On this day - 17 November
WHUFC.com
An emphatic win in 1971 sends the Hammers into the League Cup semi-finals
17.11.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 5-0 Sheffield United
League Cup
17 November 1971
A Bryan Robson hat-trick fired Ron Greenwood's West Ham United into the last
four of the League Cup, as they eased past Sheffield United on this day 42
years ago. Robson's haul, in addition to a Clyde Best double, proved plenty
to book a semi-final tie against Stoke City. Following a 2-1 win in the
Potteries, the Hammers lost 1-0 at home, sending the tie to a replay. After
a goalless draw in a first replay at Hillsborough, Stoke prevailed 3-2 in
the fourth meeting, this time at Old Trafford, to see Greenwood's men out of
the competition.
Complete record - 17 November
1923 Burnley 5-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1928 West Ham United 0-1 Portsmouth (Division One)
1934 West Ham United 2-0 Sheffield United (Division Two)
1951 Doncaster Rovers 4-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1956 Middlesbrough 3-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1962 West Ham United 2-2 Fulham (Division One)
1965 Grimsby Town 2-2 West Ham United (League Cup)
1971 West Ham United 5-0 Sheffield United (League Cup)
1973 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1979 West Ham United 2-0 Swansea Town (Division Two)
1984 West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland (Division One)
1990 West Ham United 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Division Two)
1991 West Ham United 0-0 Liverpool (Division One)
1997 West Ham United 4-1 Walsall (League Cup)
2002 West Ham United 1-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Played 15, Won 6, Drawn 5, Lost 4, Scored 24, Conceded 21
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Chambers up for the Cup
WHUFC.com
Leo Chambers is looking forward to playing a part in the inaugural U21
Barclays Premier League Cup
16.11.2013
Leo Chambers is looking forward to playing a part in the inaugural U21
Barclays Premier League Cup after West Ham United were drawn against Bristol
City.
The Hammers will meet the Robins when they enter the competition at the
Round of 32 stage after City overcame Peterborough United 1-0 to earn a home
tie against Nick Haycock's Development Squad. A date has yet to be set for
the match, which will take place at Ashton Gate, and Chambers believes the
competition will provide a taster of what awaits in the future. He told West
Ham TV: "We've got a similar competition at youth team level with the FA
Youth Cup. "With the Under-21 Cup now it gets us ready for the real FA Cup
and the pressure that goes with being one loss away from going out, so I
think it will be good for us."
Chambers and his teammates have enjoyed a strong start to their Barclays
Under-21 Premier League season and currently sit proudly on top of the table
after nine matches. They've tasted defeat just once but the defender says
the squad will not underestimate their opposition. "We don't fear anyone but
we respect whoever we play against. Whether it's Bristol City or Arsenal we
show no disrespect to any team we play against and we'll try our best to
play to our maximum."
The versatile defender is comfortable at right-back or centre-back and has
not been limited to appearing for the Under-21s this season. Chambers has
played 90 minutes in all of the Club's three Capital One Cup wins and has
had further chance to impress the first team coaching staff over the current
international break. The 18-year-old played the whole match on Friday as a
West Ham United XI drew 2-2 with Millwall in a behind closed doors friendly
match and Chambers feels the match was an excellent test. "It was a very
good game. They came with a strong squad and we had a few seniors out there
ourselves. The young lads that came in, myself, Pottsy, (Dan Potts) and
Pelly Ruddock all did well and I think it was a good game. "It's always a
good experience playing against people that are playing in the football
league week in, week out. The guy I was up against today, Andy Keogh, did
well and like I said it was a good experience for me."
With the Development Squad currently experiencing a four-week break in
league fixtures, Chambers feels games against opposition such as Millwall
serve the players well. "Playing in these games is always a good experience
and training is good for us, but we're preparing ourselves to play against
seasoned professionals, so these games are always helpful for myself and for
the senior lads who don't play week in, week out. "I wouldn't say it's hard
to keep focus because obviously we have a good training schedule to keep us
in top shape. These games always help when we don't have regular league
fixtures. I wouldn't say it's hard to keep focussed on the league because we
have games like this which are also good experiences for us."
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U18s triumph against Royals
WHUFC.com
Djair Parfitt-Williams netted a treble as the Hammers' U18s came out on top
against Reading
16.11.2013
A hat-trick from the returning Djair Parfitt-Williams fired West Ham United
Under-18s to a convincing 3-1 victory over Reading on Saturday morning. The
winger returned to Steve Potts' starting XI after missing four games through
injury and he turned in a brilliant display at Reading's training ground,
providing the goals that extended the Hammers' unbeaten run to eight games.
The victory also sees the U18s move above the Royals into fifth place in the
Barclays U18 Premier League and coach Tony Carr MBE insists it was a
comprehensive win. He told whufc.com: "We thought Aston Villa last week was
as good as we've played this season, I would agree with that and I think
we've carried on from that performance. "It was a very complete performance,
we played well, created good goal-scoring opportunities and took them. I
thought they were gracious in defeat. "Eamonn Dolan, an ex-West Ham United
player, is their Academy Manager and he came up to me after the game and
said we were the better team and we thoroughly deserved the victory. We were
pleased with our performance and hopefully we can keep it going until the
Christmas break."
In an open contest the Hammers forged a two-goal lead early in the first
half, before Reading struck back to halve the deficit by half-time. Both
sides hit the bar in an entertaining second half before Parfitt-Williams
sealed both his hat-trick and the three points. The winger's goals added to
the two he has already bagged this season and Carr was pleased that the wide
man was on hand to finish off three of the numerous openings created by the
away side. "I thought he played very well, but having said that I wouldn't
say we were a one man team today," he added. "It was very much a team
performance and Djair was on the end of some very good team movements, so
credit to him. "It doesn't take away from the fact that it was a very good
all round team performance and I wouldn't like to single anyone out although
Djair will grab the headlines because of the hat-trick which ought to be
noted."
After a rough start to the season of only one win in five games, the team
are now flying under the guidance of Potts and Carr. With the team's
unbeaten run fast approaching double figures, Carr reckons the team are full
of belief in their ability right now. "We've put consistent results together
and the boys are playing with lots of confidence. We're going into games now
believing that we can win them so it's breeding more confidence and that's
good for them, their futures and their progress."
The Under-18s are next in action when they take on Fulham at Little Heath on
Saturday 23 November, with a kick-off set for 11am.
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REMEMBERING CLYDE BEST
By Tony Hanna 16 Nov 2013 at 14:58
West Ham Till I Die
Quick for a big man, powerful and strong, a more athletic looking player you
will never see. Clyde had it all but never became the finished article. That
may seem a bit unfair on a player who is somewhat of a legend at Upton Park,
but for those who did see him play, I am sure most would agree he never
fully realised his true potential. Clyde had all the assets to be a
superstar of the game. When he did score it was normally a beauty – a net
ripping shot or an unstoppable header. Whilst he did infuriate all too
often, he is very warmly remembered.
He played seven seasons at West Ham from 1969 to 1976 and played 221 games,
scoring 58 goals. Born in Bermuda, Clyde Best was one of the first pioneers
for the modern black footballer in England. There weren't many black players
playing in the old first division back then and Clyde suffered taunts and
abuse from away fans on a regular basis. Clyde just had to get on with it as
there were no laws or guidelines to protect such things happening forty
years ago. Black or foreign players were very few and far between in the
early seventies and racism was completely unbridled.
At just 19 he made his first big mistake but at least he did learn from it.
Clyde joined Bobby Moore, Brian Dear, Jimmy Greaves and physio Rob Jenkins
in a late night, or should I say early morning, drinking session the night
before an FA Cup tie at Blackpool. The Hammers were favourites to win the
game but were beaten 4-0. The booze party was splattered all over the sports
pages just a few days after the game. Ron Greenwood was not happy! He wanted
all four sacked but was persuaded that fines would be sufficient. However,
Dear left the club within weeks and Greaves retired some months later. Clyde
kept low for a while! He was probably lucky that Bobby Moore had been one of
the culprits or perhaps Ron would have got his way? In his early seasons
Clyde benefited from playing alongside Geoff Hurst and in the 1971/2 season
he scored 23 goals. Following Hurst's move to Stoke though, Clyde scored
just 34 more times in a Hammers shirt and in 1976 moved away to play in the
United States.
Clyde Best played twice for Bermuda, amazingly his debut was at fifteen.
This again illustrates the natural raw talent that Clyde was. He also
coached the Bermuda national side from 1997 to 1999. In 2004 Clyde was the
first athlete to be inducted into the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame and in
2006 he was awarded an MBE for services to Bermudian football and to the
community.
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ALOU DIARRA COMEBACK?
By Sean Whetstone 16 Nov 2013 at 09:00
West Ham Till I Die
Alou Diarra is poised to return to first team action after originally being
ruled out for the rest of the season after anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction in August.
Diarra needed surgery after injuring his knee in the Capital One Cup 2-1 win
over Cheltenham. After making it through three West Ham Development games it
is claimed he is now in the first team squad and available for selection for
the Chelsea home match. Diarra, played 90 minutes in West Ham 9-0 win over
Gillingham game on Tuesday and said after the match 'I am happy to now be
doing my job, playing football, and my recovery has been amazingly quick'.
He also played in West Ham XI friendly against Millwall on Friday.
West Ham are believed to have paid a fee of around £2.5 million in August
2012 for Diarra from Marseille who were keen to get his hefty £60,000 a week
wages of their books. By January this year his days seemed numbered after he
claimed he was lied to by West Ham & agents.
After just five appearances in a West Ham shirt, Diarra claimed he was
deceived by West Ham when they tried to lure him to Upton Park in the
summer.
'The speeches were so positive,' Diarra told L'Equipe. 'I was told that I
was a priority for the manager' 'At 31-years-old, I wanted to find another
league, and Marseille needed to reduce their wage bill, so it suited
everyone 'It was England, London, West Ham, a popular club with a true
identity. It was an opportunity to settle in the Premier League. I did not
ask, I trusted 'After a few weeks, I realised that there were a lot of lies.
This agent has fooled me. Some people have made money on my back.
Admittedly, I have three year contract but I'm not unhappy financially, but
I came to play, not to take an early retirement. I am positively at breaking
point.'
Allardyce responded at the time saying "It is a fact of life, I look at the
situation and play what I consider the best team, and because of Alou's
long-standing injury he has found it hard to adjust to what is needed in the
Premier League. If he is unhappy, he just has to tell me what he wants to do
and we'll see how we go from there. We'll have that discussion and we'll
make a decision after that on his future."
Not long after these exchange of words in the media he was shipped out to
Rennes on a six month loan and his West Ham career seemed at an end.
However, pre-season he was back seemed ready to make peace with West Ham. He
told the club website "I want to fight this season with West Ham, I'll give
100 per cent in training and I'll wait for my chance. I want to give my best
for West Ham and we'll see. I'm ready to play in the Premier League now.
Pre-season has gone well. We work hard every day, and we've only lost one
game so it has been a good start for us"
The question is where exactly will Diarra fit back into the team and is he
likely to be given a chance to repay some of the estimated £5 million we
have invested in transfer fees and wages?
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Andy Carroll fitness lift to give West Ham boss Sam Allardyce early
Christmas present by returning to action
16 Nov 2013 22:28
The Mirror
Andy Carroll is set to give West Ham manager Sam Allardyce an early
Christmas present by returning to action next month. The £15million striker
has been absent all season, plagued by a succession of injuries. Carroll has
been sent to Amercia and Belgium in a bid to regain fitness after he damaged
an ankle during pre-season. He suffered a setback after returning to
training but intensive treatment looks ready to pay off. The 24-year-old has
pencilled in a comeback against Sunderland at Upton Park on December 14 in
the Premier League for his first appearance of the season, but may have to
wait a week after that.
Allardyce will be looking to re-inforce his squad in January and may make a
move for former Fulham and Tottenham striker Clint Dempsey, who is available
on loan from Seattle Sounders during the MLS close season. Longer-term,
Allardyce could move for Finnish star Tim Vayrynen, 20. He is out of
contract in a year and it would take only £500,000 to sign him from his club
FC Honka.
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Sunday, November 17
Saturday, November 16
Daily WHUFC News - 16th November 2013
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Alou Diarra on returning to the pitch, his first-team hopes and watching
France's FIFA World Cup Play-Off
15.11.2013
Bonjour everyone,
I am happy to now be doing my job, playing football, and my recovery has
been amazingly quick. I am surprised, like everybody, but we've taken our
time and worked hard together and my knee is steady and I can play. I played
90 minutes in the game on Tuesday against Gillingham and I think this was my
last test. Now, I think I am available for the first team and hopefully I
will train hard to have a chance to play with West Ham United. I am not
feeling 100 per cent just yet, but my knee is feeling stable and stronger.
With every training session I will get better and I am happy to be playing
because it was eight hard weeks.
I was very unlucky because I did a good pre-season, but football is like
that. I must accept my injury and I have worked hard to come back. Now I'm
on the pitch and I try to do my best and am available for the team now. I
will train hard every day to try to play in the Premier League. Maybe I will
be involved against Chelsea. I hope so. I hope I will be ready, but it is up
to the manager.
Before then, I will be watching the World Cup Play-Off matches between
France and Ukraine. France is my country and I hope we will go to the World
Cup in Brazil next year. We were in a very difficult qualifying group with
Spain, who went through automatically. Now, I think the Play-Off is 50-50.
It will be difficult to play in Kiev. I have played before against this
team, Ukraine, and it is really hard to play against them away from home.
France must score one away goal and they will have a chance to go to the
World Cup.
I was a lucky guy because I played in the World Cup final in 2006. It was my
best experience in my job and I can talk about it with the young players,
which is amazing. The feeling was one you cannot feel before or after. I
have too many pictures in my head of that final - Zinedine Zidane's penalty
kick, his red card, the great atmosphere in Berlin and the penalty shootout
we ultimately lost. We were very unlucky to lose this final because I think
we were better than Italy and played better football.
The World Cup is a big event and a country like France must be there in
2014. England, Brazil and the other big countries will be there, so the
France squad must not miss this World Cup. It will be hard to go through,
but we can. We have good players like Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema
playing for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, so they must go to the World Cup.
It will be great for us as a country and a people if we could go to the
World Cup.
A bientôt,
Alou
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Carlton Cole nets in Millwall draw
WHUFC.com
A West Ham United XI played out a 2-2 friendly draw with Millwall at the
Boleyn Ground
15.11.2013
A West Ham United XI played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Millwall this
afternoon in a friendly at the Boleyn Ground. Carlton Cole followed up his
goal against Gillingham on Tuesday with another here as he pounced on a
loose ball in the box to cancel out Andy Keogh's opener. Richard Chaplow
put the Lions back in front with a smart finish after a nice team move but
they weren't ahead for long as a trialist turned home Modibo Maiga's centre
for the equaliser.
Neil McDonald took charge of a home side which featured a blend of youth and
experience against a strong Sky Bet Championship outfit. A Hammers team
which included 16-year-old goalkeeper Sam Howes behind a young back four,
had the better of the opening exchanges with Cole going close after his
header from a George McCartney cross flew just over the bar with seven
minutes gone. The visitors did however occasionally threaten on the
counter-attack and took the lead courtesy of such a move after 14 minutes
when Lee Martin got to the byline and swept in a cross for the onrushing
Keogh to head past Howes. Just two minutes later and the trialist came close
to levelling the scores but saw his close-range volley saved by former West
Ham keeper Stephen Bywater. The Hammers were on top and with half an hour
gone they found the equaliser as Cole turned the ball home after it fell at
his feet from a Matt Jarvis corner. With five minutes remaining to half-time
Maiga came close to handing the Hammers the lead when he struck a powerful
left-foot shot which flicked the outside of the post.
After the interval, the trialist had a golden chance to put the hosts in
front when Maiga's low cross found him at the back post but he could only
pick out Bywater with his sliding finish. Jarvis had a shot beaten away as
the home team pressed before Chaplow found himself unmarked at the back post
but could only unleash a wayward volley from Martin's through ball. In the
68th minute though the midfielder did find the back of the net as Howes saw
his kick charged down allowing Keogh to slide a pass through to Chaplow who
applied the finish from close range. Both sides then made several changes
with the home side introducing Taylor Miles and Danny Whitehead for Jarvis
and Joe Cole. West Ham had only been behind for eight minutes when the
trialist was in the right place to meet Maiga's centre with a cool header.
