Big Sam hails his 'happiest day'
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United manager was a welcome guest of the 2012/13 Supporter
Advisory Board
14.11.2012
Sam Allardyce has described West Ham United's npower Championship Play-Off
final victory as his 'happiest day in football'. Big Sam, who has taken
charge of nearly 800 competitive matches at Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton
Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham since 1994, led
the Hammers to promotion in his first season at the Boleyn Ground. Speaking
at a Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) meeting this week, the manager was given
a warm welcome by more than 100 fans before taking part in an enjoyable
question and answer session. Big Sam discussed a wide range of issues,
including West Ham's fine start to the Barclays Premier League season, how
he intends to establish the Hammers as a top-flight club, his pioneering use
of performance analysis, how he scouts new recruits, his standout players so
far this season and the professionalism and consistency of his squad. After
reconfirming his commitment to the continued development of young players
and his intention to send some of them out on loan later this month, the
manager was also asked to reveal the happiest moment of his 20-year
management career. "I think the happiest moment of my career was Wembley,
without a doubt" said Big Sam, to widespread nods from SAB members. "I'm not
a Bolton lad - I was born in the Midlands but I started my career at the
highest level with Bolton and they were obviously close to my heart. When I
got them into the Premier League at the Millennium Stadium against Preston
[North End in 2001] that was pretty special, but it wasn't as good as
Wembley. "It was just unbelievable when we won. Just reflecting on the
occasion, it was just a cauldron of noise and it made the hair on the back
of your neck stand up on end from the very, very start until the very, very
end. That was my happiest moment."
Big Sam was subsequently congratulated on the job he has done since taking
charge at the club 18 months ago - during which time he has won 32 and lost
just eleven of the 60 league and Play-Off matches he has taken charge of.
Led by Head of Marketing Tara Warren, the SAB has returned for a second
season in 2012/13, with more than 100 both returning and new members
advising the club on key policy issues. As was seen last season, the SAB and
its various sub-committees can and do make a very real difference to
supporters' experiences. In 2011/12, for example, the SAB helped to secure
match packages to make football 'Affordable for All' and was instrumental in
the launch of the new Junior Hammers membership scheme for 0-6 year olds.
The SAB also played a leading role in the introduction of the popular 'Moore
than a Football Club' brand, improved matchday entertainment and the
introduction of new benefits for Season Ticket Holders. This season, the
sub-committees will examine a variety of subjects, including the matchday
experience, ticketing, media, retail and the club's role in the community.
For more information about the Supporter Advisory Board, click here.
The 2012/13 Supporter Advisory Board
Keith Alder-Barber
Stuart Allen
Graeme Archer
Satvir Atkar
Steven Barlow
Tony Barritt
Catherine Bayford
Rachel Beagles
Daniel Bloom
Jack Boteler
Tim Boughen
Peter Bruce
Steve Burton
Peter Caton
Will Cheeld
Neil Clack
Daniel Clement
Marcus Clement
David Clements
Andy Connacher
Tina Cowen
Lesley Craig
Colin Crowe
Michael Crowhurst
Stuart Dean
Jill Dower
Tom Dowsett
Neil Duggan
Kevin Dunckley
Gavin Dunstan
Dee England
Saul Ettridge
Michael Evans
Tricia Evans
John Farren
Rob Ford
Paul Fox
Richard Francis
Michelle Gabriel
Johnathan Gaffney
Paul Gibson
Sherrie Goldsmith
David Hall
David Halston
Tony Harries
Graham Hatt
Benjamin Hawkes
Ian Henderson
Jack Hess
Graham Howlett
Craig Hughes
Peter Hunt
Anthony Hyams
Deniz Jaffer
Steve Joyce
Nigel Kahn
Diane Keleghar
John Kemp
Warren Kober
Adrian Leahy
Victor Lindsell
John Llewellyn
Phil Llewellyn
Kevin Markham
Ryan Marsh
Steve Marsh
Neil Martin
Dan Mason
Suzanne Mason
Gerry McCarthy
Norman McGuire
Steve Medhurst
Antoni Miziolek
Darren Morgan
Colin Morris
John Norman
Michael Nuciford
Leigh O'Connor
Cecilia O'Herlihy
Wallace Onnie
John Parry
Jonathan Penfold
Eamon Quinn
Kevin Radley
Paul Reynolds
Paul Richardson
Pete Richardson
Jason Rose
James Rutherford
Steve Ryder
Nigel Salvage
Nick Scott
Barry Shelton
Stuart Slaney
Mark Steele
Terry Stokes
Ben Surdeau
John Sussex
Dave Tate
Mark Taylor
Kishan Teli
Simon Thomson
Eleanor Tilley
Mark Tilley
Stephen Todd
Stephen Trowers
Kathryn Upton
John Walker
Ian Wearne
Sean Whetstone
Anne-Marie White
Peter Whitelock
Nick Wood
Richard Wood
Ali Worth
Ian Wicks
Trevor Wisdom
Daniel Yallop
John Yewman
Jason Zammit
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Hendo hopes best is yet to come
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon wants his Development Squad to kick on from their table-topping
start to the season
14.11.2012
Ian Hendon will not allow the Development Squad to take their foot off the
gas despite having a five-point lead at the top of the Barclays Under-21
Premier League. Paul McCallum's 87th-minute header gave Hendon's side a
massive three points against Arsenal at London Colney on Friday, but the
manager insists not is no time to rest. Hendon now hopes his side can
continue their fine form and not only qualify for the Barclays Under-21
Elite League but win the current league in the process. "We have come this
far and have a five-point lead at the top so we want to see it out and win
it, it is no time to put our feet up, we want to win ever game," Hendon
said. "The initial aim was to qualify and get into the top three, hopefully
we have now done that but if not we will face West Brom next week and try to
win that game."
Despite their spectacular form, Hendon still insists that level of
performance will always take precedence over results at this level. "It is
always about the performances and development of the players, the fact we
are winning games and the lads are working hard for each other is a bonus.
You play against teams at this level and see they have one stand-out
individual but I have got a group of players who work hard for each other
every day of the week. It is a pleasure to coach them."
Hendon also pinpointed the togetherness within the club from top to bottom
as a contributing factor to its current success at every level. "I was not
here before Sam Allardyce came in. I came in at the same time but from what
I am told he has brought a new level on enthusiasm to every aspect of the
club. "Everyone is behind what we are trying to do, it is all about the
first-team pushing to achieve the best they can but the Development Squad
and the Academy are also going well. Everyone is pulling in the right
direction."
The former Tottenham player continued by paying tribute to the work being
done by Nick Haycock and Tony Carr in the Academy of Football. "I had
youth-team players in my side against Arsenal - Frazer Shaw stepped up again
and it shows what a good job Nick and Tony are doing in the Academy. "There
are players trying to push through into the Development Squad all the time
but my aim is to push my players into the first-team. A few have already
made their debuts this season and hopefully a few more can by May."
"Rob Hall is just one who has been involved with the first-team and you saw
why on Friday but I think it gives the rest of the lads something to aim
for. "It shows that the manager is always watching and willing to give you
an opportunity so as I said I hope a few more can be involved in the
future." Next up for Hendon's side is a home tie against West Bromwich
Albion, who held the Development Squad to a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns. "We
face West Brom at Rush Green next Friday and if it is anything like the
reverse fixture it will be a very tough game. They had an experienced side
out with a few first-team players but our young side coped well and got a
deserved point out of the game. "It does not matter what side they bring, if
it is an experienced one we will deal with it, if it is a young side we will
deal with it, so we will take it as it comes have a good weeks training and
look forward to Friday night."
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Jussi: the number one's number one
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Jussi Jaaskelainen is top of the OPTA goalkeeping stats,
according to latest figures. The 37-year-old Finnish stopper, who joined
United this summer on a free transfer has the highest 'saves to shot' ratio
of any of the Premier League's regular number ones so far this season.
Jasskelainen's score of 82 per cent is five per cent higher than his nearest
rival Simon Mignolet of Sunderland - and seven clear of Ben Foster of West
Brom and Chelsea's Petr Cech, who score 75 per cent. The former Bolton man
also tops the OPTA points rating system - which is calculated by awarding
points for saves and clean sheets - with 109 points.
England's Number One: The OPTA Saves-To-Shots Ratio Chart
(OPTA points rating in parenthesis)
1. Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham United) 82% (109)
2. Simon Mignolet (Sunderland) 77% (76)
3. Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion) 75% (60)
4. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 75% (72)
5. Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers) 73% (55)
6. Tim Krul (Newcastle United) 73% (36)
7. Michel Vorm (Swansea City) 72% (68)
8. Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) 72% (64)
9. Vito Mannone (Arsenal) 70% (51)
10. David De Gea (Manchester United) 70% (45)
11. Alex McCarthy (Reading) 69% (47)
12. Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) 68% (74)
13. Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan Athletic) 68% (69)
14. John Ruddy (Norwich) 67% (78)
15. Tim Howard (Everton) 67% (52)
16. Joe Hart (Manchester City) 67% (46)
17. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) 66% (52)
18. Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur) 60% (40)
19. Kelvin Davis (Southampton) 53% (25)
20. Jose Reina (Liverpool) 50% (23)
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Reflections
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 13th November 2012
By: Tom Kilbey
Having taken a break from writing regularly, the last few weeks have given
me a chance to reflect on where our team are.
We are well into our 'tough run', the second of Allardyce's well-documented
'phases' of the season. After a fantastic start, I was very vocal in playing
down our chances of success for the season. After a draw and a victory
against Manchester City and Newcastle respectively, surely even the most
optimistic fan would have to concede we have exceeded expectations.
Needless to say, as I look at the league table, and see us sit above many of
our more illustrious opponents, I am stunned with our start. On the back of
our best start in Premier League history, we can begin to draw some
conclusions, and our team are beginning to answer some of the questions that
we as fans, and me in particular, had before the season kicked off. Here are
a few observations that I have made this season which explain our successes
so far this year.
1) Our defence is answering its critics.
The best way to silence doubters is to perform on the pitch. I'm happy to
admit I was one of those doubters, and I am on the verge of willingly
holding my hands up. Firstly, I've never seen a West Ham player show as much
progression in a short period as Winston Reid. As I suggested last season, a
year in the Championship would work miracles in giving our defenders a
chance to gain confidence, learn the English game and develop a partnership
with each other. This has certainly been the case with Reid.
Besides the fun but somewhat irrelevant cult status he has acquired after
his winner against Millwall, the facts are that Winston is now a very good
defender. His positioning and reading of the game is fantastic, he is quick
over short distances, and is comfortable on the ball. He has progressed from
a squad player who did not inspire confidence when required to fill in, to
being one of the first names on the team sheet.
Similarly, our other centre defenders have definitely stepped up to the
plate. Both Tomkins and Collins have demonstrated they are perfectly
competent at this level, and although my preference remains to be our
academy product, I am growing more comfortable watching Collins step in.
With our full backs, despite being categorically unspectacular, McCartney
and O'Brien are quietly getting better and better, and with Demel waiting in
the wings, we are equally equipped at right back.
2) Our worries about our style of play was (largely) unfounded.
Any regular visitors to Upton Park last season will agree that, at times,
our style of play was quite frankly horrible. On regular occasions, we would
persistently lump the ball up towards Carlton Cole, who invariably struggled
to win headers, and often left us lacking any sort of creativity or cutting
edge. Allardyce's refusal to change to any sort of plan B led to much
disapproval from the fans.
This has simply not been the case this season. The one mark on this record
would be the performance against Wigan which was woeful. However, our
downfalls in that game were highlighted, and no excuses were made for our
one-dimensional tactics which dismally failed. Apart from this, the story
this season has been very different. We have used a more measured approach,
playing the ball into feet, and short passing is now used to complement the
'long ball' tactics that we are perceived to play. This allows us to gain a
degree of control of games that is essential in Premier League games.
3) Mark Noble.
The stats do not lie. By far and away the most prolific tackler in the whole
league, Mark Noble is the cog that makes our team work. He breaks up the
play so well, and demonstrates a competence on the ball in midfield that we
thought we had lost when we sold Parker to Spurs. Simply, Noble's
contribution this season are a significant factor in our successes. Besides
his tackling, the influence he provides through his passing is also
admirable.
Without meaning to sound cynical, Noble's passing is never going to be
applauded to the extent it should, simply because he is placing for a team
who play 'hoofball' every week. But he is so effective at dropping deep,
picking the ball up, and playing passes which start off attacks. His display
against Manchester City also demonstrates his ability to pick a long pass.
When Noble plays well, we play well, and if he can continue his fine form,
we will continue to pick up points.
4) Our fans have got right behind the team.
This one is not a surprise. At times last season, Upton Park was not a
particularly pleasant place to watch a game of football, let alone play
there. The fans created a negative atmosphere at times, which filtered
through to the players. Regardless of one's opinion of whether booing is
right or wrong, the performances on the pitch encouraged the fans to voice
their discontent, which affected the players on the pitch. But clearly, good
performances on the pitch and good atmospheres in the stands go hand in
hand, and our positive play this year has encouraged the fans to get behind
the club, which is fantastic news.
5) Our new signings have hit the ground running.
Last, and by no means least, our new signings have been excellent. As I've
already highlighted James Collins has showed that he is a match, at least
physically, for any forward in the league. Mo Diame is proving to be one of
the best summer signings in the entire league. He is a player in the mould
of Yaya Toure, which can only be a good thing. His strength and power allows
him to be extremely direct with his forward runs, and he is a physical force
when we do not have the ball. He is improving game on game, and his
performance against Newcastle was among his best in his short time at the
club.
Andy Carroll has enjoyed a mixed start. Critics would argue that he is yet
to net his first goal, but his all round contribution is excellent. He
provides an outlet when we are under pressure, by winning free kicks and
holding the ball up. It may be frustrating for him, but in a somewhat
paradoxical sense considering he is a striker, a goal isn't of utmost
importance. If he continues to provide goals for other players in the team,
he will prove an extremely useful asset for the team.
All in all, we are at an important stage of the season. I still insist that
we should not get carried away. It would not be unconceivable to see us go
on a winless streak with the increasing difficulty of our next few fixtures.
The fact that this seems unlikely is testament to Allardyce and his players.
Considering we have just been promoted from the Championship, our squad
possesses a level of experience and class that has not been seen since the
Newcastle squad of 2010. We do not have the same fragilities that the likes
of Reading and Southampton possess, and teams that have been promoted in
previous years and ultimately failed to consolidate their position in the
top flight.
After our best start to a season for a quarter of a century, we are almost
half way to the forty point mark, and we are well equipped to pick up the
other half and secure safety. Once we have done this, and only then, we can
look at securing a comfortable mid table finish, or even dare to look into
the top half. We will be able to bring through some of our exciting
youngsters, and look ahead to another season of progression next year. It's
certainly an exciting time to be a West Ham fan, and with a difficult run of
games, we can enjoy them without too much pressure, in the knowledge that we
are already well on the way to a respectable finish this season.
Tom Kilbey may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/tom29whu.
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Does Nolan Deserve an England Call-Up?
West Ham Till I Die
In the aftermath of the 0-1 victory over Newcastle Utd, there has been a
fair amount of discussion generated concerning whether Kevin Nolan deserves
an England call-up. At 30 years of age, some might argue that it is a little
late in the day for that, but why? If a 31 year old Leon Osman can be called
up, why not a 30 year old Nolan?
Arguably, Nolan is that most precious of commodities, a goal scoring
midfielder. A bit like Frank Lampard Jnr, they are deadly supporting the
striker(s) and scoring from advanced positions. In doing so, they accumulate
a goal tally, in the course of a season, that some strikers would consider a
decent and productive return. Nolan has the positional instincts of a
striker in the final third, he always seems to know where to best position
himself to snap up the chances. And we are, once again, benefiting from that
this season, with his current return of 5 goals in 11 PL matches.
An added attraction for England is Nolan great understanding with Andy
Carroll. Would that not benefit the national side, in much the same way that
it has been a massive bonus at club-level. Or is it the case that while
Nolan may be useful in the PL, international football is too big a step up
for him? Can he reproduce it for England or would he struggle to do it at
that level? They are no doubt some of the issues in a 'Nolan for England'
debate. Personally, I see no reason why he should not get an opportunity.
Much like Mark Noble, the ultimate litmus test of a player's international
credentials is to test him at that level. I do not believe that anyone can
honestly say that Nolan and Noble have not earnt the chance via their
excellent respective PL displays this season.
So, is Nolan a viable choice at international level? Discuss.
SJ. Chandos.
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Stadium mystery: Three charged with fraud following probe into allegations
that Tottenham spied on Olympic officials
By Alex Hankin Comments
The Mirror
14 Nov 2012 16:22
The ugly tussle between West Ham and Tottenham over the future tenancy of
the Olympic Stadium will be at the centre of a court case relating to
allegations of espionage...
Three people have been charged with fraud over allegations of unlawful
obtaining of information linked to the Olympic Park, Scotland Yard has said,
according to a report by the Press Association. Detectives have been
investigating claims made by West Ham United Football Club and the Olympic
Park Legacy Company. Richard Michael Forrest, 30, Lee Stewart, 39, and
Howard Hill, 58, are all due to appear in court on November 28. The
investigation surrounds allegations that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
spied on Olympic officials during its stadium bid. Forrest, from Crawley,
West Sussex, and Stewart, from Esher in Surrey, are both accused of
conspiracy with Hill to commit fraud by false representation. Hill, from
Stockport in Cheshire, is accused of conspiracy with the other two men to
commit the same offence. They will all appear at Westminster Magistrates'
Court later this month. Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) chairwoman
Baroness Ford claimed in November last year that Spurs had all 14 members of
her board monitored by private investigators. The north London club denied
putting officials under surveillance. There was a deal with West Ham and
Newham Council to use the stadium in Stratford, east London, after the 2012
Games, but that collapsed in October last year. Tottenham had already lost
out to West Ham in the race to become the OPLC's first choice to move into
the stadium after the Olympics. Challenges by Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton
Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, led to fears
that court action could drag on for years while the stadium remained empty.
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On track: West Ham remain committed to Olympic Stadium move
The Mirror
11 Oct 2012 15:55
West Ham are still committed to making the Olympic Stadium their new home
despite concerns over a possible delay in the bidding process. Applications
to take over the stadium were forced to start again after challenges from
both Tottenham and Leyton Orient to the Hammers proposed tenancy.
Nevertheless, West Ham want to become main tenants for the start of the
2014-15 season. In a statement released by West Ham said: "It is now 20
months since West Ham United were initially named as the preferred bidder to
occupy the Olympic Stadium post-Games. We are obviously disappointed, that
three bids later, a decision has yet to be reached. "We do however remain
fully committed to becoming the catalyst to galvanise the Olympic Park by
bringing people, jobs and a robust and sustainable commercial offer that
guarantees a return to the taxpayer of the money already invested."
Other bids are under consideration include one from Leyton Orient, a
football business college and a group wanting to host a Formula One race at
the Olympic Park. The £486million Olympic Stadium has already been earmarked
for 20 athletics meetings, which include the World Championships in 2017,
and will also be available for community use, with Newham Council
contributing some £40million in a loan towards the redevelopment project.
Hone said: "If we can't come to a conclusion, in the scheme of things if it
slips another month or two I would rather get the right solution. "Yes, the
stadium is tricky, but it's tricky because we want to get it right. "I would
hate to bung someone in there and see it fall apart in five years. "If it
takes a couple of extra months to get there, then so be it."
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Olympic Stadium's future is taking too long to resolve
David Bond | 17:53 UK time, Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Despite claims to the contrary, Boris Johnson believes the Olympic Stadium
will be ready to reopen before the end of the Rio Games in 2016.
Nevertheless - and despite the London Mayor's optimism when talking to
London Assembly members on Wednesday - it remains a very real prospect that
a stadium widely acclaimed during London's successful Games, and which took
just three years to build, will take four years to convert. Dennis Hone, the
chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), said as
much again when he repeated his line to the London Assembly from last week
that 2015 is now the target but 2016 a possibility. Johnson added,
worryingly, that Londoners might have to be patient and recognise the
Olympic Stadium was not built to be "the kind of omni-purpose world-class
venue capable of hosting Premier League football that it should be".
So why are we in this mess?
The main reason, as Johnson suggests, is that organisers made a major
mistake by writing Premier League football out of original designs for the
legacy use of the stadium. But we've known this for years. So why is it in
danger of descending into another farce?
The process to find a long-term anchor for the stadium is stalling because
the plans to convert it for Premier League football have changed again,
increasing the cost to somewhere between £180m and £190m.
Under the original deal with West Ham, which collapsed last autumn because
of legal challenges, the Premier League team would own the freehold to the
stadium.
At that time the cost discussed was around £95m to £100m and was to be
funded from three sources - £38m from the Olympic budget of £9.3bn, £40m
from Newham Council in the form of a low interest loan, and around £20m from
the sale of Upton Park.
This would have paid to extend the roof - which currently only covers two
thirds of the seating area - add corporate hospitality facilities and
refurbish toilets.
So why has the cost almost doubled?
The main reason is the decision to add retractable seating to bring football
fans closer to the action.
Demountable seats - similar to the ones used for temporary venues like
Greenwich Park during the Games - cost less but take weeks to put up and
take down.
This potentially impacts on the commercial value of the stadium as it may
reduce the number of events that can be staged there.
So, while a retractable seating mechanism costs a lot more to factor in, the
LLDC is thought to now favour the option as it could lead to more income in
the long run.
The roof also needs an even bigger extension as it would now need to cover
the running track and the retractable seats on it.
But while the costs have gone up, the funding provision has, largely,
remained the same.
There is still £38m from the Olympic budget, a loan of £40m from Newham
(although this could be increased) and a contribution from West Ham, though,
surprisingly perhaps, this appears to have gone down to around £10m.
West Ham argue that they bring unique commercial value to the stadium
project and now believe that, as they are no longer going to own the
freehold to the stadium, it is the landlord - the mayor and LLDC - who
should bear the cost of upgrading it for football. Without them, the stadium
will become a costly millstone around taxpayers' necks, they say.
The Premier League club are understood to have submitted a package which
includes a minimum lump sum, an annual rental (around £2m) and a share of
any naming rights deal they are able to bring in. There is also haggling
going on over how the revenue from catering should be split between tenant
and landlord.
But it is the capital funding shortfall that is proving to be the big
stumbling block. So how do you plug the gap?
Johnson has already tried to raid the £377m Olympic budget underspend -
receiving a swift and negative response from the Chancellor, George Osborne.
There are London taxpayer funds available and the LLDC itself could raid
some of its own transformation budget but that could mean spending less on
other parts of the park. There is also nervousness about the legal
implications of publicly subsidising a big football club.
