Big Sam proud despite FA Cup exit
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling hard done by as West Ham United were
beaten 1-0 at Manchester United
16.01.2013
Sam Allardyce said a combination of missed opportunities and a decision not
to award his side a penalty had contributed to West Ham United's 1-0 FA Cup
with Budweiser third-round replay defeat at Manchester United. The Hammers
fell behind to a ninth-minute Wayne Rooney goal when the England striker
converted Chicarito's low cross. But, as they did in the initital tie and in
the Barclays Premier League fixture at Old Trafford in November, they
responded superbly to an early setback. Unfortunately, both before and after
half-time, the visitors were unable to give their 1,400 travelling fans
something to celebrate as a succession of shots flew off-target. To compound
West Ham's frustration, referee Phil Dowd ignored penalty claims for
handball against Rafael before awarding a spot-kick to the Red Devils when
Ryan Giggs' cross hit Jordan Spence's arm. Thankfully, Rooney blazed his
penalty over the crossbar. "First and foremost it was a bizarre goal that we
gave away. There was no reason or need to let Chicarito in so easily. We
should have been tracking him and there was no pressure on the ball from
Anderson. Instead of stepping up to play offside, which we couldn't do, it
became an easy and simple goal for them to take. "Before that and after that
our performance was very, very good and certainly for the 20 minutes or more
of the second half, we continued to press and test Manchester United's
resolve. Unfortunately, because of our incapactity to put a chance in the
back of the net at the moment, we couldn't find a goal. "At one stage in the
second half, Rafael clearly handled the ball - there is no doubt about that.
The referee was in the perfect position but he didn't give it. Because he
didn't give it, it didn't allow us to get back into the game at that
particularly time by scoring from the penalty spot. Who knows what might
have happened there? We could have easily have won the game and gone through
to the next round because we were the stronger side at the time. "Then, of
course, the disappointing thing happens up the other end. I know Wayne
Rooney missed the penalty and it kept us in the game, it was probably
justice in the end. Jordan Spence did handle the ball, but he didn't handle
it any worse or any more than Rafael handled it. If you are going to give
them a penalty, you have got to give us a penalty. "The referee has no
excuse for his position because I've looked on the laptop, but that's not
the reason why we have lost. It has contributed, but the reason we lost is
because we didn't score despite creating so many chances at Old Trafford."
The manager said there were positives to take from the defeat - notably the
return of Mohamed Diame from a hamstring injury and the players' ability to
perform in a new 3-5-2 formation. "We made tactical changes with a shortage
of defenders and Alou Diarra stepped into the back-three and was very, very
good. Apart from the goal we conceded, Alou, James Tomkins and Winston Reid
were very good defensively. We frustrated Manchester United and played with
wing-backs - young lads who kept Nani, Ryan Giggs and Valencia very quiet.
"That allowed our midfield to start playing. We had two up top and tried to
play off Vaz Te and Carlton Cole and it allowed us to create and get into
the final third and Manchester United's box, but we couldn't find the
opportunity to score. We had plenty of good chances to do that, but
unfortunately couldn't."
While it may be a cliche, the reality is now that West Ham can concentrate
all their efforts on the Barclays Premier League - starting with the visit
of Harry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. "We need to keep our
performance at this level. We had this level at Upton Park and nearly beat
them there and we had a fantastic level of performance on Wednesday, but
what I cannot accept was the level of performance we produced against
Sunderland. We cannot have anything other than this on Saturday when we face
QPR."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd 1 West Ham 0
16 January 2013
By Ben Smith
BBC Sport
Wayne Rooney scored and then missed a penalty on his return from injury as
Manchester United reached the FA Cup fourth round at West Ham's expense.
The England striker, making his first appearance since Christmas, slid home
from close in to put the hosts ahead. West Ham were denied a penalty when
the ball appeared to strike Rafael's arm in the penalty area. But on a night
of mixed fortunes, Rooney blasted a late penalty over to set up a tense
finish at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney has now missed 10 penalties for
Manchester United. Matt Taylor went close for West Ham, but the home side
stood firm to set up a home tie with Fulham on 26 or 27 January. Having
helped keep United in the tie at Upton Park with a delightful half-volleyed
pass that set Robin van Persie on his way, Ryan Giggs once again stood out
from the rest. Sharper to the ball and swifter to use it, the Welshman
delivered a midfield master-class, allying energy that belied his years to
pace and purpose.
However, it was another night of frustration for Sam Allardyce's side. West
Ham had been the better side in the first game only for Van Persie's sublime
late goal to earn the Red Devils a reprieve. Once again, they had
opportunities at Old Trafford but the chances and the tie slipped away. Sir
Alex Ferguson is not known for handing out second chances and for much of
the first half his side dictated the tempo and toyed with their opponents.
But even with Rooney and Anderson back after injury, Old Trafford felt
subdued, perhaps expectant. There was a sense that having come within
minutes of a being knocked out of the FA Cup in the first leg, the Premier
League leaders would not make the same mistake twice. Ferguson's side made a
dream start, snatching the lead through Rooney inside ten minutes. The goal
was as simple as it was effective. Anderson, making his first start since
hobbling out of the 4-3 win over Reading on December 1, opened up the West
Ham defence with a through ball that skidded into Javier Hernandez's path.
The Mexican beat the offside trap, squared the ball to Rooney who slid the
ball into an empty net. Rooney pointed to the sky as he ran away to
celebrate in memory of his late sister-in-law. The Red Devils might have had
a second after 28 minutes, as Giggs combined with Antonio Valencia to tee
Nani up for a fizzing volley that was cleared off the line by the young West
Ham defender Dan Potts. It was too easy for Ferguson's side - the pace
dropped, along with the temperature, and passes went astray. The visitors
grew in confidence and in two spells either side of half time, West Ham
seized the initiative.
Taylor twice went close in the space of two minutes, misplacing his pass
when well-placed before firing over from 12 yards. Sensing an opportunity,
Allardyce threw Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison into the mix. The former
Bolton and Newcastle midfielder almost made an immediate impact, only to see
his shot blocked by Chris Smalling. As West Ham pushed for an equaliser,
United broke once more. Another surging run by Giggs ended with his clipped
cross striking the outstretched arm of Jordan Spence, prompting referee Phil
Dowd to award a penalty. Rooney, however, could only blast his spot-kick
high over Jussi Jaaskelainen's crossbar. Manchester United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson on his team's record of five penalties scored and four missed this
season: "I think we have to improve at that. "There have been several great
examples over the years -[(former Southampton midfielder] Matthew Le Tissier
scoring 47 out of 48.
"A penalty kick is your opportunity to take advantage of a foul or a
handball or whatever and score a goal."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd home advantage led to penalty decisions - Sam Allardyce
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says the decision to deny his side at penalty
at Old Trafford but award Manchester United one, was down to home advantage.
Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game as West Ham lost 1-0 to crash
out of the FA Cup after a replay. Allardyce's side were denied a penalty
when the ball struck Rafael's arm, only for the hosts to be awarded one
later when Jordan Spence handled late on. "You see it time and time again at
Old Trafford," Allardyce said at full-time. "There's no doubt about the
difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's. "Spence plays for
West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home side at Old
Trafford."
Rooney went on to blast the penalty over, but Allardyce was nonetheless
furious at the decision. "With Rafael, the ball hits his hand but no penalty
is given. With Jordan Spence, the ball hits his hand and it's a penalty. The
incidents are the same. If you give one you've got to give both, simple as
that." Allardyce went on to suggest that referee Mike Dowd had been
perfectly-placed to give West Ham the decision, having seen the replays.
"The ref did not see Rafael's handball because of his position. But he was
in a worse position to see Jordan Spence's than Rafael's." Victory saw
Manchester United through to a fourth-round tie against Fulham and veteran
Ryan Giggs admitted he was relieved to get through. "I'm pleased," he said.
"It's the FA Cup and anything can happen. You saw that from some of the
results last night, so I'm pleased to get through. "When you've got players
coming back from injury it can be tough sometimes. And we have to give
credit to West Ham, they were tough to play against."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
There has been a flurry of fresh transfer speculation - yet no actual
activity as of yet - regarding West Ham in the past 24 hours. Earlier this
afternoon lancashiretelegraph.co.uk claimed that the Irons had increased
their offer for Blackburn's Martin Olsson, having seen an initial bid of
around £2million rejected.
United's latest offer for the 24-year-old Swedish international is reported
to be in the region of £4million, still some way short of Rovers' (inflated)
£7million valuation of the player. Yet such an offer would almost certainly
be close to the Championship club's true evaluation of Olsson - even though
the Telegraph also suggest that owners Venky's are likely to reject West
Ham's latest bid.
Over to France now, and in the wake of Sam Allardyce's recent comments
regarding the need for additional defenders, the latest to be linked with a
move to east London is Bordeaux's Lamine Sane. Sane, 25, a French-born
Senegalese international team mate of West Ham's Mo Diame was reported by
maxifoot.fr to have travelled to England earlier this week to meet club
officials. However that possibility was soon dented by Bordeaux president
Jean-Louis Triaud who is reported to have stated he will resist any calls to
sell the player, who is contracted to Les Girondins until 2015.
Staying on the European mainland and tuttosport.com claim that West Ham have
failed in an attempt to land veteran Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta. The
former Italian international, now 33, is out of contract at La Vecchia
Signora this summer but insists he wants to see out his contract before
deciding on his future. Sent out on loan to Serie B side Cesena for the
latter half of last season, Iaquinta returned to Juve last summer but is yet
to make a first team appearance in 2021/13.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce blasts Dowd after Old Trafford Cup exit
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce might find himself in a spot of bother following
comments he made - rightly so in the minds of many - regarding the
performance of referee Phil Dowd in tonight's FA Cup third round replay.
United were sent crashing out of the Cup at Old Trafford losing 1-0 on the
night thanks to Wayne Rooney's ninth minute strike - but it was second half
two penalty appeals that left Big Sam furious. West Ham were denied a 48th
minute penalty appeal when Reds defender Rafael clearly handled inside the
area. But when Jordan Spence was caught in a similar situation at the
opposite end later in the half, match offical Dowd immediately awarded the
spot kick. "There's no doubt whatsoever about the difference between
Rafael's hand ball and Jordan Spence's," Allardyce told ITV. "Jordan Spence
plays for West Ham away at Man United and Rafael plays at home at Old
Trafford. It's got to be that simple when you see it. "Phil Dowd was in a
perfect position - hand to ball, he pushes the ball away with his left arm
but no penalty. At the other end Jordan Spence's arm comes up and the ball
hits his hand and he gives a penalty. "If you're going to give one you've
got to give the other. You've got to give them both, it's as simple as
that."
When asked whether he was suggesting that away teams get a raw deal at Old
Trafford, Allardyce replied: "You've seen it for yourself, haven't you? Look
at the replays as many times as you want; look at the referee's position. "I
can't come out here and say that the referee didn't see Rafael's hand ball,
because of his position. I've looked at his position and it's perfect. He's
straight inline with it and straight in front of it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA Cup: Wayne Rooney fires Manchester United past West Ham
Last Updated: January 16, 2013 11:33pm
SSN
Wayne Rooney scored a ninth-minute winner to send Manchester United through
to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over a spirited West
Ham United. The England striker side-footed into an empty net after Javier
Hernandez had raced in behind the visitors' defence and squared. Sir Alex
Ferguson's side will now face Fulham at home in the last 32. There was a
tinge of sadness for Rooney, however, who dedicated his goal to his late
sister-in-law Rosie, who died on January 5th.He then went on to miss a
second-half penalty, blazing his effort over the bar as West Ham threatened
to mount a comeback. Ferguson made 10 changes to his team and the disruption
showed in a below-par performance that lacked cohesion and tempo. They
started well and deservedly took the lead, but failed to build on their
advantage, with their only other clear chance of the first half being a shot
from Nani that was kicked off the line by Dan Potts. West Ham lacked
penetration in the opening period but fared far better after the break and
had several opportunities to draw level. They could have had a penalty
shortly after the restart when the ball struck Rafael's arm, but referee
Phil Dowd waved play on. United were then fortunate that the Brazilian
right-back was in the right place to prevent Matt Taylor's square ball
reaching Ricardo Vaz Te. Taylor later curled an excellent chance over,
before Chris Smalling managed to nick the ball away from Kevin Nolan just as
the Hammers substitute was about to shoot from close range. United should
have put the game beyond doubt after Jordan Spence handled the excellent
Ryan Giggs' cross, but Rooney missed from the penalty spot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce fumes at penalty decision after Manchester
United defeat
Last Updated: January 16, 2013 11:49pm
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce accused referee Phil Dowd of home bias
after denying his side a penalty in their 1-0 FA Cup third-round reply
defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney scored the only
goal of the game and later missed a second-half spot-kick after Jordan
Spence was adjudged to have handled Ryan Giggs' cross. West Ham had an
equally strong claim for a penalty when Rafael kneed the ball on to his own
arm, but Dowd waved play on, leaving Allardyce seething. He said: "There's
no doubt about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's.
"Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the
home side at Old Trafford. With Rafael, the ball hits his hand, but no
penalty is given. With Jordan Spence, the ball hits his hand and it's a
penalty. "You see it time and time again at Old Trafford. The ref did not
see Rafael's handball because of his position. But he was in a worse
position to see Jordan Spence's than Rafael's."
Victory saw United through to a fourth-round tie against Fulham and United
veteran Giggs was relieved to progress. "I'm pleased," he said. "It's the FA
Cup and anything can happen. You saw that from some of the results last
night, so I'm pleased to get through. "When you have got players coming back
from injury it can be tough sometimes. And we have to give credit to West
Ham - they were tough to play against."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Second bid for Blackburn's Martin Olsson has been made by West Ham
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey. Last Updated: January 16,
2013 11:40pm
SSN
Sky Sports understand that West Ham United have made an increased bid for
Blackburn defender Martin Olsson. The Hammers made an initial bid for Olsson
earlier this month, believed to be around £2million. Rovers rejected this
claiming they wanted three-times this amount - but Olsson himself has asked
the club to let him join his former boss Sam Allardyce. Now West Ham have
returned with a new bid for the left-back, and they are waiting to see if
Blackburn will accept. Allardyce is keen to get the deal for Olsson tied up
as soon as possible.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce accepts undisclosed damages from Steve Kean
Last Updated: January 16, 2013 2:21pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has accepted substantial undisclosed damages
from former Blackburn boss Steve Kean. Kean had claimed that Allardyce was
sacked from his previous post at Rovers because he was a "crook". Allardyce
brought defamation proceedings in London's High Court against Kean, who was
Blackburn's manager during a summer 2011 pre-season tour of the Far East.
His solicitor, Hanna Basha, told Mr Justice Eady that the "false and
defamatory" allegation, made while Kean was drinking in a bar in Hong Kong,
was filmed on a camera phone and subsequently published to many hundreds of
thousands of people over the internet and reported in the national press.
She said that Kean had acknowledged the allegation was completely untrue,
withdrawn it, and agreed to pay a substantial sum in damages. Kean's
counsel, John Mehrzad, offered his apologies for the hurt and distress
caused and said he was pleased to set the record straight. Ms Basha said
that Allardyce's claim against Blackburn had been settled and as the club
had published an apology on its website, it was not a party to Wednesday's
statement in court.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 17
Wednesday, January 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th January 2013
Manchester United match preview
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Wednesday evening's FA Cup third round replay at Old Trafford
15.01.2013
MANCHESTER UNITED V WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP with BUDWEISER THIRD ROUND REPLAY
WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 8.05PM
REFEREE: PHIL DOWD
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Manchester United in an FA Cup third round
replay, having played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground less
than a fortnight ago. The winners will host either Fulham or Blackpool in
the fourth round.
• The Hammers go into the match hoping to banish the memory of Saturday's
3-0 Premier League defeat at Sunderland, their joint heaviest of the
campaign to date. Manchester United, meanwhile, were 2-1 victors at home to
Liverpool at the weekend. And they have serious FA Cup pedigree, having won
the competition more than any other team (11) and reached more finals than
anyone else (18).
• One of the most recent FA Cup meetings turned out to be a good one for the
Hammers as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup
fourth round in January 2001. Joe Cole started in midfield as Paolo Di Canio
scored past a stranded Fabien Barthez. United got their own back two years
later though when they beat the Hammers 6-0 in another fourth-round tie.
• Manchester United have won the last nine Barclays Premier League meetings
between the two sides. West Ham United's last win came at the Boleyn Ground
on 29 December 2007 as Anton Ferdinand (77) cancelled out Cristiano
Ronaldo's opener (14) before Matthew Upson scored an 82nd-minute winner.
• The Hammers have however emerged victorious against the Red Devils since
2007 in the Carling Cup and they did so in spectacular fashion. On 30
November 2010 the Hammers secured a famous 4-0 win over United in the fifth
round. Jonathan Spector scored twice against his former club before Carlton
Cole added a double of his own on a cold and snowy night at the Boleyn
Ground.
• West Ham United have lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, in 1964, 1975
and 1980, and were runners-up in 1923 and 2006. Manchester United have won
the prestigious trophy on eleven occasions - 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983,
1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
Last time out
Saturday 12 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid, Collins, Demel, (Tomkins 34), Potts,
Nolan, Jarvis, Collison (Vaz Te 46), Diarra, J Cole, C Cole (Chamakh 56)
Booked: Reid, Tomkins, Diarra
Sunday 13 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic (Smalling 79),
Carrick, Young (Valencia 46), Cleverley, Kagawa (Jones 77), Welbeck, Van
Persie
Booked: Evra
Goals: Van Persie 19, Vidic 54
Previous meeting
• The Hammers were only minutes away from progressing in the original tie,
as Robin van Persie rescued Sir Alex Ferguson's men with a stoppage-time
equaliser. Tom Cleverly struck first for Manchester United, before James
Collins twice headed home Joe Cole crosses to turn the cup tie on its head.
But the Dutchman's late show consigned the Hammers to an Old Trafford date.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Nolan,
Collison, Diarra (Noble 73), J Cole (Taylor 78), C Cole, Vaz Te (Jarvis 61)
Subs: Spiegel, Reid, Spence, E.Lee
Goals: Collins 27, 59
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Smalling (Giggs 78), Vidic,
Buttner, Scholes (Valencia 68), Cleverley, Kagawa, Hernandez (Van Persie
68), Welbeck
Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Young, Macheda
Goal: Cleverley 23, Van Persie 90
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup. The Hammers won 2-1 with Thomas Caldwell and
Danny Shea scoring the goals.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Manchester United came at the Boleyn
Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the Hammers to a
5-1 win with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell also on the score sheet.
• Manchester United's biggest win ever over West Ham United came almost 70
years later on 1 April 2000. This time they had a hat-trick hero of their
own as Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 win. Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole,
David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the other goals with Paulo
Wanchope on target for the Hammers.
• Manchester United's biggest triumph in east London was a 6-1 victory on 6
May 1967.
