Daily WHUFC News - 24th January 2012

Noble on the spot again
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was in high spirits after scoring two penalties to send West Ham
United top of the table
22.01.2012

Mark Noble was the man on the spot again as his two penalties fired West Ham
United to the top of the npower Championship table. The No16 fired in his
fifth and sixth spot-kicks of the season as the Hammers beat Nottingham
Forest 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground. While Noble was naturally pleased to be the
match-winner for the second game in succession, the midfielder was happier
with the collective achievement of winning three points that took his team
to the summit for the first time since topping the Premier League in August
2006.

"The win was more important than my goals. We've been lucky enough to get
three penalties in two games and I've been lucky enough that they've gone
in. Three points, a win and we're top of the league and our aim now is to go
unbeaten for the rest of the season and clinch automatic promotion. That's
going to be our aim, no matter how the other results go. "I think the only
other time we've been top while I've been here was after the first game of
the season! It will be nice to see the table but it doesn't make any
difference until the last game has been played. Then we'll be smiling.
"Southampton have got a game on Monday but we need to concentrate on
ourselves, keep winning and getting points on the board. That's nine points
from three games and that's what we need to keep on doing."

Noble came within a yard of netting his first hat-trick in Claret and Blue,
only to see a 20-yard shot flash wide of Camp's upright. "It went just a
yard wide, unfortunately. When I hit it, I hit it quite well and I thought
it was going in, to be honest. Scoring a hat-trick would have been nice but
the three points were the most important and that's all we care about."

The 24-year-old is relishing his role as the focal point of Sam Allardyce's
side. Noble is almost always at the hub of the Hammers' best attacking play
and is enjoying the added responsibility. "It's nice to get the ball and the
manager just says to me 'Mark, go out and play'. We know how he wants to
play and he tells me to get on the ball and get us playing. Hopefully I'm
doing that for the team."

While Noble's main priority is winning promotion back to the Premier League,
he is also harbouring ambitions of appearing at the London 2012 Olympic
Games.
The Canning Town-born player has been approached about the possibility of
being part of Team GB as an over-age player and would love to be part of the
Olympics in his home Borough of Newham. "It would be nice, being born in
this area it would be nice to be involved, but I am one of the older ones
and I don't know if David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Joe Cole have come out and
said they want to play! "Whether I get in is another story so it might be
the younger boys like Tonks, Jack, Rob Hall and Henri Lansbury who could be
involved. You never know though!"

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Big Sam was happy to be leading the table after Saturday's win against
Nottingham Forest
23.01.2012

Sam Allardyce is enjoying the feeling of starting the week on top of the
npower Championship table. The West Ham United manager watched a brace of
penalties from Mark Noble see off Nottingham Forest 2-1 - who registered a
late consolation from Lewis McGugan - at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, with
the result sending the Hammers to the top of the table for the first time
this season. The success was West Ham's third consecutive league win and
opened up a three-point gap between the Hammers and second-placed
Southampton, although the Saints can go back to the summit with victory over
Leicester City on Monday evening. "I think we will get a psychological boost
from going top," said Big Sam. "It might only be for a short time as
Southampton play on Monday night and have a fantastic home record. "We might
not stay there that long but we've shown that we can get there. When we've
had the opportunity to get there before we've blown it. We didn't blow it on
Saturday and got the precious three points we were looking for and can feel
very satisfied by getting the 53 points we have done up until now."

Big Sam conceded that his side were not always at their best against Forest,
though. Before Noble had given the Hammers a 45th-minute lead from the spot
the visitors had passed up several good chances to open the scoring. "The
players looked a bit nervous - we started a little slowly and then one or
two passes started going astray. Then Forest created a couple of
half-chances and we started to get a little more edgy and nervous so it
wasn't our usual fluent performance that we show at home. "Whether we
deserved it or not is immaterial. When we came in at half-time we said 'Well
we haven't played well but we how many teams have come back from one-nil
down against us and won' and the answer to that is hardly any. "I think
everyone turned up thinking that West Ham would just win 3-0 but it doesn't
work like that. We had to really dig it out. From our point of view we're
top of the league for the first time in 27 games."

West Ham now have ten days without a game before resuming their npower
league campaign with a trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday week and Big Sam will
be looking to use the break to focus efforts on bringing in attacking
reinforcements. "Against Forest we created some chances from really good
movement and had some opportunities to score. I still had that nagging doubt
that we hadn't converted chances to goals in open play. It's still a little
concern but I still have faith in the players here even though I am looking
to strengthen in that area. "At the start of the season we were having no
problem finishing our chances. We scored four against Watford, four at
Forest, three at Leicester and four against Blackpool, so we've shown we can
do it but at the moment we're not quite clinical enough. We had to rely on
Noble with two very good penalties."

There was concern just before the break when Papa Bouba Diop was forced from
the field with a slight thigh strain. Although he is expected to recover in
time to face the Tractor Boys his replacement, Henri Lansbury, caught the
eye as the Hammers seized control in the second period. "I think Henri did
well. His passing got better and he was better than some of the players that
were playing at that time. Improving the team is very important when you
come on as a sub because our team in midfield were not passing well. "It was
one of those days where we've overcome the nerves and the guys will have
woken up on Sunday to see us at the top of the league."

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Ladies keep title dream alive
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies scored a 1-0 league victory at Queens Park Rangers to
maintain their title challenge!
23.01.2012

West Ham United Ladies scored a vital 1-0 FA Tesco Women's Premier League
Southern Division victory at Queens Park Rangers - a result that puts the
Hammers within touching distance of promotion to the National Division for
the first time in the club's history. Julia Setford's side now sit a point
behind leaders Colchester United, who have finished their complement of
fixtures, with one league match remaining. Third-place Portsmouth have three
games left to play but sit four points adrift of West Ham. With their hosts
battling to avoid relegation, the Hammers were forced to work hard for their
victory at Hayes FC's Farm Park stadium, with the winning goal being scored
by Lindsey Morgan (pictured) just 12 minutes from full-time. West Ham had
beaten QPR 3-0 at Ship Lane back in October, but the west London side have
made a host of new signings since then and posed a serious threat to the
visitors' title ambitions. The first half was a midfield battle, with West
Ham having to rely on breakaway attacks as QPR camped inside the Hammers
half. Centre-backs Rosey Sulivan and Danica Revell were in fine form,
however, and Rangers had to settle for long-range efforts that goalkeeper
Nikki Duncan dealt with confidently.

The second half was a more frantic and evenly-balanced affair as the
Hammers' stamina and fitness began to tell, but not before QPR's Cherrelle
Albert had rattled the post with a powerful shot and both Sullivan and
Natalie Grafton had made vital clearances. The longer the game went on, the
more West Ham gained control and they finally broke the deadlock in the 78th
minute. Having broken out from the back, Becky Merritt showed some clever
footwork on the edge of the penalty area before firing in a powerful shot
that goalkeeper Michelle Beazley could only push back into the penalty area.
Morgan pounced to drive in another shot that Beazley could only push into
the back of the net. The remaining 12 minutes were nail-biting for both sets
of supporters as both teams fought for every ball until the final whistle.

West Ham now have to wait until 4 March for their final league match at home
to Brighton and Hove Albion and for the promotion places to be decided. In
the meantime, Setford's team will continue in three cup competitions,
starting next week away at Colchester United in the League Cup. On 5
February, the Ladies travel to Derby County in the FA Women's Cup third
round, while C and K Basildon will form the opposition in the Essex FA
County Cup semi-finals on 19 February.

West Ham United Ladies: Nikki Duncan, Natalie Grafton, Jess Barling, Danica
Revell, Rosey Sullivan, Stacey Little, Lindsey Morgan, Carly Roache, Kelley
Blanchflower, Becky Merritt, Gemma Shepherd
Subs: Tracey Duxbury, Kerry Stimson, Mel Abegglen, April Bowers

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Carr on Palace defeat
WHUFC.com
Academy Director Tony Carr believes the U18s were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at
Crystal Palace
22.01.2012

West Ham United Under-18s lost their first match of 2012, going down to a
2-1 FA Premier Academy League defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday. The
youth team had enjoyed three straight victories at start the year, beating
Chelsea and Norwich City in the league and Brighton and Hove Albion in the
FA Youth Cup fourth round.
However, Academy Director Tony Carr admitted a poor first-half performance
and a pair of unsuccessful penalty appeals had cost his team dear at the
Oasis Academy. "We had a poor first half and found ourselves 2-0 down from
two set plays," Carr told whufc.com "We were playing in very windy
conditions on a very small pitch and they made life very difficult for us,
to be fair. In the second half, we improved and Kieran Sadlier scored direct
from a corner when the ball caught on the wind. "We then had two penalty
appeals turned down and Pelly Ruddock hit the crossbar. We completely
dominated the second half but could not get the equaliser. A disappointing
first half cost us the game, but we had two great shouts for penalties
turned down - one for a foul on Elliot Lee and the second when Paul McCallum
was in on the goalkeeper and fouled."

Highlights of Saturday's trip to south London will appear on West Ham TV
soon. The Hammers return to action on Saturday, when they welcome Arsenal to
Little Heath for an 11am kick-off. While West Ham's youngsters continue
their quest for an FA Premier Academy League Group A and FA Youth Cup
double, the club's young professionals are continuing their own careers at
their various loan clubs in the npower Football League. Goalkeeper Peter
Kurucz turned out for Rochdale in their 3-0 League One defeat at Wycombe
Wanderers. In League Two, Callum Driver started for Burton Albion in their
1-1 draw at Bradford City, while Ahmed Abdulla, Cristian Montano and
substitute Eoin Wearen were all involved in Dagenham and Redbridge's 4-1
defeat at Crewe Alexandra. Also in League Two, George Moncur chalked up an
assist and a goal as AFC Wimbledon came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at
Gillingham. In the Championship, Jordan Spence was not involved in Bristol
City's 2-1 home win over Doncaster Rovers.

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Allardyce happy to sign nobody
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that he will be content going into the second
half of the season with his current squad. Allardyce led his West Ham side
to a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon that sent West Ham
to the top of the Championship for the first time this season. But speaking
after the game, he admitted that despite having made a number of bids for
players - eight for fees up to £3.5million, according to co-chiarman David
Sullivan in Saturday's match day programme - he would be prepared to enter
the final, crucial months of the campaign with the same squad he built last
summer (bar the addition of central defender George John). "Time is ticking
by but I'll be comfortable at the end of January if we didn't get anybody,"
he said. "With Matt Taylor and Guy Demel coming back, I still think that
these players will come back and start scoring goals. But if we do get
somebody then that should make us even better than we are now."

Allardyce also revealed that the club were yet to make a firm bid for Nikica
Jelavic, despite reports to the contrary earlier in the week. "We've been
made aware - not through me - by other sources to the co-chairman that he
might be available," he added. "There's only an enquiry there as far as I'm
concerned, to see if he's available - and not so much that we going all out
to bid and try and get him."

That particular deal seems less likely to happen this morning after
Jelavic's father claimed at the weekend that his son was, "more ambitious
than that", adding that the current Glasgow Rangers striker is, "likely to
sign for Liverpool".

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Sam slammed by former agent
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Disgraced former football agent Peter Harrison has launched a bizarre tirade
of abuse aimed at West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce. Harrison,
communicating via his personal account on social network Twitter has in the
past few days launched a series of attacks aimed at Allardyce that we cannot
possibly repeat here on KUMB.com due to their potentially libellous content.
The former agent recently confirmed that he was in talks with TV producers
with regards to producing a documentary that would expose certain
individuals within the game for underhand financial practices. "It's coming
out in the next couple of months then we can all have a laugh," Harrison
said via his Twitter account, adding later that, "the truth always comes
out".

Harrison and Allardyce have a lengthy history that goes back to 2006 when
the former agent of Andy Carroll and ex-Hammers captain Lucas Neill was
secretly filmed by the BBC's Panorama programme making allegations of
bribery. The former agent is also in dispute with Allardyce over an unpaid
debt of £370,000 that the current West Ham manager claims to have lent
Harrison in 2005. Harrison has also used his Twitter feed to hit out at the
likes of (Bolton chairman) Phil Gartside, Harry Redknapp (in trial today on
tax evasion charges) and fellow agent Mark Curtis, who became James Tomkins'
new agent prior to his award of a lucrative four-year contract last week.

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Redknapp in the dock
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham United manager Harry Redknapp is in court today to face
charges of tax evasion. Redknapp, now 64, is accused of two counts of tax
fraud alongside former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric. It is alleged
that Redknapp, who spent two spells at Portsmouth after he was sacked by
West Ham was the recipient of £93,300 paid into a bank account in Monaco by
Mandaric in at some point between 2002 and 2007. Secondly, he is accused of
receiving a further sum of £96,000 into the same account at some point
between 2004 and 2007. Redknapp, whose hopes of one day managing the English
national team hinge on the outcome of the case has previously denied any
wrongdoing. The former Hammers winger and current Tottenham boss was manager
of West Ham between 1994 to 2001, before he was fired by chairman Terry
Brown. Mandaric, who spent time at Leicester after leaving Portsmouth is
currently chairman of League One Sheffield Wednesday.

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Jelavic 'favours' Reds switch
Father claims Liverpool are interested in Rangers striker
Last Updated: January 23, 2012 9:58am
SSN

Nikica Jelavic's father has claimed that the Rangers striker has grander
ambitions than to play for West Ham or Queens Park Rangers and is 'most
likely' to sign for Liverpool. The Croatian has been heavily linked with a
move away from Ibrox this winter following a series of impressive
performances in the SPL over the past 18 months. Sam Allardyce confirmed at
the weekend that West Ham had enquired about the availability of Jelavic,
while QPR are also understood to be keeping tabs on his situation. However,
reports have also suggested that Liverpool are interested and the
26-year-old's father says there are several clubs in the running for his
signature.

Great

Philip Jelavic claims Liverpool are one of those clubs and believes his son
could soon be heading to Anfield. "We know about the interest of West Ham
and QPR," Jelavic senior said in The Sun. "But Nikica has five or six clubs
that are interested, including that of the great Liverpool. "As for West Ham
and QPR, Nikica is more ambitious than that. "It's most likely that he'll
sign for Liverpool. "But there are a few days until the end of the window,
so we'll see."

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McGugan catches Big Sam's eye
Hammers tracking Forest ace
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
January 23, 2012 12:01pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands West Ham are weighing up a move for Nottingham Forest
star Lewis McGugan. McGugan is thought to have impressed West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce during Forest's defeat to the Hammers at Upton Park on Saturday.
Highly-rated midfielder McGugan caught the eye for Forest at Upton Park,
including scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 2-1 defeat. Forest are
thought to be ready to cash-in on McGugan before the close of the transfer
window as they look to raise funds to bolster the squad elsewhere. Money is
tight at the City Ground and it is thought Forest boss Steve Cotterill will
have to sell before he can buy and he may be forced to sacrifice McGugan.
McGugan is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Championship and
West Ham could move for the player as they look to boost their squad to
maintain their push for promotion back to the Premier League.