It is a complicated process that has not been helped by the continual
changes at the top of the LLDC. Johnson is now chairing the organisation,
having taken over from Daniel Moylan in September, while Hone, the widely
respected chief of the Olympic Delivery Authority, replaced former chief
executive Andy Altman.
West Ham remain the favourites to secure the deal as anchor tenants for a
stadium which cost £431m to build, well ahead of rival bids from Leyton
Orient Football Club, a football business school and a consortium proposing
Formula One races in the park.
Yet the LLDC could still snub West Ham, appoint an operating company and
just hire the stadium out for concerts and more occasional sporting events
like NFL matches, big rugby games, combining it with more community use.
This would allow the stadium to reopen in 2014, and avoid spending the best
part of £200m and losing valuable income while the stadium remains shut.
Without a big football team the running costs would also be lower.
Of course all this could have been avoided had the Government and the
Olympic Delivery Authority factored in Premier League football back in 2006
and 2007 when the plans were being drawn up.
It is a costly mistake which continues to overshadow all the other wonderful
achievements delivered by London's Olympic organisers.
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Olympic Stadium saga becoming 'a Stratford farce', says athletics chief
Ed Warner frustrated park could be dormant site until 2015
'There is one viable option – multi-use. Just get on with it'
James Riach
The Guardian, Wednesday 14 November 2012 17.34 GMT
Ed Warner, the UK Athletics chairman, does not believe the impasse over the
Olympic Stadium will threaten Britain's successful bid to host the world
championships in five years' time. The saga regarding the future of London's
Olympic Stadium has been criticised as "a Stratford farce" by the UK
Athletics chairman, Ed Warner, with negotiations surrounding the £468m
facility set to drag on until the new year.
Dennis Hone, the chief executive of the London Legacy Development
Corporation, revealed last week that if a costing agreement is reached with
West Ham United to convert the stadium into a dual football and athletics
venue then the Premier League club would not move into their new home until
2016.
However, although Warner, who is also chairman of the 2017 athletics world
championships organising committee, does not believe that the impasse will
threaten Britain's successful bid to host that event in five years' time, he
is frustrated that the Olympic Park in east London could be a dormant site
until the European hockey championships in 2015.
"I want a decision – any talk of 2016 is concerning, not for the 2017 world
championships but for getting other events there. We want the Diamond League
meeting in there, we want our trials in there, we want to see kids'
athletics in the stadium. Just as I know West Ham want to see football in
the stadium," he said.
"I wouldn't say this is a Whitehall farce, it's fast becoming a Stratford
farce. To my mind there is one absolutely viable option which is multi-use,
just get on with it and use it. There is another very viable option – I
think our friends at West Ham have been phenomenally patient over the last
few months.
"Whichever of those two routes is taken works for UK Athletics but get it
over with. We have a programme of events which that stadium can host, which
we had planned to start in the summer of 2014. We don't really want a race
with the Rio opening ceremony to the reopening of the London Olympic
Stadium."
Boris Johnson said on Wednesday: "It would be wrong to get into a proxy
discussion on negotiations with putative future tenants. The cost of doing
the stadium up in the way the people of this country would expect is
considerable. It was not designed for football, there was a decision taken
not to do it in that way," the London mayor said. "I think it very, very
unlikely we won't get the stadium open by then [the Rio 2016 Olympics
closing ceremony]."
There remains a gap between the amount West Ham are prepared to put towards
the stadium's conversion costs, which would pay for the installation of
retractable seats and a cantilevered roof, and what the LLDC believes would
be a suitable sum.
An investigator hired by Tottenham during their failed bid in 2011 to become
the Olympic Stadium's tenants has been charged by the Metropolitan police
with fraud. Howard Hill, 58, allegedly obtained the private telephone
records of the West Ham director Karren Brady in an illegal fashion.
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Three charged for fraud over Spurs Olympic Stadium row with rivals West Ham
Daily Mail
Tottenham denied putting officials - including West Ham vice-chairman Karren
Brady - under surveillance
OPLC chairwoman Baroness Ford claimed that Spurs had all 14 members of her
board monitored by private investigators
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
PUBLISHED: 16:02, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 20:11, 14 November 2012
Three men have been charged with fraud after claims that Tottenham hired
private investigators to snoop on West Ham as the clubs battled over the
Olympic Stadium. The trio are alleged to have accessed telephone bills and
other private records of West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady illegally.
Richard Michael Forrest, Lee Stewart and Howard Hill are due to appear in
Westminster Magistrates Court on November 28 after a 14-month investigation
by the Metropolitan Police. West Ham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company
(OPLC) took legal action in July 2011 after allegations published in The
Sunday Times suggested 'the accessing of private information by illegal
means'. Baroness Ford, chairwoman of OPLC, also claimed in November last
year that all 14 members of her board 'were placed under surveillance' by
Spurs, which the club strongly denies. But Hill, 58, from Stockport, was a
senior investigator at accountancy firm PFK when Spurs hired them to conduct
an inquiry into the stadium bidding process, although a court later heard
there were 'no documents' to clarify his role. Spurs had no comment to make
but insist PFK acted independently. Hill was accused of two counts of
conspiracy to commit fraud. Forrest, 30, who is understood to run a private
investigation firm, and Stewart, 39, from Esher in Surrey, were also accused
of conspiracy with Hill to commit fraud by false representation. West Ham
declined to comment, saying it was a police matter.
West Ham, with partners Newham Council, were initially successful in their
bid for the stadium but the deal collapsed in October 2011 after challenges
from Spurs and Leyton Orient and an anonymous complaint to the European
Commission. West Ham are still the leading contenders to move into the
stadium, with a decision expected by December 5, but there is significant
disagreement over who will pay the £200million needed to convert the
80,000-seat arena into a football stadium.
The London Legacy Development Corporation confirmed last week that the
stadium will not reopen until at least August 2015. The Olympic Park is
already cut off to the public until next July, when the northern part of the
facility will open. The southern area, including the Aquatics Centre, is not
due to open until Easter 2014. UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner and sports
minister Hugh Robertson said there was no threat to the 2017 World Athletics
Championships in London, but Mayor of London Boris Johnson insisted the
stadium's legacy is not 'solely about athletics'. He said: 'That means
delivering a stadium that preferably is multi- purpose, at the heart of the
community, and able to host concerts and big set-piece events alongside
world-class sport.'
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Trio to face fraud trial
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Three men have been formally charged in connection with the theft of
personal records belonging to West Ham United vice chair Karren Brady. The
trio - named as Richard Forrest, 30, Lee Stewart, 39 and Howard Hill, 58
will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 28th November to
answer fraud charges in relation to the unlawful acquisition of Brady's
private telephone records. Hill, who has since resigned from accountants PKF
was an employee of the company at the time they were hired by Tottenham
Hotspur FC to investigate the details behind West Ham's previously
successful bid to become anchor tenants at the Olympic Stadium. West Ham
United initially contacted Police in July 2011 following claims in the
Sunday Times that employees' personal records had been surreptitiously
gained by corporate investigators. In the same week the Olympic Park Legacy
Company also registered a complaint of a similar nature after it was
suggested chief executive Andrew Altman had been targeted. A second OLPC
member - Ms Dionne Knight, who was subsequently suspended following the
revelation that she had been temporarily employed by West Ham as a
consultant - was said to have been spied upon by the investigators at her
home address. The charges follow a year-long investigation by the
Metropolitan Police. A fourth individual remains on bail whilst two others
have who were arrested in connection with the affair have been released
without charge.
* Brady has revealed that she is investigating the circumstances regarding
Savio Nsereko's 2009 move from Brescia to West Ham. "Just before this board
took over, the club paid a huge amount to Brescia for the German Under-21
who took part in a handful of matches and then departed for Fiorentina at a
fraction of the price," she said in her latest tabloid column. "The deal is
something I'm investigating."
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A very British farce
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner has referred to the ongoing uncertainty over
the future of the Olympic Stadium as 'a Stratford farce'. Warner, who as
Chiarman of the organising committe is responsible for organising the 2017
athletics World Championships hit out today in the wake of news that the
arena is unlikely to open before 2016 - the same year as the NEXT Olympic
Games are due to take place in Rio. "Any talk of [waiting until] 2016 is
concerning, not for the 2017 World Championships but for getting other
events there," he said. "I want a decision. "We want the Diamond League
meeting in there, we want our trials in there, we want to see kids'
athletics in the stadium - just as I know West Ham want to see football in
the stadium. "I wouldn't say this is a Whitehall farce, it's fast becoming a
Stratford farce. To my mind there is one absolutely viable option which is
multi-use, just get on with it and use it. "There is another very viable
option – and I think our friends at West Ham have been phenomenally patient
over the last few months. Whichever of those two routes is taken works for
UK Athletics - but get it over with. "We have a programme of events which
that stadium can host, which we had planned to start in the summer of 2014.
We don't really want a race with the Rio opening ceremony to the reopening
of the London Olympic Stadium."
Meanwhile Sports Minister Hugh Robertson appeared to suggest that a deal
with West Ham was close to reaching fruition - although there were some
hurdles that still needed to be negotiated. "There is a commercial
negotiation going on with West Ham and it's a question of how quickly the
Mayor and the Legacy Company can close the gap," he said. "There is a
package on the table which includes the conversion costs that were built
into the budget and a contribution from the local authority and some money
that West Ham might put into it. "Then there is the bill for all the things
they would ideally want to do to have what they would see as a modern
stadium."
Central to West Ham's plans for the new-look Olympic Stadium is retractable
seating, which will cost around £200million to install. However the Treasury
recently ruled out using some of the excess funds previously allocated to
the Olympic Games for this purpose. West Ham are said to have offered an
initial lump sum plus an annual rent of around £2million to take control of
the stadium, but believe that as tenants the brunt of redevelopment costs
should be provided by the landlord - the LLDC.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 15
Wednesday, November 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th November 2012
The Big Interview: Guy Demel
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel is pleased to be showing the West Ham United fans what he can do after a strong start
13.11.2012
Guy Demel is relishing the opportunity to finally make his mark on England's top division with West Ham United after a career spent mainly plying his trade at some of the biggest teams in Germany. The Ivory Coast international spent a season with Arsenal at the turn of the century without making a single appearance before moving abroad and enjoying huge success with Borussia Dortmund and then Hamburger SV. After playing a pivotal role in West Ham's promotion back to the Barclays Premier League last season, Demel has been a key player in a Hammers backline that has managed five clean sheets already this season.
Guy, you missed a few weeks recently through injury. What was the problem and how has it progressed?
GD: "I tore my hernia, so I had to have an operation two weeks ago. After a couple of days we started the rehab and everything went really well. This week was my first week back training with the team and I got the opportunity to play 20 minutes at Newcastle, so I was very happy, though I need a couple more games to get back my top form.
Was it frustrating getting injured after starting the season so well?
GD: "Yeah, but that kind of thing happens in a season. What is important is the team so it doesn't really matter who plays. It is always better to come back into a team that is winning, rather than come back in a team that is struggling.
"I am happy that the players in my position in those couple of games did really well. It is good to have competition in the team and now I am just looking to get
back on to my best form and give my best when the coach and the team need me. "There are so many games in this league so I am sure that I will get my chance."
Was it hard coming off the bench against Newcastle when they were throwing everything they had at West Ham to try and get a goal back?
GD: "Of course it is quite a difficult thing to do because the game was quite intensive. Newcastle were really pushing in the last few minutes, but I think we did really well and my team-mates really helped me as well, but it wasn't easy to be fair.
"Hatem Ben Arfa and some of the other lads are quick so it is difficult to catch them but the most important thing is that we won today, we are near the top of the league, it is a good start to the season."
Was the Newcastle win West Ham's best performance of the season so far?
GD: "I think we have had others too. Manchester City at home, QPR away. But now we have to have success at home in the next game just to make this game count.
It was West Ham's fifth Premier League clean sheet and their sixth in all competitions. The defence really does seem to be playing well at the moment?
GD: "This is our strength this season. Everyone in the team defends. Of course there is the back four and the keeper, but the whole team defends and even the players when they come off the bench have done well.
"When the first defender is the striker then everything works well."
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Hammers head off for international duty
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United players have travelled to represent their countries
12.11.2012
West Ham United players will travel far and wide to represent their respective international sides this week. Mohamed Diame, Guy Demel and Winston Reid will be in action for their senior national teams, while Blair Turgott and Dan Potts will turn out for England's Under-19 side. Reid will travel the furthest distance. The centre-back faces an 11,500-mile round-trip to Shanghai, where his New Zealand side take on the People's Republic of China in a friendly. The All Whites will take on China at the Hongkou Football Stadium at 7.30pm local time on Wednesday (11.30am UK time). The No2 has been in outstanding form this season, helping the Hammers to keep a Barclays Premier League-leading five clean sheets in their opening eleven league matches. Capped 12 times by his country, North Shore-born Reid starred for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, where he scored a dramatic equaliser in the All Whites' 1-1 group-stage draw with Slovakia.
Diame will also be boarding a long-haul flight as his Senegal side travel to Niger for a friendly in the capital city Niamey. Senegal did not qualify for the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa so are likely to use the game to start their planning for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 25-year-old midfielder has become an important member of his national team in recent years, captaining the Lions of Teranga at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where they reached the quarter-finals.
Demel will have a much shorter trip to contend with as Ivory Coast, who have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, travel to Austria for a friendly international in Linz on Wednesday and will use the fixture as a warm-up for the tournament, which kicks-off on 19 January. The right-back is one of five English-based players in the Elephants squad along with Manchester City trio Kolo Toure and Abdul Razak and Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone.
Potts and Turgott will both hope to be involved when Noel Blake's England Under-19s host Finland at AFC Telford's New Buck's Head stadium on Tuesday evening. England will use the game as preparation for their forthcoming 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers, which will take place next year.
Turgott has been capped more than 25 times at age-group level by England and starred for his country at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals and FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals in 2011. Potts, in contrast, made his England debut for the Under-18s in a friendly victory over Poland in March this year, having previously represented the United States.
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Diame has release clause
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
A tabloid has claimed that West Ham's Momo Diame can talk to other clubs in January due to a release clause in his current contract. The Senegalese international joined United on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic in the summer and promptly signed a three-year contract that appeared to tie him down until 2015. But tomorrow's Daily Mail claims that Diame insisted on including a clause in his contract allowing him to speak with any club offering in excess of £7million for his services. And, according to the story, that has alerted the likes of Newcastle and Everton who are just two of the clubs said to have been inpressed by the 25-year-old's start to the 2012/13 season.
Diame, who had been interesting the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United prior to agreeing to join West Ham in June first moved to England from Spanish club Reyo to the Latics in August 2009 in a cash-plus-player swap ( €3.8 million plus defender Antonio Amaya). Upon moving to east London, he said: "I'm very happy and very excited to have joined the club and I'm looking forward to the start of the season. I know the fans here get behind the team all the time and I'm looking forward to showing everybody what I can do on the pitch."
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West Ham want to extend the trial of young Chelsea striker Walter Figueira
By James Pearson - Follow me on Twitter @SkySportsPeo. Last Updated: November 13, 2012 6:09pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham are hoping to extend the trial of Chelsea youngster Walter Figueira after he impressed for their Under-18s against Arsenal.
The 17-year-old marksman, who scored in Saturday's 2-0 U18s victory over the Gunners, initially joined the Hammers for a week. The Londoner has been with Chelsea for the past three years after joining from Hampton & Richmond Borough FC. West Ham are keen to see more of Figueira with a view to making the youngster's stay a permanent arrangement. Figueira, who is out of contract in the summer, will have another chance to impress when the Hammers' U18s take on West Brom on Saturday.
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West Ham star Winston Reid is being tracked by a host of top clubs
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: November 13, 2012 1:53pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands that West Ham United defender Winston Reid is attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs. The 24-year-old has been outstanding for The Hammers this season since their return to the Premier League. West Ham are set to open talks with the defender and his representatives over a new deal in recognition of the huge strides he has taken in the past 12 months. Reid has two-and-a-half-years left on his current deal, but the terms are from when he joined the club from Midtjylland in 2010. It is believed West Ham are ready to offer him a significant pay hike. However, Sky Sports understands that the performances of the New Zealand stopper have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Clubs from Italy, Spain and Germany have all been alerted to his progress but the interest is strongest in the Premier League, where some of West Ham's rivals are weighing up bids, even as early as January, to try and lure him away from Upton Park. West Ham will fight hard to keep Reid, and remain hopeful he will sign a new deal.
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Kevin Nolan is not surprised by West Ham's start to the Premier League season
Last Updated: November 13, 2012 9:55am
SSN
West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan says he is not surprised by his newly-promoted side's impressive start to the Premier League season. The Hammers moved up to sixth in the table when Nolan's first-half winner clinched a 1-0 victory at his former club Newcastle on Sunday. Many tipped Sam Allardyce's men to struggle after they booked their top-flight return with a narrow Championship play-off final victory over Blackpool in May. Allardyce strengthened his promotion-winning squad by signing a number of experienced Premier League campaigners, including Jussi Jaaskelainen, James Collins and Andy Carroll, in the summer.
And they have made a healthy start by taking 18 points from their opening 11 matches. Nolan said: "If people have been surprised by us so far, then that's their fault for underestimating us. "We added some more quality to the squad that we came up with in the summer, so we knew we had a chance of finishing in the top 10. We're looking like we can do that."
Meanwhile, Nolan says he has no ill-feeling towards Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley and manager Alan Pardew following his exit from St James' Park. The 30-year-old swapped Tyneside for East London in the summer of 2011 after Ashley refused to hand him a long-term contract. Allardyce swooped in a £3m deal for his former Bolton skipper, who helped fire the Hammers back into the Premier League with 13 goals. Nolan said: "I needed to get the best for myself and Newcastle needed to get what they felt was the best for them. "I'd shake the owner's hand as willingly as I'd shake Alan Pardew's, because I got on well with them and they were good to me. "I hope there is no animosity between us. I built up a great relationship with people while I was Newcastle."
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Diame Allegedy Attracting New PL Admirers!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There was an interesting report this evening that the likes of Everton, Newcastle Utd and Fulham are casting envious eyes in the direction of West Ham's midfield dynamo, Mo Diame. More controversially, the report alleges that Diame negotiated a clause in his contract that he can speak to another club if they bid £7m or above. If that is true, then West Ham have learnt absolutely nothing from the Demba Ba contract situation. I certainly hope that it is not true.
Diame has been massive for us this season. His power and strength in midfield have added a whole new dimension to the team. In particular, Diame's surging runs cause panic in the opposition ranks, even if he could do with improving his decision-making in the final third. No doubt it is something that Sam Allardyce, and his coaching staff, will have raised with Diame and that he will be working on. He has formed a very good midfield unit with Noble and Nolan. Indeed, it is a long time since we have had such a well balanced and effective midfield trio. If we are to progress, we need to retain our best players and strengthen the squad still further via the transfer market and our Academy graduates.
It is inevitable in a way, given West Ham's excellent return to the PL, that other clubs will start taking an interest in our players. But the club must resist the temptation to cash in and aim to build a squad capable of challenging for regular top 6 finishes. Even his sternest critics must surely concede that Sam Allardyce has turned the club around, since the shambolic relegation season of 2010-11, and has built both a very solid and promising foundation. This West Ham team is solid in defence, well organised and capable of competing in the PL. Allardyce deserves a new contract and the ongoing commitment of the club to build upon and progress the good work done to date. While admittedly, it is currently difficult to resist the top four sides, should they take an interest in one of our players, we must at least try. We should certainly not be selling our best assets to roughly comparable clubs like Everton, Newcastle Utd or Fulham. If we do that we stand nil chance of achieving the necessary progress.
Yesterday's Evening Standard ran a story comparing the current West Ham side with the 'boys of 1986,' who achieved the highest league finish in the club's history. It's a fun exercise, the type that fans like to engage in, even if arguably it is stretching it a bit to make the comparison at the moment. However, the fact is that the club could develop this team in to something special, given time, investment and a commitment to the Academy. The club must ditch it's former 'selling club tag' and turn us in to serious contenders for domestic honours and European football. Easier said than done I know, in competition with billionaire owned clubs like Man City and Chelsea, but we have to have the ambition and purpose to try to mount a genuine challenge to them.
West Ham's bubbles have nearly reached the sky so many times, only to fade and die. The fans deserve sustained success and, maybe, this time it can be delivered?
SJ. Chandos.
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The Allardyce effect: Why Big Sam deserves credit for changing the West Ham way into winning ways
The Mirror
13 Nov 2012 11:18
Ian Horrocks
Sam Allardyce has never been backwards in going forwards – on or off the football field. He thought he should have been England manager, he believes he would be a good Real Madrid boss and insists he is only a foreign name short of being offered a chance with a top-four club. Of course, such lofty claims have earned Dudley-born Allardyce a fair amount of ridicule but his record is nothing to laugh at. Now, the man so often accused of having illusions of grandeur is succeeding at a club that has regularly been burdened by an inflated opinion of themselves. Did you know West Ham won the World Cup? Or that they are the only club to have some supremely talented former players? Had you heard Upton Park is the Academy of football? None of that bothers Allardyce, who chose the new wallpaper in the Upton Park tunnel himself and replaced photographs of the old greats with pictures of West Ham's Championship play-off final victory.
Questioned about the famous 'West Ham way' soon after taking the job, Allardyce remarked the Hammers' recent way had been to lose games. He wasn't wrong. Allardyce quickly put that right, securing promotion at the first attempt and leading West Ham to a wonderful Premier League start that sees the club occupy sixth place ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham. In many ways, however, Allardyce and West Ham remain the odd couple. The fans are yet to fully embrace him and many still complain about his style of football. On the flip side, one suspects Allardyce will never be able to understand supporters who cling to the past and enjoy manipulating history through claret and blue-tinted spectacles. He doubts how many current Upton Park regulars saw Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking play. Allardyce argues his billing as a long-ball manager is a myth. His teams play effective football and if that means moving the ball forwards quickly, then so-be-it. Sometimes it is pretty, sometimes it's not – you could say the same about 90 per cent of all Premier League clubs. And Allardyce is certainly no dinosaur. He was one of the first English-based managers to embrace sports science and psychology, and continues to search for the best and most innovative methods of keeping his players fit. Attention to detail is one of the 58-year-old's strengths.
