Mo to use inside knowledge
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Mo Diame knows all about the Newcastle United
squad
10.11.2012
Mohamed Diame will be able to supply Sam Allardyce with plenty of inside
knowledge about Sunday's opponents Newcastle United. West Ham United's No21
regularly lines up alongside Magpies strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Ciss for
the Senegal national team, while he came through the ranks at the famous
Clairefontaine Academy in France with midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. Diame is
looking forward to catching up with his friends at St James' Park, but is
also confident of ruining their Sunday afternoons by helping the Hammers to
build on last weekend's goalless home Barclays Premier League draw with
champions Manchester City. "After the game against Wigan, I think we needed
to have this reaction against Manchester City. We did it, so now we have to
maintain that and take the three points from Newcastle. "There are a lot of
fans there and it is a big stadium. I have some friends there, both
Senegalese and Frenchmen, so it's going to be a good game. "I know Demba and
Papiss very well and I also know that they have scored a lot of goals. We
have to make sure we don't give them a lot of chances to score. They are
different players, but they both work every day in front of the goal and are
strikers who know how to score, so we have to try to restrict their chances.
"I also know Hatem Ben Arfa very well. I was in Clairfontaine with him so I
know he is a very good player. He has had a lot of injuries, but he is a
very good player so we have to be careful about him as well."
The midfielder played at St James' Park twice during his three-year spell
with Wigan Athletic, but did not finish on the winning side on either
occasion. In October 2010, the Magpies and Latics drew 2-2, while in October
2011 France international Yohan Cabaye netted the only goal in a 1-0
Newcastle victory.
Diame's ability to speak French may come in useful when it comes to
attacking and defending set pieces, as he will be able to understand the
likes of Ba, Cisse, Ben Arfa and Cabaye should they choose to communicate in
their native language. However, the Senegal midfielder played down any
potential advantage his linguistic skills may give the Hammers on the pitch.
"Football is the same in any language, whether it is English or French. We
are just going to go there and try to replicate the game we played against
Manchester City. These are the games I enjoy and I am sure it will be the
same for Andy [Carroll] and Nobby (Kevin Nolan) as well. It is going to be a
good game and we are going to enjoy it and hopefully get the three points."
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Lee fires U18s to victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Barclays U18 Premier League on
Saturday
10.11.2012
West Ham United ended a four-match winless run by scoring an impressive 2-0
Barclays U18 Premier League Group 1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday. Having
taken the lead through an own-goal from a Gunners player, striker Elliot Lee
netted his fourth goal in five youth-team matches this season to complete a
fine win at Little Heath. Perhaps just as pleasing for the coaching staff
was the fact that the Hammers kept their second clean sheet in eleven league
matches this term. West Ham also gained revenge for the 3-0 defeat they
suffered in the reverse fixture at Arsenal in September. Academy Director
Tony Carr MBE was justifiably pleased with the team's efforts, saying: "It
was a good performance and I thought we just about edged it and deserved our
win. We created some good chances and got our goals at good times."
Lee was partnered in attack by Walter Figueira (pictured), a 17-year-old
forward on trial from Chelsea. The West Ham youngsters will return to action
next Saturday, when they travel to West Bromwich Albion.
U18s: Baxter, Alexander, Page, Nasha, Harney, Cullen (Onnariase), Bywater,
Miles (Sadiler), Mavila, E.Lee (Boakye-Yiadom), Figueira
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Newcastle United v West Ham United
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 11th November 2012
By: Preview Percy
Next we make the looooong trek north to Newcastle Upon Tyne for a match
moved to Sunday due to the Magpies' involvement in the poisoned chalice that
is the Europa League. Kick-off is at 3pm and those of you who are staying up
there on the Saturday night (or arriving early enough on the Sunday) might
care to pay a visit to Eldon Square in the city centre where the people of
Newcastle will be gathering from 10.30am to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
I suspect that the club will also be marking the day with an appropriate
ceremony at St James's Park. If I have one piece of advice to offer it is
that, if you are one of those who tends to arrive just before kick-off, have
a think before starting a chant just outside the ground or in the communal
areas outside the pitch viewing area at about 3pm.
Our hosts currently sit in 10th place, one point and one place behind our
good selves with 14 points from the 10 games played thus far. At home
they've won 3 (Spurs 2-1 (tee hee), Norwich 1-0 and West Brom 2-1), drawn 1
(1-1 with Villa) and lost just the one (3-0 to Man Utd). On the road they've
lost just the once (2-0 at Chelsea) picking up draws at Everton and Reading
(both 2-2) and Sunderland and Liverpool (both 1-1). So, overall, a pretty
solid start to the season, not to dissimilar to our own then.
The club is owned by Mike Ashley, a man who made – and continues to make –
his fortune by becoming the gentlemen's outfitter of choice to Millwall and
Spurs fans. Since buying the club in 2007 his popularity has gone up and
down like the lines on the graph produced by that machine they have me wired
up to here at the Avram Grant Home for The Bewildered. It is said that on
purchasing the club Ashley failed to complete a due diligence process
(accountant-speak for having a proper look at the books) and that, as a
result, was a bit shocked to find that he would have to pump in another
£100m just to keep the club from ruin.
One of his early moves that gained favour with the Geordies was to replace
the unpopular manager – some chap called Allardyce – with Kevin Keegan. This
was a move destined to end in tears, partly due to Keegan's limited tactical
nous, but mainly thanks to the ludicrous idea of appointing the thick as two
short planks Dennis Wise as "Director of Football". Players arrived and
departed with barely a passing nod in Keegan's direction and the former
England boss eventually quit, citing interference from Wise as the reason.
Wise, who seemed to spend more time watching Chelsea than he did on Tyneside
eventually left himself a few months later.
Another move that annoyed the locals was the sacking of Chris Hughton a
couple of years ago. Hughton – who gained a lot of respect over the
dignified way in which he'd carried himself both during and after his tenure
at SJP- was replaced in 2010 by Alan Pardew. The kumb.com legal team (a full
time organisation whose sole job is to edit this column each week) have been
through what I have written about Mr Pardew and, following extensive use of
the blue pencil, the following remains: Alan Pardew managed West Ham United
between 2003-2006.
On the pitch Pardew has plumped for Dutchman Tim Krul in goal. Krul now has
the Magpies' no.1 shirt with second choice custodian Steve Harper being
allotted the coveted no.37 top. Harper hasn't been the luckiest of chaps,
having had to play second fiddle for years to Shay Given for both club and
country and he's picked up injuries at crucial stages in his career, often
just at the point when an extended run in the first XI looks likely. Krul,
on the other hand, is now regarded as first choice for both Newcastle and
the Netherlands. In the Netherlands he's picked up the nickname "Bakkers
Handen" which translates as "Bakers' Hands". Those wacky Dutch eh?!
In front of Krul there will be absentees from the usual first choice
defence. My good Geordie friend, Preview Alastair, informs me from his cot
in the Joe Kinnear Centre For Tourettes Research that James Perch, who has
also been employed in midfield on occasion, is likely to miss out with the
knock he picked up against the mickeys last weekend. Nicknamed "Perchinhio"
by some – possibly more in irony than admiration – he holds the record for
being the first player to reach five cautions (and therefore an automatic
suspension) over the first five games of a Premier League season.
Another who will be missing is skipper Fabricio Coloccini, who will be
entering the first of a three match suspension having kicked out at Luis
Suarez. There must surely be some scope for a change in the laws of the game
to allow players to kick lumps out of the likes of Suarez, Kebe, Terry etc
without fear of reprisal from over-zealous referees (or in this case
linesmen). In fact there ought to be some sort of prize fund for doing so.
They have a song about Coloccini up there. It suggests that his reputation
on Tyneside is such that most male Geordies would allow him to engage in
sexual relations with their spouses and that, in his honour, they would also
like to have curly hair. A most amusing chant. If only we'd thought of it
all those years ago when Christian Dailly was on our books eh?!
Steven Taylor is likely to appear in central defence where he will come up
against Andy Carroll. This might be an interesting part of the ground to
keep an eye on both on and off the ball as there is what you might call a
spot of "history". This dates back to when the two were team, well mates
probably isn't quite the correct word to use. It seems that there was some
sort of "altercation" between the pair – Preview Alastair mentioned an
exchange of text messages regarding a mutually-admired member of the
opposite sex which led to fisticuffs. Taylor ended up with a broken jaw
whilst Carroll's hands also sustained some damage. It'll be interesting to
see if time and distance have mellowed the relationship between the two.
Midfielder Cheik Tiote is also out thanks to suspension following his
sending off at Sunderland, although Yohan Cabaye appears to have recovered
from a knock picked up at Anfield.
Hatem Ben Arfa seems to have settled down a bit. Whilst in France he had a
bit of a reputation for being "difficult" to work with and his history is
littered with mention of the word "bust-up". Many players will get involved
in the odd training ground incident at some stage in their careers. Howeve,
few can have required separating from a team-mate on the pitch during a
pre-match warm-up as happened a few years ago. He also once refused to
warm-up from the bench, an incident that predated the phrase "doing a Tevez"
by a couple of years. Ben Arfa is happily recovered from the shocking tackle
from Nigel De Jong that broke his leg a few seasons ago. The tackle was so
awful that the Dutch national team dropped De Jong for disciplinary reasons
as a result. Would that our own FA had acted in similar fashion with John
Terry.
Up front we'll be reunited with Dember Ba who spent a few months with us
during the relegation season. Unfortunately for us he wasn't 100% match fit
at the start of his spell with us and by the time he hit form it was
probably too late. The relegation clause in his contract, without which he
wouldn't have signed in the first place, meant that he was offski at the end
of the season, pitching up at Newcastle where he's been sticking them away
in spectacular style. He's their top scorer this season but, more amusingly,
he's also second top scorer for Sunderland having put away an OG of a
Dowie-like nature up there a few weeks ago.
Also available up front is one of the 462 players in the league with the
surname "Cisse". Papiss (make your own jokes up on that one) arrived last
term and, like his compatriot Ba, has a penchant for the spectacular goal,
his effort against Chelsea last season being a prime example. Mind you, even
that was put in the shade by his effort against West Brom in which a Shammy
Ameobi effort was diverted into the net by, and there's no nice way of
putting this, his arse. If only we'd thought of that tactic while Neil
Ruddock was on the books.
Described by Preview Alastair as a "dick" there can only be one player in
contention for Crimewatch corner this week. Serial idiot Nile Ranger is
currently on the thinnest of thin ice with the Magpies' management who must
now be questioning the wisdom of giving the player a contract extension that
doesn't expire until 2016.
As a 15 year-old he did time in a Young Offender's Institution for his part
in armed muggings in North London. It will therefore come as little surprise
that Ranger is part of the legacy left behind by his fellow criminal Dennis
Wise, who brought the player to the club in 2008. The player's current
rap-sheet includes an arrest for an assault in 2011, a conviction for drunk
and disorderly behaviour earlier this year, a fine from the FA for
publishing homophobic tweets, various assorted assault charges, arrests for
breaching bail conditions relating to those various assorted assault charges
and, most recently, an arrest on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a
house in Enfield.
Newcastle have given the player a final written warning over his persistent
lateness for training – though how much attention he pays to this sort of
thing can be gauged by the fact that he even turned up late for a meeting
between him, the club and a representative from the PFA to discuss his
lateness. He's currently in the middle of a probation period requiring him
to turn up on time for six solid weeks before he'll be allowed to train with
the first team squad again. Even if he manages that, the chances of the
player keeping his nose clean for long enough to see him through to 2016
appear to be remote in extremis.
Our turn now. I enjoyed the overall performance last week which saw us pick
up a well-earned point. There were a few elements that caused concern mind,
particularly the frequency with which we ceded possession at times in the
second half. However, the main worry has to be the burgeoning injury list
that we seem to be developing at the moment. There are doubts about both
Tomkins (groin) and Collins (hamstring). It is to be hoped that one of those
two will be fit to line up alongside Reid, who would seem to be the only fit
central defender at in the squad at the moment. Fitness tests are due on
Saturday so by the time you read this you may have more idea than I have as
to their availability.
On the brighter side Guy Demel may be back following a hernia problem,
though Matt Taylor is still out. Other than that the usual suspects are
still unavailable.
SJP has not been the happiest of hunting grounds in recent seasons. There
are, however, a few things in our favour this time round. The injuries and
suspensions they have are in key areas and they did of course play the other
night, though there will obviously be changes from the line-up that drew 2-2
in Belgium. Against that we need to add the Nolan/Carroll factor into the
equation. I can't imagine much affecting Nolan up there – indeed if he gets
stick from the crowd he'll probably thrive on it. However, by all accounts
Carroll had an awful day up there with Liverpool last season and he'll need
to concentrate on the task in hand.
With us having our own potential absentees in defence I reckon that this one
will end up with honours even. The contents of the collection we took up for
the Joe Kinnear Centre For Tourette's Research (£2.50) will therefore be
winging its way towards Mr Winstone with the instruction that it be wagered
in full on a 2-2 draw.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met: Lost 0-5, January 2011. An abject performance gifted the
opposition five goals as Best (3), Lovenkrands and Nolan enabled the home
side to stroll to all three points. Our performance was so poor that Mike
Dean didn't have to bother helping them.
Danger Man: Demba Ba. Likely to be fit not only does he have a habit of
scoring rather special goals, he will also have that unwritten rule about
players scoring against former clubs on his side. Over to you Mr Carroll and
Mr Nolan.
Referee: Mike Dean. Along with his fellow "Mike" Jones, Dean is the least
trustworthy of a group of officials who consider themselves to be bigger
than the game. Regarded as the best referee in the country. By Mike Dean.
Daft Fact Of the Week: Following his recent heroics, asked whether he'd be
attending this match as the guest of the Hammers away fans, space-diver
Felix Baumgartner replied: "The away section at Newcastle? No chance. You're
not getting me up there".
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Head to Head
Pld 121; West Ham Utd 37, Newcastle Utd 49, Draws 35.
First Meeting
1st February 1908: Newcastle Utd 2-0 West Ham Utd (St James' Park, FA Cup)
Last Meeting
5th January 2011: Newcastle Utd 5-0 West Ham Utd (St James' Park, Premier
League)
Biggest Win(s)
21st April 1986: West Ham Utd 8-1 Newcastle Utd (Boleyn Ground, Division
One)
Heaviest Defeat(s)
5th January 2011: Newcastle Utd 5-0 West Ham Utd (St James' Park, Premier
League)
Memorable Match
21st April 1986: West Ham Utd 8-1 Newcastle Utd (Boleyn Ground, Division
One)
With just six games of the 1985/86 season remaining, John Lyall's West Ham
were sitting third in the Canon League Division One. The Geordies were
having a fairly decent campaign themselves so there were few signs of the
annihilation that was to follow as West Ham equalled their record number of
goals scored in the top flight. What was even more notable was the fact that
centre half Alvin Martin scored not only a hat-trick, but a hat-trick
against three different goalkeepers.