• Wednesday's fixture marks the 125th competitive fixture between West Ham
United and Manchester United. The Hammers have won 42, the Red Devils have
won 57 and there have been 25 draws.
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
5 January 2013 West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United (FA Cup third round)
28 November 2012 Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
30 November 2010 West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United (Carling Cup fifth
round)
28 August 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
23 February 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 42 D 25 L 57
Ten-year record
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
Manchester United
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2002/03 Premier League 1st (83 points)
Referee
• Wednesday's referee will be Phil Dowd
• Dowd is in his 12th season as a Select Group official, having initially
been promoted to the Barclays Premier League list of referees in 2001.
• Dowd began refereeing in local leagues in 1984, officiating in the
Staffordshire Senior League and Midland Football Alliance. He was appointed
to the Football League list of assistant referees in 1992, before joining
the League's full list of referees in 1997, aged 34.
• The 49-year-old is commonly considered to be one of England's best match
officials, an opinion backed by his appointments as the referee for the 2012
FA Cup and 2010 Football League Cup finals.
• Previously, Dowd was the fourth official at the 2006 FA Cup final between
West Ham United and Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• Dowd has refereed 20 West Ham fixtures in total, the most-recent being a
goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion in December.
• He will be assisted by Simon Long and Gary Beswick, while the fourth
official is Lee Probert.
Team news
West Ham United
• January recruits Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista are both
ineligible, having not registered in time for the original tie at the Boleyn
Ground.
• James Collins is likely to miss out having limped off at Sunderland with a
hamstring problem, while it remains to be seen whether Mark Noble will
recover in time from a slight calf strain.
• Mohamed Diame was an unused substitute at the Stadium of Light and could
feature as he steps up his return from injury. • Joey O'Brien is still
struggling with his hamstring injury and if he fails to recover, Potts will
likely deputise once more. Big Sam may also choose to make changes in light
of the Sunderland result and to ensure his side are fresh for Saturday's
vital Barclays Premier League meeting with Queens Park Rangers.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
• Andy Carroll is edging closer to a return to light training, leaving
George McCartney as the club's only long-term absentee.
Manchester United
• Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to make a number of changes for the replay,
with the fit-again Nani one option he could turn to in attack.
• Wayne Rooney is also set to make a return for the home side after
recovering from the knee injury he suffered in training on Christmas Day.
• Ashley Young (knee) and Johnny Evans (hamstring) are both definitely out.
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
General Information
• The weather forecast is for a largely dry evening, but fans are advised to
wrap up warm with temperature set to struggle to get above freezing.
• There are less than 100 away tickets left on general sale - relevant
ticket information can be obtained here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on Manchester United
WHUFC.com
The manager has spoken to the media ahead of West Ham United's FA Cup with
Budweiser replay at Old Trafford
15.01.2013
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can reproduce their fine performance
against Manchester United of ten days ago in Wednesday's FA Cup with
Budweiser third-round replay, despite having to cope with a shortage of
defensive personnel. James Collins' hamstring injury, sustained in
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland, leaves Big Sam with only three senior
defenders to call on. However, he is still banking on another competent
rear-guard display at Old Trafford.
The Hammers conceded after just 32 seconds in a 1-0 Barclays Premier League
defeat at Old Trafford in November, but then kept Manchester United's array
of attacking flair at bay for the remainder. Big Sam insists it will require
a similarly stoic effort to produce a positive outcome on Wednesday evening.
Sam, could you start with the team news for Wednesday's trip to Old
Trafford?
SA: "It's not great from a defensive point of view with James Collins going
down injured and with both George McCartney and Joey O'Brien unavailable. So
it's very desperate in that particular area which is one thing, with the
window being open, I can do something about. It's less than the bare bones
at the moment, so it gives me great difficulty going to Old Trafford with
only Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid of our senior defenders fit.
After that we're down to young lads like Jordan Spence and Danny Potts. In
front of that it is looking alright. I think the rest of the team are
getting there. Mohamed Diame is back with us, which is good news, and we're
still waiting for Andy Carroll to join up with us again."
Given your injury worries, is it tempting to rest some of your more senior
players?
SA: "I can't rest any of the defenders. The trouble is, if I don't rest them
and they get injured, I'm in trouble against Queens Park Rangers on
Saturday. If I lose any of those senior three, I move into bigger problems.
We'll have to take a big look at the squad and try to plan a different way
of playing as well as a team that's going to be quite different, based on
the number of injuries I've got and the big game we've got on Saturday as
well."
How difficult will it be to repeat the two very good performances you've
given against Manchester United this season?
SA: "Obviously it will be more difficult to beat Manchester United on their
own patch than it would have been at the Boleyn Ground a week ago. I think
that was a huge effort that we gave, which nearly brought us a fantastic
result. But unfortunately, because of that man, Robin van Persie, it was
snatched away from us at the very last gasp - which is something Manchester
United have always been capable of doing. "It was a huge disappointment on
the day and all we have to do tomorrow night is just to enjoy the game, play
our best and see where that takes us. And if we put our best performance on,
you can ask no more than that. The challenge is set for the players that
start the game and hopefully they'll know they have to play to their best at
Old Trafford. "We did very well there in the league, after recovering from a
very tricky start, with a deflected own goal after 30 seconds. So we did
very well to stifle Manchester United's huge amount of flair on the
frontline and we've obviously got to do that again."
What can you tell us about new signing Wellington Paulista?
SA: "I think he's a talented player in terms of his ability on the front
line. Let's see if we can apply the talent into the team as quickly as
possible. I don't know how quickly that's going to be, sooner rather than
later hopefully, but it might take a little while. Talent is the most
important thing and then applying that talent where it's most difficult in
the Premier League and that's in the final third."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra raring to go
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's French midfielder is fit and focused on FA Cup success at
Old Trafford
15.01.2013
Alou Diarra is hoping for a clean bill of health in 2013, as he and his West
Ham United teammates prepare for this season's third meeting with Manchester
United. Diarra, who joined from Marseille in the summer, endured an
injury-plagued beginning to life at the Boleyn Ground but, having started
West Ham's last two fixtures, is now intent on kick-starting his Hammers
career. And the France international, who lined up against England at last
summer's UEFA European Championship, sees no reason why West Ham cannot
spring an FA Cup surprise at Old Trafford. "It's not going to be easy in
Manchester, they're in confident mood, even if they make a few changes. They
have strength in depth and a lot of players and can rotate," Diarra
admitted. "For us, it's a question of raising our game in comparison to our
performance at Sunderland and start the match just as we did in the home
game. It's not an easy game but in the cup anything is possible. We'll have
chances at Old Trafford. "The home tie was a good experience. For me it was
my first game back after a long injury, and against Manchester United! It
was amazing. This type of game is great for the fans and makes for a good
atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground. "It wasn't easy but I played just over an
hour which for a return is pretty good. The fact we managed to draw 2-2
against them proves that there's quality at West Ham. But we've got to make
sure we stay the distance this time. "Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney are
two very good players of international, world class. I had the opportunity
to play against them at the Euros. That means I know them a little bit, I
know their quality. They're two very good forwards, both very dangerous, and
we'll have to keep an eye on them and not give them any space whatsoever."
Meanwhile, the French midfielder was adamant that West Ham fans have not
seen the best of him yet, as he slowly finds his feet again after
two-and-a-half months on the sidelines. "It's obviously not easy to arrive
at a new club and be injured for so long. I've worked well with the medical
staff here. Now I'm now enjoying getting back to competitive action. "I
think I'll need several matches to get back into a rhythm, like all players
coming back from injury. Perhaps even more so in my case, seeing as I didn't
start the season. That means I've worked very hard physically, but of course
that's no substitute for game time. But I'm sure that the combined physical
effect of several games is going to do me a lot of good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts proud of winning start
WHUFC.com
New U18s manager Steve Potts was delighted to see his team overcome
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday
15.01.2013
Under-18s manager Steve Potts was brimming with pride after West Ham
United's 1-0 Barclays U18 Premier League Tier One Stage victory over
Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath on Saturday. A competitive first half saw
Potts' men having to endure extensive periods of Tottenham possession, but a
solid and stable Hammers back line cut short any of Spurs' attacking moves,
giving West Ham the chance to grab the only goal of the game. Central
midfielder Ben Marlow finished an impressive attacking move just one minute
into the second half and Potts acknowledged the goal as the turning point in
his team's performance.
"It was a very tight game as the scoreline indicated," said Potts. "The
start of the game wasn't too bad. I felt that Tottenham dictated quite a bit
of the first half after that. They had good possession without really
cutting us open and hurting us. "Second half, we came out really strong, got
ourselves a goal straight away and I think we settled down after that, both
with and without the ball. We made it more difficult for Tottenham and we
showed more composure with the ball and started moving it around quite
well."
Potts expressed his pride at the hard work he saw from his young Hammers
team, knowing that everyone had worked together to earn the three points.
"It was one of those games where they all did their jobs," he continued. "It
was a very good team effort and I couldn't fault anyone out there today."
"They really did work as hard as they possibly could and worked hard for
each other, that's for sure. Without doing that I don't think we would have
got a result."
West Ham's goal came just after the break, when Thomas Gogo set up Marlow to
finish from 15 yards out. Potts was delighted at the way his side used the
ball wisely to create the opening. "We were looking for a bit more composure
on the ball and I think we shifted the ball around quite well. We had the
ball on the left, then bought it into the middle and out to the right. "Our
right full-back [Josh Siafa] then put the right winger in [Gogo], who
crossed it and one of our centre midfield players has put the ball in the
back of the net. There were four people in the box at the time so it was
quite a well worked move."
The win over Tottenham was Potts' debut match since his promotion from
Under-16s manager, knowing that his new squad should be looking to push on
towards the West Ham first team. "I'd say that from an age point of view,
they are that little bit closer to the first team. I think that would be the
big difference [between them and the Under-16s]. "Through all the ages at
West Ham, there are bits of quality there amongst the groups, but because
they are that little bit older, you are looking to think 'Well go on then,
can you push on and get closer to that first team?'"
Next up for the Under-18s is a trip to face Stoke City before another
meeting with Tottenham for the FA Youth Cup fourth round at the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday 22 January. Potts admitted he hasn't had time to look past
this weekend's match, but knows his side must prepare themselves for the
challenge that lies ahead. "To be honest I've only thought about our opening
match so far. I haven't really thought about anything else so far. I've had
a week's training with the boys last week and they have gone out there and I
couldn't have asked for any more from them today. "They have run themselves
into the ground and as long as they show that sort of attitude, they won't
have a problem at all. "They've got the deal with the occasion. They are
going to be playing at Upton Park and I would've thought there will be a
fair crowd there. As it proved on Saturday, there wasn't much in the game.
It will be whoever performs better on the night, I think."
Under-18s: Rosique, Siafa, Page (Homans), Marlow, Harney, Girdlestone, Gogo,
Cullen, T.Tombides (Martins), Makasi, Boakye-Yiadom (Pike)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd v West Ham
KO 20:05
15 January 2013
Last updated at 14:43
FA CUP THIRD ROUND REPLAY
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 16 January Kick-off: 20:05 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio,
TEAM NEWS
Wayne Rooney will feature for Manchester United for the first time since
damaging his knee during training on Christmas Day. Nani is also scheduled
to play, having recovered from a hamstring problem that has kept him out of
the last 15 games. Defender Nemanja Vidic is set to play despite suffering a
knock to his head in Sunday's win over Liverpool. But Ashley Young is out,
having picked up a knee injury that makes him a doubt for Sunday's game
against Tottenham.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "[Vidic] had a bit of concussion but he's
OK. He trained yesterday and was good." Vidic had also appeared to hurt his
knee when falling badly in the Liverpool game, but Ferguson said the
centre-half had not done any damage. He added: "Obviously, Young has got a
dull knock, a little bit of a strain on the knee, but it's nothing serious.
"I think he'll be back next week - maybe not for Tottenham but the week
after he should be OK."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Manchester United have won eight of their last 10 league and cup
matches against West Ham, and beat them with a goal from Robin van Persie
after only 33 seconds in the equivalent Premier League fixture in November.
• But the Red Devils had to rely on a stoppage-time equaliser from the
same player to avoid a quick exit from the FA Cup. The winners will be home
to either Fulham or Blackpool in the fourth round.
• The Hammers hold a 4-3 winning record over United in the FA Cup.
Their most notable triumph was 3-1 at Hillsborough in the 1964 semi-finals,
on their way to winning the trophy. The third of United's victories was 6-0
in the fourth round in 2003 at Old Trafford, when Ryan Giggs scored twice.
Manchester United
• Treble-chasing Manchester United boast the best record in the FA
Cup, with 18 appearances in the final, 11 of which were won - five under Sir
Alex Ferguson.
• This is the fifth successive time they have been drawn against
fellow Premier League opposition in the competition, and the 20th in 25
rounds. When Fergie's men last qualified for the final in 2007, they faced
fellow top-flight opposition in all six rounds.
• The Red Devils have only gone out in the third round once under
Ferguson, and are looking for their 150th clean sheet in the FA Cup.
West Ham United
• The 1964, 1975 and 1980 winners, who last made an appearance in the
final in 2006, have failed to get past the FA Cup third round in three of
the past five seasons.
• They have also been beaten on each of the last six occasions they
have been drawn against Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, and have not
knocked one out since Middlesbrough in the 2006 semi-finals.
• Four Premier League clubs were certain to fall by the wayside when
the third round draw was made.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce bemoans bare bones
WHUFC.com
Filed: Tuesday, 15th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has spoken about his defensive worries 24 hours ahead of the
FA Cup third round replay against Manchester United. Allardyce takes his
injury-ravaged squad to Old Trafford tomorrow night hoping to upset the odds
and beat the Premier League leaders on their own patch, ten days after Robin
Van Persie's 90th-minute equaliser earned Man Utd a replay. However the
manager faces a major dilemma in defence with only THREE regular first team
defenders considered to be fully fit. "It's not great from a defensive point
of view," he told the assembled media this morning. "With James Collins
going down and with both George McCartney and Joey O'Brien unavailable it's
very desperate in that particular area - but with the window being open, I
can do something about it.
"It's less than bare bones at the moment, so it gives me great difficulty
going to Old Trafford with only Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid of
our senior defenders fit. After that we're down to young lads like Jordan
Spence and Danny Potts. "The trouble is, if I don't rest them and they get
injured, I'm in trouble against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. If I lose
any of those senior three, I move into bigger problems. "We'll have to take
a big look at the squad and try to plan a different way of playing as well
as a team that's going to be quite different, based on the number of
injuries I've got and the big game we've got on Saturday as well." However
there was some good news for Allardyce with the return od Mo Diame, who is
expected to play some part in tomorrow night's fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New deals a plenty
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 15th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are still hoping to sign Mo Diame up to a new contract -
having already secured Joey O'Brien and Matthais Fanimo on long-term deals
in the past 72 hours. The Senegalese midfielder has been subject to a flurry
of transfer speculation in the past few weeks after it was revealed that he
has a £3.5million release clause in his existing contract. West Ham have
already made Diame - who only moved to east London last summer - an improved
offer, but the 25-year-old is yet to commit his long-term future to the
club. That refusal to sign a new deal has alerted a number of fellow Premier
League including Arsenal who, it has been reported, are said to be
monitoring the situation. However no offer has been made, according to Sam
Allardyce. "You are always worried about losing players," he said earlier
today, "but we have not had a bid from Arsenal for Mo Diame. I can't see
where he would fit into their side."
Diame is just one of a string of players Allardyce is looking to secure on a
long-term basis as his Premier League squad begins to take shape. Joey
O'Brien and youngster Matthais Fanimo both signed new contracts at the
weekend - Fanimo for a further two years, and O'Brien for three. "I am
delighted," the Irish full back told whufc.com. "Hopefully I'll have plenty
more good times with the club and that's what I'm looking forward to doing
now. Since I have come here, things have worked out well from the start."
Meanwhile Carlton Cole and Winston Reid, both of whom are out of contact at
West Ham this summer, are also said to be close to landing new deals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits he needs to strengthen his defence at West Ham before
the end of January
Last Updated: January 15, 2013 3:37pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he needs to strengthen his defence before
the end of the month but admits his desperation will not make it easy to
deals.
James Collins' hamstring injury suffered in the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland
means Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid are the only senior
defenders available for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay at Manchester
United. "I've got to strengthen our defensive areas," Allardyce said. "It's
less than the bare bones at the moment. It gives me great difficulty going
to Old Trafford."
"What you don't want to be is like what we are, which is a little desperate
because of our injury problems. At this stage of the season it's 'Call My
Bluff'. You say no, they say no and then you sit and wait and bite your
fingernails and hope they change their mind and say yes. "That's why so much
happens in the last week of the January transfer window. It's more expensive
at this stage of January than it is at the latter stage of January."
Allardyce insisted he has not made a further bid for Blackburn's Martin
Olsson, adding: "We haven't got the funds to go in with a higher bid."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce plays down speculation linking Mohamed Diame with Arsenal
Last Updated: January 15, 2013 11:36am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has cooled speculation linking Arsenal with a
move for his midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Senegalese only joined the
Hammers during the summer but he has been linked with a January departure
after it was revealed a clause in his contract could allow him to leave for
just £3.5m. Arsenal have had a disappointing first half of the season and
are sixth in the Premier League table, 21 points behind leaders Manchester
United and six points off fourth-place Spurs. So Gunners manager Arsene
Wenger is expected to reinforce his squad during the transfer window, with a
move for Diame suggested. But Allardyce said: "You are always worried about
losing players but we have not had a bid from Arsenal for Mo Diame. I can't
see where he would fit into their side."
Allardyce is also hoping to bring in more new players during January, with
Blackburn left-back Martin Olsson on his list. But after an initial enquiry,
Allardyce revealed: "We have not made any further bids for Martin Olsson."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gunners are all go for Mo
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 15th January 2013
The SUn
ARSENAL are lining up a move to nick West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The
Hammers have offered the Senegal star, 25, a new deal just six months after
he joined from Wigan Athletic. But it depends on him agreeing to double a
release clause to £7million. Diame has yet to sign and the Gunners are keen
on him — just as soon as he proves his fitness again. He tore a hamstring
last month but was an unused sub in Saturday's loss at Sunderland. He is set
to play in the FA Cup replay at Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal plan to
watch him then and are poised to make a £3.5m bid. Boss Arsene Wenger wants
to strengthen his midfield with Mikel Arteta out for at least two weeks with
a calf strain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye N'Sakala
Published: 14th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM may make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala, 22.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: Just say no, Mo
Last Updated: 16th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce believes that Mohamed Diame would be mad to join
Arsenal. SunSport reported yesterday the north London club are lining up a
£3.5million bid for the Senegal midfielder, 25, who has been one of the star
performers for the Hammers this season. Allardyce said: "I can't see where
he is going to fit in. There is no point him going if he is not going to
play. "You are always worried about losing players if people are interested
in them at this stage of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tackle out: I barely teach players to make challenges any more admits
Allardyce
The Mirror
15 Jan 2013 22:30
Mike Hewitt
Sam Allardyce has revealed he no longer coaches tackling with his West Ham
players as the Vincent Kompany row rumbles on. The football world is split
over whether the Manchester City defender's red card for his tackle on
Arsenal's Jack Wilshere was justified or not. Big Sam, firmly behind
Kompany, who had his dismissal rescinded by the FA on Tuesday, fears for the
future of tackling in the game. He believes accomplished Manchester United
passer Michael Carrick is an example of the Premier League holding
midfielder of the future. Allardyce, whose team visit Carrick's Premier
League leaders in an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday, said: "If you
look around and say, 'Where are the tackling midfielders today?' then they
are few and far between. "It is more about reading and intercepting and
nicking the ball off the opposition player. Is Carrick a good example of
that? I think so."
