WHUFC.com
The No12 was back in action and back on the scoresheet at Peterborough
United
28.03.2012
Ricardo Vaz Te is a cool customer, but even he was excited by the nature of
West Ham United's 2-0 npower Championship winat Peterborough United on
Tuesday.
The No12 returned from two-and-a-half weeks out with a hamstring injury to
produce a scintillating display at London Road capped by a superb
52nd-minute header which set his side on the road to victory. Vaz Te told
whufc.com the players had not allowed a run of five draws to affect their
confidence and that the squad cannot wait for Saturday's visit of
second-place Reading to kick-off.
Ricardo, you must have been delighted with your return to the team, both
individually and collectively?
"I am definitely happy to be back and happy to see the team win again. I am
happy to be part of that. The lads have put in a great effort over the last
few weeks and they did not get the recognition at times. The most important
thing is that we continued to pick up points. Hopefully we are on course now
and we just need to keep our heads."
You must have really enjoyed the way we worked hard earned the right to play
some cracking football in the second half at Peterborough?
"Every game, you try to earn the right to play, but you don't always earn
that right. We were very patient and we took our chances and I think we
deserved to win, to be fair. I am just delighted to be back in the team and
I am glad that I made a contribution to us getting the three points. My goal
was a bonus. Like I said, I am just happy that we won and I got to be part
of that. That's my intention all the time."
The players have clearly kept faith, despite the run of recent draws?
"We knew that we had created chances in all of those games, so we were
confident that we could take them as long as we kept creating the chances.
People get frustrated sometimes but this is normal. We get impatient as
players, but we just need to remain positive and keep creating chances. If
we do then the wins will come like they did on Tuesday."
You know Sam Allardyce better than most from your time at Bolton Wanderers.
How important has the manager's influence been in retaining that confidence
and
belief?
"I have said before that nobody is running away from the responsibility and
the manager is first person. He needs to be doing the job and he is doing
the job. He is very respected, he knows his stuff and he always passes the
right message. I think everyone digests his message well and on Tuesday we
delivered. We just have to keep on going and remain positive. We are a team
and we are here to do a job."
Are you looking forward to Saturday's visit of Reading?
"I love the West Ham crowd. I love being there and being involvedand getting
them going. I am happy there. I don't particularly care whether it is
Reading. I just want to play and be part of something and part of a winning
team. As long as I am part of that, I don't really like look at the
opposition. I get my message and I know who I'm playing against and I try to
do my best every time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam hails 'perfect' second half
WHUFC.com
An outstanding second-half performance saw West Ham United leave London Road
with a vital win
28.03.2012
Sam Allardyce was delighted to see West Ham United register their club
record-equalling eleventh away win of the season at Peterborough United to
set up a mouth-watering date with Reading on Saturday. The visitors were on
top for much of the 2-0 win as second-half goals from the returning Ricardo
Vaz Te and Gary O'Neil put paid to the host's spirited defiance. The Hammers
were cheered on superbly throughout by 5,000 travelling fans, the majority
of whom had saved their tickets from the game's original date in February.
Peterborough raced out of the blocks in front of a packed house at London
Road, but once West Ham had resisted their early threat, the visitors'
greater class told in stunning fashion after the break. "It was a full house
with 14,000 fans, 5,000 of whom were our fans and it created a fantastic
atmosphere," Big Sam said. "When you move the ball and when you have the
space to move the ball it's great. In the first-half when we had the ball,
the whole of the Peterborough team were sprinting at us and we knew at
half-time they wouldn't be able to keep it up. "The second-half was the
perfect performance once we got in the lead. We controlled the game, created
more chances and didn't let the opposition have a sniff of a goal and they
ran out of legs and got tired for the last 30 minutes. "We also got the
all-important clean sheet. We got it right at both ends, with two goals
scored and a clean sheet."
Big Sam has stressed the need for his collective team to provide more of a
goal threat and he got his wish as Vaz Te, returning from a hamstring
injury, headed a 52nd-minute opener from a Matt Taylor cross before O'Neil
added a second five minutes later with a fine 25-yard shot. The Hammers were
unlucky not to get a third when Kevin Nolan's audacious backheel-volley
crashed against the crossbar. "It was a pity Kevin Nolan's didn't go in as
it would have been one of the goals of the season for us. It was an
outstanding piece of individual ability off a fizzing cross from Matt
Taylor," the manager confirmed. "As soon as we came out in the second half
they'd lost that momentum and we took real control of the game and
thoroughly deserved to win it. Once you wear them down, which we did, you
can play as you want to. "When you see the confidence flood back into the
players like it did when we got the goal, it is great. We have to carry that
confidence into Saturday's game with Reading."