Martin opened the scoring after just three minutes when he converted Alan
Devonshire's free kick from close range. Further goals were added ahead of
the break by Ray Stewart, Neil Orr and Newcastle's Glenn Roeder, who was
left red faced when scoring a peach of an own goal. Newcastle goalkeeper
Martin Thomas, who had carried an injury into the game, was replaced at half
time by midfielder Chris Hedworth as reserve 'keeper David McKellar was also
injured. There was little Hedworth could do to stop Martin's crashing header
hitting the back of the net on 64 minutes; minutes later he returned to play
on field with Peter Beardsley now having a go between the sticks. The
England striker fared little better than either of his predecessors and
after Paul Goddard and Frank McAvennie had added goals six (81 mins) and
seven (83 mins), Beardsley was left to face Martin from the penalty spot (84
mins). Martin stepped up confidently before sending his international team
mate the wrong way to complete yet another unique West Ham United
achievement.
Early Bath
1992-93: Julian Dicks (A); 1993-94: Jeroen Boere (A); 1995-96 Steve Potts
(A); 2005-06: Paul Konchesky (A, Rescinded)
They Played For Both
Demba Ba; Lee Bowyer; Franz Carr; Les Ferdinand; John Dowsey; Keiron Dyer;
Paul Goddard; Marlon Harewood; Shaka Hislop; James Jackson; Vic Keeble; Matt
Kingsley; Paul Kitson; Robert Lee; Joe Loughlin; Scott Parker; Stuart
Pearce; Abdoulaye Faye; Wayne Quinn; Bryan Robson; George Robson; Keith
Robson; Harold Smith; Nobby Solano; David Terrier; David Kelly; Andy
Carroll; Kevin Nolan.
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The Julian Dicks Column: 9th November
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 10th November 2012
By: Julian Dicks
It's with great pleasure that we welcome West Ham United FC legend Julian
Dicks to KUMB.com. Julian shares his thoughts with the readers of Knees up
Mother Brown on a regular basis via his weekly column, the latest of which
begins a review of last weekend's goalless draw against the reigning league
champions...
City
It was a good result for West Ham last weekend. If you'd have said before
the game that we'd get a point out of it, I think everyone would have been
happy.
Kevin Nolan's goal, as we now know, was onside. It was a split decision; you
can look upon replay after replay and it's still tight. The officials have
got a hard enough job as it is and we all make mistakes; unfortunately it
went against us.
But City had some good chances - Mario Balotelli had two or three and Gareth
Barry had one as well - so overall the point was a decent point for West
Ham.
Captain Kev
As captain Kevin Nolan has contributed well for his goals - even though I'd
like to see him work a bit harder. But Sam's brought him in to do a job
which is scoring goals, which he's done - some important goals as well. If
you take his goals away then you might have an argument, but he's scoring
goals and that's what you want from him.
He's always gambling beyond the strikers and he's always in the right place
at the right time. He scores his goals so if he keeps doing that, you
persevere with it.
In the games I've watched he's not been far behind Andy Carroll and it looks
like we're playing 4-4-1-1 when he sits in there. But the good thing for me
is that when the ball goes into Andy Carroll, Kevin gambles. He does it all
the time. I used to try and get my players to do that at Grays but they
couldn't grasp it - but he does it naturally.
You have to give and take with him. Kevin's an intelligent footballer and he
has an understanding where that ball is going to go. He doesn't get it right
all the time - he might only guess right 50 per cent of the time - but he's
popped up to scores some very important goals, both this and last season.
Big Andy
So Roy Hodgson has dropped Andy Carroll from the England squad. Friendlies
don't really matter but when it comes to the European Championship in the
qualifiers you would expect Andy to be in the squad. He hasn't long been
back from his injury so Roy's probably given him an extra week or two to get
over his injury, but I'm sure if you spoke to Andy Carroll he'd want to
play. Still, West Ham's more important than England.
I don't know Andy but to me he looks a character and I suspect it doesn't
bother him too much. He contributes so much to the game and was different
class against Manchester City. He didn't score but there's more to him than
scoring goals. As a striker you want to score goals, but you have to look at
everything he brings to the game.
Andy quite often takes two or three defenders with him. That didn't use to
happen with us at West Ham because we had belief in the centre backs we
played with. I played with Alvin [Martin] who was quality in the air and
Galey, who wasn't the best in the air, but he could read the game
brilliantly. Then there's Rio [Ferdinand], Slav[en Bilic] and Marc Rieper;
they could all do a job.
Square pegs in round holes
Sam Allardyce could be short at the back this weekend and may be forced to
play one of his full backs at centre half. When I played, it wasn't
difficult for me as I was very good in the air for my height - which you
have to be because when you're a centre back, most things come down the
middle!
As a centre back, you have to be comfortable on the ball but at the end of
the day if that's all he's got he'll have to play them there, they'll have
to go and do the best job they can. It's fairly easy to adapt, it's not as
if you've gone from centre forward to centre back or left wing to defence.
If you play at left back you should be able to play as a left-sided centre
half; it shouldn't be that much of a problem.
Carlitos
Carlos Tevez received a warm welcome last weekend. I think it's great that
he getsa good reception when he comes back to Upton Park. When he was here
he gave everything he had for West Ham, so it was nice when the fans
applauded him as he was substituted. But it's weird; I think he concentrates
more on the supporters than he does the game!
Often now you see ex-players refuse to celebrate if they score - but for me
that's all b*llocks. If you score for Man City, as a Man City player you
should celebrate. The players say that's not acceptable now but that's total
crap. When Tevez was substituted, he clapped the West Ham fans before the
Man City fans - and if I was a City supporter, that would have pissed me
off! It's nice and everything, but I think he needs to concentrate more on
playing for Man City than getting plaudits from West Ham fans.
Coming Home
I had a fantastic experience when I came back to West Ham with Liverpool,
although I didn't get taken off! Before the game the fans sang my name and
clapped, so I clapped them back which was fine. But I was a Liverpool player
and when we scored - we won 2-1 that day - I celebrated.
At the end of the day I did everything I could for the club and if you get
sold, you get sold - although perhaps it's different with people like Paul
Ince! I didn't slag the club off when I left; when people do that and come
back of course they're going to get abuse.
That's all any supporter at any club wants, to see their players giving
everything they have. Certain players, when they're playing for a different
club? Yeah, they're going to boo you. But as long as you do everything for
the club you're at you can hold your hands up and say "yeah, I gave my best
and that's it".
Julian Dicks was talking to Graeme Howlett.
* Julian is currently available to coach both junior and senior football
teams. For more details, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JULIAN3DICKS.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists he has improved every club he has worked
for
Last Updated: November 10, 2012 12:58pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists he has improved every club he has worked
for as he prepares to take on former club Newcastle on Sunday. Allardyce was
fired from St James' Park in January 2008 - with the Magpies 11th in the
Premier League - after Mike Ashley had taken over the club the year before.
He subsequently went on to manage Blackburn, where he was also sacked in
December 2010 by new owners Venky's, before taking over at Upton Park and
leading them to promotion last term and a present ninth position in the
table, a point ahead of the Magpies. Defending his record, Allardyce told
the Daily Telegraph: "Ask the people who worked with me. I evolved the type
of football that they liked. The players who worked with me enjoyed the
journey that we took. "Every club of mine finished in a better position when
I left than when I took over. "The yardstick of a manager's success tends to
be, 'What have you won?' You can't measure mine like that. "Each club,
whether it was Limerick, Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton, Newcastle,
Blackburn or West Ham, I improved.
"It's not me blowing my trumpet, it's a fact. Look at it another way. Every
one of my former clubs has been relegated since. Is that a better
measurement?"
Harm career
Allardyce denied the sackings had affected his confidence but they had
harmed his career. "No (it didn't affect his confidence), because I didn't
deserve to be sacked from either of those positions," he said. "But it does
harm your career. Clearly West Ham are a bigger and better club than
Blackburn Rovers,but I had to take them while they were still in the
Championship." He added: "When I lost my job at Newcastle, I remember a few
press lads asking, 'Are you going to drop down to come back up again?' "I
said, 'Am I what? I'm one of the longest-serving Premier League managers
around and you're saying I should drop down to the Championship? Have you
seen my CV?' "It shows you how people forget in this game and how, over
time, they can lose the reality of what you have done."
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West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame is aware of Newcastle's attacking threat
Last Updated: November 10, 2012 7:09pm
SSN
Mohamed Diame knows it will be difficult for West Ham to contain the likes
of Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba but is determined to pick up three points
against Newcastle. Diame, 25, has impressed for West Ham since moving to
Upton Park in the summer from Wigan as Sam Allardyce's side have defied the
odds to sit ninth in the table. Newcastle are one point and one place below
the Hammers in the standings and Diame wants to utilise his knowledge of his
Senegal team-mates to help towards a win on Sunday. "After the game against
Wigan, I think we needed to have this reaction against Manchester City. We
did it, so now we have to maintain that and take the three points from
Newcastle," he told the club's official website. "There are a lot of fans
there and it is a big stadium. I have some friends there, both Senegalese
and Frenchmen, so it's going to be a good game. "I know Demba and Papiss
very well and I also know that they have scored a lot of goals. We have to
make sure we don't give them a lot of chances to score. "They are different
players, but they both work every day in front of the goal and are strikers
who know how to score, so we have to try to restrict their chances."
Midfielder Diame has also spent time playing alongside Newcastle playmaker
Hatem Ben Arfa . "I was in Clairefontaine with him so I know he is a very
good player," he said. "He has had a lot of injuries, but he is a very good
player so we have to be careful about him as well." Diame pinpointed the
performance against Manchester City in the goalless draw at Upton Park last
weekend as a yard-stick for the challenge ahead on Tyneside. "We are just
going to go there and try to replicate the game we played against Manchester
City," he said. "These are the games I enjoy and I am sure it will be the
same for Andy (Carroll) and Kevin Nolan as well. It is going to be a good
game and we are going to enjoy it and hopefully get the three points."
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Nolan: I saved Andy's career
The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: 10th November 2012
KEVIN NOLAN believes that he played a major role in helping save Andy
Carroll's career. Now the West Ham ace hopes the talented striker — and chef
— can silence the Newcastle boo-boys on his return to St James' today.
Carroll, 23, was suffering a nightmare spell away from football two years
ago after being charged with assaulting his former girlfriend Laurie
Henderson. The charges were later dropped. This was just months after the
England forward pleaded guilty to a separate assault charge following an
incident at a Newcastle nightclub when he was fined £1,000. As part of the
initial bail condition Carroll was ordered to live with Nolan, who was then
Newcastle's club captain. Nolan jokes that he was the only one stupid enough
to take in Carroll but is glad he did after he emerged as superb cook and
made sure he was well fed while his missus was away in Liverpool. The
midfielder said: "At Newcastle, if something goes on, it gets exploded 10
times and with Andy, it was magnified 1,000 times. "He was on assault
charges but that sort of died quite quickly afterwards and all the charges
put up against him were suddenly dropped. "It was because he's 6ft 5in, he's
got long hair, he stands out in a crowd. I knew he just had to keep himself
out of those situations, and since then he's learnt so much. He's been to
Liverpool where he lived on his own with his girlfriend. "There is a
different lad standing there in that dressing room now. There's a man there
now who can look after himself. You'd have to ask Andy if I've had an
influence on that, of course I'm going to say 'yeah!' "Obviously, he was a
friend of ours and needed somewhere to stay. It wasn't for too long and my
missus was down in Liverpool for quite a lot of the time. We were just like
room-mates. "He's a good fella, he cooked a couple of times and he was quite
handy in the kitchen. He made pasta with tomato, chicken and all that type
of stuff. It was actually nice. "I think the club chose me because I was big
mates with Andy and I was captain. Plus I was probably the only one stupid
enough to let him stay!"
Nolan, 30, is also relishing the chance to make his first appearance back at
St James' Park since leaving the club in June 2011. The former Toon captain
became a fans' favourite after a superb run which saw him score 30 goals
from midfield in his 2½-year spell. He admits he never asked to leave but
the offer he was given by the Newcastle board was taken away from him. Nolan
added: "They told me 'we can sort all you want at the end of the season.'
Then two weeks before the end that offer went off the table. "I was on
holiday and must admit it ruined it. Me and my wife were going through a bad
time because she didn't want to move, she loved it in Newcastle. "We were
settled, had the kids in school, but that's just part of football. "I knew
that down here I could succeed. I knew Big Sam had come here and I thought
'yeah, let's make it happen'. I was only too pleased to answer the call. "It
was just the way everything went — how both chairmen really got behind the
move and how much they wanted me to join. I'm thankful I made that choice
because it's been a fantastic 17 months.
"But, as I say, no hard feelings. I'm delighted to be here now — and I had a
fantastic time there. "It was the best for both parties and I left shaking
hands with everyone. "I'm looking forward to going back and saying goodbye,
because I didn't get a chance to thank a lot of people who made my stay up
there really great."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes Nolan is the best signing he has
ever made and cannot understand why he has not played for England. The West
Ham skipper revealed: "Obviously when you see 31-year-old Leon Osman getting
the call-up, it sort of does tell you to not give up hope, but I don't
really know much more I could do to be honest. "I've scored goals
consistently now for a number of years — and yeah I dropped out of the
division but I consistently scored goals down there too. "Jay Bothroyd got a
call-up from being in the Championship and scoring goals, so I don't really
know what more I can do. "All I'll say is that I was born in an era where
we've had probably the best midfielders England have ever had in terms of
goal scoring. "It does hurt I haven't got the call but it's something I've
got to live with — I'm a big boy. "I spoke to one of the managers after he
got the sack. He said if he'd known the type of impact and everything I was
about BEFORE he was England manager, he would have called me up. "That was
nice to hear but then I sort of wanted to strangle him as well!"
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Collison on track
Published: 10th November 2012
The Sun
JACK COLLISON has given West Ham a massive boost by targeting a return at
Christmas. The Wales midfielder has been out all season with a chronic knee
problem which was aggravated during the Hammers' play-off push last season.
But he said: "I'm back training so hopefully around Christmas I should be
back in the mix." Collison, 24, was instrumental in getting West Ham back in
the Prem. He added: "I could hardly move during the play-off final but it
was a great day and West Ham are back where they belong."
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Change of Toon: Andy Carroll has grown up from the boy I 'saved', says Kevin
Nolan
The Mirror
10 Nov 2012 22:30
Matthew Lewis
Kevin Nolan has described the major role he played in salvaging Andy
Carroll's career. The pair are together at West Ham but it is while they
were team-mates at Newcastle that Nolan had such an impact on Carroll's
life. The big striker courted trouble and two years ago was ordered to stay
with Nolan – then Newcastle captain – while he was on bail for assualt
charges. Charges were later dropped and Nolan described how he and the
Newcastle backroom staff helped Carroll turn his life around. He said: "Did
I help to save his career? You can write that. When something happens in
Newcastle, it gets exploded 10 times. With Andy it is blown up even more.
"He needed somewhere to stay. He was in a hotel so I cleared it with the
missus and it was OK. He was a good fella and not a bad cook... pasta and
things like that. Why me? Because I was captain at the time and probably the
only one stupid enough to let him stay. I spoke to him and so did manager
Chris Hughton and the assistant Colin Calderwood. "But he was in trouble
really because it was him. He is 6ft 5in tall with long hair and he stands
out in a crowd. "He was brilliant for Newcastle and everything he did was
magnified 1,000 times. He knew he had to stay out of situations and he went
to Liverpool to stay with his girlfriend."