Asked about the impact on players hoping to emulate the likes of Roy Keane
and Nicky Butt, Big Sam added: "What about Bryan Robson? "It [tackling] is
almost dead. We [at West Ham] have to say as coaches we don't coach tackling
any more. That's rather sad. "We teach staying on your feet. We teach
pinch, nick, intercept. We very rarely teach tackle."If you are going to go
to ground, try and be 100 per cent sure you are going to win the ball. "Now
they are saying that even if the tackle is a perfectly good one, if it's
ferocious in their eyes or is done with too much force, then that is still a
booking or a sending off. "Well, that's ridiculous. "You tell me how to slow
a player down - how to make a player say to himself, 'I'm going to go into
this tackle, and I am going to pull pout and not go in quite as hard as I
should do in case the referee sends me off.' "Do you know what happens? The
player who is tackling breaks his leg - the player who is tackling gets
injured. He is the one that gets stretchered off if he goes through that
process. "It's a ridiculous rule and the referees have to cope with it. It's
not their fault."
Allardyce - an uncompromising defender back in the day, who played more than
400 games for 10 clubs - believes Wilshere was in less control going into
last Sunday's controversial challenge than Kompany. He added: "Football is a
collision sport and while you want to protect your players as best you can -
we have done a very good job over the years - the Vincent Kompany tackle was
a perfect tackle. "Listen to an expert - me. "'Do FIFA and UEFA want to ban
tackling? It looks like yes, is the answer to that. FIFA and UEFA are not
experts in tackling. It was my job to tackle, it was my whole life, and
tackling for me was an art, a technique. "Kompany timed that tackle
perfectly. It wasn't out of control, he was in perfect control. The person
who was more out of control was Jack Wilshere, that's what made it look so
bad. "So, yes, [if they are] leaping in, two feet off the floor, like The
Karate Kid, send them off. But not that. And that's where the big problem
lies. "As soon as anybody says, 'Let's have a look at it, let's slow it
down. Oh yes, look, both feet are off the ground, so he can't' be in
control.' But that's not true. You can be in control. He [Kompany] was in
perfect control. "Like I said, he was in more control than Wilshere was.
But, unfortunately, referees are lumbered with inept rules."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Wednesday evening's FA Cup third round replay at Old Trafford
15.01.2013
MANCHESTER UNITED V WEST HAM UNITED
FA CUP with BUDWEISER THIRD ROUND REPLAY
WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 8.05PM
REFEREE: PHIL DOWD
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Manchester United in an FA Cup third round
replay, having played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground less
than a fortnight ago. The winners will host either Fulham or Blackpool in
the fourth round.
• The Hammers go into the match hoping to banish the memory of Saturday's
3-0 Premier League defeat at Sunderland, their joint heaviest of the
campaign to date. Manchester United, meanwhile, were 2-1 victors at home to
Liverpool at the weekend. And they have serious FA Cup pedigree, having won
the competition more than any other team (11) and reached more finals than
anyone else (18).
• One of the most recent FA Cup meetings turned out to be a good one for the
Hammers as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup
fourth round in January 2001. Joe Cole started in midfield as Paolo Di Canio
scored past a stranded Fabien Barthez. United got their own back two years
later though when they beat the Hammers 6-0 in another fourth-round tie.
• Manchester United have won the last nine Barclays Premier League meetings
between the two sides. West Ham United's last win came at the Boleyn Ground
on 29 December 2007 as Anton Ferdinand (77) cancelled out Cristiano
Ronaldo's opener (14) before Matthew Upson scored an 82nd-minute winner.
• The Hammers have however emerged victorious against the Red Devils since
2007 in the Carling Cup and they did so in spectacular fashion. On 30
November 2010 the Hammers secured a famous 4-0 win over United in the fifth
round. Jonathan Spector scored twice against his former club before Carlton
Cole added a double of his own on a cold and snowy night at the Boleyn
Ground.
• West Ham United have lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, in 1964, 1975
and 1980, and were runners-up in 1923 and 2006. Manchester United have won
the prestigious trophy on eleven occasions - 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983,
1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
Last time out
Saturday 12 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid, Collins, Demel, (Tomkins 34), Potts,
Nolan, Jarvis, Collison (Vaz Te 46), Diarra, J Cole, C Cole (Chamakh 56)
Booked: Reid, Tomkins, Diarra
Sunday 13 January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic (Smalling 79),
Carrick, Young (Valencia 46), Cleverley, Kagawa (Jones 77), Welbeck, Van
Persie
Booked: Evra
Goals: Van Persie 19, Vidic 54
Previous meeting
• The Hammers were only minutes away from progressing in the original tie,
as Robin van Persie rescued Sir Alex Ferguson's men with a stoppage-time
equaliser. Tom Cleverly struck first for Manchester United, before James
Collins twice headed home Joe Cole crosses to turn the cup tie on its head.
But the Dutchman's late show consigned the Hammers to an Old Trafford date.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Nolan,
Collison, Diarra (Noble 73), J Cole (Taylor 78), C Cole, Vaz Te (Jarvis 61)
Subs: Spiegel, Reid, Spence, E.Lee
Goals: Collins 27, 59
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Smalling (Giggs 78), Vidic,
Buttner, Scholes (Valencia 68), Cleverley, Kagawa, Hernandez (Van Persie
68), Welbeck
Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Young, Macheda
Goal: Cleverley 23, Van Persie 90
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup. The Hammers won 2-1 with Thomas Caldwell and
Danny Shea scoring the goals.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Manchester United came at the Boleyn
Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the Hammers to a
5-1 win with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell also on the score sheet.
• Manchester United's biggest win ever over West Ham United came almost 70
years later on 1 April 2000. This time they had a hat-trick hero of their
own as Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 win. Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole,
David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the other goals with Paulo
Wanchope on target for the Hammers.
• Manchester United's biggest triumph in east London was a 6-1 victory on 6
May 1967.
• Wednesday's fixture marks the 125th competitive fixture between West Ham
United and Manchester United. The Hammers have won 42, the Red Devils have
won 57 and there have been 25 draws.
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
5 January 2013 West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United (FA Cup third round)
28 November 2012 Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
30 November 2010 West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United (Carling Cup fifth
round)
28 August 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
23 February 2010 - Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 42 D 25 L 57
Ten-year record
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
Manchester United
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2002/03 Premier League 1st (83 points)
Referee
• Wednesday's referee will be Phil Dowd
• Dowd is in his 12th season as a Select Group official, having initially
been promoted to the Barclays Premier League list of referees in 2001.
• Dowd began refereeing in local leagues in 1984, officiating in the
Staffordshire Senior League and Midland Football Alliance. He was appointed
to the Football League list of assistant referees in 1992, before joining
the League's full list of referees in 1997, aged 34.
• The 49-year-old is commonly considered to be one of England's best match
officials, an opinion backed by his appointments as the referee for the 2012
FA Cup and 2010 Football League Cup finals.
• Previously, Dowd was the fourth official at the 2006 FA Cup final between
West Ham United and Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
• Dowd has refereed 20 West Ham fixtures in total, the most-recent being a
goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion in December.
• He will be assisted by Simon Long and Gary Beswick, while the fourth
official is Lee Probert.
Team news
West Ham United
• January recruits Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista are both
ineligible, having not registered in time for the original tie at the Boleyn
Ground.
• James Collins is likely to miss out having limped off at Sunderland with a
hamstring problem, while it remains to be seen whether Mark Noble will
recover in time from a slight calf strain.
• Mohamed Diame was an unused substitute at the Stadium of Light and could
feature as he steps up his return from injury. • Joey O'Brien is still
struggling with his hamstring injury and if he fails to recover, Potts will
likely deputise once more. Big Sam may also choose to make changes in light
of the Sunderland result and to ensure his side are fresh for Saturday's
vital Barclays Premier League meeting with Queens Park Rangers.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
• Andy Carroll is edging closer to a return to light training, leaving
George McCartney as the club's only long-term absentee.
Manchester United
• Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to make a number of changes for the replay,
with the fit-again Nani one option he could turn to in attack.
• Wayne Rooney is also set to make a return for the home side after
recovering from the knee injury he suffered in training on Christmas Day.
• Ashley Young (knee) and Johnny Evans (hamstring) are both definitely out.
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
General Information
• The weather forecast is for a largely dry evening, but fans are advised to
wrap up warm with temperature set to struggle to get above freezing.
• There are less than 100 away tickets left on general sale - relevant
ticket information can be obtained here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on Manchester United
WHUFC.com
The manager has spoken to the media ahead of West Ham United's FA Cup with
Budweiser replay at Old Trafford
15.01.2013
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can reproduce their fine performance
against Manchester United of ten days ago in Wednesday's FA Cup with
Budweiser third-round replay, despite having to cope with a shortage of
defensive personnel. James Collins' hamstring injury, sustained in
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland, leaves Big Sam with only three senior
defenders to call on. However, he is still banking on another competent
rear-guard display at Old Trafford.
The Hammers conceded after just 32 seconds in a 1-0 Barclays Premier League
defeat at Old Trafford in November, but then kept Manchester United's array
of attacking flair at bay for the remainder. Big Sam insists it will require
a similarly stoic effort to produce a positive outcome on Wednesday evening.
Sam, could you start with the team news for Wednesday's trip to Old
Trafford?
SA: "It's not great from a defensive point of view with James Collins going
down injured and with both George McCartney and Joey O'Brien unavailable. So
it's very desperate in that particular area which is one thing, with the
window being open, I can do something about. It's less than the bare bones
at the moment, so it gives me great difficulty going to Old Trafford with
only Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid of our senior defenders fit.
After that we're down to young lads like Jordan Spence and Danny Potts. In
front of that it is looking alright. I think the rest of the team are
getting there. Mohamed Diame is back with us, which is good news, and we're
still waiting for Andy Carroll to join up with us again."
Given your injury worries, is it tempting to rest some of your more senior
players?
SA: "I can't rest any of the defenders. The trouble is, if I don't rest them
and they get injured, I'm in trouble against Queens Park Rangers on
Saturday. If I lose any of those senior three, I move into bigger problems.
We'll have to take a big look at the squad and try to plan a different way
of playing as well as a team that's going to be quite different, based on
the number of injuries I've got and the big game we've got on Saturday as
well."
How difficult will it be to repeat the two very good performances you've
given against Manchester United this season?
SA: "Obviously it will be more difficult to beat Manchester United on their
own patch than it would have been at the Boleyn Ground a week ago. I think
that was a huge effort that we gave, which nearly brought us a fantastic
result. But unfortunately, because of that man, Robin van Persie, it was
snatched away from us at the very last gasp - which is something Manchester
United have always been capable of doing. "It was a huge disappointment on
the day and all we have to do tomorrow night is just to enjoy the game, play
our best and see where that takes us. And if we put our best performance on,
you can ask no more than that. The challenge is set for the players that
start the game and hopefully they'll know they have to play to their best at
Old Trafford. "We did very well there in the league, after recovering from a
very tricky start, with a deflected own goal after 30 seconds. So we did
very well to stifle Manchester United's huge amount of flair on the
frontline and we've obviously got to do that again."
What can you tell us about new signing Wellington Paulista?
SA: "I think he's a talented player in terms of his ability on the front
line. Let's see if we can apply the talent into the team as quickly as
possible. I don't know how quickly that's going to be, sooner rather than
later hopefully, but it might take a little while. Talent is the most
important thing and then applying that talent where it's most difficult in
the Premier League and that's in the final third."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra raring to go
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's French midfielder is fit and focused on FA Cup success at
Old Trafford
15.01.2013
Alou Diarra is hoping for a clean bill of health in 2013, as he and his West
Ham United teammates prepare for this season's third meeting with Manchester
United. Diarra, who joined from Marseille in the summer, endured an
injury-plagued beginning to life at the Boleyn Ground but, having started
West Ham's last two fixtures, is now intent on kick-starting his Hammers
career. And the France international, who lined up against England at last
summer's UEFA European Championship, sees no reason why West Ham cannot
spring an FA Cup surprise at Old Trafford. "It's not going to be easy in
Manchester, they're in confident mood, even if they make a few changes. They
have strength in depth and a lot of players and can rotate," Diarra
admitted. "For us, it's a question of raising our game in comparison to our
performance at Sunderland and start the match just as we did in the home
game. It's not an easy game but in the cup anything is possible. We'll have
chances at Old Trafford. "The home tie was a good experience. For me it was
my first game back after a long injury, and against Manchester United! It
was amazing. This type of game is great for the fans and makes for a good
atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground. "It wasn't easy but I played just over an
hour which for a return is pretty good. The fact we managed to draw 2-2
against them proves that there's quality at West Ham. But we've got to make
sure we stay the distance this time. "Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney are
two very good players of international, world class. I had the opportunity
to play against them at the Euros. That means I know them a little bit, I
know their quality. They're two very good forwards, both very dangerous, and
we'll have to keep an eye on them and not give them any space whatsoever."
Meanwhile, the French midfielder was adamant that West Ham fans have not
seen the best of him yet, as he slowly finds his feet again after
two-and-a-half months on the sidelines. "It's obviously not easy to arrive
at a new club and be injured for so long. I've worked well with the medical
staff here. Now I'm now enjoying getting back to competitive action. "I
think I'll need several matches to get back into a rhythm, like all players
coming back from injury. Perhaps even more so in my case, seeing as I didn't
start the season. That means I've worked very hard physically, but of course
that's no substitute for game time. But I'm sure that the combined physical
effect of several games is going to do me a lot of good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts proud of winning start
WHUFC.com
New U18s manager Steve Potts was delighted to see his team overcome
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday
15.01.2013
Under-18s manager Steve Potts was brimming with pride after West Ham
United's 1-0 Barclays U18 Premier League Tier One Stage victory over
Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath on Saturday. A competitive first half saw
Potts' men having to endure extensive periods of Tottenham possession, but a
solid and stable Hammers back line cut short any of Spurs' attacking moves,
giving West Ham the chance to grab the only goal of the game. Central
midfielder Ben Marlow finished an impressive attacking move just one minute
into the second half and Potts acknowledged the goal as the turning point in
his team's performance.
"It was a very tight game as the scoreline indicated," said Potts. "The
start of the game wasn't too bad. I felt that Tottenham dictated quite a bit
of the first half after that. They had good possession without really
cutting us open and hurting us. "Second half, we came out really strong, got
ourselves a goal straight away and I think we settled down after that, both
with and without the ball. We made it more difficult for Tottenham and we
showed more composure with the ball and started moving it around quite
well."
Potts expressed his pride at the hard work he saw from his young Hammers
team, knowing that everyone had worked together to earn the three points.
"It was one of those games where they all did their jobs," he continued. "It
was a very good team effort and I couldn't fault anyone out there today."
"They really did work as hard as they possibly could and worked hard for
each other, that's for sure. Without doing that I don't think we would have
got a result."
West Ham's goal came just after the break, when Thomas Gogo set up Marlow to
finish from 15 yards out. Potts was delighted at the way his side used the
ball wisely to create the opening. "We were looking for a bit more composure
on the ball and I think we shifted the ball around quite well. We had the
ball on the left, then bought it into the middle and out to the right. "Our
right full-back [Josh Siafa] then put the right winger in [Gogo], who
crossed it and one of our centre midfield players has put the ball in the
back of the net. There were four people in the box at the time so it was
quite a well worked move."
The win over Tottenham was Potts' debut match since his promotion from
Under-16s manager, knowing that his new squad should be looking to push on
towards the West Ham first team. "I'd say that from an age point of view,
they are that little bit closer to the first team. I think that would be the
big difference [between them and the Under-16s]. "Through all the ages at
West Ham, there are bits of quality there amongst the groups, but because
they are that little bit older, you are looking to think 'Well go on then,
can you push on and get closer to that first team?'"
Next up for the Under-18s is a trip to face Stoke City before another
meeting with Tottenham for the FA Youth Cup fourth round at the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday 22 January. Potts admitted he hasn't had time to look past
this weekend's match, but knows his side must prepare themselves for the
challenge that lies ahead. "To be honest I've only thought about our opening
match so far. I haven't really thought about anything else so far. I've had
a week's training with the boys last week and they have gone out there and I
couldn't have asked for any more from them today. "They have run themselves
into the ground and as long as they show that sort of attitude, they won't
have a problem at all. "They've got the deal with the occasion. They are
going to be playing at Upton Park and I would've thought there will be a
fair crowd there. As it proved on Saturday, there wasn't much in the game.
It will be whoever performs better on the night, I think."
Under-18s: Rosique, Siafa, Page (Homans), Marlow, Harney, Girdlestone, Gogo,
Cullen, T.Tombides (Martins), Makasi, Boakye-Yiadom (Pike)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd v West Ham
KO 20:05
15 January 2013
Last updated at 14:43
FA CUP THIRD ROUND REPLAY
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 16 January Kick-off: 20:05 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio,
TEAM NEWS
Wayne Rooney will feature for Manchester United for the first time since
damaging his knee during training on Christmas Day. Nani is also scheduled
to play, having recovered from a hamstring problem that has kept him out of
the last 15 games. Defender Nemanja Vidic is set to play despite suffering a
knock to his head in Sunday's win over Liverpool. But Ashley Young is out,
having picked up a knee injury that makes him a doubt for Sunday's game
against Tottenham.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "[Vidic] had a bit of concussion but he's
OK. He trained yesterday and was good." Vidic had also appeared to hurt his
knee when falling badly in the Liverpool game, but Ferguson said the
centre-half had not done any damage. He added: "Obviously, Young has got a
dull knock, a little bit of a strain on the knee, but it's nothing serious.
"I think he'll be back next week - maybe not for Tottenham but the week
after he should be OK."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Manchester United have won eight of their last 10 league and cup
matches against West Ham, and beat them with a goal from Robin van Persie
after only 33 seconds in the equivalent Premier League fixture in November.
• But the Red Devils had to rely on a stoppage-time equaliser from the
same player to avoid a quick exit from the FA Cup. The winners will be home
to either Fulham or Blackpool in the fourth round.
• The Hammers hold a 4-3 winning record over United in the FA Cup.