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Collison - Room for improvement
Midfielder admits Hammers have 'another couple of gears to find'
Last Updated: January 23, 2012 10:10am
SSN

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison admits the Hammers are yet to hit their
best form despite going top of the Championship at the weekend. The East
Londoners leapfrogged Southampton at the summit after seeing off Nottingham
Forest 2-1 thanks to two Mark Noble penalties. Collison feels there is still
room for improvement in the Hammers' performances but is confident
everything will come together as they push for promotion. He told The Sun:
"We're at the top and have another couple of gears to find. "It's
frightening and sends out a message to other teams to say, 'We're there,
we're not playing great but we're getting the results'.

Frustrating

"When it all comes together it's going to be great for us. We don't go out
and try not to put five goals in, we go and do our best. "Last season, I was
out injured, so I know how it feels to be a fan. It's frustrating for them
at times but it's also for us as players." Collison hailed team-mate Noble
after he coolly slotted two spot-kicks home. He added: "We came in at
half-time a bit disappointed with how we played but it was good that we've
big players like Noble. "It takes bottle to step up and stick away penalties
like that."

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Monday 23rd Transfer Update + Gossip
January 23rd, 2012 - 6:10 pm by Bradley Palmer
West Ham Till I Die

UPDATE: I am being told that Rangers are satisfied with our offer for
striker Jelavic. We await official confirmation that bid has been accepted
and I will give full details of bid as and when I know. Ohh and 2-0 to
Leicester. Lets hope its more of the same in the second half.

Apologies for not posting updates over the weekend. I have been busy with
work and what not but here is the latest update from myself and across the
net. Feel free to follow me on twitter: bradley_whufc… I am constantly on
there giving updates from the info I am sent. I would firstly like to say
that I can fully understand and respect everyone's opinion of the news I am
receiving but would just like to state that at no stage is my information
made up just to get people's hopes up. Some prefer to believe it when they
see it, others get excited and follow updates throughout each day. I am only
giving information that I am sent, which is often highly reliable. Yes, some
of it will be far fetched but it is often very accurate. I was informed
about Nolan joining very early on before he did and did not fully believe it
until it happened. Others like Ilan, Reid and Barrera I have often mentioned
early doors as they seemed more likely. All I am doing is giving out
information I am told along with what is on the net to keep everyone fully
up to date.

Anyway here it is: I have been made aware at midday today that a bid has
been submitted for Jelavic after long discussions on availability over the
weekend and would just like to clear up the situation for you all. Rangers
are in serious trouble and are close to administration and need to sell
their players this window to prevent this from happening. The story today of
Jelavic's "alleged" dad was completely false and Liverpool have today
distanced themselves away from any deal. It is thought it was a publicity
act to gain a wider range of interest. However, I have been made fully aware
that it is only West Ham that have shown an interest and enquired about his
availability. After long discussions, a bid today has gone in for the player
who in fact I'm led to believe is keen to join us as an ex player of ours,
Bilic, has highly recommended him to join us stating that it would be a big
step in the right direction for his career. If the bid is accepted, as we
are currently awaiting an answer, then and only then will the player travel
to East London to have a medical, hold talks and discuss personal terms
despite Sky saying there were issues with his wages. Jelavic is currently on
approximately £15k a week at Rangers and it is thought that we will be able
to match and improve on this amount for him to sign. Am also awaiting to see
if Piq or Sears are involved in the bid that has been made today. Hope that
clears it up.

Secondly, I have confirmation that an offer of £3m has been sent to the
office at Nottingham Forest for playmaker Lewis McGugan. It is thought that
he impressed Big Sam on Saturday after a great showing and a wonder goal
which has led the owners into making an offer for his services this
afternoon. It is also thought that Nottingham Forest are tempted to sell due
to their financial state and need of funds to buy in other areas. Keep a
look out for this one.

The bidding war for Watford striker/winger Sordell seems to have forced West
Ham into looking elsewhere (McGugan), though they are still trying to lure
Watford into selling their prized asset to us. Only time will tell on this
one.

With regards to outgoings, not much is going on. We are hoping to sell both
Piquionne and Sears, though both are refusing to leave at this moment in
time.

As always, any news I will update as soon as I can. Many thanks,

Bradley Palmer (Braderz)

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West Ham line up move for Portuguese winger Costa and Forest's McGugan
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:21 PM on 23rd January 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham are in talks with Nacional winger Edgar Costa, 24. The former
Portugal Under 19 international is available on loan with a view to a
permanent deal.
West Ham are also weighing up a move for Nottingham Forest star Lewis
McGugan. Barnsley are lining up a loan move for Stoke midfielder Michael
Tonge.

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Allardyce has 'no problem' with West Ham stars playing in Olympics
By talkSPORT
Monday, January 23, 2012
TalkkSport

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists he will not stand in the way of James
Tomkins, Mark Noble or Jack Collison if they get called up to play for Great
Britain in the Olympic Games. All three players have been asked if they want
to be considered for the squad and they have signalled their desire to
represent Team GB at the prestigious event. West Ham are gunning for
promotion straight back into the Premier League and Allardyce would be
reluctant to lose three of his key players in the build-up to the new
season. The tournament takes place between July 16 and August 11, but
Allardyce knows it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any player to
participate at the Olympic Games and he will never stop them taking part.
Allardyce said: "I don't have a problem at all. I think it's a great honour
to be selected as an Olympian and it's still one of the biggest if not the
biggest sporting event in the world. "To be able to take part in it and the
fact that you may win a gold, silver or a bronze - it's something you can't
refuse a player. "It's similar to your best players playing in the European
Championships - just a bit later. They can get their rest in before and you
can give them a rest at the back end of your pre-season because you're
hoping they will go all the way. "So while it's an inconvenience its
something that as a manager you have to make sure you cope with. Players
here are a stones throw away from where the Olympic Park is so imagine what
their friends and family will be like."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 23rd January 2012

Ernie Gregory 1921-2012
WHUFC.com
Legendary West Ham United goalkeeper Ernie Gregory has passed away at the
age of 90
21.01.2012

West Ham United would like to express their sincere condolences to the
family of Ernie Gregory - the legendary Hammers goalkeeper and coach who has
passed away at the age of 90. Gregory was quite simply one of the finest
servants the club has ever known, playing for the first team for 20 years
before embarking on a coaching career that only ended with his retirement in
May 1987 at the age of 65. In all, his association with West Ham totalled an
amazing 51 years. Even in retirement, Gregory was a regular visitor to
Chadwell Heath, where he passed on his immense experience to the club's
young players and coaching staff. He will be sorely missed by everybody
connected with the club. Joint-Chairman David Gold remembers watching
Gregory in action during his own time as a schoolboy player in the 1940s.
"I'm really saddened to hear about the death of Ernie Gregory, who was one
of the all-time great servants of West Ham United. I remember watching him
as a ten or eleven year-old boy and he became my goalkeeping hero growing
up. He represented us for 20 years as a player and a further 30 years as a
coach, which is something that is almost unheard of in today's game. "On
behalf of all of us at West Ham United I would like to send my condolences
to those closest to Ernie and assure them that our thoughts are with them at
this sad time."

Academy Director Tony Carr worked alongside Gregory for more than a decade.
"I worked with Ernie for a long time and it is sad news to hear of his
passing. He was a magnificent servant to the club for more than 50 years as
a player and coach. "He was always someone you could talk to about the game
and he will be missed."

Born in Stratford on 10 November 1921, Gregory played for West Ham Boys and
was noticed by manager Charlie Paynter while playing in an English Trophy
Final against Preston North End at Upton Park, joining the club in 1936.
After spending time with Leytonstone as an amateur player, winning the
Isthmian League in 1938, Gregory made his first Hammers appearance for the
'A' team in 1938. While serving with the Essex Regiment and the Royal Air
Force during World War II, Gregory made more than 50 war-time appearances
for the club before making his Football League debut in a 4-1 home win over
Plymouth Argyle on 28 December 1946. In all, Gregory played for West Ham for
two decades, making a total of 481 appearances. He was an ever-present
during the 1947/48, 1949/50 and 1952/53 seasons and also totalled 37 league
appearances during the Division Two title-winning season of 1957/58.

Gregory's goalkeeping prowess also saw him produce an outstanding England B
performance against France in 1952. After hanging up his gloves in 1959, he
was awarded a testimonial game the following year against LD Alajuelense of
Costa Rica The loyal east Londoner stayed with the club and went on to coach
the reserves and later the first team. He finally retired in May 1987 after
a 51-year association with the Irons.

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Goodbye - and good luck
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

KUMB.com would like to wish West Ham United's former Head of Media, Greg
Demetriou, the very best of luck in his new role. Demetriou, who was at West
Ham for several years prior to leaving the club last week is set to embark
on a new role as the Head of Corporate Communications for the Football
Association, where part of his remit will be to work alongside former Hammer
Sir Trevor Brooking.

A loyal and long-term West Ham supporter who was a season ticket holder
prior to landing his job at the Boleyn Ground, Demetriou was always on hand
to help out fans with their many and varied requests - yet reticent to be
recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty, which he often did.

KUMB.com's co-editor, Gordon Thrower said: "Over the years Greg has dealt
with us at KUMB with patience and good humour without once letting on that
we were driving him up the wall. "I just hope that the unplanned ice bath (a
farewell present from the players) on Saturday didn't ruin his suit too
much! "

Sam Allardyce - who has worked with Demetriou on a daily basis since
arriving at West Ham last summer and was party to the aforementioned dousing
- added: "We're sad to lose him but he has decided to go and work for the
F.A - so good luck to him."

The FA's Adrian Bevington said: "We're delighted Greg will be joining us. He
brings excellent football and media experience to the Communications
Division."

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Ernie Gregory: goodbye to a legend
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

KUMB.com is saddened to learn of the passing of former player and coach,
Ernie Gregory. Gregory, who was 90, passed away in hospital close to the
nursing home in Essex where he spent the last months of his life, this
weekend. Ernie joined West Ham United's ground staff in 1936, two years
before signing as a player in 1938.
However he was forced to wait another seven years, due to the onset of World
War II, before becoming a regular between the sticks - a position he held
until 1960, when he called time on his career following the Irons'
long-awaited return to (the old) Division One. During that period, which
spanned four decades, Gregory made 408 league and cup appearances for the
club - a goalkeeping record that was only superseded in the late 1980s by
Phil Parkes (who went on to make 436 appearances). His sole international
appearance was for an England 'B' side in a 1952 friendly against France.
Following his playing retirement at the age of 39, Gregory took up coaching
and became involved with both the reserves and first team before taking up
an admin role at West Ham. He eventually retired at the age of 66, having
given an incredible 51 years' service to the club, in 1987. Despite having
retired, Gregory remained a regular visitor at the Chadwell Heath training
ground for many years after. He regularly popped in to chat with Academy
director Tony Carr and other club staff until he was taken ill in 2010.
After suffered a stroke at his Goodmayes home, Gregory spent time recovering
at a rest home in Dagenham before moving to his most recent home in
Basildon.

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James Tomkins and the ginger Harry Secombe
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 23rd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

On Saturday afternoon, prior to West Ham United's 2-1 nPower Championship
win over Nottingham Forest that took Sam Allardyce's side to the top of the
table for the first time this season, it was confirmed that James Tomkins
had signed a lucrative four-year contract with an option for a further year.

The young centre half, a home-grown player who graduated from Tony Carr's
world-famous Academy before becoming one of the club's most valuable assets,
was the beneficiary of a new deal estimated to be worth around £7million
over the course of those four years. Good news all round, it seems.

However the circumstances surrounding Tomkins' new deal - and a contract
that catapults the former England under-21 from being one of the first team
squad's lowest-paid members to one of its highest - raises questions over
the increasing influence of one particular football agent at the club.

Until recently Tomkins was represented by a local football agent called Tony
Giess who, along with Kevin Giess runs Skillequal Ltd, a Gidea Park-based
agency. Their client list includes players such as Lee Bowyer, Joe Cole,
Michael Carrick and current Hammers favourite Mark Noble.

However KUMB.com has learned that prior to the start of the January transfer
window and the award of his new contract, Tomkins dropped Giess and
Skillequal in favour of alternative representation - an agent called Mark
Curtis.

Curtis, a FIFA-accredited agent has been a business associate of Sam
Allardyce, the current manager of West Ham United, for a number of years.

He is also the agent of current West Ham captain Kevin Nolan, who signed an
even more lucrative (five-year) contract at the Boleyn Ground last summer
when moving from Newcastle United - one of the clubs strongly linked with
Tomkins prior to him penning his new deal last week.

However Curtis' past is one that is steeped in controversy - a past that
involves FA fines, FIFA investigations and charges of improper behaviour.

Curtis' charge sheet extends back to 1999, when he was the subject of a
Premier League enquiry that investigated the sale of Jermaine Pennant to
Arsenal from Notts County. Pennant, who was on the books of Sky Andrew at
the time was sold to the north London club on the recommendation of Curtis -
who denied knowing that Andrew was the player's representative. Curtis was
subsequently fined £7,500 by the FA for improper conduct.

In 2004 he was under investigation - this time by FIFA - for his role in the
transfer of Robert Earnshaw from Cardiff City to West Bromwich Albion. Then,
in 2007, he was one of six agents charged by the FA for breaching rules on
the disclosure of payments in relation to transfers arranged for Luton Town.

Later, in 2010, he was accused by fellow agent Peter Harrison of unlawfully
brokering Andy Carroll's final contract at Newcastle - another
highly-lucrative five-year deal. Harrison claimed that Carroll, a close
friend of Kevin Nolan's who Harrison had represented since the age of 16 was
contracted to him until March 2011, although an FA Tribunal failed to uphold
his complaint in February of last year.

Harrison was therefore not involved in Carroll's record-breaking £35million
move to Liverpool a year ago this month. The English international was
instead represented by a solicitor, whilst Liverpool - whose Sporting
Director Damien Comolli usually dealt with transfers - were also represented
by a third party.

That third party was David Bromley, another FIFA-accredited and
FA-authorised football agent who is listed at fifa.com as the owner of a
company called Centurion Sports Management Limited, who are based in
Sevenoaks. Bromley and Curtis are long term business associates; both were
previously named as directors of the now defunct companies Property Hunter
and Sports Player Management.

According to mannyroad.com, a website run by Bolton Wanderers supporters who
have extensively investigated the agent's dealings in the past, "Curtis and
controversy are never far apart. Suffice to say that he has the uncanny
knack of being on hand when a player on the move dumps his agent, leaving
him or one of his associates to act on behalf of the buying club, thus
obtaining a hefty commission."

This is exactly what happened, according to the website, when Jlloyd Samuel
- who was on trial at West Ham earlier this season - moved to Bolton from
Aston Villa on a free transfer in 2007. Samuel's representatives prior to
the move were a company called Base Soccer who number Tottenham players Tom
Huddlestone and Aaron Lennon - plus former Hammer Bobby Zamora - amongst
their clientele.

