Daily WHUFC News - 4th November 2011

Cold comfort for Hammers
WHUFC.com
The players have been using cryotherapy to help their muscles to recover
more quickly
03.11.2011

West Ham United's players are embracing the use of cryotherapy - cold
therapy - to help them to recover quickly from the strains of a 46-game
npower Championship season. On Wednesday, a number of players visited the
cryotherapy chamber as an alternative to jumping in an ice bath, spending
three minutes at temperatures of minus 120C (minus 184F) to aid recovery in
their muscles following Tuesday's draw with Bristol City. "This is something
we used last season for injured players but this season we are using it for
recovery purposes," confirmed head of sport science and sport medicine Andy
Rolls. "With so many games in a short space of time, we have been taking
certain players there with the idea that the extreme cold temperature almost
shocks the body and pulls the blood inwards to the vital organs and then
when it comes out to the muscles it has a flushing out effect and removes
any debris from the muscles left by excess work. "This has been shown to
help the body to recover. We intend to continue using this throughout the
season. "Ice and cold therapy has something that has always been used to
reduce swelling. We regularly use ice baths and cryotherapy has been shown
to be beneficial and a number of the players believe it has really helped
them. "Over a 46-game season, if you are always doing the recovery sessions
on a bike or in swimming pool it is nice to do something different and this
has been good for team-building. "The players have to dress up in fetching
protective clothing to prevent frostbite or the sweat from burning the skin,
so it's good for team spirit and morale. "It has to be taken seriously but
it has a fun side as well."

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Lletget answers US call
WHUFC.com
Seb Lletget has moved a step closer to realising his Olympic dream in the
East End next year
03.11.2011

Hammers starlet Sebastian Lletget will get the chance to impress Jurgen
Klinsmann at a special United States training camp next week. Still only 19,
the Academy ace has been named in a 31-man squad for the Under-23
get-together to be held in senior team coach Klinsmann's native Germany. The
camp will be staged from 7 to 16 November at the renowned Sportschule Wedau
centre in Duisburg. Klinsmann has worked with U23 coach Caleb Porter to
devise the week-long programme, with the emphasis on following the senior
team's approach. The players will be put through their paces by former US
stars Claudio Reyna and Tab Ramos. The squad will form the basis of the US
team that hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, with Lletget
determined to fly the flag for West Ham at the Games. Lletget has continued
to shine this season in the development squad under Ian Hendon, forming a
strong central midfield partnership with George Moncur. Speaking to
whufc.com, the San Francisco native said: "The Olympics are next year and I
am really hoping I can get into that squad. It is everyone's dream and that
is the next step. I have to keep working hard."

Speaking to USSoccer.com, Klinsmann said: "It is very important that we are
all on the same page in how we are working with the national teams and that
we are all pulling in the same direction, since all roads lead to the senior
team. "They will have full support from the national team, and their camps
will be run just like ours. In this initial camp they will gather as much
information as possible. As this group gets together, it is important for
all these players to understand that they have a very unique opportunity."

It is thought that some of the brightest talents in the U23 squad will also
get the chance to be involved with the senior set-up in the coming months.
The main emphasis though is the CONCACAF qualifying for the Olympics, which
will be held in the US next March and feature eight nations competing for
two places at the London Games.

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'On another day, those go in'
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins admitted to being frustrated on not being able to put Bristol
City away on Tuesday
03.11.2011

A draw and a clean sheet are better than a defeat. It may be stating the
obvious, but James Tomkins was quick to point to the positives of Tuesday's
0-0 npower Championship draw with Bristol City. West Ham United dominated
their visitors for long periods at the Boleyn Ground, only for a combination
of stubborn defending and wasteful finishing to cost them all three points.
Centre-back Tomkins and his defensive colleagues, meanwhile, were largely
untroubled by the Robins as an attacking threat, with only a smattering of
long-range shots and a flurry of late corners to concern them. "We had our
chances to win the game but we didn't put them away," said the No5. "We
didn't lose, which was the main thing, and we got a point out of it but we
expected to win this kind of game. On another day, those chances go in. "I
think they defended really deep but we did create our chances and we could
have won the game. We had three or four good chances and didn't put them
away, which is frustrating."

The only blot on West Ham's defensive night was the loss of Winston Reid
with a dislocated shoulder after just seven minutes. Having suffered a
similar injury twice during his time within the Academy, Tomkins knows how
painful such a dislocation can be. "It's been frustrating for me having a
few weeks out with my groin injury, but hopefully I've got that out of the
way now and I can keep pushing on. "Reidy has done really well so what has
happened to him with his shoulder is really unfortunate. Hopefully it's not
too serious. Things can happen like that but he'll be back strong soon. "We
just need to keep defending well. We kept another clean sheet on Tuesday
which was a bonus for us defensively because doing so always gives us a
chance to go on to win."

With Reid absent, Tomkins is likely to partner Abdoulaye Faye at the heart
of the Hammers' defence at Hull City on Saturday. Despite the fact West Ham
are also likely to be missing the extra creative quality of Matt Taylor and
Henri Lansbury, the 22-year-old is convinced the Hammers can maintain their
outstanding away record at the KC Stadium. "I think we have got enough
quality in the team. At times we showed our quality against Bristol City.
Hull is a massive game and we need to get the three points to keep the
pressure on Southampton and keep ourselves going, really. "We are unbeaten
in our last few games now and just need to keep our run going. Hull is the
next step and it's a big game."

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Hall on a high
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall is targeting a debut after being named in West Ham United's
matchday squad for the first time
02.11.2011

Rob Hall is itching to make his West Ham United debut after being named in
the Hammers matchday squad for a league match for the first time. The
18-year-old was called back from a successful loan spell with League Two
high-fliers Oxford United to take his place on the bench for Tuesday's
goalless npower Championship draw with Bristol City - having already been an
unused substitute for the Carling Cup first-round visit of Aldershot Town in
August. After watching for 90 minutes as the Robins frustrated the Hammers,
Hall is now looking forward to getting on to the pitch for the first time in
a claret and blue shirt when the opportunity arises. "It's that close," he
told West Ham TV. "It was nice being among the boys and getting used to
everyone again. I went to Switzerland with them in the summer which was
nice, then I went away and am now back with them. "It was good to get back
together with everyone and we're doing well. We should have won on Tuesday
but we just needed that last little edge and didn't get it. "On another day,
we would have got three or four but it just wasn't our night."

Looking back on his two-month stay at Oxford, Hall was grateful to the
League Two club for giving him his first opportunity in senior football. The
England Under-18 striker responded with six goals in ten appearances as
Chris Wilder's side rocketed into the automatic promotion places. "It was a
great experience. They gave me a great opportunity to go out and play and
play how I wanted to play. "It was a very attacking team and luckily,
playing in League Two, Oxford have a good passing team. They don't just
launch the ball and have got some great players there, so it suited the way
I wanted to play so I'm pleased it went well. "I wanted to see how it went.
I didn't think about it before it happened. I just went out there and worked
hard and the boys were great with me down there. Luckily, things paid off
and it was a productive two months down there."

Hall was just 17 when he initially joined Oxford in September, but admitted
he had been keen to follow a number of his older team-mates out on loan
after seeing the likes of Olly Lee, Cristian Montano, Ahmed Abdulla and
Callum McNaughton all head out on a temporary basis. "A lot of good people
gave me advice before I went. Josh Payne, who was here as a youngster and is
now at Oxford, gave me a ring before I went and said he went out when he was
a second-year scholar and it was one of the best things he has ever done. "I
saw a lot of the other boys going out on loan and thought 'Why shouldn't
I?'. I asked and was told 'No' and thought maybe I am still too young. Then,
a couple of days later, Oxford rang and the gaffer let me go and it turned
out to be one of the best things I've done in my career. It's one of the
highlights of my life so far."

While his long-term goal is to become a first-team regular with the Hammers,
Hall admitted he would readily re-join Oxford on loan should manager Sam
Allardyce allow it. However, the No46 would also be more than willing to try
his luck further up the Football League if the manager saw that of greater
benefit to his career.
"How Oxford were with me, if I got the opportunity to go back out, then I'd
go back there if I had the chance because they were great with me. The lads
there were great. "If the gaffer wants me to go to a higher league then I
will do whatever it takes to impress him because I want to play here. "I can
only do what I'm told, so I'll just keep my head down and keep going."

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Whyteleafe date for Hendon
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's development squad return to action with a trip to Surrey on 15
November
02.11.2011

Ian Hendon's Development Squad are heading to Surrey for an away fixture
later this month. On Tuesday 15 November, the development squad will travel
to Surrey to face Ryman League Division One South side Whyteleafe. Former in
1946, the Leafe joined the Ryman League as long ago as 1984 and is the club
where former Hammers manager Alan Pardew began his playing career in 1980.
Kick-off at Church Road will be at 7.45pm.

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West Ham United lose Winston Reid to shoulder injury
Page last updated at 18:27 GMT, Wednesday, 2 November 2011
BBC.co.uk

West Ham defender Winston Reid has been ruled out for more than a month
after dislocating his shoulder during Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Bristol City.
The New Zealand international, 23, went to hospital for a scan after lasting
just seven minutes of the clash. Boss Sam Allardyce told the club website:
"If we are lucky he will be out for four to five weeks, if it doesn't need
an operation or pinning." Allardyce is also waiting to learn the extent of
John Carew's knee injury. The Norway international striker missed the clash
with the Robins at Upton Park and is doubtful for Saturday's trip to Hull.

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ONELY DEATH OF BOBBY MOORE'S ONLY SON AT 43
Thursday November 3,2011
By David Pilditch
Daily Express

THE only son of World Cup football legend Bobby Moore died alone after he
slipped into a coma. Dean Moore, 43, was discovered dead on his living room
floor after his mother raised the alarm because she could not contact him.
He had fallen into a coma after suffering diabetic ketoacidosis, a deadly
complication of the disease.
Yesterday an inquest heard it was unlikely he even knew he was suffering
from diabetes. Dean's sister Roberta was in court as details of his final
hours emerged. His mother Tina, the first wife of England's greatest
football captain, was too upset to attend the hearing at Westminster
Coroner's Court in London. Dean, a former publican, was a recovering
alcoholic who had been sober for a long period. His body was discovered at
the support centre where he had been living in Notting Hill, west London, on
July 27. Next to him was some insulin, painkillers and inhalers. The hearing
was told that he also had a history of gout, asthma and depression. It is
very difficult to hear about Dean's struggle with diabetes. We all still
miss him terribly. Pathologist Dr Mike Osborn, who carried out a post-mortem
examination, said: "The symptoms are very subtle and the sort of things you
would not pay attention to until it is too late." Coroner Dr Shirley
Radcliffe recorded a verdict of death by natural causes. Roberta, 46, said:
"It is very difficult to hear about Dean's struggle with diabetes. We all
still miss him terribly." West Ham and Fulham defender Bobby Moore, who
captained England to victory over Germany in the 1966 World Cup, died from
cancer aged 51 in 1993.

