slim. It means that the likelihood is that Blackburn
could be in luck if they do continue their pursuit of the 21-year-old. If
Henry does leave on loan again he will be hoping to pick up where he left
off, because his initial impression in English football has been a very
positive one.
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