As the game headed towards a stalemate the Hammers created a couple of late
opportunities as they pushed for a winner. First, substitute Matthias Fanimo
provided a deep cross which found its way to Maiga but the front man's
header was off target. With just a matter of minutes left another
substitute, Blair Turgott, came agonisingly close to winning the match as he
raced into the box, latching onto to Maiga's through ball but his low shot
just rolled wide of the far post.
West Ham United: Howes, Ruddock, Potts, Chambers, McCartney, J.Cole (Miles),
Trialist (Fanimo), C.Cole, Maiga, Jarvis (Whitehead), Diarra (Turgott).
Subs not used: Burke, Knoyle
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International round-up
WHUFC.com
Razvan Rat's Romania were defeated in Greece in their FIFA World Cup
Play-Off first leg
15.11.2013
Razvan Rat and his Romania team-mates face an uphill task to reach Brazil
2014 after being defeated 3-1 in Greece in their FIFA World Cup Play-Off
first leg in Athens on Friday evening. Rat was booked late on to cap a
disappointing night for the Romanians, who fell a goal behind to Kostas
Mitroglou before Bogdan Stancu equalised. Dimitris Salpingidis put Greece
ahead almost immediately before Mitroglou put the Greeks in the driving seat
ahead of next Tuesday's second leg in Bucharest.
Elsewhere, Joey O'Brien was an unused substitute as Republic of Ireland
began the Martin O'Neill/Roy Keane era with a 3-0 friendly win over Latvia
in Dublin. Robbie Keane was among the Irish scorers. He will hope to earn
his sixth cap against Poland in Poznan on Tuesday 19 November.
Jack Collison has been added to Chris Coleman's Wales squad for their
international friendly with Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Hammers midfielder Collison joins James Collins in the Wales party with the
pair looking to add to their 16 and 43 caps respectively.
Ravel Morrison helped England continue their fine start to their UEFA U21
Championship qualifying campaign by recording a 3-0 win against Finland in
Milton Keynes on Thursday evening. Morrison played 83 minutes and will
expect to feature again when England host San Marino in Shrewsbury next
week. Gareth Southgate's team will be looking to continue their unbeaten
start to their qualification campaign, which has seen them take 13 points
from their opening five games. Morrison earned his first call-up to the
Under-21s for their last round of qualifiers, and scored in the 5-0 mauling
of Lithuania. The Young Lions are set to take on Finland at Milton Keynes
Dons' stadiummk on Thursday 14 November, before moving on to Shrewsbury
Town's Greenhaus Stadium for the San Marino clash on Tuesday 19 November.
Also set to represent his country in this next set of internationals is
Mohamed Diame, who has been named in the Senegal squad for the second leg of
their FIFA World Cup Play-Off against Ivory Coast on Saturday 16 November.
Senegal are 3-1 down following the away leg and will have to play the home
match in Morocco as they are currently serving a suspension from playing
matches in Senegal due to crowd disturbances.
Winston Reid missed New Zealand's 5-1 2014 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental
Play-Off first-leg defeat in Mexico due to an ankle injury. He will also
miss the second leg in Wellington next Wednesday.
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On this day - 16 November
WHUFC.com
The Hammers blew Wolves away on this day 39 years ago
16.11.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 5-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Division One
16 November 1974
West Ham struck five as they swept aside their visitors from the Midlands to
move up to seventh in Division One. Having sat 22nd and last just ten games
previously, this high-scoring victory meant they had only lost one game in
their last ten and were up to seventh. Bobby Gould netted one of his 13
goals that seasibm as Trevor Brooking, Frank Lampard and Billy Jennings also
got in on the act. A penalty from Billy Bonds completed the rout and
maintained a good run of results for the Hammers as they went unbeaten in
their next six league matches.
Complete record - 16 November
1929 Leeds United 1-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1935 Manchester United 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1946 West Ham United 0-4 Birmingham City (Division Two)
1956 West Ham United 5-0 Stoke City (Division Two)
1963 West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 4-0 Leicester City (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 5-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 2-1 Watford (Division One)
1996 Newcastle United 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 9, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 25, Conceded 13
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Howes happy with form
WHUFC.com
Schoolboy goalkeeper Sam Howes has established himself in West Ham United's
U18 side
15.11.2013
West Ham United's superb Barclays U18 Premier League form has been based on
impressive performances all over the pitch. The Hammers' seven-match
unbeaten run has seen them score 16 goals but, perhaps more importantly,
concede just five. Sam Howes has kept goal in six of those seven matches,
conceding just three goals in the process. The England U16 stopper is a
schoolboy who turned 16 just last week, but the youngster has established
himself as West Ham's No1 at U18 level this season - his sixth at the Club.
"I joined West Ham for the beginning of the U11 season," Howes revealed. "I
started off at Crystal Palace where I was noticed playing against West Ham.
I left Crystal Palace and approached West Ham, who offered me a trial, so I
took the great opportunity and have never looked back on it since."
Howes' development saw him play four times for the U18s last season, while
he was also invited to train alongside the first-team goalkeepers. "At first
it was a big shock to me when my goalkeeper coach Jerome John took me over
to Chadwell Heath to train with the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was a
great achievement and later that year they asked me to warm up with the
first team before the home game against Wigan. That has to go down as one of
my favourite footballing moments to date."
Still an U16 in age-group terms, Howes splits his time between training and
education at Rush Green, where the Academy has established a partnership
with Robert Clack School. On the pitch, the teenager has passed almost every
test so far. "The season has been going really well so far with being
involved in the U18s a lot this year already. That's great for me to get the
experience with the older lot, not just on but off the pitch as well. "We
are on a run as a team with some very good wins over some big teams. As an
individual I'm training with the first-team 'keepers nearly every week,
which is unreal to learn off the likes of Jussi, Adrian and Rapha [Spiegel].
"Martyn Margetson has made me feel very welcome in the group as well and I'm
very honoured to work with such great goalkeepers who I learn a great deal
from. "We find ourselves the first ones out in the morning on the training
pitch and the last ones in. JJ and Marge are two great coaches and I enjoy
working with them both because I learn so much. "I've known and worked with
JJ for nearly six years and loved being coached by him and learnt so much
that I can take up to the first team with Marge. I've only started properly
training with Marge this year and am still learning a lot, but what I know
about both of them is they will give up their time to help you through
training and give you tips to improve your game. "I get plenty of advice
from Jussi as well. He's a great guy, a true professional and a great role
model to youngsters. To learn from a guy who has over 400 Premier League
games under his belt is massive for a young 'keeper learning like me. He
helps me with technical things so like hand shape and this has made a big
improvement in my game."
Howes' form, which he will hope to take into Saturday's Barclays U18 Premier
League fixture at Reading, has seen him capped by England at U16 level.
Should he continue to improve, more international honours will surely
follow. "Representing my country was the best moment of my career to date. I
always dreamt as a young kid of putting the Three Lions shirt on and singing
the national anthem. "Playing in the games was just unreal and I couldn't
believe it had happened, I was speechless for days. It felt just right as
well, and like all the hard work had paid-off. Now I have to keep improving
and raising the bar."
Finally, anyone who attended the U18s' 3-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend
will have noticed Howes wearing special 'poppy' gloves to mark Remembrance
Day. "I wore them to show my support to the members of our Armed Forces who
aren't with us anymore. These inspirational people put their lives on the
line for us to have the safest lives possible. Another reason I wore them
was to show my respect to their poor families. They are great and fantastic
people and I'm happy to support them with the gloves."
West Ham take on Reading in the Barclays U18 Premier League at Hogwood Park
on Saturday, with kick-off at 11am.
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'It was a good test'
WHUFC.com
First team coach Ian Hendon was pleased with Friday's workout against
Millwall
16.11.2013
West Ham United contested their second behind closed doors friendly of the
international break when they took on Millwall at the Boleyn Ground on
Friday.
The Hammers drew 2-2 against an experienced Millwall outfit, with the home
side's goals coming from Carlton Cole and a trialist. George McCartney and
Alou Diarra got vital match minutes under their belts as they step up their
comebacks from injury, while there were also run outs for the likes of Matt
Jarvis and Joe Cole. "It was a very useful workout," first team coach Ian
Hendon said.. "It was the second game in a week for some of the players who
have been on the fringes of the side, and a couple who are coming back from
injury. "Millwall brought a very strong side over and that was what it was
about - a workout for the players, and it ended in a creditable 2-2 draw.
"The manager here is very keen to get these games on, to keep the players
playing and it also gets the ones coming back from injury into the swing of
things. "You can train five or six days on the bounce, but you don't get the
same stimulus in training as you do in a match situation, so it is important
that we keep that going and it was a good game on Friday."
The Hammers side also included a youtful element and Hendon was pleased with
how they coped with Millwall's threat. He added: "It was a good test for our
young players. We had a back four with Pottsy, Leo Chambers and Pelly
Ruddock amongst it, and they were playing against Steve Morison, who is a
Welsh international and Andy Keogh, who has a lot of experience. "The boys
did alright - they are always being watched by the manager, myself and Macca
to see who is progressing, and who is ready or nearly ready to be in and
around the first team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What was the point in West Ham signing them?
Date: 16th November 2013 at 2:59 am
Written by: Jordan Marsden |
Forever West Ham
Mladen PetricWest Ham's striker crisis has been well documented so far this
season, the lack of a cutting edge up front has led Sam Allardyce into
playing without a recognised forward. Allarydce and the board felt that two
strikers would be enough for the season even though Andy Carroll was already
on the injury list. Claims they tried their best is just not good enough and
we are really feeling the effects of that gamble now. When the news broke
that Carroll's lay off was going to be extended there was panic at the
Boleyn ground, which led to the free signings of Mladen Petric and Carlton
Cole. To chase players with the ability of Romelu Lukaku and Fabio
Quagliarella throughout the summer window and end up with Petric and the
re-signing of Cole was a huge let down.
At the moment it seems that both signing are indeed just a waste of time,
the former Fulham striker is currently out injured and what we have seen of
our beloved Cole has not been great. To have signed these forwards and then
to play six in midfield with no focal point just shows that Allardyce has no
faith in the new signings, or Maiga. Will they play any part in our season?
I am not sure at all, I can see all three getting released or sold in the
January transfer window to open up wages for a loan signing or two!
With not one goal from a striker this season its worrying times for West
Ham, Cole and Petric seem to be pointless signing. I hope they can get a run
of games and score a few goals but I am not optimistic of that happening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fan Winstone calls time on home matches
Last updated Fri 15 Nov 2013
West Ham fan Ray Winstone has revealed he no longer goes to watch matches
because fans do not allow him to watch the game in peace. The actor, who is
the face of Bet 365 adverts shown at half-time during live football games,
grew up in Plaistow and is a devoted West Ham fan. But The Sweeney star told
Reader's Digest: "The thing that changes - and I don't mean this horribly
because I've been to West Ham all my life - is that I used to love being in
the crowd and just sitting there with the boys having a laugh. "Then I found
I couldn't because people will talk to me all through the game - I'm not
moaning about it, they were just talking - but I want to watch the game with
my mates. So you think, I've got a few quid so I'll get a box. But then how
can you say you're the same as everyone else?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morrison the best youngster Ferguson ever saw
ESPN staffNovember 15, 2013
ESPN.com
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson said
Ravel Morrison was the best 14-year-old he had ever seen. Manchester-born
Morrison came through the ranks at Old Trafford before Ferguson sold him to
West Ham United in January 2012 after the 20-year-old had a series of
disciplinary problems. Morrison, who spent last season on loan at
Birmingham, has broken into the West Ham side this year and is their
five-goal top scorer, as well as becoming a regular for the England
Under-21s. Ferdinand, working as a pundit on BT Sport, said: "I would pay to
watch him train let alone play in a match. Ever since the first day I saw
him, my old boss [Ferguson] said: 'Have a look at this boy.' "He was taking
the mick out of everyone on the pitch when he was about 14. The manager
thought he was the best player he had seen at that age. "He trained with the
first team at about 16 and Darren Fletcher said to me: 'He runs with the
ball, he just runs with it and he's almost looking at me while he's running
with the ball, and waiting for me to make a move and then he reacts.' "The
top players can do that - they react to a defender's movements." Mike
Phelan, Ferguson's former assistant, last month defended the decision to
allow Morrison to leave Old Trafford, but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said he
feared United would try to re-sign the player.
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WHUFC.com
Alou Diarra on returning to the pitch, his first-team hopes and watching
France's FIFA World Cup Play-Off
15.11.2013
Bonjour everyone,
I am happy to now be doing my job, playing football, and my recovery has
been amazingly quick. I am surprised, like everybody, but we've taken our
time and worked hard together and my knee is steady and I can play. I played
90 minutes in the game on Tuesday against Gillingham and I think this was my
last test. Now, I think I am available for the first team and hopefully I
will train hard to have a chance to play with West Ham United. I am not
feeling 100 per cent just yet, but my knee is feeling stable and stronger.
With every training session I will get better and I am happy to be playing
because it was eight hard weeks.
I was very unlucky because I did a good pre-season, but football is like
that. I must accept my injury and I have worked hard to come back. Now I'm
on the pitch and I try to do my best and am available for the team now. I
will train hard every day to try to play in the Premier League. Maybe I will
be involved against Chelsea. I hope so. I hope I will be ready, but it is up
to the manager.
Before then, I will be watching the World Cup Play-Off matches between
France and Ukraine. France is my country and I hope we will go to the World
Cup in Brazil next year. We were in a very difficult qualifying group with
Spain, who went through automatically. Now, I think the Play-Off is 50-50.
It will be difficult to play in Kiev. I have played before against this
team, Ukraine, and it is really hard to play against them away from home.
France must score one away goal and they will have a chance to go to the
World Cup.
I was a lucky guy because I played in the World Cup final in 2006. It was my
best experience in my job and I can talk about it with the young players,
which is amazing. The feeling was one you cannot feel before or after. I
have too many pictures in my head of that final - Zinedine Zidane's penalty
kick, his red card, the great atmosphere in Berlin and the penalty shootout
we ultimately lost. We were very unlucky to lose this final because I think
we were better than Italy and played better football.
The World Cup is a big event and a country like France must be there in
2014. England, Brazil and the other big countries will be there, so the
France squad must not miss this World Cup. It will be hard to go through,
but we can. We have good players like Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema
playing for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, so they must go to the World Cup.
It will be great for us as a country and a people if we could go to the
World Cup.
A bientôt,
Alou
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Carlton Cole nets in Millwall draw
WHUFC.com
A West Ham United XI played out a 2-2 friendly draw with Millwall at the
Boleyn Ground
15.11.2013
A West Ham United XI played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Millwall this
afternoon in a friendly at the Boleyn Ground. Carlton Cole followed up his
goal against Gillingham on Tuesday with another here as he pounced on a
loose ball in the box to cancel out Andy Keogh's opener. Richard Chaplow
put the Lions back in front with a smart finish after a nice team move but
they weren't ahead for long as a trialist turned home Modibo Maiga's centre
for the equaliser.
Neil McDonald took charge of a home side which featured a blend of youth and
experience against a strong Sky Bet Championship outfit. A Hammers team
which included 16-year-old goalkeeper Sam Howes behind a young back four,
had the better of the opening exchanges with Cole going close after his
header from a George McCartney cross flew just over the bar with seven
minutes gone. The visitors did however occasionally threaten on the
counter-attack and took the lead courtesy of such a move after 14 minutes
when Lee Martin got to the byline and swept in a cross for the onrushing
Keogh to head past Howes. Just two minutes later and the trialist came close
to levelling the scores but saw his close-range volley saved by former West
Ham keeper Stephen Bywater. The Hammers were on top and with half an hour
gone they found the equaliser as Cole turned the ball home after it fell at
his feet from a Matt Jarvis corner. With five minutes remaining to half-time
Maiga came close to handing the Hammers the lead when he struck a powerful
left-foot shot which flicked the outside of the post.
After the interval, the trialist had a golden chance to put the hosts in
front when Maiga's low cross found him at the back post but he could only
pick out Bywater with his sliding finish. Jarvis had a shot beaten away as
the home team pressed before Chaplow found himself unmarked at the back post
but could only unleash a wayward volley from Martin's through ball. In the
68th minute though the midfielder did find the back of the net as Howes saw
his kick charged down allowing Keogh to slide a pass through to Chaplow who
applied the finish from close range. Both sides then made several changes
with the home side introducing Taylor Miles and Danny Whitehead for Jarvis
and Joe Cole. West Ham had only been behind for eight minutes when the
trialist was in the right place to meet Maiga's centre with a cool header.