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West Ham looking for loan signing after Reid injury against Bristol City
2:40pm Thursday 3rd November 2011
Guardian Series
By Simon Mail >

West Ham could be forced into the transfer market after Winston Reid
dislocated his shoulder in Tuesday night's draw with Bristol City.
Centre-back Reid was taken off just seven minutes into the contest and Irons
boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that he will actively be scouring the loan
market to fill the void. Allardyce said: "It will be another search in the
loan market very quickly to see if we can find a quality player that will
help us with the numbers at the moment. We will be looking forward very much
to the international break this time around. The two weeks will be well
received."

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Carew return set to boost West Ham
By talkSPORT
Thursday, November 3

West Ham striker John Carew is expected to give the club a major boost and
return for the Championship game against Hull on Saturday. Carew was forced
to miss the 0-0 draw against Bristol City on Tuesday night after suffering a
knee injury in the build up to the game. But after seeing a specialist on
Wednesday, the Norwegian international has been given the all-clear to
resume training. Carew, speaking on his twitter site, said: "Knee feels
better. Hopefully just one more day in the pool, then out on the pitch
again." The news will come as a major boost to manager Sam Allardyce who is
already facing a major injury crisis at the club with David Bentley, Henri
Lansbury and Winston Reid facing lengthy spell on the sidelines.

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Faubert in West Ham turnaround
By talkSPORT
Thursday, November 3

West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has pledged his long-term future to the
club - just months after he said he wanted to quit Upton Park. Faubert was
expected to leave the club during the summer after the club suffered
relegation from the Premier League last season. The French midfielder
suffered the worst season of his career under Avram Grant and was desperate
to get his career back on track. But Faubert has been handed a new lease of
life under new manager Sam Allardyce and he is determined to play a major
role in helping the east London club gain immediate promotion straight back
into the top flight. Faubert said: "I am happy because I give my best for
the team, for West Ham and for the manager, because the manager gives me
confidence and I have to give it back to him. "That is why I give 100 per
cent and sometimes more, because I am enjoying playing football and I am
happy to be here. "Last season, as I have said before, was the worst in my
life. Mentally it was hard for my family as well. So now I am giving my best
for the team. It has been easy because the manager is very clear on what he
wants."

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WEST HAM'S QUESTION OF BALANCE
THURSDAY, 03/11/2011
Shoot.co.uk
by Anthony Sealey, Shoot's West Ham blogger

Since my last blog West Ham have taken four points from two home games and
in doing have maintained second place in the Championship.

In all honest though the two games were a 3-2 win over Leicester and 0-0
draw with bottom of the table Bristol City and merely highlighted the
deficiencies in Sam Allardyce's team.

The absence of Matt Taylor on the left hand-side of West Ham's midfield has
had a dramatic affect on the balance of the side and his return cannot come
quickly enough.

While George McCartney is a solid defensive option at left back he is
limited in possession and tends to favour the approach of giving someone
else the ball as quickly as possible instead of taking responsibility
himself.

Jack Collison has been occupying the left midfield berth in Taylor's absence
and although Collison has the potential to be a fine player, wide midfield
is not his position and as a result he is more often found in front of the
centre-halves.

The left side of the field is not really the problem though it is the
right-hand side that causes serious concern. Right-back Joey O'Brien had
been out of football for some time prior to his signing for West Ham, his
first couple of performances had some promise to them, but since then he has
gone backwards at an alarming rate. His positioning and use of the ball
leave plenty to be desired.

The jewel in the crown though has to be Julien Faubert. Rarely have I left a
West Ham game without asking myself what this man does in a game.

His touch is poor, his technique is at best questionable and his
understanding of even the most basic aspects of the game often leaves me
scratching my head. In fairness you can't knock his effort or his desire and
he doesn't hide in a game, but there has to come a point when enough is
enough and let's hope that Allardyce has now reached that point.

Yes Faubert did notch a goal in the victory over Leicester, however the two
guilt edged chances he then wasted, that would of wrapped up the game, were
of far greater significance. When a team is missing is better players, you
cannot afford to be carrying players and with Faubert that is just what West
Ham are doing.

Unless Allardyce addresses these balance issues to the team, the Upton Park
faithful may have to settle for the lottery of the play-offs if we are to
see our team return to the Premier League.

Something that really shouldn't be necessary in a league that looks very,
very winnable.

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Hammers chief welcomes break
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits the international break has come at
just the right time for his injury-hit squad.
Football365
Last Updated: 03/11/11 at 13:41 Post Comment

The Hammers head to Hull on Saturday looking to bounce back from Tuesday's
disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Bristol City but without the likes of
Winston Reid, John Carew, Matt Taylor, David Bentley and Henri Lansbury.
Allardyce will scour the loan market for reinforcements after the weekend
but first wants his side to get their promotion bid back on track at the KC
Stadium. "We are very much looking forward to the international break, it
will be well received," he said. "We have to keep the run of results going
and come away with points at Hull City before that. It will be a difficult
game but if we can get the same performance I think we can win there.
"Then we will look to resolve some of our problems over the international
break and perhaps add to the squad with a loan player."

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Stech International Call-Up Gives Glovers Keeper Headache
Ciderspace.co.uk

Yeovil Town look almost certain to need a new goalkeeper for next weekend's
FA Cup First Round match against Hereford United, after West Ham United
keeper Marek Stech was given an international call-up. Czech Republic
Under-21 international coach Jakub Dovalil has named the squad that will
travel to Armenia for a Euro Under-21 qualifying match, and has listed Stech
as one of two goalkeepers in the travelling party.

The match in Armenia takes place on Friday 11th November, with a 1.00p.m.
kick-off, and with Stech currently their first choice keeper with ten caps
to his name at that level he is likely to start in that match. Stech's one
month loan at Huish Park is due to expire on November 19th meaning that he
would have one more game for the Glovers following that cup tie, but then
both clubs would need to make a decision on his future.

The Glovers do have goalkeeping coach Gareth Stewart registered with the
club as a player, but he has yet to be drawn into competitive action.

Czech Republic Under-21 Squad to face Armenia:

Goalkeepers:
Roman Valeš (FK Baumit Jablonec), Marek Štěch (West Ham United - on loan at
Yeovil Town)

Defenders:
Pavel Čmovš (NEC Nijmegen), Lukáš Hejda (FK Příbram), Tomáš Kalas (Vitesse
Arnhem), Jan Lecjaks (Young Boys Bern), Milan Nitrianský (SK Slavia Praha),
Filip Novák (FK Baumit Jablonec)

Midfielders:
Vladimír Darida (FC Viktoria Plzeň), Marek Hanousek (FK Dukla Praha), Josef
Hušbauer (AC Sparta Praha), Jan Kopic (FK Baumit Jablonec), Ladislav Krejčí
(AC Sparta Praha), Lukáš Mareček (RSC Anderlecht)

Forwards:
Václav Kadlec (AC Sparta Praha), Jan Chramosta (FK Mladá Boleslav), Martin
Nešpor (Bohemians 1905), Tomáš Wágner (FK Příbram)

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Tony Cottee Column: Players get just as frustrated as fans when they don't
win
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Thursday, November 3, 2011
12:00 PM

I completely understand West Ham fans' frustrations after seeing the team
held to a goalless draw on Tuesday night against a Bristol City side that
were bottom of the league at kick-off. I was at the game and I thought that
the Hammers did okay for the first 70 minutes, but you could tell that the
desperation started to creep in in the latter stages of the match. Don't get
me wrong, on the balance of possession and play, West Ham deserved to win
the game, but we just couldn't score that elusive goal. Had we make the
breakthrough, I think that we would have gone on the win the game quite
comfortably. Some credit must go to Bristol City, though. Like many teams
will do this season, they came to Upton Park and put 11 men behind the ball
and encouraged West Ham to try and break them down. In the end, the Hammers
failed. The same things happens to Barcelona every week in the Spanish
league, and West Ham need to learn how to combat this tactic and penetrate
the so-called lesser teams' defences. Not only is a performance like
Tuesday's frustrating for the fans and the manager, it is also equally
frustrating for the players. You cannot fault their effort against Bristol
City, but the finishing just wasn't there. I can tell you now that West Ham
will create less chances than they did on Tuesday and come away with 2-0
wins this season, so there is not too much to get downhearted about. We all
want to win 4-0 every week, but the Championship just isn't like that and
the Hammers didn't lose and they kept a clean sheet, so there are some
positives to take from the game.

For me, the first 15 minutes of a game like Tuesday's are crucial, and I
felt that we didn't get the powerful start that we had against Leicester. If
you don't get an early goal when you are playing against a side struggling
near the bottom of the table at home, then that is when the away side start
to grow confidence and feel like they can get something out of the game. One
player I felt had a tough night was young Freddie Sears. He hit the post and
had a couple of chances that were saved, but he was being played out of
position on the left wing and he kept wandering in-field. It was also a
disappointing night for Sam Baldock. I am a big fan of his, but Bristol City
kept him quiet and he had one of those nights, where he didn't really get
the service and nothing fell his way, which was a shame. West Ham have been
hit hard by injuries and losing Winston Reid is a big blow. The defender has
improved massively under Allardyce and I hope he has a speedy recovery.
Another player the Hammers are missing is Matt Taylor. He offers natural
width to the team and we don't have another naturally left-footed player
that can play out wide.

This weekend West Ham travel to Hull, who have quietly crept up the league
table in recent weeks. Under Nigel Pearson they have a good manager and it
will be one of the tougher away games this season. I am confident that West
Ham can go there and draw though and I think most fans would be pleased with
a point. We need the international break to come so that we can get some key
players back to fitness, and it would be a massive psychological boost if
the Hammers could remain in second spot for the two weeks. Tony Cottee was
talking to Nathaniel John

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Police warning to all West Ham fans
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, November 3, 2011
11:29 AM
London 24

Humberside Police have issued a warning to all West Ham fans contemplating
travelling to Hull on Saturday if you havent got a ticket, then dont bother.
The Championship match is all-ticket for West Ham fans and the police were
keen to stress that no admission will be available on the day. Chief
Inspector Andy Oliver also added: "Humberside Police will not tolerate any
kind of violence or disorder at football matches in Hull and anyone who does
become involved in this kind of behaviour will be punished. "The message to
those individuals intent on causing trouble is stay away or face being
arrested." With the match taking place on November 5, there were further
guidelines from the police about another potential threat on the day. "Due
to the time of the year, supporters are being reminded it is an offence to
try and take fireworks into a football match," added Oliver. "To ensure no
fireworks enter the ground, stewards and police will be extra vigilant and
will be searching fans.
"Anyone caught trying to take fireworks into the stadium will be arrested
and prosecuted." It seems we have been warned!