Their most notable triumph was 3-1 at Hillsborough in the 1964 semi-finals,
on their way to winning the trophy. The third of United's victories was 6-0
in the fourth round in 2003 at Old Trafford, when Ryan Giggs scored twice.
Manchester United
• Treble-chasing Manchester United boast the best record in the FA
Cup, with 18 appearances in the final, 11 of which were won - five under Sir
Alex Ferguson.
• This is the fifth successive time they have been drawn against
fellow Premier League opposition in the competition, and the 20th in 25
rounds. When Fergie's men last qualified for the final in 2007, they faced
fellow top-flight opposition in all six rounds.
• The Red Devils have only gone out in the third round once under
Ferguson, and are looking for their 150th clean sheet in the FA Cup.
West Ham United
• The 1964, 1975 and 1980 winners, who last made an appearance in the
final in 2006, have failed to get past the FA Cup third round in three of
the past five seasons.
• They have also been beaten on each of the last six occasions they
have been drawn against Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, and have not
knocked one out since Middlesbrough in the 2006 semi-finals.
• Four Premier League clubs were certain to fall by the wayside when
the third round draw was made.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce bemoans bare bones
WHUFC.com
Filed: Tuesday, 15th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has spoken about his defensive worries 24 hours ahead of the
FA Cup third round replay against Manchester United. Allardyce takes his
injury-ravaged squad to Old Trafford tomorrow night hoping to upset the odds
and beat the Premier League leaders on their own patch, ten days after Robin
Van Persie's 90th-minute equaliser earned Man Utd a replay. However the
manager faces a major dilemma in defence with only THREE regular first team
defenders considered to be fully fit. "It's not great from a defensive point
of view," he told the assembled media this morning. "With James Collins
going down and with both George McCartney and Joey O'Brien unavailable it's
very desperate in that particular area - but with the window being open, I
can do something about it.
"It's less than bare bones at the moment, so it gives me great difficulty
going to Old Trafford with only Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid of
our senior defenders fit. After that we're down to young lads like Jordan
Spence and Danny Potts. "The trouble is, if I don't rest them and they get
injured, I'm in trouble against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. If I lose
any of those senior three, I move into bigger problems. "We'll have to take
a big look at the squad and try to plan a different way of playing as well
as a team that's going to be quite different, based on the number of
injuries I've got and the big game we've got on Saturday as well." However
there was some good news for Allardyce with the return od Mo Diame, who is
expected to play some part in tomorrow night's fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New deals a plenty
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 15th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are still hoping to sign Mo Diame up to a new contract -
having already secured Joey O'Brien and Matthais Fanimo on long-term deals
in the past 72 hours. The Senegalese midfielder has been subject to a flurry
of transfer speculation in the past few weeks after it was revealed that he
has a £3.5million release clause in his existing contract. West Ham have
already made Diame - who only moved to east London last summer - an improved
offer, but the 25-year-old is yet to commit his long-term future to the
club. That refusal to sign a new deal has alerted a number of fellow Premier
League including Arsenal who, it has been reported, are said to be
monitoring the situation. However no offer has been made, according to Sam
Allardyce. "You are always worried about losing players," he said earlier
today, "but we have not had a bid from Arsenal for Mo Diame. I can't see
where he would fit into their side."
Diame is just one of a string of players Allardyce is looking to secure on a
long-term basis as his Premier League squad begins to take shape. Joey
O'Brien and youngster Matthais Fanimo both signed new contracts at the
weekend - Fanimo for a further two years, and O'Brien for three. "I am
delighted," the Irish full back told whufc.com. "Hopefully I'll have plenty
more good times with the club and that's what I'm looking forward to doing
now. Since I have come here, things have worked out well from the start."
Meanwhile Carlton Cole and Winston Reid, both of whom are out of contact at
West Ham this summer, are also said to be close to landing new deals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits he needs to strengthen his defence at West Ham before
the end of January
Last Updated: January 15, 2013 3:37pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says he needs to strengthen his defence before
the end of the month but admits his desperation will not make it easy to
deals.
James Collins' hamstring injury suffered in the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland
means Guy Demel, James Tomkins and Winston Reid are the only senior
defenders available for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay at Manchester
United. "I've got to strengthen our defensive areas," Allardyce said. "It's
less than the bare bones at the moment. It gives me great difficulty going
to Old Trafford."
"What you don't want to be is like what we are, which is a little desperate
because of our injury problems. At this stage of the season it's 'Call My
Bluff'. You say no, they say no and then you sit and wait and bite your
fingernails and hope they change their mind and say yes. "That's why so much
happens in the last week of the January transfer window. It's more expensive
at this stage of January than it is at the latter stage of January."
Allardyce insisted he has not made a further bid for Blackburn's Martin
Olsson, adding: "We haven't got the funds to go in with a higher bid."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce plays down speculation linking Mohamed Diame with Arsenal
Last Updated: January 15, 2013 11:36am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has cooled speculation linking Arsenal with a
move for his midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Senegalese only joined the
Hammers during the summer but he has been linked with a January departure
after it was revealed a clause in his contract could allow him to leave for
just £3.5m. Arsenal have had a disappointing first half of the season and
are sixth in the Premier League table, 21 points behind leaders Manchester
United and six points off fourth-place Spurs. So Gunners manager Arsene
Wenger is expected to reinforce his squad during the transfer window, with a
move for Diame suggested. But Allardyce said: "You are always worried about
losing players but we have not had a bid from Arsenal for Mo Diame. I can't
see where he would fit into their side."
Allardyce is also hoping to bring in more new players during January, with
Blackburn left-back Martin Olsson on his list. But after an initial enquiry,
Allardyce revealed: "We have not made any further bids for Martin Olsson."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gunners are all go for Mo
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 15th January 2013
The SUn
ARSENAL are lining up a move to nick West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The
Hammers have offered the Senegal star, 25, a new deal just six months after
he joined from Wigan Athletic. But it depends on him agreeing to double a
release clause to £7million. Diame has yet to sign and the Gunners are keen
on him — just as soon as he proves his fitness again. He tore a hamstring
last month but was an unused sub in Saturday's loss at Sunderland. He is set
to play in the FA Cup replay at Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal plan to
watch him then and are poised to make a £3.5m bid. Boss Arsene Wenger wants
to strengthen his midfield with Mikel Arteta out for at least two weeks with
a calf strain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye N'Sakala
Published: 14th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM may make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala, 22.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam: Just say no, Mo
Last Updated: 16th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce believes that Mohamed Diame would be mad to join
Arsenal. SunSport reported yesterday the north London club are lining up a
£3.5million bid for the Senegal midfielder, 25, who has been one of the star
performers for the Hammers this season. Allardyce said: "I can't see where
he is going to fit in. There is no point him going if he is not going to
play. "You are always worried about losing players if people are interested
in them at this stage of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tackle out: I barely teach players to make challenges any more admits
Allardyce
The Mirror
15 Jan 2013 22:30
Mike Hewitt
Sam Allardyce has revealed he no longer coaches tackling with his West Ham
players as the Vincent Kompany row rumbles on. The football world is split
over whether the Manchester City defender's red card for his tackle on
Arsenal's Jack Wilshere was justified or not. Big Sam, firmly behind
Kompany, who had his dismissal rescinded by the FA on Tuesday, fears for the
future of tackling in the game. He believes accomplished Manchester United
passer Michael Carrick is an example of the Premier League holding
midfielder of the future. Allardyce, whose team visit Carrick's Premier
League leaders in an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday, said: "If you
look around and say, 'Where are the tackling midfielders today?' then they
are few and far between. "It is more about reading and intercepting and
nicking the ball off the opposition player. Is Carrick a good example of
that? I think so."
Asked about the impact on players hoping to emulate the likes of Roy Keane
and Nicky Butt, Big Sam added: "What about Bryan Robson? "It [tackling] is
almost dead. We [at West Ham] have to say as coaches we don't coach tackling
any more. That's rather sad. "We teach staying on your feet. We teach
pinch, nick, intercept. We very rarely teach tackle."If you are going to go
to ground, try and be 100 per cent sure you are going to win the ball. "Now
they are saying that even if the tackle is a perfectly good one, if it's
ferocious in their eyes or is done with too much force, then that is still a
booking or a sending off. "Well, that's ridiculous. "You tell me how to slow
a player down - how to make a player say to himself, 'I'm going to go into
this tackle, and I am going to pull pout and not go in quite as hard as I
should do in case the referee sends me off.' "Do you know what happens? The
player who is tackling breaks his leg - the player who is tackling gets
injured. He is the one that gets stretchered off if he goes through that
process. "It's a ridiculous rule and the referees have to cope with it. It's
not their fault."
Allardyce - an uncompromising defender back in the day, who played more than
400 games for 10 clubs - believes Wilshere was in less control going into
last Sunday's controversial challenge than Kompany. He added: "Football is a
collision sport and while you want to protect your players as best you can -
we have done a very good job over the years - the Vincent Kompany tackle was
a perfect tackle. "Listen to an expert - me. "'Do FIFA and UEFA want to ban
tackling? It looks like yes, is the answer to that. FIFA and UEFA are not
experts in tackling. It was my job to tackle, it was my whole life, and
tackling for me was an art, a technique. "Kompany timed that tackle
perfectly. It wasn't out of control, he was in perfect control. The person
who was more out of control was Jack Wilshere, that's what made it look so
bad. "So, yes, [if they are] leaping in, two feet off the floor, like The
Karate Kid, send them off. But not that. And that's where the big problem
lies. "As soon as anybody says, 'Let's have a look at it, let's slow it
down. Oh yes, look, both feet are off the ground, so he can't' be in
control.' But that's not true. You can be in control. He [Kompany] was in
perfect control. "Like I said, he was in more control than Wilshere was.
But, unfortunately, referees are lumbered with inept rules."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, January 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th January 2013
U21s game postponed
WHUFC.com
Monday's Development Squad fixture at Manchester United has been called off
due to a waterlogged pitch
14.01.2013
Monday's Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage match between
Manchester United and West Ham United has been postponed because of a
waterlogged pitch. The wintry weather has put paid to the Hammers' hopes of
kicking off the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group Stage with a
victory on Monday night. A 3pm pitch inspection at Altrincham FC's Moss Lane
ground found a large amount of water on the playing surface, which was
deemed unplayable by the match officials, leaving them no option but to call
the game off. whufc.com will post details of the rearranged fixture when
available but the next outing for Nick Haycock's side is scheduled for
Friday evening, when Liverpool will visit Rush Green for a 7pm kick-off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain calls for improvement
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United are determined to bounce back from a
disappointing defeat
14.01.2013
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan said the squad were determined to bounce
back from the 'bitter disappointment' of Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League defeat at Sunderland. The midfielder said sorry to the travelling
Hammers fans for the under-par performance at the Stadium of Light. He
insisted the team are determined to put things right, with a trip to face
Manchester United on Wednesday in the FA Cup with Budweiser third round
replay before London neighbours Queens Park Rangers visit the Boleyn Ground
in the league next Saturday. "We have had a good start to 2013, with the win
against Norwich City on New Year's Day and a great performance which nearly
saw us nearly neat Manchester United in the FA Cup last week, so the loss
and display at Sunderland was a bitter blow to us, a big disappointment,"
admitted Nolan. "Hats off to Sunderland, they played very well and we
didn't. But it is about us getting back on it, straight away. What happened
at Sunderland wasn't acceptable to us, not with the standards we have set
ourselves this season. We have a game again on Wednesday and it is up to us
to show improvement, get back to where we have been and we will be putting
in hard shifts at the training ground this week to do this."
The Hammers skipper said he could not explain the manner of the defeat on
Wearside. "It was one of those days when for us, the eleven lads on the
field were not on it. Sometimes it does happen. We just couldn't get hold of
the ball, especially in the first half. It was a wonder goal [from Sebastian
Larsson] and we should have made sure we stayed in the game coming out for
the second half, yet let in a sloppy goal early on. "There were some young
lads out there who will have learned a lot from the game against a side that
have established themselves in the Barclays Premier League, I still learn. I
hate being 1-0 down, let alone 3-0, so we come together as a squad again and
look also at what we have been doing well. That has got us where we are and
the good position we are in. "We hold our hands up and take this on the chin
and put it to bed. We have a cup replay on Wednesday where we are going to
give it a go and then come back to hopefully show the strong home form we
have against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, looking to be back in the form
we know we should be.
"We focus on the game at Old Trafford and then on playing QPR, which will be
another tough game. They have turned a bit of a corner and are giving it a
go under Harry Redknapp. But apart from losing against Liverpool and Everton
at home last month, we have showed great form at home this season and do
feel we can beat anyone there, so we will be looking to carry that on."
Despite Saturday's setback, Nolan believes the recent influx of new signings
and the returns from injury of a host of important players means the Hammers
will soon be back to winning ways. "I think if we can keep everyone as fit
as we can and have a near-on full squad for the gaffer to pick from, then we
can push on. When I came up with Newcastle [United] it was similar. As a
newly-promoted side, you go through an up and down spell. What you have to
do is keep it all on an even keel, keep it steady. "When we made a strong
start to the season, we knew we couldn't think too far ahead or get too
carried away. On the other side of things, when you do hit a rough spot, it
is about getting through it together and putting things right when you get
them wrong. "If you had offered us the position we are in at the start of
the season, we would have taken it. But we want to be better than that of
course. We all want to be playing and playing in the Premier League, so it
is up to us to make it happen and I am confident we can do this and we will
be where we want to be."
While Nolan says as long as the team win, it doesn't matter who scores, he
is looking to get on the goal trail again and add to the five goals he has
notched this season. "It seems like a while since I scored. I got stick off
the Sunderland fans about not being able to do my chicken dance celebration.
I have certainly made them cry a few times when I have scored but let me
tell you the chicken celebration is not certainly not dead, it is alive and
kicking. Watch out, hopefully I will be doing it again soon!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists defender James Tomkins will not be sold
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 9:08am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has no plans to allow James Tomkins to leave and
is looking to strengthen his injury-hit defence during the January transfer
window. The Hammers boss saw James Collins suffer a hamstring injury during
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland and is already without the services of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien, with the duo on the treatment table.
Tomkins has been linked with a move to Newcastle, with the Magpies battling
to retain the services of Fabricio Coloccini, but Allardyce would be loath
to lose another member of his squad. Teenage defender Dan Potts made his
Premier League debut in the setback on Wearside, with the youngster culpable
for Sunderland's second goal, when his hesitation allowed Adam Johnson to
score.
Allardyce said: "We have never been in a position to sell anybody and we
don't want to. We want to increase the size of the squad, not decrease it
and sell anybody. "It was less likely James was going to leave in the first
place, even less likely now. "Now we only have two centre-halves left, James
and Winston Reid, and we have a 19-year-old at full-back because we have
no-one else, so I need two in if I am honest. "I have been looking for a
left-back for the last 10 days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCallum keen on Dons stay
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 1:27pm
SSN
West Ham striker Paul McCallum has revealed he would gladly extend his loan
spell with AFC Wimbledon. The 19-year-old took his tally for the Dons to
four in five games with both goals in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe on Saturday.
McCallum is due back at parent club West Ham next week but accepts his
first-team opportunities are likely to be limited at Upton Park this season.
"If I am not in the plans at West Ham now, and I do not think I am because
they have just signed two strikers, then I would gladly stay here longer if
the gaffer wants me," he told the Dons' website. Manager Neal Ardley is
eager to keep the in-form frontman at Kingsmeadow. He said: "That is the
best Paul has played for us. "Apart from the goals, his work-rate and the
way he used his body was good. We have worked on him and he is growing as a
player - it is great for him to get another two goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matthias Fanimo signs West Ham contract
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 12:44pm
SSN
West Ham have handed a new contract to youngster Matthias Fanimo which ties
him to the club until the summer of 2015. The left-sided winger or full-back
has made two first-team appearances for the Hammers this term as a
substitute in the Capital One Cup games against Crewe and Wigan. The
18-year-old has also been a regular starter for the Development Squad in
recent seasons. Fanimo told the club's official website: "I think it's a
good achievement to get another contract at the club. "I enjoy playing here
and I hope it continues. I was seven when I joined the club and I've come a
long way. It's been a good journey and I've had some ups and downs but I
think I'm doing pretty well for myself at the moment. "It was definitely a
good experience for me to come on and make my debut. It was a surprise to me
and I'm glad that I did it. "I want to get my Premier League debut under my
belt because that would be another good experience for me. I just have to
keep working hard and hopefully the manager notices me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What Chamakh can offer West Ham – From an Arsenal Fan's Point of View
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Abhinav Kini
Marouane Chamakh hasn't had the best last two years. He is probably up there
with the most hated Arsenal players if you go by fan opinion. He has lost
the trust of Arsene Wenger and probably his own teammates. He has only
scored 2 goals in 2012, both in a 7-5 win over Reading in the Capital One
Cup. Once the talisman of Morocco, he isn't even in the country's plans
anymore.
Despite the last few sentences, the forgotten man can be really vital for a
team like West Ham where he is on loan at for the remainder of the season
and can offer many things. People forget the brilliant start that Chamakh
had at Arsenal when he filled in for the injured Robin van Persie and scored
11 goals in his first 17 games for the club. The way he was going about,
Chamakh seemed like the bargain of the century, considering he was free and
was providing Arsenal with a different attacking dimension with his aerial
threat and presence in the box. Chamakh notably even created history at
Arsenal as no other player has scored in six consecutive Champions League
games other than him – not even Lionel Messi!
And this was a player who wasn't even known for his goals as he had never
scored more than 13 league goals a season in his career - but he was doing
it. However, just as he "burnt out," Van Persie was fit again and ever since
then, Chamakh had been resigned to the bench. And he was never brought back.
Since Van Persie entered the prime of his career, Chamakh only got three
starts in the Premier League since December 2010. Three! With most of his
time on the bench, Chamakh lost confidence and wasn't making an impact as a
substitute. For much of last season, he was resigned to 10-15 minute cameos
while he hasn't made a single league appearance this season at all.
Even Chamakh knew he lost his confidence – "I need to play. I cannot stay
like this forever. If I played more, of course I would have more confidence
and score more goals."
Which makes his loan move to West Ham, a very good one - Chamakh needs game
time. He needs confidence. Most importantly, he needs faith from his
manager. It's fair to say that Arsene Wenger didn't manage him well but Sam
Allardyce looks to be appreciating Chamakh's worth – "With Emmanuel Adebayor
they used to cross balls so I don' t know why they didn't for Chamakh. We'll
give him the platform by feeding him the right type of balls. You provide
the service he needs in terms of how he plays. He's exceptionally good in
the air and he's really good at getting between defenders from crosses. We
can provide the ammunition for him to hopefully get a few goals." That is
one reason why Chamakh failed at Arsenal – he was simply not getting any
crosses or the amount one would expect for a tall striker like him who is
lethal in the air to receive. With West Ham's style of play, he will
definitely flourish with crosses coming in from the likes of Matt Jarvis and
Joe Cole - if he gets an opportunity, he will take it. It's not like he's a
bad finisher as many will have you believe. To be a bad finisher, you need
to have chances and not take them and Chamakh has barely had any due to
limited game time.