The opening 45 minutes saw both sides pass up good chances, most notably
when James Tomkins made a superb goal-line clearance from George Boyd to
keep the scores level at the interval. It was a different story after the
break though as Big Sam introduced Julien Faubert and Danny Collins at the
interval and the Hammers duly took control with Faubert in particular
impressing as an attacking right-back.. "We had thirty minutes when
Peterborough were - like most teams we play- right up for it and were
causing us a few problems with the high tempo they created. "At half-time we
said we just need to be a bit more composed on the ball and get our
full-backs in the game a bit more and that was the key to the victory.
George McCartney in the second half, Joey O'Brien in the first and then
Julien in the second, all created the chances that we had today and in the
end I was disappointed we didn't score a few more. "We had two severe blows
at half time. Abdy Faye had to go to hospital with a severe head injury,
which we hope is only a severe bruise and not a fractured skull. Joey also
pulled a thigh muscle so it shows how important it is that we have the
players fit and available. "
The result takes West Ham back to within a point of second-place Reading
ahead of the meeting between the two sides at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers
had two players sent off in a 3-0 loss at the Madejski Stadium back in
December and Big Sam is eager to turn the tables on the Royals. "We have a
score to settle with Reading. We had two sent off and lost 3-0 so we want to
make sure we turn it into a big victory on Saturday but we look forward to
it," he said. "The only problems we have are the injuries and the fact that
we played on Tuesday and they didn't. Energy levels are going to have to be
recharged as quickly as possible. Reading are going to come and fight for
their lives against us and make it very difficult. "We've got to be up for
it like we were against Peterborough in the second half. Then hopefully
we'll start winning at home as well as away."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Turgott too good
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon has been impressed with England U-18 international Blair
Turgott's recent performances
28.03.2012
The Development Squad lost a close encounter against Dagenham and Redbridge
4-3 on Tuesday afternoon, but there were certainly positives to take out of
the game, most notably the performance of winger Blair Turgott. The
17-year-old scored two fantastic goals at Victoria Road with both shots
crashing into the top-corner of the net from 25 yards out. Reflecting on the
match, Turgott said how his goals were bittersweet moments in the context of
the final score. "For the first one I think it took a ricochet off a few
defenders and I looked up and thought why not have a go? Thankfully it went
in the top corner which was nice," Turgott said. "For the second goal the
ball came to me on the edge and I flicked it round the defender
instinctively and just hit it. When you hit the ball well you know and I
knew I'd hit a clean one with that strike. It was nice to see it settle in
top corner!"
Yet the midfielder was still disappointed his goals had not earned his side
a win. Unusual defensive errors ultimately cost the young West Ham side
against the Daggers. "We weren't at the races and it was a poor game from us
overall; we kept making silly defensive mistakes. The lads are a bit down
after that performance as we know we are better than that and we didn't show
it. I'm pleased with my goals but disappointed we lost overall."
Development Squad boss Ian Hendon was understandably pleased with how well
he believes Turgott is playing at the moment. "Blair worked hard today he
was our biggest threat from an attacking point of view. He's doing well at
the moment, he looks bright. He got his crosses in and scored two great
goals. He's an up-and-coming player with a bright future ahead of him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reading ready for West Ham United showdown
BBC.co.uk
Reading will rely on a carefully-formulated game plan when they travel to
West Ham for a match which could decide which of the two Championship clubs
wins automatic promotion. After beating the Hammers 3-0 earlier this season,
the Royals are relishing the prospect of Saturday's showdown. "We know what
we have to do and we'll go there full of confidence," said Reading striker
Noel Hunt. "It's a big game, but the more people we play in front of the
better."
Reading have had a week of training to prepare for the match, while West Ham
had to play a re-arranged fixture at Peterborough on Tuesday. Reading have
won 9 and drawn one of their last 11 Championship matches The Hammers won
2-0 at London Road to close to within a point of Reading, but while he was
pleased with the performance, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted his
concern about what it might mean for Saturday's fixture. "If we'd drawn or
lost against Peterborough we couldn't have gone into the match against
Reading knowing we could catch them, which was a big motivation," said
Allardyce. "But my concern is the fact Reading are not playing this week,
and we put so much effort into Burnley away and then Peterborough away, then
we have to be ready to do whatever we need to do physically to make sure we
have enough ability to beat Reading. "If we tire a little bit towards the
end I want us to be in front, because we will tire a little bit more than
them because we played in midweek and they didn't."
Hunt said Reading were looking forward to playing in front of the 30,000
crowd, including 3,000 Reading supporters, expected to pack the Boleyn
Ground. "Our last couple of performances [in front of big crowds at the
Madjeski Stadium] have been full of energy from start to finish, so the more
are crammed in and the more we take to away games is massive for us," said
the Irishman. "They've had a lot of draws recently and we know what we have
to do, we've worked on our game plan, and we go there full of confidence."