As the game headed towards a stalemate the Hammers created a couple of late
opportunities as they pushed for a winner. First, substitute Matthias Fanimo
provided a deep cross which found its way to Maiga but the front man's
header was off target. With just a matter of minutes left another
substitute, Blair Turgott, came agonisingly close to winning the match as he
raced into the box, latching onto to Maiga's through ball but his low shot
just rolled wide of the far post.
West Ham United: Howes, Ruddock, Potts, Chambers, McCartney, J.Cole (Miles),
Trialist (Fanimo), C.Cole, Maiga, Jarvis (Whitehead), Diarra (Turgott).
Subs not used: Burke, Knoyle
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
International round-up
WHUFC.com
Razvan Rat's Romania were defeated in Greece in their FIFA World Cup
Play-Off first leg
15.11.2013
Razvan Rat and his Romania team-mates face an uphill task to reach Brazil
2014 after being defeated 3-1 in Greece in their FIFA World Cup Play-Off
first leg in Athens on Friday evening. Rat was booked late on to cap a
disappointing night for the Romanians, who fell a goal behind to Kostas
Mitroglou before Bogdan Stancu equalised. Dimitris Salpingidis put Greece
ahead almost immediately before Mitroglou put the Greeks in the driving seat
ahead of next Tuesday's second leg in Bucharest.
Elsewhere, Joey O'Brien was an unused substitute as Republic of Ireland
began the Martin O'Neill/Roy Keane era with a 3-0 friendly win over Latvia
in Dublin. Robbie Keane was among the Irish scorers. He will hope to earn
his sixth cap against Poland in Poznan on Tuesday 19 November.
Jack Collison has been added to Chris Coleman's Wales squad for their
international friendly with Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Hammers midfielder Collison joins James Collins in the Wales party with the
pair looking to add to their 16 and 43 caps respectively.
Ravel Morrison helped England continue their fine start to their UEFA U21
Championship qualifying campaign by recording a 3-0 win against Finland in
Milton Keynes on Thursday evening. Morrison played 83 minutes and will
expect to feature again when England host San Marino in Shrewsbury next
week. Gareth Southgate's team will be looking to continue their unbeaten
start to their qualification campaign, which has seen them take 13 points
from their opening five games. Morrison earned his first call-up to the
Under-21s for their last round of qualifiers, and scored in the 5-0 mauling
of Lithuania. The Young Lions are set to take on Finland at Milton Keynes
Dons' stadiummk on Thursday 14 November, before moving on to Shrewsbury
Town's Greenhaus Stadium for the San Marino clash on Tuesday 19 November.
Also set to represent his country in this next set of internationals is
Mohamed Diame, who has been named in the Senegal squad for the second leg of
their FIFA World Cup Play-Off against Ivory Coast on Saturday 16 November.
Senegal are 3-1 down following the away leg and will have to play the home
match in Morocco as they are currently serving a suspension from playing
matches in Senegal due to crowd disturbances.
Winston Reid missed New Zealand's 5-1 2014 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental
Play-Off first-leg defeat in Mexico due to an ankle injury. He will also
miss the second leg in Wellington next Wednesday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 16 November
WHUFC.com
The Hammers blew Wolves away on this day 39 years ago
16.11.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 5-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Division One
16 November 1974
West Ham struck five as they swept aside their visitors from the Midlands to
move up to seventh in Division One. Having sat 22nd and last just ten games
previously, this high-scoring victory meant they had only lost one game in
their last ten and were up to seventh. Bobby Gould netted one of his 13
goals that seasibm as Trevor Brooking, Frank Lampard and Billy Jennings also
got in on the act. A penalty from Billy Bonds completed the rout and
maintained a good run of results for the Hammers as they went unbeaten in
their next six league matches.
Complete record - 16 November
1929 Leeds United 1-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1935 Manchester United 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1946 West Ham United 0-4 Birmingham City (Division Two)
1956 West Ham United 5-0 Stoke City (Division Two)
1963 West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City (Division One)
1968 West Ham United 4-0 Leicester City (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 5-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Division One)
1985 West Ham United 2-1 Watford (Division One)
1996 Newcastle United 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 9, Won 6, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 25, Conceded 13
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Howes happy with form
WHUFC.com
Schoolboy goalkeeper Sam Howes has established himself in West Ham United's
U18 side
15.11.2013
West Ham United's superb Barclays U18 Premier League form has been based on
impressive performances all over the pitch. The Hammers' seven-match
unbeaten run has seen them score 16 goals but, perhaps more importantly,
concede just five. Sam Howes has kept goal in six of those seven matches,
conceding just three goals in the process. The England U16 stopper is a
schoolboy who turned 16 just last week, but the youngster has established
himself as West Ham's No1 at U18 level this season - his sixth at the Club.
"I joined West Ham for the beginning of the U11 season," Howes revealed. "I
started off at Crystal Palace where I was noticed playing against West Ham.
I left Crystal Palace and approached West Ham, who offered me a trial, so I
took the great opportunity and have never looked back on it since."
Howes' development saw him play four times for the U18s last season, while
he was also invited to train alongside the first-team goalkeepers. "At first
it was a big shock to me when my goalkeeper coach Jerome John took me over
to Chadwell Heath to train with the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was a
great achievement and later that year they asked me to warm up with the
first team before the home game against Wigan. That has to go down as one of
my favourite footballing moments to date."
Still an U16 in age-group terms, Howes splits his time between training and
education at Rush Green, where the Academy has established a partnership
with Robert Clack School. On the pitch, the teenager has passed almost every
test so far. "The season has been going really well so far with being
involved in the U18s a lot this year already. That's great for me to get the
experience with the older lot, not just on but off the pitch as well. "We
are on a run as a team with some very good wins over some big teams. As an
individual I'm training with the first-team 'keepers nearly every week,
which is unreal to learn off the likes of Jussi, Adrian and Rapha [Spiegel].
"Martyn Margetson has made me feel very welcome in the group as well and I'm
very honoured to work with such great goalkeepers who I learn a great deal
from. "We find ourselves the first ones out in the morning on the training
pitch and the last ones in. JJ and Marge are two great coaches and I enjoy
working with them both because I learn so much. "I've known and worked with
JJ for nearly six years and loved being coached by him and learnt so much
that I can take up to the first team with Marge. I've only started properly
training with Marge this year and am still learning a lot, but what I know
about both of them is they will give up their time to help you through
training and give you tips to improve your game. "I get plenty of advice
from Jussi as well. He's a great guy, a true professional and a great role
model to youngsters. To learn from a guy who has over 400 Premier League
games under his belt is massive for a young 'keeper learning like me. He
helps me with technical things so like hand shape and this has made a big
improvement in my game."
Howes' form, which he will hope to take into Saturday's Barclays U18 Premier
League fixture at Reading, has seen him capped by England at U16 level.
Should he continue to improve, more international honours will surely
follow. "Representing my country was the best moment of my career to date. I
always dreamt as a young kid of putting the Three Lions shirt on and singing
the national anthem. "Playing in the games was just unreal and I couldn't
believe it had happened, I was speechless for days. It felt just right as
well, and like all the hard work had paid-off. Now I have to keep improving
and raising the bar."
Finally, anyone who attended the U18s' 3-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend
will have noticed Howes wearing special 'poppy' gloves to mark Remembrance
Day. "I wore them to show my support to the members of our Armed Forces who
aren't with us anymore. These inspirational people put their lives on the
line for us to have the safest lives possible. Another reason I wore them
was to show my respect to their poor families. They are great and fantastic
people and I'm happy to support them with the gloves."
West Ham take on Reading in the Barclays U18 Premier League at Hogwood Park
on Saturday, with kick-off at 11am.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'It was a good test'
WHUFC.com
First team coach Ian Hendon was pleased with Friday's workout against
Millwall
16.11.2013
West Ham United contested their second behind closed doors friendly of the
international break when they took on Millwall at the Boleyn Ground on
Friday.
The Hammers drew 2-2 against an experienced Millwall outfit, with the home
side's goals coming from Carlton Cole and a trialist. George McCartney and
Alou Diarra got vital match minutes under their belts as they step up their
comebacks from injury, while there were also run outs for the likes of Matt
Jarvis and Joe Cole. "It was a very useful workout," first team coach Ian
Hendon said.. "It was the second game in a week for some of the players who
have been on the fringes of the side, and a couple who are coming back from
injury. "Millwall brought a very strong side over and that was what it was
about - a workout for the players, and it ended in a creditable 2-2 draw.
"The manager here is very keen to get these games on, to keep the players
playing and it also gets the ones coming back from injury into the swing of
things. "You can train five or six days on the bounce, but you don't get the
same stimulus in training as you do in a match situation, so it is important
that we keep that going and it was a good game on Friday."
The Hammers side also included a youtful element and Hendon was pleased with
how they coped with Millwall's threat. He added: "It was a good test for our
young players. We had a back four with Pottsy, Leo Chambers and Pelly
Ruddock amongst it, and they were playing against Steve Morison, who is a
Welsh international and Andy Keogh, who has a lot of experience. "The boys
did alright - they are always being watched by the manager, myself and Macca
to see who is progressing, and who is ready or nearly ready to be in and
around the first team."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What was the point in West Ham signing them?
Date: 16th November 2013 at 2:59 am
Written by: Jordan Marsden |
Forever West Ham
Mladen PetricWest Ham's striker crisis has been well documented so far this
season, the lack of a cutting edge up front has led Sam Allardyce into
playing without a recognised forward. Allarydce and the board felt that two
strikers would be enough for the season even though Andy Carroll was already
on the injury list. Claims they tried their best is just not good enough and
we are really feeling the effects of that gamble now. When the news broke
that Carroll's lay off was going to be extended there was panic at the
Boleyn ground, which led to the free signings of Mladen Petric and Carlton
Cole. To chase players with the ability of Romelu Lukaku and Fabio
Quagliarella throughout the summer window and end up with Petric and the
re-signing of Cole was a huge let down.
At the moment it seems that both signing are indeed just a waste of time,
the former Fulham striker is currently out injured and what we have seen of
our beloved Cole has not been great. To have signed these forwards and then
to play six in midfield with no focal point just shows that Allardyce has no
faith in the new signings, or Maiga. Will they play any part in our season?
I am not sure at all, I can see all three getting released or sold in the
January transfer window to open up wages for a loan signing or two!
With not one goal from a striker this season its worrying times for West
Ham, Cole and Petric seem to be pointless signing. I hope they can get a run
of games and score a few goals but I am not optimistic of that happening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fan Winstone calls time on home matches
Last updated Fri 15 Nov 2013
West Ham fan Ray Winstone has revealed he no longer goes to watch matches
because fans do not allow him to watch the game in peace. The actor, who is
the face of Bet 365 adverts shown at half-time during live football games,
grew up in Plaistow and is a devoted West Ham fan. But The Sweeney star told
Reader's Digest: "The thing that changes - and I don't mean this horribly
because I've been to West Ham all my life - is that I used to love being in
the crowd and just sitting there with the boys having a laugh. "Then I found
I couldn't because people will talk to me all through the game - I'm not
moaning about it, they were just talking - but I want to watch the game with
my mates. So you think, I've got a few quid so I'll get a box. But then how
can you say you're the same as everyone else?"
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Morrison the best youngster Ferguson ever saw
ESPN staffNovember 15, 2013
ESPN.com
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson said
Ravel Morrison was the best 14-year-old he had ever seen. Manchester-born
Morrison came through the ranks at Old Trafford before Ferguson sold him to
West Ham United in January 2012 after the 20-year-old had a series of
disciplinary problems. Morrison, who spent last season on loan at
Birmingham, has broken into the West Ham side this year and is their
five-goal top scorer, as well as becoming a regular for the England
Under-21s. Ferdinand, working as a pundit on BT Sport, said: "I would pay to
watch him train let alone play in a match. Ever since the first day I saw
him, my old boss [Ferguson] said: 'Have a look at this boy.' "He was taking
the mick out of everyone on the pitch when he was about 14. The manager
thought he was the best player he had seen at that age. "He trained with the
first team at about 16 and Darren Fletcher said to me: 'He runs with the
ball, he just runs with it and he's almost looking at me while he's running
with the ball, and waiting for me to make a move and then he reacts.' "The
top players can do that - they react to a defender's movements." Mike
Phelan, Ferguson's former assistant, last month defended the decision to
allow Morrison to leave Old Trafford, but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said he
feared United would try to re-sign the player.
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Friday, November 15
Daily WHUFC News - 15th November 2013
U21s kick-off international week
WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison and Raphael Spiegel could both be in UEFA European U21
Championship qualifying action
14.11.2013
Ravel Morrison and Raphael Spiegel could both be in 2015 UEFA European U21
Championship qualifying action on Thursday as West Ham United's players
kick-off a busy week of international matches. Midfielder Morrison is
expected to be a key figure for England as they continue their qualifying
round Group 1 campaign by hosting Finland at stadiummk in Milton Keynes on
Thursday at 7.45pm. After a fine start to 2013/14 for the Hammers, the
20-year-old was rewarded with his maiden U21 caps in qualifying victories in
San Marino and at home to Lithuania - a game in which he scored twice in
October. Gareth Southgate's England top Group 1 with ten points from four
games, level on points with Wales and ahead of Finland, Moldova, Lithuania
and San Marino. Following Thursday's meeting with Finland, the U21s welcome
San Marino to Greenhous Meadow, Shrewsbury, on Tuesday 19 November.
Swiss goalkeeper Spiegel (pictured) has also been in impressive form this
season, making seven appearances for West Ham's Barclays U21 Premier
League-topping Development Squad. An experienced age-group international,
the 20-year-old former Grasshopper Club Zurich stopper has started all three
games for Switzerland in their qualifying round Group 5 campaign, keeping
clean sheets in wins in Latvia and Liechtenstein before losing out 2-0 at
home to Croatia in October. Switzerland will hope to gain revenge for that
defeat when they take on Croatia at the Stadion Aldo Drosina in Pula on
Thursday evening. The Swiss face another Eastern European test on Monday 18
November when they welcome Ukraine to the Arena Thun in Thun.
The ten group winners and four runners-up with the best record against the
teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their sections advance to the
Play-Offs in October 2014. The seven Play-Off winners will then play home
and away, with the winners advancing to the finals alongside the hosts Czech
Republic.
The UEFA European U21 Championship finals will take place in Czech Republic
between 17-30 June 2015.
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Jarvis keen to score more
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis is hoping to find the net more regularly after scoring twice in
a friendly win over Gillingham
14.11.2013
Matt Jarvis hopes he can take his goal scoring exploits into the Barclays
Premier League after bagging a brace against Gillingham at Rush Green on
Monday.
The winger got a West Ham United XI's third and fourth goals in a 9-0 win
over his former club as an experienced side got some valuable playing time
during the international break. Jarvis is yet to net in the Club's league
campaign but did manage to score in the 3-2 Capital One Cup win over Cardiff
City and the wide man is targeting more goals after his double against his
former club. The No7 told West Ham TV: "You always want to score goals and
it doesn't matter what game it is you still want to get on the score sheet
and I'm pleased to have done that. "It would be nice to carry on scoring, it
helps your confidence and hopefully I can keep that going."
Jarvis started his career with Gillingham and spent four years plying his
trade with the Kent based club before leaving for Wolverhampton Wanderers,
from whom he joined the Hammers. The winger admits that he prefers to play
matches over the course of an international break and was especially pleased
to have played against a team that he looks fondly upon. "I loved it. It was
a brilliant time, they gave me my chance and I really enjoyed it. "Obviously
not many of the players I played with are still there but there are a few
staff I know so it's always nice to see them. "Sometimes it's better to play
a game rather than just work hard in training because it's just easier to
get your head round playing games rather than just trying to work hard in
the smaller group."
The two week break gives the Hammers a chance to regroup after they suffered
a disappointing defeat by the Canaries at the weekend. The 27-year-old was a
late substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road and
believes the team's failure to make the most of chances cost them dear. He
said: "We were so on top in the first half and just couldn't take our
chances. We had numerous opportunities to really put the game to bed but
unfortunately it wasn't the case. "They came out fighting in the second half
and once they got the first goal it lifted them and it was really hard to
turn the game around."