Chamakh is also a very good player when it comes to link up play. Whether
it's simple one-two passes which opens up a defense, or him knocking the
ball down from a cross or a pass for a player like Kevin Nolan to strike the
ball, he will definitely help provide something to West Ham's attack.
For this loan to be successful though, Chamakh needs to start more than come
on as a substitute – he isn't the type of player to make an impact off the
bench if you go by his Arsenal career. But if he starts, he will do well as
he has time to get into the game, depending on the type of opposition and
deliver.
Cross the ball, expect a few goals - Chamakh will definitely contribute in
some form or the other be it assists or his presence in the box. With
Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll as his competition, he should seriously be
starting as he simply offers more than the other two, especially when high
on confidence. Big Sam just needs to make sure Chamakh retains confidence.
Everything else will go to plan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Before I start on the main point of this article I'd like to welcome the
fact that Joey O'Brien has signed a new contract keeping him at Upton Park
until 2016. He's the kind of solid all rounder that every team needs and
although he can be a bit injury prone, I think he's done fantastically well
since he signed 18 months ago. Young winger Matthias Fanimo has also signed
a contract until 2015. He's featured on the bench in a few games but has yet
to make his debut.
Anyway, down to business. I don't know about you but I am really concerned
by reports that the club are seeking to offload Carlton Cole. I just cannot
understand the logic of such a move and have difficulty believing it to be
true. At a time when we need all our strikers to be available do we really
want to sell a player who consistently gives his all and is a hell of a
nuisance to the opposing team. He's not a prolific goalscorer but never has
been. He offers the team much more than just goals. He is being linked with
Norwich and Reading, as well as a move to the MLS in America. I for one very
much hope that there is nothing to these rumours and that Carlton will still
be a West Ham player at the end of the month. It's reported that Carlton
himself has no intention of going anywhere and will fight for his place.
Ataboy. However, I have heard that his contract is up at the end of the
season, so it may be that West Ham want to get some money for him while they
can,which is a position I guess we'd have some sympathy for. He's got to be
worth at least £5 million, I guess.
So if you were David Sullivan or Sam Allardyce, what would you do with
Carlton? Keep him or sell him?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gunners are all go for Mo
Exclusive
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 15th January 2013
Ths Sun
ARSENAL are lining up a move to nick West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The
Hammers have offered the Senegal star, 25, a new deal just six months after
he joined from Wigan Athletic. But it depends on him agreeing to double a
release clause to £7million. Diame has yet to sign and the Gunners are keen
on him — just as soon as he proves his fitness again. He tore a hamstring
last month but was an unused sub in Saturday's loss at Sunderland. He is set
to play in the FA Cup replay at Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal plan to
watch him then and are poised to make a £3.5m bid. Boss Arsene Wenger wants
to strengthen his midfield with Mikel Arteta out for at least two weeks with
a calf strain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye N'Sakala
Published: 14th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM may make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala, 22.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Monday's Development Squad fixture at Manchester United has been called off
due to a waterlogged pitch
14.01.2013
Monday's Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage match between
Manchester United and West Ham United has been postponed because of a
waterlogged pitch. The wintry weather has put paid to the Hammers' hopes of
kicking off the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group Stage with a
victory on Monday night. A 3pm pitch inspection at Altrincham FC's Moss Lane
ground found a large amount of water on the playing surface, which was
deemed unplayable by the match officials, leaving them no option but to call
the game off. whufc.com will post details of the rearranged fixture when
available but the next outing for Nick Haycock's side is scheduled for
Friday evening, when Liverpool will visit Rush Green for a 7pm kick-off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain calls for improvement
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United are determined to bounce back from a
disappointing defeat
14.01.2013
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan said the squad were determined to bounce
back from the 'bitter disappointment' of Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League defeat at Sunderland. The midfielder said sorry to the travelling
Hammers fans for the under-par performance at the Stadium of Light. He
insisted the team are determined to put things right, with a trip to face
Manchester United on Wednesday in the FA Cup with Budweiser third round
replay before London neighbours Queens Park Rangers visit the Boleyn Ground
in the league next Saturday. "We have had a good start to 2013, with the win
against Norwich City on New Year's Day and a great performance which nearly
saw us nearly neat Manchester United in the FA Cup last week, so the loss
and display at Sunderland was a bitter blow to us, a big disappointment,"
admitted Nolan. "Hats off to Sunderland, they played very well and we
didn't. But it is about us getting back on it, straight away. What happened
at Sunderland wasn't acceptable to us, not with the standards we have set
ourselves this season. We have a game again on Wednesday and it is up to us
to show improvement, get back to where we have been and we will be putting
in hard shifts at the training ground this week to do this."
The Hammers skipper said he could not explain the manner of the defeat on
Wearside. "It was one of those days when for us, the eleven lads on the
field were not on it. Sometimes it does happen. We just couldn't get hold of
the ball, especially in the first half. It was a wonder goal [from Sebastian
Larsson] and we should have made sure we stayed in the game coming out for
the second half, yet let in a sloppy goal early on. "There were some young
lads out there who will have learned a lot from the game against a side that
have established themselves in the Barclays Premier League, I still learn. I
hate being 1-0 down, let alone 3-0, so we come together as a squad again and
look also at what we have been doing well. That has got us where we are and
the good position we are in. "We hold our hands up and take this on the chin
and put it to bed. We have a cup replay on Wednesday where we are going to
give it a go and then come back to hopefully show the strong home form we
have against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, looking to be back in the form
we know we should be.
"We focus on the game at Old Trafford and then on playing QPR, which will be
another tough game. They have turned a bit of a corner and are giving it a
go under Harry Redknapp. But apart from losing against Liverpool and Everton
at home last month, we have showed great form at home this season and do
feel we can beat anyone there, so we will be looking to carry that on."
Despite Saturday's setback, Nolan believes the recent influx of new signings
and the returns from injury of a host of important players means the Hammers
will soon be back to winning ways. "I think if we can keep everyone as fit
as we can and have a near-on full squad for the gaffer to pick from, then we
can push on. When I came up with Newcastle [United] it was similar. As a
newly-promoted side, you go through an up and down spell. What you have to
do is keep it all on an even keel, keep it steady. "When we made a strong
start to the season, we knew we couldn't think too far ahead or get too
carried away. On the other side of things, when you do hit a rough spot, it
is about getting through it together and putting things right when you get
them wrong. "If you had offered us the position we are in at the start of
the season, we would have taken it. But we want to be better than that of
course. We all want to be playing and playing in the Premier League, so it
is up to us to make it happen and I am confident we can do this and we will
be where we want to be."
While Nolan says as long as the team win, it doesn't matter who scores, he
is looking to get on the goal trail again and add to the five goals he has
notched this season. "It seems like a while since I scored. I got stick off
the Sunderland fans about not being able to do my chicken dance celebration.
I have certainly made them cry a few times when I have scored but let me
tell you the chicken celebration is not certainly not dead, it is alive and
kicking. Watch out, hopefully I will be doing it again soon!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists defender James Tomkins will not be sold
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 9:08am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has no plans to allow James Tomkins to leave and
is looking to strengthen his injury-hit defence during the January transfer
window. The Hammers boss saw James Collins suffer a hamstring injury during
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland and is already without the services of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien, with the duo on the treatment table.
Tomkins has been linked with a move to Newcastle, with the Magpies battling
to retain the services of Fabricio Coloccini, but Allardyce would be loath
to lose another member of his squad. Teenage defender Dan Potts made his
Premier League debut in the setback on Wearside, with the youngster culpable
for Sunderland's second goal, when his hesitation allowed Adam Johnson to
score.
Allardyce said: "We have never been in a position to sell anybody and we
don't want to. We want to increase the size of the squad, not decrease it
and sell anybody. "It was less likely James was going to leave in the first
place, even less likely now. "Now we only have two centre-halves left, James
and Winston Reid, and we have a 19-year-old at full-back because we have
no-one else, so I need two in if I am honest. "I have been looking for a
left-back for the last 10 days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCallum keen on Dons stay
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 1:27pm
SSN
West Ham striker Paul McCallum has revealed he would gladly extend his loan
spell with AFC Wimbledon. The 19-year-old took his tally for the Dons to
four in five games with both goals in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe on Saturday.
McCallum is due back at parent club West Ham next week but accepts his
first-team opportunities are likely to be limited at Upton Park this season.
"If I am not in the plans at West Ham now, and I do not think I am because
they have just signed two strikers, then I would gladly stay here longer if
the gaffer wants me," he told the Dons' website. Manager Neal Ardley is
eager to keep the in-form frontman at Kingsmeadow. He said: "That is the
best Paul has played for us. "Apart from the goals, his work-rate and the
way he used his body was good. We have worked on him and he is growing as a
player - it is great for him to get another two goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matthias Fanimo signs West Ham contract
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 12:44pm
SSN
West Ham have handed a new contract to youngster Matthias Fanimo which ties
him to the club until the summer of 2015. The left-sided winger or full-back
has made two first-team appearances for the Hammers this term as a
substitute in the Capital One Cup games against Crewe and Wigan. The
18-year-old has also been a regular starter for the Development Squad in
recent seasons. Fanimo told the club's official website: "I think it's a
good achievement to get another contract at the club. "I enjoy playing here
and I hope it continues. I was seven when I joined the club and I've come a
long way. It's been a good journey and I've had some ups and downs but I
think I'm doing pretty well for myself at the moment. "It was definitely a
good experience for me to come on and make my debut. It was a surprise to me
and I'm glad that I did it. "I want to get my Premier League debut under my
belt because that would be another good experience for me. I just have to
keep working hard and hopefully the manager notices me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What Chamakh can offer West Ham – From an Arsenal Fan's Point of View
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Abhinav Kini
Marouane Chamakh hasn't had the best last two years. He is probably up there
with the most hated Arsenal players if you go by fan opinion. He has lost
the trust of Arsene Wenger and probably his own teammates. He has only
scored 2 goals in 2012, both in a 7-5 win over Reading in the Capital One
Cup. Once the talisman of Morocco, he isn't even in the country's plans
anymore.
Despite the last few sentences, the forgotten man can be really vital for a
team like West Ham where he is on loan at for the remainder of the season
and can offer many things. People forget the brilliant start that Chamakh
had at Arsenal when he filled in for the injured Robin van Persie and scored
11 goals in his first 17 games for the club. The way he was going about,
Chamakh seemed like the bargain of the century, considering he was free and
was providing Arsenal with a different attacking dimension with his aerial
threat and presence in the box. Chamakh notably even created history at
Arsenal as no other player has scored in six consecutive Champions League
games other than him – not even Lionel Messi!
And this was a player who wasn't even known for his goals as he had never
scored more than 13 league goals a season in his career - but he was doing
it. However, just as he "burnt out," Van Persie was fit again and ever since
then, Chamakh had been resigned to the bench. And he was never brought back.
Since Van Persie entered the prime of his career, Chamakh only got three
starts in the Premier League since December 2010. Three! With most of his
time on the bench, Chamakh lost confidence and wasn't making an impact as a
substitute. For much of last season, he was resigned to 10-15 minute cameos
while he hasn't made a single league appearance this season at all.
Even Chamakh knew he lost his confidence – "I need to play. I cannot stay
like this forever. If I played more, of course I would have more confidence
and score more goals."
Which makes his loan move to West Ham, a very good one - Chamakh needs game
time. He needs confidence. Most importantly, he needs faith from his
manager. It's fair to say that Arsene Wenger didn't manage him well but Sam
Allardyce looks to be appreciating Chamakh's worth – "With Emmanuel Adebayor
they used to cross balls so I don' t know why they didn't for Chamakh. We'll
give him the platform by feeding him the right type of balls. You provide
the service he needs in terms of how he plays. He's exceptionally good in
the air and he's really good at getting between defenders from crosses. We
can provide the ammunition for him to hopefully get a few goals." That is
one reason why Chamakh failed at Arsenal – he was simply not getting any
crosses or the amount one would expect for a tall striker like him who is
lethal in the air to receive. With West Ham's style of play, he will
definitely flourish with crosses coming in from the likes of Matt Jarvis and
Joe Cole - if he gets an opportunity, he will take it. It's not like he's a
bad finisher as many will have you believe. To be a bad finisher, you need
to have chances and not take them and Chamakh has barely had any due to
limited game time.
Chamakh is also a very good player when it comes to link up play. Whether
it's simple one-two passes which opens up a defense, or him knocking the
ball down from a cross or a pass for a player like Kevin Nolan to strike the
ball, he will definitely help provide something to West Ham's attack.
For this loan to be successful though, Chamakh needs to start more than come
on as a substitute – he isn't the type of player to make an impact off the
bench if you go by his Arsenal career. But if he starts, he will do well as
he has time to get into the game, depending on the type of opposition and
deliver.
Cross the ball, expect a few goals - Chamakh will definitely contribute in
some form or the other be it assists or his presence in the box. With
Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll as his competition, he should seriously be
starting as he simply offers more than the other two, especially when high
on confidence. Big Sam just needs to make sure Chamakh retains confidence.
Everything else will go to plan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Before I start on the main point of this article I'd like to welcome the
fact that Joey O'Brien has signed a new contract keeping him at Upton Park
until 2016. He's the kind of solid all rounder that every team needs and
although he can be a bit injury prone, I think he's done fantastically well
since he signed 18 months ago. Young winger Matthias Fanimo has also signed
a contract until 2015. He's featured on the bench in a few games but has yet
to make his debut.
Anyway, down to business. I don't know about you but I am really concerned
by reports that the club are seeking to offload Carlton Cole. I just cannot
understand the logic of such a move and have difficulty believing it to be
true. At a time when we need all our strikers to be available do we really
want to sell a player who consistently gives his all and is a hell of a
nuisance to the opposing team. He's not a prolific goalscorer but never has
been. He offers the team much more than just goals. He is being linked with
Norwich and Reading, as well as a move to the MLS in America. I for one very
much hope that there is nothing to these rumours and that Carlton will still
be a West Ham player at the end of the month. It's reported that Carlton
himself has no intention of going anywhere and will fight for his place.
Ataboy. However, I have heard that his contract is up at the end of the
season, so it may be that West Ham want to get some money for him while they
can,which is a position I guess we'd have some sympathy for. He's got to be
worth at least £5 million, I guess.
So if you were David Sullivan or Sam Allardyce, what would you do with
Carlton? Keep him or sell him?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gunners are all go for Mo
Exclusive
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 15th January 2013
Ths Sun
ARSENAL are lining up a move to nick West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The
Hammers have offered the Senegal star, 25, a new deal just six months after
he joined from Wigan Athletic. But it depends on him agreeing to double a
release clause to £7million. Diame has yet to sign and the Gunners are keen
on him — just as soon as he proves his fitness again. He tore a hamstring
last month but was an unused sub in Saturday's loss at Sunderland. He is set
to play in the FA Cup replay at Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal plan to
watch him then and are poised to make a £3.5m bid. Boss Arsene Wenger wants
to strengthen his midfield with Mikel Arteta out for at least two weeks with
a calf strain.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers eye N'Sakala
Published: 14th January 2013
The Sun
WEST HAM may make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala, 22.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, January 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th January 2013
O'Brien pens new deal
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien has signed a new long-term contract with West Ham United until
summer 2016
13.01.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Joey O'Brien has signed a new
long-term contract with the club. The Republic of Ireland international
full-back, who joined the Hammers on a free transfer following his release
by Bolton Wanderers in 2011, has put pen to paper on a new deal until summer
2016. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb 18 months since being reunited
with his old Bolton manager Sam Allardyce in east London, scoring the winner
on his 50th appearance in claret and blue in the New Year's Day Barclays
Premier League victory over Norwich City. The Dubliner was naturally
delighted to have secured his long-term future with West Ham, with his
previous deal having been set to expire in the summer. "I am delighted," he
confirmed. "It's for three-and-a-half years so hopefully I'll have plenty
more good times with the club and that's what I'm looking forward to doing
now. "I definitely dreamed of what has happened since I joined West Ham.
When I got released by Bolton, I had not played for about two-and-a-half
years in the Premier League or really any games in that length of time, so
since I have come here things have worked out well from the start. "A
manager that I knew [Sam Allardyce] got the job at this club and invited me
down to training and having that six-week trial seems a long time ago now.
Thankfully for me, that went well. "Last year, it went great. To be back
playing some games was fantastic for me and, in the end, we got the job done
and got promoted. This year we have started really well and it's been good.
"Our aim was to finish in the top half and we're on course to do that."
Alongside Big Sam, O'Brien knew a host of his West Ham team-mates from his
time at Bolton, including captain Kevin Nolan - helping him to settle and
re-establish himself quickly. "I knew the manager and had played under him,
so I knew his way of working and what he wants from his players, so that
helped. There were a couple of other people, Kevin especially, who had
become a very good friend over the years and him being here helped me to
settle in with the other lads."
Signing a new contract continued a bright start to 2013 for O'Brien, who
marked his 50th Hammers appearance with the winning goal in the New Year's
Day victory over Norwich - his second of the season and third for the club.
"I have got a couple of goals this season, but hopefully that won't be it!"
You might expect one of those goals to be O'Brien's highlight of his time at
the Boleyn Ground, but that is not the case. "I always think back to my
first game against Cardiff here [in August 2011]. It was my first game for
such a long time at that level in front of the fans at a ground I always
loved coming to play at. "At that time, I had the chance to play for the
club and that games means so much to me. Obviously the result wasn't good,
but what it meant to me personally was the highlight, I think."
O'Brien was considered to be one of Irish football's top prospects when he
left the Irish capital for Bolton at the age of 16 in 2002, making his
first-team debut under Sam Allardyce in a Carling Cup tie against Yeovil
Town in September 2004. After a successful loan spell at Sheffield
Wednesday, he returned to the Reebok Stadium to make his Premier League
debut against Everton in May 2005 and his first start in a UEFA Cup tie with
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in September of the same year. After appearing for his
country at Under-21 level, a senior international debut arrived in a 3-0
friendly victory over Sweden in his home city in March 2006. Since then, he
has been capped five times by Ireland. In all, O'Brien made 70 appearances
for Bolton Wanderers, including eleven in the UEFA Cup, and 19 more during
two loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday. However, that total would have
been much higher had he not suffered from a serious knee injury that
restricted him to just 12 games over three seasons between 2008 and 2011.
It has been a different story since he joined West Ham in July 2011
following a successful trial. O'Brien made a great contribution to the
Hammers' promotion-winning npower Championship campaign, scoring once in 32
league appearances last term. This season, he has featured predominantly at
left-back, scoring two further goals against Stoke City and Norwich as West
Ham have made a strong start on their return to the Barclays Premier League.