Both Hunt and midfielder Jem Karacan said the Royals would be boosted by
memories of beating West Ham 3-0 in a feisty encounter at the Madjeski
earlier in December. "They have some great players, but looking back on that
game Mikele Leigertwood was brilliant," said Karacan. "The main thing is to
keep doing what we've been doing and pick up the three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A score to settle
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has asked his team to keep the momentum going when they face
Reading in the biggest game of the season so far this Saturday. West Ham's
encouraging 2-0 win at Peterborough last night moves United to within a
point of the second-placed Royals, who will go into the game with a slight
advantage in fitness terms having not played since Saturday. Allardyce, who
saw his team produce one of their best 45 minutes of the season in the
second half at London Road last night suffered his heaviest defeat as West
Ham manager (at the time) at the Madejski Stadium back in December when West
Ham were beaten 3-0. The Irons ended that game with just nine men after Joey
O'Brien and Jack Collison were sent off - the latter following some
disgraceful antics from Malian midfielder Jimmy Kebe, who will no doubt be
the target of much abuse this weekend should he play. A win over Reading
would take West Ham back into the Championship's automatic promotion spots
and just three points behind leaders Southampton, who face a difficult trip
to Blackpool later in the day. And Allardyce has sent a rallying call out to
his troops, telling them that they have "a score to settle" following the
defeat in the reverse fixture last year. "We had two sent off and lost 3-0
so we want to make sure we turn it into a big victory on Saturday," Big Sam
told whufc.com. "We've got to be up for it like we were against Peterborough
in the second half. Then hopefully we'll start winning at home as well as
away. "The only problems we have are the injuries and the fact that we
played on Tuesday and they didn't. Energy levels are going to have to be
recharged as quickly as possible. Reading are going to come and fight for
their lives against us and make it very difficult."
Allardyce is hoping to have the likes of Papa Bouba Diop and Guy Demel back
in contention for selection ahead of the big game, although there are fresh
concerns over Abdoulaye Faye and Joey O'Brien who were both substituted at
half time last night. "Abdy Faye had to go to hospital with a severe head
injury, which we hope is only a severe bruise and not a fractured skull," he
confirmed . "Joey also pulled a thigh muscle, so it shows how important it
is that we have the players fit and available."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Peterborough Report
Vinny 3:20 Wed Mar 28
West Ham Online
Peterborough United 0 West Ham United 2
West Ham secured their eleventh away victory of the season at Peterborough's
London Road to equal the record of away wins in a season set back in the
1922/23 campaign.
Whilst this game was vital for us to get back on track given our recent poor
form which has seen us slip out of the automatic promotion places one of the
main talking points will be the chants directed at manager Sam Allardyce and
his post-match reaction as he labelled any fan who dare criticise him as
'deluded'.
There were a number of positives not only the three points but that in the
second half we got the ball down and played football on the floor causing
Peterborough to be chasing shadows for 45 minutes as we simply outplayed
them.
The two goals were well worked and like at Burnley they came very close
together and really set us on our way.
The gripe from the supporters was that in the first half we were playing a
lot of long balls forward to Cole who was not very successful in winning
them which saw possession go straight back to the home side.
The chant of 'We play on the floor, West Ham United, We play on the floor'
was sung loudly by the 5000 strong West Ham support. Allardyce has not
reacted well to this although his reaction is to be expected by a man who
cannot find any fault in himself.
Now I don't mean to say that it was the fans that got the team playing
passing football in the second half but it does seem odd that after this
chant went out we played some good football on the floor.
I am delighted with the victory and this makes sure that promotion is in our
own hands with Reading at the Boleyn coming up next. A win in this game will
put us back in a automatic promotion spot and give us a real chance to get
back to the Premiership.
The Team
Despite us winning I still think Allardyce got it all wrong again and after
the second half display against Burnley I firmly expected to see both Sam
Baldock and Nicky Maynard start with Cole dropping to the bench but
Allardyce is stubborn and continued with the same formation.
In defence Danny Collins was dropped to the bench with Abdoulaye Faye coming
back from injury to replace him at centre half.
In midfield, Jack Collison was not in the squad with Ricardo Vaz Te
replacing him and taking up a position on the right hand side.
It was Gary O'Neil who went into the centre of midfield with Kevin Nolan and
Mark Noble.
Carlton Cole continued up front alone.
Starting for Peterborough was former Hammer Grant McCann who came through
the youth system and made a few sub appearances but failed to break into the
side under Harry Redknapp or Glenn Roeder.