While Carroll was staying with Nolan his Range Rover, parked in Nolan's
driveway, was set on fire to compound their problems. West Ham reunited the
duo by signing Carroll on loan from Liverpool and Nolan insisted: "There is
a different lad standing there now from what he was when I first went into
Newcastle.
"He was just 19 then but there is a different man in the dressing room now
who can look after himself and do the right things."
Both Nolan and Carroll left the Toon without asking for transfers. Nolan's
contract talks had failed and he resumed a partnership with Sam Allardyce
that had been so productive at Bolton. Carroll was moved on when Liverpool
made a £35 million offer that Newcastle couldn't refuse. So will they get
abuse this afternoon when they return? "I'm hoping for a good reception,"
said Nolan optimistically. "I have a lot of friends there. I didn't think I
would ever leave. My wife didn't want to move. But I wanted to take the
chance to work with the gaffer again. "He gave me my chance. It hurt him
when he had to leave Newcastle but I knew he would bounce back. When I got
the chance to work with him again, it was a no-brainer." If Carroll scores
his first goal for West Ham, it is unlikely he will celebrate. Nolan, for
sure, will show restraint saying: "No, I won't celebrate out of respect."
One honour still to elude Nolan is an England cap. "That hurts," said the
30-year-old. "Maybe it will still come. "My son thinks I am 'Daddy West
Ham'. It would be nice for him to say 'Daddy England'."
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew maintains the Magpies haven't missed
Andy Carroll thanks to Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.
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West Ham's Kevin Nolan: I deserve England call-up
Goal.com
11 Nov 2012 08:50:00
By Rhys Turrell
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan believes he deserves the chance to
represent his country and show what he can do at international level.
Despite a long career in the top flight with Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle
United and the Hammers, Nolan is yet to receive any national team honours.
And after 31-year-old Everton midfielder Leon Osman received a surprise
call-up to Roy Hodgson's Three Lions set-up for the friendly against Sweden
on Wednesday, there remains a chance that the West Ham midfielder could be
considered in upcoming games, although Nolan remains philosophical about his
prospects. "It does hurt I haven't got one [England cap] I must admit, and
it does hurt a bit, but it is something I have got to live with and I'm a
big boy," the 30-year-old Liverpudlian told reporters. "I don't know what
more I can do to be quite honest. I've scored goals consistently for a
number of years, I dropped down a division but consistently scored goals
down there. "I think I have at least deserved a call-up and a chance to
prove myself at that level."
Nolan has been in impressive form for his club following their return to
England's top flight this season. Under the management of Sam Allardyce -
with whom Nolan enjoyed a lengthy and successful association at Bolton - the
Upton Park club have adapted to life in the Premier League far better than
fellow promoted sides Southampton and Reading. The Hammers currently sit
ninth in the table ahead of their visit to another of Nolan's former clubs,
Newcastle, on Sunday.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 11
Saturday, November 10
Daily WHUFC News - 10th November 2012
Firstly a massive thanks to Terry OConnor for filling in doing the digest
for the past week at very short notice. Thanks Terry :)
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Newcastle United match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to St
James' Park
10.11.2012
NEWCASTLE UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Newcastle United seeking their second away
Barclays Premier League victory of the season and looking to build on last
weekend's fine goalless home draw with champions Manchester City. The
Hammers start the weekend in ninth place, having collected 15 points from
their opening ten league fixtures.
• Newcastle United start the weekend one point and one place below the
Hammers in tenth. The Magpies picked up a creditable 1-1 draw at Liverpool
in their most-recent Barclays Premier League outing at Anfield last Sunday.
Newcastle were also in action on Thursday evening, when they came from two
goals down to draw 2-2 at Belgian side Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League
group stage.
• The Hammers have picked up four points from four matches on the road so
far this term, winning at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), drawing at Norwich City
(0-0) and losing at Swansea City (0-3) and Wigan Athletic (1-2). Newcastle
United have won three of their five home league matches so far, as well as
scoring victories over Atromitos, Bordeaux and Club Brugge in the UEFA
Europa League at St James' Park.
• Both managers will be facing their former clubs on Sunday. West Ham United
boss Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United between May 2007 and
December 2008, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was in charge at West
Ham United between 2003 and 2006 - the tenth manager in the club's history.
Pardew led the Hammers to promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs
in 2005 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
• Hammers pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll will also be returning to St
James' Park after successful spells with the Magpies. Nolan captained the
club to promotion from the Championship in 2009/10, with local hero Carroll
leading the charge by scoring 17 goals. Sunday's game will also see West Ham
United come up against former striker Demba Ba, who became a cult figure at
the Boleyn Gruond by scoring seven goals in 13 appearances between January
and May 2011.
• Andy Carroll scored his first Newcastle United goal on his first
competitive start for the club at St James' Park on 10 January 2009. Carroll
scored the final goal in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Earlier, former Magpies
striker Craig Bellamy cancelled out Michael Owen's opening goal before
Carlton Cole put the Hammers in front ten minutes after the break. The home
side earned a point when Carroll headed in Damien Duff's cross with 12
minutes to play.
• Sunday's game will be the 122nd meeting between the two clubs. Newcastle
United have recorded 49 victories, West Ham United 37 wins and there have
been 35 draws.
• Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last nine home league matches
against West Ham United. The Hammers' most-recent victory at St James' Park
came on 31 October 1998, when Ian Wright scored twice and Trevor Sinclair
once in a 3-0 Premier League success.
• West Ham United and Newcastle United have met twice previously on 11
November. The two clubs drew 0-0 in Division Two at the Boleyn Ground in
1989, while the Magpies scored a 1-0 Division One victory at St James' Park
in 1967.
• The Hammers have contested 12 fixtures on 11 November in years gone by,
winning three, drawing three and losing six.
Team news
• West Ham United will hand fitness tests to centre-backs James Collins and
James Tomkins. Collins suffered a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with
Manchester City last Saturday, while Tomkins hurt his groin in training the
previous week. Right-back Guy Demel has returned to full training following
a thigh problem and is expected to travel with the squad.
• The Hammers will definitely be without the injured Jack Collison (knee),
Alou Diarra (thigh), Matt Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder).
• Newcastle United are hoping striker Demba Ba (calf) and France midfielder
Yohan Cabaye (hamstring) will be fit to start against the Hammers. Utlilty
man James Perch (thigh), midfielder Dan Gosling (knee), forward Haris Vuckic
(knee) and full-back Ryan Taylor (knee) are definitely sidelined.
• Magpies captain and Argentina centre-back Fabricio Coloccini will miss the
game through suspension after being sent-off in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool
last Sunday. Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote is also suspended, having
been sent-off in the North East derby with Sunderland on 21 October.
Last time out
Saturday 3 November 2012
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, McCartney, Collins (Spence
84), Benayoun, Noble, Jarvis, Diame (O'Neil, 72), Nolan, Carroll (Cole 78)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Maiga, Hall, Chambers
Thursday 8 November 2012
UEFA Europa League Group
Club Brugge 2-2 Newcastle United
Newcastle: Krul, Williamson (S.Taylor 59), Tavernier, Coloccini, Tiote,
Marveaux, Obertan, Anita, Bigirimana (Cabaye 72), Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi
(Amalfitano 83)
Subs not used: Cisse, Elliot, Ferguson, Santon
Goals: Anita 41, Shola Ameobi 43
Last meeting
A hat-trick from Leon Best saw Newcastle United romp to a 5-0 home Barclays
Premier League victory over West Ham United on Wednesday 5 January 2011. The
majority of the 42,387 inside St James' Park enjoyed watching Best net after
18, 39 and 60 minutes. Future Hammer Kevin Nolan scored Newcastle's third
goal on the stroke of half-time before Peter Lovenkrands completed the rout
on 63 minutes. The lineups that evening were:
Newcastle United: Harper, Taylor (Williamson 46), Enrique, Simpson,
Coloccini, Barton, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Tiote, Nolan, Best (Ranger 64),
Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Routledge
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Ben-Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac
(Obinna 46), Noble (Hines 71), Piquionne (Behrami 46), C Cole, F Sears
Subs not used: Reid, Boffin, Spector, Barrera
Head to head
Last six meetings (all Barclays Premier League)
5 January 2011 - Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham United
23 October 2010 - West Ham United 1-2 Newcastle United
10 January 2009 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
20 September 2008 - West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United
26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 37, D 35, L 49
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
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)
Newcastle United
2011/12 Premier League 5th (65 points)
2010/11 Premier League 12th (46 points)
2009/10 Championship 1st (102 points - promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 18th (34 points - relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2006/07 Premier League 13th (43 points)
2005/06 Premier League 7th (58 points)
2004/05 Premier League 14th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 5th (56 points)
2002/03 Premier League 3rd (69 points)
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Mike Dean, who also took charge of West Ham United's
most-recent visit to Newcastle United in January 2011.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean has taken charge of both West Ham United and Newcastle United on 30
occasions. The 44-year-old took charge of West Ham's 1-0 opening day home
win over Aston Villa in August, but has yet to officiate at a Magpies
fixture this season.
Old boys
• West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan scored 30 goals in 91 appearances for
Newcastle United between January 2009 and May 2011, captaining the Magpies
to the Championship title in 2009/10.
• Hammers striker Andy Carroll was born in Gateshead and came through the
Academy ranks at Newcastle United. The 23-year-old netted 33 goals in 91
games for the Magpies before joining Liverpool in a record £35m deal in
January 2011.
• Newcastle United striker Demba Ba played 13 times for West Ham United
between January and May 2011, scoring seven goals. The Senegal international
joined Newcastle United in summer 2011.
• Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United 24 times between May 2007
and January 2008, winning eight matches, losing ten and drawing six.
• Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew spent a little more than three years
in charge at West Ham between October 2003 and December 2006. Pardew led the
Hammers to promotion via the play-offs in 2004/05 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
In total, he took charge of 163 matches, winning 67, losing 58 and drawing
38.
• Others who have played for both clubs include Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer,
Franz Carr, John Dowsey, Kieron Dyer, Dave Gardner, Paul Goddard, Shaka
Hislop, James Jackson, Vic Keeble, Matthew Kingsley, Paul Kitson, Robert
Lee, Joe Loughlin, Scott Parker, Stuart Pearce, Wayne Quinn, Bryan 'Pop'
Robson, George Robson, Keith Robson, Harold Smith, Nolberto Solano, Hal Tate
and David Terrier.
General information
• For ticket information, click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Newcastle is for sunny intervals and a maximum
temperature of 8C (47F).
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Big Sam on Newcastle United
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager spoke to the press ahead of Sunday's trip to St
James' Park
09.11.2012
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to returning to St
James' Park for Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Newcastle
United. Big Sam, captain Kevin Nolan and striker Andy Carroll will all head
back to their former club eager to inspire the Hammers to another valuable
victory.
The manager is hoping Carroll can notch his first goal for the club at his
old stomping ground, while he also suggested that Nolan could force his way
into the senior England squad if he maintains his own impressive scoring
record.
Sam, do you have any team news ahead of Sunday's game?
SA - "Our team news is that we're waiting patiently for James Tomkins and
James Collins who are two key players for this weekend. We hope at least one
of them will pass a fitness test, which will probably happen on Saturday.
Guy Demel has been back in training this week and will join the squad. Other
than that, we're not too bad. We obviously have other players out injured
but those are the two key players [Tomkins and Collins] because it would
leave us with only Winston Reid as a central defender. We hope one of those
two will be fit, or both of them."
West Ham United have a tough-looking run of fixtures between now and
Christmas. What would be an acceptable points tally and league position at
the end of the next eight games?
SA - "I wouldn't say that I could predict that we could get this or that
many points. It's a case of trying to collect points from each game as it
comes. Obviously, to win a lot of those games will be more difficult because
of the size of the teams we face. Last weekend, people certainly didn't
expect us to win, but many didn't expect us to get a draw against Manchester
City but we did. That's what we're looking for - results rather than
victories in terms of the teams we're playing against. If we can get any
wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a massive bonus for us.
Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than Chelsea or Manchester
United as being where we might get those wins, but it might not work out
like that. As long as we can keep accumulating points, then that's the most
important thing."
You go back to Newcastle United on Sunday. Is there still an extra edge to
this fixture for you?
SA - "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. They happened when I got the
Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got
relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we [Blackburn] went up to
Newcastle and played them. Next time we met them, I got sacked by Blackburn!
It's all gone. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then.
It's far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Life moves on.
I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. It's
a piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to. For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle - it was
a change of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their
own man in. I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by,
I have no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
What sort of reception are you expecting at St James' Park?
SA - "I had a pretty good reception last time I went back with Blackburn -
probably not at the end of the game because we won the game 2-1 if I
remember correctly! It's more important for Kevin and Andy to go and give a
good performance. Those two players served Newcastle superbly before they
left. They were absolutely outstanding for that club and they will obviously
want to do very, very well."
Andy Carroll is still looking for his first goal for the club. Are you
worried? Is Andy worried?
SA - "I don't think he is worried. I hope he's not because the more he is,
the less likely he is to get that goal that he's looking for. I'm certainly
not overly concerned. We'd all like him to get off the mark but, as every
player will tell you, our main aim is to achieve results. If you're getting
results and your main striker is scoring goals, then that's fantastic, but
if they're not then as long as you're getting the results then that is the
most important thing."
Everton's Leon Osman has received his first senior England call-up at the
age of 31. Is there a case that Kevin Nolan should also earn a place in Roy
Hodgson's squad?
SA - "If Kevin keeps scoring goals from midfield, who knows? He should be on
five goals from ten games after last weekend, but the assistant referee took
it away from him. It was a brilliant piece of technique. If you're
consistently scoring goals in the Barclays Premier League then you can't
ignore it. I don't think you can, anyway. I think anyone should think they
have got a chance of a call-up if they are playing well in this league.
Osman has been outstanding for Everton this year, as Kevin has been for us.
If he keeps scoring more goals, then you never know."
How do you assess your opening ten Barclays Premier League games?
SA - "Our first ten games have been excellent. There have only been two
blips out of ten, which for a newly-promoted side [is good]. Those were the
two poor away performances at Swansea and Wigan. The rest of our
performances have been up there. The only other disappointment was the last
ten minutes against Arsenal when they clinched the victory. Everything else
has been fine. We were a little frustrated that we didn't beat Sunderland
down here because we produced an outstanding performance. Other than that,
things have been OK."
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Hammers down Gunners
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad beat Arsenal 2-1 on Friday to stay top of
the table
09.11.2012
West Ham United Development Squad took a giant stride towards the Barclays
U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage by winning 2-1 at Arsenal on Friday.
Goals at either end of the second half from Rob Hall and Paul McCallum
(pictured) helped the Hammers to complete a Group 1 double over the Gunners,
stretching their lead at the top of the table to five points. With three
matches remaining, Ian Hendon's side are nine points ahead of third-place
Norwich City, who have a game in-hand. One more victory should secure a
place in the post-Christmas Elite Group Stage, where West Ham could come up
against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United
and Liverpool.