After the international break Chelsea will be the next visitors to the
Boleyn Ground and Jarvis is hoping the memory of a 3-1 win over the Blues
last season can be replicated on Saturday 23 November. "You look back to one
of our best games last season, that was at home to Chelsea and hopefully we
can do the same. "We need to put it right and hopefully we can do that at
home in front of the crowd and many more watching on Sky. "You can look back
and it's still the same squad, the same players, there might be one or two
different but you can still take confidence from the way we performed last
season. I'm really hoping we can get the crowd going and get a nice three
points to put on the board."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moore artwork to go under the hammer
WHUFC.com
A unique painting of West Ham United and England great Bobby Moore OBE is to
be auctioned for charity
13.11.2013
A unique painting of West Ham United and England great Bobby Moore OBE is to
be auctioned for charity. Painted by New Zealand-born artist Katy Wakefield,
who now lives in London's East End, the artwork is one of a number specially
commissioned for the exclusive group of players who have worn the Three
Lions on more than 100 occasions. Moore is among the England internationals
to be honoured at the Club Wembley 100-Cap Club Charity Auction, held at
Searcys The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP on Monday 18 November.
England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain is one of just eight players
who have passed a century of appearances for England, playing 108 times and
scoring two goals between 1962 and 1973. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125
caps), midfielder David Beckham (115 caps, 17 goals), Bobby Charlton (106
caps, 49 goals) and Billy Wright (105 caps, 3 goals) have all completed
their outstanding playing careers, while midfielder Steven Gerrard (107
caps, 21 goals), full-back Ashley Cole (105 caps) and West Ham Academy
graduate Frank Lampard (102 caps, 29 goals) will hope to add to their
formidable tallies.
Artworks specially commissioned for the exclusive group of eight will be
auctioned, with all proceeds going to The FA's official charity partner,
Teenage Cancer Trust, and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Artists whose works will go under the hammer include comedian Vic Reeves,
Horace Panter from Ska legends The Specials and political satirist Gerald
Scarfe.
For further information on how to attend the invite-only auction, please
email andrew.tkaczyk@seven.co.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
England U21 boss Gareth Southgate says there's no row between Wilfried Zaha
and Ravel Morrison
Last Updated: November 14, 2013 11:00am
SSN
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate insists that Wilfried Zaha and
Ravel Morrison have settled their differences, following an on-field bust-up
last month. "I think we have to have an appreciation of each other's
characters. We're a strong team because we've got that diversity of
character, we respond in different ways." The U21 boss believes that the
wingers are indispensable to the England side, despite last month's
unsavoury incident. "Those two are the types of players they are because
they live slightly on the edge in terms of their responses and emotions,"
added Southgate. "We have to understand we need all of those types of people
to be a successful team. Those guys will win us matches."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ENGLAND AND THE INTERNATIONAL BREAKS
By Tony Hanna 14 Nov 2013 at 15:38
West Ham Till I Die
Increasingly over the last few years, I have heard and read that the average
English football fan is becoming less and less interested in the National
side. I know some fans that do not even watch England play any more. I guess
those of us that were lucky and old enough to watch the 1966 World Cup
success can at least say we have seen them win something. Especially for the
younger generation, it has been a long hard road since then for England.
Back in that era and beyond, the England friendly and competitive qualifying
games were played midweek and were sandwiched between the domestic games
played at 3pm on a Saturday. There were no International breaks to endure
and the players involved would have little rest and even less time to settle
into new surroundings. The definition of the International break was to help
our National sides personnel blend in together and acclimatise away from
their domestic scene. It was to give support to the National teams manager
and give him more time with the players. Back in the sixties and early
seventies the England games were rarely shown live on TV and sometimes not
at all despite the general football public craving it. Back in those days
the English football fan did support and want to see England play and win.
They did want to see their own teams players play for their country. It was
a badge of honour as our club should know more than most. After all, wasn't
it West Ham that really won the World Cup in '66?
But fast forward to today and often the matches are shrugged off by the fans
and players. Nowadays, many fans do not want to see their teams players
picked for fear of injury or burnout. How many times have we seen England
players pull out of the friendly matches, to only make miraculous recoveries
to play for their domestic clubs soon after? Is it this perceived nonchalant
approach to playing for your country that has turned the fan off or perhaps
the dismal record of not even reaching a major final for nearly 50 years? Is
supporting West Ham or any other club for that matter, much more important
than the National team? I guess the question must be asked in an article of
this nature. What would you prefer – West Ham to win the Premier League or
England to win the World Cup?
But back to the International breaks themselves. This is the third one
already this season and I am sure there will be those who say it is required
when less than a year from a World Cup. Here we are though, half way through
November and the Hammers have played just eleven League games. The stop
start nature of it all can make you stir crazy! What has made it worse for
us is that two of the breaks have followed our worst two performances of the
season – a home loss to Stoke and an away capitulation at Norwich. To have
to suffer two weeks of getting over those two events is like a judge
doubling your prison sentence. How great it was that the other International
two week break followed our best game of the season. The 3-0 walloping of
the Spuds! But even after a few days of wallowing in our own glory along
came old 'Arry who just had to divert our attention away to other less
palatable matters.
So, how do we cope with International breaks and do we care about the
National team? Whilst I have centred the topic towards England, this site
does encompass fans from around the World so I am sure those fans may also
have a viewpoint about their own country's side and how important it ranks
for them?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GOONER TO JOIN WEST HAM BOARD AS MANAGING DIRECTOR
By Sean Whetstone 14 Nov 2013 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham have recruited Arsenal's Marketing Director Angus Kinnear to join
the West Ham board as Managing Director from the new year. At Arsenal he was
responsible for domestic and international marketing, the club's move to the
Emirates Stadium and making Arsenal a growing global brand in world
football.
Previously, Angus worked in brand management at Procter & Gamble before
heading up sports and youth marketing at Coca-Cola Great Britain, working
with the Athens Olympic Games, UEFA European Football Championships, IRB
Rugby World Cup and the Football League. Angus is also a board member of the
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Although he has been at Arsenal since 2004 I understand he is in fact a
Luton Town fan. So maybe he is more of a 'Hatter' than a 'Gooner'
Yesterday the club announced that "As Managing Director, Angus will join the
Board and be responsible for the Club's current and future Commercial and
Sponsorship operations together with other specific areas relating to the
Stadium migration."
Angus Kinnear was quoted on WHUFC.com "I am thrilled to be joining West Ham
United. Opportunities to help lead a world-famous Club into an iconic new
home do not come around often, so it was a challenge that was too good to
turn down."
Back in 2005 Marketing Magazine said of Angus "According to one ad agency
boss, who worked with Kinnear at Coca-Cola, he has an easygoing nature, a
penchant for Karaoke and a reputation as a 'rebel and a hell-raiser'"
CAREER HISTORY
1996-2000: Brand manager, Laundry and Homecare, Procter & Gamble UK and
Europe
2000-2002 Brand strategy consultant, Mountainview
2002-2004 Senior group brand manager, youth brands, Coca-Cola GB
2004-2010 Marketing manager, Arsenal Football Club
2010-2013 Marketing director, Arsenal Football Club
West Ham Commercial Director Departs
Barry Webber
West Ham's current Commercial Director Barry Webber will become the new CEO
of Stevenage Football Club in the new year it has also been announced.
Webber said in an article which can be found here "I have greatly enjoyed my
time at West Ham and will leave with very fond memories of the club, the
staff and the fans"
Barry was previously Commercial Director at Newcastle United as well as
Sport Commercial Manager at AEG Sponsorship and Sponsorship Sales at the
International Tennis Federation before joining West Ham.
He becomes one of the youngest CEO's in the Football League at the age of
36.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Cottee Column: Jussi has been excellent
Dave Evans
Thursday, November 14, 2013
5:01 PM
London 24
It was a mistake by Jussi Jaaskelainen, a bad mistake which cost us a goal,
but we need to think about how many points he has saved for West Ham this
season and last. Jussi had a shaky start when he first arrived at the club,
but in the past year or so, you have to say that he has been as consistent
as just about anybody in the team. I was pleased that Big Sam didn't
criticise him too much because he is still a very good goalkeeper in my eyes
and that was just a blip.
As to letting in another stunning free kick, it is about time that we
stopped conceding these free kicks on the edge of the box. We have been
unlucky because so many have flown in this season, but if they don't get the
chance, then we don't concede a goal.
Apart from that I am not sure what else we can do. Some teams put a player
on the line, but that means the strikers can crowd the goalkeeper, so I am
not sure that is the answer. Looking back on the Norwich game you have to
say it is a really bad defeat, especially when you consider how well we
played in the first half. The problem was that we didn't kill Norwich off
when we had the chance. We have to take our chances.
Kevin Nolan is suffering at the moment. Last year he scored 10 goals and I
always say that if a player scores 10 goals then you should stay in the
Premier League. He is clearly missing playing alongside a striker and Andy
Carroll in particular and I think Sam has to go for a striker from the start
from now on.
There is two weeks to the next game and that gives Carlton Cole a little
longer to get fitter. I would like to see him start the next game, even if
it is only for an hour from the start.
Winston absence is a big blow
With Winston Reid on the injured list now, it means that West Ham are
without their best defender and their best striker at the same time. Without
a doubt, Winston has been the best player in the last couple of seasons and
deservedly won the Hammer of the Year trophy last term. It is also a great
shame that he will not be able to play for New Zealand in their World Cup
play-off against Mexico, though I am sure the club secretary will be
relieved that they don't have to pay out that £100,00 for his private jet
flight to Mexico! He will be badly missed by the Hammers. His partnership
with James Tomkins has been getting better and better in recent weeks, but
fortunately we have a ready made replacement in James Collins. No game this
weekend, but I don't mind these international breaks. It gives a chance for
clubs like Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge to take the spotlight and
that is a good thing.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison and Raphael Spiegel could both be in UEFA European U21
Championship qualifying action
14.11.2013
Ravel Morrison and Raphael Spiegel could both be in 2015 UEFA European U21
Championship qualifying action on Thursday as West Ham United's players
kick-off a busy week of international matches. Midfielder Morrison is
expected to be a key figure for England as they continue their qualifying
round Group 1 campaign by hosting Finland at stadiummk in Milton Keynes on
Thursday at 7.45pm. After a fine start to 2013/14 for the Hammers, the
20-year-old was rewarded with his maiden U21 caps in qualifying victories in
San Marino and at home to Lithuania - a game in which he scored twice in
October. Gareth Southgate's England top Group 1 with ten points from four
games, level on points with Wales and ahead of Finland, Moldova, Lithuania
and San Marino. Following Thursday's meeting with Finland, the U21s welcome
San Marino to Greenhous Meadow, Shrewsbury, on Tuesday 19 November.
Swiss goalkeeper Spiegel (pictured) has also been in impressive form this
season, making seven appearances for West Ham's Barclays U21 Premier
League-topping Development Squad. An experienced age-group international,
the 20-year-old former Grasshopper Club Zurich stopper has started all three
games for Switzerland in their qualifying round Group 5 campaign, keeping
clean sheets in wins in Latvia and Liechtenstein before losing out 2-0 at
home to Croatia in October. Switzerland will hope to gain revenge for that
defeat when they take on Croatia at the Stadion Aldo Drosina in Pula on
Thursday evening. The Swiss face another Eastern European test on Monday 18
November when they welcome Ukraine to the Arena Thun in Thun.
The ten group winners and four runners-up with the best record against the
teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their sections advance to the
Play-Offs in October 2014. The seven Play-Off winners will then play home
and away, with the winners advancing to the finals alongside the hosts Czech
Republic.
The UEFA European U21 Championship finals will take place in Czech Republic
between 17-30 June 2015.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jarvis keen to score more
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis is hoping to find the net more regularly after scoring twice in
a friendly win over Gillingham
14.11.2013
Matt Jarvis hopes he can take his goal scoring exploits into the Barclays
Premier League after bagging a brace against Gillingham at Rush Green on
Monday.
The winger got a West Ham United XI's third and fourth goals in a 9-0 win
over his former club as an experienced side got some valuable playing time
during the international break. Jarvis is yet to net in the Club's league
campaign but did manage to score in the 3-2 Capital One Cup win over Cardiff
City and the wide man is targeting more goals after his double against his
former club. The No7 told West Ham TV: "You always want to score goals and
it doesn't matter what game it is you still want to get on the score sheet
and I'm pleased to have done that. "It would be nice to carry on scoring, it
helps your confidence and hopefully I can keep that going."
Jarvis started his career with Gillingham and spent four years plying his
trade with the Kent based club before leaving for Wolverhampton Wanderers,
from whom he joined the Hammers. The winger admits that he prefers to play
matches over the course of an international break and was especially pleased
to have played against a team that he looks fondly upon. "I loved it. It was
a brilliant time, they gave me my chance and I really enjoyed it. "Obviously
not many of the players I played with are still there but there are a few
staff I know so it's always nice to see them. "Sometimes it's better to play
a game rather than just work hard in training because it's just easier to
get your head round playing games rather than just trying to work hard in
the smaller group."
The two week break gives the Hammers a chance to regroup after they suffered
a disappointing defeat by the Canaries at the weekend. The 27-year-old was a
late substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road and
believes the team's failure to make the most of chances cost them dear. He
said: "We were so on top in the first half and just couldn't take our
chances. We had numerous opportunities to really put the game to bed but
unfortunately it wasn't the case. "They came out fighting in the second half
and once they got the first goal it lifted them and it was really hard to
turn the game around."
After the international break Chelsea will be the next visitors to the
Boleyn Ground and Jarvis is hoping the memory of a 3-1 win over the Blues
last season can be replicated on Saturday 23 November. "You look back to one
of our best games last season, that was at home to Chelsea and hopefully we
can do the same. "We need to put it right and hopefully we can do that at
home in front of the crowd and many more watching on Sky. "You can look back
and it's still the same squad, the same players, there might be one or two
different but you can still take confidence from the way we performed last
season. I'm really hoping we can get the crowd going and get a nice three
points to put on the board."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moore artwork to go under the hammer
WHUFC.com
A unique painting of West Ham United and England great Bobby Moore OBE is to
be auctioned for charity
13.11.2013
A unique painting of West Ham United and England great Bobby Moore OBE is to
be auctioned for charity. Painted by New Zealand-born artist Katy Wakefield,
who now lives in London's East End, the artwork is one of a number specially
commissioned for the exclusive group of players who have worn the Three
Lions on more than 100 occasions. Moore is among the England internationals
to be honoured at the Club Wembley 100-Cap Club Charity Auction, held at
Searcys The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP on Monday 18 November.
England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain is one of just eight players
who have passed a century of appearances for England, playing 108 times and
scoring two goals between 1962 and 1973. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125
caps), midfielder David Beckham (115 caps, 17 goals), Bobby Charlton (106
caps, 49 goals) and Billy Wright (105 caps, 3 goals) have all completed
their outstanding playing careers, while midfielder Steven Gerrard (107
caps, 21 goals), full-back Ashley Cole (105 caps) and West Ham Academy
graduate Frank Lampard (102 caps, 29 goals) will hope to add to their
formidable tallies.
Artworks specially commissioned for the exclusive group of eight will be
auctioned, with all proceeds going to The FA's official charity partner,
Teenage Cancer Trust, and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.
Artists whose works will go under the hammer include comedian Vic Reeves,
Horace Panter from Ska legends The Specials and political satirist Gerald
Scarfe.
For further information on how to attend the invite-only auction, please
email andrew.tkaczyk@seven.co.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
England U21 boss Gareth Southgate says there's no row between Wilfried Zaha
and Ravel Morrison
Last Updated: November 14, 2013 11:00am
SSN
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate insists that Wilfried Zaha and
Ravel Morrison have settled their differences, following an on-field bust-up
last month. "I think we have to have an appreciation of each other's
characters. We're a strong team because we've got that diversity of
character, we respond in different ways." The U21 boss believes that the
wingers are indispensable to the England side, despite last month's
unsavoury incident. "Those two are the types of players they are because
they live slightly on the edge in terms of their responses and emotions,"
added Southgate. "We have to understand we need all of those types of people
to be a successful team. Those guys will win us matches."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ENGLAND AND THE INTERNATIONAL BREAKS
By Tony Hanna 14 Nov 2013 at 15:38
West Ham Till I Die
Increasingly over the last few years, I have heard and read that the average
English football fan is becoming less and less interested in the National
side. I know some fans that do not even watch England play any more. I guess
those of us that were lucky and old enough to watch the 1966 World Cup
success can at least say we have seen them win something. Especially for the
younger generation, it has been a long hard road since then for England.