While the loan capture of Andy Carroll grabbed the headlines and Kevin Nolan continues to show what a superb £3million signing he was, West Ham's impressive start has been built on an incredible defensive display. Of the rearguard that kept a clean sheet in the victory over Newcastle, goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and defender Joey O'Brien were signed on free transfers. Many people thought 37-year-old Jaaskelainen was heading towards retirement, while O'Brien had been playing on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before Allardyce snapped him up. Only Manchester City and Stoke have conceded less goals than West Ham so far this season. Moneyball is an annoying phrase that has only recently been adopted by so-called bright young football managers and chief executives, but Allardyce has been employing a similar transfer philosophy for years. He sees value in what the individual can add to the collective and discards name, reputation and popular opinion when making decisions on new signings. Midfielder Mohamed Diame, who joined West Ham on a free transfer after his Wigan contract expired, has proved to be one of the early signings of the season.
Yossi Benayoun was not brought in on loan to please the Hammers fans who so fondly remember the Israeli's first spell with the club. The appeal to Allardyce was his know-how and intelligence, regardless of where he used to play. Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn all suffered after Allardyce departed, something West Ham fans ready to chant Paolo Di Canio's name at the slightest hint of a slip may wish to consider. The West Ham way too often brings false hope. The Allardyce way brings results.
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Everton and Newcastle are dazzled by West Ham ace Diame
PUBLISHED: 22:38, 13 November 2012 | UPDATED: 22:38, 13 November 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame is attracting interest from rival clubs just four months after signing on a free transfer from Wigan. The 25-year-old is understood to have a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to other clubs if £7million is offered. The Senegal star was outstanding against Newcastle on Sunday and Everton and Fulham are among his admirers. West Ham are hoping to extend the trial of Chelsea striker Walter Figueira, 17, after he scored for their Under 18s against Arsenal at the weekend.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel is pleased to be showing the West Ham United fans what he can do after a strong start
13.11.2012
Guy Demel is relishing the opportunity to finally make his mark on England's top division with West Ham United after a career spent mainly plying his trade at some of the biggest teams in Germany. The Ivory Coast international spent a season with Arsenal at the turn of the century without making a single appearance before moving abroad and enjoying huge success with Borussia Dortmund and then Hamburger SV. After playing a pivotal role in West Ham's promotion back to the Barclays Premier League last season, Demel has been a key player in a Hammers backline that has managed five clean sheets already this season.
Guy, you missed a few weeks recently through injury. What was the problem and how has it progressed?
GD: "I tore my hernia, so I had to have an operation two weeks ago. After a couple of days we started the rehab and everything went really well. This week was my first week back training with the team and I got the opportunity to play 20 minutes at Newcastle, so I was very happy, though I need a couple more games to get back my top form.
Was it frustrating getting injured after starting the season so well?
GD: "Yeah, but that kind of thing happens in a season. What is important is the team so it doesn't really matter who plays. It is always better to come back into a team that is winning, rather than come back in a team that is struggling.
"I am happy that the players in my position in those couple of games did really well. It is good to have competition in the team and now I am just looking to get
back on to my best form and give my best when the coach and the team need me. "There are so many games in this league so I am sure that I will get my chance."
Was it hard coming off the bench against Newcastle when they were throwing everything they had at West Ham to try and get a goal back?
GD: "Of course it is quite a difficult thing to do because the game was quite intensive. Newcastle were really pushing in the last few minutes, but I think we did really well and my team-mates really helped me as well, but it wasn't easy to be fair.
"Hatem Ben Arfa and some of the other lads are quick so it is difficult to catch them but the most important thing is that we won today, we are near the top of the league, it is a good start to the season."
Was the Newcastle win West Ham's best performance of the season so far?
GD: "I think we have had others too. Manchester City at home, QPR away. But now we have to have success at home in the next game just to make this game count.
It was West Ham's fifth Premier League clean sheet and their sixth in all competitions. The defence really does seem to be playing well at the moment?
GD: "This is our strength this season. Everyone in the team defends. Of course there is the back four and the keeper, but the whole team defends and even the players when they come off the bench have done well.
"When the first defender is the striker then everything works well."
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Hammers head off for international duty
WHUFC.com
A number of West Ham United players have travelled to represent their countries
12.11.2012
West Ham United players will travel far and wide to represent their respective international sides this week. Mohamed Diame, Guy Demel and Winston Reid will be in action for their senior national teams, while Blair Turgott and Dan Potts will turn out for England's Under-19 side. Reid will travel the furthest distance. The centre-back faces an 11,500-mile round-trip to Shanghai, where his New Zealand side take on the People's Republic of China in a friendly. The All Whites will take on China at the Hongkou Football Stadium at 7.30pm local time on Wednesday (11.30am UK time). The No2 has been in outstanding form this season, helping the Hammers to keep a Barclays Premier League-leading five clean sheets in their opening eleven league matches. Capped 12 times by his country, North Shore-born Reid starred for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, where he scored a dramatic equaliser in the All Whites' 1-1 group-stage draw with Slovakia.
Diame will also be boarding a long-haul flight as his Senegal side travel to Niger for a friendly in the capital city Niamey. Senegal did not qualify for the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa so are likely to use the game to start their planning for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 25-year-old midfielder has become an important member of his national team in recent years, captaining the Lions of Teranga at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where they reached the quarter-finals.
Demel will have a much shorter trip to contend with as Ivory Coast, who have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, travel to Austria for a friendly international in Linz on Wednesday and will use the fixture as a warm-up for the tournament, which kicks-off on 19 January. The right-back is one of five English-based players in the Elephants squad along with Manchester City trio Kolo Toure and Abdul Razak and Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone.
Potts and Turgott will both hope to be involved when Noel Blake's England Under-19s host Finland at AFC Telford's New Buck's Head stadium on Tuesday evening. England will use the game as preparation for their forthcoming 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers, which will take place next year.
Turgott has been capped more than 25 times at age-group level by England and starred for his country at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals and FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals in 2011. Potts, in contrast, made his England debut for the Under-18s in a friendly victory over Poland in March this year, having previously represented the United States.
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Diame has release clause
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
A tabloid has claimed that West Ham's Momo Diame can talk to other clubs in January due to a release clause in his current contract. The Senegalese international joined United on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic in the summer and promptly signed a three-year contract that appeared to tie him down until 2015. But tomorrow's Daily Mail claims that Diame insisted on including a clause in his contract allowing him to speak with any club offering in excess of £7million for his services. And, according to the story, that has alerted the likes of Newcastle and Everton who are just two of the clubs said to have been inpressed by the 25-year-old's start to the 2012/13 season.
Diame, who had been interesting the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United prior to agreeing to join West Ham in June first moved to England from Spanish club Reyo to the Latics in August 2009 in a cash-plus-player swap ( €3.8 million plus defender Antonio Amaya). Upon moving to east London, he said: "I'm very happy and very excited to have joined the club and I'm looking forward to the start of the season. I know the fans here get behind the team all the time and I'm looking forward to showing everybody what I can do on the pitch."
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West Ham want to extend the trial of young Chelsea striker Walter Figueira
By James Pearson - Follow me on Twitter @SkySportsPeo. Last Updated: November 13, 2012 6:09pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham are hoping to extend the trial of Chelsea youngster Walter Figueira after he impressed for their Under-18s against Arsenal.
The 17-year-old marksman, who scored in Saturday's 2-0 U18s victory over the Gunners, initially joined the Hammers for a week. The Londoner has been with Chelsea for the past three years after joining from Hampton & Richmond Borough FC. West Ham are keen to see more of Figueira with a view to making the youngster's stay a permanent arrangement. Figueira, who is out of contract in the summer, will have another chance to impress when the Hammers' U18s take on West Brom on Saturday.
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West Ham star Winston Reid is being tracked by a host of top clubs
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: November 13, 2012 1:53pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands that West Ham United defender Winston Reid is attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs. The 24-year-old has been outstanding for The Hammers this season since their return to the Premier League. West Ham are set to open talks with the defender and his representatives over a new deal in recognition of the huge strides he has taken in the past 12 months. Reid has two-and-a-half-years left on his current deal, but the terms are from when he joined the club from Midtjylland in 2010. It is believed West Ham are ready to offer him a significant pay hike. However, Sky Sports understands that the performances of the New Zealand stopper have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Clubs from Italy, Spain and Germany have all been alerted to his progress but the interest is strongest in the Premier League, where some of West Ham's rivals are weighing up bids, even as early as January, to try and lure him away from Upton Park. West Ham will fight hard to keep Reid, and remain hopeful he will sign a new deal.
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Kevin Nolan is not surprised by West Ham's start to the Premier League season
Last Updated: November 13, 2012 9:55am
SSN
West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan says he is not surprised by his newly-promoted side's impressive start to the Premier League season. The Hammers moved up to sixth in the table when Nolan's first-half winner clinched a 1-0 victory at his former club Newcastle on Sunday. Many tipped Sam Allardyce's men to struggle after they booked their top-flight return with a narrow Championship play-off final victory over Blackpool in May. Allardyce strengthened his promotion-winning squad by signing a number of experienced Premier League campaigners, including Jussi Jaaskelainen, James Collins and Andy Carroll, in the summer.
And they have made a healthy start by taking 18 points from their opening 11 matches. Nolan said: "If people have been surprised by us so far, then that's their fault for underestimating us. "We added some more quality to the squad that we came up with in the summer, so we knew we had a chance of finishing in the top 10. We're looking like we can do that."
Meanwhile, Nolan says he has no ill-feeling towards Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley and manager Alan Pardew following his exit from St James' Park. The 30-year-old swapped Tyneside for East London in the summer of 2011 after Ashley refused to hand him a long-term contract. Allardyce swooped in a £3m deal for his former Bolton skipper, who helped fire the Hammers back into the Premier League with 13 goals. Nolan said: "I needed to get the best for myself and Newcastle needed to get what they felt was the best for them. "I'd shake the owner's hand as willingly as I'd shake Alan Pardew's, because I got on well with them and they were good to me. "I hope there is no animosity between us. I built up a great relationship with people while I was Newcastle."
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Diame Allegedy Attracting New PL Admirers!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There was an interesting report this evening that the likes of Everton, Newcastle Utd and Fulham are casting envious eyes in the direction of West Ham's midfield dynamo, Mo Diame. More controversially, the report alleges that Diame negotiated a clause in his contract that he can speak to another club if they bid £7m or above. If that is true, then West Ham have learnt absolutely nothing from the Demba Ba contract situation. I certainly hope that it is not true.
Diame has been massive for us this season. His power and strength in midfield have added a whole new dimension to the team. In particular, Diame's surging runs cause panic in the opposition ranks, even if he could do with improving his decision-making in the final third. No doubt it is something that Sam Allardyce, and his coaching staff, will have raised with Diame and that he will be working on. He has formed a very good midfield unit with Noble and Nolan. Indeed, it is a long time since we have had such a well balanced and effective midfield trio. If we are to progress, we need to retain our best players and strengthen the squad still further via the transfer market and our Academy graduates.
It is inevitable in a way, given West Ham's excellent return to the PL, that other clubs will start taking an interest in our players. But the club must resist the temptation to cash in and aim to build a squad capable of challenging for regular top 6 finishes. Even his sternest critics must surely concede that Sam Allardyce has turned the club around, since the shambolic relegation season of 2010-11, and has built both a very solid and promising foundation. This West Ham team is solid in defence, well organised and capable of competing in the PL. Allardyce deserves a new contract and the ongoing commitment of the club to build upon and progress the good work done to date. While admittedly, it is currently difficult to resist the top four sides, should they take an interest in one of our players, we must at least try. We should certainly not be selling our best assets to roughly comparable clubs like Everton, Newcastle Utd or Fulham. If we do that we stand nil chance of achieving the necessary progress.
Yesterday's Evening Standard ran a story comparing the current West Ham side with the 'boys of 1986,' who achieved the highest league finish in the club's history. It's a fun exercise, the type that fans like to engage in, even if arguably it is stretching it a bit to make the comparison at the moment. However, the fact is that the club could develop this team in to something special, given time, investment and a commitment to the Academy. The club must ditch it's former 'selling club tag' and turn us in to serious contenders for domestic honours and European football. Easier said than done I know, in competition with billionaire owned clubs like Man City and Chelsea, but we have to have the ambition and purpose to try to mount a genuine challenge to them.
West Ham's bubbles have nearly reached the sky so many times, only to fade and die. The fans deserve sustained success and, maybe, this time it can be delivered?
SJ. Chandos.
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The Allardyce effect: Why Big Sam deserves credit for changing the West Ham way into winning ways
The Mirror
13 Nov 2012 11:18
Ian Horrocks
Sam Allardyce has never been backwards in going forwards – on or off the football field. He thought he should have been England manager, he believes he would be a good Real Madrid boss and insists he is only a foreign name short of being offered a chance with a top-four club. Of course, such lofty claims have earned Dudley-born Allardyce a fair amount of ridicule but his record is nothing to laugh at. Now, the man so often accused of having illusions of grandeur is succeeding at a club that has regularly been burdened by an inflated opinion of themselves. Did you know West Ham won the World Cup? Or that they are the only club to have some supremely talented former players? Had you heard Upton Park is the Academy of football? None of that bothers Allardyce, who chose the new wallpaper in the Upton Park tunnel himself and replaced photographs of the old greats with pictures of West Ham's Championship play-off final victory.
Questioned about the famous 'West Ham way' soon after taking the job, Allardyce remarked the Hammers' recent way had been to lose games. He wasn't wrong. Allardyce quickly put that right, securing promotion at the first attempt and leading West Ham to a wonderful Premier League start that sees the club occupy sixth place ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham. In many ways, however, Allardyce and West Ham remain the odd couple. The fans are yet to fully embrace him and many still complain about his style of football. On the flip side, one suspects Allardyce will never be able to understand supporters who cling to the past and enjoy manipulating history through claret and blue-tinted spectacles. He doubts how many current Upton Park regulars saw Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking play. Allardyce argues his billing as a long-ball manager is a myth. His teams play effective football and if that means moving the ball forwards quickly, then so-be-it. Sometimes it is pretty, sometimes it's not – you could say the same about 90 per cent of all Premier League clubs. And Allardyce is certainly no dinosaur. He was one of the first English-based managers to embrace sports science and psychology, and continues to search for the best and most innovative methods of keeping his players fit. Attention to detail is one of the 58-year-old's strengths.
While the loan capture of Andy Carroll grabbed the headlines and Kevin Nolan continues to show what a superb £3million signing he was, West Ham's impressive start has been built on an incredible defensive display. Of the rearguard that kept a clean sheet in the victory over Newcastle, goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and defender Joey O'Brien were signed on free transfers. Many people thought 37-year-old Jaaskelainen was heading towards retirement, while O'Brien had been playing on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before Allardyce snapped him up. Only Manchester City and Stoke have conceded less goals than West Ham so far this season. Moneyball is an annoying phrase that has only recently been adopted by so-called bright young football managers and chief executives, but Allardyce has been employing a similar transfer philosophy for years. He sees value in what the individual can add to the collective and discards name, reputation and popular opinion when making decisions on new signings. Midfielder Mohamed Diame, who joined West Ham on a free transfer after his Wigan contract expired, has proved to be one of the early signings of the season.
Yossi Benayoun was not brought in on loan to please the Hammers fans who so fondly remember the Israeli's first spell with the club. The appeal to Allardyce was his know-how and intelligence, regardless of where he used to play. Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn all suffered after Allardyce departed, something West Ham fans ready to chant Paolo Di Canio's name at the slightest hint of a slip may wish to consider. The West Ham way too often brings false hope. The Allardyce way brings results.
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Everton and Newcastle are dazzled by West Ham ace Diame
PUBLISHED: 22:38, 13 November 2012 | UPDATED: 22:38, 13 November 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame is attracting interest from rival clubs just four months after signing on a free transfer from Wigan. The 25-year-old is understood to have a clause in his contract that allows him to talk to other clubs if £7million is offered. The Senegal star was outstanding against Newcastle on Sunday and Everton and Fulham are among his admirers. West Ham are hoping to extend the trial of Chelsea striker Walter Figueira, 17, after he scored for their Under 18s against Arsenal at the weekend.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th November 2012
'It's a massive three points for us'
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble has lauded West Ham United's stirring 1-0 victory at Newcastle
United
11.11.2012
Mark Noble has hailed West Ham United's team spirit after the Hammers scored
a superb 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Newcastle United. Noble was
at his tireless best at St James' Park, combating a home midfield that
included France internationals Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa and
Netherlands star Vurnon Anita. The Hammer of the Year also played his part
in Kevin Nolan's winner when his cross was cleared to Joey O'Brien, whose
shot was turned in by the captain. The No16 was naturally proud to play his
part in West Ham's first win on Tyneside since October 1998. "It's a great
result," a smiling Noble told West Ham TV. "Coming here is always hard but
the three points are massive for us. The lads have done incredible and some
of the defensive play was unbelievable. "Tonks [James Tomkins] has come in
and played at centre-half for the first time this year and he was fantastic,
as were Reidy [Winston Reid] and George [McCartney]. Joey [O'Brien] has had
to play in two different positions and he's a top footballer. "It's been a
great day for us and we're buzzing."
Noble was not surprised to see Nolan score the all-important match-winner,
despite all the pressure surrounding the skipper's return to the club where
he spent three seasons between 2008 and 2011. "He is clever. I used to watch
him on Sky Sports and I thought that he was lucky and I told him that! But
he isn't lucky, because he knows where the ball is going to drop. Joey
shanked his shot and it fell to Nobby, like it always does. "It was nice of
him to show Newcastle fans respect by not celebrating. It's obviously a
massive three points for us."
Having been part of the side that struggled to pick up points on the road on
their way to relegation in 2010/11, Noble has thoroughly enjoyed being part
of life under Sam Allardyce. The manager has guided West Ham to 17 away
league victories in 28 attempts - a truly outstanding record. "I don't think
there is a secret - it's just hard work, team shape and the will to win.
We've got a lot of players here now who know how to win games. "We've got
some top international players and some Premier League players and we know
how to shut games down and that's what we did on Sunday."
Noble's own performance was eye-catching for the sheer amount of ground he
covered during the 90 minutes - plus nine minutes of added time. A tireless
worker and fearless tackler, the midfielder worked his socks off in typical
style to subdue the home side and upset his one-time manager Pardew.
"Obviously it was a big pitch out there! I enjoyed it as I had loads of the
ball and created a lot of stuff so I'm over the moon. I was playing against
some top players in there like Cabaye so I enjoyed it."
West Ham's victory took them up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League
table after eleven matches and above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
and Liverpool - a position every fan would have been delighted with at the
start of the season. Now, Noble says the Hammers cannot afford to rest on
their laurels, but instead push on again to maintain their top-half placing.
"We just have to keep doing what we have been doing. We can't get carried
away because we will get punished. If we play like did on Sunday and at QPR
away and like we have been doing at home, we can have a top season." *Less
than 1,000 tickets remain for Monday's Barclays Premier League visit of
Stoke City to the Boleyn Ground.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has hailed his 'most satisfying' away win as West Ham United
manager
12.11.2012
Sam Allardyce was a proud man as West Ham United announced that they are
well and truly back in the Barclays Premier League with a stunning 1-0 away
win at Newcastle United. Kevin Nolan's first-half goal handed the Hammers a
deserved victory after a performance boasting composure, tenacity and belief
helped deliver their first win at St James' Park for 14 years. Big Sam and
his squad were back in at Chadwell Heath early on Monday for a light session
to aid their recovery after the huge exertions of Sunday's success. "I think
this was my most satisfying win," said Big Sam, who has now won 17 of his 28
away league matches as West Ham boss. "I thought the win at QPR was a good
performance but we have to look at where QPR are. They are struggling and
we've taken advantage of that. Newcastle were a fantastic force at home last
season and have started the season well with some good performances. "It was
a fantastic professional performance by all the players and a fantastic
three points. Winning a Premier League game away from home is a tough ask so
to beat Newcastle at Newcastle is obviously very pleasing. "It was a
fantastic result and a clean sheet - you couldn't ask for any more."
The Hammers were outstanding from back to front and Jussi Jaaskelainen was
another who arguably had his best game yet in a claret and blue shirt after
pulling off a number of stunning saves. The Finn has now kept five clean
sheets in eleven league matches - more than any other goalkeeper in the
division.
Momo Diame, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan all won their individual battles
against the talented Magpies midfield on a fine afternoon for the 2,700
travelling Hammers fans. "It was good teamwork from the players using a
system of play that doesn't just nullify the opposition who were playing at
home, but also exposes the opposition's weaknesses. Our performance in and
out of possession was very good, the control of the ball was very good and
we got the goal at the right time. "We defended superbly when we needed to
and we broke out and exposed them in a counter-attacking way when we had the
chance. Every now and again the odd shots that they had on goal were saved
by our goalkeeper, who has a massive amount of experience. "He didn't panic
or put us under any pressure. He made the clean sort of saves that you'd
expect him to make. The foundation of a successful season is your goalkeeper
and your defenders keeping as many clean sheets as possible. "You can then
become a better attacking force and you entertain more and win more games
and that's what we all want."
Nolan was at the centre of most of his side's best attacking moves and once
again demonstrated his natural talent for putting the ball in the back of
the net - the fifth time he has done so this season. Once again his
excellent relationship with fellow former Newcastle star Andy Carroll proved
to be a constant thorn in the side of the opposition and only a fine save
from Tim Krul prevented the latter from opening his Hammers account. "The
only disappointing aspect was that Andy didn't stick the ball in the back of
the net for his first goal. That's not being critical of him as it was a
fantastic save by Krul but overall Kevin Nolan was man of the match and
showed the Newcastle fans what they were missing. His link-up play with
Carroll was superb. "Nobby's gaol was an instinct that you can't teach or
coach. You've either got it or you haven't and he's always had it from an
early age when he broke into the Bolton team. We knew we had to release him
and let him go and find his own way in the box and we couldn't coach that
and we just let him do it. "As the years have gone on he's continued to do
it successfully and that got even more successful at Newcastle as he and
Andy Carroll play very well together. Even though Andy is not scoring, they
work in tandem and know where each other are. For most of the game they were
together when they were needed and held the ball up."
The only downside to an otherwise memorable afternoon was the injuries that
forced Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney to leave the field
early. Javis suffered a tight thigh, Benayoun eventually succumbed to the
knock he picked up during a fully committed tackle against Jonas Gutierrez,
while McCartney looks potentially the most worrying after injuring his
groin. All three will be assessed on their return to Chadwell Heath. In
their absences, Modibo Maiga, Gary O'Neil and Guy Demel produced fine
performances to aid the Hammers' cause. "The three injuries and three
changes we had to make never detracted from the performance, which was even
more pleasing. Obviously it's disappointing when we get the injuries but to
see three players come on and still perform was pleasing. "It's a good job
we've got Guy Demel, Gary O'Neil and Modibo Maiga back as the bench has been
lightweight recently. It shows how important substitutes are as you have to
have a strong bench in this league."