Now, with a new long-term contract signed, O'Brien will aim to help the
Hammers to consolidate their place in the top-flight.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham defender Joey O'Brien signs new contract until 2016
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Joey O'Brien has signed a new contract that will keep him
at the club until 2016. The 26-year-old began his career at Bolton and had
seven years with the Trotters, which included two loan spells at Sheffield
Wednesday. He joined West Ham in 2011 and was part of the squad that were
promoted back to the Premier League last season. O'Brien made his Republic
of Ireland debut in 2006 and returned to the side in August after a
four-year absence. In November he scored his first Premier League goal to
earn West Ham a 1-1 draw against Stoke. He was also on target on New Year's
Day in the 2-1 victory over Norwich.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to put things right at Manchester United
on Wednesday
14.01.2013
Sam Allardyce has set out a clear goal for West Ham United's remaining away
games this season - to find the back of the net more frequently. The Hammers
have been impressive at home this season and have amassed an impressive five
wins and three draws from their eleven games at the Boleyn Ground thus far.
It has been a different story on the road, though, where they have found the
going considerably harder than last season's club-record tally of 14 away
wins. Saturday's 3-0 loss at Sunderland only highlighted the manager's
demands for an improvement going forward. "We were woefully short in terms
of what we're looking for in an attacking sense away from home," Allardyce
said. "Even when it looked like we wouldn't get anything out of the game, we
did create some chances but we couldn't find the back of the net and they
got the third and thoroughly deserved their win. "We made life very easy for
Sunderland and I don't think they've enjoyed an easier game than that at
home all season and they thoroughly deserved to beat us."
The Hammers will be offered the perfect chance to right the wrongs of the
Stadium of Light in Wednesday night's high-profile FA Cup third-round replay
with Manchester United at Old Trafford. While the game has players and fans
alike buzzing with excitement, with just 150 away tickets left, Big Sam
wants his players keep their focus on what the ultimate goal is this season
as soon the final whistle is blown on Wednesday. "While Manchester United is
the glory of the cup competition and it will be fantastic to go to Old
Trafford, QPR next Saturday is out bread and butter and we must make sure we
secure three points against them. "They are in the bottom two of the league
and we have already lost to Reading, who were in the bottom two when we
played them. We can't keep losing to the people below us who are struggling
as it gets them closer and we don't want that."
Although there were positives on Saturday in the shape of Alou Diarra and
Dan Potts' first Barclays Premier League starts and the return of the
influential Mo Diame to the substitutes' bench, the first-half hamstring
injury to James Collins has provided his manager with a defensive headache.
While Joey O'Brien and George McCartney are progressing well, their urgency
of need for cover will lead Big Sam to redouble his efforts to bring in
reinforcements during the transfer window. "James Collins pulled up with a
hamstring injury, which is a bitter blow to us. We just felt like we were
recovering from a spate of six or seven injuries and suspensions so it's a
real pity. We've still also got Joey O'Brien out and George McCartney, who
is out for a long period of time. "We want to improve the strength of the
squad. I'd like to add a defender as we've now only got two centre halves
left in James Tomkins and Winston Reid and aside from young Dan Potts, we've
got no other left-back in the squad. I have been looking for a left-back for
the last ten days or so, but now I need a left-back that can play
centre-half or vice versa. "We don't want the injuries all in one area so we
might need to take a look at the market and see if there's anyone that can
help us in that department."
Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh both got their first taste of Premier League
action in claret and blue since signing for the club last week, with Cole in
particular showing some nice touches. Media reports at the weekend claimed
Cole's namesake Carlton was told he could leave the club, a claim his
manager laughed off by saying it was news to him. "I would have like Chamakh
to have scored as he had a couple of chances from headers and that's what he
thrives on. I think we can provide that for him. He's been short of
first-team football so the more he gets the better he will get. "It's the
same with Joe Cole and Alou Diarra. Hopefully they'll all get better. "I saw
the news reports from the weekend and all I can say is that I haven't told
Carlton he can leave so I don't know who has!" he joked.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan: We won't fowl up
The Sun
Published: 13th January 2013
KEVIN NOLAN insists West Ham will not chicken out if they are dragged into a
relegation scrap. The former Newcastle hero could not show off his goal
celebration as the Hammers lost for the sixth time in 10 games. But despite
10 matches without finding the net, Nolan vowed to boost a side just seven
points above the drop zone. Nolan, 30, said: "I've made the fans here cry
over the years, so I'm just going to smile through this. "But I can tell
them the chicken is firmly not dead, so they'd best watch out! I'll be back
next year. "It's a fair while since anyone has seen the chicken celebration
but it will be seen again very soon. We've got to make sure at the end of
the season we're comfortable and OK."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Any Ol Iron
Published: 13th January 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE will step up his bid to land Blackburn's Martin Olsson today.
Big Sam has already tried to sign the Swede but was put off by Rovers'
£7million price tag. West Ham lost centre-back James Collins with a
hamstring injury in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland so boss Allardyce
knows he must act. He said: "We'll see when I wake up on Monday. Then we'll
see what's what, where's where and who wants to go here there and
everywhere."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sick Gold pans Sam
The Sun
By PHIL FOX
Published: 13th January 2013
SAM ALLARDYCE last night felt the pressure building on his job for the first
time this season from the club's owners. After West Ham's dismal 3-0 defeat
at Sunderland on Saturday, boss Big Sam found David Gold very much on his
case as the co-chairman recovered from pneumonia and a hospital stay. Gold
was bitterly unhappy with the heavy loss and made his feelings very clear to
the fans via Twitter. With the club just seven points ahead of the
relegation places, Gold tweeted: "Two wins in 10 games and just one point
from a possible 15 on our travels is not acceptable. "We and Sam know that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What the cluck?! West Ham star Kevin Nolan says his 'chicken' is alive 'n'
kicking
The Mirror
13 Jan 2013 22:30
Kevin Nolan had told Sunderland fans "my chicken isn't dead!" The home crowd
taunted ex-Newcastle skipper Nolan during the 3-0 Sunderland victory over
West Ham with a humorous chant suggesting his wing flapping goal celebration
would never be seen again. "His chicken is dead, his chicken is dead, Kevin
Nolan, his chicken is dead," rang around the Stadium of Light in retaliation
for his North East derby goals. Nolan took it in good spirits and admitted
not a single West Ham player produced a performance. He said: "It was good
banter with their fans. Fair play to them. I can tell them the chicken is
firmly not dead, so they'd best watch out! "It's a fair while since anyone
has seen the chicken celebration - to be honest, far too long. We went
through a bit of a tough patch in December and we actually thought we'd
turned the corner with a couple of good results, but believe me that
celebration will be seen again very soon. "When you get stick like I did
against Sunderland, you either smile or cry - it's one or the other. Let's
face it, I've made them cry a lot over the years! "So I'm just going to
smile through this. Okay, I've let them have this one, but I'm already
looking forward to seeing them again next year. Let's see what happens
then."
Nolan admitted West Ham do to score enough away from home. They've managed
only five in ten games under Sam Allardyce's traditional stifle first
tactics.
Nolan said: "We were poor from start to finish. There are no excuses. Very
poor. We were bullied all day long. It's disappointing but hats off to
Sunderland, they played well. 3-0 probably flattered us in the end. "It's so
frustrating because we've had a good start to the New Year and this is a
bitter blow to us. We'e got a game on Wednesday to try and put it right. We
know that performance is just not acceptable for the standards we've set
this year. "You can never explain immediately what happened. It's just one
of those days. There were 11 lads that just weren't on it. Sometimes that
happens. We couldn't get hold of the ball in the first half and I was
playing for Sunderland for half of the game. "It just felt like one of those
games. We've got to take it on the chin and take it back to the training
ground, work hard and just make sure we're ready for Wednesday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien has signed a new long-term contract with West Ham United until
summer 2016
13.01.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Joey O'Brien has signed a new
long-term contract with the club. The Republic of Ireland international
full-back, who joined the Hammers on a free transfer following his release
by Bolton Wanderers in 2011, has put pen to paper on a new deal until summer
2016. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb 18 months since being reunited
with his old Bolton manager Sam Allardyce in east London, scoring the winner
on his 50th appearance in claret and blue in the New Year's Day Barclays
Premier League victory over Norwich City. The Dubliner was naturally
delighted to have secured his long-term future with West Ham, with his
previous deal having been set to expire in the summer. "I am delighted," he
confirmed. "It's for three-and-a-half years so hopefully I'll have plenty
more good times with the club and that's what I'm looking forward to doing
now. "I definitely dreamed of what has happened since I joined West Ham.
When I got released by Bolton, I had not played for about two-and-a-half
years in the Premier League or really any games in that length of time, so
since I have come here things have worked out well from the start. "A
manager that I knew [Sam Allardyce] got the job at this club and invited me
down to training and having that six-week trial seems a long time ago now.
Thankfully for me, that went well. "Last year, it went great. To be back
playing some games was fantastic for me and, in the end, we got the job done
and got promoted. This year we have started really well and it's been good.
"Our aim was to finish in the top half and we're on course to do that."
Alongside Big Sam, O'Brien knew a host of his West Ham team-mates from his
time at Bolton, including captain Kevin Nolan - helping him to settle and
re-establish himself quickly. "I knew the manager and had played under him,
so I knew his way of working and what he wants from his players, so that
helped. There were a couple of other people, Kevin especially, who had
become a very good friend over the years and him being here helped me to
settle in with the other lads."
Signing a new contract continued a bright start to 2013 for O'Brien, who
marked his 50th Hammers appearance with the winning goal in the New Year's
Day victory over Norwich - his second of the season and third for the club.
"I have got a couple of goals this season, but hopefully that won't be it!"
You might expect one of those goals to be O'Brien's highlight of his time at
the Boleyn Ground, but that is not the case. "I always think back to my
first game against Cardiff here [in August 2011]. It was my first game for
such a long time at that level in front of the fans at a ground I always
loved coming to play at. "At that time, I had the chance to play for the
club and that games means so much to me. Obviously the result wasn't good,
but what it meant to me personally was the highlight, I think."
O'Brien was considered to be one of Irish football's top prospects when he
left the Irish capital for Bolton at the age of 16 in 2002, making his
first-team debut under Sam Allardyce in a Carling Cup tie against Yeovil
Town in September 2004. After a successful loan spell at Sheffield
Wednesday, he returned to the Reebok Stadium to make his Premier League
debut against Everton in May 2005 and his first start in a UEFA Cup tie with
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in September of the same year. After appearing for his
country at Under-21 level, a senior international debut arrived in a 3-0
friendly victory over Sweden in his home city in March 2006. Since then, he
has been capped five times by Ireland. In all, O'Brien made 70 appearances
for Bolton Wanderers, including eleven in the UEFA Cup, and 19 more during
two loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday. However, that total would have
been much higher had he not suffered from a serious knee injury that
restricted him to just 12 games over three seasons between 2008 and 2011.
It has been a different story since he joined West Ham in July 2011
following a successful trial. O'Brien made a great contribution to the
Hammers' promotion-winning npower Championship campaign, scoring once in 32
league appearances last term. This season, he has featured predominantly at
left-back, scoring two further goals against Stoke City and Norwich as West
Ham have made a strong start on their return to the Barclays Premier League.
Now, with a new long-term contract signed, O'Brien will aim to help the
Hammers to consolidate their place in the top-flight.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham defender Joey O'Brien signs new contract until 2016
BBC.co.uk
West Ham defender Joey O'Brien has signed a new contract that will keep him
at the club until 2016. The 26-year-old began his career at Bolton and had
seven years with the Trotters, which included two loan spells at Sheffield
Wednesday. He joined West Ham in 2011 and was part of the squad that were
promoted back to the Premier League last season. O'Brien made his Republic
of Ireland debut in 2006 and returned to the side in August after a
four-year absence. In November he scored his first Premier League goal to
earn West Ham a 1-1 draw against Stoke. He was also on target on New Year's
Day in the 2-1 victory over Norwich.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to put things right at Manchester United
on Wednesday
14.01.2013
Sam Allardyce has set out a clear goal for West Ham United's remaining away
games this season - to find the back of the net more frequently. The Hammers
have been impressive at home this season and have amassed an impressive five
wins and three draws from their eleven games at the Boleyn Ground thus far.
It has been a different story on the road, though, where they have found the
going considerably harder than last season's club-record tally of 14 away
wins. Saturday's 3-0 loss at Sunderland only highlighted the manager's
demands for an improvement going forward. "We were woefully short in terms
of what we're looking for in an attacking sense away from home," Allardyce
said. "Even when it looked like we wouldn't get anything out of the game, we
did create some chances but we couldn't find the back of the net and they
got the third and thoroughly deserved their win. "We made life very easy for
Sunderland and I don't think they've enjoyed an easier game than that at
home all season and they thoroughly deserved to beat us."
The Hammers will be offered the perfect chance to right the wrongs of the
Stadium of Light in Wednesday night's high-profile FA Cup third-round replay
with Manchester United at Old Trafford. While the game has players and fans
alike buzzing with excitement, with just 150 away tickets left, Big Sam
wants his players keep their focus on what the ultimate goal is this season
as soon the final whistle is blown on Wednesday. "While Manchester United is
the glory of the cup competition and it will be fantastic to go to Old
Trafford, QPR next Saturday is out bread and butter and we must make sure we
secure three points against them. "They are in the bottom two of the league
and we have already lost to Reading, who were in the bottom two when we
played them. We can't keep losing to the people below us who are struggling
as it gets them closer and we don't want that."
Although there were positives on Saturday in the shape of Alou Diarra and
Dan Potts' first Barclays Premier League starts and the return of the
influential Mo Diame to the substitutes' bench, the first-half hamstring
injury to James Collins has provided his manager with a defensive headache.
While Joey O'Brien and George McCartney are progressing well, their urgency
of need for cover will lead Big Sam to redouble his efforts to bring in
reinforcements during the transfer window. "James Collins pulled up with a
hamstring injury, which is a bitter blow to us. We just felt like we were
recovering from a spate of six or seven injuries and suspensions so it's a
real pity. We've still also got Joey O'Brien out and George McCartney, who
is out for a long period of time. "We want to improve the strength of the
squad. I'd like to add a defender as we've now only got two centre halves
left in James Tomkins and Winston Reid and aside from young Dan Potts, we've
got no other left-back in the squad. I have been looking for a left-back for
the last ten days or so, but now I need a left-back that can play
centre-half or vice versa. "We don't want the injuries all in one area so we
might need to take a look at the market and see if there's anyone that can
help us in that department."
Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh both got their first taste of Premier League
action in claret and blue since signing for the club last week, with Cole in
particular showing some nice touches. Media reports at the weekend claimed
Cole's namesake Carlton was told he could leave the club, a claim his
manager laughed off by saying it was news to him. "I would have like Chamakh
to have scored as he had a couple of chances from headers and that's what he
thrives on. I think we can provide that for him. He's been short of
first-team football so the more he gets the better he will get. "It's the
same with Joe Cole and Alou Diarra. Hopefully they'll all get better. "I saw
the news reports from the weekend and all I can say is that I haven't told
Carlton he can leave so I don't know who has!" he joked.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan: We won't fowl up
The Sun
Published: 13th January 2013
KEVIN NOLAN insists West Ham will not chicken out if they are dragged into a
relegation scrap. The former Newcastle hero could not show off his goal
celebration as the Hammers lost for the sixth time in 10 games. But despite
10 matches without finding the net, Nolan vowed to boost a side just seven
points above the drop zone. Nolan, 30, said: "I've made the fans here cry
over the years, so I'm just going to smile through this. "But I can tell
them the chicken is firmly not dead, so they'd best watch out! I'll be back
next year. "It's a fair while since anyone has seen the chicken celebration
but it will be seen again very soon. We've got to make sure at the end of
the season we're comfortable and OK."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Any Ol Iron
Published: 13th January 2013
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE will step up his bid to land Blackburn's Martin Olsson today.
Big Sam has already tried to sign the Swede but was put off by Rovers'
£7million price tag. West Ham lost centre-back James Collins with a
hamstring injury in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland so boss Allardyce
knows he must act. He said: "We'll see when I wake up on Monday. Then we'll
see what's what, where's where and who wants to go here there and
everywhere."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sick Gold pans Sam
The Sun
By PHIL FOX
Published: 13th January 2013
SAM ALLARDYCE last night felt the pressure building on his job for the first
time this season from the club's owners. After West Ham's dismal 3-0 defeat
at Sunderland on Saturday, boss Big Sam found David Gold very much on his
case as the co-chairman recovered from pneumonia and a hospital stay. Gold
was bitterly unhappy with the heavy loss and made his feelings very clear to
the fans via Twitter. With the club just seven points ahead of the
relegation places, Gold tweeted: "Two wins in 10 games and just one point
from a possible 15 on our travels is not acceptable. "We and Sam know that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What the cluck?! West Ham star Kevin Nolan says his 'chicken' is alive 'n'
kicking
The Mirror
13 Jan 2013 22:30
Kevin Nolan had told Sunderland fans "my chicken isn't dead!" The home crowd
taunted ex-Newcastle skipper Nolan during the 3-0 Sunderland victory over
West Ham with a humorous chant suggesting his wing flapping goal celebration
would never be seen again. "His chicken is dead, his chicken is dead, Kevin
Nolan, his chicken is dead," rang around the Stadium of Light in retaliation
for his North East derby goals. Nolan took it in good spirits and admitted
not a single West Ham player produced a performance. He said: "It was good
banter with their fans. Fair play to them. I can tell them the chicken is
firmly not dead, so they'd best watch out! "It's a fair while since anyone
has seen the chicken celebration - to be honest, far too long. We went
through a bit of a tough patch in December and we actually thought we'd
turned the corner with a couple of good results, but believe me that
celebration will be seen again very soon. "When you get stick like I did
against Sunderland, you either smile or cry - it's one or the other. Let's
face it, I've made them cry a lot over the years! "So I'm just going to
smile through this. Okay, I've let them have this one, but I'm already
looking forward to seeing them again next year. Let's see what happens
then."
Nolan admitted West Ham do to score enough away from home. They've managed
only five in ten games under Sam Allardyce's traditional stifle first
tactics.