"A couple of days before Bolton did his [the agent's] deal, he got a call
from Mark Curtis to say, "let me do the deal" – because he'll get more
commission from Bolton," fellow football agent, Tony McGill, told
mannyroad.com. "So this other agency allowed Mark Curtis to do the deal on
behalf of Bolton Wanderers for Jlloyd Samuel because [Phil] Gartside [the
chairman of Bolton Wanderers] was paying him a bigger commission - and
that's fact."

The website claims that Curtis - who they refer to as 'the Ginger Harry
Secombe' - was also involved in the transfer that took Radhi Jaidi from
Birmingham to Bolton when Jesse Learoyd-Hill, Jaidi's agent at the time
found himself similarly cut out of the deal. Curtis later protested his
innocence, stating that, "he [Jaidi] said he didn't want to take him
[Learoyd-Hill] along. If he had wanted to be represented by him he would
have brought him along."

According to Peter Harrison - who, for the reasons previously mentioned has
a fairly large axe to grind (and has been at odds with Curtis since a 2006
Panorama documentary secretly filmed Harrison alleging that he made secret
payments to Craig Allardyce, then an employee of Curtis' firm Sports Player
Management) - Curtis was, "more or less chairman" at Bolton during Sam
Allardyce's reign as manager: the inference being that Curtis had control of
the club's transfer policy.

Curtis' stealth-like arrival at West Ham - he is mentioned nowhere on the
club's website at whufc.com - is therefore likely to be of great interest to
supporters concerned about the influence of preferred football agents at the
club.

Co-chairman David Sullivan was extensively criticised last season for his
insistence on dealing regularly with the greyhound-loving Barry Silkman, who
played a key role in bringing players such as Thomas Hitzlsperger and Demba
Ba to the Boleyn Ground.

With James Tomkins already on board and sorted out with a new, lucrative
contract, the question is this: could some of West Ham's fellow young stars
be tempted to follow suit and sign up with Curtis? And could Tomkins' former
representatives, the Gidea Park-based Skillequal now look to cash in on Mark
Noble, to avoid the possibility of losing him to Curtis' clutches too?

Sadly, nobody from Skillequal was willing to talk with KUMB.com about the
Tomkins situation on either occasion that we contacted them. However we
would still very much like to hear what they have to say about the
situation, should they change their minds.

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Ernie Gregory remembered
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd January 2012
By: Paul Walker

They really don't make them like Ernie Gregory any more. Gone are the days
when a man stays with his first club for over 50 years. My euphoria at the
current squad finally getting to the Championship summit this weekend was
wrecked by the sad news of Ernie's passing. He was the first goalkeeper I
knew as a boy watching the Irons in the late '50s and early '60s, and there
is a serious discussion to be had as to whether he was the greatest servant
ever to turn out for the club, despite the glory and honours achieved by the
Moore, Hurst, Peters era. The next time we are all assembled at the Boleyn,
and that's for the Millwall game, I pray the club have mark the passing of a
great servant properly, and that our 'friends' from across the water can
manage to take part in a fitting memorial. I'm sure they will.
It is also good that we have as owners now two men who remember the great
days of our past and the players that made it possible. David Gold has
already expressed his sympathies, I'm sure David Sullivan feels the same.

Articles elsewhere have recorded his history with the club, quite amazing.
For me, I can only recall standing next to my dad and him telling me Ernie
was the best goalkeeper he'd ever seen. He was part of the side that took
us back into the top flight in 1958, and had a genuine impact on young men
coming through the ranks for many years after. I was amazed to read a few
years back when Ernie was taken ill, that he did not believe people would
remember him. The deluge of good wishes that followed hopefully made him
realise just how much he was held in our affections. RIP Ernie. There are
very few left now of that '50s side, and you will always stay in my memory
and I'm sure many thousands of others.

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More Clungetastic Gossip on the Transfer Front
January 22nd, 2012 - 5:34 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Online

In her Sun column yesterday, Karren Brady alluded to two West Ham players
who had refused to move to other clubs because of the amount of money they
were earning at West Ham. Adzman89 has just cleared up the identity of one
of them in one his reports from his club insider, Clunge. Apparently Freddie
Piquionne refused to move to Wolves as it would have entailed a pay cut from
£38k a week to £25k a week. That just about sums up all you need to know
about the lazy good for nothing.

Clunge also reports that both Rob Green and Julien Faubert are refusing to
sign new contracts because they want to leave on free transfers in the
summer when their current contracts are up. That's not the first time it's
been reported, but after James Tonkins yesterday signing a four year deal,
it is very disappointing. If this really is the case, then I'd put them on
the market now and try to offload them over the next week. That may sound
like madness, as they have been two of our best players this season, but the
club shouldn't be held to ransom like this by players who ought to know
better. I am really disappointed in Rob Green. Yes, I know he hasn't been
happy at his treatment and the fact that his pay doesn't equal others, but
if he was going to find a better club, it would have happened last summer.
And it didn't.

Clunge also reports that Freddie Sears has been offered to Bournemouth on
loan, but they weren't interested. Matt Taylor will be back for Ipswich and
Papa Bouba Diop should also have recovered by then. He also thinks that Guy
Demel is 2 to 3 weeks away from fitness. Negotiations are ongoing with
Robert Hall for a new long term deal and Sam will reportedly have £35
million made available to him if we win promotion. He's got £10 million to
play with over the next ten days.

Slaven Bilic has apparently recommended West Ham to Jelavic and he is keen
to join. West Ham are trying to send Piquionne in the other direction. One
can but hope.
Well, enough for you to debate there!

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New deal for JT
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 21st January 2012
By: Staff Writer

James Tomkins has signed a new contract with West Ham that keeps him tied to
the club until 2016. The popular central defender, who recently changed
agents has committed himself to the club until 2016, with an option for a
further year included. News of Tomkins' new deal, whilst unofficially
revealed on the KUMB.com forums on Friday, was announced ahead of this
afternoon's 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest in which the 21-year-old
played a starring role. "I'm really pleased that I've signed a new contract
at the club," he told whufc.com. "It's nice to end the speculation about
what people have been saying in the papers and commit my future to the club
and concentrate on my football. "By signing this deal, I'm showing my
commitment to the club as they've been brilliant to me this year with all
the support they have given to me and the rest of the players. If they
continue doing that then together we can return the club back to the Premier
League, where we believe we belong. "Sam Allardyce has been brilliant this
year as well and has shown what he can do on and off the pitch as a
motivational manager."

Tomkins, who was formerly represented by football agency Skillequal recently
became part of the Mark Curtis stable. Curtis, who also represents Kevin
Nolan, has been a close associate of Sam Allardyce's since he was manager of
Bolton.

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Allardyce on... Nottingham Forest
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Big Sam reflects on a win that takes his West Ham United side to the top of
the Championship for the first time this season...

Sam: Not a lot of chances in the first half but once again Mark Noble, ever
reliable, from the penalty spot?

Yes - and I think quite a fortunate penalty that we got too. But you've got
to be fully professional and dispose of it when you get the opportunity. It
settled us down a bit because we all know it wasn't our best of days today.

When you can dig one out, like we've done today, when it's not your best day
and you're not on your best form it shows the resilience and the commitment
of the players. All good teams at the top have to win a game when they don't
play at their best - and we've done that today.

We're disappointed in our performance but we're delighted that we've won
another very valuable three points. Of course it brings us three wins on the
trot again and we're back on a winning streak, as it were. Lots more players
are coming back from injury who are available for selection and it's ten
days before we play our next game now so it's important that we did win this
one.

As hard as we made it for ourselves we won it, tomorrow it's three points.
When we look at the table we're three points ahead of Southampton which is
what we wanted to be at the end of today's game. We haven't done it how we
wanted to, but we've done it.

You did create quite a few chances in the second half?

We did in the second half - but so did Forest. It's clear what their
problems are; the team can create chances but they just can't finish in the
games that they've played recently. I saw them have two super chances on
Tuesday against Leicester, one at 1-0 and one when they were 2-0 down. They
missed both of them and they missed some good chances today.

So perhaps we were slightly fortunate playing a team like Forest who have
struggled to finish chances when created.

In the end we've got a very valuable three points that takes us to the top
of the league for the first time. Like I said, it's ten days before the next
game and we'll keep searching for somebody new if we can, but I'm really
pleased that your Matt Taylors are back and Guy Demel will be back. Bit of
an injury to Papa [Bouba Diop] today, a bit of a thigh, but there's ten days
for him to recover.

We saw Robert Hall come on for 20 minutes or so; we saw him at Sheffield
Wednesday so we know we've got a good young player in our midst with plenty
of ability. I hope we can develop him as well as Pottsy - and [it's] great
that Tonks has decided to sign a new contract with us. He's been really good
for us and really consistent this season.

Has there been a bid for [Nikica] Jelavic?

I don't know. We've enquired in terms of what his availability is as far as
I'm concerned but in terms of bidding, it's not my department.

We hear there was a big incident in the dressing room; we hear Greg
[Demetriou]* might have got a bit wet today?

He did get a bit wet; he went into the ice bath as a farewell present from
the lads! Along with a very funny video which I'm sure he'll cherish for the
rest of his life when we give it to him.

We're sad to lose him but he has decided to go and work for the F.A. - so
good luck to him.

* Greg Demetriou - referred to in yesterday's programme as the 'Second in
Command' - was West Ham United's Head of Media.

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Cotterill on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 22nd January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Steve Cotterill unsurprisingly felt that his struggling Nottingham Forest
side were hard done by at the Boleyn...

Steve: you must have been gutted at half time: a). the penalty and b). the
chances you had in the first half?

That probably sums up how it's been a little bit since I've been here. We
have had those chances, we haven't stuck them away. We could have been two
or three up by the time the penalty had been given - or the alleged penalty
anyway.

Penalty decisions... It's not a penalty is it; it's blatantly not a penalty.
The second one, I can see perhaps why he's given the second one because
[Chris] Gunter's arm is up. But the ball doesn't deviate.

I've just watched the pair of them just before I've come in here, because
I'd like to think that most of the time I'm honest about my opinion on
things. The first one isn't a penalty and the second one must have hit the
hairs on his arm! The linesman's done well to see that one, for sure.

But you had chances to win the game anyway?

We're not going to take every chance, are we? We haven't been prolific all
season, we're not all of a sudden going to tap someone on the shoulder and
make them a 20-goal-a-season striker.

Today was better for us; we had round pegs in round holes. The last two
games we've had we've been poor but this [today] was what it was like
beforehand. Since December 10th we've had no centre backs. Since December
10th.

We've had [Joel] Lynch injured, [Luke] Chambers suspended, Wes Morgan out
for two months and [Brendan] Maloney's done his knee ligaments. We had Greg
Cunningham out the other week with a hamstring; today he has to come off
after 20 minutes with a bit of a hamstring.

All of a sudden there you're taking arguably your most energetic midfield
player out of the core of the battle, in Guy Mousse, and you're putting him
back in central defence. It just doesn't stack up that, you know. That's on
top of losing Chris Cohen; if Guy Mousse's our most energetic midfield
player he only is because Chris Cohen's out for the year.

So we've just got to get through this year, really.

Despite the result, there were some good things going forward?

For sure. The last two games we had a lot to sort out and after today's
performance we keep our lads fit and we can start putting people in their
rightful positions and that will in turn give us a better performance.

It won't necessarily make us free-scoring all of a sudden but it'll
certainly give us a better platform from which to build, anyway.

You said you've just got to get through this year, this season.

Yeah.

Have you seen any evidence that you can?

I think we need to strengthen in a couple of areas. Whether we can do that
or not, I don't quite know the answer. It'll be about being reactive as
opposed to being proactive but I've said that to everyone since December,
before the January {transfer] window opened.

I know you can't take every chance that comes but you had some today?

How many times have you seen us [this season]?

I've seen you a couple of times.

Yeah. Then you would have seen a few more of them, wouldn't you?

Yes.

That's what happens. They don't come any better than six yards out. We've
just got to be positive and keep getting them in there. We've got to keep
getting balls whizzing across people's boxes.

There was a great move for us over on the far side and [Paul] Anderson
doesn't quite make contact at the end. We can't work any harder; we are
trying to do what we're trying to do. You can only do so much in training
and we're doing that all the time, every week.

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Round-Up: Allardyce keeps feet on ground after Hammers hit the heights
JACK PITT-BROOKE, MICHAEL BUTLER MONDAY 23 JANUARY 2012
The Independent

Sam Allardyce was pleased to see his West Ham United go to the top of the
Championship on Saturday, although the performance provided little grounds
for triumphalism. West Ham needed two generous penalty decisions, after both
of which Mark Noble scored, to overcome Nottingham Forest 2-1 at a rather
unimpressed Boleyn Ground. "I think the players looked a bit nervous,
personally," Allardyce said afterwards. "The fans get anxious and then we
get a little bit more anxious and then passes went astray. It wasn't our
usual fluent performance that we've shown at home."

Before the first penalty decision, which came in first-half stoppage time,
West Ham had barely threatened Lee Camp's goal. Forest had been playing the
better football, and Lewis McGugan, who scored a late consolation goal, and
Marcus Tudgay had missed chances better than anything West Ham created.
"That has been typical of us," said Forest's manager, Steve Cotterill. "We
haven't had a lot of luck, we haven't taken a chance. But our performances
haven't warranted where we are in the league."

Allardyce was in no mood for crowing, knowing that Southampton can overtake
them at the top when they play Leicester City this evening. "It's one of
those days when we've overcome the nerves and we've got the victory," he
said. "We're top of the league for the first time, after 27 games. We might
not stay there that long, but we've shown we can get there."

Indeed, only a win for Southampton over Leicester tonight will return them
to the top, with their manager, Nigel Adkins, "relishing" the battle for
promotion. "As you get closer to the winning line the expectation levels
grow," he said. "I have high confidence about ourselves because our focus,
desire is to win this division." Both Southampton and Leicester look set to
hand debuts to their January signings, with loanee Yago Falque set to start
for the Saints and Danny Drinkwater making a permanent switch to Leicester
from Manchester United. Leicester have won just once in the league since
November, but will be buoyed by Southampton's top scorer Rickie Lambert
serving the final game of his three-match ban.

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West Ham United defender James Tomkins signs new deal as club reach
Championship summit
By Arindam Rej at Upton Park8:20PM GMT 22 Jan 2012

James Tomkins says he turned down a move to the Premier League because he is
confident West Ham will be promoted this season, and added that the pressure
is back on Southampton now that they have been overtaken. Southampton, who
host on Monday night, are down to second place after West Ham leapfrogged
them to the top spot for the first time this season. The buoyant east London
club are looking to conclude the signing of Rangers' prolific Nikica Jelavic
but the extension of centre-back Tomkins' contract until summer 2016 – in
the face of interest from Newcastle and Tottenham – is a key deal. "It is a
compliment really when Premier League teams are interested in you," said
Tomkins, who, fittingly, was playing his 100th game for the club and was man
of the match against a Nottingham Forest side who dominated long spells but
could not turn pressure into goals. "I was just gaining confidence from that
but I was always committed to West Ham. I am confident of getting into the
Premier League this season with West Ham." Discussing the league table, he
added: "Now the pressure is back on Southampton."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "For us, it's important
psychologically. It might only be a short time that we're top because
Southampton have a fantastic home record." Contentious handball decisions
against Guy Moussi and Chris Gunter allowed Mark Noble to score West Ham's
two penalties. Lewis McGugan's late, long-range strike came too late as
Forest's alarming slide continued. The Forest camp denied stories that there
had been a fight in the dressing room after their midweek defeat against
Leicester. Striker Dexter Blackstock said: "If you lose a game then everyone
is angry. I didn't feel any punches. Just people want to win and that is the
bottom line. The squad is desperate to get out of this situation."