First Half
Peterborough's London Road stadium still retains terracing so when the large
West Ham following entered the ground it was a throwback to years gone by
with everyone attempting to find a spot to stand.
Though I did mention it after the Burnley game I have to bring up how good
the West Ham support was yet again. The club is lucky to have fans that make
so much noise and travel to games in their numbers.
The first half was very similar to our last few games where we look one
dimensional and keep giving the ball away. Peterborough were sharp from the
kick off and nearly took the lead inside the first minute as Tomlin saw his
bobbling effort saved by Robert Green.
A half-hearted penalty appeal was turned down by the referee early on as a
Noble free kick was clipped into the area for Cole to go down under a
challenge.
Cole was struggling early on to win any of the high balls presented to him
and the centre halves were finding it easy to cope. Cole of course was
baring much criticism from the West Ham support and it is difficult to argue
as he has only scored one goal this calendar year.
On the ten minute mark Peterborough came very close to taking the lead as
Paul Taylor saw his curling effort beat Robert Green but not the cross bar
and the rebound was met weakly by Frecklington as Green was able to save
comfortably.
Our first half chance came when Vaz Te received the ball and took an early
shot which Paul Jones in the Peterborough goal had to clutch at the second
attempt.
Most of our play was now being based down the right hand side with O'Brien
coming forward and Va Te attempting to make something happen.
The home side were still looking dangerous when going forward and a superb
block from James Tomkins prevented a possible effort on goal which would
have caused problems.
A cross from Matthew Taylor found Nolan who nodded down for Cole who
attempted to bundle the ball over the line but defender Brisley did just
enough to prevent this and it was put out for a corner.
Peterborough were certainly comfortable on the ball and were attempting to
play passing football and with our high 'hoofs' towards Cole the West Ham
supporter were becoming increasingly frustrated and that is where the chant
of 'We Play on the floor' was born.
A corner was won by Vaz Te and taken by Matthew Taylor but this was cleared
back to Vaz Te who worked the ball out to Taylor who got into the area, beat
two men before hitting a shot over the top from around 12 yards.
As we went into first half stoppage time we had appeared to be getting on
top but in that minute of added on time we were lucky to go in at half time
on level terms.
It started from our corner which was poorly taken and saw Peterborough
counter attack and it looked as though one of their players was bundled over
in the area but the play continued and Barnett got the ball back across for
Faye to win the head but the ball fell central to George Boyd who seemed to
have an age to pick his spot but his shot was superbly blocked by James
Tomkins who saved his team a goal.
From the resulting corner Faye clashed heads with a Peterborough player and
went down needing treatment for a number of minutes.
The corner was eventually taken and obviously straight off the training
ground as it was put to the edge of the area where two players dummied the
ball only for the resulting shot to go well wide.
The half time whistle was blown and it seemed that we would need to up our
game if we were to get the three points we so desperately needed.
Second Half
Two changes were made at half time with Abdoulaye Faye failing to recover
from the clash of heads at the end of the first half and Joey O'Brien
picking up a knock. On in their place was Danny Collins and Julien Faubert.
The second half was to be complete dominance from us and the hosts barely
got a kick. Allardyce claims that this was because we wore them down in the
first half which may be the case but I look at it as we simply out passed
them and kept the ball a lot better than we had done in the first half.
We were not just knocking it long for Cole and were getting down the flanks
with McCartney bombing down the left hand side on numerous occasions.
Seven minutes into the second half we took the lead as McCartney got forward
and played the ball back for Taylor to cross with his left foot to the back
post where Ricardo Vaz Te got up highest and planted his header inside the
post to make it 1-0.
The celebrations in the away end were fantastic as everyone leapt about and
bundled forward. It was some proper terrace celebrations.
Peterborough came at us straight from kick off with Faubert committing a
foul but the free kick into the area was met superbly by Danny Collins who
firmly head away from danger.
Robert Green sent Vaz Te racing down the right hand side and his ball into
Cole saw the striker turn and hit a left foot shot which went just wide.
But a second goal would come just a minute late when Gary O'Neil picked up a
loose pass, drove forward unopposed and curled a shot from 25 yards past
Paul Jones to make it 2-0.
If the celebrations for the first goal were manic the second was turned up a
notch as the standing West Ham fans fell all over the place. You will be
pleased to know that I remained on my feet, and my back is feeling just
fine.
The noise from the West Ham fans was superb and as enjoyable an away game as
I've experienced in quite some time. Robert Green was receiving a number of
chants from the support although when chanting "Greeno, What's the score?"
his reaction was one to tell us not to think the game is won just yet. I
think he has been here too long.