Hendon said: "It was almost a mirror-image of the first-team match in the
Barclays Premier League in that they had plenty of possession and we looked
to hit them on the counter-attack. Thankfully, we were able to hold out
after they equalised and we got the win at the end. "We scored our goals at
good times - just after half-time and with a few minutes to go. We should
also have had a penalty when Blair Turgott was brought down in the box.
We've beaten Arsenal home and away now, which is a great achievement at any
level. "We are virtually assured of our place in the Elite Group Stage now,
which makes me feel very proud. Arsenal have to play Norwich, so they can't
both catch us now unless we lose our final three matches and I certainly
don't plan on us doing that!"
Focusing on Friday's fine win, the Hammers produced yet another resilient
performance to chalk up their fourth away victory in six matches this
season.
West Ham started the game well, hitting the post after just five minutes
when centre-back Eoin Wearen headed Blair Turgott's free-kick against the
upright. Irishman Wearen was later forced off with a knee injury midway
through the opening period, with Pelly Ruddock replacing him. Arsenal came
back into things as the half wore on, but wasteful finishing from Chuba
Akpom and Kris Olsson meant the match remained goalless. It took just a few
seconds of the second period for that to change, however, as Hall took the
ball from the kick-off and slalomed his way through the Gunners before
planting his shot past Poland international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and
into the net to put the visitors in front.
Unsurprisingly, the Gunners reacted to falling behind by putting pressure on
their opponents. Akpom and Thomas Eisfled both forced Raphael Spiegel into
making smart saves, but the Switzerland Under-20 goalkeeper could do nothing
to stop Serge Gnabry from levelling matters with 12 minutes remaining.
It looked as if both sides would have to settle for a draw as the game
entered its final stages, particularly when Hall's free-kick curled narrowly
wide of the post.
The England Under-19 forward was replaced seconds later and it was his
replacement, midfielder Jack Powell, whose own set piece led to the winner.
Powell's corner was met by Sebastian Lletget, whose shot was deflected onto
the crossbar. McCallum reacted quickest to convert his fifth goal of the
season. West Ham played out time to record their eighth victory in eleven
attempts this term. Hendon's side have 25 points, with second-place Arsenal
on 20, Norwich on 16 and Reading on 15. A top-two finish would definitely
take the Hammers through to the Elite Group Stage, while they should also
qualify as one of the two best third-place teams, regardless of how their
final three fixtures pan out.
The Development Squad return to action next Friday evening at 7pm, when West
Bromwich Albion are the visitors to Rush Green.
*West Ham United's youth team host Arsenal in Barclays U18 Premier League
Group 1 on Saturday morning. Kick-off at Little Heath is at 11am, with
parking
and admission both free of charge.
Development Squad: Spiegel, Driver, Wearen (Ruddock 25), Potts, Shaw,
Turgott, Moncur, Lletget, Fanimo, Hall (Powell 86), McCallum
Subs not used: Guzman Rosique, Piquionne, E.Lee
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Vice-Chairman scoops top award
WHUFC.com
Karren Brady has been named fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year
09.11.2012
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Vice-Chairman Karren
Brady on winning the prestigious fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year Award
at the Football Business Awards. Karren has overseen a hugely successful
period for the Hammers both on and off the field, making an instant impact
by implementing change that has seen the club's fortunes go from strength to
strength. Karren has brought the club back to its core values, celebrating
West Ham's role at the heart of the east London community through the Moore
than a Football Club brand and has grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots
and an international level. Her ability to grow commercial revenue at every
operational level of the business has seen the club record its first
operating profit in recent history.
Karren beat off competition from an acclaimed shortlist to scoop the award,
which recognises the essential role that business plays in football,
following her outstanding contribution to the club's fortunes in 2012.
Karren, who collected her award at the event at Stamford Bridge on Thursday,
said: "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of West Ham United and
particularly my dedicated and supportive Chairmen David Sullivan, David Gold
and our fantastic loyal fanbase. West Ham United is a truly special club and
I feel privileged to be here. We've made real progress in our three year
tenure but there is more work to be done. The best is yet to come for West
Ham."
The club are relishing life back in the Barclays Premier League, having made
their best start to a top-flight campaign this millennium. Brady's close
working relationship with her fellow Board members and manager Sam Allardyce
helped to secure the marquee loan signing of Andy Carroll, the most
expensive English footballer in history, on a season-long loan deal from
Liverpool. The England international's arrival complemented the other
high-profile signings the Hammers made during the summer, including
record-signing Matt Jarvis, Senegal international Momo Diame and former
France captain Alou Diarra, among others. West Ham fans have shown their
appreciation for the positive progress on the pitch - the last three home
games have been complete sell-outs with the next five matches predicted to
follow suit.
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'We're passing and moving'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's style of play is proving popular with striker Andy Carroll
09.11.2012
As a top-class England international, Andy Carroll is comfortable playing in
any formation. Speaking ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to
his first club Newcastle United, West Ham United's No8 revealed that he is
loving life in Sam Allardyce's successful 4-3-3 system, where his
outstanding talent and impressive physical attributes make him an
influential figure. Carroll's all-round skills mean he is as comfortable
receiving a pass to feet as he is challenging for a cross with his head. The
striker believes Big Sam is utilising him perfectly, pointing to West Ham's
strong start to the season as evidence that the tactics are working well.
"Everyone talks about Big Sam's style being 'just launching it up' but you
can see that it's not like that," Carroll told West Ham TV. during Part 1 of
an exclusive interview that is available to view now. "We pass it into feet
and pass it around and I have the ball at my feet enough to show what I'm
all about.
"I obviously have Kev around to help us with a couple of one-twos and
holding the ball up so I think that's what we're all about - it's not just
about throwing the ball up and getting around what I am going to do. "We're
passing and moving and I think we're playing great at the minute."
Carroll's strengths were there for all to see during Saturday's goalless
draw with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The 23-year-old
caused untold problems for Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, coming
agonisingly close to netting his first goal in claret and blue when he saw
one shot curl narrowly wide and an overhead kick deflected just past the
post. "I think it was a good game for me. I was involved a lot and had a few
chances and we had the chance to nick the game. Kev's goal being disallowed
was disappointing, but we played well and I thought I put myself about.
"Against Wigan we didn't really do much and it was disappointing, but City
was a good game for me like the Fulham game. "It was tough and was always
going to be against players like Kompany. Like I said, we played well and
had our chances and could have probably nicked it."
It is no coincidence that Carroll's good form has resulted from him being
reunited with close friend and former Newcastle United team-mate Kevin
Nolan. The pair, who attended The Bodyguard musical with their respective
partners in the West End on Wednesday evening, have been best pals since
Nolan joined the Magpies in 2009. Carroll was naturally delighted when the
duo joined forces again when he moved to east London in August. When asked
why a 30-year-old from Liverpool and a 23-year-old from Newcastle upon Tyne
get on so well, Carroll explained that they share similar interests and an
identical sense of humour. However, he pointed out that Nolan was not so
friendly before he had broken into the Newcastle first team! "I think we got
closer when I started scoring goals and he thought he could be my mate then!
He wanted to be my friend then, but before when I was sitting on the bench
he didn't want to know us!
"We very rarely talk about football or music, to be honest. It's usually
either me having a pop at him or him having a pop at me, or we're having a
pop at someone! That's just what it is - banter! "It doesn't really matter
what anyone says to us, we just look at each other and say the same thing
back at them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle v West Ham
KO 15:00
BBC.co.uk
9 November 2012
By John Murray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: St James' Park Date: Sunday, 11 November
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle are without Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote, who are
respectively serving the first and final games of their three-match bans.
James Perch (thigh) is out and Danny Simpson (shoulder) a doubt, but Demba
Ba (shin) should return.
West Ham also have defensive worries as James Collins and James Tomkins
require fitness tests for unspecified injuries. Guy Demel may play after
overcoming a hernia problem but Ricardo Vaz Te, Jack Collison and Matthew
Taylor are out.
MATCH PREVIEW
It seems only five minutes since Andy Carroll was proudly wearing the number
nine on the back of his black and white striped shirt as he dominated
defences and banged in goals for Newcastle United. It is just five months
since he was brilliantly heading England in front against Sweden at Euro
2012. Now he returns to Tyneside as West Ham's on-loan number eight, not
having scored in a competitive match since that group game in Kiev.
Alan Pardew could be forgiven if he gives off the air of a man who has now
moved on to bigger and better things since he was let go by West Ham almost
six years ago. Sam Allardyce will probably always feel like he was never
given a proper chance by the Mapgies, his services having been dispensed
with after only eight months into the job at St James' Park.
This may not be the worst time for Allardyce, Kevin Nolan et al to return.
As I was commentating on Newcastle's match at Anfield for Radio 5 live last
Sunday we remarked on what a costly afternoon that had been for them. Demba
Ba ought to be fit to play against his former team-mates, but James Perch is
out, as is their captain Fabricio Coloccini following his late dismissal.
Add to that Cheik Tiote's continued absence as he completes his domestic
suspension following his red card at Sunderland last month. At least Yohan
Cabaye was able to play a part for Newcastle in Belgium in the Europa League
on Thursday night, having been another to limp off on Merseyside. Thus far,
Newcastle have coped with the demands of their added European commitments
relatively well. Their only defeats this season have been to Chelsea and
Manchester United.
But with those absentees and the fact that Andy Carroll will surely be
something of a man on a mission, Newcastle could have quite a challenge on
their hands in this one.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have failed to win any of their last nine visits to Newcastle.
Their last victory at St James' Park was in October 1998.
Sam Allardyce's reign at Newcastle may not have been a happy one but his
side did beat the Hammers on the only occasion they met under him - a 3-1
win in September 2007.
Newcastle
Newcastle have lost only one of their last eight league games, a 3-0 home
defeat by Manchester United.
The Magpies are eight points down on this stage last season, when they sat
third in the league table.
Alan Pardew's men are unbeaten when scoring first this season, but are yet
to win after conceding the opening goal.
It's over two years since the Magpies came from behind to win a league game
- a 2-1 victory at West Ham in October 2010. Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan,
now both with the Hammers, scored the goals that day.
Alan Pardew was West Ham manager from 2003 to 2006. He led the club to
promotion to the Premier League in 2004-05 and they were FA Cup runners up
in 2006.
West Ham
West Ham are yet to win outside London so far this season. Their only away
triumph to date came across the capital at QPR.
The Hammers have failed to win in their last four Premier League visits to
the north-east, losing each of the last two without scoring.
Sam Allardyce's men have not scored in the first half of their last three
league matches, and in six of their 10 first halves in total this season.
Andy Carroll scored 31 goals in 78 league appearances for Newcastle from
2006 to 2011, while Kevin Nolan made 85 league appearances (29 goals) for
Newcastle between 2009 to 2011.
Sam Allardyce won eight of 24 matches as Newcastle manager from May 2007 to
January 2008.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alan Pardew: I want Andy Carroll back at Newcastle
BBC.co.uk
Alan Pardew wants to bring Andy Carroll back to Newcastle when his West Ham
loan expires. Carroll, 23, is on loan with the Hammers - who visit St James'
Park on Sunday - until the end of the season. But Magpies manager Pardew is
keen to re-sign him having sold the striker to Liverpool for £35m in January
2011. "He's a Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to
move permanently," said Pardew. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for
that."
England striker Carroll scored 31 goals in 80 league appearances for
Newcastle before moving to Anfield. He returns to St James' Park along with
former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan.
And Pardew told BBC Sport he would also re-sign midfielder Nolan, who joined
West Ham from Newcastle in June 2011, if he could afford to. Former West Ham
boss Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want to come back and
certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now because we would be
stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me from doing that."
Pardew believes Newcastle owe Carroll a "great debt" for generating £35m for
the club when he joined Liverpool. The Newcastle manager says the cash
enabled the Magpies to finish fifth last season and qualify for the Europa
League. "The fee was astronomical, we have used it well," he added.
Newcastle have signed Papiss Cisse from Freiburg for £9m, Yohan Cabaye from
Lille for £4.8m and Demba Ba from West Ham on a free since Carroll left the
north east almost two years ago. "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is
because we used the money from Andy's sale well," said Pardew. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he has moved on from his
turbulent time as Newcastle boss as he prepares to return with the Hammers
on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle almost five years ago. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then," said Allardyce. "Life
moves on, I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I
can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle trip does not have extra edge for West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 4:58pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he bears no grudges as he prepares to
take his side to Newcastle on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by the Magpies
almost five years ago and he insists he has already banished the memories of
his dismissal after returning to St James' Park during his spell in charge
of Blackburn. Asked whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge,
Allardyce said: "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened
when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that
they got relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we went up to
Newcastle and played them.
"There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I
don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a
piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to."
Following last weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City,West Ham sit
ninth in the Premier League table, one point and one place above Newcastle,
after embarking on a tough run of fixtures. Allardyce said: "We're looking
for results rather than victories in terms of the teams we're playing
against. If we can get any wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a
massive bonus for us. "Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than
Chelseaor Manchester United as being where we might get those wins, but it
might not work out like that. "As long as we can keep accumulating points,
then that's the most important thing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to bring striker Andy Carroll back to St
James' Park
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 7:29pm
SSN
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has expressed a desire to bring striker Andy
Carroll back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 80 league
games for the Magpies before moving to Liverpool for £35m in January last
year. Carroll's future remains uncertain, but for now will be preparing for
a mixed reception on Sunday from the Newcastle fans as he returns to his old
home in a West Ham shirt. Speaking about his former player, currently on
loan at Upton Park until the end of the season, Pardew told the BBC: "He's a
Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to move
permanently. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for that."
Speaking about Carroll and midfielder Kevin Nolan, who joined West Ham from
Newcastle in June 2011, Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want
to come back and certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now
because we would be stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me
from doing that."
The Magpies have certainly not been hindered by Carroll's exit 22 months
ago, currently 10th in the Premier League, with Senegal duo Demba Ba and
Papiss Cisse impressing up front. Pardew has been rewarded for reinvesting
some of the £35m received for Carroll and added: "The position we are in, if
I'm honest, is because we used the money from Andy's sale well. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll prepares to line up for West Ham against former club Newcastle
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 12:39pm
SSN
Newcastle welcome Sam Allardyce, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan back to
Tyneside when West Ham are the visitors on Sunday. The Magpies will be
looking to put one over on these familiar faces as they can leapfrog the
Hammers with a win at St James' Park. Alan Pardew's side have every reason
to be confident ahead of the clash, having been beaten just three times - by
Manchester United (twice) and Chelsea - so far this season. But Newcastle
have endured the trickier build-up with a trip to Bruges in the Europa
League on Thursday and will be without the suspended duo of Cheick Tiote and
Fabricio Coloccini. That will encourage Allardyce that there is hope of a
win here and he'll be aiming to build on the positives from a steely display
against Premier League champions Manchester City last time out.
West Ham earned a goalless draw on that occasion and the manager may feel a
point would be a good result for a club that has won just three of their
last 41 Premier League away games. Whether Carroll and Nolan would be quite
so happy to go goalless against their old club is another matter.
Newcastle
Last 6
2-2
1-1
2-1
1-0
1-1
0-3
The Magpies must do without Cheick Tiote and skipper Fabricio Coloccini who
are both serving suspensions for red cards. James Perch is also out and
Danny Simpson remains a doubt so Alan Pardew is short of options at the
back. But he will be able to call on Jonas Gutierrez, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben
Arfa who were all rested for the trip to Bruges in midweek.