Match details
West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Diop (Lansbury
44), Noble, Collison, Nolan; Cole (Piquionne 86), Baldock (Hall 79).
Subs: Carew, Faye.
Booked: Cole.

Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Lynch, Cunningham (Anderson
23); McCleary, Moussi, Greening (Blackstock 55), McGugan; Tudgay, Harewood
(Miller 72).
Subs: Darlow, Reid.
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 22nd January 2012

Big Sam happy with Forest points
WHUFC.com
The manager was in positive mood after watching his team go top of the
npower Championship table
21.01.2012

Sam Allardyce was all smiles after watching his West Ham United team go top
of the npower Championship table for the first time this season. Mark Noble
converted two penalties - his fifth and sixth successful spot-kicks of the
campaign - as the Hammers beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground.
Big Sam was happy to see his side pick up their third successive league
victory, despite the manager admitting they had not played their best
football in overcoming the struggling Reds.
"For me, I think the first penalty was quite fortunate," said the manager.
"We got two penalties and we've got to be professional to dispose of the
opposition when we get the opportunity and I think they just settled us down
a bit. "It wasn't our best of games today and when you can drag one out when
you're not on your best day and not on your best form it shows the
resilience and the commitment of the players. All good teams at the top have
to win a game when they don't play at their best and we've done that today.
"We're disappointed in our performance but we are very delighted that we won
another very valuable three points. Of course it brings us three wins on the
trot again and we're back on a winning streak, as it were."

Big Sam was also delighted with the news that the ever-impressive James
Tomkins has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until at
least 2016. The Basildon-born defender put pen to paper on the deal ahead of
the game, with the news relayed to the Boleyn Ground ahead of kick-off "It's
great that James Tomkins has decided to sign a new contract with us and he's
been really good for us and really consistent this season."

While Southampton will have the chance to knock the Hammers of their perch
when they host Leicester City on Monday evening, BIg Sam insisted that
everything at the club is pointing in the right direction. "More players are
coming back from injuries and being available for selection and it's ten
days before we play our next game now so I think it was important that we
did win this one. As hard as we made it for ourselves, we have won it.
"Tomorrow it's three points when we look at the table and we're three points
ahead of Southampton and we're where we wanted to be at the end of today's
game. We haven't done it how we wanted to but we've done it."

While the first half was largely disappointing, Noble's added-time penalty
aside, the second half was a more enjoyable 45 minutes for West Ham's
players, management and supporters. When Noble slotted home his second
spot-kick on 63 minutes, the home team visibly relaxed and began to knock
the ball around in confident fashion. Indeed, Jack Collison missed two
presentable chances and Henri Lansbury saw a rasping half-volley turned over
the crossbar by Lee Camp. Forest winger Lewis McGugan did net a 30-yard
special in the dying seconds, but it was nothing more than a consolation for
Steve Cotterill's men. "We created more chances in the second half but so
did Forest," admitted Big Sam. "It's clear that their problem is the fact
that their team can create chances but they just can't finish them. "They
had two super, super chances on Tuesday against Leicester [in a 4-0 FA Cup
defeat] and they missed both of them and again they missed good chances
today so perhaps we're slightly fortunate playing a team like Forest who
have struggled to finish chances when created. "In the end we've gotten a
very, very valuable three points which takes us to the top of the league for
the first time."

With his team now out of action until they travel to Ipswich Town on 31
January, the manager said he would be working the transfer market to try to
add reinforcements. At the same time, he hopes a number of injured players
will be ready to feature at Portman Road. "It is ten days before our next
game and we'll keep searching for new players if we can but we've now got
Matt Taylor back and Guy Demel is coming back. Papa Bouba Diop picked up a
thigh injury today but there's ten days so he can recover. "Robert Hall came
on for 20 minutes or so and we saw him at Sheffield Wednesday so we know
we've got a good young player in our midst with plenty of ability so we can
develop him as well as Dan Potts."

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Tomkins signs new deal
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with West Ham
United
21.01.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce that James Tomkins has signed a
new long-term contract with the club. The 22-year-old centre-back has
pledged his future to the club by putting pen to paper on a deal that will
see him remain at the Boleyn Ground until summer 2016, with the club having
an option to extend the contract for a further year. Tomkins has been in
outstanding form all season as the Hammers strive for promotion from the
npower Championship. West Ham have kept eleven clean sheets in the 24
matches the Essex-born defender has appeared in this term. The No5 had
double cause to celebrate as Saturday's match with Nottingham Forest marked
his 100th senior appearance for the club. He joined the Hammers at the age
of seven and, despite some recent inaccurate media reports, he has never
been happier. "I'm really pleased that I've signed a new contract at the
club," he said. "It's nice to end the speculation about what people have
been saying in the papers and commit my future to the club and concentrate
on my football. "By signing this deal, I'm showing my commitment to the club
as they've been brilliant to me this year with all the support they have
given to me and the rest of the players. If they continue doing that then
together we can return the club back to the Premier League, where we believe
we belong. "Sam Allardyce has been brilliant this year as well and has shown
what he can do on and off the pitch as a motivational manager."

Tomkins joined West Ham from local club Holy Cross as a boy, signing
scholarship forms at the age of 16 before graduating from the Academy of
Football in 2007.
The young defender made his first-team debut in a 1-1 Premier League draw at
Everton on 22 March 2008 and scored his first Hammers goal in a 2-0 win over
Sunderland on 5 May 2009. Later the same month, he signed a new contract.
Tomkins has become a first-team regular over the past two seasons, making
more than 25 appearances in each Premier League campaign. This term, the
Basildon-born star has excelled under new manager Sam Allardyce, catching
the eye with his strong and intelligent defensive play and ability to carry
the ball out from the back. A favourite among Hammers supporters, he has
also been recognised at international level. Having been capped by England
at every age-group level and appeared at two UEFA European Under-21
Championship finals, Tomkins is now targeting his first senior call-up and
has been named in Team GB's provisional squad for London 2012.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dylan grateful for huge support
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides has thanked fans as he continues his medical treatment
21.01.2012

Dylan Tombides has thanked West Ham United fans for their support as he
continues his treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The
young Hammer is preparing to undergo Retroperitoneal lymphnode dissection
(RPLND) surgery this week. The procedure will see specialist doctors remove
lymph nodes from his abdomen which may contain cells that could become
cancerous in the future. The first-team squad were keen to show their
support for Tombides as he prepares for the surgery by wearing special 'Get
well soon Dylan' T-shirts ahead of the game wth Nottingham Forest. The
Australia Under-17 international said he was hugely grateful for that
support and the hundreds of messages he has received from fans, both of West
Ham and of other clubs around the world. "When I first read about the
surgery on the internet, it looked very complicated, but when I spoke to my
surgeon, he drew a diagram of what he is going to do and it looked a lot
simpler," said the 17-year-old. "Basically, it is removing all of the lymph
nodes and scar tissue from around the stomach area. The lymph nodes absorb
toxins and because I have had testicular cancer, cancerous cells can attach
themselves to the lymph nodes and be spread from there."

When the popular forward posted an update on his treatment on social
networking website Facebook earlier this week, more than 400 fans wished him
well. "I put a message on Facebook and then I went to bed. When I woke up
the next morning, I had hundreds of messages of support and they mean so
much to me. I want to thank everyone for wishing me well. "People had
started messaging me on Facebook asking how I was, but until this week I
have had nothing to report. I am so grateful for all the messages, because
they mean so much to me."

After his surgery, Tombides will have to rest up for a period of weeks
before he is given the all-clear to resume light training and other
strenuous activities - including his driving lessons. "It all depends how
quickly I heal and feel better, but my Dad read on the internet about a guy
who had the same surgery and was surfing again within six weeks! "I won't be
rushing back, but I am looking forward to getting back to doing what I enjoy
most, which is playing football. "I am also going to have to delay my
driving test for a few weeks, but the lessons are going well so hopefully
I'll be on the road soon, too."

Tombides was back at the Boleyn Ground earlier this month to cheer his U18
team-mates to FA Youth Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. "It was
great for me to see the lads play so well and get through to the next round.
I will definitely be supporting them against Chelsea, even if I can't be
there myself. "It was a real boost to see all the boys wearing 'Get well
soon Dylan' t-shirts in the warm-up. I can't wait to be back training and
playing alongside them."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Africa Cup of Nations special
WHUFC.com
Papa Bouba Diop, Abdoulaye Faye and Guy Demel on Africa's big football party
21.01.2012

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks-off in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on
Saturday, with 16 of the continent's best footballing countries battling it
out to be champions. The 1992 winners Ivory Coast are the favourites to
lift the trophy for a second time, while Senegal are hotly-tipped to win the
tournament for the first time. While Ivorian Guy Demel may be missing the
competition through injury and Senegalese duo Papa Bouba Diop (pictured) and
Abdoulaye Faye are no longer involved regularly at international level, the
West Ham United trio will be keeping a close eye on proceedings on
television. The tournament kicks-off in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Saturday
with the host nation taking on Libya and Senegal facing Zambia. Ivory Coast
begin their challenge against Sudan in Malabo on Sunday. The tournament ends
in Libreville, Gabon, on 12 February.

2006 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up Demel sat down with 2002 FIFA World Cup
hero Diop and three-times Africa Cup of Nations finalist Faye to talk
exclusivley to whufc.com about the tournament.

So, who is going to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations?

PBD: I think Senegal is going to win the African Nations Cup because we have
a new team of young players. Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana are the best
teams but Senegal has the best squad and a big chance to win it. They have
four or five top strikers like Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sow.

AF: Why are you asking this question? It will be Senegal, of course! We have
a big team with the best strikers playing in Europe now. We have Demba Ba,
Papiss Cisse who has signed for Newcastle and the others who play for French
teams. We have the chance to win this for the first time. We have been to
the final before and I think we can do it again.

GD: I hope that my country is going to win the competition. The people of
Ivory Coast deserve it and I think we are one of the best teams in Africa.
We have to prove it because we have failed a lot of times before. This one
is going to be a good one for us.

Which other nations to do see as a threat?

PBD: I think Ivory Coast or Ghana will be the other strongest teams.

AF: We will go to the final and there we will play the Ivory Coast and we
will beat them 1-0.

GD: To be honest, Ghana is a good team and Senegal have a good team too.
Ivory Coast are the favourites and there are some others like Burkina Faso
who have a lot of players who play in France. They are not bad, too. I think
normally the big three are Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast but I think we are
much better than the others.

Which player do you think will be the star of the tournament?

PBD: Yaya Toure from Manchester City.

AF: Oh, that's a tough question, but maybe Demba Ba.

GD: All of the players have the chance to be the star of the tournament,
especially for Ivory Coast. Demba has played a great season with Newcastle.
We have a lot of players from Ivory Coast who could help us to win the cup -
Gervinho, Yaya Toure or Cheick Tiote. Ghana have Andre Ayew and I played
with Jonathan Pitroipa at Hamburg and he plays for Burkina Faso and he could
be the star, too.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 - 1 Nott'm Forest
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:21 GMT, Saturday, 21 January 2012

Two controversial Mark Noble penalties saw West Ham beat wasteful Nottingham
Forest to go top of the Championship for the first time this season. Forest
had the better of the first half with Marcus Tudgay, Lewis McGugan and Paul
Anderson all missing good chances. But Noble blasted in the opener in
first-half injury time after Guy Moussi was penalised for handball and made
it 2-0 following Chris Gunter's handball. McGugan did find the net with a
fine 20-yard strike but the Hammers held on. McGugan's injury-time effort -
just Forest's fourth goal in their last 12 games - came too late to threaten
the home side's lead and lift the gloom at the City Ground. Steve
Cotterill's Forest side remain in the relegation zone, four points from
safety. But although they will feel unfortunate to be on the wrong end of
two tough penalty calls, the Reds should have been at least two goals up by
the time referee Tony Bates award a spot-kick when Moussi blocked Sam
Baldock's cross with his hand. Tudgay twice fired over over and McGugan also
failed to find the target when well placed. However their best opening saw
Anderson shoot tamely at goal after great work by Marlon Harewood and
McGugan. Kevin Nolan and George McCartney both had half-chances before the
Hammers went ahead, despite Lee Camp getting a hand to Noble's strike. The
visitors continued to have the upper hand after the interval with home
goalkeeper Robert Green denying Gunter and a McGugan cross coming back off
the post and then being smashed off the line by Noble. At the other end Jack
Collison could have doubled the lead after a fine run and Camp made a fine
diving save to keep out a Henri Lansbury effort. But Noble did add a second
soon after the hour, and West Ham were able to enjoy going top despite
McGugan's last-gasp strike.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
English clubs eye Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 13:09 GMT, Saturday, 21 January 2012
By Chris McLaughlin
Senior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Nikica Jelavic as English interest in
the Croatia striker intensifies, BBC Scotland understands. Premier League
rivals Fulham and Championship outfit West Ham have been in contact about
the 26-year-old. Responding to interest from West Ham, Rangers boss Ally
McCoist said: "They've not made an official bid. "The reported amount would
not be enough to meet the demands of the owner - £6m is not nearly enough."
Rangers rejected a £6.5m offer from Leicester City for Jelavic in the summer
and claimed they also rebuffed a £9m approach from an unnamed club shortly
before the closure of the transfer window. The player himself later revealed
that he had turned down overtures from Turkish outfit Fenerbahce but
admitted ambitions to play in England's top flight. He has recently been
linked with Liverpool and QPR before it emerged that informal talks had been
held with Sam Allardyce's West Ham. McCoist, though, insisted that no bids -
from West Ham or any other club - had been tabled since the January window
opened, despite much speculation about the striker's future. "I know Sam
very well and I think, if there was a real interest, he and I would have
spoken, but there has been no official bid made and I certainly haven't
spoken to anyone about it," he said.
Jelavic began his career with Hajduk Split before moving on to Zulte Waregem
then Rapid Vienna. He joined Rangers for £4m in August 2010, when he signed
a four-year contract, and is the Scottish champions' top scorer this season
with 17 goals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble spot on as Hammers go top
Last updated: 21st January 2012
SSN