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The happiest Hammer
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Bud Hedges
I don't think there can be any West Ham fan who could be disappointed with
West Ham United at the moment. Sixth in the league, the second best side in
London according to the table and all this from a side who, only eight
months ago, were capitulating near the top of the Championship table,
leaving supporters questioning whether we could actually make it up this
year.
The spirit, heart, fight and gritty performance at one of the toughest away
trips you may have to make in Premier League football was made this weekend
and we held on for a brilliant win. Such a vital three points cannot be
measured. There are moments in the season, especially away from home where
the side will need to dig in and make sure that they hold on. Wins over QPR
and Newcastle were the hallmark of this challenge and both times we took all
the points away from the game.
The best part of the win this weekend was that we are apparently in our
'tough spell' of matches. I've heard one report call the ten game period
beginning with Manchester City at home the 'fixtures of doom'. If this is
our tough spell, I would like to see how we would cope with an easy spell.
I feel that calling West Ham's fixture list at the start of the season an
easy one is short-sighted and doesn't give some teams in the Premier League
any credit. We may have not faced some of the stronger teams but you have to
beat those that are in front of you and we did have done so by beating five
of the 11 teams we've played. Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton, QPR and
Newcastle are all good teams; some are in good form, and some in less good
form, but we still had to beat them.
Having said this, what I admire the most about the West Ham side at the
moment is the tenacity and the effort that we are putting in to games. Kevin
Nolan said after the game with Newcastle: "It's only just a foundation, we
need to get to that elusive forty points and take it from there." Clearly
Allardyce isn't letting his side get ahead of them. Taking the Premier
League game by game, weekend-by-weekend is clearly the best strategy to take
and Allardyce seems to be keeping the side grounded.
West Ham has conceded just 11 goals so far, keeping five clean sheets. One
of those clean sheets came against the Champions of England, so the clean
sheets aren't just fluke. Allardyce and his coaches are evidently working
hard and the never-say-die attitude that West Ham is occupying is definitely
paying off. Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid have been the stand-out
performers in defence so far this season, not to take anything away from the
heroics of James Collins, James Tomkins, George McCartney, Guy Demel and
Joey O'Brien at the back to keep five clean sheets.
The work of the midfield three hasn't gone amiss either. Mark Noble and Mo
Diame are controlling games and are providing chances for the side. The
goals that Captain Fantastic has scored have obviously been vital and, once
again, Nolan is proving himself to be one of the best midfield goal scorers
in the history of the Premier League. I believe that Diame is proving a
vital player to have in the side; it seems that when he has a good game,
West Ham United seem to have a good game, but when he is slightly off his
game we don't play too well. He has become a lynchpin for our success
because Diame and Noble make up the main part of the engine room.
This weekend was capped off by the tremendous win at Newcastle and as I
pointed out earlier, I doubt there are many Hammers who are disappointed at
all with West Ham United. The only down side to our play at the moment is
the fact that Allardyce is ruining the clubs heritage of losing games from
winning positions. A heritage, that I'll be happy to see leave the club.
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Shanghai surprise?
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are once again being linked with a move for former Arsenal and
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. The ex-French international has been playing
for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua but is now a free agent having terminated
his contract with the club following a disagreement over his salary.
Unsurprisingly perhaps some sections of the media have claimed that West Ham
are now keen to land a player with whom they have been linked with on at
least three occasions previously - in 2007, 2011 and then again earlier this
year. Anelka, who has spent 12 years of his career playing in the Premier
League previously worked with current West Ham manager Sam Allardyce when
the pair were at Bolton together. Allardyce pulled off a major coup to sign
the 33-year-old from Fenerbahce for around £8m. At least one source has
claimed this morning that Anelka has held preliminary discussions with
representatives of West Ham with view to a permanent contract. The player
formally known as 'Le Sulk' is thought to have been earning around
£50,000-per-week in China.
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Baffled
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Olympique de Marseille midfielder Joey Barton admits that he is mystified by
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan's exclusion from the latest England
squad.
Roy Hodgson's team face Sweden in a friendly in Gothenburg later this week
and despite several players named in the initial 23-man squad pulling out
over the weekend, West Ham's leading goalscorer continues to be overlooked.
Meanwhile players such as Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha - who is yet to play
a single game in the Premier League - plus Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson and
Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone have been included. And that has mystified
Barton, who moved to France in the summer having been let go by previous
club Queens Park Rangers. "It's good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about
time," he told his 1.8million followers on social network Twitter. "But my
brain is asking why no Kevin Nolan? Surely he warrants a call up more than
most? "On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last eight years,
he deserves at least a call up. I'm not on about [Liverpool's Raheem]
Sterling, I'm on about Zaha. Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more
Prem goals, yet don't get a look in? Baffles me. He should have had a call
up years ago."
Also overlooked yet again is Nolan's team mate and fellow midfielder Mark
Noble, another who has played a major part in leading West Ham to sixth
place in the Premier League above teams such as Arsenal, Tottenham and
Liverpool.
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West Ham's Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for their support
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 3:42pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for the warm reception he received
when he returned to his old club with West Ham at the weekend. Nolan struck
six minutes before half-time in front of the Gallowgate End, where he was
once adored by the locals, to seal the Hammers' 1-0 victory at St James'
Park. As a mark of respect, he shelved his customary 'chicken dance'
celebration, but there was no hiding his delight. The 30-year-old, of
course, might still have been a Newcastle player had owner Mike Ashley
sanctioned the long-term contract for which he was looking during the summer
of last year, but he will continue to look back fondly on his time on
Tyneside. He said: "I loved everything about this club when I was here, and
I still do. "I have fond memories and many friends and my family enjoyed it
up here. My little boy is a Geordie. "I thought it was a fantastic
performance from us. I was delighted to get the goal and just delighted with
how the day went. "I would like to thank the Newcastle fans for the
fantastic support they gave me while I was here, and for the reception they
gave me on Sunday."
Commitment
Nolan added: "Obviously I could not have asked to have gone to a better club
than West Ham for the following we have got and the commitment they have
shown, so I'm delighted to be at another wonderful club. "Hopefully I can do
as well for them as I did up here." The visitors had to weather a sustained
assault in the second half as Newcastle, who had started poorly, attempted
to fight their way back into the game. However, manager Sam Allardyce's
traditional organisation and a commendable resilience saw them through.
Nolan said: "You have got to expect that because they are a team with
fantastic players. They had some fantastic players out [suspended] and we
knew we had to capitalise on that, and I think we did. "We hung on and
credit to the lads because we have got a lot of grit and determination. I'm
delighted to lead them every week."
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Kevin Nolan says West Ham are hoping to emulate the achievements of
Newcastle
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 10:26am
SSN
Kevin Nolan hopes West Ham United can emulate the achievements of Newcastle
United and push for European qualification in the near future. The Hammers
have returned to the Premier League for the 2012/13 campaign after taking in
an unwelcome one-season stay in the Championship. West Ham hope taking one
step back will allow them to take two forward, with an enforced period of
reconstruction having seen them overhaul their playing staff and repair
shaken confidence. The target now is to cement a top-flight standing before
pushing on towards a potential top-six finish. After netting the winning
goal in Sunday's meeting with his former employers Newcastle, with victory
on Tyneside taking the Hammers onto 18 points for the season, Nolan said:
"It was a fantastic performance by us. It moves us further up the table and
it keeps us in the mix. "You've got to expect to be up against it at
Newcastle. They have some fantastic players who were missing, and we knew we
had to capitalise on that. "What we're trying to do at West Ham is what we
tried to do at Newcastle. When we came up it was about getting them back to
where they belonged and then eventually into Europe. "That's what I feel
West Ham should do. With the support we've got and the backing from the
boardroom, hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle have done."
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Nolan hurting over England snub
The Sun
Published: 12th November 2012
KEVIN NOLAN admits his lack of an England cap is starting to hurt. The West
Ham midfielder, who netted the winner in yesterday's 1-0 win at Newcastle,
was overlooked by Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson for the friendly with Sweden
on Wednesday night. Withdrawals from his squad in midfield has seen boss
Hodgson draft in uncapped duo Leon Osman and Wilfried Zaha. And Nolan, 30,
is starting to think he will never represent his country despite two caps at
Under-21 level.
He said: "It does hurt I haven't got one, but it is something I have got to
live with and I'm a big boy. "I don't know what more I can do to be quite
honest. "I've scored goals consistently for a number of years."
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He's the 100-1 for us
Published: 12th November 2012
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has a 'one in a 100' chance of a reunion with Nicolas Anelka.
West Ham's boss is hoping to boost his team's fine start to the season by
signing the former Chelsea and Bolton striker. Anelka, 33, has not settled
at Shanghai Shenua but his £250,000-a-week wages is a problem. An Upton Park
insider said: "Nicolas is talking to about 25 clubs. It would be great to
get him but it's a 100-1 shot."
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China crisis: West Ham worry Anelka's wage demands will be too high
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 22:30
West Ham fear they will be priced out of an ambitious move for Nicolas
Anelka. The former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool striker is unhappy at
Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and has opened talks with the Hammers about a
return to the Premier League. The high-flying east Londoners are keen to
pair the 33-year-old with Liverpool loanee Andy Carroll to maintain their
fine start to the season. But they worry that although the French striker is
ready to accept a cut in his stunning £250,000-a-week Shanghai wages, he
will still demand way more than they can afford. The Hammers believe they
will have a clearer idea of where they stand with Anelka within the next
week, as several other clubs are expressing an interest in the Frenchman.
They are hoping his relationship with boss Sam Allardyce, who worked with
him at Bolton, could help clinch a deal.
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Return of Le Sulk? West Ham plotting to bring back Nicolas Anelka
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 12:01
West Ham are planning a surprise move to bring back Nicolas Anelka to the
Premier League from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, according to reports. It
has been less than a year since the French striker left Chelsea for a final
pay day in the Far East, although he is believed to be unhappy after failing
to settle - despite earning a reported £250,000 a week. The 33-year-old is
admired by Sam Allardyce after playing under the Hammers boss at Bolton
Wanderers. There are also reports that the former Arsenal, Manchester City,
Liverpool and Chelsea star is involved in an ongoing pay dispute with
Shenhua. Allardyce has an excellent track record in rejuvenating fallen
stars including Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff and Fernando
Hierro. Anelka's Shenhua teammate Didier Drogba is expected to return to
Chelsea to train ahead of the Africa Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard
will sign for Chinese side Guizhou Renhe in January, according to reports
from China.
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Baffled! Joey Barton questions Zaha call up and Nolan absence from the
England squad
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 16:34
Joey Barton has taken to Twitter to question Roy Hodgson's decision to call
up Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha to the senior England squad. A
succession of injuries have led to the Ivory Coast born forward to be
drafted into the team to face Sweden in Wednesday's international friendly.
However, Barton believes the call up is purely to prevent Zaha from being
capped by his country of birth. "Not a fan of the latest craze, giving caps
out so as players don't go and play for other countries. Doesn't sit well
with me that...," he tweeted. "I'm not on about Sterling, I'm on about Zaha.
Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more Prem goals, yet don't get a
look in? Baffles me." The QPR loanee also expressed disappointment at former
Newcastle midfield partner Kevin Nolan's continued omission from the England
setup. "Good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about time. My brain is asking
why no Kevin Nolan? Surely, he warrants a call up more than most?" he added.
"On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last 8 yrs, he deserves
at least a call up. "Osman [has been a] good player in the last few years.
But he's 32 and isn't gonna improve an average side. "If they're giving out
charity caps, all I am saying is, Nolan should have had a call up years ago.
"As for me, well that's something entirely different. Let's not go there."
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Hammers defender Reid poised to ink new contract
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 12 November 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 12 November 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham defender Winston Reid is set be rewarded for his impressive
displays this season with a new contract. The New Zealand international has
played a pivotal role in the Hammers' excellent return to the Premier
League. And the central-defender is in advanced negotiations with Upton
Park chiefs over a deal extension. Reid, 24, is out of contract at the end
of the season, but manager Sam Allardyce has made tying the defender down to
fresh terms a top priority.
Both parties are understood to be confident of reaching an agreement very
soon. Reid, who represented Denmark at junior level, has been an
ever-present for the Hammers this season - starting all their Premier League
games.
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West Ham to Offer Liverpool Flop Joe Cole Upton Park Escape Route
by The Newshound November 12th, 2012
caughtoffside.com
JOE COLE may be offered an escape route from his Liverpool hell – by boyhood
club West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is said to be keen on exploring a
loan deal to bring Cole to Upton Park in the January transfer window.
Struggling Cole, 30, was hauled off by critical Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers
in the second half of the midweek Europa League defeat against Anzhi
Makhachkala. Rodgers has lost faith in Cole and even publicly blasted him
for a poor performance against Swansea in the Capital One Cup. This may be a
deal that suits all concerned though it's worth pointing out that the form
shown by the 30 year old midfielder may well negate West Ham's interest in
their former charge. The former England regular has had a miserable time of
it since his move to Liverpool, which began ominously enough with a red card
in his first Premier League game for the Anfield side. The Londoner clearly
has little or no future at Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers wouldn't demand a
king's ransom for the former Chelsea man, indeed they would probably only
ask for a fee of around £3m as the benefit of seeing the player's salary
wiped off the balance sheet is probably an issue the Anfield side would love
to resolve. Cole enjoyed a season long loan spell at the Stade Metropole
side last term, making 42 appearances in all competitions and helping Rudi
Garcia's side to secure a Champions League berth.
Joe Cole has played just 32 minutes of Premier League football this season
and it doesn't look likely he will play all that more often after his
shocking display against Swansea City in the Capital One Cup defeat last
month.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble has lauded West Ham United's stirring 1-0 victory at Newcastle
United
11.11.2012
Mark Noble has hailed West Ham United's team spirit after the Hammers scored
a superb 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Newcastle United. Noble was
at his tireless best at St James' Park, combating a home midfield that
included France internationals Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa and
Netherlands star Vurnon Anita. The Hammer of the Year also played his part
in Kevin Nolan's winner when his cross was cleared to Joey O'Brien, whose
shot was turned in by the captain. The No16 was naturally proud to play his
part in West Ham's first win on Tyneside since October 1998. "It's a great
result," a smiling Noble told West Ham TV. "Coming here is always hard but
the three points are massive for us. The lads have done incredible and some
of the defensive play was unbelievable. "Tonks [James Tomkins] has come in
and played at centre-half for the first time this year and he was fantastic,
as were Reidy [Winston Reid] and George [McCartney]. Joey [O'Brien] has had
to play in two different positions and he's a top footballer. "It's been a
great day for us and we're buzzing."
Noble was not surprised to see Nolan score the all-important match-winner,
despite all the pressure surrounding the skipper's return to the club where
he spent three seasons between 2008 and 2011. "He is clever. I used to watch
him on Sky Sports and I thought that he was lucky and I told him that! But
he isn't lucky, because he knows where the ball is going to drop. Joey
shanked his shot and it fell to Nobby, like it always does. "It was nice of
him to show Newcastle fans respect by not celebrating. It's obviously a
massive three points for us."
Having been part of the side that struggled to pick up points on the road on
their way to relegation in 2010/11, Noble has thoroughly enjoyed being part
of life under Sam Allardyce. The manager has guided West Ham to 17 away
league victories in 28 attempts - a truly outstanding record. "I don't think
there is a secret - it's just hard work, team shape and the will to win.
We've got a lot of players here now who know how to win games. "We've got
some top international players and some Premier League players and we know
how to shut games down and that's what we did on Sunday."
Noble's own performance was eye-catching for the sheer amount of ground he
covered during the 90 minutes - plus nine minutes of added time. A tireless
worker and fearless tackler, the midfielder worked his socks off in typical
style to subdue the home side and upset his one-time manager Pardew.
"Obviously it was a big pitch out there! I enjoyed it as I had loads of the
ball and created a lot of stuff so I'm over the moon. I was playing against
some top players in there like Cabaye so I enjoyed it."
West Ham's victory took them up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League
table after eleven matches and above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
and Liverpool - a position every fan would have been delighted with at the
start of the season. Now, Noble says the Hammers cannot afford to rest on
their laurels, but instead push on again to maintain their top-half placing.
"We just have to keep doing what we have been doing. We can't get carried
away because we will get punished. If we play like did on Sunday and at QPR
away and like we have been doing at home, we can have a top season." *Less
than 1,000 tickets remain for Monday's Barclays Premier League visit of
Stoke City to the Boleyn Ground.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has hailed his 'most satisfying' away win as West Ham United
manager
12.11.2012
Sam Allardyce was a proud man as West Ham United announced that they are
well and truly back in the Barclays Premier League with a stunning 1-0 away
win at Newcastle United. Kevin Nolan's first-half goal handed the Hammers a
deserved victory after a performance boasting composure, tenacity and belief
helped deliver their first win at St James' Park for 14 years. Big Sam and
his squad were back in at Chadwell Heath early on Monday for a light session
to aid their recovery after the huge exertions of Sunday's success. "I think
this was my most satisfying win," said Big Sam, who has now won 17 of his 28
away league matches as West Ham boss. "I thought the win at QPR was a good
performance but we have to look at where QPR are. They are struggling and
we've taken advantage of that. Newcastle were a fantastic force at home last
season and have started the season well with some good performances. "It was
a fantastic professional performance by all the players and a fantastic
three points. Winning a Premier League game away from home is a tough ask so
to beat Newcastle at Newcastle is obviously very pleasing. "It was a
fantastic result and a clean sheet - you couldn't ask for any more."
The Hammers were outstanding from back to front and Jussi Jaaskelainen was
another who arguably had his best game yet in a claret and blue shirt after
pulling off a number of stunning saves. The Finn has now kept five clean
sheets in eleven league matches - more than any other goalkeeper in the
division.
Momo Diame, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan all won their individual battles
against the talented Magpies midfield on a fine afternoon for the 2,700
travelling Hammers fans. "It was good teamwork from the players using a
system of play that doesn't just nullify the opposition who were playing at
home, but also exposes the opposition's weaknesses. Our performance in and
out of possession was very good, the control of the ball was very good and
we got the goal at the right time. "We defended superbly when we needed to
and we broke out and exposed them in a counter-attacking way when we had the
chance. Every now and again the odd shots that they had on goal were saved
by our goalkeeper, who has a massive amount of experience. "He didn't panic
or put us under any pressure. He made the clean sort of saves that you'd
expect him to make. The foundation of a successful season is your goalkeeper
and your defenders keeping as many clean sheets as possible. "You can then
become a better attacking force and you entertain more and win more games
and that's what we all want."
Nolan was at the centre of most of his side's best attacking moves and once
again demonstrated his natural talent for putting the ball in the back of
the net - the fifth time he has done so this season. Once again his
excellent relationship with fellow former Newcastle star Andy Carroll proved
to be a constant thorn in the side of the opposition and only a fine save
from Tim Krul prevented the latter from opening his Hammers account. "The
only disappointing aspect was that Andy didn't stick the ball in the back of
the net for his first goal. That's not being critical of him as it was a
fantastic save by Krul but overall Kevin Nolan was man of the match and
showed the Newcastle fans what they were missing. His link-up play with
Carroll was superb. "Nobby's gaol was an instinct that you can't teach or
coach. You've either got it or you haven't and he's always had it from an
early age when he broke into the Bolton team. We knew we had to release him
and let him go and find his own way in the box and we couldn't coach that
and we just let him do it. "As the years have gone on he's continued to do
it successfully and that got even more successful at Newcastle as he and
Andy Carroll play very well together. Even though Andy is not scoring, they
work in tandem and know where each other are. For most of the game they were
together when they were needed and held the ball up."
The only downside to an otherwise memorable afternoon was the injuries that
forced Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney to leave the field
early. Javis suffered a tight thigh, Benayoun eventually succumbed to the
knock he picked up during a fully committed tackle against Jonas Gutierrez,
while McCartney looks potentially the most worrying after injuring his
groin. All three will be assessed on their return to Chadwell Heath. In
their absences, Modibo Maiga, Gary O'Neil and Guy Demel produced fine
performances to aid the Hammers' cause. "The three injuries and three
changes we had to make never detracted from the performance, which was even
more pleasing. Obviously it's disappointing when we get the injuries but to
see three players come on and still perform was pleasing. "It's a good job
we've got Guy Demel, Gary O'Neil and Modibo Maiga back as the bench has been
lightweight recently. It shows how important substitutes are as you have to
have a strong bench in this league."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The happiest Hammer
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Bud Hedges
I don't think there can be any West Ham fan who could be disappointed with
West Ham United at the moment. Sixth in the league, the second best side in
London according to the table and all this from a side who, only eight
months ago, were capitulating near the top of the Championship table,
leaving supporters questioning whether we could actually make it up this
year.
The spirit, heart, fight and gritty performance at one of the toughest away
trips you may have to make in Premier League football was made this weekend
and we held on for a brilliant win. Such a vital three points cannot be
measured. There are moments in the season, especially away from home where
the side will need to dig in and make sure that they hold on. Wins over QPR
and Newcastle were the hallmark of this challenge and both times we took all
the points away from the game.
The best part of the win this weekend was that we are apparently in our
'tough spell' of matches. I've heard one report call the ten game period
beginning with Manchester City at home the 'fixtures of doom'. If this is
our tough spell, I would like to see how we would cope with an easy spell.
I feel that calling West Ham's fixture list at the start of the season an
easy one is short-sighted and doesn't give some teams in the Premier League
any credit. We may have not faced some of the stronger teams but you have to
beat those that are in front of you and we did have done so by beating five
of the 11 teams we've played. Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton, QPR and
Newcastle are all good teams; some are in good form, and some in less good
form, but we still had to beat them.
Having said this, what I admire the most about the West Ham side at the
moment is the tenacity and the effort that we are putting in to games. Kevin
Nolan said after the game with Newcastle: "It's only just a foundation, we
need to get to that elusive forty points and take it from there." Clearly
Allardyce isn't letting his side get ahead of them. Taking the Premier
League game by game, weekend-by-weekend is clearly the best strategy to take
and Allardyce seems to be keeping the side grounded.
West Ham has conceded just 11 goals so far, keeping five clean sheets. One
of those clean sheets came against the Champions of England, so the clean
sheets aren't just fluke. Allardyce and his coaches are evidently working
hard and the never-say-die attitude that West Ham is occupying is definitely
paying off. Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid have been the stand-out
performers in defence so far this season, not to take anything away from the
heroics of James Collins, James Tomkins, George McCartney, Guy Demel and
Joey O'Brien at the back to keep five clean sheets.