Green would be called into action just the once in the second half and that
was when the 'Posh' broke forward with Alcock who had sight on goal but his
shot was turned around the post by Green for a corner.
The fans were now chanting for Green to sign a new contract and soon.
A wonderful piece of skill from Kevin Nolan nearly saw us score our third
when a low cross into the area saw an outrageous flick which cannoned of the
cross bar.
Cole was a little unlucky when O'Neil played him through down the right and
he challenged with the defender and was penalised for a foul although he had
gone on to finish well.
Tomkins was brought down by a scathing tackle from Sinclair which saw the
Peterborough man booked for this poor challenge.
There was some great banter between the West Ham fans standing behind the
goal and the fans seated to the right.
We were in complete control of the game and were the shouts of 'Ole' could
be heard with every pass.
McCartney nearly scored a smart goal as he got forward again and burst into
the area only for his low right foot shot to be saved by Jones.
Kevin Nolan saw a header from a Faubert cross loop just over onto the roof
of the net as the full time whistle approached.
All the players came over the travelling support to show their appreciation
which was good to see and we left London Road with all three points and
promotion is firmly in our own hands.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
When he was needed he came through for us yet again with a great stop in the
second half. Will have been pleased to have kept his first clean sheet since
the trip to Cardiff.
Joey O'Brien
Was having a decent game although does lack quality in forward positions
which was a little bit of a hindrance in the first half but was by no means
a poor display from the Irish full back.
James Tomkins
A wonderful performance from Tomkins whose block at the end of the first
half prevented us from going in at half time 1-0 down. I believe if we had
conceded then we would have lost the game so this was vital. Was dominant in
the air and solid throughout.
Abdoulaye Faye
A solid first half from the strong centre half. He rarely misses any of his
defensive headers and hopefully his injury is not in fact a fractured skull
which may keep him out for some time.
George McCartney
Very impressed with McCartney again who since the Cardiff game and goal has
become very confident when bursting forward and is playing like an attacking
left winger. Very good.
Ricardo Vaz Te
Played most of the game on the right hand side which I do believe he would
be better down the middle. The fact is Vaz Te is our creative player. He
might lose the ball on occasion but he makes things happen and you need one
of these players in your side. He scored, he created, he was the player who
drove the team forward.
Mark Noble
With O'Neil in the midfield this seemed to free up space for Noble to put
his foot on the ball and calm things down. He was efficient, tidy and always
involved.
Kevin Nolan
A really good display from Nolan who like at Burnley seemed to be everywhere
and wasn't hiding like he has been doing for a lot of the season. Was very
unlucky not to have scored with a cheeky flick in the second half.
Gary O'Neil
Step forward Mr Gary O'Neil. We have had much debate on whether to play
Collison or Lansbury in the centre of midfield that Gary O'Neil plays there
and shows us how to actually be a centre midfielder. The work rate was
excellent, but his passing and willingness to pass the ball forward is what
impressed me. Of course his goal was fantastic and he will surely be keeping
his place.
Matthew Taylor
In and out of the game and I was surprised to see him start given how bad he
was at Burnley. But this was a better outing and his cross for our first
goal is what we have been missing from him since his return from injury.
Carlton Cole
I couldn't quite believe that we had started with him again as he is
completely out of form and seemingly out of confidence. This was a better
performance than that at Burnley but I still am not convinced he should be
starting at the moment.
Subs Used
Danny Collins (on for Faye 45 mins)
A good half from Collins who looked mobile and was good in the air.
Julien Faubert (on for O'Brien 45 mins)
Rarely troubled defensively and got forward well but his crossing was more
miss than hit.
Nicky Maynard (on for O'Neil 88 mins)
Not on for long but showed plenty of enthusiasm.
Subs Not Used: Baldock, Carew
Bookings: None
Peterborough United: Jones, Zakuani, Tomlin, Boyd, McCann, Rowe, Bennett,
Brisley, Frecklington, Taylor, Alcock
Subs: Lewis, Little, Ball, Sinclair, Kearns
Attendance: 13,517
Overall
Sam Allardyce should not be calling West Ham fans deluded. This is not what
the manager should be saying in response to some very valid comments.
If anyone is deluded it is Mr Allardyce who claims that it is a myth that he
plays a long ball style.
The reason we think he plays this way is because when a defender gets the
ball they more often than not knock it long to the lone striker. Simple as
that. A spade is a spade Mr Allardyce.
I find his comments galling and makes me dislike him even more. How can he
honestly be this arrogant? I only want what is best for West Ham but having
such a horrible individual as your manager is very off putting.
He states that we outplayed everyone that we have drawn with recently. There
is no truth behind this at all. We were not better than Doncaster, Crystal
Palace or Watford over 90 minutes and it is insulting to those clubs that he
would just make up these so called facts.