West Ham
Last 6
0-0
2-1
4-1
1-3
1-2
1-4
There are problems at the heart of the Hammers defence with James Collins
and James Tomkins both facing late fitness tests to conform their
availability.
If both are unfit then the visitors will be forced into a reshuffle with
Winston Reid the only fit centre-back. There is better news for right-back
Guy Demel who has returned to training following a hernia problem but Jack
Collison (knee), Matthew Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) remain
out.
Opta Facts
Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan have played in this fixture twice (both for
Newcastle), netting on both occasions.
Sam Allardyce has won his last four matches as a Premier League coach
against Newcastle, including the two games since they fired him in January
2008.
West Ham have only won three of their last 41 Premier League games away from
Upton Park, with two of those wins coming against fellow London sides.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
lan Pardew says sale of Andy Carroll has paved way for Newcastle's success
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 6:26pm
SSN
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is looking forward to welcoming Andy Carroll
back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old striker will return to Tyneside,
along with former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan, as part of the West Ham
squad for Sunday's Premier League game. Carroll is on loan at Upton Park
after Liverpool allowed him to move on, but Pardew believes his £35m move to
Anfield in January 2011 has paved the way for Newcastle's recent success. He
said: "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is because we used the money
from Andy's sale well. "He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was
astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him. "It's
nice to see Kevin come back. He did a super job here. Whatever he was asked
to do, he conducted himself well. And he gets a goal. He has proven that at
any level, he will get a goal. "I'm looking forward to seeing them both and
I enjoyed working with them.
"There will be a lot on the game. Kevin will be determined to get a result,
as will Andy and the manager coming back."
The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been recruited
since Carroll and 30-year-old Nolan left the club and, while Pardew is well
aware of the pair's individual talents, he has no complaints over his lot
after guiding the club to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last
season and back into Europe. He said: "Both of those players would be good
additions to this squad, but players have to move on for the sake of the
team. That's the Andy Carroll one. "Kevin was a bit different, he wanted a
long contract we wouldn't commit to, but he got one at West Ham. "He
deserves it because he is a great player, but the board didn't think the
long contract for Kevin was something he would get here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is looking forward to his return to Newcastle
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
November 9, 2012 9:13am
SSN
West Ham United loanee Andy Carroll admits he is looking forward to
returning to former club Newcastle this weekend. The former Newcastle No.9
striker was jeered by home fans when he played at St James' Park with parent
club Liverpool last season on his first return to the club after leaving
Tyneside for Anfield in January 2011. Carroll is expecting another hostile
reception and he insists he is keen to get a win after losing with Liverpool
last season. "I am looking forward to going home," said Carroll. "I went
back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all
good. "I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we were beaten."
Carroll's West Ham team-mate Kevin Nolan, who is also coming up against his
former club, hopes the big striker is shown some respect from the Newcastle
fans. "Andy might not get the best reception because I know he has been back
there and got a bit of stick," said Nolan. "I am hoping that Andy gets
respect, as they know what efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and
helping them to be where they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically
about it before the game - he is a big character. "We both had some
fantastic times up there. Now 50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But
if we went out in the evening they would probably still want pictures."
First goal
Carroll has failed to score in all six of his games for the Hammers since
joining them on a season-long loan from Liverpool in August and Nolan hopes
he can break his duck against Newcastle. "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking," added Nolan. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he
scores for us is on Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully
win the game for us and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
My wife told me to quit..
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE'S wife begged him to quit football after he was sacked by
Newcastle. Big Sam revealed the personal pain behind his axing by new owner
Mike Ashley eight months after taking over at Toon. He returns to St James'
Park tomorrow as West Ham boss insisting there is no animosity. But there is
still plenty of frustration for him and his missus, Lynne, more than four
years later. Allardyce said: "It was the hardest sacking to take because I
thought that job was THE right one. "I thought it was the next step, a big
club, big fan base, big budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that.
"The issue is your professionalism has been questioned, your ability to do
this particular job has been questioned. "It's the damage to your career
that you've spent years and years and years putting together. The only
reason cited to me was they wanted to move in their own direction because I
wasn't the man that was selected by them, I was already there. "At the end
of the day you have to accept that and move on. "I felt terribly low. My
wife said 'for God's sake you're better off out of it, is it worth it?'
"They go through more stress and pressure than you because they sit and
watch you go through it all and see what no one else sees. That's why she
said what she did. "But she also understands I am a football man and even in
the tough times I need to do this job, it's a drug. "I shook hands with Mike
when I went back with Blackburn. "He has worked it out — how to run a
football club — and he is getting Newcastle to be what I wanted them to be,
a team pushing for Europe and the Champions League."
At 58 Allardyce has done well to be sacked only three times as a manager —
by Blackpool, Newcastle and most recently Blackburn. After leaving Ewood
Park last year he took time out to travel the world and returned to the game
a wiser man. Tomorrow's clash throws up a complex web of connections between
the clubs. Toon boss Alan Pardew managed West Ham out of the Championship in
2005 — as Big Sam did last season. Newcastle striker Demba Ba made his name
at Upton Park before quitting, having been assaulted by a fan at the
end-of-season party following relegation. And West Ham will be led from the
front by ex-Newcastle pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. Carroll was left
out of the England squad for Wednesday's friendly in Sweden but Allardyce
reckons Nolan should be a contender for inclusion. He said: "Kevin's got
four Premier League goals and at 29 is showing what he can still produce.
"If you're scoring goals consistently in the Premier League then you can't
be ignored. "Going back to Newcastle is water under the bridge for me. I
think it's more important for Kevin and Andy."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I don't hate Toon for axing me
The Sun
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he holds no grudges against Newcastle despite being
sacked from the Toon hotseat. Big Sam takes West Ham to St James' Park on
Sunday knowing a win would pull the Hammers four points clear of the club he
was axed from nearly five years ago. Allardyce has since been back to the
North East as Blackburn manager and has already banished the memories of
Mike Ashley's decision, taken just months after he took over the club. Asked
whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge, Allardyce said: "No, not
for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened when I got the Blackburn
job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got relegated, so I
didn't meet them again until we went up to Newcastle and played them. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I don't
live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a piece
of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd liked it
to. "For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle — it was a change
of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their own man
in. "I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by, I have
no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toon tirade awaits Andy Carroll again
By CARL LONG
Published: 09th November 2012
The Sun
ANDY CARROLL is desperate to erase the memory of his nightmare return to
Newcastle. The former Toon hero was jeered before being hauled off in his
first return with parent club Liverpool last season. Carroll stormed down
the tunnel just moments after he was booked following a dive that saw him
confronted by former team-mate Tim Krul in April's 2-0 defeat. Now the
£35million hitman returns as a West Ham player on Sunday expecting another
red-hot reception — but bidding for a different outcome. England ace
Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home. "I went back with
Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all good. "I
want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I went we
were beaten."
Gateshead-born Carroll faces a rough ride from the fans who have not
forgiven him for forcing through a deadline-day move to Anfield in January
2011. But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect". Nolan, also a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy
might not get the best reception because I know he has been back there and
got a bit of stick. "I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what
efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where
they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game
— he is a big character. "We both had some fantastic times up there. "Now
50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But if we went out in the evening
they would probably still want pictures." Carroll is still waiting to break
his West Ham duck and has now gone over seven hours since scoring for his
new club. But midfielder Nolan, 30, added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on
Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us
and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Now it's Moan City
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 09th November 2012
SAT NOV 3
THE Legend of Carlos Tevez at West Ham has been written and The Lord himself
could not wipe the tablet clean. I have to admit my view of him will always
be shadowed by the enormous financial burden his transfer dumped on to my
club. On the field it is very different and, of course, he is loved by our
supporters. They will always regard him as an honorary bubble-blower. They
showed their affection today in our goal-less draw with Man City. Tevez
responds with the Hammers salute.
SUN NOV 4
TOP footballers are paid far too much. I think everyone bar the PFA agrees
about that, so sitting with some other PL directors I recommend my own plan
for combating even higher wages. On the back of each player's shirt, instead
of a squad number, he should show the amount he earns in millions annually.
Wayne Rooney could be 13.5 while John Terry would display 9.6 (taking fines
into account). All right, I'm not being really serious but I agree with West
Ham co-owner David Gold that the new TV deals, worth at least £15million
more to each club, must not be swallowed up by ever more ridiculous player
contracts.
MON NOV 5
BEING spiteful about David Beckham is akin to chucking mud pies at Nelson's
Column. Today I see that even as far away from the phenomenon of the
Beckhams as New Zealand, a sly remark about the second best known Englishman
in the world is threatening the career of Prime Minister John Key. He is
alleged to have muttered that Becks is "as thick as bat s***". Among the
many angry protests over there is one, I imagine, from the pro-bat society,
Vampires R Us, who are demanding either free time at his jugular or a
retraction.
TUES NOV 6
ROBERTO MANCINI behaves more decisively than one or two of his defenders up
at the Etihad Stadium. He strides on to the pitch to complain to referee
Peter Rasmussen about a late ruling that just about scuppers Manchester
City's Champions League dream for another season. What on earth is he doing
there? Rasmussen is not able to change his mind, even if he wishes to. So it
is a senseless whine in what amounts to a pathetic campaign. Mancini was
boasting last week that seven or eight clubs approached him just before he
signed a new five-year contract with City. I'm not impressed by that,
either.
WED NOV 7
TONIGHT'S the night all right for old rocker Rod Stewart. The veteran singer
is shown on TV sobbing in the arms of a friend — but the biggest surprise is
that it was not a leggy blonde but a bald male mate. Stewart has never been
slow to claim Celtic are the greatest club in the universe and, God bless
them, they go a little way to proving it by beating Barcelona in a Glasgow
classic. I can put up with plenty of Scottish bombast so long as they don't
play the bagpipes. Note, though, that even Lionel Messi seems unable to stop
Barca fraying at the edges.
THURS NOV 8
TONIGHT I am at Chelsea for a star-studded event picking up the 2012
Football CEO of the Year award. Next year will be my 20th in football and, I
have to say, in a room of 500 people (90 per cent male) I was extremely
proud to accept the award on behalf of my loyal and fantastic staff but, in
particular, my dedicated and supportive chairmen David Sullivan and David
Gold. West Ham is a truly special club and I feel privileged to be guiding
its future. I get a lot of texts of congratulations from across the clubs in
football. Even one from my pal at Arsenal, which was kind bearing in mind
one of the other contenders up for the award was their CEO Ivan Gazidis, who
I respect very much.
FRI NOV 9
I'M broad-minded — in my industry you have to be. But what I witnessed
tonight would scare Clare Balding rigid! I have a flat in London. Over the
years, so many people have had keys, I've lost track of the comings and
goings. Until tonight. It's 1am, I've been filming all day. I'm back at the
flat and, as I open the door, I realise I've led a very sheltered life.
Whilst their sports and physical attributes are very different, my uninvited
guests certainly share the same mindset.
Before making my excuses and exiting to my own room, I warn them that if
they are staying in town after the Sports Personality of the Year Award
night, they'll have to find another venue!
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Payback Tyne? Allardyce, Carroll and Nolan still angry at being kicked out
of Toon
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 22:30
Richard Heathcote
Sam Allardyce has claimed his Newcastle sacking hit him so hard his wife
urged him to give up football. And the West Ham boss insisted Andy Carroll
and Kevin Nolan never wanted to leave St James' Park either. The trio of
ex-Toon stars return to the north-east together tomorrow with the happy
Hammers sitting above Newcastle in the Premier League table. Allardyce won
both matches against them in his next job with Blackburn and insisted he
feels "no animosity" towards Newcastle or Mike Ashley. He even said the Toon
owner has now "worked out" how to run a club by giving Alan Pardew an
eight-year contract. But the 58-year-old, who boasts his skin is as thick as
a rhino and an elephant, is clearly still scarred by his dismissal after
only 21 Premier League games in January 2008. "You are always upset when you
lose your job - it is a very distressing time for you and your family," he
said. "It was the hardest one to take because I thought the job was the
right one. I thought it was the next step, a big club, big fanbase, big
budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that. So it happened, I left
and I moved on. "People start saying, 'He'll be all right, he's got that
much money'. But that is not the issue. "The issue is your professionalism
has been questioned, your ability to do this particular job has been
questioned. "It's the damage to your career you've spent years and years and
years putting together and accumulating and proving that you are a quality
manager. "I felt terribly low. It was about six or seven months that I
thought about even thinking about another job. "My wife (Lynn) said I should
give up. She said: 'For God's sake, 'you're better off out of it, is it
worth it?' "The thing is they go through more stress and pressure than you
because they sit and watch you go through it all. But she understands what I
am, a football man and even in the tough times I need to do this job, it's a
drug. I don't manage for money I manage for glory."
Allardyce conceded his sacking cost him the chance of becoming England
manager. "It's about timing, being in the right place at the right time and
bit of luck," he said. "Look at Roberto di Matteo at Chelsea." Nolan and
Carroll have both played for Newcastle against West Ham twice - and both
have scored in each game. The Hammers captain has found the net four times
already this season while the on-loan England striker is looking for his
first. St James' Park would be a good place to get off the mark. "This game
is far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me," Allardyce
insisted. "Those two players served Newcastle brilliantly before they left
and they will want to do very, very well. I have no idea what kind of
reception they will get. I suppose it is up to the Newcastle fans whether
they appreciate what they did for Newcastle. I don't suppose either of them
really wanted to leave. There were circumstances that they had to leave but
not because they wanted to."
Ashley sacked Allardyce in his first season as owner and brought back Kevin
Keegan during an unstable start to his Newcastle reign. Now the sports
tycoon has given Pardew the backing to plan for the long term. "He has
worked it out - how to run a football club - and is getting Newcastle to be
what I wanted them to be - a team pushing for Europe and the Champions
League," Allardyce claimed. "Mike learns pretty quickly. When I was there it
was all brand new to him. As he has moved on, he come up trumps. "Giving
Alan Pardew an eight-year contract shows he wants him to continue to do the
job but it also says that Mike Ashley is committed to Newcastle when a while
back it looked like he would sell it. Now it's a long-term thing."
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew still "hoping" Carroll will sign for the club again.
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Am I bovvered? Newcastle return means more to Carroll and Nolan than me,
insists Sam Allardyce
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 12:30
Sam Allardyce has claimed returning to Newcastle on Sunday means more to
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll than to him. The West Ham boss was sacked by
Toon in January 2008 after only 21 Premier League games in charge. And both
crowd favourite players were later sold on - with the England striker
arriving on loan from Liverpool in August. Nolan arrived in the summer of
2011 to help West Ham regain promotion - and his four goals this season have
helped the Irons climb above Newcastle in the Premier League table.
Allardyce, who won both matches against Newcastle with Blackburn after his
dismissal, insisted: "There is no extra edge going back for me. "Those days
for me have long gone. Since then, time has drifted by and I have no
animosity towards Newcastle United at all.
"I played them when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn.
And after that, of course, they got relegated and I didn't meet them again
until the year after when we went up to Newcastle and played then for
Blackburn. "The next time they came back I had been sacked. It is all gone.