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Marek Stech's future lies in West Ham United's hands
Thursday, November 03, 2011Western Gazette - North Dorset

MAREK Stech's Yeovil Town futures lies in the hands of West Ham United after
his loan club admitted they would be keen to keep him. The Czech Repbulic
under-21 keeper could make his final Glovers appearance at Chesterfield this
weekend. Yeovil are in FA Cup action at Hereford United a week on Saturday,
with Stech possibly on international duty. With Manuel Almunia also
returning to Arsenal following his temporary spell with the Hammers, the
Western Gazette understands the Glovers could be exploring alternative
keeper options. Manager Terry Skiverton said: "Marek is somebody that we
would definitely like to keep but it is in the hands of West Ham. Almunia
has gone back so I do not know what the situation is but we will find out
more after this weekend."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 2nd November 2011

Big Sam on City stalemate
WHUFC.com
The manager had every reason to praise the team's performance on Tuesday but not their finishing
02.11.2011

Sam Allardyce could not fault his team's play in the goalless draw against Bristol City but lamented the inability to take just one of the 19 chances created. Such profligacy meant a promising home performance that rivalled the 4-0 defeat of Blackpool and 3-2 win against Leicester in the previous two Boleyn encounters ultimately ended in a frustrating manner. Still, Big Sam stressed that seven points from the last nine was promotion form and enough to send the Hammers to Hull City on Saturday in strong spirits. "I suppose we have to accept days like this," he said. "We just lacked the cutting edge that we had on Saturday when we were so sharp [against Leicester]. It is amazing, just 72 hours ago we were striking balls into the back of the net. Tonight it just eluded us and they came and went on numerous occasions. It was not just one or two."

Bristol City, as was to be expected given their last-placed position, were in defensive mood but the manager praised the way his team found space to create clear-cut openings time and again in front of David James' goal. "I thought the lads did exceedingly well. We had 19 attempts on goal, ten on target, but unfortunately didn't convert one of them into the goal we should have done - particularly at the start of the second half when the chances came thick and fast. "Unfortunately for us we just have to accept the point."

Saturday's two-goal hero Sam Baldock had a "quiet night" while Freddie Piquionne, in for knee injury victim John Carew, had several opportunities but spurned them all. Freddie Sears, playing wide left in place of the rested Jack Collison, had an early effort crash against the post while Mark Noble went close right at the death with a header from close range. "We could go on and on with the amount of chances we missed," the manager added. "That all-important victory would have been well-deserved, the way we played means we should have won it. It is frustrating night and that can happen. I have to praise the lads for how they created and committed themselves. "We have had 29 crosses so it showed that the creativity was good but the end product to put one in the back of the net we haven't managed. We are all very sick in the dressing room as we know that performance should have reaped us the valuable three points. We have to take it on the chin. We haven't lost, we know we should have won but we take the point and we move on."

Carew will have his injury assessed on Wednesday but is doubtful for the weekend while Winston Reid's dislocated shoulder that caused his early substitution is even more cause for concern. The New Zealand defender went to hospital for a scan before returning before the end of the game. "If we are lucky he will be out for four to five weeks, if it doesn't need an operation or pinning. It does mean I'll need to go out and look in the market for a loan player for that period of time if I can find one.
"If you look at what we have had to suffer in terms of changes through injuries, our performances in those circumstances has been outstanding. We are a team that has constantly changed its personnel but is still producing attacking football and chances. This was an even better performance than against Leicester but didn't get the win. "We are looking very much forward to the international break. It will be well received. We have to keep the run of results going and come away with points at Hull City before that. "It will be a difficult game, but if we can get the same performance I think we can win there, and then look to resolve some of our problems over the international break and perhaps add to the squad with a loan player."

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Baldock the SBOBET winner
WHUFC.com
Hammers striker Sam Baldock has been recognised for his goalscoring efforts in the last month
01.11.2011

Sam Baldock has been voted the SBOBET Player of the Month for October 2011 after the latest supporter poll. The in-form striker took 60.4 per cent of the fan vote, with his nearest rival being Winston Reid on 14.1 per cent. Baldock shone throughout October but most notably scored twice on two occasions - the 4-0 home defeat of Blackpool and the 3-2 win against Leicester at the Boleyn last Saturday. Still only 22, Baldock follows on from Henri Lansbury (September) and James Tomkins (August) as winners of the SBOBET monthly prize, which is hosted on whufc.com. The forward has certainly had a week to remember, having also been named in the npower Championship team of the week for his display against Leicester.

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West Ham 0 - 0 Bristol City
Page last updated at 22:45 GMT, Tuesday, 1 November 2011
BBC.co.uk

West Ham fell five points behind Championship leaders Southampton after drawing a blank against Bristol City. The home team came close after a quarter of an hour when Freddie Sears' curling, long-range strike hit a post. But Neil Kilkenny almost scored for the away team when his low shot also clipped a post. In the second half, City keeper David James twice kept out Frederic Piquionne headers and was also alert to stop a strike from captain Kevin Nolan. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has spent the week brushing off criticism of his side's style of play, claiming teams that gain promotion need to know how to win ugly. But the Hammers were unable to do that on this occasion and this stalemate, against a side who were bottom at kick-off, left the home fans further frustrated.

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Reid set for lengthy lay-off
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd November 2011
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid could be out for several weeks after dislocating a shoulder against Bristol City last night. The New Zealand international, who was beginning to become a regular fixture in Sam Allardyce's first team fell awkwardly after defending a cross in the opening minutes of the Championship fixture, that ended 0-0. After receiving several minutes' treatment on the pitch he was immediately substituited and left the field of play clutching his left arm. Speaking to reporters after the game, manager Allardyce confirmed the bad news. "He's been to hospital and the dislocated shoulder has been put back into place," he said - before revealing that he would be using the forthcoming two-week international break to find fresh blood. "It will be another search in the loan market very, very quickly to see if we can find a quality player who will help us with the numbers at the moment," said the Hammers boss.

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West Ham Utd 0 Bristol City 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd November 2011
By: Staff Writer

A lack of creativity and failure to convert a string of chances cost West Ham two vital Championship points against bottom-placed Bristol City at the Boleyn Ground tonight. Despite creating 19 efforts on goal Sam Allardyce's side failed to convert a single one - and that was ultimately the difference between one point and three on a chilly night in east London. Despite that point being enough to keep the Hammers in second place (albeit five points behind leaders Southampton who beat Peterborough 2-1 tonight) Sam Allardyce will no doubt feel extremely frustrated at his team's inability to hit the back of the net.

The closest they came to doing so was after just 14 minutes when Freddie Sears - making only his second league start of the season - cut inside before firing a fierce drive against David James' far post. However West Ham contrived to waste a series of promising opportunities thereafter, resulting in the stalemate. United were always likely to struggle in front of goal having lost the squad's most creative players - namely Matt Taylor, David Bentley and Henri Lansbury - to injury. With struggling City content to resort to putting ten (sometimes eleven) men behind the ball - notably the first team to do so at the Boleyn this season -it was left to Sears and Julien Faubert to fashion chances from the flanks.

However their good work often went to waste with both Freddie Piquionne and Sam Baldock out of sorts and struggling to make an impact in limited space. City, although content to soak up the pressure exerted by West Ham did create chances of their own and could even have won the game in the closing minutes as United pushed for a winner. However that would have been a huge injustice to the Hammers who although profligate in front of goal produced enough to win most games with a degree of comfort.

* Riot Police were drafted in to deal with disturbances both before and after the game as a small group of Bristol City supporters, thought to number around 50, attacked small groups of Hammers supporters - including families. A window of the Queens Pub, close to Upton Park tube station was smashed during the disturbances. Some arrests are thought to have been made.

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Sam brushes off boos
West Ham boss pleased with performance despite lack of goals
Last Updated: November 1, 2011 11:29pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce brushed off the boos at the end of West Ham's goalless draw with Bristol City, whose boss Derek McInnes thought it was a good point. The second placed Hammers squandered a host of chances at Upton Park as they fell five points behind Championship leaders Southampton. Sections of the Upton Park faithful showed their frustration when Allardyce hauled off Saturday's two-goal hero Sam Baldock, and again at the final whistle. But Allardyce said: "Was it harsh? Absolutely, 100 per cent, yes.

Performance

"That's what fans can do if they feel we haven't won a game we should have won. But they can't be disappointed with the performance." Allardyce added: "It was a frustrating night for us all. "If you have 19 attempts on goal and 10 on target ultimately you expect win the game. But if the performances carry on like that we will win far more than we draw or lose. "I couldn't ask any more from the lads. We broke them down magnificently, created chances but couldn't find the finishing quality to get the ball into the net. But it was an outstanding performance."

Brighter future

For City, the future is suddenly looking brighter after they followed up their first victory in 10 weeks by grabbing a point which hauled them off the foot of the table.
McInnes said: "I thought we carried a threat the whole game and in the second half, when West Ham got the ball forward quicker, we stood up to it well. "Overall it's a good point for us. We started the day at the bottom and West Ham are second, they are among the favourites to go up and rightly so. "But it just shows that if you do enough of the right things on the night you can come away with a point, and we are delighted to get one."

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Hammers held by lowly Robins
Last updated: 1st November 2011
SSN

West Ham lost further ground to Championship leaders Southampton after a goalless draw against lowly Bristol City at Upton Park. Boss Sam Allardyce has this week brushed off criticism of his side's style of play, claiming teams that gain promotion need to know how to win ugly. But a stalemate at home to the side who kicked off propping up the division will be hard to stomach for the second-placed Hammers. In fairness they would surely have won at a canter had Frederic Piquionne's radar not deserted him in front of goal, while Kevin Nolan was twice denied by David James and Freddie Sears was a whisker away when he rattled a post. But City, full of confidence after a first win under new boss Derek McInnes on Saturday, were themselves a threat on the break and also hit the woodwork. Allardyce was forced into an early reshuffle when Winston Reid suffered a nasty shoulder injury defending a City corner in the seventh minute and had to be replaced by Abdoulaye Faye.
Nevertheless, the hosts almost opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour when young striker Sears curled his shot from outside the area onto the foot of the post.
Unfortunately, it was to be the closest they came all game.

Former Hammers keeper James kept out Piquionne's downward header with an extravagant diving save and also stuck out a hand to divert Nolan's low shot, but West Ham did not have everything their own way in the first half. Robert Green was fortunate to see Marvin Elliott's shot deflected straight at him and was even more relieved when Neil Kilkenny's daisy-cutter wrong-footed the home defence but clipped the side of the post. West Ham should have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when Julien Faubert's cross was met by Piquionne but the French striker's header was too close to James.

Moments after the restart Piquionne fired another good opportunity into the side-netting and then headed straight at James again. None of skipper Nolan's four goals this season have come at Upton Park but he must have thought he was about to break his home duck when put through by Piquionne, only for James to spread himself well and save with his legs. Still the chances came and went, with Faubert blazing over the top and substitute Carlton Cole following suit. But the winner just would not come - and it could have been a whole lot worse for Allardyce but City sub Yannick Bolasie fired narrowly wide in the 89th minute and Green had to finger-tip a deflected corner wide in stoppage time. Nonetheless, City celebrated a hard-earned point to leave Allardyce and an increasingly disgruntled home faithful frustrated.

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West Ham 0 Bristol City 0
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE blasted West Ham fans for booing them off. The Hammers failed to find the net after carving out more than a dozen chances as the promotion push faltered against stubborn City. Boss Allardyce admitted his frustration but hit out at the jeers. He rapped: "They can be disappointed with the result but not the performance. "It was 100 per cent harsh to boo. But it's what fans do when they think we haven't won a game we should've done. Sadly, it was frustrating. But I couldn't have asked any more from the lads. "If displays continue like that we'll win far more than draw or lose."