Back in that era and beyond, the England friendly and competitive qualifying
games were played midweek and were sandwiched between the domestic games
played at 3pm on a Saturday. There were no International breaks to endure
and the players involved would have little rest and even less time to settle
into new surroundings. The definition of the International break was to help
our National sides personnel blend in together and acclimatise away from
their domestic scene. It was to give support to the National teams manager
and give him more time with the players. Back in the sixties and early
seventies the England games were rarely shown live on TV and sometimes not
at all despite the general football public craving it. Back in those days
the English football fan did support and want to see England play and win.
They did want to see their own teams players play for their country. It was
a badge of honour as our club should know more than most. After all, wasn't
it West Ham that really won the World Cup in '66?
But fast forward to today and often the matches are shrugged off by the fans
and players. Nowadays, many fans do not want to see their teams players
picked for fear of injury or burnout. How many times have we seen England
players pull out of the friendly matches, to only make miraculous recoveries
to play for their domestic clubs soon after? Is it this perceived nonchalant
approach to playing for your country that has turned the fan off or perhaps
the dismal record of not even reaching a major final for nearly 50 years? Is
supporting West Ham or any other club for that matter, much more important
than the National team? I guess the question must be asked in an article of
this nature. What would you prefer – West Ham to win the Premier League or
England to win the World Cup?
But back to the International breaks themselves. This is the third one
already this season and I am sure there will be those who say it is required
when less than a year from a World Cup. Here we are though, half way through
November and the Hammers have played just eleven League games. The stop
start nature of it all can make you stir crazy! What has made it worse for
us is that two of the breaks have followed our worst two performances of the
season – a home loss to Stoke and an away capitulation at Norwich. To have
to suffer two weeks of getting over those two events is like a judge
doubling your prison sentence. How great it was that the other International
two week break followed our best game of the season. The 3-0 walloping of
the Spuds! But even after a few days of wallowing in our own glory along
came old 'Arry who just had to divert our attention away to other less
palatable matters.
So, how do we cope with International breaks and do we care about the
National team? Whilst I have centred the topic towards England, this site
does encompass fans from around the World so I am sure those fans may also
have a viewpoint about their own country's side and how important it ranks
for them?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GOONER TO JOIN WEST HAM BOARD AS MANAGING DIRECTOR
By Sean Whetstone 14 Nov 2013 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham have recruited Arsenal's Marketing Director Angus Kinnear to join
the West Ham board as Managing Director from the new year. At Arsenal he was
responsible for domestic and international marketing, the club's move to the
Emirates Stadium and making Arsenal a growing global brand in world
football.
Previously, Angus worked in brand management at Procter & Gamble before
heading up sports and youth marketing at Coca-Cola Great Britain, working
with the Athens Olympic Games, UEFA European Football Championships, IRB
Rugby World Cup and the Football League. Angus is also a board member of the
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Although he has been at Arsenal since 2004 I understand he is in fact a
Luton Town fan. So maybe he is more of a 'Hatter' than a 'Gooner'
Yesterday the club announced that "As Managing Director, Angus will join the
Board and be responsible for the Club's current and future Commercial and
Sponsorship operations together with other specific areas relating to the
Stadium migration."
Angus Kinnear was quoted on WHUFC.com "I am thrilled to be joining West Ham
United. Opportunities to help lead a world-famous Club into an iconic new
home do not come around often, so it was a challenge that was too good to
turn down."
Back in 2005 Marketing Magazine said of Angus "According to one ad agency
boss, who worked with Kinnear at Coca-Cola, he has an easygoing nature, a
penchant for Karaoke and a reputation as a 'rebel and a hell-raiser'"
CAREER HISTORY
1996-2000: Brand manager, Laundry and Homecare, Procter & Gamble UK and
Europe
2000-2002 Brand strategy consultant, Mountainview
2002-2004 Senior group brand manager, youth brands, Coca-Cola GB
2004-2010 Marketing manager, Arsenal Football Club
2010-2013 Marketing director, Arsenal Football Club
West Ham Commercial Director Departs
Barry Webber
West Ham's current Commercial Director Barry Webber will become the new CEO
of Stevenage Football Club in the new year it has also been announced.
Webber said in an article which can be found here "I have greatly enjoyed my
time at West Ham and will leave with very fond memories of the club, the
staff and the fans"
Barry was previously Commercial Director at Newcastle United as well as
Sport Commercial Manager at AEG Sponsorship and Sponsorship Sales at the
International Tennis Federation before joining West Ham.
He becomes one of the youngest CEO's in the Football League at the age of
36.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Cottee Column: Jussi has been excellent
Dave Evans
Thursday, November 14, 2013
5:01 PM
London 24
It was a mistake by Jussi Jaaskelainen, a bad mistake which cost us a goal,
but we need to think about how many points he has saved for West Ham this
season and last. Jussi had a shaky start when he first arrived at the club,
but in the past year or so, you have to say that he has been as consistent
as just about anybody in the team. I was pleased that Big Sam didn't
criticise him too much because he is still a very good goalkeeper in my eyes
and that was just a blip.
As to letting in another stunning free kick, it is about time that we
stopped conceding these free kicks on the edge of the box. We have been
unlucky because so many have flown in this season, but if they don't get the
chance, then we don't concede a goal.
Apart from that I am not sure what else we can do. Some teams put a player
on the line, but that means the strikers can crowd the goalkeeper, so I am
not sure that is the answer. Looking back on the Norwich game you have to
say it is a really bad defeat, especially when you consider how well we
played in the first half. The problem was that we didn't kill Norwich off
when we had the chance. We have to take our chances.
Kevin Nolan is suffering at the moment. Last year he scored 10 goals and I
always say that if a player scores 10 goals then you should stay in the
Premier League. He is clearly missing playing alongside a striker and Andy
Carroll in particular and I think Sam has to go for a striker from the start
from now on.
There is two weeks to the next game and that gives Carlton Cole a little
longer to get fitter. I would like to see him start the next game, even if
it is only for an hour from the start.
Winston absence is a big blow
With Winston Reid on the injured list now, it means that West Ham are
without their best defender and their best striker at the same time. Without
a doubt, Winston has been the best player in the last couple of seasons and
deservedly won the Hammer of the Year trophy last term. It is also a great
shame that he will not be able to play for New Zealand in their World Cup
play-off against Mexico, though I am sure the club secretary will be
relieved that they don't have to pay out that £100,00 for his private jet
flight to Mexico! He will be badly missed by the Hammers. His partnership
with James Tomkins has been getting better and better in recent weeks, but
fortunately we have a ready made replacement in James Collins. No game this
weekend, but I don't mind these international breaks. It gives a chance for
clubs like Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge to take the spotlight and
that is a good thing.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Thursday, November 14
Daily WHUFC News - 14th November 2013
Hammers announce key appointment
WHUFC.com
Angus Kinnear will be joining West Ham United from Arsenal in the New Year
13.11.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce the appointment of Angus Kinnear
to lead the migration of the Club to the Olympic Stadium ahead of our move
to Stratford in 2016. As Managing Director, Angus will join the Board and be
responsible for the Club's current and future Commercial and Sponsorship
operations together with other specific areas relating to the Stadium
migration. Angus joins West Ham United from Arsenal, where, during a
nine-year stay, he held a number of senior commercial, partnership and
marketing positions. He will officially join the Club in the New Year and
will shortly be establishing a team to support this exciting new role.
Commenting on the appointment, West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady
said: "I am delighted to welcome Angus to West Ham United at an incredibly
exciting time for the Club. "He joins a strong, established team already
working on the Stadium project which includes my Marketing and
Communications Director, Tara Warren who continues to have oversight of this
function. "Angus' experience, having played an instrumental role in
Arsenal's highly successful move to the Emirates Stadium, will be an
invaluable addition as we prepare for the challenge of moving over a hundred
years of history and tradition to the iconic Olympic Stadium to help achieve
our footballing ambitions. "His primary task will be making sure we seek out
and maximise the new commercial opportunities provided by playing in the
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. "The fact we were able to secure the services
of someone so highly regarded is testament to the direction the Club is
heading. "This is a key appointment for my senior management team and I am
looking forward to working closely with Angus and the rest of my staff over
the coming years as we create a stunning new home for West Ham United."
Angus Kinnear added: "I am thrilled to be joining West Ham United.
Opportunities to help lead a world-famous Club into an iconic new home do
not come around often, so it was a challenge that was too good to turn down.
"I would like to thank everyone at Arsenal Football Club for the tremendous
nine years I spent there. I know the experience I have gained working on the
move to the Emirates Stadium and the subsequent step change in Arsenal's
commercial performance will be vital to me succeeding in my new role in East
London".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - George McCartney
WHUFC.com
George McCartney is looking forward to a first-team return with West Ham
United in the near future
13.11.2013
George McCartney is making good progress on his way back towards the West
Ham United first team, after injury dealt him a frustrating start to the
season.
The left-back has appeared just twice for Sam Allardyce's team thus far,
with both of those appearances coming in the Capital One Cup. He was back in
the squad for Saturday's defeat by Norwich City and the former Northern
Ireland international played 60 minutes of Tuesday's 9-0 friendly win over
Gillingham.
McCartney is now looking to play his part in the Club's Barclays Premier
League campaign for the rest of the season.
George, it might not have been a Premier League game against Gillingham but
presumably you're just pleased to be back playing football?
GMc: "Yeah, it's all about fitness for me now. It's been a long time since I
played a league match and I've only played a couple of cup games. I haven't
played a game for four or five weeks so it's about building my fitness up.
In terms of opposition I think the scoreline says it all but, like I say, it
was nice to get the run-out. "It's been a long time since I've been part of
the first-team squad, apart from Saturday, so it would be nice to be back
training with the lads out on the pitch. I'm looking forward to having the
banter with the squad again and being a part of it."
Looking forward, with the injuries we've got in the squad you must
presumably look at it and think you've got a real part to play in there?
GMc: "It's a big squad and a strong squad but I think with the defenders,
with Reidy (Winston Reid) out, the manager is down to the bare bones. I
think that's why I was put in the squad on Saturday as a late replacement
for Reidy, who got injured in training. It was nice to be back on the bench
but I want to get back to somewhere near where I know I can be and get in
the team or on the bench on merit rather than through injuries. There's a
long way to go but I try and stay positive and I'm confident in my own
ability."
In the cup games you've featured in you've played at centre-half. Obviously
we've only got James Collins and James Tomkins in that position, so do you
think that's an area you can cover as well as left-back?
GMc: "Obviously I prefer playing at left-back but there were a couple of
times in cup games last season and the previous year in the Championship
that I played games at centre-half. If needs be and the manager has a few
injuries then I can do a job there. Hopefully I can fight my way back in.
It's going to be tough but we'll see what happens."
Everybody connected with the Club - the manager, the fans and the players -
know that you can do a job at this level so there's no doubting your quality
is there?
GMc: "No, I came back to the Club during the Championship season and had a
really good season. The first half of last year was going well, we had a
great start and were sitting nice in the league with plenty of points. Then
I got injured around Christmas and I was out for a long time. It was a long
time out, I missed quite a few months and as you get older it's the fitness
side and being sharp enough and that doesn't come back as quickly as when
you were a younger lad. "I've worked hard over the last few months and I
thought I would come back a lot quicker but I've had a few setbacks. I've
got to continue to be positive and believe I can get back on the pitch. It
hasn't been easy at times, but I'm willing to work hard over the next six or
seven months of my contract to give it my best shot and hopefully I can get
back to somewhere near the level I can play."
Regardless of fitness, I presume you want to be back in there to contribute
when we're going through a bit of a rough patch?
GMc: "It's funny really, you look at our scores and the team the manager
picks every week is, on paper, a really good team but things just haven't
happened in front of goal. The lads at the back, apart from Saturday, have
been keeping clean sheets. Last year we'd have probably scored a goal or two
and got the three points but it just hasn't happened this year but I'm sure
if we keep knocking on the door we're going to get the right results."
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Ludo backing Jussi Jaaskelainen
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek 'Ludo' Miklosko has backed Jussi
Jaaskelainen - despite the veteran stopper's error at Carrow Road last
weekend.
Jaaskelainen dropped the ball when coming to claim a cross against Norwich
and subsequently conceded a penalty as he scrambled to retain control of the
ball. At the time West Ham were 1-0 ahead and looking comfortable, but
eventually fell to a demoralising 3-1 defeat.
However despite Jaaskelainen's glaring mistake, he has the backing of former
great Ludo Miklosko, who told KUMB.com that he still has faith in the
veteran Finn. "I think he's a good goalkeeper," said Miklosko, "but maybe
after the Norwich game he needs another good game.
"I know people may say he's too old but it's up to the manager to decide
whether he may need a rest or can carry on. I didn't see the game itself,
but Jussi is a good goalkeeper."
Miklosko, who was speaking exclusively to Knees up Mother Brown about his
eight-year spell at West Ham United was signed by Lou Macari in 1990 and
went on to play under Billy Bonds and Harry Redknapp before joining fellow
London side Queens Park Rangers in 1998.
Speaking in the latest episode of the KUMB.com Podcast, which you may
download now, the 52-year-old - who is currently working for a sporting
investment agency charged with tracking the best young talent in the Czech
Republic - revealed that he will be back in London later this month to watch
the Hammers take on Chelsea.
"I don't really have too much time to watch games with the job I'm doing
now, concentrating on young players in the Czech Republic," he said. "But
I've been to London a few times this year.
"Mostly I've been over to watch Academy players but I'm planning to come and
watch the Chelsea game in two weeks' time. I'll be at the Under 18s match
with Fulham in the morning then in the afternoon I'll go to the West Ham
game with Chelsea."
Ludo on... the 1991 FA Cup Semi Final
"It didn't start well because we had a player sent off! Nothing went right
for us and it was a bad day from the beginning - but it was a great
atmosphere, that's all I remember. Even though we lost the game it was a
great day for the fans. They stayed behind us, which was fantastic."
Ludo on... the West Ham fans
"It was a special club for me. I don't know why but the fans took to me very
well and we always had a great relationship. Throughout games they would
shout my name and ask me what the score is - they wanted me to show them! I
didn't like that too much as I felt I was losing concentration, but it was
part of the game. Our relationship was always fantastic and I loved to play
for them."
Ludo on... Julian Dicks
"I had a routine before the game which I always did. We also had players
like Julian Dicks whose warm-up consisted of sitting in a warm bath for five
minutes before putting his socks on - and that was it! I think we were a
little bit different, but he was a fantastic player who did very well. He
didn't need to warm up."
Ludo on ... Manchester United 1995
"It was a great day and one from which I have good memories. It was the last
day of the season and we had nothing to lose. We just went out there to
enjoy our last game [of the season]. For me it was just like every other
game. Maybe I had a bit of luck - which you need all the time - but it was a
great day. For both us and Blackburn - but not for Manchester United!"
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Ladies round-up
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Dave Maslen brings us the latest news from the West Ham United Ladies'
Camp...
Woodbridge FC 3-2 West Ham Utd Ladies FC
Under 15s
The Under 15s' unbeaten run finally came to an end today, with an
out-of-sorts display at Woodbridge. Perhaps suffering from several weeks of
inactivity, the girls showed great endeavour to get back into the game with
two fine goals having fallen 2-0 behind. At that point it looked like the
win was on but a last minute, well taken Woodbridge goal meant it was all
over.
Goals: Eleanor Landen, Hannah Humphreys.
West Ham Utd Ladies FC 3-0 Colchester Town
Under 13s
Our Under 13s kept their 100 per cent record intact but made hard work of
the game. Having bagged goal after goal in recent games an air of
complacency was the order of the day - but the Hammers picked the wrong game
and wrong team for that.
The Colchester girls rekindled the form that saw them finish runners-up in
their league last season, managing to play some excellent defensive football
and crowding out the Hammers from the off. West Ham's girls seemed to run
out of ideas with every attack failing in the final third. A lack of
communication between the Hammers' players, some poor passing and too many
individual efforts made it an uphill task to find the net.