Two Mark Noble penalties fired West Ham to a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest
and to the top of the Championship for the first time this season. The
midfielder's double from the spot was enough to ensure the pre-season
promotion favourites leapfrogged Southampton, who do not play until Monday.
But despite their lofty position, the Hammers rarely hit the heights against
a struggling Nottingham Forest side. In fact, Sam Allardyce's men could, and
probably should, have been two or three goals down before they benefited
from some generous refereeing, allowing Noble to make it three successful
spot-kicks in his last two outings. Referee Tony Bates twice took centre
stage, penalising Guy Moussi and Chris Gunter for handball in each half to
gift the hosts victory, despite a last-gasp consolation from Lewis McGugan.
Forest had by far the better chances in the first half, with Marcus Tudgay
twice blazing over and McGugan also wayward in front of goal. Their best
opportunity came 15 minutes before the break when former West Ham striker
Marlon Harewood and McGugan combined well to tee up Paul Anderson with the
goal gaping. But Hammers defender Julien Faubert just did enough to put
Anderson off the shot and Rob Green was able to collect his weak effort. The
home side, by contrast, had created only half-chances, with skipper Kevin
Nolaninches away from getting a touch on a dangerous cross from George
McCartney and Jack Collison shooting too close to Lee Camp. But they were
handed the lead in first-half stoppage time when referee Bates awarded a
penalty after harshly adjudging Moussi had blocked Sam Baldock's cross with
his hand. Noble, whose penalty was all that separated the sides when West
Ham beat Portsmouthlast week, repeated the trick despite Camp getting a hand
to his shot. The West Ham goal continued to lead a charmed life after the
break, with Green making a fine save to deny Chris Gunter.
And from the resulting corner, McGugan's cross deceived everyone in the
goalmouth and cannoned off the far post before it was hacked off the line by
Noble. At the other end Collison should have doubled the hosts' lead after a
mazy run into the area but his shot was deflected over the top, and Camp
pulled off a fine diving save to deny Henri Lansbury. But the second goal
did arrive in the 63rd minute when Bates pointed to the spot again, Gunter
this time the guilty party, and Noble did the honours once more. McGugan
pulled one back deep into stoppage time but there was barely time to restart
and the Hammers celebrated hitting top spot.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins commits to Hammers
Defender delighted to end speculation about his future
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 3:42pm
SSN

West Ham United defender James Tomkins has ended speculation about his
future by signing a new contract at Upton Park until 2016. Tomkins, who came
through the ranks at West Ham, has repeatedly been linked with a move to the
Premier League since the club suffered relegation at the end of last season.
Hammers co-owner David Gold insisted earlier this month that the 22-year-old
is not for sale amid reports of a £4million bid from Newcastle United.
Speculation has claimed that Newcastle will now wait until the summer to
make a renewed bid to land Tomkins, but the centre-half has pledged his
future to West Ham. Tomkins made his 100th appearance for the club in
Saturday's Championship game against Nottingham Forest and is delighted to
be part of Sam Allardyce's squad.

Brilliant

"I'm really pleased that I've signed a new contract at the club," Tomkins
told the club's official website. "It's nice to end the speculation about
what people have been saying in the papers and commit my future to the club
and concentrate on my football. "By signing this deal, I'm showing my
commitment to the club as they've been brilliant to me this year with all
the support they have given to me and the rest of the players. "If they
continue doing that then together we can return the club back to the Premier
League, where we believe we belong. "Sam Allardyce has been brilliant this
year as well and has shown what he can do on and off the pitch as a
motivational manager."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers in Jelavic talks
Rangers yet to receive an offer for prolific Croatian striker
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 6:43pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce has confirmed West Ham United have enquired about the
availability of prolific Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Sky Sports sources
revealed on Friday evening that the Hammers had contacted the SPL champions
as Allardyce seeks to improve his attacking options. The West Ham chief has
already failed with a bid for Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes and is now
trying to add Jelavic to his squad. "We have enquired in terms of his
availability as far as I am concerned, but in terms of a bid that's not my
department," said Allardyce after Saturday's 2-1 home win over Nottingham
Forest. Jelavic was the subject of a failed bid from West Ham's Championship
rivals Leicester City last summer, while Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers
had been linked with January bids. Rangers boss Ally McCoist is determined
to hang on to the Croatia international as he looks to catch Old Firm rivals
Celtic in the SPL title race.

Informal chat

McCoist also confirmed on Friday that, following speculation West Ham will
offer £6million for Jelavic, the figure would not be enough to secure the
forward. Speaking after Gers' 1-1 home draw with Aberdeen, McCoist confirmed
talks have taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham
counterpart David Sullivan.
"I spoke to Craig today and I believe Craig had a conversation with David
Sullivan," said McCoist. "But Craig was very keen to point out that
absolutely no offers had been made at all. I think it was just a pretty
informal chat they had." On speculation linking the player with other clubs
south of the border, he added: "That's news to me, I've certainly not been
told. The only team where there has been an indication of interest is West
Ham."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce - We got lucky
Forest boss Cotterill unimpressed by decisions
Last Updated: January 21, 2012 6:45pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce admits West Ham were fortunate to see decisions go their way
after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 on Saturday. Two controversial Mark
Noble penalties were enough to sink Forest and send the Hammers above
Southampton at the top of the Championship, with the Saints not set to play
until Monday. The pre-season promotion favourites are now at the summit for
the first time this term but they got a helping hand from referee Tony Bates
and his eagle-eyed assistants.
Bates harshly adjudged Guy Moussi to have handled a Jack Collison cross from
point-blank range in first-half stoppage-time, and then penalised Chris
Gunter for handball after an hour. Upton Park boss Allardyce said: "We went
ahead through probably quite a fortunate penalty, but you have to be
professional and dispose of it when you get the opportunity. "It was not the
best of days but when you can dig a win out it shows the resilience of the
players. "As much as we are disappointed with our performance we are
delighted with three points. It brings us to three wins on the trot and
keeps up our winning streak. "We can look at the table and see we are three
points ahead of Southampton, which is where we want to be."

Unimpressed

Forest manager Steve Cotterill was, predictably, unimpressed with the
penalty decisions which enabled Noble to take his tally for the season to
six. It was all the more frustrating for Cotterill as his side had looked by
far the more likely to open the scoring against a strangely subdued West
Ham. Paul Anderson missed their best chance when he failed to connect with
Lewis McGugan's cross with the goal gaping. "It probably sums up how it's
been since I've been here, we could have been two or three up before the
alleged penalty was given," he said. "It's blatantly not a penalty. "I can
see why he has given the second one, Gunter's arm is up, but it must have
hit the hairs on his arm because the ball doesn't deviate. "The linesman has
done well to see that one, for sure."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce plans happy anniversary for West Ham chiefs
Published 08:54 21/01/12 By The Mirror

Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham bosses are the best in the business and
hopes to repay them on their anniversary by going top of the Championship.
David Gold and David Sullivan celebrated two years in charge of the club
this week and have endured a rollercoaster ride since they took charge of
the east London club back in January 2010. The duo have never been afraid to
speak their mind and previous managers Gianfranco Zola and Avram Grant both
came under fire following a string of poor results. Allardyce admits he has
now seen a completely different side to them and wants to help them achieve
their goal of bouncing straight back into the top flight. When asked if he
was worried about their outbursts, Allardyce said: "I think it's put them in
the wrong context because I had that impression before I came. But I have
found them not to be how they have perhaps portrayed themselves. "The media
has caught them at a particular time when they have been disappointed with
what's happening at their club and they've made a statement that has created
some headlines. I haven't found them to be like that yet, and I certainly
hope it continues that way for some time "At the moment the relationship is
as good as I have had. For me, adjusting to how they run the football club
has been what I have done, and communicating to them in a way that they like
to be communicated. "Whether that changes if we had a very bad run of
results and the pressure comes on, I don't know, it may do, it may not. At
the moment it's been a good working relationship. "When it comes to
transfers they get straight in there and see what we can get. I haven't
experienced that before in my entire management career." West Ham can go top
of the table for the first time if they beat Nottingham Forest today, as
Southampton are not in action until Monday night.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble efforts lift Hammers to top spot
West Ham United 2 Nottingham Forest 1
JACK PITT-BROOKE UPTON PARK SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2012
The Independent

West Ham reached the top of the Championship last night despite a
performance which was conspicuously average. They beat Nottingham Forest2-1
thanks to two Mark Noble penalties, the first of which was a mystifying
award at the end of an underwhelming first half.

The first 45 minutes were a perfect example of why, despite their top spot,
the West Ham United fans are not yet fully enthused about the season. "It
wasn't our best of days," said their manager, Sam Allardyce, "but when you
can dig one out when you're not on your best form it shows the players'
resilience and commitment."

West Ham's approach largely consisted of long diagonal balls to Kevin Nolan
and Carlton Cole. Nolan nearly forced in George McCartney's near-post cross
after 12 minutes, but there was lack of imagination about West Ham's
attacking play. In his programme notes Allardyce bemoaned the fact that West
Ham had scored just six goals in their previous eight games, and it was not
difficult to see why.

Forest had their own goalscoring woes – they had failed to score in 10 of
their previous 11 games – but their attacking play in the first half was
surprisingly skilful. Finishing, not creating, was their problem. Marcus
Tudgay missed his first chance after 10 minutes, shooting over from a
corner. Three minutes later Lewis McGugan arrived on to Chris Gunter's cross
but shot over. Soon after, Tudgay had a shot from a similar position
deflected over. "We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up," their manager, Steve
Cotterill, claimed.

With so many chances missed it seemed unlikely to be Forest's day, an
impression reinforced in first-half stoppage time. Guy Moussi blocked Jack
Collison's right-wing cross from close range, and, to the surprise of the
whole stadium, a penalty kick was awarded.

"It's blatantly not a penalty," Cotterill said afterwards. Even Allardyce
described it as "quite fortunate". Mark Noble, characteristically reliable,
gave West Ham a lead their play had not deserved.

Forest's confidence was as fragile as could be expected: once behind, they
offered little in the second half. West Ham, who announced that James
Tomkins has signed a new long-term contract, started to improve: Jack
Collison could not reward a delightful run with a finish to match, and Henri
Lansbury forced a springing save from Lee Camp.

Two minutes later another ball into Forest's box bemused Gunter, who could
only stop it with a hand. This time the award was in keeping with the run of
play, and Noble's conversion was again precise.

With a two-goal lead, there was little question of West Ham failing to
complete the victory which would send them top, even after Forest scored a
late consolation. Having missed easier chances when it mattered, McGugan
contrived a brilliant but meaningless goal, hammering the ball in
left-footed from 25 yards in stoppage time.

West Ham United (4-3-1-2) Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Noble,
Bouba Diop (Lansbury, h-t), Collison; Nolan; Baldock (Hall, 78), Cole
(Piquionne, 85).

Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2) Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Lynch, Cunningham
(Anderson, 23); Moussi, McGugan, Greening (Blackstock, 56); McCleary;
Harewood (Miller, 73), Tudgay.

Referee: Anthony Bates

Man of the match: Tomkins (West Ham)

Match rating: 3/10

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United 2 Nottingham Forest 1: match details
By Arindam Rej at Upton Park9:36PM GMT 21 Jan 2012
Telegraph.co.uk

West Ham United are top of the Championship for the first time this season,
but this was not the most convincing way to achieve it. Two controversial
penalties for handball allowed Mark Noble to strike twice, but that masked a
disjointed display in which free-falling Nottingham Forest wasted a plethora
of chances. But West Ham's ability to force these wins, without being
fluent, bodes well for their automatic promotion hopes, as does James
Tomkins's decision to sign a new contract until summer 2016. The 22-year-old
centre-back has been interesting Newcastle, who had two bids for him
rejected, and Tottenham. Tomkins said: "It's nice to end the speculation
about what people have been saying in the papers and commit my future to the
club and concentrate on my football."

He showed that concentration with some crucial defending as Forest had the
better of the first hour but the game's pivotal moments arrived when referee
Tony Bates awarded the penalties. Guy Moussi and Chris Gunter were the men
to be punished. Forest manager Steve Cotterill, under pressure already after
eight defeats in 10 league games, said: "We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up
before the alleged penalty. It's blatantly not a penalty. I can see why he's
given the second one as Gunter's arm is up but the ball doesn't deviate."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "I think it was probably quite a
fortunate penalty. But that first goal settled us down. We're disappointed
with our performance but delighted we won."

Kriss Akabusi, a West Ham fan, showed admirable energy for a 53 year-old as
he read out the teams before kick-off, but his team looked lethargic
initially. Thankfully, the visitors' finishing showed why their recent
scoring record is so dismal. Marcus Tudgay missed two early chances,
shooting high and then wide, and Lewis McGugan also struck over from a clear
opening. West Ham improved at the end of the first half with Jack Collison's
angled strike being parried clear by Lee Camp. Then came their contentious
penalty for handball, given against Moussi after a Collison cross, and Noble
powered it in. There was more Forest frustration early in the second half as
Gunter's strike was smothered by Rob Green and McGugan's resultant corner
evaded everybody before striking the far post. Camp tipped clear Henri
Lansbury's half-volley, before the hosts doubled their lead from Noble's
second spot kick. Forest looked a beaten team after that, with West Ham in
control, although McGugan did lash in a typically ferocious30-yard strike
deep into injury time.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 21st January 2012

Big Sam hails positive approach
WHUFC.com
The manager believes the future is looking good for West Ham United in all
areas of the club
20.01.2012

Sam Allardyce believes things are looking rosy for West Ham United - on and
off the pitch. While Big Sam's team seek to go top of the npower
Championship for the first time when they play Nottingham Forest on
Saturday, Thursday saw Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold mark two
years at the Hammers helm. The manager was in understandably upbeat mood as
he made his final preparations for this weekend's fixture, speaking
positively about his side's prospects and glowingly of his relationship with
Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold. Taking first the football side of things, Big Sam
is eager for his players to push on, even if they do reach the summit come
5pm on Saturday. "I think it would be great for us. It has been a very
difficult job catching Southampton and when we've finally got closer and
closer we've then ultimately failed and then slipped back again," he said.
"For most of this season we've climbed the mountain and then we've just
slipped off the peak and back down slightly again. What we can do this time
is stay on top of the peak of the mountain and try and win the three points
to get a little bit ahead of them even though it might only be for a short
period of time. "More importantly it may then create an even wider gap
between us and third and fourth."

While the Hammers hold a four-point lead over third-place Cardiff City going
into the weekend, the manager is aware that a host of clubs could still
mount a late charge for the automatic promotion positions. "My worry is the
challenge of Middlesbrough, Cardiff, Hull City, Reading now, even a big
danger is Birmingham.
"I think that Chris Hughton and his squad, looking at the changes he made
from Millwall to [the midweek FA Cup win over] Wolves and winning both
games, are strong. "I know Millwall were down to nine men, but the changes
he made and then to beat a Premier League side in the cup and to use a
different set of players in different positions shows you just how strong a
squad they are. "So, the two-way scenario is, yes we would like to be at the
top and we'd like to stay at the top but we've also got to fend off any of
those super-duper late runs."

Concentrating on his relationship with the Joint-Chairmen, Big Sam said his
dealings had been overwhelmingly positive during the eight months since his
appointment.
"At the moment, the relationship is as good as I've had. As in any business,
it is vitally important how you communicate with your bosses, and I think
that my levels of communication have always been one of my strengths as a
manager - it hasn't just been about managing players, it's been about
managing all the different factors of the Football Club. "The biggest factor
is managing in terms of how we communicate between ourselves for the good of
the Football Club. It's about how we go about doing our jobs in a very
difficult industry and making sure that we work as harmoniously as hard as
we can. "For me, adjusting to how they run the Football Club has been what
I've done and communicating to them in a way that they like to be
communicated in. "That has made life for me easier, to get on with the
football side of it and to try and get the players out on the field and
continue to work. So that has been fine as far as I'm concerned. "It's been
a good working relationship between myself and David Sullivan particularly
and David Gold in terms of whenever he wants he can come in."