The work of the midfield three hasn't gone amiss either. Mark Noble and Mo
Diame are controlling games and are providing chances for the side. The
goals that Captain Fantastic has scored have obviously been vital and, once
again, Nolan is proving himself to be one of the best midfield goal scorers
in the history of the Premier League. I believe that Diame is proving a
vital player to have in the side; it seems that when he has a good game,
West Ham United seem to have a good game, but when he is slightly off his
game we don't play too well. He has become a lynchpin for our success
because Diame and Noble make up the main part of the engine room.
This weekend was capped off by the tremendous win at Newcastle and as I
pointed out earlier, I doubt there are many Hammers who are disappointed at
all with West Ham United. The only down side to our play at the moment is
the fact that Allardyce is ruining the clubs heritage of losing games from
winning positions. A heritage, that I'll be happy to see leave the club.
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Shanghai surprise?
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are once again being linked with a move for former Arsenal and
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. The ex-French international has been playing
for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua but is now a free agent having terminated
his contract with the club following a disagreement over his salary.
Unsurprisingly perhaps some sections of the media have claimed that West Ham
are now keen to land a player with whom they have been linked with on at
least three occasions previously - in 2007, 2011 and then again earlier this
year. Anelka, who has spent 12 years of his career playing in the Premier
League previously worked with current West Ham manager Sam Allardyce when
the pair were at Bolton together. Allardyce pulled off a major coup to sign
the 33-year-old from Fenerbahce for around £8m. At least one source has
claimed this morning that Anelka has held preliminary discussions with
representatives of West Ham with view to a permanent contract. The player
formally known as 'Le Sulk' is thought to have been earning around
£50,000-per-week in China.
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Baffled
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Olympique de Marseille midfielder Joey Barton admits that he is mystified by
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan's exclusion from the latest England
squad.
Roy Hodgson's team face Sweden in a friendly in Gothenburg later this week
and despite several players named in the initial 23-man squad pulling out
over the weekend, West Ham's leading goalscorer continues to be overlooked.
Meanwhile players such as Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha - who is yet to play
a single game in the Premier League - plus Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson and
Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone have been included. And that has mystified
Barton, who moved to France in the summer having been let go by previous
club Queens Park Rangers. "It's good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about
time," he told his 1.8million followers on social network Twitter. "But my
brain is asking why no Kevin Nolan? Surely he warrants a call up more than
most? "On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last eight years,
he deserves at least a call up. I'm not on about [Liverpool's Raheem]
Sterling, I'm on about Zaha. Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more
Prem goals, yet don't get a look in? Baffles me. He should have had a call
up years ago."
Also overlooked yet again is Nolan's team mate and fellow midfielder Mark
Noble, another who has played a major part in leading West Ham to sixth
place in the Premier League above teams such as Arsenal, Tottenham and
Liverpool.
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West Ham's Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for their support
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 3:42pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for the warm reception he received
when he returned to his old club with West Ham at the weekend. Nolan struck
six minutes before half-time in front of the Gallowgate End, where he was
once adored by the locals, to seal the Hammers' 1-0 victory at St James'
Park. As a mark of respect, he shelved his customary 'chicken dance'
celebration, but there was no hiding his delight. The 30-year-old, of
course, might still have been a Newcastle player had owner Mike Ashley
sanctioned the long-term contract for which he was looking during the summer
of last year, but he will continue to look back fondly on his time on
Tyneside. He said: "I loved everything about this club when I was here, and
I still do. "I have fond memories and many friends and my family enjoyed it
up here. My little boy is a Geordie. "I thought it was a fantastic
performance from us. I was delighted to get the goal and just delighted with
how the day went. "I would like to thank the Newcastle fans for the
fantastic support they gave me while I was here, and for the reception they
gave me on Sunday."
Commitment
Nolan added: "Obviously I could not have asked to have gone to a better club
than West Ham for the following we have got and the commitment they have
shown, so I'm delighted to be at another wonderful club. "Hopefully I can do
as well for them as I did up here." The visitors had to weather a sustained
assault in the second half as Newcastle, who had started poorly, attempted
to fight their way back into the game. However, manager Sam Allardyce's
traditional organisation and a commendable resilience saw them through.
Nolan said: "You have got to expect that because they are a team with
fantastic players. They had some fantastic players out [suspended] and we
knew we had to capitalise on that, and I think we did. "We hung on and
credit to the lads because we have got a lot of grit and determination. I'm
delighted to lead them every week."
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Kevin Nolan says West Ham are hoping to emulate the achievements of
Newcastle
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 10:26am
SSN
Kevin Nolan hopes West Ham United can emulate the achievements of Newcastle
United and push for European qualification in the near future. The Hammers
have returned to the Premier League for the 2012/13 campaign after taking in
an unwelcome one-season stay in the Championship. West Ham hope taking one
step back will allow them to take two forward, with an enforced period of
reconstruction having seen them overhaul their playing staff and repair
shaken confidence. The target now is to cement a top-flight standing before
pushing on towards a potential top-six finish. After netting the winning
goal in Sunday's meeting with his former employers Newcastle, with victory
on Tyneside taking the Hammers onto 18 points for the season, Nolan said:
"It was a fantastic performance by us. It moves us further up the table and
it keeps us in the mix. "You've got to expect to be up against it at
Newcastle. They have some fantastic players who were missing, and we knew we
had to capitalise on that. "What we're trying to do at West Ham is what we
tried to do at Newcastle. When we came up it was about getting them back to
where they belonged and then eventually into Europe. "That's what I feel
West Ham should do. With the support we've got and the backing from the
boardroom, hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle have done."
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Nolan hurting over England snub
The Sun
Published: 12th November 2012
KEVIN NOLAN admits his lack of an England cap is starting to hurt. The West
Ham midfielder, who netted the winner in yesterday's 1-0 win at Newcastle,
was overlooked by Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson for the friendly with Sweden
on Wednesday night. Withdrawals from his squad in midfield has seen boss
Hodgson draft in uncapped duo Leon Osman and Wilfried Zaha. And Nolan, 30,
is starting to think he will never represent his country despite two caps at
Under-21 level.
He said: "It does hurt I haven't got one, but it is something I have got to
live with and I'm a big boy. "I don't know what more I can do to be quite
honest. "I've scored goals consistently for a number of years."
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He's the 100-1 for us
Published: 12th November 2012
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE has a 'one in a 100' chance of a reunion with Nicolas Anelka.
West Ham's boss is hoping to boost his team's fine start to the season by
signing the former Chelsea and Bolton striker. Anelka, 33, has not settled
at Shanghai Shenua but his £250,000-a-week wages is a problem. An Upton Park
insider said: "Nicolas is talking to about 25 clubs. It would be great to
get him but it's a 100-1 shot."
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China crisis: West Ham worry Anelka's wage demands will be too high
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 22:30
West Ham fear they will be priced out of an ambitious move for Nicolas
Anelka. The former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool striker is unhappy at
Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and has opened talks with the Hammers about a
return to the Premier League. The high-flying east Londoners are keen to
pair the 33-year-old with Liverpool loanee Andy Carroll to maintain their
fine start to the season. But they worry that although the French striker is
ready to accept a cut in his stunning £250,000-a-week Shanghai wages, he
will still demand way more than they can afford. The Hammers believe they
will have a clearer idea of where they stand with Anelka within the next
week, as several other clubs are expressing an interest in the Frenchman.
They are hoping his relationship with boss Sam Allardyce, who worked with
him at Bolton, could help clinch a deal.
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Return of Le Sulk? West Ham plotting to bring back Nicolas Anelka
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 12:01
West Ham are planning a surprise move to bring back Nicolas Anelka to the
Premier League from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, according to reports. It
has been less than a year since the French striker left Chelsea for a final
pay day in the Far East, although he is believed to be unhappy after failing
to settle - despite earning a reported £250,000 a week. The 33-year-old is
admired by Sam Allardyce after playing under the Hammers boss at Bolton
Wanderers. There are also reports that the former Arsenal, Manchester City,
Liverpool and Chelsea star is involved in an ongoing pay dispute with
Shenhua. Allardyce has an excellent track record in rejuvenating fallen
stars including Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff and Fernando
Hierro. Anelka's Shenhua teammate Didier Drogba is expected to return to
Chelsea to train ahead of the Africa Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard
will sign for Chinese side Guizhou Renhe in January, according to reports
from China.
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Baffled! Joey Barton questions Zaha call up and Nolan absence from the
England squad
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 16:34
Joey Barton has taken to Twitter to question Roy Hodgson's decision to call
up Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha to the senior England squad. A
succession of injuries have led to the Ivory Coast born forward to be
drafted into the team to face Sweden in Wednesday's international friendly.
However, Barton believes the call up is purely to prevent Zaha from being
capped by his country of birth. "Not a fan of the latest craze, giving caps
out so as players don't go and play for other countries. Doesn't sit well
with me that...," he tweeted. "I'm not on about Sterling, I'm on about Zaha.
Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more Prem goals, yet don't get a
look in? Baffles me." The QPR loanee also expressed disappointment at former
Newcastle midfield partner Kevin Nolan's continued omission from the England
setup. "Good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about time. My brain is asking
why no Kevin Nolan? Surely, he warrants a call up more than most?" he added.
"On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last 8 yrs, he deserves
at least a call up. "Osman [has been a] good player in the last few years.
But he's 32 and isn't gonna improve an average side. "If they're giving out
charity caps, all I am saying is, Nolan should have had a call up years ago.
"As for me, well that's something entirely different. Let's not go there."
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Hammers defender Reid poised to ink new contract
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 12 November 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 12 November 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham defender Winston Reid is set be rewarded for his impressive
displays this season with a new contract. The New Zealand international has
played a pivotal role in the Hammers' excellent return to the Premier
League. And the central-defender is in advanced negotiations with Upton
Park chiefs over a deal extension. Reid, 24, is out of contract at the end
of the season, but manager Sam Allardyce has made tying the defender down to
fresh terms a top priority.
Both parties are understood to be confident of reaching an agreement very
soon. Reid, who represented Denmark at junior level, has been an
ever-present for the Hammers this season - starting all their Premier League
games.
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West Ham to Offer Liverpool Flop Joe Cole Upton Park Escape Route
by The Newshound November 12th, 2012
caughtoffside.com
JOE COLE may be offered an escape route from his Liverpool hell – by boyhood
club West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is said to be keen on exploring a
loan deal to bring Cole to Upton Park in the January transfer window.
Struggling Cole, 30, was hauled off by critical Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers
in the second half of the midweek Europa League defeat against Anzhi
Makhachkala. Rodgers has lost faith in Cole and even publicly blasted him
for a poor performance against Swansea in the Capital One Cup. This may be a
deal that suits all concerned though it's worth pointing out that the form
shown by the 30 year old midfielder may well negate West Ham's interest in
their former charge. The former England regular has had a miserable time of
it since his move to Liverpool, which began ominously enough with a red card
in his first Premier League game for the Anfield side. The Londoner clearly
has little or no future at Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers wouldn't demand a
king's ransom for the former Chelsea man, indeed they would probably only
ask for a fee of around £3m as the benefit of seeing the player's salary
wiped off the balance sheet is probably an issue the Anfield side would love
to resolve. Cole enjoyed a season long loan spell at the Stade Metropole
side last term, making 42 appearances in all competitions and helping Rudi
Garcia's side to secure a Champions League berth.
Joe Cole has played just 32 minutes of Premier League football this season
and it doesn't look likely he will play all that more often after his
shocking display against Swansea City in the Capital One Cup defeat last
month.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, November 12
Daily WHUFC News - 12th November 2012
Nolan's perfect return
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was West Ham United's match-winner on his return to Newcastle United
11.11.2012
Kevin Nolan capped a memorable return to Newcastle United by shooting West Ham United to a fantastic 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over the Magpies at St James' Park. The former Newcastle captain and present-day Hammers skipper was in the right place at the right time yet again to score the only goal of the game at the stadium he once called home. Nolan, who spent three seasons on Tyneside between 2008 and 2011, was afforded a hero's welcome by the home fans and responded in kind by not celebrating his 38th-minute winner. The No4 was just one of 14 West Ham heroes on Sunday, with goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, centre-back Winston Reid and midfielder Mohamed Diame catching the eye with superbly resilient displays. In truth, however, every Hammers layer earned their crust by keeping at bay a Newcastle team that finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League last season. Nolan and his team-mates are now up to sixth themselves and the skipper has admitted to having lofty ambitions in a claret and blue shirt. "It was the perfect scenario for me, of course," admitted Nolan. "You always wish to score goals. It was quite emotional when I did score a goal because I had a little moment just after it. I was never going to celebrate and I never will [celebrate against them] and I would never do that to West Ham if I ever move on because of the support I received when I was here. "I'm just delighted for us because we got the three points and it moves us further up the table and it keeps us in the mix. "You've got to expect that [Newcastle were going to put us under pressure in the second half] because they are a team with fantastic players. They had some fantastic players out [suspended] and we knew we had to capitalise on that and I think we did. "We hung on and credit to the lads because we've got a lot of grit and determination. I'm delighted to lead them every week. It was a fantastic away win - our second of the season - and we just need to keep building on this very solid start that we've made."
West Ham were stretched to the limit on Sunday, not just by Alan Pardew's side but by the loss of Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney to injury during the game. Substitutes Modibo Maiga, Gary O'Neil and Guy Demel performed to such a high level, however, that nobody would have known the difference. The club's summer signings were also to the fore, with goalkeeper Jaaskelainen recording a Barclays Premier League-leading fifth clean sheet, Diame everywhere and Andy Carroll leading the line with typical power. "We knew that we had a big enough squad. What both Chairmen did in bringing in new players and backing the gaffer was fantastic. They were trying from day one that we got back in pre-season to get the players in and I think it's showing.
"Hopefully, if we can steer clear of too many injuries, we're aiming to stick around that top ten and have a comfortable season and hopefully build on that.
"When I came up with Newcastle I spoke about getting them back to where they belong and it's the same with West Ham - getting into Europe and then back to the top end of the table. With the support and plans we've got, that's where we should be aiming for - the same success that Newcastle have achieved."
For Nolan, it was a memorable day for so many reasons. The midfielder had also skippered Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010 before helping the Magpies to re-establish themselves as a Barclays Premier League club. The Toon Army showed their respect for Nolan's achievements in a black and white shirt by applauding him before, during and after the game. "It was a bit emotional when I first walked in," said the West Ham captain. "I was a bit emotional because the reception they gave me was unbelievable. I had a fantastic time here [at St James' Park]. "I loved everything everything about this club when I was here and I still do. I have fond memories and many friends and family enjoyed it up here. My little boy is a Geordie. "I thought it was a fantastic performance from us. I was delighted to get the goal and just delighted with how the day went. I would like to thank the Newcastle fans for the fantastic support they gave me while I was here and for the reception they gave me on Sunday. "Obviously I could not have asked to have gone to a better club than West Ham for the following we have got and the commitment they have shown, so I'm delighted to be at another wonderful club. Hopefully I can do as well for them as I did up here."
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Hendo's high praise
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was delighted to see his West Ham United Under-21 side secure a stunning 2-1 win at Arsenal
11.11.2012
Ian Hendon had nothing but praise for his young side after they clinched a superb 87th-minute win against Arsenal at London Colney on Friday afternoon. Rob Hall opened the scoring from the restart, running through the entire Arsenal team before firing past Wojciech Szczesny. Serge Gnabry looked to have salvaged a point for the Gunners but much to the delight of Hendon, Paul McCallum headed home with three minutes remaining. 'The Arsenal side we played are very much like the first team, they keep the ball well and if you get carried away going forward they will punish you on the counter. "They did it to our first team a few weeks ago but the lads stayed focused throughout the 90 minutes and despite conceding late on we stuck together and hit back to earn a fantastic win."
Last week ended in disappointment for the Development Squad as they lost 3-0 against Reading but Hendon praised his side's response. "We did not go overboard about the result last week because they had some senior players who performed very well. I was not disappointed and it was a little bit of a learning curve. 'This week we worked very hard on how we wanted to play against Arsenal, we needed to be compact, together and focused and we did just that."
At all levels Arsenal are renowned for their attacking prowess but Hendon's side absorbed the pressure well and limited their creativity. "They have only got in behind our defence once and Raphael Spiegel was equal to it and did his job. In the first-half they hit the post but apart from that and the goal we coped very well. 'They had a very good amount of possession but we stopped them from creating hardly any openings so it was a job well done from our team."
Hall scored a sensational opener straight from kick-off in the second half but such is Hendon's faith in the striker that he was not surprised by the quality of his strike. "We encourage the team to get at their opponents from the kick-off and Rob Hall has ran from the halfway line and scored, but that it what he has in his locker - he is a match winner. "Our defending was also very good. We defended from the front and all of our attacking players knew their defensive responsibilities and carried them out to a tee."
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham must maintain 'outstanding' start
BBC.co.uk
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce hailed his team's "outstanding" start to the season but warned his players not to bask in the glory. Kevin Nolan's goal gave the Hammers a 1-0 victory at Newcastle that moves them up to sixth in the Premier League in their first season since promotion. Allardyce told BBC Sport: "A newly-promoted side picking up 18 points from 11 games is outstanding. "But we need to make sure we don't switch off and take life too easy now." Nolan's first-half strike against his former club gave West Ham their fifth league win of the season and followed an impressive 0-0 home draw with defending champions Manchester City. But Allardyce wants his side to stay focussed ahead of a run in which they play Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in successive games. "We've done a great job up to now, drawing with Manchester City and beating Newcastle," said Allardyce. "Let's hope we can keep picking up points against the big boys."
West Ham's margin of victory could have been even greater if Andy Carroll had converted a late chance to open his Hammers account against his former club.
After exchanging passes with Nolan, Carroll's side-footed shot was saved one-handed by Magpies keeper Tim Krul. "Andy Carroll is disappointed he didn't score but it was a really good save," added Allardyce. "He wants to get off the mark with that goal but he's our target man and that partnership with Nolan is outstanding. "That's five Nolan has in 11 games. He gets the attacks flowing and reads the situation brilliantly in the box - he always seems to be in the right place at the right time."
West Ham's latest victory came in spite of losing three players - Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney - to injury during the match. Allardyce said McCartney's groin problem was the most serious of the three, but expects to have all three fit for their home fixture against Stoke on 19 November.
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Newcastle 0 West Ham 1
Nolan 37′
FT 90 +6
HT 0-1
11 November 2012
Last updated at 17:36
By Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport
Kevin Nolan's first-half goal against his former club proved enough to see off a lacklustre Newcastle and propel West Ham into the top six. Nolan ghosted in at the far post to turn in Joey O'Brien's mis-hit shot. Newcastle were denied an equaliser when the officials ruled that goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had prevented Demba Ba's header from crossing the line. Former Magpie Andy Carroll could have given West Ham breathing space but Tim Krul pulled off a fine one-handed save. The home side's performance was so lacking in precision or passion that a 2-0 scoreline would hardly have flattered the upwardly mobile Hammers. And the result will bring immense satisfaction to West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, who last week described his sacking by the Magpies after 24 games in 2008 as one of the lowest points in his career.
In their first season back in the Premier League, the Hammers were comfortable victors - despite losing three players to injury - and, in the tireless Nolan, had comfortably the best player on the pitch. Indeed, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew's pre-match suggestion that he would welcome Nolan and Carroll back to St James' Park looked entirely justified in a blunt attacking display in which striker Papiss Cisse and his half-time replacement Shola Ameobi were particularly ineffective.
"It is West Ham's day, Sam Allardyce's day and Kevin Nolan's day. Big disappointment for Newcastle, but West Ham now have 18 points from 11 games back in the Premier League and that is a more than satisfactory return."
An opening 30 minutes low on quality and goalmouth action was characterised by misplaced passes and mistimed challenges. Both sides were forced into an early change. First, Newcastle captain Jonas Gutierrez came off worst in a 50-50 tackle with Yossi Benayoun, then West Ham winger Matt Jarvis made way for Mali forward Modibo Maiga. Carroll, whose every touch for Liverpool was booed when the sides met in April, received a noticeably less hostile reception from the fans who used to revere him.
In the context of a dire game, West Ham's opener was as unexpected as it was welcome for the neutral. A cross aimed at Carroll was headed as far as O'Brien on the right and the full-back's shot was turned in by Nolan. The Hammers midfielder, who declined to perform his trademark chicken dance celebration against his old club, could have doubled the lead moments later but he sliced his left-footed shot wide from the edge of the box. Newcastle's rally, which began before the break with half-chances for Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye, almost brought the equaliser within a minute of the restart.
Ba's powerful header bounced awkwardly in front of Jaaskelainen, who clawed the ball back from the goal-line. Newcastle's players were convinced the ball had crossed the line but inconclusive replays appeared to justify the officials' decision not to award a goal. The Magpies continued to press forward but their play lacked subtlety in the final third. Most of the home side's best chances came from corners, with half-time substitute Shola Ameobi wasting a free header from Cabaye's perfect delivery. Newcastle's commitment to attack was always likely to leave gaps at the back and when Carroll capitalised on a defensive mix-up to exchange passes with Nolan, the former Geordie favourite found himself clean through on goal. Carroll's slight hesitation, however, gave Krul time to set himself and pull off an excellent stop with his outstretched left hand.
The hosts' desperation for an equaliser saw Krul sent up for a late corner, but the Hammers held on for their first win at St James' Park since October 1998.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew: "We are kicking ourselves. It was the West Ham performance we knew we were going to get but what we lacked was the verve and imagination to unlock them. "We had eight or nine shots but none with any purpose or quality. Newcastle at home must score one, two, three or maybe 4 and we got none today. "It's nothing to do with our European game - we made lots of changes and the team was fresh - but we didn't do ourselves justice in the first 30 minutes. We didn't come alive until they scored and that is not good enough. "We've got a home game [against Swansea] next week and we're under pressure to produce a performance and win."
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Newcastle Utd 0 West Ham Utd 1
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 11th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Captain fantastic Kevin Nolan was on hand once again to score the only goal of the game as West Ham secured their first win at St James' Park this century.
Over the years St James' Park has rarely been a happy hunting ground for West Ham; prior to today it had been 14 years since United recorded a victory in Newcastle - a day when goals from Ian Wright (2) and Trevor Sinclair gave the Hammers a 3-0 win. But Sam Allardyce's 2012 squad repeated that feat with a performance that whilst perhaps lacking in quality could not be criticised for a lack of commitment. Today's win - a victory that came as a result of Nolan's 38th-minute close-range effort - was the fifth time already this season that West Ham had kept a clean sheet. And this game - combined with the goalless draw against reigning champions Manchester City last weekend - made a mockery of the suggestion that United's frailties would be exposed by the division's stronger teams.