Nolan said: "We were poor from start to finish. There are no excuses. Very
poor. We were bullied all day long. It's disappointing but hats off to
Sunderland, they played well. 3-0 probably flattered us in the end. "It's so
frustrating because we've had a good start to the New Year and this is a
bitter blow to us. We'e got a game on Wednesday to try and put it right. We
know that performance is just not acceptable for the standards we've set
this year. "You can never explain immediately what happened. It's just one
of those days. There were 11 lads that just weren't on it. Sometimes that
happens. We couldn't get hold of the ball in the first half and I was
playing for Sunderland for half of the game. "It just felt like one of those
games. We've got to take it on the chin and take it back to the training
ground, work hard and just make sure we're ready for Wednesday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th January 2013
Big Sam seeks cure to travel sickness
WHUFC.com
The manager is determined to put things right on the road after suffering a
3-0 defeat at Sunderland
12.01.2013
Sam Allardyce said his West Ham United team must improve their away form if
they are to enjoy a comfortable second half to the Barclays Premier League
season. The Hammers' travel sickness continued as they slumped to a 3-0
defeat at Sunderland on Saturday - their sixth defeat in ten away league
games in 2012/13. Sebastian Larsson climaxed a dominant opening from the
Black Cats by lashing the hosts in front on 12 minutes. West Ham kept their
deficit to one goal until half-time, despite losing James Collins to a calf
injury, only for a 47th-minute defensive mix-up to allow Adam Johnson to
double Sunderland's lead. With the Hammers chasing the game, James McClean
added a third. Speaking to West Ham TV, Big Sam said his players had simply
not produced the goods on the road again at the Stadium of Light. "It was
the time and the way that we conceded the second goal that was most
frustrating. We had a free-kick and a chance to score a goal to get us back
in the game at 1-1, we had set up nicely and the ball went in with us having
two defenders sat midway inside Sunderland's half without a Sunderland
player anywhere near them. "The ball gets headed out and, in the space of a
few seconds, Stephane Sessegnon is running down their right in behind Guy
Demel and he passed it across the box and there is James McClean stood all
on his own. God only knows where our defenders had gone. "Jussi Jaaskelainen
gets us out of the mire by making a great save and then we go and mess up
the clearance and Johnson puts it in. It probably summed our day up from
start to finish. I don't know why the players have shown what they showed
today because it wasn't anywhere near our best, as we know. "They can play
but it's away from home that is becoming a bit of a concern for me because
of the lack of performances and goals we're getting. It's becoming a big
concern for me and I have got to make sure I put it right for Wednesday
because otherwise we'll be looking at a real thrashing at Old Trafford and
that won't be good for confidence going into the home game with QPR next
weekend. "Our home form and performances are outstanding but our away
performances are the reverse of that - they are just not good enough."
Just a few months on from a promotion season that saw West Ham win a club
record-high 14 away league matches, the Hammers have managed just two
victories and five goals in ten away league matches. Big Sam was also
concerned at the drop-off in performance compared to that produced in the
2-2 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round draw with Manchester United at the
Boleyn Ground the previous weekend. "We didn't look like the same set of
players this week who played last week, with no disrespect to Sunderland
because they are not as good as Manchester United, and managed to close
Manchester United down and nearly shut them out. "We couldn't shut
Sunderland out today - in fact we let them do what they wanted, attack when
they wanted and play to their strengths when they wanted. Whenever they
attacked and got around our box they looked like they were going to score.
"We showed no organisation or desire to stop them doing what they wanted to
do, and we did all of that perfectly well against Manchester United, so it
baffles me that the application to stop the opposition playing at home and
to get the fans excited wasn't there. "On the back of that, we're unlikely
to go and win a game. We've got to win the right to play and stop the
opposition when we're playing on their patch and then we can look to play
from there on. We never did that today at all."
While West Ham remain eleventh in the table, Big Sam called on his squad to
collect points as quickly as possible to avoid being dragged into a
relegation battle. "We have a game in-hand but it's Arsenal away and we're
not playing very well away from home at the moment." Having already lost
Mark Noble to a slight calf injury in the lead-up to the game, Big Sam was
forced to reshuffle his defence when Collins was forced off with a more
serious calf problem midway through the first half. With George McCartney
and Joey O'Brien also on the sidelines, the manager said he aimed to delve
into the transfer market again this week to bolster his defence. "Losing
James is a massive blow. With Joey not here and George out with a
long-standing medial knee ligament injury, to lose Ginge to a tear in his
calf leaves us threadbare defensively and I need to get somebody in as
quickly as I can. "We need either a centre-back or a left-back - at least
one of them - by the time we play QPR. We have to look very carefully at who
we play on Wednesday and then for the following Saturday. "We have to take
it on the chin and admit we were second-best today. We do lose games of
football and we have to accept that we will lose, but I cannot accept how we
played today when I saw how well we played seven days ago. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s earn their Spurs
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' U18s start the Tier One Stage with a 1-0 win over Tottenham
Hotspur at Little Heath
12.01.2013
West Ham United started their Barclays U18 Premier League Tier One campaign
with an encouraging 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath on
Saturday. A well-taken finish from midfielder Ben Marlow straight after
half-time gave newly-appointed manager Steve Potts a perfect start in his
new job.
The match started with both teams looking to control the game from the
midfield, with Hammers midfielder Josh Cullen getting involved in the centre
of the pitch, winning possession of the ball and attempting to start the
attacking moves. As the game got into its flow, Tottenham began to adapt and
take over the majority of the play, passing the ball around the pitch and
pushing their attacking players further into West Ham's half in search of a
goal. Spurs' dominance in the first half almost saw them take the lead on
several occasions. Daniel Akindayini twice found himself behind the Hammers
defence, but West Ham goalkeeper Gines Guzman Rosique was equal to all that
the forward fired at him. The Hammers tried to work their own opportunities,
with Thomas Gogo, Taylor Tombides and Nana Boakye-Yiadom all causing a
threat to the Spurs back four with their pace. Tottenham's hard work to
dominate the first half was ripped apart straight after the break.
Centre-half Jamie Harney clipped the ball into Cullen, who looked up and
found Gogo running in behind the Spurs defence. Gogo laid the ball into the
path of Marlow, who finished confidently into the bottom corner. The Hammers
were boosted by the goal and began to frustrate their opponents by keeping
possession of the ball, making the Tottenham youngsters chase to earn the
ball back. Tottenham's best effort of the second half came from Akindayini,
but his powerful shot was again turned away by an impressive save from
Rosique. The Hammers were under pressure in the closing stages as Spurs
hunted for the equaliser, but as the home defence held strong, substitute
Marcio Martins could have wrapped the game up for West Ham when he was
through on goal, but the young striker was just denied by the leg of an
opposing defender as he prepared for a shot. Today's victory gives the
Hammers the best-possible start to their Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One campaign, with Potts' men travelling to face Stoke City for their next
league fixture on Saturday 19 January.
West Ham United U18s: Rosique, Siafa, Page (Homans), Marlow, Harney,
Girdlestone, Gogo, Cullen, T.Tombides (Martins), Makasi, Boakye-Yiadom
(Pike)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U21s start with Manchester United trip
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad start the Elite Group Stage with a visit to Manchester
United on Monday
07.01.2013
West Ham United will start the Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage
with a trip to Manchester United on Monday 14 January. Nick Haycock's
Development Squad qualified for the Elite Group by winning the Group 1 title
before Christmas and will now play for the right to be named as the
country's best U21 side. To do so, the Hammers will need to finish in the
top three to reach the end-of-season play-offs. The winners of the Tier One
and Tier Two Stage groups will play-off to meet the winners of the Elite
Group in one semi-final, while the second and third-place Elite Group
finishers will contest the other. The winners of the two semi-finals will
contest the final. Following Monday's trip to Altrincham FC's Moss Rose
ground to face the Red Devils, the Hammers open their home slate of fixtures
with the visit of Group 3 title winners Liverpool to Rush Green on Friday 18
January, kick-off 7pm. The Elite Group also comprises Group 1 runners-up
Arsenal, Southampton, Group 2 winners Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich
Albion - who finished third in Group 1 - and Wolverhampton Wanderers. One
home fixture will be played at the Boleyn Ground - the visit of Tottenham on
Monday 8 April, kick-off 7pm.
2012/13 Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage fixtures
(Home matches in Bold)
Mon 14 Jan Manchester United 7pm (at Altrincham FC)
Fri 18 Jan Liverpool 7pm (at Rush Green)
Mon 28 Jan Arsenal 1pm (at Colney Training Ground)
Mon 4 Feb Tottenham Hotspur 12noon (THFC Training Ground)
Fri 8 Feb West Bromwich Albion 7pm (Rush Green)
Fri 15 Feb Southampton Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Tue 26 Feb Wolverhampton Wanderers 7pm (AFC Telford United)
Fri 1 Mar Manchester United Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Mon 11 Mar Liverpool Away 2pm (The Academy, Kirby)
Fri 15 Mar Arsenal Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Sun 31 Mar West Bromwich Albion 2pm (WBA Training Ground)
Mon 8 Apr Tottenham Hotspur Home 7pm (Boleyn Ground)
Mon 15 Apr Southampton Away 7pm (Eastleigh FC)
Fri 19 Apr Wolverhampton Wanderers Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Competition notes -
The top two sides and two best third-place teams from three First Group
Stage groups will go forward to the Elite Group Stage.
The other third-place team, fourth and fifth-place teams and best
sixth-place teams will go forward to Tier One Stage. The two other
sixth-place teams, seventh and eighth-place teams will go forward to Tier
Two Stage.
The Tier One and Tier Two winners will play-off to meet the winners of the
Elite Group in one semi-final, while the second and third-place Elite Group
finishers will contest the other. The winners of the two semi-finals will
contest the final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 3 West Ham 0
12 January 2013
Last updated at 17:27
By Kevin Darling
BBC Sport
Impressive Sunderland brushed aside woeful West Ham with an emphatic win to
ease relegation fears on Wearside. Sebastian Larsson's 25-yard thunderbolt
lit up a dour first half, before Adam Johnson pounced after a Dan Potts
error to double the lead from close range. Jack Colback hit the woodwork as
West Ham began to crumble, before James McClean finished from a tight angle.
The visitors failed to threaten until the end, when Ricardo Vaz Te and James
Tomkins were denied by Simon Mignolet. The 3-0 scoreline was no less than
Sunderland deserved for taking full advantage of an abject display by the
visitors. West Ham have scored only five goals on their travels this season
- the lowest of any Premier League side. Larsson's sublime opener was the
only real moment of quality in the first half, but after the break the Black
Cats tormented their opponents with some slick counter-attacking football.
Sunderland now sit one point behind the Hammers as both sides' seasons take
on a distinctly mid-table feel. On this evidence, Sam Allardyce's side
should be the more concerned about the possibility of being dragged into a
relegation battle, but they could do nothing about Larsson's spectacular
12th-minute strike.
When Alou Diarra's headed clearance fell to the Swede, he took two touches
before slamming a swerving left-footed drive past the helpless Jussi
Jaaskelainen for his first goal of the season. Sunderland were content to
keep 10 men behind the ball after taking the lead, and West Ham lacked the
guile to break them down, with the absence of injured midfielder Mark Noble
keenly felt. West Ham then contributed to their own downfall for the crucial
second goal: a Premier League debut moment to forget for their 18-year-old
defender Dan Potts. After Jaaskelainen did superbly to save McClean's
strike, Potts dallied on the rebound and the ball fell for Johnson to finish
clinically from five yards. The visitors were then lucky to not concede
again when Colback smashed an effort against the woodwork following some
sloppy defending.
Allardyce's side failed to muster even a corner until the 62nd minute, and
they fell further behind to a strike with a touch of comedy about it. The
impressive Stephane Sessegnon raced into the box but completely miscued his
shot, which fell fortuitously into the path of McClean to tuck away from an
acute angle.
West Ham introduced loan signing Marouane Chamakh and finally began to
create chances in the closing stages. Vaz Te and Tomkins forced fine stops
from Mignolet, but the Hammers could not add to their paltry tally of five
away goals for the season - the lowest in the Premier League.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill : "The win was important for us. I think
anybody in the bottom half of the table still has to be looking anxiously
over their shoulder. "We were brilliant from start to finish. We were
energised after having a couple days off after the Bolton game. "We put West
Ham on the back foot from the beginning, and a great goal from Seb (Larsson)
settled us down." "I think it's our fourth win in seven games in the
Premier League and in the context of things, it was good to win."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We didn't have the appetite for defending
correctly and we never passed the ball as well as we know we can. "(The
second goal) was pathetic, wasn't it? We have a free-kick and we let the
opposition score. "The level of difference in performance between this game
and last week against Manchester United is just staggering. "There are too
many of my defenders injured; George McCartney, Joey O'Brien and today James
Collins. I am really going to have to go and try to strengthen that area in
the next few days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce slams West Ham's shoddy defending
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
A disappointed Sam Allardyce conceded that his team deserved nothing from
today's match at Sunderland whilst criticising his team for what was, at
times, woeful defending. "We didn't make Sunderland work very hard for their
victory today; we've let them enjoy their time out there on the pitch for
the whole 90 minutes which really disappoints me," he told the BBC. "Against
Manchester United, the time we spent snuffing out one of the best attacks in
Europe, never mind the Prmeier League, and limiting them to so few chances
was fantastic. But here today, Sunderland opened us up with ease time after
time - which was baffling for me. "Our work ethic away from home has to be
about stopping the opposition, about earning the right to play and not just
going out thinking it's going to happen. That's how it looked today. "Whilst
we hadn't played well in the first half we were just 1-0 down and if we put
it right and played better then we might have had a chance to get ourselves
back in the game. "Then, all of a sudden we have a free kick, the free kick
gets cleared and lo and behold, they're shooting at our goal with nobody
anywhere near him. Jussi made a great save - and then we messed it up and
allowed them to score. I think that just summed our day up."
The second goal - a mix-up in which Danny Potts was heavily involved having
failed to clear the ball - was the turning point as far as Allardyce, who
also retains major concerns about his team's inability to find the net away
from home, was concerned. "That should have been easily cleared by us and
would have kept us in the game," he insisted. "We've scored so few away
goals this season and it's a big concern for me at this moment in time. We
created a lot of chances today - albeit after Sunderland were 3-0 up - but
we want to be putting them in the back of the net to gain confidence. "It's
a concern; we've only scored five goals away from home this season, it's the
lowest scoring rate in the Premier League. We're going to have to sort out
not just the defensive side but also the goalscoring side. "But tthe players
have to accept responsibilty today for not playing their best and making
sure they get back on track against Manchester United on Wednesday and then
next Saturday against QPR."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce seeking defensive reinforcements
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce reacted to the loss of James Collins by insisting that he will
seek to bring in an additional defender as soon as possible. The Welsh
defender is the latest addition to West Ham's long injury list having torn a
calf muscle in the first half of today's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland; an injury
that could potentially keep him sidelined for several weeks. That leaves
Allardyce with just James Tomkins and Winston Reid as established first team
central defenders - a problem that Allardyce suggested tonight he is keen to
rectify sooner rather than later. "Losing James is a massive blow," he
admitted. "With Joey O'Brien not here and George McCartney out with a
long-standing, medial knee ligament injury to lose Ginge to a tear in his
calf leaves us threadbare defensively. "We're struggling for defenders a
bit at the moment so we need to scour the market for one of those. I need to
get somebody in as quickly as I can. "We need either a centre-back or a
left-back - at least one of them - by the time we play QPR [next week]. We
have to look very carefully at who we play on Wednesday and then for the
following Saturday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 3 West Ham 0: Sebastian Larsson sets up impressive win
Last Updated: January 12, 2013 11:55pm
SSN
Sunderland ended a run of two consecutive Premier League defeats with an
impressive 3-0 win over an under-par West Ham United at the Stadium of
Light.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: David Vaughan may not have had a hand in any of the goals,
but his energetic and combative performance epitomised the spirit of the
victory.
Goal of the Match: Sebastian Larsson got Sunderland off to a great start
with a superb, long-range strike that rocketed into the roof of the net.
Save of the Match: Sunderland's Simon Mignolet was superb throughout, but
his best save came when he pushed Ricardo Vaz Te's close-range strike wide.
Gaffe of the Match: Dan Potts is only 18 - and his inexperience was exposed
when he failed to make a routine clearance, allowing Adam Johnson to score.
Talking Point: West Ham were a shadow of the team that took Manchester
United to the wire last week and once again paid for the inconsistency that
had dogged them all season.
Sebastian Larsson got them off to a perfect start with a superb 12th-minute
opener, before second-half strikes from Adam Johnson and James McClean
sealed a comfortable victory. Martin O'Neill's side were the better team
throughout and are now six points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham,
meanwhile, failed once again to record back-to-back league wins after a poor
performance both in defence and up front. Sunderland raced out of the blocks
and could have gone ahead within three minutes when David Vaughan sent a
drilled left-footed shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box. They
continued to push forward both at pace and in numbers, and Steven Fletcher
was the next to threaten with a goal-bound right-footed effort that was
deflected just wide. West Ham were being overrun and the pressure finally
told after the ball was half-cleared to Larsson 25 yards out. The Swede took
two touches to shift the ball on to his left foot and then let fly a
brilliant shot that rocketed past the helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen and into
the roof of the net. The hosts then strangely let their tempo drop and
allowed West Ham to create their first chance of the game through Matt
Jarvis' low drive, but the visitors were disjointed throughout the opening
period and rarely troubled Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sent on Ricardo Vaz Te at the break as he
looked to mount a fightback, but his side gave a second goal away within two
minutes of the restart. Stephane Sessegnon squared to McClean in acres of
space on the left and after his low shot was saved by Jaaskelainen,
18-year-old defender Dan Potts failed to clear, allowing Johnson to hook
home. The visitors continued to press forward in a valiant bid to get back
into the game, while Sunderland were content to play on the counter-attack.
And the tactic worked perfectly for the hosts, when Johnson broke down the
right and fed Sessegnon, whose miscued shot fell perfectly for McClean to
sidefoot home from an angle.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce disgusted with West Ham's performance in 3-0 defeat at
Sunderland
Last Updated: January 12, 2013 11:57pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was disgusted with his side's performance in the
3-0 defeat at Sunderland. Sebastian Larsson put the home side in front after
12 minutes at the Stadium of Light, with Adam Johnson and James McClean
firing second-half goals to cap off a forgettable day for the Hammers.
Allardyce was particularly unhappy with the defending that led to
Sunderland's second goal, where a comedy of errors allowed Johnson to score.
He said: "Just look at it, it was pathetic, wasn't it? We have a free-kick
and we let the opposition score. "Jussi (Jaaskelainen) gets us out of jail
in the first place by making a really, really good save, and then we mess up
the clearance and they score, so it probably sums us up today. "We didn't
defend correctly, we didn't have the appetite for defending correctly and
nullifying the opposition's strengths, we never passed the ball as well as
we know we can. "It was really an all-round performance that makes life
extremely difficult for me to accept, the performance I have seen based on
how well we played just seven days ago against Manchester United.
"The level of difference in performance between that game and this is just
staggering."