Big Sam has also welcomed the Joint-Chairmen's enthusiasm in the transfer
market - most notably the eye-catching move to bring captain Kevin Nolan to
the Club from Premier League Newcastle United. "In terms of transfers, we're
still ambitious enough to get back in the premier league and we're ambitious
enough to get players like Kevin Nolan to come and join us and that made a
big statement. "David [Sullivan] is interested in a million players and I
think he really enjoys it. I think he really enjoys the nature of the
transfer market and the wheeling and dealing of the 'can you find a player?'
and he is obviously very knowledgeable in that direction. "My job is to make
sure that first and foremost we don't sign the wrong one, because there's
that many thrown at us that it's easy to take the gamble. I want to reduce
the gamble to a minimum so that when we bring in that player, 90 or 80 per
cent of the time it's going to be successful."

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Captain's blog
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is fired up for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Saturday
20.01.2012

We are all ready and raring to go against Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
The aim is to follow up on what was a well-earned and well-fought win away
at Portsmouth last weekend, especially with Fratton Park being no easy place
to go. We dug in and got the three points and now it is up to us to make
that count even more with another good result and boss it here at home. I
mentioned that Fratton Park was a difficult place to play, their fans have
made it an intimidating place, but despite that, all of you who made the
trip to Pompey more than made yourselves heard and that was brilliant to
hear. It was great to hear the singing and support which helped us on to an
important victory, so on behalf of myself and all the lads, thanks to all of
you. We are getting there now after a little spell of injuries and
suspensions and we are all on track in working towards our goal - promotion.
This Saturday's match against Forest is a pay on the day, so hopefully as
many of you as possible will again be cheering us on. As you can see by my
words in this blog, it does help us a lot. Forest may not have had the best
of times lately, but it will be no easy match and a lot of patience is
needed for us all to work and get a result.

A few other things I want to mention, a big congratulations to our Under-18
team who won through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup. Myself and some
of the other lads were there to see them win and put in a great performance,
so well done to them and all the Academy staff. It is also two years ago
this week since owners David Sullivan and David Gold took over the club. I
have had a good working relationship with them since arriving here in the
summer. I know they are doing all they can to back the team and get the club
back up to the top flight and I am sure this is something they will continue
to do and that can only be a good thing for our club.

As this is my first captain's blog of the new year, I do hope all of you had
a safe and happy Christmas and I look forward to hopefully sharing what we
hope is a great 2012 for all associated with West Ham United.

Make lots of noise for us on Saturday and we will do our best in return.
Come on you Irons!

Kevin Nolan
Captain

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Nottingham Forest match preview
All the background and team news ahead of Saturday's npower Championship
visit of the Reds
WHUFC.com
20.01.2012

WEST HAM UNITED v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Nottingham Forest knowing a draw will be enough to
take them top of the npower Championship table for the first time this
season.
• The Hammers go into Saturday's match level on points with leaders
Southampton, but with an inferior goal difference by four goals. However,
the Saints do not play again until Monday evening, when they host Leicester
City.
• Saturday's match sees Sam Allardyce's side look to complete a third
consecutive league victory following a 1-0 home win over Coventry City on
Monday 2 January and success by an identical scoreline at Portsmouth on
Saturday 14 January. The Hammers would also complete a third straight league
'double' should they triumph this weekend.
• Should he start on Saturday, Robert Green will make his 200th league
appearance in goal for the club.
• Nottingham Forest arrive in east London in 22nd place in the table and
staring at the possibility of being relegated to the third tier for the
second time in eight seasons. The two-times European Cup winners have scored
just 21 goals and collected just 21 points from 26 league matches played.
The Tricky Trees were also dumped out of the FA Cup on Wednesday, losing 4-0
at Leicester City in a third-round replay.
• Nottingham Forest are enduring a terrible run of form in front of goal,
having failed to score in nine of their previous ten matches in all
competitions - eight of which have come in the npower Championship. However,
Steve Cotterill's side hit the net three times when they did manage to
score, winning 3-1 at Ipswich Town on 2 January.
• Steve Cotterill has already ended up on the losing side as a manager at
the Boleyn Ground this season. His Portsmouth side were beaten 4-3 here in
the npower Championship on 10 September 2011.
• On the Reds' most-recent visit to east London on 30 January 2011, West Ham
United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 in last season's FA Cup third round at
the Boleyn Ground, with Victor Obinna netting a hat-trick. West Ham are
unbeaten in their previous five home matches against Forest dating back to a
1-0 Premier League win for the visitors on 1 January 1997.

Us and them
• West Ham United's biggest-ever home victory over Nottingham Forest was a
5-0 Division Two success on 18 February 1939. Benny Fenton scored twice and
Joseph Stanley Foxall, Archie Macaulay and Len Goulden once each in front of
16,200 supporters.
• Nottingham Forest's largest victory at the Boleyn Ground came in the shape
of a 5-0 Division Two win on 30 April 1949. Amazingly, Forest would end the
1948/49 season by being relegated to Division Three (South), while West Ham
would lose just three home games in finishing seventh in the table.
• The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Nottingham Forest
fixture was the 36,589 who turned out for the Hammers' 3-0 Division One win
over the Tricky Trees on 12 April 1968. Brian Dear scored twice and John
Sissons once for the hosts.
• West Ham United caused a massive upset when they beat Nottingham Forest
2-1 in the FA Cup first round on 14 January 1911. Then a Southern League
First Division club, the Hammers scored a victory over their Football League
Division One opponents thanks to two goals from forward Danny Shea.
• West Ham United defender Tony Gale was infamously sent-off in the 1991 FA
Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on 14 April 1991
after a foul on Gary Crosby. Referee Keith Hackett later revealed that he
had been given a directive before the game on the interpretation of the
professional foul rule. Forest would go on to win the game 4-0 but lost 2-1
to Tottenham Hotspur in the final. Future Hammers Gary Charles and Stuart
Pearce filled the full-back positions for Forest in the semi-final.

• George John's FC Dallas eliminated Nottingham Forest striker Robbie
Findley's Real Salt Lake from the MLS Play-Offs in October 2010 courtesy of
a 3-2 aggregate victory.
• Nottingham Forest striker Matt Derbyshire was plucked from the obscurity
of non-league Great Harwood Town by Blackburn Rovers in 2003, having been
recommended to then Rovers chief scout and present West Ham United head of
player recruitment Martyn Glover. Derbyshire appeared for Birmingham City in
last season's Carling Cup semi-final victory over the Hammers.
• Victor Obinna scored a hat-trick in West Ham United's 3-2 FA Cup
fourth-round win over Nottingham Forest at the Boleyn Ground on 30 January
2011. The Nigeria forward is one of four players to score a hat-trick
against Forest alongside Dave Mangnall (September 1935), Frank McAvennie
(May 1992) and Syd Puddefoot, who netted four times in a 5-1 Division Two
victory in April 1920. McAvennie's treble came in his final game for the
Hammers and after the Scot had appeared as a substitute for Mitchell Thomas.
• Nottingham Forest player Chris Cohen played 21 times in all competition
for the Hammers between 2003 and 2006, having come through the youth ranks
at the Boleyn Ground.
• Jim Barrett, Horace Brown, Franz Carr, Gary Charles, Charlie Craig, Colin
Foster, Marlon Harewood, Andy Melville, Ian Moore, Adam Nowland, Stuart
Pearce, Teddy Sheringham and Fred Wallbanks are among those to have worn the
colours of both clubs.
• Fifteen players have made their West Ham United debuts against Nottingham
Forest - Frank Birchenough (April 1920), Vivian Gibbins (December 1923),
William Kaine (October 1924), Arthur Tonner (September 1935), Robert Black
(February 1937), Brian Moore (May 1955), Geoff Hurst (February 1960), Paul
Heffer and Bill Kitchener (March 1967), Bryan 'Pop' Robson (February 1971),
Alexander Clarke (August 1982), Robbie Slater (August 1995), Dani (February
1996), Hayden Mullins (October 2003) and Gavin Williams (December 2004).
• Glaswegian Arthur Tonner's appearance in the 5-2 win over Nottingham
Forest in September 1935 was his one and only game in a West Ham United
shirt.

Previous meeting
• West Ham United last met Nottingham Forest on 28 August 2011, when the
Hammers ran out 4-1 npower Championship winners at the City Ground.

• Luke Chambers netted an own-goal before Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole put
West Ham in total charge before half-time. Robbie Findley pulled one back
before Winston Reid completed the scoring late on. The lineups were:
Nottingham Forest: Camp, Morgan, Chambers, Gunter, Boateng (Lynch 58),
Cohen, Greening, McGugan (Derbyshire 64), Majewski (Reid 64), Miller,
Findley
Subs not used: Smith, Garner
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Faubert , Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble,
Taylor, Collison (Faye 75), Nolan, Cole (Piquionne 68)
Subs not used: Boffin, Stanislas, Carew

Team news
West Ham United
• Sam Allardyce has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's match.
However, Matt Taylor (calf), Guy Demel (thigh) and Marek Stech (shoulder)
remain sidelined.
• New signing George John is not expected to be involved as he continues to
work his way towards full match-fitness following his arrival on loan from
MLS club FC Dallas.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Cristian Montano, Ahmed Abdulla and Eoin
Wearen are on temporary loans at Dagenham & Redbridge, while Peter Kurucz
(Rochdale), Callum Driver (Burton Albion) and George Moncur (AFC Wimbledon)
are also away.
Nottingham Forest
• Nottingham Forest defender Luke Chambers is suspended after being sent-off
in the 3-0 home npower Championship defeat by Southampton last weekend.
• The Reds will be without former Hammer Chris Cohen (knee ligaments),
Ishmael Miller (fractured foot), Brendan Moloney (knee), Wes Morgan (foot)
and Jamaal Lascelles (back).

Last time out
Saturday 15 January 2012
npower Championship
Portsmouth 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Faubert (Lansbury 84), Reid, Tomkins,
McCartney, Diop, Noble, Collison, Nolan , Cole
Goal: Noble 24 (pen)
Wednesday 17 January 2012
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
Leicester City 4-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest: Camp, Lynch, Gunter, Cunningham, Boateng (McGoldrick 46),
Greening (McGugan 46), Anderson, Moussi, Reid, Harewood (Blackstock 81),
Findley

Previous meetings
(Last six meetings, npower Championship unless stated)
28 August 2011 - Nottingham Forest 1-4 West Ham United
30 January 2011 - West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (FA Cup fourth
round)
26 December 2004 - West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
26 September 2004 - Nottingham Forest 2-1 West Ham United
28 December 2003 - Nottingham Forest 0-2 West Ham United
22 October 2003 - West Ham United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Overall record v Nottingham Forest (all competitions) W 45 D 26 L 43

Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
Nottingham Forest
2010/11 Championship 6th (75 points)
2009/10 Championship 3rd (79 points)
2008/09 Championship 19th (53 points)
2007/08 League One 2nd (82 points - promoted to Championship)
2006/07 League One 4th (82 points)
2005/06 League One 7th (69 points)
2004/05 Championship 23rd (44 points - relegated to League One)
2003/04 Championship 14th (60 points)
2002/03 Championship 6th (74 points)
2001/02 Championship 16th (54 points)

Referee
• Saturday's referee will be the experienced Tony Bates - the
longest-serving referee in the Football League. Aged 50, Bates has been
officiating in the Football League since being appointed as an assistant
referee as long ago as 1993, having begun his career a decade earlier at
junior level.
• Two years later, he took the flag in the Charity Shield before doing the
same job as England hosted the UEFA European Championship in 1996, running
the line in the group-stage meeting between eventual finalists Germany and
Czech Republic. The same year, he also ran the line at the FA Cup final.
Bates completed a fine year by being appointed to the Football League List
of referees for the 1996/97 season.
• More recently, during a Championship fixture between Coventry City and
Nottingham Forest in February 2010, an injury to Bates saw him replaced by
assistant Amy Fearn, who subsequently became the first female to referee a
Football League match.
• Bates officiated his West Ham United match when he took charge of the 1-0
home npower Championship win over Peterborough United on 24 September 2011.
• Away from football, Bates is a big speedway fan.
• Bates will be assisted by Carl Fitch and Simon Knapp, while the fourth
official will be Michael Webb.

Old boys
• Chris Cohen played 21 times in all competition for the Hammers between
2003 and 2006, having come through the youth ranks at the Boleyn Ground.
• Jim Barrett, Horace Brown, Franz Carr, Charlie Craig, Colin Foster, Marlon
Harewood, Andy Melville, Ian Moore, Adam Nowland, Stuart Pearce, Teddy
Sheringham and Fred Wallbanks are among those to have worn the colours of
both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Next up
• West Ham United have a weekend off before returning to action with an
npower Championship trip to Ipswich Town on the evening of Tuesday 31
January.

General information
• Saturday's match has been designated as a Youth Academy match, meaning ALL
Youth Academy tickets are FREE. For ticket information, click here.
• Sunday's forecast in east London is for a cloudy afternoon with
temperatures peaking around the 11C (52F) mark.

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U18s target Palace victory
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock believes the youth team can continue their perfect 2012 at
Crystal Palace
20.01.2012

West Ham United Under-18s coach Nick Haycock believes his young side will
continue their perfect start to 2012 when they travel to Crystal Palace on
Saturday.
The Hammers have registered three wins out of three so far this year,
scoring FA Premier Academy victories over Chelsea and Norwich City and an FA
Youth Cup fourth-round success against Brighton and Hove Albion - scoring 13
goals in the process. Having beaten Palace 3-0 in their reverse league
fixture at Little Heath in November, Haycock is confident his side can
record their fourth consecutive win this weekend. "The boys have made a good
start this year. We've had three tough games and the next four matches will
be equally so - Palace, Arsenal, Southampton and Chelsea in the FA Youth
Cup. "It'll be a good test of the squad but the squad responded well last
week [winning 6-1 against Norwich] and I fully expect them to put the same
sort of effort and endeavour into their performances as they have so far in
2012. "Any one of eight teams can win our group so it'll depend on players
being available and cup runs. The biggest target for us is to have more
players in the first team than any other club. That's always the ultimate
goal, but a good cup run and a nice position in the league is something we
strive for. "Us and Palace are two Academies who produce players for their
first teams by doing it in the right way. I've got respect for what they
do."

A number of players also know the next few matches will help the coaching
staff decide whether or not to offer them their first professional
contracts. "It's a tough time for them, but all the way through their
careers they will have to handle the pressure of earning contracts because
that is what the game is about. "Individually, it's something for them to
push for. Equally, the boys who have already got contracts cannot afford to
take their foot off the gas. They have to work to catch the manager's eye."