Allardyce must scour the loan market after losing key defender Winston Reid to a dislocated shoulder in the first minute. The Kiwi could be out for two months. Former West Ham keeper David James impressed with a great save in each half - stopping a Kevin Nolan effort between his legs on 64 minutes. James, 41, was beaten by a Freddie Sears shot after a quarter of an hour but the curling drive hit the post. Sub Yannick Bolasie cleared off the line from Carlton Cole's header. Mark Noble headed into the side netting in the last minute and striker Freddie Piquionne missed a couple of good chances to break the deadlock. Bristol City boss Derek McInnes said: "You can see the confidence in the team now."

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West Ham lack creative spark as Bristol City hold out for draw
London24
Steve Blowers, at Upton Park
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
10:05 PM

The Hammers fans turned up for a slaughter but were left to witness a sorry stalemate as Sam Allardyce's side had to settle for a dismal goalless draw against the resilient Robins. Rock-bottom Bristol City must have feared have feared the worst as they headed into the East End to face an in-form West Ham side riding high in second spot but Derek McInnes side battled every inch of the way to force the point that lifted them off the Championship floor. Following the weekend's 3-2 win over Leicester City, Big Sam had made a trio of changes as Frederic Piquionne, Freddie Sears and James Tomkins returned in place of John Carew, Jack Collison and substitute Abdoulaye Faye, who found himself on the bench alongside fit-again Peter Kurucz and young Robert Hall. Despite chalking up their second win of the season at Barnsley on Saturday, the Robins had still kicked off in bottom spot but, not surprisingly, McInnes named an unchanged team that included the 41-year-old, David James.

And the ex-Hammers 'keeper was quickly called upon to clatter into former Portsmouth team-mate Piquionne as the striker raced onto a through-ball, but that harmless collision was nothing compared to that endured by Winston Reid at the other end, just a minute or so later. Tumbling awkwardly in a bid to clear the first corner of the game, the Kiwi defender's night was over and he was led away clutching his left shoulder as Faye seamlessly stepped from the dug-out. On the quarter-mark, only the woodwork prevented West Ham from breaking the deadlock, when Sears collected from Julien Faubert and curled a brilliant 20-yarder beyond James' outstretched left glove and onto the post.

Apart from an Albert Adomah slice that went for a throw-in, the visitors had mustered nothing up front but, midway through the half, Marvin Elliott's 20-yard shot deflected into Robert Green's grasp. The reckless Adomah again let fly into the vociferous visiting fans packed into Sir Trevor Brooking Stand before Piquionne went far closer with a well-placed header that forced an athletic James to save at full-stretch. Ten minutes before the break, it was City's turn to hit the woodwork, when Neil Kilkenny sent a low 18-yarder through a pack of defenders and onto the base of the flat-footed, red-faced, Green's left-hand upright.

As the interval neared – and with City growing in confidence - Elliott also went close with two efforts before Mark Noble invited Faubert to send a pinpoint cross onto Piquionne's head but, again, James saved to give Big Sam and his goalless side some big thinking to do at the break. Certainly, the Hammers had shown lots of pace but little penetration during that forlorn first period and, within seconds of the restart, it was more of the same as Piquionne fired into the side-netting before sending a downward header just an inch or so wide of the base of the veteran James' right-hand post. In reply, the marauding Martyn Woolford saw Green parry his low, angled 12-yarder and, fortunately for West Ham, the long legs of Faye were on hand to deny Nicky Maynard the simplest of tap-ins.

At the other end, both Faubert and Piquionne sent the ball flashing across the face of goal but the yellow-shirted, West Country warriors were proving harder and harder to break down and, when Sears did get within sight of goal on the hour-mark, James was equal to the low shot. Noble also had a shot pawed away and when Faubert wastefully volleyed over, that was the catalyst for Carlton Cole to replace a subdued Sam Baldock, whose premature departure was still not well received by the frustrated East Enders in the crowd of 27,980. With the clock ticking, another Faubert failure and a weak effort from the subsequently substituted Sears did little to lift the mood of the home fans, either.

As the game entered its final stages, Cole sent an 18-yarder inches over but, by now, with Piquionne and Nolan also becoming the focal point for a string of one-dimensional long, high balls and it was crystal clear that City were not going to surrender their hard-fought point.

Hammers: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Reid (Faye 7), Tomkins, Sears (Diop 75), Faubert, Noble, Nolan, Baldock (Cole 68), Piquionne. Unused Subs: Kurucz, Diop, Hall.

Bristol City: James, Skuse, Nyatanga, Fontaine, McGivern, Elliott, Kilkenny, Cisse (Wilson 81), Woolford (Bolasie 66), Adomah, Maynard (Clarkson 88). Unused Subs: Gerken, Pitman.

Referee: Mark Haywood

Attendance: 27,980

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hampionship round-up: West Ham fire blanks against lowly Bristol
West Ham missed a chance to keep in touch with Championship leaders Southampton after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bristol City.
12:43AM GMT 02 Nov 2011
Telegraph.co.uk

Despite early signs of promise Sam Allardyce's side failed to really test former West Ham goalkeeper David James. "It was a very frustrating night for us. But I couldn't have asked any more from the lads," Allardyce said afterwards. "We couldn't find the finishing quality to put the ball in the back of the net so we're very frustrated. Perhaps had we got one, we'd have gone on to get more."

Allardyce paid tribute to his side for a run of seven points out of nine despite injuries among his small squad. He insisted the performance, though not the result, was "outstanding". West Ham's injury woes were extended early on when Winston Reid was forced off with a dislocated shoulder after just five minutes. Freddie Sears came close for the home side with an effort coming off the post, and Freddie Piquionne looked set to send a header past James but the former England No 1 made the save. In the second half, West Ham's poor fortune in front of goal continued with Kevin Nolan's weak shot easily trapped between James's legs. The draw lifted Bristol City off the bottom after their first win under manager Derek McInnes on Saturday. "You can see in the performance tonight, the confidence we got from Saturday's result," he said.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett was full of praise for in-form striker Darius Henderson after his double helped the Lions to a 3-0 win over Coventry. He said: "Every signing is a gamble but Darius has given us presence and quality." Watford continued to pull away from the bottom three with a surprise 1-0 win over Brighton after a 77th-minute strike from substitute Troy Deeney. Leicester bounced back from two successive defeats with a 3-1 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor. Second-half goals from David Nugent and a Paul Gallagher penalty gave them full points. Hull suffered only their second away defeat of the season at Barnsley, for whom Craig Davies and Andy Gray gave them a 2-0 lead. Matt Fryatt pulled one back for the visitors.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 1st November 2011

Bristol City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background information and early team news ahead of Tuesday's
fixture
31.10.2011

WEST HAM UNITED v BRISTOL CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United entertain Bristol City in their 15th npower Championship
fixture of 2011/12 seeking their fifth home league victory of the season in
eight attempts. The Hammers have previously beaten Portsmouth (4-3),
Peterborough United (1-0), Blackpool (4-0) and Leicester City (3-2), drawn
with Leeds United (2-2) and lost to Cardiff City and Ipswich Town (both
0-1).
• West Ham United are supporting the 2011 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
On Tuesday, representatives from the Royal British Legion will present a
wreath which will be taken to next Saturday's npower Championship fixture at
Hull City, where a minute's silence will be held to remember the members of
the armed forces who have died on duty. Also on Saturday, the Hammers will
be wearing special shirts embroidered with a poppy motif which will be
auctioned at a later date.
• The Hammers know a victory over the Robins could put them top of the table
if leaders Southampton lose at home to Peterborough United.
• Sam Allardyce's side are looking for a third consecutive home league
victory for the first time since beating Hull City, Fulham and Stoke City in
December 2008/January 2009. A win on Tuesday would also be West Ham United's
fifth home success in six league matches.
• A win on Tuesday would be West Ham United's ninth league success of the
season, equalling the total number achieved last term.
• West Ham United have not lost any of their previous eight meetings with
Bristol City in all competitions - a run dating back more than 33 years.
• Both of West Ham United's home defeats have come by way of goals in the
89th minute or later. Kenny Miller netted for Cardiff City on the opening
weekend of the season, while Lee Bowyer scored for Ipswich Town last time
out. Ross McCormack also secured a point for Leeds United with a last-minute
strike on 21 August.
• Bristol City will be managed for the third time by new boss Derek McInnes,
who was appointed following his departure from Scottish Premier League side
St Johnstone on 19 October. The 40-year-old has recorded one victory and one
defeat so far.
• Bristol City go into the weekend bottom of the npower Championship table,
but the Robins did pick up just their second league victory of the season on
Saturday courtesy of a 2-1 win at Barnsley.
• Bristol City have won just four of the 28 matches they have contested
against West Ham United and have won just once previously at the Boleyn
Ground - a 2-1 Division Two victory on 11 February 1978.
• Both of Bristol City's league victories this season have come away from
home, with Saturday's win at Oakwell being preceded by a 2-1 success at
Leicester City on 17 August.
• The Robins have kept just one clean sheet in their 14 league matches
played so far (0-0 v Portsmouth on 20 August) and have the worst goal
difference in the division (-15).

Team news
West Ham United
• Carlton Cole (knee) is back in contention after missing West Ham United's
previous four matches.
• Robert Hall has been recalled from his loan spell at Oxford United and
could be involved in the matchday squad on Tuesday.
• Matt Taylor (calf) is hoping to be back after the international break.
Henri Lansbury is definitely out for several weeks with a knee injury.
• Guy Demel is still being treated for a hamstring injury that has delayed
his debut.
• Gary O'Neil (ankle) is out with long-term ankle injury.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Ahmed Abdulla and Cristian Montano (Swindon
Town), Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Olly Lee (Dagenham & Redbridge),
Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Frank Nouble (Gillingham), and Dominic
Vose (Braintree) are all out on temporary loans.
Bristol City
• New Bristol City manager Derek McInnes is likely to be without veteran
centre-back Louis Carey (knee) and defender Jamie McAllister (ankle).