There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Obviously it is
far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Those two players
served Newcastle brilliantly before they left. Two outstanding players for
their club. And they will obviously want to do very, very well. "I suppose
it is up to the Newcastle fans whether they appreciate what they did for
Newcastle before they left. I don't suppose either of them really wanted to
leave. The circumstances were that they had to leave - but not because they
wanted to." West Ham will give fitness tests to centre-backs James Tompkins
and James Collins tomorrow.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
for the past week at very short notice. Thanks Terry :)
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Newcastle United match preview
WHUFC.com
All the background ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to St
James' Park
10.11.2012
NEWCASTLE UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE DEAN
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Newcastle United seeking their second away
Barclays Premier League victory of the season and looking to build on last
weekend's fine goalless home draw with champions Manchester City. The
Hammers start the weekend in ninth place, having collected 15 points from
their opening ten league fixtures.
• Newcastle United start the weekend one point and one place below the
Hammers in tenth. The Magpies picked up a creditable 1-1 draw at Liverpool
in their most-recent Barclays Premier League outing at Anfield last Sunday.
Newcastle were also in action on Thursday evening, when they came from two
goals down to draw 2-2 at Belgian side Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League
group stage.
• The Hammers have picked up four points from four matches on the road so
far this term, winning at Queens Park Rangers (2-1), drawing at Norwich City
(0-0) and losing at Swansea City (0-3) and Wigan Athletic (1-2). Newcastle
United have won three of their five home league matches so far, as well as
scoring victories over Atromitos, Bordeaux and Club Brugge in the UEFA
Europa League at St James' Park.
• Both managers will be facing their former clubs on Sunday. West Ham United
boss Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United between May 2007 and
December 2008, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was in charge at West
Ham United between 2003 and 2006 - the tenth manager in the club's history.
Pardew led the Hammers to promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs
in 2005 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
• Hammers pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll will also be returning to St
James' Park after successful spells with the Magpies. Nolan captained the
club to promotion from the Championship in 2009/10, with local hero Carroll
leading the charge by scoring 17 goals. Sunday's game will also see West Ham
United come up against former striker Demba Ba, who became a cult figure at
the Boleyn Gruond by scoring seven goals in 13 appearances between January
and May 2011.
• Andy Carroll scored his first Newcastle United goal on his first
competitive start for the club at St James' Park on 10 January 2009. Carroll
scored the final goal in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Earlier, former Magpies
striker Craig Bellamy cancelled out Michael Owen's opening goal before
Carlton Cole put the Hammers in front ten minutes after the break. The home
side earned a point when Carroll headed in Damien Duff's cross with 12
minutes to play.
• Sunday's game will be the 122nd meeting between the two clubs. Newcastle
United have recorded 49 victories, West Ham United 37 wins and there have
been 35 draws.
• Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last nine home league matches
against West Ham United. The Hammers' most-recent victory at St James' Park
came on 31 October 1998, when Ian Wright scored twice and Trevor Sinclair
once in a 3-0 Premier League success.
• West Ham United and Newcastle United have met twice previously on 11
November. The two clubs drew 0-0 in Division Two at the Boleyn Ground in
1989, while the Magpies scored a 1-0 Division One victory at St James' Park
in 1967.
• The Hammers have contested 12 fixtures on 11 November in years gone by,
winning three, drawing three and losing six.
Team news
• West Ham United will hand fitness tests to centre-backs James Collins and
James Tomkins. Collins suffered a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with
Manchester City last Saturday, while Tomkins hurt his groin in training the
previous week. Right-back Guy Demel has returned to full training following
a thigh problem and is expected to travel with the squad.
• The Hammers will definitely be without the injured Jack Collison (knee),
Alou Diarra (thigh), Matt Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder).
• Newcastle United are hoping striker Demba Ba (calf) and France midfielder
Yohan Cabaye (hamstring) will be fit to start against the Hammers. Utlilty
man James Perch (thigh), midfielder Dan Gosling (knee), forward Haris Vuckic
(knee) and full-back Ryan Taylor (knee) are definitely sidelined.
• Magpies captain and Argentina centre-back Fabricio Coloccini will miss the
game through suspension after being sent-off in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool
last Sunday. Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote is also suspended, having
been sent-off in the North East derby with Sunderland on 21 October.
Last time out
Saturday 3 November 2012
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, McCartney, Collins (Spence
84), Benayoun, Noble, Jarvis, Diame (O'Neil, 72), Nolan, Carroll (Cole 78)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Maiga, Hall, Chambers
Thursday 8 November 2012
UEFA Europa League Group
Club Brugge 2-2 Newcastle United
Newcastle: Krul, Williamson (S.Taylor 59), Tavernier, Coloccini, Tiote,
Marveaux, Obertan, Anita, Bigirimana (Cabaye 72), Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi
(Amalfitano 83)
Subs not used: Cisse, Elliot, Ferguson, Santon
Goals: Anita 41, Shola Ameobi 43
Last meeting
A hat-trick from Leon Best saw Newcastle United romp to a 5-0 home Barclays
Premier League victory over West Ham United on Wednesday 5 January 2011. The
majority of the 42,387 inside St James' Park enjoyed watching Best net after
18, 39 and 60 minutes. Future Hammer Kevin Nolan scored Newcastle's third
goal on the stroke of half-time before Peter Lovenkrands completed the rout
on 63 minutes. The lineups that evening were:
Newcastle United: Harper, Taylor (Williamson 46), Enrique, Simpson,
Coloccini, Barton, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Tiote, Nolan, Best (Ranger 64),
Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Routledge
West Ham United: Green, Gabbidon, Ben-Haim, Upson, Tomkins, Parker, Kovac
(Obinna 46), Noble (Hines 71), Piquionne (Behrami 46), C Cole, F Sears
Subs not used: Reid, Boffin, Spector, Barrera
Head to head
Last six meetings (all Barclays Premier League)
5 January 2011 - Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham United
23 October 2010 - West Ham United 1-2 Newcastle United
10 January 2009 - Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
20 September 2008 - West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United
26 April 2008 - West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United
23 September 2007 - Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
Overall record v Newcastle United (all competitions): W 37, D 35, L 49
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
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)
Newcastle United
2011/12 Premier League 5th (65 points)
2010/11 Premier League 12th (46 points)
2009/10 Championship 1st (102 points - promoted to Premier League)
2008/09 Premier League 18th (34 points - relegated to Championship)
2007/08 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2006/07 Premier League 13th (43 points)
2005/06 Premier League 7th (58 points)
2004/05 Premier League 14th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 5th (56 points)
2002/03 Premier League 3rd (69 points)
Referee
• Sunday's referee is Mike Dean, who also took charge of West Ham United's
most-recent visit to Newcastle United in January 2011.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean has taken charge of both West Ham United and Newcastle United on 30
occasions. The 44-year-old took charge of West Ham's 1-0 opening day home
win over Aston Villa in August, but has yet to officiate at a Magpies
fixture this season.
Old boys
• West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan scored 30 goals in 91 appearances for
Newcastle United between January 2009 and May 2011, captaining the Magpies
to the Championship title in 2009/10.
• Hammers striker Andy Carroll was born in Gateshead and came through the
Academy ranks at Newcastle United. The 23-year-old netted 33 goals in 91
games for the Magpies before joining Liverpool in a record £35m deal in
January 2011.
• Newcastle United striker Demba Ba played 13 times for West Ham United
between January and May 2011, scoring seven goals. The Senegal international
joined Newcastle United in summer 2011.
• Sam Allardyce took charge of Newcastle United 24 times between May 2007
and January 2008, winning eight matches, losing ten and drawing six.
• Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew spent a little more than three years
in charge at West Ham between October 2003 and December 2006. Pardew led the
Hammers to promotion via the play-offs in 2004/05 and the 2006 FA Cup final.
In total, he took charge of 163 matches, winning 67, losing 58 and drawing
38.
• Others who have played for both clubs include Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer,
Franz Carr, John Dowsey, Kieron Dyer, Dave Gardner, Paul Goddard, Shaka
Hislop, James Jackson, Vic Keeble, Matthew Kingsley, Paul Kitson, Robert
Lee, Joe Loughlin, Scott Parker, Stuart Pearce, Wayne Quinn, Bryan 'Pop'
Robson, George Robson, Keith Robson, Harold Smith, Nolberto Solano, Hal Tate
and David Terrier.
General information
• For ticket information, click here.
• Sunday's forecast in Newcastle is for sunny intervals and a maximum
temperature of 8C (47F).
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Big Sam on Newcastle United
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager spoke to the press ahead of Sunday's trip to St
James' Park
09.11.2012
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to returning to St
James' Park for Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Newcastle
United. Big Sam, captain Kevin Nolan and striker Andy Carroll will all head
back to their former club eager to inspire the Hammers to another valuable
victory.
The manager is hoping Carroll can notch his first goal for the club at his
old stomping ground, while he also suggested that Nolan could force his way
into the senior England squad if he maintains his own impressive scoring
record.
Sam, do you have any team news ahead of Sunday's game?
SA - "Our team news is that we're waiting patiently for James Tomkins and
James Collins who are two key players for this weekend. We hope at least one
of them will pass a fitness test, which will probably happen on Saturday.
Guy Demel has been back in training this week and will join the squad. Other
than that, we're not too bad. We obviously have other players out injured
but those are the two key players [Tomkins and Collins] because it would
leave us with only Winston Reid as a central defender. We hope one of those
two will be fit, or both of them."
West Ham United have a tough-looking run of fixtures between now and
Christmas. What would be an acceptable points tally and league position at
the end of the next eight games?
SA - "I wouldn't say that I could predict that we could get this or that
many points. It's a case of trying to collect points from each game as it
comes. Obviously, to win a lot of those games will be more difficult because
of the size of the teams we face. Last weekend, people certainly didn't
expect us to win, but many didn't expect us to get a draw against Manchester
City but we did. That's what we're looking for - results rather than
victories in terms of the teams we're playing against. If we can get any
wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a massive bonus for us.
Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than Chelsea or Manchester
United as being where we might get those wins, but it might not work out
like that. As long as we can keep accumulating points, then that's the most
important thing."
You go back to Newcastle United on Sunday. Is there still an extra edge to
this fixture for you?
SA - "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. They happened when I got the
Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got
relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we [Blackburn] went up to
Newcastle and played them. Next time we met them, I got sacked by Blackburn!
It's all gone. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then.
It's far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Life moves on.
I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. It's
a piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to. For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle - it was
a change of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their
own man in. I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by,
I have no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
What sort of reception are you expecting at St James' Park?
SA - "I had a pretty good reception last time I went back with Blackburn -
probably not at the end of the game because we won the game 2-1 if I
remember correctly! It's more important for Kevin and Andy to go and give a
good performance. Those two players served Newcastle superbly before they
left. They were absolutely outstanding for that club and they will obviously
want to do very, very well."
Andy Carroll is still looking for his first goal for the club. Are you
worried? Is Andy worried?
SA - "I don't think he is worried. I hope he's not because the more he is,
the less likely he is to get that goal that he's looking for. I'm certainly
not overly concerned. We'd all like him to get off the mark but, as every
player will tell you, our main aim is to achieve results. If you're getting
results and your main striker is scoring goals, then that's fantastic, but
if they're not then as long as you're getting the results then that is the
most important thing."
Everton's Leon Osman has received his first senior England call-up at the
age of 31. Is there a case that Kevin Nolan should also earn a place in Roy
Hodgson's squad?
SA - "If Kevin keeps scoring goals from midfield, who knows? He should be on
five goals from ten games after last weekend, but the assistant referee took
it away from him. It was a brilliant piece of technique. If you're
consistently scoring goals in the Barclays Premier League then you can't
ignore it. I don't think you can, anyway. I think anyone should think they
have got a chance of a call-up if they are playing well in this league.
Osman has been outstanding for Everton this year, as Kevin has been for us.
If he keeps scoring more goals, then you never know."
How do you assess your opening ten Barclays Premier League games?
SA - "Our first ten games have been excellent. There have only been two
blips out of ten, which for a newly-promoted side [is good]. Those were the
two poor away performances at Swansea and Wigan. The rest of our
performances have been up there. The only other disappointment was the last
ten minutes against Arsenal when they clinched the victory. Everything else
has been fine. We were a little frustrated that we didn't beat Sunderland
down here because we produced an outstanding performance. Other than that,
things have been OK."
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Hammers down Gunners
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad beat Arsenal 2-1 on Friday to stay top of
the table
09.11.2012
West Ham United Development Squad took a giant stride towards the Barclays
U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage by winning 2-1 at Arsenal on Friday.
Goals at either end of the second half from Rob Hall and Paul McCallum
(pictured) helped the Hammers to complete a Group 1 double over the Gunners,
stretching their lead at the top of the table to five points. With three
matches remaining, Ian Hendon's side are nine points ahead of third-place
Norwich City, who have a game in-hand. One more victory should secure a
place in the post-Christmas Elite Group Stage, where West Ham could come up
against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United
and Liverpool.
Hendon said: "It was almost a mirror-image of the first-team match in the
Barclays Premier League in that they had plenty of possession and we looked
to hit them on the counter-attack. Thankfully, we were able to hold out
after they equalised and we got the win at the end. "We scored our goals at
good times - just after half-time and with a few minutes to go. We should
also have had a penalty when Blair Turgott was brought down in the box.
We've beaten Arsenal home and away now, which is a great achievement at any
level. "We are virtually assured of our place in the Elite Group Stage now,
which makes me feel very proud. Arsenal have to play Norwich, so they can't
both catch us now unless we lose our final three matches and I certainly
don't plan on us doing that!"
Focusing on Friday's fine win, the Hammers produced yet another resilient
performance to chalk up their fourth away victory in six matches this
season.
West Ham started the game well, hitting the post after just five minutes
when centre-back Eoin Wearen headed Blair Turgott's free-kick against the
upright. Irishman Wearen was later forced off with a knee injury midway
through the opening period, with Pelly Ruddock replacing him. Arsenal came
back into things as the half wore on, but wasteful finishing from Chuba
Akpom and Kris Olsson meant the match remained goalless. It took just a few
seconds of the second period for that to change, however, as Hall took the
ball from the kick-off and slalomed his way through the Gunners before
planting his shot past Poland international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and
into the net to put the visitors in front.
Unsurprisingly, the Gunners reacted to falling behind by putting pressure on
their opponents. Akpom and Thomas Eisfled both forced Raphael Spiegel into
making smart saves, but the Switzerland Under-20 goalkeeper could do nothing
to stop Serge Gnabry from levelling matters with 12 minutes remaining.
It looked as if both sides would have to settle for a draw as the game
entered its final stages, particularly when Hall's free-kick curled narrowly
wide of the post.
The England Under-19 forward was replaced seconds later and it was his
replacement, midfielder Jack Powell, whose own set piece led to the winner.
Powell's corner was met by Sebastian Lletget, whose shot was deflected onto
the crossbar. McCallum reacted quickest to convert his fifth goal of the
season. West Ham played out time to record their eighth victory in eleven
attempts this term. Hendon's side have 25 points, with second-place Arsenal
on 20, Norwich on 16 and Reading on 15. A top-two finish would definitely
take the Hammers through to the Elite Group Stage, while they should also
qualify as one of the two best third-place teams, regardless of how their
final three fixtures pan out.