Whilst the team's confidence has clearly been given a major boost by early wins against teams perceived to be the weaker amongst the Premier League elite, there is no doubt that Sam Allardyce, pilloried unfairly by some sections of the media this season is getting the very best out of his players. Today's back four was the same as that which often lined up in the Championship last season - yet George McCartney, Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins and Winstofn Reid looked just as comfortable against Newcastle today as they had against the likes of Doncaster and Millwall last term. Today's win was especially sweet for manager Allardyce, who having masterminded West Ham's instant return to the top flight in his first year at the Boleyn Ground claimed all three points from a club who fired him after just seven months in charge back in 2008.
And former Geordie favourite Andy Carroll - who whilst still yet to score for the Hammers produced another effective performance - will no doubt be wearing a wry smile tonight after returning home to London victorious after being booed all afternoon. However it was left to another former Newcastle employee to score the goal that secured the win for West Ham, who now rise to sixth in the league as a result of today's win.
Having produced a solid first half performance in which they stymied Newcastle's attacking notions by defending high up the pitch a counter attack gave Joey O'Brien - who is yet to finish on the losing side in a West Ham shirt this season - the opportunity to fire at goal. The full-back dragged his effort wide of its intended target but Nolan, exhibiting that uncanny knack of accurately predicting where the ball would land stuck out a foot at the far post to divert the ball into an empty net.
Newcastle's protestations of offside were (correctly) ignored by official Mike Dean who, thankfully, had little impact on the game. After the break the home side were far more adventurous, but had the returning Carroll taken his chance when put through by his skipper with only goalkeeper Tim Krul to beat West Ham may have been able to face the last fifteen minutes with rather less anxiety than was eventually the case. But with Jussi Jaaskelainen rolling back the years with a string of important saves there was to be no way through for the home side - even if former Hammer Demba Ba may have had a case when his header appeared to be clawed back from behind the line by the Finnish stopper right at the start of the second half.
Just as every silver lining has a cloud, so it was the case again today when Allardyce saw three more players potentially added to his lengthening injury list. Matt Jarvis (hip), Yossi Benayoun (knee) and George McCartney (groin) all sustained injuries of varying degrees and were forced off the field. However that will be a concern for another day; today will be enjoyed equally by the players, the club's staff and especially the travelling supporters who faced a 300-mile return journey to London safe in the knowledge that today's win had seen them leapfrog Fulham, Arsenal and Tottenham in the Barclay's Premier League.
Match Facts: Newcastle United 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O'Brien, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, George McCartney (Guy Demel 66), Yossi Benayoun (Gary O'Neil 52), Mohamed Diame, Mark Noble, Matthew Jarvis (Modibo Maiga 34), Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll.
Subs not used: Raphael Spiegel, Carlton Cole, James Collins, Robert Hall.
Goals: Kevin Nolan (38).
Booked: Mark Noble (45), Joey O'Brien (61).
Possession: 48%.
Shots on/off target: 10 - 5/5.
Newcastle United: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson (Gabriel Obertan 79), Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez (Vurnon Anita 24), Shane Ferguson, Papiss Cisse (Shola Ameobi 46), Demba Ba.
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana.
Booked: Hatem Ben Arfa (76).
Possession: 52%.
Shots on/off target: 14 - 9/5.
Referee: Mike Dean .
Attendance: 51,855.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce delighted with away win at Newcastle
Last Updated: November 11, 2012 8:51pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hailed his team's great performance after their 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday. Kevin Nolan scored the only goal of the game just before half-time and the Hammers held on to go sixth in the Premier League - much to the delight of their manager. "It's a fantastic victory for us and a second away win," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "With Newcastle being one of the top six boys these days after last season it put some pressure on us. "I said to the lads, it's a great time to come here as they played midweek on Thursday in Europe and I experienced it myself at Bolton that the hardest game to win is the next one. "That gave us an opportunity here today and we took the opportunity with both hands. "It was a great performance and a great three points from us away from home, especially after losing three players through injury. I couldn't ask any more from the players today." Allardyce reserved particular praise for Nolan who again showed his remarkable ability to pop up with crucial goals for the Hammers. "That's five he's got now and the enormity of Kevin's goal record for us means he's our top scorer," added Allardyce. "Our frontmen are not really scoring at the minute but we're sharing the goals out. "And the way he played off Andy is what I liked the most. He really does sustain the attacks by holding the possession up. "He read the situation well in the box. It's a tap-in but you've got to be there and Kevin always seems to get in the box at the right time."
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Kevin Nolan was the hero for West Ham as his goal sealed a 1-0 win over former club Newcastle
Last Updated: November 11, 2012 10:02pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan enjoyed a happy return to Newcastle as he sealed a 1-0 win for West Ham that sent the east Londoners into the Premier League top six. The former Magpies midfielder scored shortly before the break, but Sam Allardyce's side were grateful for some wasteful attacking play from Newcastle as they failed to find an equaliser at St James' Park. Jussi Jaaskelainen almost gifted the hosts an early goal when he dwelled too long on a backpass, but he was rescued by Papiss Cisse's mistimed challenge, while at the other end Nolan's acrobatic attempt was deflected wide. West Ham enjoyed plenty of possession as the subdued hosts struggled to settle, although the Londoners lacked attacking punch and Yossi Benayoun lashed well wide.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Kevin Nolan popped up with the crucial goal as he so often does.
Save of the match: Demba Ba's header looked to have produced the equaliser but Jussi Jaaskelainen saved brilliantly.
Talking point: Did Newcastle do enough to pressure West Ham in a limp display?
Newcastle offered little invention themselves and appealed hopefully for a penalty when Mike Williamson was knocked off balance by George McCartney in the box. But a scrappy encounter was ignited by Newcastle old boy Nolan in the 37th minute as he turned in Joey O'Brien's low shot at the back post with the home side appealing in vain for offside. Nolan almost struck again soon afterwards, curling just over the top corner, while the Magpies finally threatened as Shane Ferguson's shot was blocked before Hatem Ben Arfa's drive was deflected into the side-netting. Demba Ba thought he had scored shortly after the restart until Jaaskelainen somehow clawed the striker's towering header off the line. Ba again tried to beat the Finn and his low shot drifted wide, but West Ham remained a threat as Mohamed Diame scooped over and Gary O'Neil nodded at Tim Krul. There was little respite for either defence as substitute Shola Ameobi headed wide and Ben Arfa tested Jaaskelainen, while Krul then had to save superbly to deny a clean-through Carroll. The home faithful were becoming increasingly agitated and they endured further frustration when Yohan Cabaye lashed a late effort over the bar.
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Looking Down on Spurs & Arsenal - The Joy of Three Points At Newcastle
By Iain Dale
West ham Till I Die
Don't tell my LBC bosses but I listened to the game on BBC London and from the commentary it seems as though it was an epic West Ham performance with the players sticking to the Allardyce gameplan. It's hard to believe that we are in sixth place after 11 games, above both Arsenal and Spurs. And four points against Man City and Newcastle is a respectable haul by anyone's standards. It sounds as if Diame and Noble controlled the midfield, with Carroll and Nolan combining well up front. Five goals in eleven games is a fantastic performance by Nolan, and the thing is, no one is getting on Andy Carroll's back for not scoring because we can all see what his contribution is to some fantastic team performances. If we keep on getting points, and he keeps up this level of performances we should all be content.
So, on to the Stoke game next Monday evening. They are a difficult side to beat and will come to Upton Park expecting to return to the Potteries expecting to get at least a point. I suspect Sam Allardyce might play a different tactical game. If Matt Jarvis is injured, it's possibly the time to play Cole and Carroll up front together. That ought to be enough to frighten even Stoke!
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It's No joy
Kev refuses to celebrate winner against Toon
Published: 11th November 2012
The Sun
KEVIN NOLAN refused to celebrate his West Ham winner. The skipper capped a perfect return to Toon with his 37th-minute strike to fire Hammers team into sixth place. Nolan joined West Ham at the start of last season from Newcastle in a £5million deal. And he admitted: "It was a perfect scenario for me to score. It was emotional. "But I was never going to celebrate scoring here. I never will. "That was down to the support I got when I was at Newcastle. But this was a great result for us."
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Newcastle 0 West Ham 1
By IAN GORDON
Last Updated: 12th November 2012
The Sun
SO that is what it feels like to be hammered by the man with the killer touch. The Toon faithful had seen often enough just why Kevin Nolan can lay claim to being one of the most lethal penalty-box predators in the league. Nolan netted 30 times from midfield in his 2½ years at St James' Park before he was allowed to leave. So it was inevitable that, on his first return to Tyneside, his unerring instinct for goal would prove decisive in a hard-fought game. Joey O'Brien's scuffed shot on 38 minutes was heading well wide of Tim Krul's goal. But it fell to Nolan, who once again was in the right place at the right time. There was no celebration from Nolan, who was quite happy to remain a Magpie and had no desire to fly the nest with his family settled in the North East. But, when owner Mike Ashley and the board suddenly pulled out of a planned new deal, West Ham came calling and are reaping the benefits. Having played a crucial role in returning the Hammers to the Premier League, Nolan has continued his goalscoring exploits in the top flight. Any regrets on taking away that contract offer now, Mike? No wonder Hammers boss Sam Allardyce believes Nolan's goal record from midfield should have earned him an England call-up.
Big Sam had plenty to celebrate on his return to the club that sacked him almost four years ago as the Hammers triumphed on Tyneside for the first time in four decades. They just about deserved it, too, even if most of the chances fell to the home side. But they were half-chances at best and, when they were on target, Jussi Jaaskelainen dealt with them comfortably. Nolan struck after 38 minutes and soon after he nearly had another, firing just wide from Mohamad Diame's pass. Alan Pardew's men were finally stirred into action with Shane Ferguson's shot well blocked by George McCartney. Hatem Ben Arfa saw an effort deflect off Winston Reid with Jaaskelainen stranded, only for it to hit the side-netting. The Finnish stopper then saved from Yohan Cabaye after Andy Carroll's poor clearance had fallen to the Frenchman. Pardew had to react and he did at half-time, replacing the ineffective Papiss Cisse with Shola Ameobi. Demba Ba was a far more dangerous prospect with Ameobi alongside him and he came so close to bagging the equaliser two minutes after the break. Ferguson's cross looped into the air off James Tomkins to Ba, whose header was palmed off the line by the keeper. Ba then fired wide from 22 yards while another effort was pushed round the post by Jaaskelainen.
Ben Arfa was close to scoring direct from the resulting corner but the veteran stopper reacted just in time. But the Hammers should have scored a second with 15 minutes left when the the 'telepathic twins' that are Nolan and his great pal Carroll broke clear. The ball from Nolan was inch perfect but Carroll (right) could not break his duck for the season as Krul made a fine save. The Dutch stopper went up the other end of the pitch in the dying minutes — but even his presence could not help the hosts.
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN — DIAME (WEST HAM)
NEWCASTLE: Krul 6, Simpson 7 (Obertan 5), S Taylor 6, Williamson 6, Santon 5, Ben Arfa 6, Cabaye 4, Gutierrez 5 (Anita 4), Ferguson 5, Cisse 4 (Shola Ameobi 5), Ba 7. Subs not used: Elliot, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Marveaux. Booked: Ben Arfa.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 8, O'Brien 8, Reid 8, Tomkins 8, McCartney 7 (Demel 5), Benayoun 6 (O'Neil 7), Diame 9, Noble 8, Jarvis 4 (Maiga 5), Nolan 9, Carroll 6. Subs not used: Spiegel, Cole, Collins, Hall. Booked: Noble, O'Brien.
REF: M Dean 6
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SI-HAM-ESE TWINS
Sam hails Andy and Kev
By ANDY BAKER
Published: 11th November 2012
The Sun
Head-to-head: Ba v Carroll
FORMER Newcastle hero Andy Carroll took on ex-Hammer Demba Ba — but who came out on top now they have switched clubs?
THREAT
BA: The Senegal striker was restricted to long-range efforts.
CARROLL: Missed great late chance but aerial presence played part in winner.
SAM ALLARDYCE hailed Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll — his telepathic strike twins. Nolan came back to haunt Newcastle by bagging the winner at St James' Park yesterday — the Scouser's fifth of the season. West Ham's Captain Marvel caused Alan Pardew's men all sorts of problems in tandem with ex-Toon team-mate Carroll as the Hammers climbed to sixth. And Upton Park boss Allardyce is convinced that the pair — big pals off the field — take their understanding on to it to prove a constant nightmare for Premier League defences. After leading West Ham to a 1-0 triumph — their first win on Tyneside for 14 years — against his old club, Allardyce said: "Kevin's relationship with Andy is such a good one that I don't need to do a lot of coaching with the two of them. "If anything, they instinctively play off each other. "While Andy's struggling to get a goal — and we'd like him to get one — Kevin's scoring them, so we're reaping the benefits of that relationship. "The combination of the two of them is causing problems for other teams. "Kevin's our captain and leading goalscorer, he has got us the win with his goal and his instincts in the box are there for all to see. "It's five goals in 11 games for him and it should be six because he's also had one chalked off. "Andy's getting better and better as time goes on for us and that partnership with Kevin is brilliant. Long may it continue because it's getting us victories and points on the board."
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Wings clipped: Hammers hero Nolan keeps vow to never celebrate goal against Toon
The Mirror
11 Nov 2012 22:31
Chris Brunskill
Kevin Nolan fired West Ham into sixth spot - and vowed he could never celebrate condemning his former club to defeat. The former Newcastle striker bagged his fifth goal of the season on his first return to St James' Park since being sold 16 months ago, in West Ham's 1-0 victory. Nolan, who was given a warm reception before the game, said: "It was a perfect scenario for me to score the winner. It was quite emotional when I did score the goal. I did say I was never going to celebrate scoring against Newcastle and I never will. "If I move on from West Ham I would never do it against them either. That was down to the support I received when I was here. I can't thank the fans enough for the reception I got. It was absolutely unbelievable. I had an absolutely fantastic time here. I love Newcastle and love everything about it - I made so many friends here along with my family. My boy is a Geordie, he was born here.
"It was a fantastic performance by us and I was delighted with the goal. I couldn't have asked for a better club to go to than West Ham for the following they've got and the commitment and everything they show. I would love to think I can do the same for them that I did for Newcastle." Nolan is now targeting further progress for the Hammers. He added: ""I'm just delighted for us because it got us the result and it moves us further up the table and it keeps us in the mix really. "You've got to expect to be up against it at Newcastle. They've got some fantastic players here and had some fantastic players who were missing, and we knew had to capitalise on that here. I think we did and we hung on, which is a credit to the lads because we've got a lot of grit and determination.
"What we're trying to do at West Ham is what we tried to do at Newcastle. When we came up it was about getting them back to where they belonged and then eventually into Europe. That's what I feel that West Ham should do with the support we've got and the backing from the boardroom hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle have done.
"I left Newcastle on great terms, Alan (Pardew) was absolutely fantastic to me. We still share the odd text here and there. Just before the play-off final he gave me some great words and support and I'll always have that with him. He was fantastic with me when he was here. He was honest with me, I was honest with him and you can't really ask for any more than that. It was nice to hear that."
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce hailed his side's start as they now prepare for a tough run of games. He said: "We have the big boys coming up and we are still getting points. No one was overawed coming here.
"The team will grow in terms of the credit they get if they keep winning games. Our tactical approach was spot on. In possession we were good and we nullified what is a fantastic attacking force from Newcastle. "We are laden with experience. I have experience. Only Ferguson and Wenger, and me and David Moyes. I can guide the players and the players have been there and done it too. "Winning here doesn't give me extra satisfaction. Winning away from home and beating a team of this quality is satisfying."
Pards can't put his finger on it...
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is still searching for a magic formula, after an average start to the league season. He said: "I wish I could put my finger on it. We have a side who has played 17 games yet it is proving difficult to get some rhythm. Away from home we have been solid and dogged. At home we need to perform better than today, for sure. "We have only lost four games in 17 but it hurts today. We lacked a bit of power on the pitch. We misses Tiote.
"We wasted a period of the game at the start. We knew they would play a fragmented, stop-start game. We didn't get rhythm or pressure on them and we let them get a footing in the game. Once they got the goal they were more confident. After that we created good pressure without making a special moment.
"Defensively we should not have conceded that goal. The second half was much more like us. We had a good chance, was it or wasn't it over the line."
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Vinny's Newcastle Report
Vinny 2:18 Mon Nov 12
West Ham Online
Newcastle United 0 West Ham United 1
West Ham recorded their first win at St James' Park since 1998 after a first half goal from Kevin Nolan secured all three points.
Whilst this will never go down as a brilliant game or magnificent performance the fact remains that this was a superb result which sees West Ham rise to 6th in the league having taken 18 points from 11 games.
To go away from home and beat a side who finished in the top 5 last season is no mean feat and is further indication of how far we have come as a team over the last 12 months.
Newcastle were very poor and this is something that obviously helped but we do deserve some credit for the way we battled away and kept going to the very end.
Both sides struggled with their passing and the game would not be considered much of an advert for Premiership football although most of the games I watch seem to be very similar in a very overrated league.
There were moments in the second half where we had to ride our luck but when going away from home you know that the other side are going to have their moments and thankfully we dealt with them very well with Winston Reid playing a blinder at the back.
Before the game I was not exactly confident and had expect us to get beat on the basis that our last away display at Wigan did not fill me with much hope. But the gritty determination of this Sam Allardyce inspired side seems to at times give us that extra edge.
For a newly promoted side we are not looking out of place and there continues to be an absence of sound coming from those who questioned the quality of the side during pre-season.
The chances Newcastle created came mainly from long range and we had a fantastic chance to make the victory a little more comfortable but this chance was squandered by Andy Carroll on his return to the North East.
But it would be another player returning to his former club in Kevin Nolan who would pop up yet again to score the winner and take his tally for the season to five which is already an excellent return from a midfielder.
The tactics, the style of play, the type of players we have – it all means little when we are winning games and moving up the table and finding success such as we are doing.
The result against Manchester City alongside this win are extremely pleasing and at the moment everything at West Ham looks very promising.
The Team
Sam Allardyce made one change to the side who battled to secure a point against the Champions Manchester City last week with James Collins being replaced by James Tomkins.
There had been some doubt over the fitness of Collins so this is why I would think he was only on the bench although this is a change many of us had wanted to see for a while.
Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan lined up against the side they both used to turn out for.
Starting for Newcastle was former Hammer Demba Ba who played 12 games for West Ham during the 2010/11 season, scoring 7 goals.
Managing Newcastle was former West Ham Manager Alan Pardew who took over in 2003 and left in 2006 having won a Play Off Final and finished runners up in the 2006 FA Cup Final.
The referee was 44 year old Mike Dean from the Wirral who was in charge of our opening game of the season against Aston Villa.
First Half
It was not exactly an exciting first half with both sides struggling to pass to one another but ultimately we were the happier given that we got ourselves in front and also that as the away side the game was being played in a style which suited us.
There was half a chance for winger Matt Jarvis as the ball bounced in the penalty area but his shot was hit well wide.
With 8 minutes gone a free kick into the area by Mark Noble saw Winston Reid head the ball down to Kevin Nolan who attempted an overhead kick which deflected off Ryan Taylor and out for a corner.
For most of the first half we looked decent and were attempting to knock the ball about and find some width as well as knocking the ball long for Andy Carroll who was not finding much joy against his old team.
A free kick was won after a foul on Noble and the midfielder took the set piece himself as his ball into the area was headed out only as far as Yossi Benayoun who sliced his shot well wide.
Any chance Newcastle were able to create usually came from us surrendering possession in key areas but they were unable to get enough bodies in the area to really threaten.
The game became very stop start with a number of fouls being made especially by our players and we were lucky not to see yellow as Mike Dean let things go.
On 34 minutes Matt Jarvis was replaced by Modibo Maiga. I'm not sure why he came off but can only presume it was due to injury.
With 7 minutes of the first half remaining we took the lead.
It came after a throw in was given to Noble who crossed into the area only for the clearance to come out as far as Joey O'Brien who hit a shot which was going well wide but it went straight into the path of Kevin Nolan who diverted the ball into the goal to make it 1-0.
Nolan always seemed to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time and this was no exception as he scored yet another goal. His celebrations were muted due to the clear respect he has for his former club but no West Ham could hide their delight in his goal.
Not long after we had taken the lead we were close to scoring a second when a strong run forward from Diame saw him play the ball through to Nolan who took a touch but fired his shot wide when on another day he would have hit the target.
For the remainder of the half which included four minutes injury time we were very poor and played our worst football of the half and indeed the game.
I was disappointed that we had just stopped playing and allowed Newcastle to come at us and in all honestly they should have probably equalised.
Many Newcastle supporters thought they had scored when a shot from Ben Arfa deflected off both Reid and then McCartney and then into the side netting.
The relentless pressure from the hosts was ended by the half time whistle.
Second Half
Newcastle made one change at half time with the inept Papiss Cisse being replaced by Shola Ameobi.
It seemed as though the Geordies were intent on starting the second half as they had finished the first by coming at us in numbers and with just two minutes of the half gone many thought they had scored.
A cross into the area saw O'Brien head the ball into the area and Demba Ba got up well to powerful head at goal where Jaaskelainen clawed out of the goal and away. Many had thought it had gone over the line although I am sure it did not.
Nevertheless this was a wonderful stop from Jaaskelainen.
With the pressure building we made another change with Gary O'Neil coming on for Yossi Benayoun.
Diame was showing his strength and power in midfield as he burst into the area but couldn't keep his feet and scooped his shot over the bar.
Another striding run from Diame saw the ball played out to the left to Maiga whose cross to the back post was met by O'Neil but despite his effort being on target, it had no power to test Krul in the Newcastle goal.
Joey O'Brien went into the book following a poor challenge with 30 minutes remaining.
Jaaskelainen was again called into action when curling shot from Ameobi tested him but he was again equal to it as he turned it away. The corner again tested the Fin as Ben Arfa curled it towards goal but it was tipped over.
An injury to George McCartney saw the left back forced to come off with Guy Demel replacing him.
This saw Demel go to right back and O'Brien at left back.
On 72 minutes we created a glorious chance to kill the game. It came after some poor Newcastle defending saw Carroll nip in and win the ball which saw Nolan burst forward and play in Carroll who with just the keeper to beat saw his shot saved by Krul. It should have been his first goal.
Time was not ticking away fast enough for my liking and I did have a resigned feeling that a goal for Newcastle was inevitable even though we were defending well and they were not having what I would call 'great' chances.