Last time out
Saturday 29 October 2011
npower Championship
West Ham United 3-2 Leicester City
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Reid, Faye (Tomkins 59), McCartney,
Faubert, Nolan, Collison, Noble, Carew (Piquionne 31), Baldock (Sears 86)
Subs not used: Boffin, Diop
Goals: Baldock 21, 71, Faubert 22
Saturday 29 October 2011
npower Championship
Barnsley 1-2 Bristol City
Bristol City: James, Fontaine, Nyatanga, McGivern, Elliott, Kilkenny, Skuse,
Cisse (Wilson 80), Woolford (Bolasie 66), Adomah, Maynard (Pitman 89)
Subs not used: Gerken, Stead
Goals: Adomah 14, Maynard 89

Last six meetings
27 January 1993 West Ham United 2-0 Bristol City (Division One)
15 September 1992 Bristol City 1-5 West Ham United (Division One)
20 March 1991 West Ham United 1-0 Bristol City (Division Two)
13 October 1990 Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
9 October 1984 West Ham United 6-1 Bristol City (League Cup second round
second leg)
25 September 1984 Bristol City 2-2 West Ham United (League Cup second round
first leg)
Overall record v Bristol City (all competitions) W 16 D 8 L 4

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Bristol City
2010/11 Championship 15th
2009/10 Championship 10th
2008/09 Championship 10th
2007/08 Championship 4th
2006/07 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2005/06 League One 9th
2004/05 League One 7th
2003/04 Second Division 3rd
2002/03 Second Division 3rd
2001/02 Second Division 7th

Referee
• Tuesday's referee will be Mark Haywood.
• Haywood became a referee in 1993 after taking up the challenge of a work
colleague who was already a match official, joining the National List of
assistant referees nine years later.
• He was promoted to the National List of referees in 2006 and has taken
charge of matches in all three divisions of the Football League over the
past five seasons.
• Haywood has yet to take charge of a West Ham United fixture in his career,
but he has previously been appointed to referee five Leicester City matches,
the most recent being the Foxes' goalless Championship draw at Cardiff City
in September 2011.
• In 13 fixtures this season prior to the weekend, including five in the
npower Championship, Haywood had shown 38 yellow cards and awarded two
penalties.
• Haywood will be assisted by Stephen Artis and Philip Knight, while the
fourth official will be Gary Jerden.

Us and them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Bristol City during their careers - Albert Carnelly, Fred Corbett, Joe
Durrell, Bobby Gould, Fred Harrison, William Ingham, David James, Jack
Landells, Hugh Montieth, Nicky Morgan, Leroy Rosenior and Jordan Spence.
• Jordan Spence has enjoyed two loan spells at Bristol City. The first saw
the England Under-21 defender make eleven Championship appearances between
March and May 2011. The second saw the 21-year-old re-join the Robins on a
season-long loan in August 2011. Spence is ineligible for this fixture.
• David James made 102 appearances for West Ham United between July 2001 and
January 2004. The 41-year-old former England goalkeeper has played 58 times
for Bristol City since joining the Robins from Portsmouth in August 2010.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United - then known as Thames
Ironworks FC - and Bristol City took place on 2 December 1899. The Robins
ran out 2-0 Southern League First Division winners in front of 3,000
supporters at their old St John's Lane ground.
• West Ham United are unbeaten in their previous eight meetings with Bristol
City, recording five victories and three draws in that span. The Robins'
most-recent win over the Hammers took place at the Boleyn Ground on 11
February 1978, when Jimmy Mann and Joe Royle scored in a 2-1 victory, with
Bryan 'Pop' Robson netting the hosts' consolation.
• Sam Allardyce is unbeaten in two previous matches against Bristol City as
a manager. He was in charge of the Blackpool side that drew 1-1 at Ashton
Gate on 12 August 1995 and won 3-0 at Bloomfield Road on 20 January 1996.
• The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Bristol City fixture
is the 32,526 who turned out for the Hammers' 3-2 FA Cup third-round victory
on 4 January 1969. Martin Peters scored twice, with Geoff Hurst adding the
other goal.
• West Ham United's largest home victory over Bristol City was the 6-1
League Cup second-round second-leg victory achieved on 9 October 1984 -
completing an 8-3 aggregate success for the Hammers. Then a Division One
club, West Ham overcame their Division Three opponents thanks to two goals
apiece from Tony Cottee and Paul Goddard and one each from Steve Whitton and
Steve Walford. Alan Walsh netted the visitors' consolation.
• Bristol City's biggest-ever win at the Boleyn Ground came in the shape of
the 2-1 victory they achieved in Division One on 11 February 1978. That
success represents the Robins' only Football League victory here in nine
attempts - the other eight ending in West ham wins.
• Three players have made their West Ham United debuts against Bristol City
- Fred Corbett (September 1900), Richard Pudan (January 1901) and Malcolm
Pyke (April 1957).

Up next
• West Ham United will travel to the KC Stadium on Saturday 5 November to
take on Hull City at 3pm, while Bristol City will welcome Burnley to Ashton
Gate at the same kick-off time.

General information
• Fans can pay on the day, with all Under-16s tickets priced at just a fiver
and all Academy members' tickets half-price. For the latest ticket
information, click here. To order online, visit www.whufcboxoffice.com
• Tuesday's weather forecast is for sunny intervals, but by kick-off time,
darkness will have fallen and the temperature will have dropped from a
daytime high of 16C (61F).

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Big Sam on Bristol City
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was naturally in strong spirits as he discussed the next big
Boleyn Ground date
01.11.2011

The manager is expecting his team to keep their good run going on Tuesday
night against Bristol City but knows it will be another stern test. Big Sam
was confident but cautious as he discussed his options for the visit of the
npower Championship's bottom club to the Boleyn, and will tell his men that
the points have to be earned from the first whistle. He may well have
Carlton Cole back in contention, while he will have to monitor the fitness
of Abdoulaye Faye after he was substituted in Saturday's victory by the odd
goal in five against Leicester City.

You have lost your last two Tuesday night fixtures...

SA: We lost here at home to Ipswich and we lost 1-0 to a corner at
Southampton so we have got to do better. The games come thick and fast. We
have to recover as best we can. Tuesday night's have been an achilles heel
for us. We have got Bristol City and the expectation is that we will have an
easy win but it will be far from that in reality. They have a new manager,
and he will reorganise them in a different way. That will be a tough game
and getting more players back out on the field is very important to us.

How pleased are you with your squad as a whole?

SA: I am delighted with the squad because it is so short on numbers. At the
end of the day, we are continuing to go forward. It is back to back wins. We
knew this was a big week coming up before the international break and we
have got off to a great start in terms of this week coming up by winning
against Leicester.
They are going to have to turn out and do three games this week which is
what we probably wouldn't want to do if we can help it but it looks like we
will have to.

It is important to keep the winning habit, isn't it?

SA: We have to try to keep the momentum going. Somewhere along the lines you
hope the results will go on and become a really good run of results. We have
put ourselves in a position now to do that. Of course, handling the pressure
of that and being at the top is a big one. Being expected to be winners
every week brings a pressure in itself and that is what they are going to
have to cope with. Carlton Cole is getting close to a return which will give
you a dilemma up front?

SA: Carlton may find it hard to get back in the side initially but we will
probably start by feeding him in off the bench. He has had a few weeks out
now and won't have played a competitive game of football for a while. It
will be nice to have him on the bench for Tuesday hopefully with a bit of
luck. It will be nice to have anyone back with our injuries at the moment.

Tell us more about how you signed Sam Baldock?

SA: A small, nippy quick one is something that we didn't have. We had
Carlton Cole, John Carew and Freddie Piquionne, who are all bigger
centre-forwards. Sam is that little lad who gets between the full-back and
the centre-half, looks to get in behind. He scored three when I went to
watch him so I came back pretty excited and the price started going up. Lots
of other clubs came in for him. We just pipped Southampton at the death. I
went to Norwich to watch him because I thought what a test that would be in
the Carling Cup and they won. He scored a great goal from outside the box. I
said to the Chairman 'look we have really got to get him'. He was unproven,
he is stepping up a division but for me a goalscorer is a goalscorer and if
he gets used to the pace of this league, he has got the right qualities with
the right partners to be very, very good. We were going well when he first
came and we were playing with a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-4-2 because we didn't
have that option. He gives us that option. Certainly for Blackpool and
against Leicester he has been an outstanding purchase. Hopefully he can
continue what he has done in the last two home games.

How pleased are you with Julien Faubert's form?

SA: Julien has a smile on his face at last. He has done a terrific job and
the quality of his finishing for the second goal was great. It was something
we have worked at. It is great when you see what we have worked on in
training pay off. Bristol City are bottom of the division. What are you
expecting?

SA: It won't be easy. Bristol City won at Barnsley [on Saturday] so they
have tightened up the defensive area but we are going to have to get the
players up for it and make sure we deliver the type of performances we have
been given to win it.

Anything less than that in any of these games and you know anyone can beat
anybody . Bristol City will take a great deal of confidence from having a
new manager. We enjoyed Saturday night but we woke up on Sunday focused. The
players had to go home, stay in and get ready to make sure they recover as
quickly as they can.
Back to back wins hasn't happened too often for us and now we have to look
forward. Every game is going to be a difficult game, everyone we have faced
has been difficult. You need quality to make the difference, like Sam
Baldock was the difference on Saturday. Let's hope we are still on the goal
trail on Tuesday, and tighten up the defence obviously so the old heart
doesn't pound as much in the last few minutes as it did on Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Faubert's family fortune
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert's opening goal of the season was welcomed by his young son
Noah
01.11.2011

Last season, little Noam Faubert did not even want to go to the Boleyn
Ground on matchdays. With his dad Julien Faubert making just 16 appearances
as West Ham United struggled towards relegation from the Premier League,
Noah did not enjoy his fortnightly trips to east London. This year, the
France international is back on top of his game and both father and son
relish every home fixture with smiles on their faces. Those smiles were
wider than ever on Saturday when Julien netted his first goal in 21 months
in the 3-2 npower Championship victory over Leicester City. The No18 put his
new-found happiness down to the positive changes brought about by the
arrival of manager Sam Allardyce. "I'm happy," he told West Ham TV. "I am
giving my best for West Ham, for the team and for the manager because the
manager gave me his confidence so I have to give it back to him and my
team-mates as well. "I want to give 100 per cent and sometimes maybe more
because I enjoy playing football. That's why I am happy to be here. "Last
season, as I have said, was the worst of my life and mentally hard for my
family and my kids as well because my son was asking 'Why are you not
playing?'. "Now he's happy to come to the matches and so is my wife as well
because now I'm playing. On Saturday it was even better because I scored as
well. It was a very good afternoon for him and for me as well. "Now I have
opened my account again and I hope I can score more goals. "Everything is
different now. I am just focused on the season and helping West Ham go back
to the Premier League. "I'm really pleased about this because the manager
speaks to me a lot and respects me, so I have to give him a lot back. "I
think the manager has come in with everything - he is passionate and he
loves football and knows football. "I lost everything last season but now it
is coming back. Sam said we all have to push forward in the same way and
we're all working together, so it's perfect."

Faubert's goal, just his second in 97 appearances for the Hammers, climaxed
an outstanding move that began with Mark Noble picking out Joey O'Brien's
run with a 50-yard diagonal ball over the head of former West Ham left-back
Paul Konchesky. O'Brien got to the byline before pulling the ball back to
the unmarked Faubert, who took a touch before drilling a low shot into
Kasper Schmeichel's bottom left-hand corner. "It was a good movement. It was
a good ball by Mark Noble and I screamed at Joey because I was all alone
'Give me the ball! Give me the ball!' and he did. "I shot and I got it on
target. It wasn't an amazing goal but it was a good goal for the team and
set us up for the rest of the game. "We are working a lot with Sam and Macca
[Neil McDonald] the assistant manager. I need to work on this because I had
an opportunity to score a second one and I missed it. That's why I need to
work more because in football you are always learning."