He harped on early in the season about results being the only important
thing and now he is talking about 'outplaying' teams and this being a
'fact'.
When asked about the fans not being harmonious at home games he just has
another dig and states that "I think we've lost three at home all season so
I don't know why they are not harmonious - you'll have to ask the fans
that,"
Ok Sam, you did ask.
Southampton have won 15 games at home this season. We have won 9. This is a
fact.
Reading have won 12 games at home. We have won 9. This is a fact.
Southampton, Reading, Brighton, Birmingham Blackpool, Cardiff, Leeds,
Leicester, Watford, Ipswich, Burnley, Barnsley, and Peterborough have all
scored more goals at home than us this season.
Southampton, Reading, Brighton, Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Hull, and
Portsmouth have all conceded less with Middlesbrough having conceded the
same amount. Third from bottom Coventry have only conceded three more.
Are our expectations high? Damn fucking right they are, with the shit this
club has been through and the money invested in the side in the summer and
since, yes we have the right to expect to win this league. On paper our
squad was the strongest in the league and still is, Southampton meanwhile
have only been promoted from League One.
No Allardyce you have some respect for the West Ham fans because you won't
last long without us and this is the beginning of a slippery slope if you
continue to make comments like this.
Next Game – Reading (home), Saturday 31st March 3pm Kick Off
Biggest game of the season, and whoever wins it will be in pole position to
take second place and get that automatic promotion.
Sam's View
"It was a full house with 14,000 fans, 5,000 of whom were our fans and it
created a fantastic atmosphere,"
"When you move the ball and when you have the space to move the ball it's
great. In the first-half when we had the ball, the whole of the Peterborough
team were sprinting at us and we knew at half-time they wouldn't be able to
keep it up.
"The second-half was the perfect performance once we got in the lead. We
controlled the game, created more chances and didn't let the opposition have
a sniff of a goal and they ran out of legs and got tired for the last 30
minutes.
"We also got the all-important clean sheet. We got it right at both ends,
with two goals scored and a clean sheet."
"It was a pity Kevin Nolan's didn't go in as it would have been one of the
goals of the season for us. It was an outstanding piece of individual
ability off a fizzing cross from Matt Taylor,"
"As soon as we came out in the second half they'd lost that momentum and we
took real control of the game and thoroughly deserved to win it. Once you
wear them down, which we did, you can play as you want to.
"When you see the confidence flood back into the players like it did when we
got the goal, it is great. We have to carry that confidence into Saturday's
game with Reading."
"We had thirty minutes when Peterborough were - like most teams we play-
right up for it and were causing us a few problems with the high tempo they
created.
"At half-time we said we just need to be a bit more composed on the ball and
get our full-backs in the game a bit more and that was the key to the
victory. George McCartney in the second half, Joey O'Brien in the first and
then Julien in the second, all created the chances that we had today and in
the end I was disappointed we didn't score a few more.
"We had two severe blows at half time. Abdy Faye had to go to hospital with
a severe head injury, which we hope is only a severe bruise and not a
fractured skull. Joey also pulled a thigh muscle so it shows how important
it is that we have the players fit and available. "
"We have a score to settle with Reading. We had two sent off and lost 3-0 so
we want to make sure we turn it into a big victory on Saturday but we look
forward to it,"
"The only problems we have are the injuries and the fact that we played on
Tuesday and they didn't. Energy levels are going to have to be recharged as
quickly as possible. Reading are going to come and fight for their lives
against us and make it very difficult.
"We've got to be up for it like we were against Peterborough in the second
half. Then hopefully we'll start winning at home as well as away."
[On the Chants]
"The perception of some people is deluded as the facts about my teams
clearly speak for themselves.
"It is a tag that has followed me around for a long time and one I'm never
going to be able to shift. I can't do anything about that but I can win
football matches.
"We have had to overcome home teams playing with a lot of energy in front of
full houses throughout this season. We did it again here and once we got the
goals, we out-passed and outplayed Peterborough.
"It was a good performance, although not as good as at Burnley on Saturday.
We only drew that game though so everyone was miserable whereas they will be
happy tonight."
[On Home Form]
"I think we've lost three at home all season so I don't know why they are
not harmonious - you'll have to ask the fans that,"
"Perhaps their expectations are too much and they're getting a bit carried
away, I don't know."
"The pressure is on us like it is every week. We have more pressure on us
than anyone else, but we have to live with that and deliver, and today we
did. Let's hope we do on Saturday."
"I looked at the facts, and the facts are that at Burnley we've out-played
them, out-passed them, away from home, and all the other six teams recently
we've done exactly the same, that we've drawn against.