Perhaps it is just years of seeing West Ham squander leads and fall apart away from home which have given me this complex and this new determination under Sam Allardyce takes me by surprise.
The home side just couldn't find any quality in the final third and we were able to hold onto the ball going forward well and with that bit of arrogance needed to get through.
We all knew that there were going to be excessive injury time and the referee did award five minutes.
These minutes seemed to last an age and Newcastle looked to put pressure on us and create that one last great chance. It (sort of)came when a Ben Arfa cross was cleared only as far as Cabaye on the edge of the area and as the West Ham fans winced the shot went high and wide and we knew at that point that we were leaving the North East with all three points.
It was 1998 when we last won at Newcastle with Ian Wright scoring two and Trevor Sinclair with the other.
Never did I think that day that it would be so long until we would beat them again and the last time we were at St James' in 2011 we were thumped 5-0 so this was one of those results which has been a long time coming.
Did we deserve to win the game some may ask.
Deserving is nice, doing is better.
Player Reviews
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Despite our reservations he has now kept five clean sheets this season and I have to say I thought he was excellent during this game and pulled off a number of excellent stops. 8
Joey O'Brien
When he plays with a bit of aggression he is a much better player and if there was one player who was really up for this game then it was Joey O'Brien. He was strong in the tackle, never bottled a challenge, got forward well and he does get an assist for the goal also. 8
Winston Reid
The Kiwi warrior strikes again. Strong, accomplished and classy throughout. Won everything in the air, rarely caught out of position, saved us time and time again and continues to shine. 9
James Tomkins
There are times when up against a skilful player that he will sell himself too easily and look wayward but whilst this happened a couple of times during the game it is difficult to complain about his overall display as he was (like Reid) always in the right place at the right time and I was pleased to see him back in the side. 7
George McCartney
Similar to O'Brien there was a little bit more about him in the tackle during this one and he was playing well enough until his injury which forced him to come off in the second half. 7
Mark Noble
Another pleasing display from Noble who was on the ball a lot and played some good simple passes about. Caught in possession a couple of times and needs to be a little more aware of who is around him as he was dwelling on the ball. But this was still a good display and I am more than happy with him in our midfield. 7
Mohamed Diame
Becoming our most frustrating player. When he gets the ball and moves forward with it he is absolute class. Players cannot get near him and he brushes everyone aside – it is a real quality he has. But when he gets into the final third he just doesn't know what to do with it and every time he is doing the wrong thing. Get this right and we have a player. 7
Kevin Nolan
Looked a bit 'leggy' in the second half but he had covered a lot of ground and yet again he popped up with the goal. We would be a far worse team without Kevin Nolan. This isn't even opinion, this is a fact. 7
Yossi Benayoun
Apart from a collision with Guttierrez he was barely involved and it was not a surprise to see him come off. 5
Matt Jarvis
Was never in the game and whether it was injury or just tactical his removal did not hinder us. 5
Andy Carroll
For most of the game he looked every bit the donkey we hope he is not. In the second half he should have scored and his lack of goals is a little concerning. Unless we are not basing a strikers performance on goals now that it isn't Cole playing? Regardless of this point I thought as the second half wore on Carroll was important to us keeping the ball and he held it up really well in those final fifteen minutes. 6
Subs Used
Modibo Maiga (on for Jarvis 34 mins)
I'm still not sure what to make of Maiga. His approach play when on the ball looks good but he like Diame finds it difficult to pick out a pass. More to come from him I suspect. 6
Gary O'Neil (on for Benayoun 52 mins)
His display was full of energy and this helped us through a sticky period at the beginning of the second half. I would start him away at Tottenham instead of Benayoun.
Guy Demel (on for McCartney 66 mins)
Beaten a few times in a bit of a rusty display but good to see him back. Any player who cannot take a throw in often raises concerns for me.
Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Hall, Cole, Collins
Goals: WHU: Nolan (37)
Bookings: NU: Ben Arfa WHU: Noble, O'Brien
Man Of The Match: Winston Reid
Newcastle United: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Jonas, Cisse, Ba
Subs: Elliott, Anita, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Marveaux, Obertan, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Mike Dean, 9
Attendance: 51,855
Overall
It may be too early to suggest that we begin to look at our position currently as an attainable goal but although it is an odd feeling to have as a West Ham supporter perhaps we should all be feeling a bit more confident about our prospects.
We matched Newcastle all over the pitch and had a player in Kevin Nolan who has the ability to pop up and get you that goal which will win you games like this. This isn't luck – he just knows where to be.
This 'difficult' run of games have already produced four points and two clean sheets.
Next Game – Stoke City (h) Monday, 19th November 8pm Kick Off
Back to the Boleyn we go for a game against a side who are also accused of playing the long ball game.
Stoke have been distinctly average this season and this is a game which we will be looking to win and I hope to see us attack them.
The season is going very well and long may it continue.
The View From Allardyce
'Of course it's our captain, who is our leading goalscorer, who has got us the three points.
'His instincts in the box are there for all to see. It's five goals he has got in 11 games now in the Premier League - it should be six because he had one chalked off this week (against Manchester City) that he shouldn't have done - and for a midfield player to be totalling up that sort of goal tally is fantastic from our point of view.
'That being the winner today is obviously satisfying for us all.'
'It's a fantastic start to the season for us now, 11 games, 18 points.
'Anybody who looks at what we have done, we had some reasonably good fixtures at the start of the season - every game is difficult in the Premier League, but they were more winnable than some of the fixtures we have perhaps got now.
'But in saying that, in our last three games, we lost to Wigan away, which I didn't expect, we drew with Manchester City and now we have beaten Newcastle.
'The big boys are coming up and we are still getting points, and that's the pleasing thing for me because confidence grows and grows and grows, as you could see today.
'It was a very professional performance by the players and nobody was overawed coming here.'
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was West Ham United's match-winner on his return to Newcastle United
11.11.2012
Kevin Nolan capped a memorable return to Newcastle United by shooting West Ham United to a fantastic 1-0 Barclays Premier League win over the Magpies at St James' Park. The former Newcastle captain and present-day Hammers skipper was in the right place at the right time yet again to score the only goal of the game at the stadium he once called home. Nolan, who spent three seasons on Tyneside between 2008 and 2011, was afforded a hero's welcome by the home fans and responded in kind by not celebrating his 38th-minute winner. The No4 was just one of 14 West Ham heroes on Sunday, with goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, centre-back Winston Reid and midfielder Mohamed Diame catching the eye with superbly resilient displays. In truth, however, every Hammers layer earned their crust by keeping at bay a Newcastle team that finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League last season. Nolan and his team-mates are now up to sixth themselves and the skipper has admitted to having lofty ambitions in a claret and blue shirt. "It was the perfect scenario for me, of course," admitted Nolan. "You always wish to score goals. It was quite emotional when I did score a goal because I had a little moment just after it. I was never going to celebrate and I never will [celebrate against them] and I would never do that to West Ham if I ever move on because of the support I received when I was here. "I'm just delighted for us because we got the three points and it moves us further up the table and it keeps us in the mix. "You've got to expect that [Newcastle were going to put us under pressure in the second half] because they are a team with fantastic players. They had some fantastic players out [suspended] and we knew we had to capitalise on that and I think we did. "We hung on and credit to the lads because we've got a lot of grit and determination. I'm delighted to lead them every week. It was a fantastic away win - our second of the season - and we just need to keep building on this very solid start that we've made."
West Ham were stretched to the limit on Sunday, not just by Alan Pardew's side but by the loss of Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney to injury during the game. Substitutes Modibo Maiga, Gary O'Neil and Guy Demel performed to such a high level, however, that nobody would have known the difference. The club's summer signings were also to the fore, with goalkeeper Jaaskelainen recording a Barclays Premier League-leading fifth clean sheet, Diame everywhere and Andy Carroll leading the line with typical power. "We knew that we had a big enough squad. What both Chairmen did in bringing in new players and backing the gaffer was fantastic. They were trying from day one that we got back in pre-season to get the players in and I think it's showing.
"Hopefully, if we can steer clear of too many injuries, we're aiming to stick around that top ten and have a comfortable season and hopefully build on that.
"When I came up with Newcastle I spoke about getting them back to where they belong and it's the same with West Ham - getting into Europe and then back to the top end of the table. With the support and plans we've got, that's where we should be aiming for - the same success that Newcastle have achieved."
For Nolan, it was a memorable day for so many reasons. The midfielder had also skippered Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010 before helping the Magpies to re-establish themselves as a Barclays Premier League club. The Toon Army showed their respect for Nolan's achievements in a black and white shirt by applauding him before, during and after the game. "It was a bit emotional when I first walked in," said the West Ham captain. "I was a bit emotional because the reception they gave me was unbelievable. I had a fantastic time here [at St James' Park]. "I loved everything everything about this club when I was here and I still do. I have fond memories and many friends and family enjoyed it up here. My little boy is a Geordie. "I thought it was a fantastic performance from us. I was delighted to get the goal and just delighted with how the day went. I would like to thank the Newcastle fans for the fantastic support they gave me while I was here and for the reception they gave me on Sunday. "Obviously I could not have asked to have gone to a better club than West Ham for the following we have got and the commitment they have shown, so I'm delighted to be at another wonderful club. Hopefully I can do as well for them as I did up here."
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Hendo's high praise
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was delighted to see his West Ham United Under-21 side secure a stunning 2-1 win at Arsenal
11.11.2012
Ian Hendon had nothing but praise for his young side after they clinched a superb 87th-minute win against Arsenal at London Colney on Friday afternoon. Rob Hall opened the scoring from the restart, running through the entire Arsenal team before firing past Wojciech Szczesny. Serge Gnabry looked to have salvaged a point for the Gunners but much to the delight of Hendon, Paul McCallum headed home with three minutes remaining. 'The Arsenal side we played are very much like the first team, they keep the ball well and if you get carried away going forward they will punish you on the counter. "They did it to our first team a few weeks ago but the lads stayed focused throughout the 90 minutes and despite conceding late on we stuck together and hit back to earn a fantastic win."
Last week ended in disappointment for the Development Squad as they lost 3-0 against Reading but Hendon praised his side's response. "We did not go overboard about the result last week because they had some senior players who performed very well. I was not disappointed and it was a little bit of a learning curve. 'This week we worked very hard on how we wanted to play against Arsenal, we needed to be compact, together and focused and we did just that."
At all levels Arsenal are renowned for their attacking prowess but Hendon's side absorbed the pressure well and limited their creativity. "They have only got in behind our defence once and Raphael Spiegel was equal to it and did his job. In the first-half they hit the post but apart from that and the goal we coped very well. 'They had a very good amount of possession but we stopped them from creating hardly any openings so it was a job well done from our team."
Hall scored a sensational opener straight from kick-off in the second half but such is Hendon's faith in the striker that he was not surprised by the quality of his strike. "We encourage the team to get at their opponents from the kick-off and Rob Hall has ran from the halfway line and scored, but that it what he has in his locker - he is a match winner. "Our defending was also very good. We defended from the front and all of our attacking players knew their defensive responsibilities and carried them out to a tee."
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham must maintain 'outstanding' start
BBC.co.uk
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce hailed his team's "outstanding" start to the season but warned his players not to bask in the glory. Kevin Nolan's goal gave the Hammers a 1-0 victory at Newcastle that moves them up to sixth in the Premier League in their first season since promotion. Allardyce told BBC Sport: "A newly-promoted side picking up 18 points from 11 games is outstanding. "But we need to make sure we don't switch off and take life too easy now." Nolan's first-half strike against his former club gave West Ham their fifth league win of the season and followed an impressive 0-0 home draw with defending champions Manchester City. But Allardyce wants his side to stay focussed ahead of a run in which they play Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in successive games. "We've done a great job up to now, drawing with Manchester City and beating Newcastle," said Allardyce. "Let's hope we can keep picking up points against the big boys."
West Ham's margin of victory could have been even greater if Andy Carroll had converted a late chance to open his Hammers account against his former club.
After exchanging passes with Nolan, Carroll's side-footed shot was saved one-handed by Magpies keeper Tim Krul. "Andy Carroll is disappointed he didn't score but it was a really good save," added Allardyce. "He wants to get off the mark with that goal but he's our target man and that partnership with Nolan is outstanding. "That's five Nolan has in 11 games. He gets the attacks flowing and reads the situation brilliantly in the box - he always seems to be in the right place at the right time."
West Ham's latest victory came in spite of losing three players - Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney - to injury during the match. Allardyce said McCartney's groin problem was the most serious of the three, but expects to have all three fit for their home fixture against Stoke on 19 November.
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Newcastle 0 West Ham 1
Nolan 37′
FT 90 +6
HT 0-1
11 November 2012
Last updated at 17:36
By Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport
Kevin Nolan's first-half goal against his former club proved enough to see off a lacklustre Newcastle and propel West Ham into the top six. Nolan ghosted in at the far post to turn in Joey O'Brien's mis-hit shot. Newcastle were denied an equaliser when the officials ruled that goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had prevented Demba Ba's header from crossing the line. Former Magpie Andy Carroll could have given West Ham breathing space but Tim Krul pulled off a fine one-handed save. The home side's performance was so lacking in precision or passion that a 2-0 scoreline would hardly have flattered the upwardly mobile Hammers. And the result will bring immense satisfaction to West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, who last week described his sacking by the Magpies after 24 games in 2008 as one of the lowest points in his career.
In their first season back in the Premier League, the Hammers were comfortable victors - despite losing three players to injury - and, in the tireless Nolan, had comfortably the best player on the pitch. Indeed, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew's pre-match suggestion that he would welcome Nolan and Carroll back to St James' Park looked entirely justified in a blunt attacking display in which striker Papiss Cisse and his half-time replacement Shola Ameobi were particularly ineffective.
"It is West Ham's day, Sam Allardyce's day and Kevin Nolan's day. Big disappointment for Newcastle, but West Ham now have 18 points from 11 games back in the Premier League and that is a more than satisfactory return."
An opening 30 minutes low on quality and goalmouth action was characterised by misplaced passes and mistimed challenges. Both sides were forced into an early change. First, Newcastle captain Jonas Gutierrez came off worst in a 50-50 tackle with Yossi Benayoun, then West Ham winger Matt Jarvis made way for Mali forward Modibo Maiga. Carroll, whose every touch for Liverpool was booed when the sides met in April, received a noticeably less hostile reception from the fans who used to revere him.
In the context of a dire game, West Ham's opener was as unexpected as it was welcome for the neutral. A cross aimed at Carroll was headed as far as O'Brien on the right and the full-back's shot was turned in by Nolan. The Hammers midfielder, who declined to perform his trademark chicken dance celebration against his old club, could have doubled the lead moments later but he sliced his left-footed shot wide from the edge of the box. Newcastle's rally, which began before the break with half-chances for Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye, almost brought the equaliser within a minute of the restart.
Ba's powerful header bounced awkwardly in front of Jaaskelainen, who clawed the ball back from the goal-line. Newcastle's players were convinced the ball had crossed the line but inconclusive replays appeared to justify the officials' decision not to award a goal. The Magpies continued to press forward but their play lacked subtlety in the final third. Most of the home side's best chances came from corners, with half-time substitute Shola Ameobi wasting a free header from Cabaye's perfect delivery. Newcastle's commitment to attack was always likely to leave gaps at the back and when Carroll capitalised on a defensive mix-up to exchange passes with Nolan, the former Geordie favourite found himself clean through on goal. Carroll's slight hesitation, however, gave Krul time to set himself and pull off an excellent stop with his outstretched left hand.
The hosts' desperation for an equaliser saw Krul sent up for a late corner, but the Hammers held on for their first win at St James' Park since October 1998.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew: "We are kicking ourselves. It was the West Ham performance we knew we were going to get but what we lacked was the verve and imagination to unlock them. "We had eight or nine shots but none with any purpose or quality. Newcastle at home must score one, two, three or maybe 4 and we got none today. "It's nothing to do with our European game - we made lots of changes and the team was fresh - but we didn't do ourselves justice in the first 30 minutes. We didn't come alive until they scored and that is not good enough. "We've got a home game [against Swansea] next week and we're under pressure to produce a performance and win."
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Newcastle Utd 0 West Ham Utd 1
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 11th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Captain fantastic Kevin Nolan was on hand once again to score the only goal of the game as West Ham secured their first win at St James' Park this century.
Over the years St James' Park has rarely been a happy hunting ground for West Ham; prior to today it had been 14 years since United recorded a victory in Newcastle - a day when goals from Ian Wright (2) and Trevor Sinclair gave the Hammers a 3-0 win. But Sam Allardyce's 2012 squad repeated that feat with a performance that whilst perhaps lacking in quality could not be criticised for a lack of commitment. Today's win - a victory that came as a result of Nolan's 38th-minute close-range effort - was the fifth time already this season that West Ham had kept a clean sheet. And this game - combined with the goalless draw against reigning champions Manchester City last weekend - made a mockery of the suggestion that United's frailties would be exposed by the division's stronger teams.
Whilst the team's confidence has clearly been given a major boost by early wins against teams perceived to be the weaker amongst the Premier League elite, there is no doubt that Sam Allardyce, pilloried unfairly by some sections of the media this season is getting the very best out of his players. Today's back four was the same as that which often lined up in the Championship last season - yet George McCartney, Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins and Winstofn Reid looked just as comfortable against Newcastle today as they had against the likes of Doncaster and Millwall last term. Today's win was especially sweet for manager Allardyce, who having masterminded West Ham's instant return to the top flight in his first year at the Boleyn Ground claimed all three points from a club who fired him after just seven months in charge back in 2008.
And former Geordie favourite Andy Carroll - who whilst still yet to score for the Hammers produced another effective performance - will no doubt be wearing a wry smile tonight after returning home to London victorious after being booed all afternoon. However it was left to another former Newcastle employee to score the goal that secured the win for West Ham, who now rise to sixth in the league as a result of today's win.
Having produced a solid first half performance in which they stymied Newcastle's attacking notions by defending high up the pitch a counter attack gave Joey O'Brien - who is yet to finish on the losing side in a West Ham shirt this season - the opportunity to fire at goal. The full-back dragged his effort wide of its intended target but Nolan, exhibiting that uncanny knack of accurately predicting where the ball would land stuck out a foot at the far post to divert the ball into an empty net.
Newcastle's protestations of offside were (correctly) ignored by official Mike Dean who, thankfully, had little impact on the game. After the break the home side were far more adventurous, but had the returning Carroll taken his chance when put through by his skipper with only goalkeeper Tim Krul to beat West Ham may have been able to face the last fifteen minutes with rather less anxiety than was eventually the case. But with Jussi Jaaskelainen rolling back the years with a string of important saves there was to be no way through for the home side - even if former Hammer Demba Ba may have had a case when his header appeared to be clawed back from behind the line by the Finnish stopper right at the start of the second half.
Just as every silver lining has a cloud, so it was the case again today when Allardyce saw three more players potentially added to his lengthening injury list. Matt Jarvis (hip), Yossi Benayoun (knee) and George McCartney (groin) all sustained injuries of varying degrees and were forced off the field. However that will be a concern for another day; today will be enjoyed equally by the players, the club's staff and especially the travelling supporters who faced a 300-mile return journey to London safe in the knowledge that today's win had seen them leapfrog Fulham, Arsenal and Tottenham in the Barclay's Premier League.
Match Facts: Newcastle United 0-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O'Brien, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, George McCartney (Guy Demel 66), Yossi Benayoun (Gary O'Neil 52), Mohamed Diame, Mark Noble, Matthew Jarvis (Modibo Maiga 34), Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll.
Subs not used: Raphael Spiegel, Carlton Cole, James Collins, Robert Hall.
Goals: Kevin Nolan (38).
Booked: Mark Noble (45), Joey O'Brien (61).
Possession: 48%.
Shots on/off target: 10 - 5/5.
Newcastle United: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson (Gabriel Obertan 79), Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez (Vurnon Anita 24), Shane Ferguson, Papiss Cisse (Shola Ameobi 46), Demba Ba.
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana.
Booked: Hatem Ben Arfa (76).
Possession: 52%.
Shots on/off target: 14 - 9/5.
Referee: Mike Dean .
Attendance: 51,855.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce delighted with away win at Newcastle
Last Updated: November 11, 2012 8:51pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hailed his team's great performance after their 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday. Kevin Nolan scored the only goal of the game just before half-time and the Hammers held on to go sixth in the Premier League - much to the delight of their manager. "It's a fantastic victory for us and a second away win," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "With Newcastle being one of the top six boys these days after last season it put some pressure on us. "I said to the lads, it's a great time to come here as they played midweek on Thursday in Europe and I experienced it myself at Bolton that the hardest game to win is the next one. "That gave us an opportunity here today and we took the opportunity with both hands. "It was a great performance and a great three points from us away from home, especially after losing three players through injury. I couldn't ask any more from the players today." Allardyce reserved particular praise for Nolan who again showed his remarkable ability to pop up with crucial goals for the Hammers. "That's five he's got now and the enormity of Kevin's goal record for us means he's our top scorer," added Allardyce. "Our frontmen are not really scoring at the minute but we're sharing the goals out. "And the way he played off Andy is what I liked the most. He really does sustain the attacks by holding the possession up. "He read the situation well in the box. It's a tap-in but you've got to be there and Kevin always seems to get in the box at the right time."
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Kevin Nolan was the hero for West Ham as his goal sealed a 1-0 win over former club Newcastle
Last Updated: November 11, 2012 10:02pm
SSN
Kevin Nolan enjoyed a happy return to Newcastle as he sealed a 1-0 win for West Ham that sent the east Londoners into the Premier League top six. The former Magpies midfielder scored shortly before the break, but Sam Allardyce's side were grateful for some wasteful attacking play from Newcastle as they failed to find an equaliser at St James' Park. Jussi Jaaskelainen almost gifted the hosts an early goal when he dwelled too long on a backpass, but he was rescued by Papiss Cisse's mistimed challenge, while at the other end Nolan's acrobatic attempt was deflected wide. West Ham enjoyed plenty of possession as the subdued hosts struggled to settle, although the Londoners lacked attacking punch and Yossi Benayoun lashed well wide.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Kevin Nolan popped up with the crucial goal as he so often does.
Save of the match: Demba Ba's header looked to have produced the equaliser but Jussi Jaaskelainen saved brilliantly.
Talking point: Did Newcastle do enough to pressure West Ham in a limp display?