Another thing Faubert is learning about is the npower Championship - a
league he feels is faster and, in some ways, more challenging than the
Premier League. "I think I'm working more in this league. The tempo in the
Championship is harder, because I am working until the end, until the 93rd
minute, in every game. "You have to run, run and run which is different from
the Premier League, where the technical quality is higher. "In the
Championship you have to fight every game until the end, which is different,
but I'm enjoying it."

Having broken his duck for the season, Faubert is now targeting a third
consecutive league victory when Bristol City visit the Boleyn Ground on
Tuesday evening - a game for which all Under-16s tickets are priced at just
a fiver. "I hope so, but this will be a different sort of game. They will be
a strong team and hard to play against, but we are home and we have to stay
strong and take three points."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hall back from Oxford
WHUFC.com
Young striker Rob Hall has been recalled from his loan spell at Oxford
United
31.10.2011

West Ham United have this afternoon recalled Rob Hall from his loan spell at
Oxford United. England Under-18 forward Hall, meanwhile, has been in
outstanding goalscoring form for Oxford, netting six goals in ten
appearances for the U's. The youngster, who celebrated his 18th birthday on
20 October, has helped Oxford climb to fourth in the League Two table. Olly
Lee was recalled from his loan spell at League two club Dagenham & Redbridge
at the weekend, having scored three goals in 17 appearances.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Striker Robert Hall recalled by West Ham
Page last updated at 15:15 GMT, Monday, 31 October 2011
BBC.co.uk

West Ham United have recalled striker Robert Hall from his loan spell at
League Two Oxford United. Hall, 18, has been instrumental in Oxford's
success this season scoring six goals in 10 games for the U's. The U's had
wanted to extend his loan stay but West Ham have injury concerns and have
asked Hall to return. But 21-year-old striker Jonathan Franks has returned
to the club from Middlesbrough and Tom Craddock is back in training. Franks
initially signed on loan until 1 January but suffered a shoulder injury in a
behind-closed-doors friendly before he could make his debut. He returned to
the North East for treatment and has now come back to Oxford having regained
fitness. "Although we are disappointed to see Robbie go at this point, we
always knew this was a possibility when taking him on loan," said chairman
Kelvin Thomas.

Thomas added: "The timing is tough as we had begun discussions on extending
his loan for a longer period and there would have been no issue with this
without West Ham's injury problems. "The positive is that it is great for
Robbie. He has come here, played well, scored goals and had that little bit
of experience. "West Ham are very happy with the way he has been looked
after and the way he has played and have taken him back to be involved with
the first team squad." Manager Chris Wilder also admitted to being
disappointed at Hall's departure, but insisted he still had plenty of
options up front. "It was disappointing to see Robbie Hall leave, although
we fully understand and we do have options up front," added Wilder.
"Jonathan coming back is good news, Deane Smalley is a proven goalscorer at
this level, Danny Philliskirk was brought up at Chelsea and has good
pedigree and Tom Craddock is back in full training now. "We do have
competition for places up front and Jonathan returning will only add to that
competition.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Bristol City
Page last updated at 15:31 GMT, Monday, 31 October 2011
BBC.co.uk

Npower Championship
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday 1 November Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage:
Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and
BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

TEAM NEWS
West Ham's Abdoulaye Faye is hoping to shake off a tight hamstring with
James Tomkins standing by to replace him. Goalkeeper Robert Green has
returned after knee surgery so Manuel Almunia has gone back to Arsenal
following the end of his month-long loan.

Bristol City could be unchanged from the side which won 2-1 at Barnsley on
Saturday. The Robins do have two long-term injury absentees, however, in
Louis Carey (knee) and Jamie McAllister (ankle).

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• West Ham have won 16, drawn eight and lost four of 28 league and cup
matches against Bristol City.
• They have not gone head-to-head since the 1992/93 second level
league campaign, when West Ham did the double with a 7-1 aggregate score and
went on to gain promotion.
• The Hammers are looking for a fourth successive victory over Bristol
City, and are unbeaten in eight league and cup games against them (W5, D3),
since a 2-1 top-flight reverse at Upton Park in February 1978.

West Ham United

• West Ham, one place and three points off the pace, are looking for a
ninth win of this league season, and a third in a row.
• Their return of 27 points in 14 games is their best start to a
league season in 21 years.
• Their 26 league goals have been shared between 13 different players
- the longest goalscorers' list in the Championship.

Bristol City

• Bristol City gained their first win under Derek McInnes, with
Saturday's 2-1 away triumph over Barnsley. It followed five straight losses
and a 10-match winless run in the league.
• The rock-bottom Robins are averaging a point a game away from home,
but maximum points here will provide their 200th victory in a second tier
game on the road.
• With only five players, Bristol City own the shortest goalscorers
list in the Championship.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diouf signs... for Donny
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 31st October 2011
By: Staff Writer

El Hadji Diouf has finally competed his move to the Championship - having
signed a three-month deal with struggling Doncaster. West Ham fans
everywhere breathed a sigh of relief last Friday when Sam Allardyce revealed
that he would not be signing the former Bolton and Blackburn forward - just
48 hours after he was interviewed by Talksport when he extolled the virtues
of the Senegalese spitter, insisting that Hammers fans would grow to love
him. However that definitely won't be happening now as Diouf has signed a
temporary contract with Rovers, who currently languish in 23rd place with
just Bristol City, West Ham's opponents at the Boleyn tomorrow night,
beneath them.

Fortunately his new club appear rather more pleased with the signing than
the vast majority of West Ham supporters would have been. "Dean Saunders
pulled off a coup today with the signing of Senegalese star El Hadji Diouf
on a 3 month deal, subject to paperwork clearence," reported the club's
website this afternoon.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Bristol City - Match Preview
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 31st October 2011
By: Preview Percy

Preview Percy was looking forward to Halloween. Then we ruined it for him by
telling him that the use of mantraps and anti-personnel mines is illegal in
this country. Here's the old sod's look at Tuesday night's match against
Bristol City. John Northcutt Supplies the stats as usual...

Thick and fast come the matches as, no sooner do we say farewell to one city
(Leicester) than we welcome another of the Bristol variety. Kick-off is
7.45pm at the Boleyn. No engineering works so only the usual rush hour chaos
to contend with for this one.

The visitors come to us in a spot of bother. They currently lie bottom of
the table having amassed (which is probably not the right word under the
circumstances) 9 points from their 14 matches so far with a record of Won 2,
Drawn 3 and Lost 9. Strangely their two wins came on the road - 3-2 at
Leicester and 2-1 at the weekend at Barnsley - and their away record of Won
2, Drawn 1 (1-1 at Doncaster) and lost 4 (1-0 at Palace, 5-0 at Blackpool,
2-1 at Leeds and 3-1 at Cardiff) means that they have five more points from
their travels than they have gained from their home matches so far. The win
at Barnsley came as a welcome respite to their recent form - the Doncaster
point came eight matches ago.

They've been in this division since 2007/08 and, indeed came within a match
of making the Premiership that season, losing out to Hull 1-0 in the playoff
final. A 10th place finish in 2008/09 was followed by a mixed season in
2009/10 which saw Gary Johnson leave the club "by mutual consent" as they
eventually finished in 12th position. Keith Millen took over as caretaker
manager for the end of 09/10 with Steve Coppell coming in for the start of
2010/11. Well that was the plan anyway. Coppell resigned after only two
matches in charge – only one of which was actually in the League – and
announced his immediate retirement from football management, prompting
echoes of his equally sudden and mysterious departure from Man City after
one month some years previously. I suppose the clues had been there –
straight after his introduction as the Robins' next boss at the end of
2009/10 he promptly disappeared off to the States on holiday for a couple of
months.

Millen took over once more from Coppell, this time on a permanent basis,
eventually ending up in 16th spot. The start this season, however, cost
Millen his job and Derek McInnes came in from St Johnstone only the other
week in the hope of turning things around.

In goal their first choice is the familiar figure of David James. Ashton
Gate seems an unlikely venue for James to have pitched up at but he's never
been one to adhere to convention, or indeed a decent haircut. His previous
employers were Portsmouth and, when some chap called Avram Grant left them
he showed an interest in taking over as manager, something that would have
been interesting to say the least. When nothing came of his interest, and
with his contract expired he signed a one year deal with the Robins in July
2010, the deal being extended for a further year this summer. On signing
James expressed the (possibly optimistic) hope that playing for City would
keep him in the eye of the England set-up but the fact that the family home
is currently an easy commute from somewhere in Devon seemed to feature
uppermost in his choice of club.

They have a current Hammer in the squad. Jordan Spence is currently there on
a season-long loan (though there is a break option in January 2012). He has
captained the England side at every youth level and broke through to the U21
side earlier this year. Since signing pro in 2008 he has spent the vast
majority of his career out on loan at various places. Having had time at
Leyton Orient and Scunthorpe, he spent a few months at the end of last term
with the Robins and the current loan is therefore his second spell at the
Ashton Gate club - though the labyrinthine rules on loan transfers will
probably preclude his involvement.

The skipper is the long serving Louis Carey. A Bristolian by birth, Carey
has over 600 appearances for the Robins having made his debut as long ago as
1995. There was a bit of a blip in 2004 when he joined Coventry City after
his contract had expired, but after a mere 27 games with the Sky Blues it
became apparent that things weren't going to work out with the new club and
his contract was terminated, allowing him to return to Ashton Gate. An
online newspaper interview quotes the player as saying that whilst he
appreciated the experience of playing for Coventry, his desire to break the
Robins' club appearance record (held by John Atyeo) meant that, on the whole
he wished he'd never played those 27 games for Coventry. A Coventry fan
wryly noted in the comment section of the article: "We wish you hadn't
played those 27 games for us as well". He qualifies for Scotland through his
grandparents and has a single Scottish U21 cap, an achievement eclipsed by
his being one of the select band of players to have successfully completed
the Soccer AM crossbar challenge.

The much-travelled Jamal Campbell-Ryce is currently plying his trade in
midfield. Including loan spells he's turned out for 9 different clubs in the
last ten years (ten if you count Southend twice. Thanks to the loan system
he managed to blag his way into two promotion celebration parties in the
same season, apparently doing open top bus celebrations with both Southend
and Colchester on consecutive days. I suspect he might have been less keen
to join in had one of the clubs been Carlisle. Campbell-Ryce is a Jamaican
international with over 20 caps to his name.

One of the legacies from the Coppell, well "era" is not quite the word to
use but you know what I mean, is the presence of midfielder Kalifa Cisse.
Cisse gained Premier League experience with Reading for whom Coppell had
previously signed the player from the Portuguese side Boavista. Cisse's one
cap for the Malian national side came three years ago, which might have
given him work permit issues but for his French citizenship, for which he
qualifies through birth.