It was a deflected shot from Amber Denton that finally put the Hammers in
front and with Colchester snuffing out all other attempts on goal, the
Hammers had to settle for a one goal lead at the break.
The second half saw a couple of changes in personnel with Maddie O'Connor
and Sophie Kelly - both on their way back from knee injuries - taking to the
field. Their creativity made a huge difference, with good passing coming
from both wide players. Colchester were finally being put under pressure
from all sides, but their goalkeeper was having a good day and made a string
of excellent stops kept Colchester in the game.
Hannah Landen entered the fray and made an instant impact, scoring two
well-struck goals and finally beating the Colchester keeper who, up until
then, had looked unbeatable. The final whistle confirmed a three-nil win,
but all credit should go to an outstanding performance from the Colchester
girls who proved that on their day they are more than capable of giving any
team a run for their money.
With a tough fixture coming up next week for the Hammers, who face a strong
Ramblers side, manager Dave Maslen and assistant Steve Kelly will be looking
for a vast improvement in team play and no more complacency.
West Ham Utd Ladies FC 5-0 Little Thurrock Dynamos
Under 11s
The Under 11s entertained Little Thurrock Dynamos at home on a pitch that
held up excellently after this week's heavy rainfall.
Following a tentative start, West Ham started to find their rhythm and began
to threaten the LTD goal. As the half progressed West Ham found themselves
homing in on their first goal of the game which duly arrived through Lucy
Brewster, who finally broke the deadlock with a nicely worked individual
goal.
Soon after Sienna Sherman-Botton, making her league debut was on hand to tap
home a second before Leigha Bradding-Butler was very unfortunate to see an
excellent team goal disallowed.
Despite a very strong defensive effort by LTD, West Ham added to their tally
in the second half with further goals from Holly Hutson and two more from
Sienna Sherman-Botton to complete an excellent hat-trick.
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Carlton's criticism
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has criticised West Ham United for publishing a video of a
behind-closed-doors friendly against Gillingham. West Ham ran out 9-0
winners in the friendly which was arranged to give match fitness to a number
of players not currently involved in Sam Allardyce's first XI. But Cole was
incensed when the Club released video highlights of the game to subscribers
of WHUFC TV, calling it "humiliating" for the young Gillingham players who
took part.
"Why oh why would you want to humiliate them poor young boys like that?" he
asked via his Twitter account. "It was a poor game behind closed doors." The
Tweet has since been removed.
Cole was one of several players who scored during the game and one of six
senior players involved with the match day squad; the others being Adrian,
George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Modibo Maiga.
Having celebrated his 30th birthday in October, Cole signed a three-month
contract with the Club last month - five months after initially leaving West
Ham having failed to agree terms on a new contract.
Cole's stance has received a mixed reaction from supporters, although KUMB
member Muddy could see both sides of the argument. "West Ham TV usually show
highlights from friendly games. Why should this be any different?" he asked.
"They've got to keep the subscribers happy, but I think the sentiments from
Carlton are nice. Big bloody softy that he is..."
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West Ham's George McCartney hopes to win back place
Last Updated: November 13, 2013 6:10pm
SSN
West Ham defender George McCartney is confident he can reclaim a place in
the starting XI after spending most of the season on the sidelines. After an
injury to centre-back Winston Reid, McCartney was drafted in as a substitute
for Saturday's game at Norwich and now hopes to be in a position to contend
for a first-team spot. The former Northern Ireland international has
appeared just twice this season for the Hammers and is keen to put his
injury-ravaged start to the term behind him. "It was nice to be back on the
bench but I want to get back to somewhere near where I know I can be and get
in the team on merit rather than through injuries," he told West Ham's
official website. "There's a long way to go but I try and stay positive and
I'm confident in my own ability.
"I've got to continue to be positive and believe I can get back on the
pitch. It hasn't been easy at times, but I'm willing to work hard and
hopefully I can get back to somewhere near the level I can play."
Now in the final year of his contract, McCartney is willing to play in any
position in order to help out Sam Allardyce's side, who are currently four
games without a win in the Premier League. "Obviously I prefer playing at
left back but there were a couple of times that I played games at
centre-half," he added. "If needs be and the manager has a few injuries then
I can do a job there. Hopefully I can fight my way back in. "It's going to
be tough but we'll see what happens."
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Carlton Cole slams West Ham decision to tweet link to 9-0 behind closed
doors hammering
13 Nov 2013 16:14
The Mirror
Carlton Cole has hit out at West Ham United, after the club's official
Twitter page posted a link to watch the Hammers 9-0 friendly win over
Gillingham. The match took place behind closed doors on Tuesday as a young
Gillingham side were put to the sword by an experienced Hammers XI, coached
by first-team coach Ian Hendon and featuring England internationals Cole and
Matt Jarvis. Also in the West Ham side were 44-cap Frenchman Alou Diarra,
Premier League veterans Matt Taylor and George McCartney and Malian
international striker Modibo Maiga. The East London club currently sit 16th
in the Premier League with just two wins to their name from their opening 11
matches, and with a number of first-team players not on international duty
decided to take in some extra practice. And the Hammers social media team
saw fit to post a link to the video, which led Cole to respond via his own
account, saying: "why oh why would you want to humiliate them poor young
boys like that? It was a poor game behind closed doors".
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Revealed! Ravel Morrison vs Wilfried Zaha on-pitch bust-up continued in the
tunnel
13 Nov 2013 22:31
The Mirror
Ravel Morrison clashed with Wilfried Zaha last month after being accused of
trying to steal the England Under-21 show against Lithuania. Boss Gareth
Southgate maintains the pair have patched things up after the bust-up that
stunned TV viewers during the 5-0 win. But all eyes will be on West Ham
playmaker Morrison and Manchester United starlet Zaha on Thursday night to
see whether the simmering tensions that exploded into a second-half bust-up
four weeks ago really have cooled. The Under-21s play Finland's rising stars
at MK Dons' ground in their first game since the flashpoint at Portman Road.
We can reveal that the spat erupted after Morrison had grabbed the headlines
with two goals, including a stunning individual effort similar to his
wondergoal against Spurs in the Premier League the week before.
Zaha, who had also impressed, is said to have accused the former Old
Trafford bad-boy of not passing to his team-mates and asked: "Any chance of
someone else having a touch?" It was then that the two players were seen by
TV viewers squaring up to each other, pushing and shoving. Morrison grabbed
former Crystal Palace forward Zaha around the neck before Norwich midfielder
Nathan Redmond came between them to act as peacemaker. Morrison then hit
Zaha with a withering verbal response, claiming there was little point
passing to him as he kept losing possession, causing England's build-up play
to break down.
The pair continued their row AFTER the match - when Morrison is said to have
suggested, "Me and you will have it out." Southgate then intervened,
ordering them to shake hands and make up, but Zaha refused, and instead
aimed a fresh verbal volley at Morrison. However, Southgate insisted this
week that the players HAD settled their differences. He said: "There are no
issues. I spoke to them and the lads when we got into the dressing room, and
before they left the ground they were hugging. "I think we have to have an
appreciation of each others' characters. We're a strong team because we've
got that diversity of character, we respond in different ways. "Those two
are the types of players they are because they live slightly on the edge in
terms of their responses and emotions. "We have to understand as a group
that we need all of those types of people to be a successful team. Those
guys will win us matches."
Mirrorsport understands, however, that there is still tension between the
two men.
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Ex-West Ham star Alessandro Diamanti reveals Upton Park regret as he targets
Italy World Cup place
13 Nov 2013 14:31
The Mirror
Italy star Alessandro Diamanti has revealed his the only regret of his
career: Leaving West Ham United. The Bologna forward spent one season at
Upton Park under Gianfranco Zola in 2009-10, scoring seven goals in 28
Premier League matches for the Hammers before returning home. Diamanti, 30,
has since moved from Brescia to Bologna and established himself as a regular
international and is set to go to the World Cup next summer. "I had a
wonderful experience in the Premier League and would recommend it to
anyone," he said. "You get to work seriously and as a professional, but you
are also free to live your own life. Perhaps the only regret of my career
was leaving London." Italy face Germany in Milan on Friday and then Nigeria
in London on Monday as they prepare for Brazil. Diamanti added: "We are
going there to win, otherwise what's the point? "Italy must always target
the ultimate goal."
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WHUFC.com
Angus Kinnear will be joining West Ham United from Arsenal in the New Year
13.11.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce the appointment of Angus Kinnear
to lead the migration of the Club to the Olympic Stadium ahead of our move
to Stratford in 2016. As Managing Director, Angus will join the Board and be
responsible for the Club's current and future Commercial and Sponsorship
operations together with other specific areas relating to the Stadium
migration. Angus joins West Ham United from Arsenal, where, during a
nine-year stay, he held a number of senior commercial, partnership and
marketing positions. He will officially join the Club in the New Year and
will shortly be establishing a team to support this exciting new role.
Commenting on the appointment, West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady
said: "I am delighted to welcome Angus to West Ham United at an incredibly
exciting time for the Club. "He joins a strong, established team already
working on the Stadium project which includes my Marketing and
Communications Director, Tara Warren who continues to have oversight of this
function. "Angus' experience, having played an instrumental role in
Arsenal's highly successful move to the Emirates Stadium, will be an
invaluable addition as we prepare for the challenge of moving over a hundred
years of history and tradition to the iconic Olympic Stadium to help achieve
our footballing ambitions. "His primary task will be making sure we seek out
and maximise the new commercial opportunities provided by playing in the
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. "The fact we were able to secure the services
of someone so highly regarded is testament to the direction the Club is
heading. "This is a key appointment for my senior management team and I am
looking forward to working closely with Angus and the rest of my staff over
the coming years as we create a stunning new home for West Ham United."
Angus Kinnear added: "I am thrilled to be joining West Ham United.
Opportunities to help lead a world-famous Club into an iconic new home do
not come around often, so it was a challenge that was too good to turn down.
"I would like to thank everyone at Arsenal Football Club for the tremendous
nine years I spent there. I know the experience I have gained working on the
move to the Emirates Stadium and the subsequent step change in Arsenal's
commercial performance will be vital to me succeeding in my new role in East
London".
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The Big Interview - George McCartney
WHUFC.com
George McCartney is looking forward to a first-team return with West Ham
United in the near future
13.11.2013
George McCartney is making good progress on his way back towards the West
Ham United first team, after injury dealt him a frustrating start to the
season.
The left-back has appeared just twice for Sam Allardyce's team thus far,
with both of those appearances coming in the Capital One Cup. He was back in
the squad for Saturday's defeat by Norwich City and the former Northern
Ireland international played 60 minutes of Tuesday's 9-0 friendly win over
Gillingham.
McCartney is now looking to play his part in the Club's Barclays Premier
League campaign for the rest of the season.
George, it might not have been a Premier League game against Gillingham but
presumably you're just pleased to be back playing football?
GMc: "Yeah, it's all about fitness for me now. It's been a long time since I
played a league match and I've only played a couple of cup games. I haven't
played a game for four or five weeks so it's about building my fitness up.
In terms of opposition I think the scoreline says it all but, like I say, it
was nice to get the run-out. "It's been a long time since I've been part of
the first-team squad, apart from Saturday, so it would be nice to be back
training with the lads out on the pitch. I'm looking forward to having the
banter with the squad again and being a part of it."
Looking forward, with the injuries we've got in the squad you must
presumably look at it and think you've got a real part to play in there?
GMc: "It's a big squad and a strong squad but I think with the defenders,
with Reidy (Winston Reid) out, the manager is down to the bare bones. I
think that's why I was put in the squad on Saturday as a late replacement
for Reidy, who got injured in training. It was nice to be back on the bench
but I want to get back to somewhere near where I know I can be and get in
the team or on the bench on merit rather than through injuries. There's a
long way to go but I try and stay positive and I'm confident in my own
ability."
In the cup games you've featured in you've played at centre-half. Obviously
we've only got James Collins and James Tomkins in that position, so do you
think that's an area you can cover as well as left-back?
GMc: "Obviously I prefer playing at left-back but there were a couple of
times in cup games last season and the previous year in the Championship
that I played games at centre-half. If needs be and the manager has a few
injuries then I can do a job there. Hopefully I can fight my way back in.
It's going to be tough but we'll see what happens."
Everybody connected with the Club - the manager, the fans and the players -
know that you can do a job at this level so there's no doubting your quality
is there?
GMc: "No, I came back to the Club during the Championship season and had a
really good season. The first half of last year was going well, we had a
great start and were sitting nice in the league with plenty of points. Then
I got injured around Christmas and I was out for a long time. It was a long
time out, I missed quite a few months and as you get older it's the fitness
side and being sharp enough and that doesn't come back as quickly as when
you were a younger lad. "I've worked hard over the last few months and I
thought I would come back a lot quicker but I've had a few setbacks. I've
got to continue to be positive and believe I can get back on the pitch. It
hasn't been easy at times, but I'm willing to work hard over the next six or
seven months of my contract to give it my best shot and hopefully I can get
back to somewhere near the level I can play."
Regardless of fitness, I presume you want to be back in there to contribute
when we're going through a bit of a rough patch?
GMc: "It's funny really, you look at our scores and the team the manager
picks every week is, on paper, a really good team but things just haven't
happened in front of goal. The lads at the back, apart from Saturday, have
been keeping clean sheets. Last year we'd have probably scored a goal or two
and got the three points but it just hasn't happened this year but I'm sure
if we keep knocking on the door we're going to get the right results."
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Ludo backing Jussi Jaaskelainen
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek 'Ludo' Miklosko has backed Jussi
Jaaskelainen - despite the veteran stopper's error at Carrow Road last
weekend.
Jaaskelainen dropped the ball when coming to claim a cross against Norwich
and subsequently conceded a penalty as he scrambled to retain control of the
ball. At the time West Ham were 1-0 ahead and looking comfortable, but
eventually fell to a demoralising 3-1 defeat.
However despite Jaaskelainen's glaring mistake, he has the backing of former
great Ludo Miklosko, who told KUMB.com that he still has faith in the
veteran Finn. "I think he's a good goalkeeper," said Miklosko, "but maybe
after the Norwich game he needs another good game.
"I know people may say he's too old but it's up to the manager to decide
whether he may need a rest or can carry on. I didn't see the game itself,
but Jussi is a good goalkeeper."
Miklosko, who was speaking exclusively to Knees up Mother Brown about his
eight-year spell at West Ham United was signed by Lou Macari in 1990 and
went on to play under Billy Bonds and Harry Redknapp before joining fellow
London side Queens Park Rangers in 1998.
Speaking in the latest episode of the KUMB.com Podcast, which you may
download now, the 52-year-old - who is currently working for a sporting
investment agency charged with tracking the best young talent in the Czech
Republic - revealed that he will be back in London later this month to watch
the Hammers take on Chelsea.
"I don't really have too much time to watch games with the job I'm doing
now, concentrating on young players in the Czech Republic," he said. "But
I've been to London a few times this year.
"Mostly I've been over to watch Academy players but I'm planning to come and
watch the Chelsea game in two weeks' time. I'll be at the Under 18s match
with Fulham in the morning then in the afternoon I'll go to the West Ham
game with Chelsea."
Ludo on... the 1991 FA Cup Semi Final
"It didn't start well because we had a player sent off! Nothing went right
for us and it was a bad day from the beginning - but it was a great
atmosphere, that's all I remember. Even though we lost the game it was a
great day for the fans. They stayed behind us, which was fantastic."
Ludo on... the West Ham fans
"It was a special club for me. I don't know why but the fans took to me very
well and we always had a great relationship. Throughout games they would
shout my name and ask me what the score is - they wanted me to show them! I
didn't like that too much as I felt I was losing concentration, but it was
part of the game. Our relationship was always fantastic and I loved to play
for them."
Ludo on... Julian Dicks
"I had a routine before the game which I always did. We also had players
like Julian Dicks whose warm-up consisted of sitting in a warm bath for five
minutes before putting his socks on - and that was it! I think we were a
little bit different, but he was a fantastic player who did very well. He
didn't need to warm up."
Ludo on ... Manchester United 1995
"It was a great day and one from which I have good memories. It was the last
day of the season and we had nothing to lose. We just went out there to
enjoy our last game [of the season]. For me it was just like every other
game. Maybe I had a bit of luck - which you need all the time - but it was a
great day. For both us and Blackburn - but not for Manchester United!"