Allardyce admits he will launch a recruitment drive for defenders after
James Collins limped off with a hamstring tear, joining George McCartney and
Joey O'Brien on the sidelines. "The big blow for me is not having enough
defenders at the moment. There are too many of my defenders injured," he
said. "We have had too many injuries recently, but the injury situation with
defenders with George McCartney not being here, Joey O'Brien not being here
and James Collins getting injured today means that the defensive side of our
team is particularly weak and short of numbers now. "I am really going to
have to go and try to strengthen that area in the next few days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
The manager is determined to put things right on the road after suffering a
3-0 defeat at Sunderland
12.01.2013
Sam Allardyce said his West Ham United team must improve their away form if
they are to enjoy a comfortable second half to the Barclays Premier League
season. The Hammers' travel sickness continued as they slumped to a 3-0
defeat at Sunderland on Saturday - their sixth defeat in ten away league
games in 2012/13. Sebastian Larsson climaxed a dominant opening from the
Black Cats by lashing the hosts in front on 12 minutes. West Ham kept their
deficit to one goal until half-time, despite losing James Collins to a calf
injury, only for a 47th-minute defensive mix-up to allow Adam Johnson to
double Sunderland's lead. With the Hammers chasing the game, James McClean
added a third. Speaking to West Ham TV, Big Sam said his players had simply
not produced the goods on the road again at the Stadium of Light. "It was
the time and the way that we conceded the second goal that was most
frustrating. We had a free-kick and a chance to score a goal to get us back
in the game at 1-1, we had set up nicely and the ball went in with us having
two defenders sat midway inside Sunderland's half without a Sunderland
player anywhere near them. "The ball gets headed out and, in the space of a
few seconds, Stephane Sessegnon is running down their right in behind Guy
Demel and he passed it across the box and there is James McClean stood all
on his own. God only knows where our defenders had gone. "Jussi Jaaskelainen
gets us out of the mire by making a great save and then we go and mess up
the clearance and Johnson puts it in. It probably summed our day up from
start to finish. I don't know why the players have shown what they showed
today because it wasn't anywhere near our best, as we know. "They can play
but it's away from home that is becoming a bit of a concern for me because
of the lack of performances and goals we're getting. It's becoming a big
concern for me and I have got to make sure I put it right for Wednesday
because otherwise we'll be looking at a real thrashing at Old Trafford and
that won't be good for confidence going into the home game with QPR next
weekend. "Our home form and performances are outstanding but our away
performances are the reverse of that - they are just not good enough."
Just a few months on from a promotion season that saw West Ham win a club
record-high 14 away league matches, the Hammers have managed just two
victories and five goals in ten away league matches. Big Sam was also
concerned at the drop-off in performance compared to that produced in the
2-2 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round draw with Manchester United at the
Boleyn Ground the previous weekend. "We didn't look like the same set of
players this week who played last week, with no disrespect to Sunderland
because they are not as good as Manchester United, and managed to close
Manchester United down and nearly shut them out. "We couldn't shut
Sunderland out today - in fact we let them do what they wanted, attack when
they wanted and play to their strengths when they wanted. Whenever they
attacked and got around our box they looked like they were going to score.
"We showed no organisation or desire to stop them doing what they wanted to
do, and we did all of that perfectly well against Manchester United, so it
baffles me that the application to stop the opposition playing at home and
to get the fans excited wasn't there. "On the back of that, we're unlikely
to go and win a game. We've got to win the right to play and stop the
opposition when we're playing on their patch and then we can look to play
from there on. We never did that today at all."
While West Ham remain eleventh in the table, Big Sam called on his squad to
collect points as quickly as possible to avoid being dragged into a
relegation battle. "We have a game in-hand but it's Arsenal away and we're
not playing very well away from home at the moment." Having already lost
Mark Noble to a slight calf injury in the lead-up to the game, Big Sam was
forced to reshuffle his defence when Collins was forced off with a more
serious calf problem midway through the first half. With George McCartney
and Joey O'Brien also on the sidelines, the manager said he aimed to delve
into the transfer market again this week to bolster his defence. "Losing
James is a massive blow. With Joey not here and George out with a
long-standing medial knee ligament injury, to lose Ginge to a tear in his
calf leaves us threadbare defensively and I need to get somebody in as
quickly as I can. "We need either a centre-back or a left-back - at least
one of them - by the time we play QPR. We have to look very carefully at who
we play on Wednesday and then for the following Saturday. "We have to take
it on the chin and admit we were second-best today. We do lose games of
football and we have to accept that we will lose, but I cannot accept how we
played today when I saw how well we played seven days ago. "
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s earn their Spurs
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' U18s start the Tier One Stage with a 1-0 win over Tottenham
Hotspur at Little Heath
12.01.2013
West Ham United started their Barclays U18 Premier League Tier One campaign
with an encouraging 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath on
Saturday. A well-taken finish from midfielder Ben Marlow straight after
half-time gave newly-appointed manager Steve Potts a perfect start in his
new job.
The match started with both teams looking to control the game from the
midfield, with Hammers midfielder Josh Cullen getting involved in the centre
of the pitch, winning possession of the ball and attempting to start the
attacking moves. As the game got into its flow, Tottenham began to adapt and
take over the majority of the play, passing the ball around the pitch and
pushing their attacking players further into West Ham's half in search of a
goal. Spurs' dominance in the first half almost saw them take the lead on
several occasions. Daniel Akindayini twice found himself behind the Hammers
defence, but West Ham goalkeeper Gines Guzman Rosique was equal to all that
the forward fired at him. The Hammers tried to work their own opportunities,
with Thomas Gogo, Taylor Tombides and Nana Boakye-Yiadom all causing a
threat to the Spurs back four with their pace. Tottenham's hard work to
dominate the first half was ripped apart straight after the break.
Centre-half Jamie Harney clipped the ball into Cullen, who looked up and
found Gogo running in behind the Spurs defence. Gogo laid the ball into the
path of Marlow, who finished confidently into the bottom corner. The Hammers
were boosted by the goal and began to frustrate their opponents by keeping
possession of the ball, making the Tottenham youngsters chase to earn the
ball back. Tottenham's best effort of the second half came from Akindayini,
but his powerful shot was again turned away by an impressive save from
Rosique. The Hammers were under pressure in the closing stages as Spurs
hunted for the equaliser, but as the home defence held strong, substitute
Marcio Martins could have wrapped the game up for West Ham when he was
through on goal, but the young striker was just denied by the leg of an
opposing defender as he prepared for a shot. Today's victory gives the
Hammers the best-possible start to their Barclays U18 Premier League Tier
One campaign, with Potts' men travelling to face Stoke City for their next
league fixture on Saturday 19 January.
West Ham United U18s: Rosique, Siafa, Page (Homans), Marlow, Harney,
Girdlestone, Gogo, Cullen, T.Tombides (Martins), Makasi, Boakye-Yiadom
(Pike)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U21s start with Manchester United trip
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad start the Elite Group Stage with a visit to Manchester
United on Monday
07.01.2013
West Ham United will start the Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage
with a trip to Manchester United on Monday 14 January. Nick Haycock's
Development Squad qualified for the Elite Group by winning the Group 1 title
before Christmas and will now play for the right to be named as the
country's best U21 side. To do so, the Hammers will need to finish in the
top three to reach the end-of-season play-offs. The winners of the Tier One
and Tier Two Stage groups will play-off to meet the winners of the Elite
Group in one semi-final, while the second and third-place Elite Group
finishers will contest the other. The winners of the two semi-finals will
contest the final. Following Monday's trip to Altrincham FC's Moss Rose
ground to face the Red Devils, the Hammers open their home slate of fixtures
with the visit of Group 3 title winners Liverpool to Rush Green on Friday 18
January, kick-off 7pm. The Elite Group also comprises Group 1 runners-up
Arsenal, Southampton, Group 2 winners Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich
Albion - who finished third in Group 1 - and Wolverhampton Wanderers. One
home fixture will be played at the Boleyn Ground - the visit of Tottenham on
Monday 8 April, kick-off 7pm.
2012/13 Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage fixtures
(Home matches in Bold)
Mon 14 Jan Manchester United 7pm (at Altrincham FC)
Fri 18 Jan Liverpool 7pm (at Rush Green)
Mon 28 Jan Arsenal 1pm (at Colney Training Ground)
Mon 4 Feb Tottenham Hotspur 12noon (THFC Training Ground)
Fri 8 Feb West Bromwich Albion 7pm (Rush Green)
Fri 15 Feb Southampton Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Tue 26 Feb Wolverhampton Wanderers 7pm (AFC Telford United)
Fri 1 Mar Manchester United Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Mon 11 Mar Liverpool Away 2pm (The Academy, Kirby)
Fri 15 Mar Arsenal Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Sun 31 Mar West Bromwich Albion 2pm (WBA Training Ground)
Mon 8 Apr Tottenham Hotspur Home 7pm (Boleyn Ground)
Mon 15 Apr Southampton Away 7pm (Eastleigh FC)
Fri 19 Apr Wolverhampton Wanderers Home 7pm (Rush Green)
Competition notes -
The top two sides and two best third-place teams from three First Group
Stage groups will go forward to the Elite Group Stage.
The other third-place team, fourth and fifth-place teams and best
sixth-place teams will go forward to Tier One Stage. The two other
sixth-place teams, seventh and eighth-place teams will go forward to Tier
Two Stage.
The Tier One and Tier Two winners will play-off to meet the winners of the
Elite Group in one semi-final, while the second and third-place Elite Group
finishers will contest the other. The winners of the two semi-finals will
contest the final.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 3 West Ham 0
12 January 2013
Last updated at 17:27
By Kevin Darling
BBC Sport
Impressive Sunderland brushed aside woeful West Ham with an emphatic win to
ease relegation fears on Wearside. Sebastian Larsson's 25-yard thunderbolt
lit up a dour first half, before Adam Johnson pounced after a Dan Potts
error to double the lead from close range. Jack Colback hit the woodwork as
West Ham began to crumble, before James McClean finished from a tight angle.
The visitors failed to threaten until the end, when Ricardo Vaz Te and James
Tomkins were denied by Simon Mignolet. The 3-0 scoreline was no less than
Sunderland deserved for taking full advantage of an abject display by the
visitors. West Ham have scored only five goals on their travels this season
- the lowest of any Premier League side. Larsson's sublime opener was the
only real moment of quality in the first half, but after the break the Black
Cats tormented their opponents with some slick counter-attacking football.
Sunderland now sit one point behind the Hammers as both sides' seasons take
on a distinctly mid-table feel. On this evidence, Sam Allardyce's side
should be the more concerned about the possibility of being dragged into a
relegation battle, but they could do nothing about Larsson's spectacular
12th-minute strike.
When Alou Diarra's headed clearance fell to the Swede, he took two touches
before slamming a swerving left-footed drive past the helpless Jussi
Jaaskelainen for his first goal of the season. Sunderland were content to
keep 10 men behind the ball after taking the lead, and West Ham lacked the
guile to break them down, with the absence of injured midfielder Mark Noble
keenly felt. West Ham then contributed to their own downfall for the crucial
second goal: a Premier League debut moment to forget for their 18-year-old
defender Dan Potts. After Jaaskelainen did superbly to save McClean's
strike, Potts dallied on the rebound and the ball fell for Johnson to finish
clinically from five yards. The visitors were then lucky to not concede
again when Colback smashed an effort against the woodwork following some
sloppy defending.
Allardyce's side failed to muster even a corner until the 62nd minute, and
they fell further behind to a strike with a touch of comedy about it. The
impressive Stephane Sessegnon raced into the box but completely miscued his
shot, which fell fortuitously into the path of McClean to tuck away from an
acute angle.
West Ham introduced loan signing Marouane Chamakh and finally began to
create chances in the closing stages. Vaz Te and Tomkins forced fine stops
from Mignolet, but the Hammers could not add to their paltry tally of five
away goals for the season - the lowest in the Premier League.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill : "The win was important for us. I think
anybody in the bottom half of the table still has to be looking anxiously
over their shoulder. "We were brilliant from start to finish. We were
energised after having a couple days off after the Bolton game. "We put West
Ham on the back foot from the beginning, and a great goal from Seb (Larsson)
settled us down." "I think it's our fourth win in seven games in the
Premier League and in the context of things, it was good to win."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "We didn't have the appetite for defending
correctly and we never passed the ball as well as we know we can. "(The
second goal) was pathetic, wasn't it? We have a free-kick and we let the
opposition score. "The level of difference in performance between this game
and last week against Manchester United is just staggering. "There are too
many of my defenders injured; George McCartney, Joey O'Brien and today James
Collins. I am really going to have to go and try to strengthen that area in
the next few days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce slams West Ham's shoddy defending
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
A disappointed Sam Allardyce conceded that his team deserved nothing from
today's match at Sunderland whilst criticising his team for what was, at
times, woeful defending. "We didn't make Sunderland work very hard for their
victory today; we've let them enjoy their time out there on the pitch for
the whole 90 minutes which really disappoints me," he told the BBC. "Against
Manchester United, the time we spent snuffing out one of the best attacks in
Europe, never mind the Prmeier League, and limiting them to so few chances
was fantastic. But here today, Sunderland opened us up with ease time after
time - which was baffling for me. "Our work ethic away from home has to be
about stopping the opposition, about earning the right to play and not just
going out thinking it's going to happen. That's how it looked today. "Whilst
we hadn't played well in the first half we were just 1-0 down and if we put
it right and played better then we might have had a chance to get ourselves
back in the game. "Then, all of a sudden we have a free kick, the free kick
gets cleared and lo and behold, they're shooting at our goal with nobody
anywhere near him. Jussi made a great save - and then we messed it up and
allowed them to score. I think that just summed our day up."
The second goal - a mix-up in which Danny Potts was heavily involved having
failed to clear the ball - was the turning point as far as Allardyce, who
also retains major concerns about his team's inability to find the net away
from home, was concerned. "That should have been easily cleared by us and
would have kept us in the game," he insisted. "We've scored so few away
goals this season and it's a big concern for me at this moment in time. We
created a lot of chances today - albeit after Sunderland were 3-0 up - but
we want to be putting them in the back of the net to gain confidence. "It's
a concern; we've only scored five goals away from home this season, it's the
lowest scoring rate in the Premier League. We're going to have to sort out
not just the defensive side but also the goalscoring side. "But tthe players
have to accept responsibilty today for not playing their best and making
sure they get back on track against Manchester United on Wednesday and then
next Saturday against QPR."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce seeking defensive reinforcements
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th January 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce reacted to the loss of James Collins by insisting that he will
seek to bring in an additional defender as soon as possible. The Welsh
defender is the latest addition to West Ham's long injury list having torn a
calf muscle in the first half of today's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland; an injury
that could potentially keep him sidelined for several weeks. That leaves
Allardyce with just James Tomkins and Winston Reid as established first team
central defenders - a problem that Allardyce suggested tonight he is keen to
rectify sooner rather than later. "Losing James is a massive blow," he
admitted. "With Joey O'Brien not here and George McCartney out with a
long-standing, medial knee ligament injury to lose Ginge to a tear in his
calf leaves us threadbare defensively. "We're struggling for defenders a
bit at the moment so we need to scour the market for one of those. I need to
get somebody in as quickly as I can. "We need either a centre-back or a
left-back - at least one of them - by the time we play QPR [next week]. We
have to look very carefully at who we play on Wednesday and then for the
following Saturday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sunderland 3 West Ham 0: Sebastian Larsson sets up impressive win
Last Updated: January 12, 2013 11:55pm
SSN
Sunderland ended a run of two consecutive Premier League defeats with an
impressive 3-0 win over an under-par West Ham United at the Stadium of
Light.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: David Vaughan may not have had a hand in any of the goals,
but his energetic and combative performance epitomised the spirit of the
victory.
Goal of the Match: Sebastian Larsson got Sunderland off to a great start
with a superb, long-range strike that rocketed into the roof of the net.
Save of the Match: Sunderland's Simon Mignolet was superb throughout, but
his best save came when he pushed Ricardo Vaz Te's close-range strike wide.
Gaffe of the Match: Dan Potts is only 18 - and his inexperience was exposed
when he failed to make a routine clearance, allowing Adam Johnson to score.
Talking Point: West Ham were a shadow of the team that took Manchester
United to the wire last week and once again paid for the inconsistency that
had dogged them all season.
Sebastian Larsson got them off to a perfect start with a superb 12th-minute
opener, before second-half strikes from Adam Johnson and James McClean
sealed a comfortable victory. Martin O'Neill's side were the better team
throughout and are now six points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham,
meanwhile, failed once again to record back-to-back league wins after a poor
performance both in defence and up front. Sunderland raced out of the blocks
and could have gone ahead within three minutes when David Vaughan sent a
drilled left-footed shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box. They
continued to push forward both at pace and in numbers, and Steven Fletcher
was the next to threaten with a goal-bound right-footed effort that was
deflected just wide. West Ham were being overrun and the pressure finally
told after the ball was half-cleared to Larsson 25 yards out. The Swede took
two touches to shift the ball on to his left foot and then let fly a
brilliant shot that rocketed past the helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen and into
the roof of the net. The hosts then strangely let their tempo drop and
allowed West Ham to create their first chance of the game through Matt
Jarvis' low drive, but the visitors were disjointed throughout the opening
period and rarely troubled Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sent on Ricardo Vaz Te at the break as he
looked to mount a fightback, but his side gave a second goal away within two
minutes of the restart. Stephane Sessegnon squared to McClean in acres of
space on the left and after his low shot was saved by Jaaskelainen,
18-year-old defender Dan Potts failed to clear, allowing Johnson to hook
home. The visitors continued to press forward in a valiant bid to get back
into the game, while Sunderland were content to play on the counter-attack.
And the tactic worked perfectly for the hosts, when Johnson broke down the
right and fed Sessegnon, whose miscued shot fell perfectly for McClean to
sidefoot home from an angle.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce disgusted with West Ham's performance in 3-0 defeat at
Sunderland
Last Updated: January 12, 2013 11:57pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was disgusted with his side's performance in the
3-0 defeat at Sunderland. Sebastian Larsson put the home side in front after
12 minutes at the Stadium of Light, with Adam Johnson and James McClean
firing second-half goals to cap off a forgettable day for the Hammers.
Allardyce was particularly unhappy with the defending that led to
Sunderland's second goal, where a comedy of errors allowed Johnson to score.
He said: "Just look at it, it was pathetic, wasn't it? We have a free-kick
and we let the opposition score. "Jussi (Jaaskelainen) gets us out of jail
in the first place by making a really, really good save, and then we mess up
the clearance and they score, so it probably sums us up today. "We didn't
defend correctly, we didn't have the appetite for defending correctly and
nullifying the opposition's strengths, we never passed the ball as well as
we know we can. "It was really an all-round performance that makes life
extremely difficult for me to accept, the performance I have seen based on
how well we played just seven days ago against Manchester United.
"The level of difference in performance between that game and this is just
staggering."
Allardyce admits he will launch a recruitment drive for defenders after
James Collins limped off with a hamstring tear, joining George McCartney and
Joey O'Brien on the sidelines. "The big blow for me is not having enough
defenders at the moment. There are too many of my defenders injured," he
said. "We have had too many injuries recently, but the injury situation with
defenders with George McCartney not being here, Joey O'Brien not being here
and James Collins getting injured today means that the defensive side of our
team is particularly weak and short of numbers now. "I am really going to
have to go and try to strengthen that area in the next few days."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