Up front they have further premiership experience in the form of Jon Stead.
After coming to prominence with Huddersfield, Blackburn took a punt but,
although the player scored some vital goals towards the end of his first
season that kept Blackburn up, the step up to the top flight proved a step
too far for the player. After a spell with Sunderland and a loan spell at
Derby he joined Sheffield United where his failure to net more than 5 times
in a season contributed to their relegation than any of our players ever
did. His last goal that season came in the suspiciously convenient 2-1
defeat at Wigan that was rendered meaningless by our failure to lose at Old
Trafford. A one match loan spell at Ipswich was made permanent but he fell
out of favour and, after a further loan spell at Coventry he looked set to
join Blackpool. Blackpool's lack of funds coupled with Ipswich's desire to
offload the player meant that a knock-down fee was agreed – some sources
even suggested a fee of 1p had been agreed. However the player's wage
demands proved too much for the Tangerines. Stead eventually arrived at
Ashton Gate in August 2010 for an undisclosed fee.

Nicky Maynard is the current top scorer with four to his name, including the
92nd minute winner at Oakwell at the weekend. A product of the Crewe
academy, he was heavily linked with Leicester during the summer with the
Foxes reportedly putting in four bids for his services. We were also
rumoured to have shown interest, though how serious that interest was with
Leicester's Thai owners willing to spend about £5m is a debatable point. The
Robins seemed happy and able to resist Leicester's overtures, though it
remains to be seen whether their resolve will be as sturdy come January if
they are still bottom.

So what of us? On the personnel front Rob Green made a welcome return to the
fray to remind the visiting Leicester fans of Saturday's result as the final
whistle went, a result slightly more current – and relevant – than the 18
month-old World Cup match they rather boringly kept bringing up. James
Tomkins also came on for a slightly hamstrung Abdoulaye Faye – though both
should be available for this. Demel continues his build up to his debut,
which, on current timings, should take place just before the Olympics – the
2016 ones in Rio looking favourite. Carlton Cole's knee is apparently all
better now and he'll come in to contention, whilst John Carew will be glad
that team selection will be based on footballing grounds rather than the
deranged musings of last weekend's referee who seemed to hallucinate
non-existent offences at every turn. Robert Hall is also in contention for a
spot in the squad having been brought back from Oxford as cover.

It was an interesting 90 minutes on Saturday. At half time we looked well in
control. However, the introduction of Howard caused a few problems and the
feeling that we'd need a third to win it proved to be well-founded. Despite
this, assuming the manager wants to stick with the Carew/Baldock pairing up
front (and the ref doesn't stick his oar in unnecessarily) and with Noble in
fine form at the weekend this is one for which few pundits would predict
anything other than a home win. Though I'm made of grumpier and more
pessimistic stuff than most pundits this is one we ought to take three
points from so I'll go for 3-1 to us under the lights.

Enjoy the game!

When last we met: You have to go all the way back to 1992/93 when we beat
them 2-0 at the Boleyn and 5-1 at Ashton Gate in a season that saw us
promoted in second place behind Newcastle.

Referee: Mark Heywood – He's never refereed us before so hopefully he won't
have picked up any bad habits, such as continually awarding free-kicks
against Norwegian strikers for non-existent infringements.

Danger Man: Nicky Maynard – probably their prize asset and the scorer of
their late winner up at Barnsley.

Daft fact of the week: In the 1976 match between the clubs at Ashton Gate,
the half-time "entertainment" consisted of a chimpanzees' tea party starring
the PG Tips chimps (though I suppose they could have been any old chimps
really and we'd have been none the wiser). Look I know I often make these up
but really they did. Honest!

Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Bad boys: sent off

Frank McAvennie H 1990-91

They played for both

Jordan Spence, Joe Durrell, David James,
Bobby Gould ,Jack Landells, Albert Carnelly,
Hugh Monteith, Leroy Rosenior, Ray Atteveld
David Noble, Gavin Williams.

Friendly

August 1970 A 0-1

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gills loan duo await decisions
Last Updated: November 1, 2011 8:43am
SSN

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler says no decision has been made about the
futures of on-loan duo Jo Kuffour and Frank Nouble. The strikers are on loan
from Bristol Rovers and West Ham respectively and they featured in attack
for the sixth match in a row as the Gills lost 2-1 at Morecambe on Saturday.
Nouble scored late on from the penalty spot but Hessenthaler feels it was a
frustrating game for the Frenchman as the Kent outfit failed to leave the
Globe Arena with any points. "Not at the moment," said Hessenthaler to Sky
Sports when asked if there was any news about signing the duo permanently.
"We're just getting on with the things we're doing here and then we'll see
and take it from there. "We're budgeted to where we should be and probably
over that. "I thought Kuffour was different class (against Morecambe) but
Frank drifted in and out of the game at times. "I think he'll be pretty
frustrated with his performance but I think when he gets it he can make
things happen."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez open to English deal
Man City exile would take Premier League move
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
November 1, 2011 10:57am
SSN

Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian claims that the Argentine
would be willing to stay in the Premier League. Tevez has long stated his
main reason for previously wanting to leave Manchester City was that his
family could not settle in England. However, off the back of his latest row
with the club which has seen him exiled to the reserves, his agent
Joorabchian now insists a move within the Premier League is a valid option.
"His family are now living in England, so he's quite happy and settled,"
said Joorabchian in the Daily Mirror. "He had some problems about being away
from them before, but they are with him now and everything is fine. "He'd be
happy to move to another Premier League club."

Changes

Tevez was last week charged and fined by Manchester City, after an internal
investigation, following their UEFA Champions league clash with Bayern
Munich in September. City boss Roberto Mancini stated Tevez refused to come
off the bench, but this was later dropped and he was charged with failing to
carry out duties for not warming up. City tried to fine Tevez four weeks'
wages, but the Professional Footballers' Association backed the Argentine's
stance and this was reduced to two weeks. And Joorabchian feels the
downgrade in the charges has altered the situation with the player. "This
week, the Professional Footballers' Association rejected the claim that he
had refused to come on as a substitute," said Joorabchian. "That has changed
everything and clarified what actually happened. "Carlos was desperate to
play. He loves to play the game and always wants to play. Having to sit on
the sidelines is very tough for him. "It's not easy for him at the moment,
but, in the January transfer window, City will want to get him out either on
a permanent basis or on loan. "We'll have to wait and see what happens." He
also confirmed that, despite interest from his former club West Ham, he
would not contemplate a move back to Upton Park. "He loves West Ham, but
that's not going to happen," he added.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee returns to Upton Park
Last Updated: October 31, 2011 6:17pm
SSN

Oliver Lee has departed Dagenham and returned to parent club West Ham
following the completion of his three-month loan stay. The midfielder, in
his second spell at Victoria Road, joined the Daggers at the start of the
season and stayed for the maximum 93-day period allowed. Lee started 15 of
the club's 16 league games so far this season, coming off the bench in the
other, and scored three goals. The 20-year-old also spent the final six
weeks of last season with Dagenham, during which time he made five
appearances.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Almunia returns to Arsenal
Spanish shot-stopper back at the Emirates following loan spell
Last Updated: October 31, 2011 12:28pm
SSN

Manuel Almunia's loan spell at West Ham United has come to an end and he has
returned to his parent club Arsenal. The Spanish goalkeeper joined the
Hammers at the end of September after being drafted in as cover for the
injured Robert Green. He made four appearances during his time at Upton
Park, but saw Green return to action following knee surgery in Saturday's
3-2 victory over Leicester. Almunia opted to play no part in West Ham's
plans for that contest, as his short-term deal edged to a close. He agreed
to let Ruud Boffin occupy a place on the bench against the Foxes, despite
being offered the role by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce prior to kick-off.
"Manny is an outstanding individual, I spoke to him and offered him a place
on the bench for his last game but he said to give it to Ruud, because he's
here at the club," said Allardyce. "We've enjoyed having him but he's gone
back, Ruud was on the bench and Robert came back and made some important
saves for us."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers recall Hall from U's
Last Updated: October 31, 2011 6:12pm
SSN

Striker Robert Hall has been recalled by West Ham from his loan spell at
Oxford United. The 18-year-old is in a rich vein of form, having scored six
times in 10 appearances for the League Two outfit. Oxford chairman Kelvin
Thomas conceded it was a blow for his side to lose the talented front man,
but accepted such an eventuality was always possible. "The timing is tough
as we had begun discussions on extending his loan for a longer period and
there would have been no issue with this without West Ham's injury
problems," Thomas told the club's official website. "The positive is that it
is great for Robbie. He has come here, played well, scored goals and had
that little bit of experience. "West Ham are very happy with the way he has
been looked after and the way he has played and have taken him back to be
involved with the first-team squad."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Bristol City preview
Last updated: 31st October 2011
SSN

Team news ahead of Tuesday evening's Championship clash between West Ham and
Bristol City at Upton Park. West Ham will check on Abdoulaye Faye ahead of
the game. The defender came off during Saturday's 3-2 win over Leicester
with a tight hamstring but boss Sam Allardyce is hopeful he will be
available. James Tomkins came on as a substitute at the weekend after
recovering from a groin injury and will start if Faye misses out. Allardyce
is still without a host of big names with midfielders David Bentley, Henri
Lansbury (both knee) and Matt Taylor (calf) on the sidelines along with
striker Carlton Cole (knee). Right-back Guy Demel has a hamstring problem
and winger Gary O'Neil is still out with an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Robert
Green returned after a knee operation on Saturday so Manuel Almunia has gone
back to Arsenal following the end of his month-long loan.

Bristol City manager Derek McInnes looks set to keep faith with the side
which won 2-1 at Barnsley on Saturday. McInnes enjoyed his first victory as
Robins boss as Oakwell while it was his new club's first success since a 2-1
win at Leicester on August 17. The Ashton Gate outfit do have two long-term
injury absentees, however, in defensive casualties Louis Carey and Jamie
McAllister. Veteran centre-back Carey is still suffering with a knee injury
while McAllister continues his rehabilitation from an ankle knock and
neither will be available to face the Hammers. City go in search of their
first win at Upton Park since February 1978, a wait of almost 34 years.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Meeting Your Heroes
October 31st, 2011 - 10:20 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Yesterday I spent five or six hours at the West Ham Retro Forum in Romford,
organised by the excellent Ex Magazine. There were around 300 people there,
ostensibly to hear some West Ham memories froM Brian Dear, Billy Jennings
and Alan Devonshire. I was there to sell books, but it soon became clear
that most of the people there weren't really bookbuyers. They were there to
get autographs and collect various Hammers related memorabilia from the
various trade stands. Normally, I'd have regarded it as a bit of a waste of
time, seeing as I only sold around half a dozen books, although to be fair a
lot of people said they have already got it. But yesterday was throughly
enjoyable as I got to not only meet several of my West Ham heroes. I also
gave Devonshire, Dear and Boyce copies of my book, seeing as between them
they provided a lot of the content! Ronnie Boyce seemed really touched and
called me a 'diamond'. I've been called a lot worse!

Of course, I was there to make money rather than spend it, but as usual, it
didn't quite work that way. I bought a shirt signed by Trevor Brooking,
Ronnie Boyce and Alan Taylor for £100. Well, that had to be worth it,
surely! They they did a charity auction in aid of a girl with cerebral
palsey who needs to raise £45,000 for treatment in the US to enable her to
walk. If she gets to £30k, a benefactor will provide the rest. Anyway, the
auction prize was a 2006-7 shirt signed by the first team, incuding Tevez,
Mascherano and Alan Pardew. And I won it. I have now ordered a clothes dummy
to stand in my office so I can dress it with one of the shirts!