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Ladies round-up
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Dave Maslen brings us the latest news from the West Ham United Ladies'
Camp...
Woodbridge FC 3-2 West Ham Utd Ladies FC
Under 15s
The Under 15s' unbeaten run finally came to an end today, with an
out-of-sorts display at Woodbridge. Perhaps suffering from several weeks of
inactivity, the girls showed great endeavour to get back into the game with
two fine goals having fallen 2-0 behind. At that point it looked like the
win was on but a last minute, well taken Woodbridge goal meant it was all
over.
Goals: Eleanor Landen, Hannah Humphreys.
West Ham Utd Ladies FC 3-0 Colchester Town
Under 13s
Our Under 13s kept their 100 per cent record intact but made hard work of
the game. Having bagged goal after goal in recent games an air of
complacency was the order of the day - but the Hammers picked the wrong game
and wrong team for that.
The Colchester girls rekindled the form that saw them finish runners-up in
their league last season, managing to play some excellent defensive football
and crowding out the Hammers from the off. West Ham's girls seemed to run
out of ideas with every attack failing in the final third. A lack of
communication between the Hammers' players, some poor passing and too many
individual efforts made it an uphill task to find the net.
It was a deflected shot from Amber Denton that finally put the Hammers in
front and with Colchester snuffing out all other attempts on goal, the
Hammers had to settle for a one goal lead at the break.
The second half saw a couple of changes in personnel with Maddie O'Connor
and Sophie Kelly - both on their way back from knee injuries - taking to the
field. Their creativity made a huge difference, with good passing coming
from both wide players. Colchester were finally being put under pressure
from all sides, but their goalkeeper was having a good day and made a string
of excellent stops kept Colchester in the game.
Hannah Landen entered the fray and made an instant impact, scoring two
well-struck goals and finally beating the Colchester keeper who, up until
then, had looked unbeatable. The final whistle confirmed a three-nil win,
but all credit should go to an outstanding performance from the Colchester
girls who proved that on their day they are more than capable of giving any
team a run for their money.
With a tough fixture coming up next week for the Hammers, who face a strong
Ramblers side, manager Dave Maslen and assistant Steve Kelly will be looking
for a vast improvement in team play and no more complacency.
West Ham Utd Ladies FC 5-0 Little Thurrock Dynamos
Under 11s
The Under 11s entertained Little Thurrock Dynamos at home on a pitch that
held up excellently after this week's heavy rainfall.
Following a tentative start, West Ham started to find their rhythm and began
to threaten the LTD goal. As the half progressed West Ham found themselves
homing in on their first goal of the game which duly arrived through Lucy
Brewster, who finally broke the deadlock with a nicely worked individual
goal.
Soon after Sienna Sherman-Botton, making her league debut was on hand to tap
home a second before Leigha Bradding-Butler was very unfortunate to see an
excellent team goal disallowed.
Despite a very strong defensive effort by LTD, West Ham added to their tally
in the second half with further goals from Holly Hutson and two more from
Sienna Sherman-Botton to complete an excellent hat-trick.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton's criticism
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 13th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has criticised West Ham United for publishing a video of a
behind-closed-doors friendly against Gillingham. West Ham ran out 9-0
winners in the friendly which was arranged to give match fitness to a number
of players not currently involved in Sam Allardyce's first XI. But Cole was
incensed when the Club released video highlights of the game to subscribers
of WHUFC TV, calling it "humiliating" for the young Gillingham players who
took part.
"Why oh why would you want to humiliate them poor young boys like that?" he
asked via his Twitter account. "It was a poor game behind closed doors." The
Tweet has since been removed.
Cole was one of several players who scored during the game and one of six
senior players involved with the match day squad; the others being Adrian,
George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Modibo Maiga.
Having celebrated his 30th birthday in October, Cole signed a three-month
contract with the Club last month - five months after initially leaving West
Ham having failed to agree terms on a new contract.
Cole's stance has received a mixed reaction from supporters, although KUMB
member Muddy could see both sides of the argument. "West Ham TV usually show
highlights from friendly games. Why should this be any different?" he asked.
"They've got to keep the subscribers happy, but I think the sentiments from
Carlton are nice. Big bloody softy that he is..."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's George McCartney hopes to win back place
Last Updated: November 13, 2013 6:10pm
SSN
West Ham defender George McCartney is confident he can reclaim a place in
the starting XI after spending most of the season on the sidelines. After an
injury to centre-back Winston Reid, McCartney was drafted in as a substitute
for Saturday's game at Norwich and now hopes to be in a position to contend
for a first-team spot. The former Northern Ireland international has
appeared just twice this season for the Hammers and is keen to put his
injury-ravaged start to the term behind him. "It was nice to be back on the
bench but I want to get back to somewhere near where I know I can be and get
in the team on merit rather than through injuries," he told West Ham's
official website. "There's a long way to go but I try and stay positive and
I'm confident in my own ability.
"I've got to continue to be positive and believe I can get back on the
pitch. It hasn't been easy at times, but I'm willing to work hard and
hopefully I can get back to somewhere near the level I can play."
Now in the final year of his contract, McCartney is willing to play in any
position in order to help out Sam Allardyce's side, who are currently four
games without a win in the Premier League. "Obviously I prefer playing at
left back but there were a couple of times that I played games at
centre-half," he added. "If needs be and the manager has a few injuries then
I can do a job there. Hopefully I can fight my way back in. "It's going to
be tough but we'll see what happens."
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Carlton Cole slams West Ham decision to tweet link to 9-0 behind closed
doors hammering
13 Nov 2013 16:14
The Mirror
Carlton Cole has hit out at West Ham United, after the club's official
Twitter page posted a link to watch the Hammers 9-0 friendly win over
Gillingham. The match took place behind closed doors on Tuesday as a young
Gillingham side were put to the sword by an experienced Hammers XI, coached
by first-team coach Ian Hendon and featuring England internationals Cole and
Matt Jarvis. Also in the West Ham side were 44-cap Frenchman Alou Diarra,
Premier League veterans Matt Taylor and George McCartney and Malian
international striker Modibo Maiga. The East London club currently sit 16th
in the Premier League with just two wins to their name from their opening 11
matches, and with a number of first-team players not on international duty
decided to take in some extra practice. And the Hammers social media team
saw fit to post a link to the video, which led Cole to respond via his own
account, saying: "why oh why would you want to humiliate them poor young
boys like that? It was a poor game behind closed doors".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Revealed! Ravel Morrison vs Wilfried Zaha on-pitch bust-up continued in the
tunnel
13 Nov 2013 22:31
The Mirror
Ravel Morrison clashed with Wilfried Zaha last month after being accused of
trying to steal the England Under-21 show against Lithuania. Boss Gareth
Southgate maintains the pair have patched things up after the bust-up that
stunned TV viewers during the 5-0 win. But all eyes will be on West Ham
playmaker Morrison and Manchester United starlet Zaha on Thursday night to
see whether the simmering tensions that exploded into a second-half bust-up
four weeks ago really have cooled. The Under-21s play Finland's rising stars
at MK Dons' ground in their first game since the flashpoint at Portman Road.
We can reveal that the spat erupted after Morrison had grabbed the headlines
with two goals, including a stunning individual effort similar to his
wondergoal against Spurs in the Premier League the week before.
Zaha, who had also impressed, is said to have accused the former Old
Trafford bad-boy of not passing to his team-mates and asked: "Any chance of
someone else having a touch?" It was then that the two players were seen by
TV viewers squaring up to each other, pushing and shoving. Morrison grabbed
former Crystal Palace forward Zaha around the neck before Norwich midfielder
Nathan Redmond came between them to act as peacemaker. Morrison then hit
Zaha with a withering verbal response, claiming there was little point
passing to him as he kept losing possession, causing England's build-up play
to break down.
The pair continued their row AFTER the match - when Morrison is said to have
suggested, "Me and you will have it out." Southgate then intervened,
ordering them to shake hands and make up, but Zaha refused, and instead
aimed a fresh verbal volley at Morrison. However, Southgate insisted this
week that the players HAD settled their differences. He said: "There are no
issues. I spoke to them and the lads when we got into the dressing room, and
before they left the ground they were hugging. "I think we have to have an
appreciation of each others' characters. We're a strong team because we've
got that diversity of character, we respond in different ways. "Those two
are the types of players they are because they live slightly on the edge in
terms of their responses and emotions. "We have to understand as a group
that we need all of those types of people to be a successful team. Those
guys will win us matches."
Mirrorsport understands, however, that there is still tension between the
two men.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ex-West Ham star Alessandro Diamanti reveals Upton Park regret as he targets
Italy World Cup place
13 Nov 2013 14:31
The Mirror
Italy star Alessandro Diamanti has revealed his the only regret of his
career: Leaving West Ham United. The Bologna forward spent one season at
Upton Park under Gianfranco Zola in 2009-10, scoring seven goals in 28
Premier League matches for the Hammers before returning home. Diamanti, 30,
has since moved from Brescia to Bologna and established himself as a regular
international and is set to go to the World Cup next summer. "I had a
wonderful experience in the Premier League and would recommend it to
anyone," he said. "You get to work seriously and as a professional, but you
are also free to live your own life. Perhaps the only regret of my career
was leaving London." Italy face Germany in Milan on Friday and then Nigeria
in London on Monday as they prepare for Brazil. Diamanti added: "We are
going there to win, otherwise what's the point? "Italy must always target
the ultimate goal."
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Wednesday, November 13
Daily WHUFC News - 13th November 2013
Hammers hit nine in Gills win
WHUFC.com
An experienced West Ham United XI beat Gillingham 9-0 in a friendly at Rush
Green Stadium on Tuesday
12.11.2013
Two goals from ex-Gillingham winger Matt Jarvis helped a West Ham United XI
to a resounding 9-0 win over his former club. There were braces for Blair
Turgott and a trialist as an experienced Hammers side ran riot at Rush Green
Stadium. First-team strike duo Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga also netted a
goal apiece as they enjoyed a profitable run-out before a long-range effort
from Taylor Miles rounded off the scoring. It was a thumping win for a team
which also featured George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Adrian alongside a
number of the Hammers' Under-21 regulars. The game started with a bang for
the Hammers, who were ahead after only three minutes as Cole released Jarvis
down the left and he pulled the ball back to the edge of the box for the
oncoming Turgott, who fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner. Maiga
had started the game with purpose and got his reward after 18 minutes when
another Jarvis cross was met by Cole. He headed the ball into the path of
the Mali frontman, who applied a neat finish to beat the keeper from a
couple of yards. The visitors were struggling to cope with the quality of
West Ham's attacking contingent but did their best to strike back with Harry
Grant firing in three efforts over the course of four minutes, only one of
which caused Adrian any trouble. The lead was stretched further on 33
minutes when Maiga whipped in a cross from the right-hand side which was
turned past the keeper by Jarvis from six yards. A minute before half-time,
the winger had his second as he expertly dispatched a volley into the top
corner of the net after Danny Whitehead had nodded the ball to him on the
edge of the box. The senior players remained on after half-time and nine
minutes after the restart the Hammers celebrated their fifth as Cole flicked
in Turgott's shot from a Jarvis cross.
Gillingham looked deflated and just two minutes later found themselves six
down when Turgott pounced on Cole's rebounded shot to sidefoot home his
second goal of the game from ten yards out. A raft of substitutions then
ensued in the 60th minute, with Adrian and Diarra the only first-team
players to remain on the pitch until the final whistle. It took the new
arrivals a few moments to settle into the game, but it would just eight
minutes for the trialist to make his mark, adding a seventh goal from fellow
replacement Kieran Sadlier's cross. The trialist doubled his tally and hit
West Ham's eighth on 79 minutes when he burst into the box, shrugged off a
couple of defenders and placed a shot past goalkeeper George Howard. The
scoring was complete with five minutes left as Miles got in on the act when
he blasted home a low shot from outside the box after the trialist had teed
him up. The display delighted the watching West Ham Academy players, coaches
and staff, as well as midfielder Joe Cole, who turned out to keep an eye on
proceedings as the goals flowed.
West Ham United: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney
(Chambers 60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60),
Jarvis (Maguire 60), Cole (Trialist 60)
Sub not used: Brown
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fans' forum details confirmed
WHUFC.com
The Club are delighted to reveal full details of December's fans' forum for
Season Ticket Holders
06.11.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce ticketing details for an exclusive
free fans' forum for Season Ticket Holders at the Boleyn Ground with
Joint-Chairman David Gold, manager Sam Allardyce and captain Kevin Nolan on
Tuesday 10 December at 6.30pm. Prior to a prompt 7pm start, supporters will
be invited to be part of an exclusive autograph and picture session with Big
Sam and Nolan, before the Hammers duo kick-off the evening's Q and A. Mr
Gold will then take the floor for the second half of the evening, answering
questions from Season Ticket Holders on all manner of West Ham matters, both
on and off the pitch, in this, the first event of a recently-announced raft
of rewards for our most loyal supporters.
Tickets will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis at a
rate of one per successful applicant and are available to 2013/14 Season
Ticket Holders only. Please note, Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult
Season Ticket Holder.
To secure one of the 400 places available for this exclusive event, please
call the Ticket Office on 0871 529 1966 - option 3* - from 9am on Wednesday
13 November. The Club will announce, via whufc.com, as and when all spaces
are filled.
December's event will be the first of many exclusive fans' forums held by
the Club, with a second Season Ticket Holders' forum already set for the New
Year.
Andy Carroll, Mark Noble and Joe Cole will all be in attendance at the
Circus Tavern, Purfleet, with Season Ticket Holders again invited to quiz
the Hammers players. Further details will be announced on whufc.com in due
course.
To read more on Season Ticket Holder benefits, including a complimentary DVD
of the Hammers' 3-0 win at White Hart Lane, an open training session and
unprecedented access to next season's first-team photo, please click here.
*Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pair on the Ball for Richard House
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole and Mark Noble attended the Richard House Children's Hospice Secret
Garden Ball
12.11.2013
Mark Noble and Joe Cole helped to raise over £80,000 for the Richard House
Children's Hospice at the recent Secret Garden Ball. The West Ham United
pair are both patrons of the Beckton-based hospice, which is also one of the
Hammers' official Club charities. The duo swapped their kit for smart suits
to attend the event at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, joining fellow
patrons, business people and long-standing supporters of Richard House. The
evening got off to a lively start with both Noble and Cole joining in a game
of Heads and Tails as the guests guessed on the toss of a coin, with the
last person standing, winning a prize. This was followed by a three-course
meal and an auction in which both players whole-heartedly took part. Cole
was first to bid in the auction, which was hosted by renowned auctioneer
Charlie Ross. The midfielder was successful as he beat others in the room to
grab an exclusive behind-the-scenes designer package with fashion brand
Warehouse. Noble was also successful in his bid and went home with a signed
and framed running spike belonging to sprinting legend Usain Bolt. The funds
raised from the auction will ensure they can continue to provide a service
to children and young people with life limiting conditions and provide
respite for their families.
As well as the main auction, there was also a raffle and a silent auction -
where prizes included tickets and hospitality in Cole's own box for the next
home match against Chelsea, while another prize was dinner and wine for four
people at FiftyNine New Street, a restaurant partly owned by Cole and Noble
along with other players. Speaking about the event and his long-standing
support of the hospice, Cole said: "It was a real pleasure once again to be
supporting such a wonderful charity as Richard House. I have been a patron
for a while now and I am always totally in awe of the brilliant work it does
year in year out. "If I can do my bit in helping where I can, raising money
or just helping them raise awareness of what it does, then I am only too
happy to do so. It is great that we as a Club can support such a charity
right on our doorstep."
The hospice's work was shown in a short film made by 17-year-old Jordan
Samuel, who has been making use of the services at Richard House since he
was nine years old. The teenager is a member of the hospice's Living Films
Club, run together with family support worker Bernie Wighton. It is just one
of the many projects offered by the hospice alongside the practical and
medical services it provides on a daily basis. Noble, who asked for
donations to Richard House instead of gifts at his wedding in 2012, was
delighted to be helping the hospice in whatever way he could. "It is such a
special place. I have been there several times now and we as a Club have
supported Richard House and visited as a team. Despite the difficulties the
children, their families and all the staff go through, they always have
smiling faces and make you welcome. "So for me and Joe and us as a Club, to
spend time helping in what way we can is something we do without question.