"The only team we didn't outplay was Southampton with 10 men recently, and
that's probably eight games ago."
"It didn't start off from there though [the media] - it started off from
other managers many years ago, because they got jealous because I kept
beating them.
"It's there and I just have to carry on, I don't let it affect me
personally, I just know what's good for the players at West Ham, I know
what's good for West Ham as a football club, and I know how to win football
matches."
Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards
Kevin Nolan - 10 (10 League)
Carlton Cole - 9 (9 League)
Mark Noble - 7 (7 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 3 (3 League)
Jack Collison - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Own Goal - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Winston Reid - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
Nicky Maynard - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)
Red Cards
Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*
*rescinded by FA on appeal
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Faye's in a daze
The Sun
Last Updated: 29th March 2012
WEST HAM'S Abdoulaye Faye has escaped serious injury following an horrific
clash of heads in the 2-0 win at Peterborough. The Senegal defender collided
with home striker Paul Taylor and was taken to hospital. Boss Sam Allardyce
feared Faye, 34, had fractured his skull. Scans showed only severe bruising
but Faye is a doubt for Saturday's crunch with Reading.
Hammers striker Carlton Cole revealed he received racist abuse on his
Twitter site soon after the London Road date. It came hours after student
Liam Stacey was jailed for posting offensive comments about Fabrice Muamba.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vengeful West Ham star: Reading showed us no respect
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
5:06 PM
London 24
West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has thrown down the gauntlet to Reading
ahead of Saturday's promotion showdown by saying the Royals have no respect
for the Hammers. The 28-year-old France international was part of the team
that were thumped 3-0 at the Madejski Stadium back in December when both
Joey O'Brien and Jack Collison were red-carded and he was not impressed by
what he witnessed. "It wasn't a good day, but we will make a bad day for
them when they come as they don't respect us," he said this week. "They
tried to do some crazy things on the pitch and they don't respect us so we
are waiting for them to come to give them bad things on Saturday."
Faubert is hinting at the controversial moment during the first game when
winger Jimmy Kebe taunted the Hammers by pulling up his socks mid-dribble,
an action that resulted in Collison lashing out and being sent off. "I am
not the only one to think about this because we have been waiting for this
for a long time, but now we are ready and we want to win this game
definitely – that is what is going to happen," he added. As if the game
wasn't big enough already, those sorts of words are likely to fan the flames
of rivalry between the two for a game where if the Hammers can win, they
will leapfrog the Royals back into the automatic promotion positions.
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil is hoping that the team can find the home
form that will pay Reading back for the earlier defeat. We haven't lost to
many sides this year so getting beat 3-0 at Reading is something that the
lads will want to put right," he insisted, after the 2-2 draw at
Peterborough on Tuesday. "There is only one real focus and that is to finish
in the top two and we need to win on Saturday to give ourselves a chance.
"That is the only motivation that we need."
If West Ham are to win their first home game since February 4, then they are
likely to do it without Abdoulaye Faye and Joey O'Brien. Both were replaced
at half time at London Road with Faye suffering a head injury and O'Brien a
thigh strain. Faubert is likely to start, though Guy Demel is fit, while
Jack Collison will come back into contention. Saturday's game is simply the
biggest of the season so far and though it may not be decisive, whoever wins
will have a huge psychological advantage.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce: a good but stubborn manager who must secure promotion for
West Ham
When you have failed to win trophies for as long as Newcastle United and
West Ham, there is perhaps an emphasis on style over substance.
By Luke Edwards3:51PM BST 28 Mar 20127
The Telegraph
Perhaps Sam Allardyce would seem less like a round peg in a square hole if
he was not so keen to tell everyone that is stupid. Allardyce is a manager
who believes winning is all that counts; that there are no points awarded
for artistic impression, flair or entertainment value. He does not want
plaudits for the way his teams play the game, he wants points and he is not
afraid to tell people just that – repeatedly. It is a mantra that has served
him well at clubs like Bolton and Blackburn, the just glad to be among the
elite sides that need to make the most of limited resources and do what they
can. The picture was rather different at Newcastle and it is a vista largely
shared at West Ham.. These are clubs with a tradition of playing with
panache - clubs where fans have pride in the manner in which their team go
about their business as a substitute for their persistent failure to live up
to other, grander expectations.
Allardyce claims he was never given a fair chance at Newcastle and, to an
extent, he is right. He was Freddie Shepherd's final managerial appointment
just months before Mike Ashley booted the former chairman out in the summer
of 2007. Managers who are not appointed by the owner are always running up
hill and Newcastle were mid-table in the Premier League when he was sacked
just eight months after he had left Bolton to accept the "big job at a big
club" he craved. Newcastle had started well, enjoying their best start to a
Premier League season in more than a decade, but when results dipped,
Allardyce's football philosophy became the issue.