Newcastle offered little invention themselves and appealed hopefully for a penalty when Mike Williamson was knocked off balance by George McCartney in the box. But a scrappy encounter was ignited by Newcastle old boy Nolan in the 37th minute as he turned in Joey O'Brien's low shot at the back post with the home side appealing in vain for offside. Nolan almost struck again soon afterwards, curling just over the top corner, while the Magpies finally threatened as Shane Ferguson's shot was blocked before Hatem Ben Arfa's drive was deflected into the side-netting. Demba Ba thought he had scored shortly after the restart until Jaaskelainen somehow clawed the striker's towering header off the line. Ba again tried to beat the Finn and his low shot drifted wide, but West Ham remained a threat as Mohamed Diame scooped over and Gary O'Neil nodded at Tim Krul. There was little respite for either defence as substitute Shola Ameobi headed wide and Ben Arfa tested Jaaskelainen, while Krul then had to save superbly to deny a clean-through Carroll. The home faithful were becoming increasingly agitated and they endured further frustration when Yohan Cabaye lashed a late effort over the bar.
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Looking Down on Spurs & Arsenal - The Joy of Three Points At Newcastle
By Iain Dale
West ham Till I Die
Don't tell my LBC bosses but I listened to the game on BBC London and from the commentary it seems as though it was an epic West Ham performance with the players sticking to the Allardyce gameplan. It's hard to believe that we are in sixth place after 11 games, above both Arsenal and Spurs. And four points against Man City and Newcastle is a respectable haul by anyone's standards. It sounds as if Diame and Noble controlled the midfield, with Carroll and Nolan combining well up front. Five goals in eleven games is a fantastic performance by Nolan, and the thing is, no one is getting on Andy Carroll's back for not scoring because we can all see what his contribution is to some fantastic team performances. If we keep on getting points, and he keeps up this level of performances we should all be content.
So, on to the Stoke game next Monday evening. They are a difficult side to beat and will come to Upton Park expecting to return to the Potteries expecting to get at least a point. I suspect Sam Allardyce might play a different tactical game. If Matt Jarvis is injured, it's possibly the time to play Cole and Carroll up front together. That ought to be enough to frighten even Stoke!
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It's No joy
Kev refuses to celebrate winner against Toon
Published: 11th November 2012
The Sun
KEVIN NOLAN refused to celebrate his West Ham winner. The skipper capped a perfect return to Toon with his 37th-minute strike to fire Hammers team into sixth place. Nolan joined West Ham at the start of last season from Newcastle in a £5million deal. And he admitted: "It was a perfect scenario for me to score. It was emotional. "But I was never going to celebrate scoring here. I never will. "That was down to the support I got when I was at Newcastle. But this was a great result for us."
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Newcastle 0 West Ham 1
By IAN GORDON
Last Updated: 12th November 2012
The Sun
SO that is what it feels like to be hammered by the man with the killer touch. The Toon faithful had seen often enough just why Kevin Nolan can lay claim to being one of the most lethal penalty-box predators in the league. Nolan netted 30 times from midfield in his 2½ years at St James' Park before he was allowed to leave. So it was inevitable that, on his first return to Tyneside, his unerring instinct for goal would prove decisive in a hard-fought game. Joey O'Brien's scuffed shot on 38 minutes was heading well wide of Tim Krul's goal. But it fell to Nolan, who once again was in the right place at the right time. There was no celebration from Nolan, who was quite happy to remain a Magpie and had no desire to fly the nest with his family settled in the North East. But, when owner Mike Ashley and the board suddenly pulled out of a planned new deal, West Ham came calling and are reaping the benefits. Having played a crucial role in returning the Hammers to the Premier League, Nolan has continued his goalscoring exploits in the top flight. Any regrets on taking away that contract offer now, Mike? No wonder Hammers boss Sam Allardyce believes Nolan's goal record from midfield should have earned him an England call-up.
Big Sam had plenty to celebrate on his return to the club that sacked him almost four years ago as the Hammers triumphed on Tyneside for the first time in four decades. They just about deserved it, too, even if most of the chances fell to the home side. But they were half-chances at best and, when they were on target, Jussi Jaaskelainen dealt with them comfortably. Nolan struck after 38 minutes and soon after he nearly had another, firing just wide from Mohamad Diame's pass. Alan Pardew's men were finally stirred into action with Shane Ferguson's shot well blocked by George McCartney. Hatem Ben Arfa saw an effort deflect off Winston Reid with Jaaskelainen stranded, only for it to hit the side-netting. The Finnish stopper then saved from Yohan Cabaye after Andy Carroll's poor clearance had fallen to the Frenchman. Pardew had to react and he did at half-time, replacing the ineffective Papiss Cisse with Shola Ameobi. Demba Ba was a far more dangerous prospect with Ameobi alongside him and he came so close to bagging the equaliser two minutes after the break. Ferguson's cross looped into the air off James Tomkins to Ba, whose header was palmed off the line by the keeper. Ba then fired wide from 22 yards while another effort was pushed round the post by Jaaskelainen.
Ben Arfa was close to scoring direct from the resulting corner but the veteran stopper reacted just in time. But the Hammers should have scored a second with 15 minutes left when the the 'telepathic twins' that are Nolan and his great pal Carroll broke clear. The ball from Nolan was inch perfect but Carroll (right) could not break his duck for the season as Krul made a fine save. The Dutch stopper went up the other end of the pitch in the dying minutes — but even his presence could not help the hosts.
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN — DIAME (WEST HAM)
NEWCASTLE: Krul 6, Simpson 7 (Obertan 5), S Taylor 6, Williamson 6, Santon 5, Ben Arfa 6, Cabaye 4, Gutierrez 5 (Anita 4), Ferguson 5, Cisse 4 (Shola Ameobi 5), Ba 7. Subs not used: Elliot, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Marveaux. Booked: Ben Arfa.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 8, O'Brien 8, Reid 8, Tomkins 8, McCartney 7 (Demel 5), Benayoun 6 (O'Neil 7), Diame 9, Noble 8, Jarvis 4 (Maiga 5), Nolan 9, Carroll 6. Subs not used: Spiegel, Cole, Collins, Hall. Booked: Noble, O'Brien.
REF: M Dean 6
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SI-HAM-ESE TWINS
Sam hails Andy and Kev
By ANDY BAKER
Published: 11th November 2012
The Sun
Head-to-head: Ba v Carroll
FORMER Newcastle hero Andy Carroll took on ex-Hammer Demba Ba — but who came out on top now they have switched clubs?
THREAT
BA: The Senegal striker was restricted to long-range efforts.
CARROLL: Missed great late chance but aerial presence played part in winner.
SAM ALLARDYCE hailed Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll — his telepathic strike twins. Nolan came back to haunt Newcastle by bagging the winner at St James' Park yesterday — the Scouser's fifth of the season. West Ham's Captain Marvel caused Alan Pardew's men all sorts of problems in tandem with ex-Toon team-mate Carroll as the Hammers climbed to sixth. And Upton Park boss Allardyce is convinced that the pair — big pals off the field — take their understanding on to it to prove a constant nightmare for Premier League defences. After leading West Ham to a 1-0 triumph — their first win on Tyneside for 14 years — against his old club, Allardyce said: "Kevin's relationship with Andy is such a good one that I don't need to do a lot of coaching with the two of them. "If anything, they instinctively play off each other. "While Andy's struggling to get a goal — and we'd like him to get one — Kevin's scoring them, so we're reaping the benefits of that relationship. "The combination of the two of them is causing problems for other teams. "Kevin's our captain and leading goalscorer, he has got us the win with his goal and his instincts in the box are there for all to see. "It's five goals in 11 games for him and it should be six because he's also had one chalked off. "Andy's getting better and better as time goes on for us and that partnership with Kevin is brilliant. Long may it continue because it's getting us victories and points on the board."
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Wings clipped: Hammers hero Nolan keeps vow to never celebrate goal against Toon
The Mirror
11 Nov 2012 22:31
Chris Brunskill
Kevin Nolan fired West Ham into sixth spot - and vowed he could never celebrate condemning his former club to defeat. The former Newcastle striker bagged his fifth goal of the season on his first return to St James' Park since being sold 16 months ago, in West Ham's 1-0 victory. Nolan, who was given a warm reception before the game, said: "It was a perfect scenario for me to score the winner. It was quite emotional when I did score the goal. I did say I was never going to celebrate scoring against Newcastle and I never will. "If I move on from West Ham I would never do it against them either. That was down to the support I received when I was here. I can't thank the fans enough for the reception I got. It was absolutely unbelievable. I had an absolutely fantastic time here. I love Newcastle and love everything about it - I made so many friends here along with my family. My boy is a Geordie, he was born here.
"It was a fantastic performance by us and I was delighted with the goal. I couldn't have asked for a better club to go to than West Ham for the following they've got and the commitment and everything they show. I would love to think I can do the same for them that I did for Newcastle." Nolan is now targeting further progress for the Hammers. He added: ""I'm just delighted for us because it got us the result and it moves us further up the table and it keeps us in the mix really. "You've got to expect to be up against it at Newcastle. They've got some fantastic players here and had some fantastic players who were missing, and we knew had to capitalise on that here. I think we did and we hung on, which is a credit to the lads because we've got a lot of grit and determination.
"What we're trying to do at West Ham is what we tried to do at Newcastle. When we came up it was about getting them back to where they belonged and then eventually into Europe. That's what I feel that West Ham should do with the support we've got and the backing from the boardroom hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle have done.
"I left Newcastle on great terms, Alan (Pardew) was absolutely fantastic to me. We still share the odd text here and there. Just before the play-off final he gave me some great words and support and I'll always have that with him. He was fantastic with me when he was here. He was honest with me, I was honest with him and you can't really ask for any more than that. It was nice to hear that."
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce hailed his side's start as they now prepare for a tough run of games. He said: "We have the big boys coming up and we are still getting points. No one was overawed coming here.
"The team will grow in terms of the credit they get if they keep winning games. Our tactical approach was spot on. In possession we were good and we nullified what is a fantastic attacking force from Newcastle. "We are laden with experience. I have experience. Only Ferguson and Wenger, and me and David Moyes. I can guide the players and the players have been there and done it too. "Winning here doesn't give me extra satisfaction. Winning away from home and beating a team of this quality is satisfying."
Pards can't put his finger on it...
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is still searching for a magic formula, after an average start to the league season. He said: "I wish I could put my finger on it. We have a side who has played 17 games yet it is proving difficult to get some rhythm. Away from home we have been solid and dogged. At home we need to perform better than today, for sure. "We have only lost four games in 17 but it hurts today. We lacked a bit of power on the pitch. We misses Tiote.
"We wasted a period of the game at the start. We knew they would play a fragmented, stop-start game. We didn't get rhythm or pressure on them and we let them get a footing in the game. Once they got the goal they were more confident. After that we created good pressure without making a special moment.
"Defensively we should not have conceded that goal. The second half was much more like us. We had a good chance, was it or wasn't it over the line."
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Vinny's Newcastle Report
Vinny 2:18 Mon Nov 12
West Ham Online
Newcastle United 0 West Ham United 1
West Ham recorded their first win at St James' Park since 1998 after a first half goal from Kevin Nolan secured all three points.
Whilst this will never go down as a brilliant game or magnificent performance the fact remains that this was a superb result which sees West Ham rise to 6th in the league having taken 18 points from 11 games.
To go away from home and beat a side who finished in the top 5 last season is no mean feat and is further indication of how far we have come as a team over the last 12 months.
Newcastle were very poor and this is something that obviously helped but we do deserve some credit for the way we battled away and kept going to the very end.
Both sides struggled with their passing and the game would not be considered much of an advert for Premiership football although most of the games I watch seem to be very similar in a very overrated league.
There were moments in the second half where we had to ride our luck but when going away from home you know that the other side are going to have their moments and thankfully we dealt with them very well with Winston Reid playing a blinder at the back.
Before the game I was not exactly confident and had expect us to get beat on the basis that our last away display at Wigan did not fill me with much hope. But the gritty determination of this Sam Allardyce inspired side seems to at times give us that extra edge.
For a newly promoted side we are not looking out of place and there continues to be an absence of sound coming from those who questioned the quality of the side during pre-season.
The chances Newcastle created came mainly from long range and we had a fantastic chance to make the victory a little more comfortable but this chance was squandered by Andy Carroll on his return to the North East.
But it would be another player returning to his former club in Kevin Nolan who would pop up yet again to score the winner and take his tally for the season to five which is already an excellent return from a midfielder.
The tactics, the style of play, the type of players we have – it all means little when we are winning games and moving up the table and finding success such as we are doing.
The result against Manchester City alongside this win are extremely pleasing and at the moment everything at West Ham looks very promising.
The Team
Sam Allardyce made one change to the side who battled to secure a point against the Champions Manchester City last week with James Collins being replaced by James Tomkins.
There had been some doubt over the fitness of Collins so this is why I would think he was only on the bench although this is a change many of us had wanted to see for a while.
Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan lined up against the side they both used to turn out for.
Starting for Newcastle was former Hammer Demba Ba who played 12 games for West Ham during the 2010/11 season, scoring 7 goals.
Managing Newcastle was former West Ham Manager Alan Pardew who took over in 2003 and left in 2006 having won a Play Off Final and finished runners up in the 2006 FA Cup Final.
The referee was 44 year old Mike Dean from the Wirral who was in charge of our opening game of the season against Aston Villa.
First Half
It was not exactly an exciting first half with both sides struggling to pass to one another but ultimately we were the happier given that we got ourselves in front and also that as the away side the game was being played in a style which suited us.
There was half a chance for winger Matt Jarvis as the ball bounced in the penalty area but his shot was hit well wide.
With 8 minutes gone a free kick into the area by Mark Noble saw Winston Reid head the ball down to Kevin Nolan who attempted an overhead kick which deflected off Ryan Taylor and out for a corner.
For most of the first half we looked decent and were attempting to knock the ball about and find some width as well as knocking the ball long for Andy Carroll who was not finding much joy against his old team.
A free kick was won after a foul on Noble and the midfielder took the set piece himself as his ball into the area was headed out only as far as Yossi Benayoun who sliced his shot well wide.
Any chance Newcastle were able to create usually came from us surrendering possession in key areas but they were unable to get enough bodies in the area to really threaten.
The game became very stop start with a number of fouls being made especially by our players and we were lucky not to see yellow as Mike Dean let things go.
On 34 minutes Matt Jarvis was replaced by Modibo Maiga. I'm not sure why he came off but can only presume it was due to injury.
With 7 minutes of the first half remaining we took the lead.
It came after a throw in was given to Noble who crossed into the area only for the clearance to come out as far as Joey O'Brien who hit a shot which was going well wide but it went straight into the path of Kevin Nolan who diverted the ball into the goal to make it 1-0.
Nolan always seemed to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time and this was no exception as he scored yet another goal. His celebrations were muted due to the clear respect he has for his former club but no West Ham could hide their delight in his goal.
Not long after we had taken the lead we were close to scoring a second when a strong run forward from Diame saw him play the ball through to Nolan who took a touch but fired his shot wide when on another day he would have hit the target.
For the remainder of the half which included four minutes injury time we were very poor and played our worst football of the half and indeed the game.
I was disappointed that we had just stopped playing and allowed Newcastle to come at us and in all honestly they should have probably equalised.
Many Newcastle supporters thought they had scored when a shot from Ben Arfa deflected off both Reid and then McCartney and then into the side netting.
The relentless pressure from the hosts was ended by the half time whistle.
Second Half
Newcastle made one change at half time with the inept Papiss Cisse being replaced by Shola Ameobi.
It seemed as though the Geordies were intent on starting the second half as they had finished the first by coming at us in numbers and with just two minutes of the half gone many thought they had scored.
A cross into the area saw O'Brien head the ball into the area and Demba Ba got up well to powerful head at goal where Jaaskelainen clawed out of the goal and away. Many had thought it had gone over the line although I am sure it did not.
Nevertheless this was a wonderful stop from Jaaskelainen.
With the pressure building we made another change with Gary O'Neil coming on for Yossi Benayoun.
Diame was showing his strength and power in midfield as he burst into the area but couldn't keep his feet and scooped his shot over the bar.
Another striding run from Diame saw the ball played out to the left to Maiga whose cross to the back post was met by O'Neil but despite his effort being on target, it had no power to test Krul in the Newcastle goal.
Joey O'Brien went into the book following a poor challenge with 30 minutes remaining.
Jaaskelainen was again called into action when curling shot from Ameobi tested him but he was again equal to it as he turned it away. The corner again tested the Fin as Ben Arfa curled it towards goal but it was tipped over.
An injury to George McCartney saw the left back forced to come off with Guy Demel replacing him.
This saw Demel go to right back and O'Brien at left back.
On 72 minutes we created a glorious chance to kill the game. It came after some poor Newcastle defending saw Carroll nip in and win the ball which saw Nolan burst forward and play in Carroll who with just the keeper to beat saw his shot saved by Krul. It should have been his first goal.
Time was not ticking away fast enough for my liking and I did have a resigned feeling that a goal for Newcastle was inevitable even though we were defending well and they were not having what I would call 'great' chances.
Perhaps it is just years of seeing West Ham squander leads and fall apart away from home which have given me this complex and this new determination under Sam Allardyce takes me by surprise.
The home side just couldn't find any quality in the final third and we were able to hold onto the ball going forward well and with that bit of arrogance needed to get through.
We all knew that there were going to be excessive injury time and the referee did award five minutes.
These minutes seemed to last an age and Newcastle looked to put pressure on us and create that one last great chance. It (sort of)came when a Ben Arfa cross was cleared only as far as Cabaye on the edge of the area and as the West Ham fans winced the shot went high and wide and we knew at that point that we were leaving the North East with all three points.
It was 1998 when we last won at Newcastle with Ian Wright scoring two and Trevor Sinclair with the other.
Never did I think that day that it would be so long until we would beat them again and the last time we were at St James' in 2011 we were thumped 5-0 so this was one of those results which has been a long time coming.
Did we deserve to win the game some may ask.
Deserving is nice, doing is better.
Player Reviews
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Despite our reservations he has now kept five clean sheets this season and I have to say I thought he was excellent during this game and pulled off a number of excellent stops. 8
Joey O'Brien
When he plays with a bit of aggression he is a much better player and if there was one player who was really up for this game then it was Joey O'Brien. He was strong in the tackle, never bottled a challenge, got forward well and he does get an assist for the goal also. 8
Winston Reid
The Kiwi warrior strikes again. Strong, accomplished and classy throughout. Won everything in the air, rarely caught out of position, saved us time and time again and continues to shine. 9
James Tomkins
There are times when up against a skilful player that he will sell himself too easily and look wayward but whilst this happened a couple of times during the game it is difficult to complain about his overall display as he was (like Reid) always in the right place at the right time and I was pleased to see him back in the side. 7
George McCartney
Similar to O'Brien there was a little bit more about him in the tackle during this one and he was playing well enough until his injury which forced him to come off in the second half. 7
Mark Noble
Another pleasing display from Noble who was on the ball a lot and played some good simple passes about. Caught in possession a couple of times and needs to be a little more aware of who is around him as he was dwelling on the ball. But this was still a good display and I am more than happy with him in our midfield. 7
Mohamed Diame
Becoming our most frustrating player. When he gets the ball and moves forward with it he is absolute class. Players cannot get near him and he brushes everyone aside – it is a real quality he has. But when he gets into the final third he just doesn't know what to do with it and every time he is doing the wrong thing. Get this right and we have a player. 7
Kevin Nolan
Looked a bit 'leggy' in the second half but he had covered a lot of ground and yet again he popped up with the goal. We would be a far worse team without Kevin Nolan. This isn't even opinion, this is a fact. 7
Yossi Benayoun
Apart from a collision with Guttierrez he was barely involved and it was not a surprise to see him come off. 5
Matt Jarvis
Was never in the game and whether it was injury or just tactical his removal did not hinder us. 5
Andy Carroll
For most of the game he looked every bit the donkey we hope he is not. In the second half he should have scored and his lack of goals is a little concerning. Unless we are not basing a strikers performance on goals now that it isn't Cole playing? Regardless of this point I thought as the second half wore on Carroll was important to us keeping the ball and he held it up really well in those final fifteen minutes. 6
Subs Used
Modibo Maiga (on for Jarvis 34 mins)
I'm still not sure what to make of Maiga. His approach play when on the ball looks good but he like Diame finds it difficult to pick out a pass. More to come from him I suspect. 6
Gary O'Neil (on for Benayoun 52 mins)
His display was full of energy and this helped us through a sticky period at the beginning of the second half. I would start him away at Tottenham instead of Benayoun.
Guy Demel (on for McCartney 66 mins)
Beaten a few times in a bit of a rusty display but good to see him back. Any player who cannot take a throw in often raises concerns for me.
Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Hall, Cole, Collins
Goals: WHU: Nolan (37)
Bookings: NU: Ben Arfa WHU: Noble, O'Brien
Man Of The Match: Winston Reid
Newcastle United: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Jonas, Cisse, Ba
Subs: Elliott, Anita, Amalfitano, Bigirimana, Marveaux, Obertan, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Mike Dean, 9
Attendance: 51,855
Overall
It may be too early to suggest that we begin to look at our position currently as an attainable goal but although it is an odd feeling to have as a West Ham supporter perhaps we should all be feeling a bit more confident about our prospects.
We matched Newcastle all over the pitch and had a player in Kevin Nolan who has the ability to pop up and get you that goal which will win you games like this. This isn't luck – he just knows where to be.
This 'difficult' run of games have already produced four points and two clean sheets.
Next Game – Stoke City (h) Monday, 19th November 8pm Kick Off
Back to the Boleyn we go for a game against a side who are also accused of playing the long ball game.
Stoke have been distinctly average this season and this is a game which we will be looking to win and I hope to see us attack them.
The season is going very well and long may it continue.
The View From Allardyce
'Of course it's our captain, who is our leading goalscorer, who has got us the three points.
'His instincts in the box are there for all to see. It's five goals he has got in 11 games now in the Premier League - it should be six because he had one chalked off this week (against Manchester City) that he shouldn't have done - and for a midfield player to be totalling up that sort of goal tally is fantastic from our point of view.
'That being the winner today is obviously satisfying for us all.'
'It's a fantastic start to the season for us now, 11 games, 18 points.
'Anybody who looks at what we have done, we had some reasonably good fixtures at the start of the season - every game is difficult in the Premier League, but they were more winnable than some of the fixtures we have perhaps got now.
'But in saying that, in our last three games, we lost to Wigan away, which I didn't expect, we drew with Manchester City and now we have beaten Newcastle.
'The big boys are coming up and we are still getting points, and that's the pleasing thing for me because confidence grows and grows and grows, as you could see today.
'It was a very professional performance by the players and nobody was overawed coming here.'
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