One player who has already signed a professional contract is Dylan Tombides.
The striker is continuing to undergo treatment after being diagnosed with
testicular cancer last summer, but is hopeful of being able to return to
light training in the next few months. "Obviously Dylan is undergoing
treatment and all our thoughts are with him at this testing time. The squad
are striving to improve their standards for him to come back into a better
place as well."

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West Ham v Nott'm Forest
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 13:50 GMT, Friday, 20 January 2012

Npower Championship
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 21 August Kick-off: 1500 BST 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 could include defender George John following his arrival on loan
from FC Dallas. Sam Baldock is pushing to partner Carlton Cole in attack,
but midfielder Matt Taylor (calf) and defender Guy Demel (thigh) are both
still out.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury or suspension
worries. Defender Wes Morgan (ankle), midfielder Chris Cohen (knee) and
striker Ishmael Miller (foot) are still missing.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• These clubs have been facing each other for a hundred years and
there is only two wins between them; West Ham have won 45 and Nottingham
Forest 43 of 114 competitive matches.
• West Ham won the reverse fixture 4-1 in August, and are looking to
do the double over Forest for the first time since the 1968/69 top-flight
season.
• Forest have won only one of their last nine league trips to Upton
Park since 1987; 1-0 on New Years' Day 1997, in the Premier League.

West Ham United
• West Ham are vying to become the first club to reach 16 Championship
wins, which would put them top of the table for the first time this season.
• They are one of three clubs with a 100% record in this division in
2012.
• The Hammers are boasting the meanest defence in the second tier (23
goals conceded) and an unrivalled 32 points have been picked up from the 12
games in which clean sheets were kept.

Nottingham Forest
• Third-bottom Forest, two points from safety, have lost an unequalled
16 Championship matches; 11 against current top-half clubs.
• The 3-1 win at Ipswich on 2 January is their only victory and only
goals in 11 in all competitions.
• They have picked up 16 points out of a possible 48 under Steve
Cotterill.

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£6m Jelavic bid would not tempt Rangers - Ally McCoist
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:49 GMT, Friday, 20 January 2012

A £6m offer would fall far short of Rangers' valuation of Croatia striker
Nikica Jelavic, according to manager Ally McCoist. McCoist was responding to
reports that West Ham counterpart Sam Allardyce had made such a bid. "They
have not made an official bid," said McCoist about the Scottish champions'
top scorer. "The reported amount would not be enough to meet the demands of
the owner - £6m is not nearly enough." Rangers rejected a £6.5m offer from
Leicester City for Jelavic in the summer and claimed they also rebuffed a
£9m approach from an unnamed club shortly before the closure of the transfer
window. Jelavic later revealed that he had turned down overtures from
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce but admitted ambitions to play in England's top
flight. Some Friday reports suggested that informal talks had begun with
Allardyce's Championship club. However, McCoist suggested that no bids -
from West Ham or any other club - had been tabled since the January window
opened, despite much speculation about the striker's future. "I know Sam
very well and I think, if there was a real interest, he and I would have
spoken, but there has been no official bid made and I certainly haven't
spoken to anyone about it," he said.

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Jelavic interest genuine
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are understood to have held intial talks with Rangers with regards
to the acquisition of striker Nikica Jelavic. Rumours of a purported
£6million bid from West Ham for the 26-year-old Croat were dismissed earlier
in the day by Rangers boss Ally McCoist who claimed that, "£6million is not
nearly enough." But despite McCoist's comments, KUMB understands that talks
between the two clubs are ongoing. West Ham are thought to have made initial
contact more than a week ago and discussions have continued throughout the
week. The Croatian international joined Rangers in 2010 when making a
$4million move from Rapid Vienna. He scored 19 times from 31 appearances in
his first season in Scotland, whilst he has already scored 17 times this
term.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Take me to the top
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has told his players to fire West Ham to the the top of the
Championship tomorrow. West Ham are currently neck and neck with Southampton
at the top of the tree having accred 50 points from their opening 26 matches
- just two points shy of Allardyce's two points-per-game target. And with
the Saints - who are above West Ham by virtue of a superior goal difference
(+22 to +18) not playing until Monday evening, a win against Nottingham
Forest at the Boleyn Ground would send United three points clear of their
closest rivals. "If we defeat Forest tomorrow we will go top of the
Championship for the first time this season," Allardyce said in his weekly
column for the ES. "At least until Monday when Southampton play Leicester.
"But there's still a clutch of clubs still in contention for promotion. All
we can do is look after ourselves and tomorrow's match provides us with that
extra incentive of going top." Forest will arrive in east London entrenched
in the bottom three of the Championship having won just one of their last
eleven games. The former European champions have also failed to score in
seven of their last eight outings. Steve Cotterill was appointed as the new
Forest boss in October. He was in charge of Portsmouth when they were beaten
4-3 by the Hammers at the Boleyn back in September, making him one of a
select few managers to have overseen two seperate teams at the BG in the
same season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United v Nottingham Forest
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th January 2012
By: Preview Percy

Next we entertain Nottingham Forest at the Boleyn in a 3pm kick-off this
Saturday. Lovely. Tubes? Well the Hammersmith & City is out, which will mean
a detour for visitors arriving at St Pancras. The bottom end of the District
is also out, though the section serving Upton Park and points East will be
open.

Our opponents this week, not to put too fine a point on things, are
struggling. They currently lie third from bottom with 24 points from 26
games. The team above them are Millwall who are two points clear of Forest
(with a much better goal difference despite last week's hilarious home
thrashing).

Current form is not impressive with one win (3-1 at Ipswich), one draw (0-0
at Bristol City) and four defeats (all at home to Southampton (0-3),
Peterborough, Cardiff and Palace (all 0-1)). coming from their last six. In
the cup they managed a goalless draw with Leicester who then walloped then
4-0 in the replay the other night. Only Millwall have a worse last six – and
that's only on goal difference with them having managed a solitary league
goal in that period.

For the second week running we face a side who have changed manager since we
last met. Steve Cotterill left last week's opponents in October to take over
at the City Ground from Steve McClaren, who recently returned to polish up
his comedy Dutch accent with FC Twente.

Cotterill isn't a total stranger to the city of Nottingham, though quite how
much of the place he saw during his three month spell at neighbours County a
while back is debatable. Those three months were enough, however, to see
County through to the League 2 title for 2009/10, though I suppose Forest
fans might forgive him for that if he can keep them up.

Forest's current position means that there is already talk that Cotterill
might not see out the season. A current conspiracy theory that suggests that
Mark Arthur, the club's Chief Executive, may be looking to return to
Nottinghamshire CCCC, his previous employer. Looking about at this web we
call "inter" it seems that few supporters would be too upset at that
prospect.

The follow-up to this theory goes that Arthur's departure would pave the way
for a return for former boss Billy Davies. Neil Warnock is also being linked
with the place should Cotterill fall on his sword (or be knifed in the
back). I suppose the appointment of Warnock would at least mean one thing:
should they be relegated it will be entirely somebody else's fault.

Cotterill, meanwhile, is presumably ignoring all the scuttlebutt and has
taken the step of boosting the coaching staff by appointing Sean O'Driscoll
as first team coach until the end of the season. O'Driscoll has been out of
work since Doncaster dispensed with his services, though he had been acting
"on an advisory basis" down at Plymouth Argyle.

As yet there's been little movement in on the player transfer front this
window – though the one arrival thus far is a familiar face – to both sides.
Marlon Harewood is now in his second spell at the club he left in 2003/04
when he joined the Hammers. He was instrumental in the side that gained
promotion in 2004/05 and reached the Cup Final in 2005/06. Since moving on
he's been about a bit, with Villa and Blackpool holding his full
registration, and Wolves, Newcastle & Barnsley all having him in on loan at
times.

Released by Blackpool at the end of last season he pitched up at Chinese
outfit Guangzhou who he helped to promotion during a six-month spell out
there. Returning to Blighty, he ended up training with Forest and impressed
enough to earn a short-term contract. He made his first start for Forest in
nine years in the 3-0 defeat at home to Southampton.

The squad's other former Hammer Chris Cohen will miss this match. Cohen, who
set up Forest's goal in our 4-1 win at the City Ground, picked up a nasty
cruciate knee ligament injury in September's Brian Clough Cup defeat to
Derby. He'll be out not only for the rest of the season but for a good
couple of months next term as well.

The Southampton defeat proved costly in more ways than one. The dismissal of
skipper Luke Chambers for a referee-imagined elbowing offence means that
he'll be serving a ban this weekend, Cotterill having (probably wisely)
decided that appealing against a decision using a system inherently designed
to back-up refereeing incompetence would be a waste of time.

Chambers' absence has left them a bit short in defence. It had been hoped
that Wes Morgan would be available for firstly the Southampton match, then
the Leicester Cup match following an ankle injury sustained against Palace
back in early December. Similarly, right back Brendan Moloney was pencilled
in for a return following a knee injury.

However, in the event neither was selected – possibly with one eye on the
club's league position and another on this weekend's match. This meant that
midfielder Guy Moussi was co-opted into the centre of defence against
Leicester – the 4-0 reverse tells its own story as to how successful that
was. Look to see one or both of Morgan and Moloney co-opted in on Saturday
if either is able to pull on a pair of those carpet slippers they laughingly
call "boots" these days.

The injury problems at the back have led to a reported trial for
English-born Andy Iro who is currently on the books at MLS side Toronto FC.
There have been rumours that Iro is on his way out of Canada, though whether
this would be on a loan deal or something more permanent is far from clear.
Either way there has been the odd raised eyebrow amongst the Toronto
faithful at the idea that Iro might be of the required standard, with the
player being described by one source as being "loveable but clumsy".

The official line is that there will be no money for new signings this
window, unless, of course, a few bob can be raised from sales. Middlesbrough
were said to be sniffing around striker Ishmail Miller – another current
absentee whose broken metatarsal seems to have pre-dated the current trend
to refer to such injuries merely as broken toes. The other asset about whom
"discreet enquiries" are said to have been made is defender Chris Gunther,
though the wisdom of flogging one of the few fit defenders you have
available to you is questionable to say the least.

"What news of us?" I hear you ask. Well team availability is similar to last
week. Demel and Taylor are still on the sick list though both have trained
with the first team squad this week. A spot on the bench for either/both
might be the more prudent option given that our past habit of rushing people
back from injury hasn't been the most productive of tactics over the years.

We now have extra cover for the central defensive positions with the arrival
of George John, initially on loan, from FC Dallas. John isn't one I'd expect
to see an awful lot of initially unless we get another injury crisis. It
would have been interesting to see the player's reaction on arriving at the
Boleyn for the first time if only to see his reaction to having a home
ground not called Pizza Hut Park.

There was much gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands over the manner of
the victory at Pompey. For the first few minutes we did take the game to
them. However we did revert to away match stereotype as the game wore on,
particularly after we had taken the lead.

Once the sending-off had happened we did much of what you need to do against
ten men – we spread the game well across the pitch – but failed to look for
anything incisive. The manager has referred to various chances during the
match that, had we taken them, would have made the score look a bit nicer.
However, with the possible exception of Collison's post-shaver, most of
those so-called chances consisted of hopeful efforts hit high into the crowd
(Nolan & McCartney leap to mind).

A more meaningful stat might be to consider how many saves that Pompey's
'keeper had to make. I have no idea what the answer is to that one but I
wouldn't imagine that it's large number. Playing the match out without
picking up the second goal can, of course, leave you open to late goals and
two dubiously-awarded free-kicks at Fratton Park could well have seen Pompey
pinch a point had they been better at set pieces -making us pay for the
earlier lack of ambition.

For this one I'd expect the manager to consider this to be a "two up front"
or maybe even a "proper three" match which will see a welcome start for
Baldock alongside Cole. As for a third striker, should the manager elect to
play that route neither Piquionne nor Carew seem to be in the boss's good
books at present which may be good news for Nouble.

Prediction – well I got last week right, somehow (though we'll gloss over
the bit where I though this week's opponents might give Southampton a few
problems). When you look at this from a dispassionate point of view we will
be up against a team with a makeshift defence, probably containing a mixture
of out of position and half-fit players. They've been struggling in any case
so you'd expect this to be a romp.

We are, of course, West Ham, and nothing is ever that simple for us. I still
think we'll win but we'll be made to work for it I suspect. An early goal
followed by 80 minutes of frustration followed by a late goal I reckon. So
2-0 to us which would see us clear at the top at least until Monday night
when Southampton entertain Leicester.

Enjoy the game!

When last we met: We came away from the City Ground with a 4-1 win back in
September, goals from Chambers (og) Nolan, Cole & Reid giving us the points,
Finlay netting for Forest to make it 3-1. It wasn't quite as comfortable as
the score suggests and Forest did have their chances. It was, however, much
more comfortable than our 3-2 win at the Boleyn just over a year ago as an
Obinna hat-trick saw us struggle to a 3-2 win in the cup.

Referee: Tony Bates. Handled the 1-0 win over Peterborough. Was supposed to
be in charge of the away trip to Middlesbrough but cried off for some
unexplained reason (The Paolo Syndrome as I believe it's known). This will
be his second time in charge of one of our matches.

Danger man: Marlon Harewood. The law of the "ex" doesn't always apply – I've
seen the chap the bloke behind me at away matches used to 'hilariously' call
"Marlene" miss sitters against us in the past. However, I still have a nasty
suspicion that there's a goal against us in him somewhere.

Daft Fact Of The Week: The name Nottingham comes from the old Saxon meaning
"the home of Snot's people". The town should really therefore be called
"Snottingham". Snot's original settlement is where the City's lace market is
situated these days. Presumably the market specialises in handkerchiefs.

Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Seeing red

1996-97: Mark Rieper (a)
1990-91: Tony Gale (FA Cup semi final)

They Played For Both

Chris Cohen; Jim Barrett; Marlon Harewood; Gary Charles; Stuart Pearce;
Horace Biggin; Franz Carr; Colin Foster; Ian Moore; Lee Chapman; Justin
Fashanu; Peter Shilton; Fred Wallbanks; Paul Konchesky; Adam Nowland; Teddy
Sheringham; Ian Wright.

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West Ham v N Forest preview
Last updated: 20th January 2012
SSN

Team news for Saturday afternoon's Championship clash between West Ham and
Nottingham Forest at Upton Park. West Ham have no new injury worries for the
visit of Forest. Abdoulaye Faye returned from a thigh problem to be on the
bench at Portsmouth last weekend and should be involved again, while fellow
defender George John could be added to the squad following his recent loan
switch from FC Dallas. Midfielder Matt Taylor has returned to training
following six weeks out with a calf injury and, although he will not be
ready for the weekend, has been pencilled for a return at the end of the
month. Defender Guy Demel is the only other absentee with a thigh injury.
Striker Sam Baldock could return to partner Carlton Cole if boss Sam
Allardyce opts for two up front at home.