The Development Squad return to action next Friday evening at 7pm, when West
Bromwich Albion are the visitors to Rush Green.
*West Ham United's youth team host Arsenal in Barclays U18 Premier League
Group 1 on Saturday morning. Kick-off at Little Heath is at 11am, with
parking
and admission both free of charge.
Development Squad: Spiegel, Driver, Wearen (Ruddock 25), Potts, Shaw,
Turgott, Moncur, Lletget, Fanimo, Hall (Powell 86), McCallum
Subs not used: Guzman Rosique, Piquionne, E.Lee
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Vice-Chairman scoops top award
WHUFC.com
Karren Brady has been named fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year
09.11.2012
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Vice-Chairman Karren
Brady on winning the prestigious fcbusiness Magazine CEO of the Year Award
at the Football Business Awards. Karren has overseen a hugely successful
period for the Hammers both on and off the field, making an instant impact
by implementing change that has seen the club's fortunes go from strength to
strength. Karren has brought the club back to its core values, celebrating
West Ham's role at the heart of the east London community through the Moore
than a Football Club brand and has grown the Hammers' fanbase at grassroots
and an international level. Her ability to grow commercial revenue at every
operational level of the business has seen the club record its first
operating profit in recent history.
Karren beat off competition from an acclaimed shortlist to scoop the award,
which recognises the essential role that business plays in football,
following her outstanding contribution to the club's fortunes in 2012.
Karren, who collected her award at the event at Stamford Bridge on Thursday,
said: "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of West Ham United and
particularly my dedicated and supportive Chairmen David Sullivan, David Gold
and our fantastic loyal fanbase. West Ham United is a truly special club and
I feel privileged to be here. We've made real progress in our three year
tenure but there is more work to be done. The best is yet to come for West
Ham."
The club are relishing life back in the Barclays Premier League, having made
their best start to a top-flight campaign this millennium. Brady's close
working relationship with her fellow Board members and manager Sam Allardyce
helped to secure the marquee loan signing of Andy Carroll, the most
expensive English footballer in history, on a season-long loan deal from
Liverpool. The England international's arrival complemented the other
high-profile signings the Hammers made during the summer, including
record-signing Matt Jarvis, Senegal international Momo Diame and former
France captain Alou Diarra, among others. West Ham fans have shown their
appreciation for the positive progress on the pitch - the last three home
games have been complete sell-outs with the next five matches predicted to
follow suit.
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'We're passing and moving'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's style of play is proving popular with striker Andy Carroll
09.11.2012
As a top-class England international, Andy Carroll is comfortable playing in
any formation. Speaking ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to
his first club Newcastle United, West Ham United's No8 revealed that he is
loving life in Sam Allardyce's successful 4-3-3 system, where his
outstanding talent and impressive physical attributes make him an
influential figure. Carroll's all-round skills mean he is as comfortable
receiving a pass to feet as he is challenging for a cross with his head. The
striker believes Big Sam is utilising him perfectly, pointing to West Ham's
strong start to the season as evidence that the tactics are working well.
"Everyone talks about Big Sam's style being 'just launching it up' but you
can see that it's not like that," Carroll told West Ham TV. during Part 1 of
an exclusive interview that is available to view now. "We pass it into feet
and pass it around and I have the ball at my feet enough to show what I'm
all about.
"I obviously have Kev around to help us with a couple of one-twos and
holding the ball up so I think that's what we're all about - it's not just
about throwing the ball up and getting around what I am going to do. "We're
passing and moving and I think we're playing great at the minute."
Carroll's strengths were there for all to see during Saturday's goalless
draw with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The 23-year-old
caused untold problems for Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, coming
agonisingly close to netting his first goal in claret and blue when he saw
one shot curl narrowly wide and an overhead kick deflected just past the
post. "I think it was a good game for me. I was involved a lot and had a few
chances and we had the chance to nick the game. Kev's goal being disallowed
was disappointing, but we played well and I thought I put myself about.
"Against Wigan we didn't really do much and it was disappointing, but City
was a good game for me like the Fulham game. "It was tough and was always
going to be against players like Kompany. Like I said, we played well and
had our chances and could have probably nicked it."
It is no coincidence that Carroll's good form has resulted from him being
reunited with close friend and former Newcastle United team-mate Kevin
Nolan. The pair, who attended The Bodyguard musical with their respective
partners in the West End on Wednesday evening, have been best pals since
Nolan joined the Magpies in 2009. Carroll was naturally delighted when the
duo joined forces again when he moved to east London in August. When asked
why a 30-year-old from Liverpool and a 23-year-old from Newcastle upon Tyne
get on so well, Carroll explained that they share similar interests and an
identical sense of humour. However, he pointed out that Nolan was not so
friendly before he had broken into the Newcastle first team! "I think we got
closer when I started scoring goals and he thought he could be my mate then!
He wanted to be my friend then, but before when I was sitting on the bench
he didn't want to know us!
"We very rarely talk about football or music, to be honest. It's usually
either me having a pop at him or him having a pop at me, or we're having a
pop at someone! That's just what it is - banter! "It doesn't really matter
what anyone says to us, we just look at each other and say the same thing
back at them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle v West Ham
KO 15:00
BBC.co.uk
9 November 2012
By John Murray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: St James' Park Date: Sunday, 11 November
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle are without Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote, who are
respectively serving the first and final games of their three-match bans.
James Perch (thigh) is out and Danny Simpson (shoulder) a doubt, but Demba
Ba (shin) should return.
West Ham also have defensive worries as James Collins and James Tomkins
require fitness tests for unspecified injuries. Guy Demel may play after
overcoming a hernia problem but Ricardo Vaz Te, Jack Collison and Matthew
Taylor are out.
MATCH PREVIEW
It seems only five minutes since Andy Carroll was proudly wearing the number
nine on the back of his black and white striped shirt as he dominated
defences and banged in goals for Newcastle United. It is just five months
since he was brilliantly heading England in front against Sweden at Euro
2012. Now he returns to Tyneside as West Ham's on-loan number eight, not
having scored in a competitive match since that group game in Kiev.
Alan Pardew could be forgiven if he gives off the air of a man who has now
moved on to bigger and better things since he was let go by West Ham almost
six years ago. Sam Allardyce will probably always feel like he was never
given a proper chance by the Mapgies, his services having been dispensed
with after only eight months into the job at St James' Park.
This may not be the worst time for Allardyce, Kevin Nolan et al to return.
As I was commentating on Newcastle's match at Anfield for Radio 5 live last
Sunday we remarked on what a costly afternoon that had been for them. Demba
Ba ought to be fit to play against his former team-mates, but James Perch is
out, as is their captain Fabricio Coloccini following his late dismissal.
Add to that Cheik Tiote's continued absence as he completes his domestic
suspension following his red card at Sunderland last month. At least Yohan
Cabaye was able to play a part for Newcastle in Belgium in the Europa League
on Thursday night, having been another to limp off on Merseyside. Thus far,
Newcastle have coped with the demands of their added European commitments
relatively well. Their only defeats this season have been to Chelsea and
Manchester United.
But with those absentees and the fact that Andy Carroll will surely be
something of a man on a mission, Newcastle could have quite a challenge on
their hands in this one.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have failed to win any of their last nine visits to Newcastle.
Their last victory at St James' Park was in October 1998.
Sam Allardyce's reign at Newcastle may not have been a happy one but his
side did beat the Hammers on the only occasion they met under him - a 3-1
win in September 2007.
Newcastle
Newcastle have lost only one of their last eight league games, a 3-0 home
defeat by Manchester United.
The Magpies are eight points down on this stage last season, when they sat
third in the league table.
Alan Pardew's men are unbeaten when scoring first this season, but are yet
to win after conceding the opening goal.
It's over two years since the Magpies came from behind to win a league game
- a 2-1 victory at West Ham in October 2010. Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan,
now both with the Hammers, scored the goals that day.
Alan Pardew was West Ham manager from 2003 to 2006. He led the club to
promotion to the Premier League in 2004-05 and they were FA Cup runners up
in 2006.
West Ham
West Ham are yet to win outside London so far this season. Their only away
triumph to date came across the capital at QPR.
The Hammers have failed to win in their last four Premier League visits to
the north-east, losing each of the last two without scoring.
Sam Allardyce's men have not scored in the first half of their last three
league matches, and in six of their 10 first halves in total this season.
Andy Carroll scored 31 goals in 78 league appearances for Newcastle from
2006 to 2011, while Kevin Nolan made 85 league appearances (29 goals) for
Newcastle between 2009 to 2011.
Sam Allardyce won eight of 24 matches as Newcastle manager from May 2007 to
January 2008.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alan Pardew: I want Andy Carroll back at Newcastle
BBC.co.uk
Alan Pardew wants to bring Andy Carroll back to Newcastle when his West Ham
loan expires. Carroll, 23, is on loan with the Hammers - who visit St James'
Park on Sunday - until the end of the season. But Magpies manager Pardew is
keen to re-sign him having sold the striker to Liverpool for £35m in January
2011. "He's a Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to
move permanently," said Pardew. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for
that."
England striker Carroll scored 31 goals in 80 league appearances for
Newcastle before moving to Anfield. He returns to St James' Park along with
former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan.
And Pardew told BBC Sport he would also re-sign midfielder Nolan, who joined
West Ham from Newcastle in June 2011, if he could afford to. Former West Ham
boss Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want to come back and
certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now because we would be
stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me from doing that."
Pardew believes Newcastle owe Carroll a "great debt" for generating £35m for
the club when he joined Liverpool. The Newcastle manager says the cash
enabled the Magpies to finish fifth last season and qualify for the Europa
League. "The fee was astronomical, we have used it well," he added.
Newcastle have signed Papiss Cisse from Freiburg for £9m, Yohan Cabaye from
Lille for £4.8m and Demba Ba from West Ham on a free since Carroll left the
north east almost two years ago. "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is
because we used the money from Andy's sale well," said Pardew. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he has moved on from his
turbulent time as Newcastle boss as he prepares to return with the Hammers
on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle almost five years ago. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then," said Allardyce. "Life
moves on, I don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I
can."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle trip does not have extra edge for West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 4:58pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he bears no grudges as he prepares to
take his side to Newcastle on Sunday. Allardyce was sacked by the Magpies
almost five years ago and he insists he has already banished the memories of
his dismissal after returning to St James' Park during his spell in charge
of Blackburn. Asked whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge,
Allardyce said: "No, not for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened
when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that
they got relegated, so I didn't meet them again until we went up to
Newcastle and played them.
"There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I
don't live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a
piece of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd
liked it to."
Following last weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City,West Ham sit
ninth in the Premier League table, one point and one place above Newcastle,
after embarking on a tough run of fixtures. Allardyce said: "We're looking
for results rather than victories in terms of the teams we're playing
against. If we can get any wins from this group of fixtures, then that's a
massive bonus for us. "Everyone will look at Stoke or West Brom rather than
Chelseaor Manchester United as being where we might get those wins, but it
might not work out like that. "As long as we can keep accumulating points,
then that's the most important thing."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to bring striker Andy Carroll back to St
James' Park
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 7:29pm
SSN
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has expressed a desire to bring striker Andy
Carroll back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 80 league
games for the Magpies before moving to Liverpool for £35m in January last
year. Carroll's future remains uncertain, but for now will be preparing for
a mixed reception on Sunday from the Newcastle fans as he returns to his old
home in a West Ham shirt. Speaking about his former player, currently on
loan at Upton Park until the end of the season, Pardew told the BBC: "He's a
Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to move
permanently. "I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for that."
Speaking about Carroll and midfielder Kevin Nolan, who joined West Ham from
Newcastle in June 2011, Pardew said: "Big Andy hopefully one day will want
to come back and certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now
because we would be stronger for it. "But obviously finances restrict me
from doing that."
The Magpies have certainly not been hindered by Carroll's exit 22 months
ago, currently 10th in the Premier League, with Senegal duo Demba Ba and
Papiss Cisse impressing up front. Pardew has been rewarded for reinvesting
some of the £35m received for Carroll and added: "The position we are in, if
I'm honest, is because we used the money from Andy's sale well. "He was a
brilliant player for us and we owe a great debt to him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll prepares to line up for West Ham against former club Newcastle
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 12:39pm
SSN
Newcastle welcome Sam Allardyce, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan back to
Tyneside when West Ham are the visitors on Sunday. The Magpies will be
looking to put one over on these familiar faces as they can leapfrog the
Hammers with a win at St James' Park. Alan Pardew's side have every reason
to be confident ahead of the clash, having been beaten just three times - by
Manchester United (twice) and Chelsea - so far this season. But Newcastle
have endured the trickier build-up with a trip to Bruges in the Europa
League on Thursday and will be without the suspended duo of Cheick Tiote and
Fabricio Coloccini. That will encourage Allardyce that there is hope of a
win here and he'll be aiming to build on the positives from a steely display
against Premier League champions Manchester City last time out.
West Ham earned a goalless draw on that occasion and the manager may feel a
point would be a good result for a club that has won just three of their
last 41 Premier League away games. Whether Carroll and Nolan would be quite
so happy to go goalless against their old club is another matter.
Newcastle
Last 6
2-2
1-1
2-1
1-0
1-1
0-3
The Magpies must do without Cheick Tiote and skipper Fabricio Coloccini who
are both serving suspensions for red cards. James Perch is also out and
Danny Simpson remains a doubt so Alan Pardew is short of options at the
back. But he will be able to call on Jonas Gutierrez, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben
Arfa who were all rested for the trip to Bruges in midweek.
West Ham
Last 6
0-0
2-1
4-1
1-3
1-2
1-4
There are problems at the heart of the Hammers defence with James Collins
and James Tomkins both facing late fitness tests to conform their
availability.
If both are unfit then the visitors will be forced into a reshuffle with
Winston Reid the only fit centre-back. There is better news for right-back
Guy Demel who has returned to training following a hernia problem but Jack
Collison (knee), Matthew Taylor (calf) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) remain
out.
Opta Facts
Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan have played in this fixture twice (both for
Newcastle), netting on both occasions.
Sam Allardyce has won his last four matches as a Premier League coach
against Newcastle, including the two games since they fired him in January
2008.
West Ham have only won three of their last 41 Premier League games away from
Upton Park, with two of those wins coming against fellow London sides.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
lan Pardew says sale of Andy Carroll has paved way for Newcastle's success
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 6:26pm
SSN
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is looking forward to welcoming Andy Carroll
back to St James' Park. The 23-year-old striker will return to Tyneside,
along with former Magpies team-mate Kevin Nolan, as part of the West Ham
squad for Sunday's Premier League game. Carroll is on loan at Upton Park
after Liverpool allowed him to move on, but Pardew believes his £35m move to
Anfield in January 2011 has paved the way for Newcastle's recent success. He
said: "The position we are in, if I'm honest, is because we used the money
from Andy's sale well. "He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was
astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him. "It's
nice to see Kevin come back. He did a super job here. Whatever he was asked
to do, he conducted himself well. And he gets a goal. He has proven that at
any level, he will get a goal. "I'm looking forward to seeing them both and
I enjoyed working with them.