Significantly, having worked for local paper The Journal during Allardyce's
brief Tyneside tenure, few moaned about his appointment, in fact he was
largely welcomed.
Newcastle fans had grown tired of the constant near-misses and their flaky
reputation. They had tried the Entertainers route under Kevin Keegan and Sir
Bobby Robson and fallen short of the standards needed to actually put a
silver pot in a dusty trophy cabinet. Allardyce was perceived as a manager
who would introduce a steely streak, a manager who would bring winning
football and if that meant scrappy 1-0 victories, a new emphasis on defence
and set-pieces, it was a price worth paying. Allardyce, though, was too keen
to hammer home the point, taking a slightly mocking tone whenever
conversation moved towards reflecting on the club's recent flirts with
triumph and the Keegan era in particular. A mistake in a part of the world
where Keegan was still hero worshiped and the 1995/6 season run-in meltdown
was still lauded, if only for the fact the ride had been an exhilarating
experience for a generation of supporters who remembered the dark days.
Allardyce implied Newcastle had nothing to be proud of because they had
actually failed to win the league. They were losers in the end. True, but he
failed to appreciate the context. Newcastle fans had never expected to win
the league that season. Three years earlier they had believed they were
going to be relegated to the third tier of English football, the culmination
of decades of mis-management and failure.
Keegan had completely transformed the football landscape and helped give an
entire city its self-esteem back in the process after the dire
post-industrial eighties.
Allardyce did not stop there. Annoyed by what he perceived as negative
reporting of his team's performances, Allardyce told reporters they were
"miserable" because they were stuck in the North-East and wanted to be where
the real action was in London or Manchester.
Maybe some did, but most were, like the fans most of them used to be, loved
the region they called home. North-East people do not have an inferiority
complex when it comes to where they live, they are smug about it. It all
helped to create an atmosphere where people were waiting for Allardyce to
fail and as soon as results dropped, the criticism focused on the manner in
which they were achieved. Allardyce responded with typical bullishness. He
knew best, he understood the game and he had the success to back it up. The
bullet came at the start of January after four league games without a win
and an ugly 0-0 draw at Championship side Stoke City in the FA Cup. But it
was a 4-1 home defeat to Portsmouth at the start of November, less than four
months into his first season, that sowed the seeds of doubt and discontent.
Newcastle were ripped to shreds despite all the talk of defence comes first.
The players were more interested on what they could do with the ball than
worrying about stopping the opposition having it. Allardyce's approach
insisted that nullifying the opposition was always the first priority and it
fuelled a negative approach. Ashley, seeking a tonic to the drabness, added
insult to Allardyce's badly injured ego, he lured Keegan out of retirement
to replace him. Allardyce is a good manager, but he is stubborn and highly
opinionated. At West Ham, he is suffering many of the same problems, but he
is either unable or unwilling to change his philosophy just to pander to an
increasingly restless crowd. Ultimately, Allardyce was brought in to do a
job - protect the business by making sure of promotion back to the Premier
League at the first attempt. He may yet do that and it is premature to
believe Allardyce is a busted flush. Go up and he will be vindicated in
everything he has done. Fail and he'll surely be swelling the ranks of the
unemployed.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United youngster features in England defeat
Guardian Series
3:45pm Wednesday 28th March 2012 in News
West Ham United youngster Leo Chambers came on during England Under-17's 1-0
defeat to Georgia. The defender was brought on in the 75th minute in
Georgia.
A Giorgi Papunashvili goal in the third minute of added time sunk England in
the elite round qualifier for the European Championships.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Zamora not looking for QPR exit route to West Ham – agent
Metro.co.uk
QPR striker Bobby Zamora is not looking for a move to West Ham, according to
the player's agent. The former Hammers frontman is currently on a contract
of around £70,000-a-week without a relegation release clause. QPR find
themselves in the bottom three in the Premier League and will be forced to
sell players or face financial turmoil if they fail to beat the drop, with a
number of players in a similar scenario to Zamora. Rumours have also
circulated that the England international is unhappy with the Loftus Road
side's training facilities and a lack of professionalism at the club. But
his agent Eric Black refuted the speculation and told West London Sport:
'It's total rubbish. Bobby's said nothing of the sort to me. There's no
truth in it whatsoever. As for the training ground, it's not as bad as some
people make out. Chelsea did okay when they were there, didn't they?' A
mooted move back to West Ham could keep England hopeful Zamora in the
Premier League next season if Mark Hughes' side fail to beat the drop. The
Upton Park outfit currently find themselves in third position in the
Championship and are just one point shy of an automatic promotion place.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