Marcus Tudgay is expected to return to the Forest squad. Tudgay did not
travel as the Reds crashed out of the FA Cup to Midlands rivals Leicesteron
Tuesday night, but the striker should be involved in east London. Fellow
forwards Matt Derbyshire, Garath McCleary, David McGoldrick and Dexter
Blackstock and midfielders Lewis McGugan and Radoslaw Majewski will come
into contention for starts following the dismal 4-0 defeat at the King Power
Stadium. Manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury or suspension problems
ahead of the fixture against the npower Championship's joint leaders.
Captain Luke Chambers will serve the second game of a three-match ban while
fellow centre-half Wes Morgan (ankle), midfielder Chris Cohen (knee) and
striker Ishmael Miller (foot) remain sidelined through injury.

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Hammers make Jelavic contact
West Ham speak to Rangers, but no bid made
Last Updated: January 20, 2012 8:29pm
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand West Ham have contacted Rangers about prolific
striker Nikica Jelavic. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan is believed to have
spoken with Gers' owner Craig Whyte, although no bid has been tabled. The
promotion-chasing Championship outfit are keen to bolster their attacking
options for the push to the Premier League and have targeted the Croatia
international. Earlier on Friday manager Ally McCoist stated the Scottish
champions had not received anything official. However, talks are now
understood to have taken place concerning the 26-year-old, who has proved an
excellent signing after joining from Rapid Vienna in August 2010, scoring 30
SPL goals in 44 appearances. Jelavic was the subject of a failed £6.5million
bid from Leicester in August and has also been linked with Liverpool and
QPR.

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Sagbo waiting on offers
Evian forward open to English switch but is yet to receive a bid
By Patrick Haond. Last Updated: January 20, 2012 3:47pm
SSN

Yannick Sagbo has reiterated his desire to secure a move to England, but
admits nothing will happen until an official approach is received. The Evian
forward was recently linked with a switch to West Ham, and he openly
admitted to being interested in such a deal. Numerous other clubs are also
reported to be keeping a close eye on the Ivory Coast international, with
the 23-year-old claiming that Tottenham are among them. He is, however,
still waiting for contact to be made by any of the supposedly interested
parties, with there having been no movement as yet during the January
transfer window. "Am I attracted by a move to England? Of course," Sagbo
told France Football.

Future

"I have always loved that league, but I am waiting for concrete propositions
before I make a decision. "I am fully committed to Evian at the moment but
if an interesting offer arrives, we would look to talk with the club
officials. "I have not spoken about my future with them as yet, but they
know that I would like to leave. The best situation would be for me to move
in the summer. "But, if a club like Tottenham or West Ham look to sign me,
it would be an amazing opportunity. I don't want to miss my chance."

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McCoist hammers out warning
Croatia international is being monitored by English clubs
Last Updated: January 20, 2012 3:41pm
SSN

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has warned West Ham they will not get Nikica
Jelavic on the cheap. The 26-year-old has been linked with Liverpool and
more recently the Hammers after netting 17 goals in 31 games this season. It
is a record that has seen Rangers place a high premium on the Croatia
international's value, while the speculation around him continues to grow.
English Championship side West Ham have so far been frustrated in their
search to land a striker after Huddersfield rebuffed their bids for Jordan
Rhodes. And McCoist maintains that if they want to lure the in-form marksman
to Upton Park, they will have to stump up the cash and dismissed rumours
they had already made a bid. "They have not made an official bid," he said.
"The reported amount would not be enough to meet the demands of the owner;
£6million is not nearly enough."

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A Deal that Shows Ambition and an Eye to the Future!
January 21st, 2012 - 12:53 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

The speculation on West Ham's alleged transfer targets continues apace. It
has ranged from Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes to veterans like Bolton's Kevin
Davies and through to the latest rumours concerning our supposed interest in
Jelavic at Rangers. However, one mooted deal that does stand out for me is
the bid for Watford's Marvin Sordell. Sordell is an U-21 England
international, who can either play wide or as an out and out striker. He
has the stamp of quality about him, together with the tools to perform not
only this season in the Championship, but also (hopefully) next season in
the PL. I have seen watching his progress at Watford and he is strong,
possesses pace and has shown the ability to finish clinically. Sordell is
not the finished product, far from it, but he is ready and able to do a good
job at this level. The real test for him would be adapting to the different
requirements of the PL, but we can have every expectation that he could be
successful in making the transition. For me, it is a deal that ticks all
the boxes. It would show ambition and an eye to the future.

On occasions this season, Sam Allardyce has been criticised for allegedly
not trusting sufficiently in youth and relying too much on the likes of
Faye, McCartney, Diop and even Nolan. Well, the fact is that having a core
of such experienced players is essential. They have been there, done it
and have the battles honours to prove it. I personally agree with those who
have argued that Montano should have been retained in the squad, and given
his chance on the left flank, with the prolonged injury absence of Matt
Taylor. In contrast, it probably has to be admitted that the likes of Lee,
Brown and Nouble were not ready for the first team and the decision to loan
them out was correct. As Allardyce stated recently on TV, nothing aids the
development of youngsters like going out on loan and experiencing first
team football. Yes, you are looking for them to learn whilst on loan, but
you also want to see prospects shining at a lower level of football. Thus,
demonstrating their promise and the fact that they are ultimately a 'cut or
two above.' In that respect, the likes of Montano, Hall, Lee and, now,
George Moncur have done just that; while Frank Nouble came on significantly
during his last loan period at Gillingham. The really worrying sitation is
where prospects do not deliver the goods whilst on loan. And there are one
or two that currently fall in to that category.

Anyway, I digress slightly, we have substantial experience in this squad and
that has stood us in good stead at times this season. However, I do feel
that it also affords us the opportunity to sign a younger players like
Sordell. The names being mentioned for an exit this January usually include
Piquionne, Carew and Sears. Of these, Piquionne is probably most likely to
depart; whilst Carew is almost certain to be retained this season. As for
Freddie Sears, well the lad's situation has certainly proven to be
something of a enigma. He has a very good goal scoring record at youth and
reserve team level, but has largely disappointed at first team level and
whilst on loan. He originally looked to be a natural penalty box poacher,
but more recently has been played wide right, with varying degrees of
success. As a result, some fans have run out of patience and have openly
called for him to be sold. Well, I suppose we might need a part-exchange
'sweetner' to oil the wheels of a deal for Marvin Sordell, and perhaps Sears
could figure in the equation? Although it does not necessarily have to be a
permanent deal, it could be a longer-term loan arrangement to see whether
Sears might be something of a 'late developer.' I would favour a long term
loan, myself, as I feel that Sears needs to secure regular first team
football somewhere to prove once and for all if he has what it takes?
Although others would no doubt conclude that he has had his chances and its
time to cash in!

Finally, we should be looking for a healthy victory at home to Notts Forest
this afternoon. Hopefully, we can win by at least a two goal margin, of say
2-0 or 3-1. Here's hoping, COYI!

ps. Thanks to Bradez for his helpful and informative transfer window
updates, keep up the good work.

pps. And a concluding thought for Dylan Tombides, an outstanding Hammers
youth product, who has undergone treatment for testicular cancer. Recent
reports have suggested that he now requires further treatment for his
condition. Lets pray that it is merely a temporary set back in his recovery
back to health, fitness and a successful football career.

SJ. Chandos.

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Is Nikita Jelavic really worth £9m???
January 20th, 2012 - 9:57 pm by Bradley Palmer
West Ham Till I Die

So this evening we were all informed from Sky Sports News that West Ham had
opened discussion with Rangers for top goal scorer Jelavic to make the move
down south to our boys in claret and blue. Ever since the news had been
broadcasted, tweeters went crazy. Adzman immediately contacted his famous
ClungeWhu and tweeted that we WILL bid for Jelavic on monday. This fee is
believed to be around the £9m mark.

Now Jelavic undoubtedly has an incredible goals per game ratio with the
scottish outfit scoring 30 goals in 44 appearances since arriving at
Rangers. Before this he scored 25 goals in 75 games for Rapid Vienna so it
is clear that with age, he is improving. At only 26 years of age and stands
at 6ft 2inches tall, he would certainly strike us all as a player Big Sam
would identify. But is he worth £9m. In the short term, I would say
undoubtedly yes. In the long run, I cant be completely sure.

The Scottish League in my opinion is a very similar standard of play to the
Championship. And with his record of goals, he would certainly do the
business up top to get us the goals we need to get promoted. However, IF we
are to gain promotion, either automatically or via the dreaded play offs,
will Jelavic rise to the occasion and be the Demba Ba type player for us on
the big stage. Anyone remember Savio Nsereko. We payed a similar fee for
that young lad who we were led to believe would be a superstar. And look
what happened. I don't blame him as a player but the club for investing such
a high amount for a player with no premiership experience. Will be very
interesting to see how Jelavic would cope if he were to sign for us.

In other news, Adzman has further stated that an offer of £5m from Stoke for
Tomkins was immediately rejected with Tomkins set to sign a new 5 year deal
with a high increase in his wage package from £14,000 a week to £34,000 a
week.

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Hammers can be cream of crop
By EMILY FAIRBAIRN
Published: Today
The Sun

DAVID SULLIVAN and David Gold this week celebrate their second anniversary
as West Ham owners. And manager Sam Allardyce wants to give them the perfect
present — by taking the Hammers top of the Championship. Big Sam's boys will
reach the summit with victory over struggling Nottingham Forest. And
Allardyce insists his relationship with the owners could not be better —
despite his initial fears about their outspoken reputation. He explained: "I
think that reputation has put them in the wrong context because I had that
impression before I came. "But I have found them not to be like what they've
perhaps portrayed themselves and what they've said in the media." Sullivan
and Gold, who made their fortune in the porn industry, have a history of
clashes with managers, including Allardyce's predecessor Avram Grant, who
was sacked as Hammers boss one season into a four-year contract. During
their 16-year reign at Birmingham City, the pair faced accusations of
interfering because of their frequent public criticism of managers, players
and even fans. But Allardyce defended his bosses, saying: "The media have
caught them when they have been disappointed with what's happening at their
club and they've made a statement that has created some headlines. "I
haven't found them to be like that yet — and I certainly hope it continues
that way for some time. It's been a good working relationship between myself
and David Sullivan particularly, and David Gold, whenever he wants to come
in. "Whether that changes if we had a bad run of results and the pressure
comes on, I don't know. It may do, it may not."
Allardyce says he has the owners' full support when it comes to transfers —
and was wowed by how quickly they closed the deal for midfielder Kevin
Nolan. Big Sam said: "I went away and I got a phone call 48 hours later
saying, 'Come and meet Kevin'. They said, 'He's here, it's done'. It is
magnificent in terms of making a statement on what we wanted to do. I
haven't experienced that before."

Like all good relationships, Allardyce says theirs is built on good
communication. He added: "The biggest factor is how do we communicate for
the good of the football club. How do we go about doing our jobs in a very
difficult industry and making sure that we work as harmoniously as we can."
Today Allardyce has the chance to reward Gold and Sullivan's gamble on West
Ham, which they bought while it was £110million in debt. They can overhaul
leaders Southampton today — at least until the Saints host Leicester on
Monday. Allardyce said: "Most of this season we have climbed the mountain
and then we've just slipped off the peak, and just slid back down slightly
again. "What we can do this time is stay on top of the peak of the mountain
and try and win the three points to get a little bit ahead of Southampton —
even for a short time."

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West Ham's search for a striker takes them to the SPL
Ladbrokes.co.uk

The fact that Ally McCoist has had an offer rejected for Norwich striker
suggests that he is expecting Nikica Jelavic to leave the club in the
January transfer window.
Jelavic is the top scorer in the Scottish Premier League this season and his
14 goals have helped attract interest from a host of clubs in England. A
move to the Premier League seemed highly likely, with Liverpool one of the
clubs linked, alongside Fulham. However, it is Championship club West Ham
that have emerged as the slightly surprising front runners to secure his
signature. Sam Allardyce's desire to sign a striker is well documented, with
a £5m offer for Huddersfield hotshot Jordan Rhodes having already reportedly
been rebuffed in the current transfer window. Meanwhile, West Ham have also
been linked with Watford's Marvin Sordell and even a spectacular loan switch
to bring Carlos Tevez back to Upton Park. But it now seems that Jelavic has
moved to the head of the shortlist and it is reported that an offer of
around £6m has already been put on the table. Although Rangers value the
Croatian at closer to £10m, their need for money may force them into
accepting the offer, while it would also give them time in the transfer
window to seek a replacement.

Fulham should not be ruled out though, as Martin Jol knows the importance of
signing a striker, especially with the futures of Bobby Zamora and Andy
Johnson seemingly unclear. West Ham's odds are currently 1/1 to win the
Championship and a prolific striker would certainly do their challenge more
good than harm. After 26 games, Carlton Cole is their present top scorer
with just eight goals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham and West Ham are understood to have bid around £6 million for the
Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic
By Jason Burt8:30PM GMT 20 Jan 2012 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk

Championship club West Ham — who are pushing for an immediate return to the
Premier League — are understood to have made the running in their attempts
to sign the Croatian. A bid of £5 million cash but £1 million based on
appearances is understood to have been submitted by West Ham who are keen to
bolster their attacking options and have been thwarted in their attempts to
sign Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes or Cardiff City's Peter Whittingham.
If Jelavic was signed by West Ham it would be a clear sign of intent by the
owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, and also a significant fee for a club
outside of the Premier League. Fulham are also desperate to improve their
strike force with significant questions marks over the future of Bobby
Zamora and, more immediately, Andy Johnson who is out of contract this
summer. Rangers have suggested that £6 million would not be enough to
persuade them to sell Jelavic but West Ham will not go above that figure for
a player who remains relatively unproven.

Rangers claimed they rejected a bid of £6.5 million from Leicester City for
Jelavic last summer and also an offer of £9 million from an unnamed club
shortly before the transfer window closed. Jelavic later said that he had
rejected an approach from the Turkish club, Fenerbahce. Jelavic, 26, has
been a revelation this season in Scottish football, scoring 17 goals and
Rangers are understood to be considering replacements for him should a deal
be struck. Rangers have confirmed the signing of Swedish midfielder Mervan
Celik. The 21-year-old has joined the Scottish champions on a
three-and-a-half year deal after passing a medical earlier today. Celik was
a free agent after leaving GAIS and becomes Ally McCoist's first signing of
the January transfer window. Celik has been given the number 24 shirt last
worn by Madjid Bougherra but has not yet gained international clearance,
meaning he will not be available for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier
League game against Aberdeen.
Meanwhile, Craig Brown has urged Aberdeen fans not to aim abuse at former
player Sone Aluko during this afternoon's Clydesdale Bank Premier League
game against Rangers.

The winger quit the Pittodrie club when his contract ended in the summer and
joined the Scottish champions in November. Aluko has impressed so far for
Rangers and is likely to be named in the team who welcome the Dons to Ibrox
this weekend. Brown said: "It is not uncommon to play against players who
used to play for you, that happens quite regularly and Sone is no exception.
"He is a popular guy and a likeable lad so I don't think there will be any
animosity. "There will be a determination, of course, to show that we are as
good as or better than he is. "I would ask the fans, although I don't think
the Aberdeen fans would be offensive to him, to not be critical because he
gave good service here. You've got to wish him well in his career and not be
churlish about it."

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