"There will be a lot on the game. Kevin will be determined to get a result,
as will Andy and the manager coming back."
The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been recruited
since Carroll and 30-year-old Nolan left the club and, while Pardew is well
aware of the pair's individual talents, he has no complaints over his lot
after guiding the club to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last
season and back into Europe. He said: "Both of those players would be good
additions to this squad, but players have to move on for the sake of the
team. That's the Andy Carroll one. "Kevin was a bit different, he wanted a
long contract we wouldn't commit to, but he got one at West Ham. "He
deserves it because he is a great player, but the board didn't think the
long contract for Kevin was something he would get here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is looking forward to his return to Newcastle
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
November 9, 2012 9:13am
SSN
West Ham United loanee Andy Carroll admits he is looking forward to
returning to former club Newcastle this weekend. The former Newcastle No.9
striker was jeered by home fans when he played at St James' Park with parent
club Liverpool last season on his first return to the club after leaving
Tyneside for Anfield in January 2011. Carroll is expecting another hostile
reception and he insists he is keen to get a win after losing with Liverpool
last season. "I am looking forward to going home," said Carroll. "I went
back with Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all
good. "I want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I
went we were beaten."
Carroll's West Ham team-mate Kevin Nolan, who is also coming up against his
former club, hopes the big striker is shown some respect from the Newcastle
fans. "Andy might not get the best reception because I know he has been back
there and got a bit of stick," said Nolan. "I am hoping that Andy gets
respect, as they know what efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and
helping them to be where they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically
about it before the game - he is a big character. "We both had some
fantastic times up there. Now 50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But
if we went out in the evening they would probably still want pictures."
First goal
Carroll has failed to score in all six of his games for the Hammers since
joining them on a season-long loan from Liverpool in August and Nolan hopes
he can break his duck against Newcastle. "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking," added Nolan. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he
scores for us is on Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully
win the game for us and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
My wife told me to quit..
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE'S wife begged him to quit football after he was sacked by
Newcastle. Big Sam revealed the personal pain behind his axing by new owner
Mike Ashley eight months after taking over at Toon. He returns to St James'
Park tomorrow as West Ham boss insisting there is no animosity. But there is
still plenty of frustration for him and his missus, Lynne, more than four
years later. Allardyce said: "It was the hardest sacking to take because I
thought that job was THE right one. "I thought it was the next step, a big
club, big fan base, big budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that.
"The issue is your professionalism has been questioned, your ability to do
this particular job has been questioned. "It's the damage to your career
that you've spent years and years and years putting together. The only
reason cited to me was they wanted to move in their own direction because I
wasn't the man that was selected by them, I was already there. "At the end
of the day you have to accept that and move on. "I felt terribly low. My
wife said 'for God's sake you're better off out of it, is it worth it?'
"They go through more stress and pressure than you because they sit and
watch you go through it all and see what no one else sees. That's why she
said what she did. "But she also understands I am a football man and even in
the tough times I need to do this job, it's a drug. "I shook hands with Mike
when I went back with Blackburn. "He has worked it out — how to run a
football club — and he is getting Newcastle to be what I wanted them to be,
a team pushing for Europe and the Champions League."
At 58 Allardyce has done well to be sacked only three times as a manager —
by Blackpool, Newcastle and most recently Blackburn. After leaving Ewood
Park last year he took time out to travel the world and returned to the game
a wiser man. Tomorrow's clash throws up a complex web of connections between
the clubs. Toon boss Alan Pardew managed West Ham out of the Championship in
2005 — as Big Sam did last season. Newcastle striker Demba Ba made his name
at Upton Park before quitting, having been assaulted by a fan at the
end-of-season party following relegation. And West Ham will be led from the
front by ex-Newcastle pair Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. Carroll was left
out of the England squad for Wednesday's friendly in Sweden but Allardyce
reckons Nolan should be a contender for inclusion. He said: "Kevin's got
four Premier League goals and at 29 is showing what he can still produce.
"If you're scoring goals consistently in the Premier League then you can't
be ignored. "Going back to Newcastle is water under the bridge for me. I
think it's more important for Kevin and Andy."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I don't hate Toon for axing me
The Sun
Published: 09th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE insists he holds no grudges against Newcastle despite being
sacked from the Toon hotseat. Big Sam takes West Ham to St James' Park on
Sunday knowing a win would pull the Hammers four points clear of the club he
was axed from nearly five years ago. Allardyce has since been back to the
North East as Blackburn manager and has already banished the memories of
Mike Ashley's decision, taken just months after he took over the club. Asked
whether the Newcastle game carried an extra edge, Allardyce said: "No, not
for me. Those days are long gone. "They happened when I got the Blackburn
job and Newcastle came to Blackburn. After that they got relegated, so I
didn't meet them again until we went up to Newcastle and played them. "There
has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Life moves on, I don't
live in the past. I can only look to the future as best I can. "It's a piece
of history in my career that didn't quite work out as well as I'd liked it
to. "For me, it wasn't me getting bad results at Newcastle — it was a change
of ownership and a decision made at the time that they wanted their own man
in. "I accepted that at the time and since that time has drifted by, I have
no animosity towards Newcastle United at all."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toon tirade awaits Andy Carroll again
By CARL LONG
Published: 09th November 2012
The Sun
ANDY CARROLL is desperate to erase the memory of his nightmare return to
Newcastle. The former Toon hero was jeered before being hauled off in his
first return with parent club Liverpool last season. Carroll stormed down
the tunnel just moments after he was booked following a dive that saw him
confronted by former team-mate Tim Krul in April's 2-0 defeat. Now the
£35million hitman returns as a West Ham player on Sunday expecting another
red-hot reception — but bidding for a different outcome. England ace
Carroll, 23, said: "I am looking forward to going home. "I went back with
Liverpool and I got a few boos and a bit of stick but it was all good. "I
want to go back now and hopefully win this time because last time I went we
were beaten."
Gateshead-born Carroll faces a rough ride from the fans who have not
forgiven him for forcing through a deadline-day move to Anfield in January
2011. But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan hopes the Geordie boo-boys now show
Carroll some "respect". Nolan, also a former Magpies favourite, said: "Andy
might not get the best reception because I know he has been back there and
got a bit of stick. "I am hoping that Andy gets respect, as they know what
efforts he put in when playing for Newcastle and helping them to be where
they are today. "I won't speak to him specifically about it before the game
— he is a big character. "We both had some fantastic times up there. "Now
50,000 people are going to want to boo us. But if we went out in the evening
they would probably still want pictures." Carroll is still waiting to break
his West Ham duck and has now gone over seven hours since scoring for his
new club. But midfielder Nolan, 30, added: "Is Andy anxious? You have got to
be joking. "But we are all hoping that the first goal he scores for us is on
Sunday. "We want him to get off the mark and hopefully win the game for us
and break a few hearts."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Now it's Moan City
The Sun
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 09th November 2012
SAT NOV 3
THE Legend of Carlos Tevez at West Ham has been written and The Lord himself
could not wipe the tablet clean. I have to admit my view of him will always
be shadowed by the enormous financial burden his transfer dumped on to my
club. On the field it is very different and, of course, he is loved by our
supporters. They will always regard him as an honorary bubble-blower. They
showed their affection today in our goal-less draw with Man City. Tevez
responds with the Hammers salute.
SUN NOV 4
TOP footballers are paid far too much. I think everyone bar the PFA agrees
about that, so sitting with some other PL directors I recommend my own plan
for combating even higher wages. On the back of each player's shirt, instead
of a squad number, he should show the amount he earns in millions annually.
Wayne Rooney could be 13.5 while John Terry would display 9.6 (taking fines
into account). All right, I'm not being really serious but I agree with West
Ham co-owner David Gold that the new TV deals, worth at least £15million
more to each club, must not be swallowed up by ever more ridiculous player
contracts.
MON NOV 5
BEING spiteful about David Beckham is akin to chucking mud pies at Nelson's
Column. Today I see that even as far away from the phenomenon of the
Beckhams as New Zealand, a sly remark about the second best known Englishman
in the world is threatening the career of Prime Minister John Key. He is
alleged to have muttered that Becks is "as thick as bat s***". Among the
many angry protests over there is one, I imagine, from the pro-bat society,
Vampires R Us, who are demanding either free time at his jugular or a
retraction.
TUES NOV 6
ROBERTO MANCINI behaves more decisively than one or two of his defenders up
at the Etihad Stadium. He strides on to the pitch to complain to referee
Peter Rasmussen about a late ruling that just about scuppers Manchester
City's Champions League dream for another season. What on earth is he doing
there? Rasmussen is not able to change his mind, even if he wishes to. So it
is a senseless whine in what amounts to a pathetic campaign. Mancini was
boasting last week that seven or eight clubs approached him just before he
signed a new five-year contract with City. I'm not impressed by that,
either.
WED NOV 7
TONIGHT'S the night all right for old rocker Rod Stewart. The veteran singer
is shown on TV sobbing in the arms of a friend — but the biggest surprise is
that it was not a leggy blonde but a bald male mate. Stewart has never been
slow to claim Celtic are the greatest club in the universe and, God bless
them, they go a little way to proving it by beating Barcelona in a Glasgow
classic. I can put up with plenty of Scottish bombast so long as they don't
play the bagpipes. Note, though, that even Lionel Messi seems unable to stop
Barca fraying at the edges.
THURS NOV 8
TONIGHT I am at Chelsea for a star-studded event picking up the 2012
Football CEO of the Year award. Next year will be my 20th in football and, I
have to say, in a room of 500 people (90 per cent male) I was extremely
proud to accept the award on behalf of my loyal and fantastic staff but, in
particular, my dedicated and supportive chairmen David Sullivan and David
Gold. West Ham is a truly special club and I feel privileged to be guiding
its future. I get a lot of texts of congratulations from across the clubs in
football. Even one from my pal at Arsenal, which was kind bearing in mind
one of the other contenders up for the award was their CEO Ivan Gazidis, who
I respect very much.
FRI NOV 9
I'M broad-minded — in my industry you have to be. But what I witnessed
tonight would scare Clare Balding rigid! I have a flat in London. Over the
years, so many people have had keys, I've lost track of the comings and
goings. Until tonight. It's 1am, I've been filming all day. I'm back at the
flat and, as I open the door, I realise I've led a very sheltered life.
Whilst their sports and physical attributes are very different, my uninvited
guests certainly share the same mindset.
Before making my excuses and exiting to my own room, I warn them that if
they are staying in town after the Sports Personality of the Year Award
night, they'll have to find another venue!
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Payback Tyne? Allardyce, Carroll and Nolan still angry at being kicked out
of Toon
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 22:30
Richard Heathcote
Sam Allardyce has claimed his Newcastle sacking hit him so hard his wife
urged him to give up football. And the West Ham boss insisted Andy Carroll
and Kevin Nolan never wanted to leave St James' Park either. The trio of
ex-Toon stars return to the north-east together tomorrow with the happy
Hammers sitting above Newcastle in the Premier League table. Allardyce won
both matches against them in his next job with Blackburn and insisted he
feels "no animosity" towards Newcastle or Mike Ashley. He even said the Toon
owner has now "worked out" how to run a club by giving Alan Pardew an
eight-year contract. But the 58-year-old, who boasts his skin is as thick as
a rhino and an elephant, is clearly still scarred by his dismissal after
only 21 Premier League games in January 2008. "You are always upset when you
lose your job - it is a very distressing time for you and your family," he
said. "It was the hardest one to take because I thought the job was the
right one. I thought it was the next step, a big club, big fanbase, big
budgets. And unfortunately I never saw any of that. So it happened, I left
and I moved on. "People start saying, 'He'll be all right, he's got that
much money'. But that is not the issue. "The issue is your professionalism
has been questioned, your ability to do this particular job has been
questioned. "It's the damage to your career you've spent years and years and
years putting together and accumulating and proving that you are a quality
manager. "I felt terribly low. It was about six or seven months that I
thought about even thinking about another job. "My wife (Lynn) said I should
give up. She said: 'For God's sake, 'you're better off out of it, is it
worth it?' "The thing is they go through more stress and pressure than you
because they sit and watch you go through it all. But she understands what I
am, a football man and even in the tough times I need to do this job, it's a
drug. I don't manage for money I manage for glory."
Allardyce conceded his sacking cost him the chance of becoming England
manager. "It's about timing, being in the right place at the right time and
bit of luck," he said. "Look at Roberto di Matteo at Chelsea." Nolan and
Carroll have both played for Newcastle against West Ham twice - and both
have scored in each game. The Hammers captain has found the net four times
already this season while the on-loan England striker is looking for his
first. St James' Park would be a good place to get off the mark. "This game
is far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me," Allardyce
insisted. "Those two players served Newcastle brilliantly before they left
and they will want to do very, very well. I have no idea what kind of
reception they will get. I suppose it is up to the Newcastle fans whether
they appreciate what they did for Newcastle. I don't suppose either of them
really wanted to leave. There were circumstances that they had to leave but
not because they wanted to."
Ashley sacked Allardyce in his first season as owner and brought back Kevin
Keegan during an unstable start to his Newcastle reign. Now the sports
tycoon has given Pardew the backing to plan for the long term. "He has
worked it out - how to run a football club - and is getting Newcastle to be
what I wanted them to be - a team pushing for Europe and the Champions
League," Allardyce claimed. "Mike learns pretty quickly. When I was there it
was all brand new to him. As he has moved on, he come up trumps. "Giving
Alan Pardew an eight-year contract shows he wants him to continue to do the
job but it also says that Mike Ashley is committed to Newcastle when a while
back it looked like he would sell it. Now it's a long-term thing."
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew still "hoping" Carroll will sign for the club again.
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Am I bovvered? Newcastle return means more to Carroll and Nolan than me,
insists Sam Allardyce
The Mirror
9 Nov 2012 12:30
Sam Allardyce has claimed returning to Newcastle on Sunday means more to
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll than to him. The West Ham boss was sacked by
Toon in January 2008 after only 21 Premier League games in charge. And both
crowd favourite players were later sold on - with the England striker
arriving on loan from Liverpool in August. Nolan arrived in the summer of
2011 to help West Ham regain promotion - and his four goals this season have
helped the Irons climb above Newcastle in the Premier League table.
Allardyce, who won both matches against Newcastle with Blackburn after his
dismissal, insisted: "There is no extra edge going back for me. "Those days
for me have long gone. Since then, time has drifted by and I have no
animosity towards Newcastle United at all.
"I played them when I got the Blackburn job and Newcastle came to Blackburn.
And after that, of course, they got relegated and I didn't meet them again
until the year after when we went up to Newcastle and played then for
Blackburn. "The next time they came back I had been sacked. It is all gone.
There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Obviously it is
far more important for Kevin and Andy than it is for me. Those two players
served Newcastle brilliantly before they left. Two outstanding players for
their club. And they will obviously want to do very, very well. "I suppose
it is up to the Newcastle fans whether they appreciate what they did for
Newcastle before they left. I don't suppose either of them really wanted to
leave. The circumstances were that they had to leave - but not because they
wanted to." West Ham will give fitness tests to centre-backs James Tompkins
and James Collins tomorrow.
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