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TLC puts Carlton on the mend
Published: Today
The Sun

CARLTON COLE is set for his West Ham comeback against Bristol City tonight.
The Hammers striker sat out a month with a knee injury. But boss Sam
Allardyce said: "Carlton's knee needs some TLC. "But we can reduce the
swelling and get him playing again."

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West Ham lead the chase for Welsh starlet
Published 22:29 31/10/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham are ready to swoop for Macclesfield's young right-back Elliott
Hewitt - ahead of Premier League opposition. A top Hammers scout watched the
17-year-old Welshman at the weekend after receiving rave reviews, and the
London club may now take a chance on a player who has attracted major
interest. Leeds' chief talent-spotter was also at the Silkmens' League Two
match against Southend and Blackburn are also keeping an eye on Hewitt,
although he is not ready for the top flight yet.
Macc will sell Hewitt to the highest bidder, and it's possible West Ham may
take a punt before leaving him at Moss Rose for the rest of the season.

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Faubert enjoying a new lease of life at West Ham
London24
Nathaniel John, West Ham correspondent
Monday, October 31, 2011
2:57 PM

West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert was all smiles following the Hammers' 3-2
victory against Leicester City on Saturday, for more than one reason. Of
course, the Frenchman was happy that the side had gained three valuable
points and remained in second place in the league, but the 28-year-old had
also just scored his second goal in claret and blue after a barren spell
lasting a total of 19 months. "It was not an amazing goal, but it was a good
goal for the team," said Faubert. "It was a good movement, a good ball from
Mark Noble and I screamed because I wanted Joey OBrien to give me the ball.
"I took a touch and I shot on target." The goal certainly put a smile on the
midfielder's face, something that the Hammers faithful have not seen much of
until this season, and the Frenchman is happy with his current involvement
with the team. "I am happy because I give my best for the team, for West Ham
and for the manager, because the manager give me confidence and I have to
give it back to him," he said. "That is why I give 100 per cent and
sometimes more, because I am enjoying playing football and I am happy to be
here. "Last season, as I have said before, was the worst in my life.
"Mentally it was hard for my family as well. So now I am giving my best for
the team."

Faubert has been an ever-present in the Hammers side of recent weeks, and
whether it is playing on the right wing or turning out at right back, the
Frenchman finds it easy to adapt, depending on where West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce wants to play him. "It has been easy because the manager is very
clear on what he wants," said Faubert. "At right back he wants me to go
forward, but to defend as well. "We work a lot on headers and things like
that and I think this is good, it is a new generation of football. "The
manager is good on tactics and everything, so it is not a problem to swap
the positions." The Frenchman also admits that he has found the Championship
a lot harder than the Premier League in terms of tempo and intensity. "I
think I am working harder," he said. "The Championship is a little bit more
about the tempo. "It is really, really hard and until the end, like 93
minutes, you have to play and run, run, run. "That is why it is quite
different to the Premiership.
"The Premiership is all about quality and technically it is high. In the
Championship, you know you have to fight every game until the end. "So it is
different, but you know I didnt know this Championship before."

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Lee returns to West Ham after 'enjoyable' spell with Daggers
London 24
Joshua Richards
Monday, October 31, 2011
5:27 PM

Oliver Lee returned to West Ham United this week after his three-month loan
spell at Victoria Road came to an end, but revealed he would gladly play for
Daggers again in the future. The 20-year-old midfielder has missed just one
league game all season and chipped in with three goals, including a thumping
free-kick at Crawley last week. Lee featured for the final time in
Saturday's defeat at Bristol Rovers, but has thoroughly enjoyed his
experience as part of John Still's squad and would consider a return should
the opportunity arise. "My loans up now so I'm going back to West Ham, but
I've really enjoyed my time here," he said. "I can't speak highly enough of
everyone. "Ever since I've been here the lads have been brilliant, that was
the main thing for me. "I've just really enjoyed being involved, playing my
football and getting out in the real world. "Its much better than playing in
the reserve team, obviously you have to grow up a bit and I've really
enjoyed my time here.
"Hopefully I can push on with West Ham, but we'll have to wait to see what
happens. The lads have been brilliant and I'd be open to it (returning), I'm
open to anything." Daggers assistant boss Terry Harris added: "Ollie Lee has
thoroughly enjoyed his time here. He thinks he is a vastly improved player
through coming here."

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Faubert: I no longer want to leave West Ham
London 24
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
10:56 AM

West Ham wide man Julien Faubert has declared he wants to remain at the
Hammers after regaining his confidence under Sam Allardyce. The Frenchman
was at best a bit part player last season under Avram Grant and was quoted
in the summer saying he wanted to leave Upton Park. "No, (I don't want to
leave), everything is different now, he said. "I just want to be focused on
my season to help West Ham back into the Premiership. "I am really pleased
to be here because the manager gave me a lot, he talked to me a lot,
respected me a lot so things are different and I have to give it to him
back. "I lost everything last season, I lost my confidence.
"But he (Allardyce) has come in and said you have to push forward like
everyone else. I am enjoying it." Faubert has played 12 Championship matches
this season, helping the east Londoners up to second in the table.

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Little Sam hailed by Big Sam
Tuesday 1st November 2011 10:21
TeamTalk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has saluted the impact made by Sam Baldock
this season following his impressive run of form in front of goal. Big Sam
spent £2.5million to sign Little Sam from MK Dons in August and the
striker's double against Leicester on Saturday took his tally for the
Hammers to four goals in four starts.
"Sam Baldock is looking like a big, big threat for everybody. I am sure the
word will reverberate around football, you have to keep your eye on him when
he plays at Upton Park," said Allardyce. "He hasn't quite done it or had the
same impact away from home yet. But he has been terrific at home. He scored
two and was very unlucky not to have had three. "The quality of our
finishing was really pleasing . The first goal saw Sam on the far post,
outjumping someone who is six inches bigger than him to head it in."

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Sam Allardyce hits back at critical West Ham fans
1 Nov 2011
Evening Standard

Sam Allardyce has hit back at West Ham fans who have criticised some of the
team's recent performances in the npower Championship. West Ham are
currently second behind Southampton, who beat Allardyce's side at St Mary's
two weeks ago, and play bottom club Bristol City tonight. "I don't know why
they are moaning about winning," Allardyce told the Newham Recorder. Because
all this team did before was lose. "It doesn't make any sense to me, but
you're talking about the small handful. "I've been a manager for 18 years
now, and not for the life of me would I expect a football fan to accept
playing well and losing, rather than playing well and winning, but if unable
to play well, then just win." Allardyce is looking to end a poor run of
midweek results starting tonight against the Robins. "We haven't had much
luck on Tuesday nights," he said. "We haven't won here at all, we lost 1-0
here against Ipswich and we lost due to a poorly-defended corner at
Southampton, so we have to do better."

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We can get a result at West Ham tonight, insists City keeper James
Tuesday, November 01, 2011Bristol Evening Post

DAVID James insists Bristol City will do more than simply make up the
numbers when they take on npower Championship favourites West Ham United at
Upton Park tonight. Few outside of Bristol will give bottom-of-the-table
City a chance against the Hammers, who are currently second behind
Southampton and on couerse to make a quick return to the Barclays Premier
League. But veteran goalkeeper James, who played for West Ham between
2001-2004, is firmly of the opinion that the Hammers will not have things
all their own way in east London. And he is convinced he can put one over on
Hammers goalkeeper and former England team-mate Rob Green. "I'm looking
forward to commiserating with him after the game," joked the 41-year-old
goalkeeper, pictured, who is sporting a new haircut. "But, seriously, I
really do believe we can go there and get a result. I know that sounds daft,
because they are second and we are bottom, but beating Barnsley at the
weekend has given us something to build on. Playing West Ham away is a big
game and it's one the fans have had marked down since the start of the
season. But it's not enough to go there, enjoy the atmosphere and the
stadium – we want to win the game and we believe we can."

City scored two good goals, created numerous chances and looked dangerous
going forward at Barnsley on Saturday, and James is adamant the Robins
possess the firepower to hurt Sam Allardyce's promotion-chasing team. He
said: "Barnsley's keeper had to make a lot of saves and that is a good sign
as far as I'm concerned. It means we are a threat going forward. "If we can
play like that again, then we can definitely hurt West Ham. I feel much
happier going there knowing that we can score goals and cause them
problems." Those sentiments were echoed by manager Derek McInnes. He
welcomed news that more than 1,500 City fans will make the trip to the east
end, but insisted: "It's about more than just having a good night out. Of
course, we all want to enjoy ourselves, but the best way to do that is to
get a result. Then you can really enjoy the occasion. "Nobody outside of the
club is giving us a prayer and that is probably a good thing. Sam Allardyce
has players who would walk into most Premier League squads and he knows his
way around the Championship. West Ham are everybody's favourites to go up,
they have made a good start and this is going to be a very difficult game
for us. "But we want them to know that they have been in a game and our
intention is to play our part and get a result."

McInnes feels the confidence derived from Saturday's 2-1 win at Barnsley
gives his improving side a chance at Upton Park. He said: "It's a while
since the players have enjoyed that winning feeling and there is nothing
better. It's come at a good time for us and it will lift the lads. We
believe in ourselves and we will back ourselves to come back with something.
If not, then there is no point in turning up."

With the exception of long-term casualties Jamie McAllister and Louis Carey,
City have a clean bill of health and McInnes is expected to select his
starting line-up from the 16 players who were on duty at the weekend. But
McInnes confirmed there will be no new signings ahead of tonight's game.

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Allardyce expects big things from striker Carew
Tuesday, November 01, 2011Bristol Evening Post

IT is a reflection of the club's divergent fortunes that City have not
played West Ham since way back in 1992. Although they now find themselves in
the same division, there remains a sizeable gap between a Hammers side rated
favourites to make an instant return to the Barclays Premier League and a
City side fighting for survival at the foot of the npower Championship. But
City will make the journey to Upton Park believing they can cause an upset
after winning for the first time in 12 outings at Barnsley on Saturday. Like
Newcastle last season and Leeds a year ago, this fixture is one that is sure
to catch the eye of City fans, more than 1,000 of whom are expected to
travel.

Although the Hammers have appeared vulnerable at times this season, there is
growing evidence that new boss Sam Allardyce is forging a team capable of
winning automatic promotion. West Ham kept up their pursuit of leaders
Southampton by beating managerless Leicester 3-2 at Upton Park on Saturday.
Allardyce said: "It was a great, entertaining football match. The quality of
all our three goals was very pleasing. All the goals were earned rather than
gifted. The whole team are giving everything they've got. It's back-to-back
wins, great entertainment and the right result."

Allardyce has refined West Ham's traditional style with the presence up
front of giant Norwegian forward John Carew. He will be back to lead the
line this evening despite being substituted before half time at the weekend
after the referee booked him for persistent fouling.

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