If it enables the hospice to keep on doing the fantastic work that it does,
then it is only a good thing."
Richard House chief executive Peter Ellis summed up what was a successful
14th annual ball, which ended with a performance by showband Pure Orange.
"It has been another tremendous night for us, to see old and new supporters
of Richard House coming together again to help not only raise funds but
support us in so many ways," said Ellis. "This backing will allow us to
continue to support families in and around London, to develop the service
and care we provide and reflect our vision, which is for communities to
journey together to create positive memories of living and dying. "The
support of West Ham, with Joe and Mark attending once again, is very
valuable to us, as is all the work that many people do. We look forward to a
continuing partnership that will allow us to keep providing a high level of
care and unique experiences to all those who come to Richard House."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts praises team effort
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts was happy with the performance of his entire team after they
beat Aston Villa
11.11.2013
Steve Potts hailed the team effort which saw his West Ham United Under-18s
reap the reward of all three points after they saw off Aston Villa on
Saturday.
A 3-1 win over the Villans extended the Hammers' unbeaten run to seven games
as they overcame an early setback to continue their fine form. Centre-back
Reece Burke conceded a 16th minute penalty which was dispatched to the
bottom left-hand corner, leaving Sam Howes with no chance. Less than sixty
seconds later however and trialist Jaanai Gordon equalised on his first
appearance for the U18s before he doubled the lead shortly before half-time.
Top-scorer Kieran Bywater then completed the scoring with 13 minutes left to
leave his manager praising the team's performance. Potts said: "It was a
very tough game. It was a good test for the boys with the way they move the
ball around really well. "We went 1-0 down against them and I thought it
might be a difficult game for us but credit to the boys, they came back into
the game straight away and I think we deserved the win. "When you look back,
it was just one of those all-round good team performances and that's what
got us on top. Everyone did their jobs, worked hard for each other and in
the end got the rewards for their performances. "If everyone doesn't do
their jobs then it becomes difficult but everyone did their bit which is
pleasing."
Crucial to the success was 17-year-old trilaist Gordon, who has made three
first team appearances for Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United this
season. The striker's brace came courtesy of some cool finishing and he
clearly did enough to impress Potts. "He did well, he came in for his first
game and scored two goals so you can't ask much more than that on his first
appearance. It was very positive what he did and he settled in very
quickly."
Gordon was partnered in attack by Jordan Brown, who after joining West Ham
from Arsenal in the summer, has now signed his first professional contract
with the Club. Brown had cause for a double celebration as it was also the
frontman's 17th birthday on the day he signed and Potts has been impressed
with his contribution so far. "With Jordan, he's been at Arsenal all through
the younger age groups so to leave a settled environment like that and come
to a new club it takes time to settle. "He's shown in spells some really
good stuff. I think now with Jordan he's got used to what we're all about
here and he's settled in well with the rest of the boys and hopefully he can
kick-on from here."
Whilst the U18s boss still hopes there's more to come from Brown, that also
applies to the whole squad who he hopes can push on towards appearances for
the Development Squad. He said: "I'm just looking for more and more out of
the boys each week. The only danger they've got is taking their foot off the
pedal.
"I want them pushing on towards the under-21s, that's my aim for them, to
play well in the U21s. To play well enough to make Nick [Haycock] think they
deserve a chance in the U21s, that's the main focus for them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison added to Wales squad
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison joins the list of West Ham United players called up for
international duty this week
07.11.2013
Jack Collison has been added to Chris Coleman's Wales squad for their
international friendly with Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Hammers midfielder Collison joins James Collins in the Wales party with the
pair looking to add to their 16 and 43 caps respectively.
Ravel Morrison has been named in the England squad for their UEFA U21
Championship qualifiers against Finland and San Marino later this month.
Gareth Southgate's team are looking to continue their unbeaten start to
their qualification campaign, which has seen them take ten points from their
opening four games. Morrison earned his first call-up to the Under-21s for
their last round of qualifiers, and scored in the 5-0 mauling of Lithuania.
The Young Lions are set to take on Finland at Milton Keynes Dons' stadiummk
on Thursday 14 November, before moving on to Shrewsbury Town's Greenhaus
Stadium for the San Marino clash on Tuesday 19 November.
Fellow Hammer Joey O'Brien is in the Republic of Ireland squad for their
friendly internationals against Latvia in Dublin on Friday 15 November and
Poland in Poznan on Tuesday 19 November. New Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is
set to take charge of the team for the two friendlies, although caretaker
boss Noel King completed his duties in the role by finalising the 27-man
squad before handing over the reins. O'Brien will be looking to win his
sixth cap for his country, and his first since a September 2012 friendly
against Oman.
Also set to represent his country in this next set of internationals is
Mohamed Diame, who has been named in the Senegal squad for the second leg of
their FIFA World Cup Play-Off against Ivory Coast on Saturday 16 November.
Senegal are 3-1 down following the away leg and will have to play the home
match in Morocco as they are currently serving a suspension from playing
matches in Senegal due to crowd disturbances.
Razvan Rat is in Romania's squad for their FIFA World Cup Play-Off matches
against Greece on 15 and 19 November, but Winston Reid will miss New
Zealand's showdown with Mexico due to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, West Ham schoolboy Jahmal Hector-Ingram will hope to make his
England U16 debut in their Sky Sports Victory Shield clash with Northern
Ireland in Bournemouth on Friday 8 November.
Academy defenders Reece Burke and Kyle Knoyle have been named in the England
U18 squad for a two-day training camp at St George's Park this month.
Raphael Spiegel is in the Switzerland U21 squad for their matches against
Croatia (14 November) and Ukraine (18 November), and Academy goalkeeper Vit
Nemrava is due to play for Caech Republic U18s in a tournament in Turkey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers go goal crazy
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Here's one for the record books... both Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga were
on the scoresheet as a West Ham XI ran out 9-0 winners over Gillingham in a
behind-closed-doors friendly this afternoon.
Especially arranged for those not taking part in international fixtures
during the forthcoming Premier League break, the Hammers eased to victory at
Rush Green Stadium against the League One side - who only yesterday
appointed former England Under 21 boss Peter Taylor as their new manager -
in a completely one-sided affair.
Blair Turgott scored the first goal of the day from the edge of the penalty
box before Maiga converted a Matt Jarvis cross to double West Ham's
advantage. The goalscorer turned provider shortly after to set Jarvis up for
a third from close range. The winger was to double his tally shortly before
the half time break with a fine volley.
After the break it was more of the same from the Hammers, who were also
featuring Alou Diarra - making his second appearance in recent days - and
George McCartney. Carlton Cole scored his first and only goal of the day
shortly after the restart, soon to be followed by young Turgott,
capitalising on a spilled shot to notch his second.
Despite four of the six senior players on show being substituted on the hour
mark, West Ham continued to pile on the misery for a shellshocked Gills
side. An unnamed triallist - believed to be Jaanai Gordon - scored a quick
brace to make it 8-0 before grabbing an assist by setting up young
midfielder Taylor Miles for the ninth and final goal of the day.
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney (Chambers
60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60), Jarvis
(Maguire 60), C Cole (Trialist 60).
Subs not used: Brown.
Goals: Turgott (2), Maiga, Jarvis (2), C Cole, Triallist (2), Miles.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winston's woes
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Winston Reid has revealed that he could be out of action until the New Year.
The reigning KUMB.com Player of the Year suffered a Hammer blow at the
weekend after scans revealed that the injury he sustained during training
last week may keep him out of action until the New Year. Reid, speaking to
Live Sport Radio at the weekend revealed how the injury happened. "I was at
training and I slipped. I got stuck between a player's leg and twisted my
ankle," he said. "I went back into the physio room afterwards and they
tested me a couple of times but as a player you know when something's not
right. So I had the scans and unfortunately they pretty much confirmed that
there was a problem. I then had another scan to see how bad the injury was
and unfortunately it's pretty serious. It was a freak accident, slipping and
getting my leg caught under another player - but these things happen.
"Unfortunately it happen in training and you can perhaps accept it more if
it happens in a game. For me personally it's one of the worst things that
can happen. It couldn't have happened at a worse time, but life goes on."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Norwich debacle
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Gary Portugal
Despite their drubbing by Man City ,this was never going to be an easy game.
Why? For a start,we haven't won at Carrow Road in 40 years.
In theory,that shouldn't matter, especially against a decidedly average
Canaries side. But in reality , history does matter. Just check our record
at Anfield.
Secondly, without Reid,we were always going to be vulnerable ,even with
Collins back as cover. Collins himself was only just back from injury, and
not surprisingly, a bit rusty.
Thirdly, the whole stadium knew that Hughton's job was on the line; simply
put,in front of their own fans ,there HAD to be a response from the Norwich
players following their mauling.
Finally,like us,Norwich are fighting for their PL survival. Which is why a
draw,though disappointing,would not have been a disaster.
What is the sense in keeping a player of Diame's quality on the bench? Does
he want another player to hand in a transfer request? Even if played out of
position, Diame offers far more than Joe Cole, who was utterly ineffective
at Norwich. What must Diame be thinking, if he can't even get into the
starting eleven of a side in the bottom 6 ? Could you blame him for wanting
to leave in January? Yes, Diame was subpar at Burnley. But that's history
now.
Mistakes happen - they are partly unavoidable ,like death and taxes. The
trick,obviously,is to try to minimize their frequency and the damage
resulting from them. Jussi has made many great saves this season,so I can't
moan about his clanger leading to the penalty. The penalty decision itself
was debatable, as it appeared that he did get the ball,and not just the
player.
What I will complain about is our inability, COLLECTIVELY, to deal with free
kicks. Clearly , the keeper has a weakness there. In which case, the club
should try to help him out. Why not have a man at the post ? How many more
points do we have to drop before we learn? Everton,Stoke, and now Norwich.
That many teams choose NOT to have a man on the post is no excuse. That's as
stupid as saying that we shouldn't play 4-4-2 simply because "nobody plays
that way anymore." Oh,really? Take a look at Liverpool. Man United . And
even Norwich,who beat us with 2 strikers. Our tactics should not be dictated
by what everyone else does. On the contrary. Being a sheep , following the
herd,is tactical suicide. To fail to defend a free kick once in eleven games
is acceptable. But four times? That is how teams get relegated-especially
those that cannot even score a goal a game,like us. It goes without saying
that we need to be a lot more careful about conceding free kicks near the
area in the first place.
What was most disturbing was the utter lack of fight shown in the second
half. It was as if,based on our first half "dominance" , that we thought
that we had the game won already. Sorry folks, but dominance and possession
count for little when all you have to show for it is a 1-0 lead at
half-time. Anything can change that , be it an error, or a contentious
decision, or both,as we learned the hard way. Coming off to boos at
half-time,and with Hughton's job on the line,Norwich HAD to be better in the
second half. Did Sam have the players mentally prepared for the inevitable
onslaught? Seemingly not. Saying " more of the same please" isn't enough of
a team talk,even after a "dominant" first half,under such circumstances.
The concession of the first two goals should have galvanized us in each
case. Instead , it shell-shocked us into numbness and submission ,with not a
single player prepared to show leadership and take the match by the scruff
of the neck. When adversity strikes is when , for better or worse ,
character comes to the fore . And we were found to be severely wanting,like
spoiled children moaning to the ref,or overpaid primadonnas. It was
embarrassing how spineless and uncreative our response was. Our substitutes
had absolutely no impact and looked both listless and uninspired.
Diame in particular,looked a lost soul,jogging aimlessly. Carlton Cole was
no better,unable to hold the ball up or retain possession as time was ebbing
away. We never looked like equalizing and barely created any chances in the
second period,especially in the last 15 minutes of the match.
People will take a pop at Kevin Nolan,especially given his lack of goals
this season. I'm not a big fan, for many reasons. But ironically, I think
playing the advanced striker role in recent games,he's done pretty well. He
had a couple good chances at Carrow Road and provided the assist for Ravel's
goal. Questions have to be asked . Why didn t we play Nolan,or Vaz Te , in
this role from the start of the season,instead of Maiga? Given Nolan's lack
of pace and inability to track back quickly,it suits him better in some
ways,to play as a lone striker,rather than part of a 5 man midfield,whilst
Carroll is out. He's a big lump who holds the ball up well, with a decent
touch,who can score. From the moment Carroll's injury came to even sniff
like being "long term", Nolan should have been put into this role. And
allowed to lead by example.
There are signs of unrest in the dressing room-never a good thing for a side
battling relegation. We saw it with Vaz Te earlier this season. And Diarra
before that. Clearly, something is amiss between Diame and Sam at the
moment. When a team,or certain of its key players stop giving 100 % ,despite
facing relegation,that is a warning sign. Yes,it was only 45 minutes,and has
been the exception,not the rule this season,but is was a VITAL 45 minutes.
And our players failed to stand up and be counted. They looked
dejected,downhearted and completely lacking in determination in the second
half. None of which points to a situation in which the players and manager
are on the same page. Players that believe and trust in their manager fight
'till the final whistle. Ours seemed to stop at the 75th minute. They
caved-in and capitulated with a capital C.
Of course,it doesn't get any easier,with Chelsea next, despite them being
inconsistent on the road this season. Our ability to get anything from the
game will depend partly on the availability of Reid. Chelsea are Jekyll and
Hyde, beating Man City one match, and then nearly succumbing to WBA the
next. So we CAN get something from the match,but we have to be totally
committed for the full 90 minutes.
What West Ham fans,especially season ticket holders,have been subject to in
recent seasons,but especially this season,is an utter disgrace. This season
should never have been about a relegation battle,regardless of
injuries,especially with Morrison coming of age, and the arrival of a proper
left back. But the club's owners and management have put us in this
position. They clearly didn't do their homework on Carroll before signing on
the dotted line, and failed to get an "insurance policy" , read suitable and
fit cover, given the inevitability of Carroll getting injured at some stage.
Bad business and total stupidity.
Why were Cole and/or Petric not brought in sooner,when we knew full well
what the status was with Carroll in pre-season? What is the point of buying
Downing if there is no fit striker for him to put crosses into? We are in
16th place. As good a player as he is,was it the right decision to buy him?
Clearly not . If we had brought in a fit striker instead, we would be on, at
a minimum, 3 or 4 more points by now.
As for Carroll,no news is bad news. If he was genuinely making progress,the
club would be shouting it from the rooftops. Hence the rumours about Ba in
January,which may be too late. Talk of him suffering yet another setback may
be wide of the mark,but the silence from the club implies not. What odds on
Carroll not kicking a ball this season?
The owners have put a lot of money into this club, and do strike me as
genuine "supporters", especially Sullivan. But their unwillingness to take a
firmer hand with Sam's spending is costing us dear,literally and
figuratively. If there is not a significant improvement in the attitude of
the players from the second half at Carrow Road,then I suspect many season
ticket holders may get fed up. And start to consider whether they really
want to renew next season ,whether we stay up or not.
There is a limit to how much aggro loyal supporters can be expected to put
up with . At some point,even the most dedicated fans are going to say that
they have had enough. We seem incapable of putting together more than 2 good
seasons without reverting back to the same dire relegation scrap. It has
gotten old. No wonder there is no atmosphere at Upton Park.
After the match , a senior club official said to me that "we're going to
find out now what we're made of" ,referring to both the players and
management. Indeed. Same old West Ham . Always doing things the hard way. No
matter how many changes of ownership or management. It seems to be embedded
in the DNA of this club,sadly. And if we're not careful,it could really be
the final undoing of us.
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Jack Collison added to Wales squad for Finland game
Last Updated: November 12, 2013 3:57pm
SSN
Chris Coleman has added West Ham's Jack Collison to his squad for their game
with Finland on Saturday. Collison had not been included in the original
party, but he will now be in contention to feature at the Cardiff City
Stadium. Collison comes into the squad after Brighton's Andrew Crofts, who
has a groin problem, and David Vaughan, on loan at Nottingham Forest from
Sunderland, pulled out. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 16 caps to his
name, last played for his country in the World Cup qualifier against
Macedonia in September. Coleman lost Boaz Myhill earlier on Tuesday after
the West Brom goalkeeper pulled out due to an Achilles problem and ligament
damage to his left thumb. Myhill said: "Personally I am going to need
treatment on a couple of injuries I've picked up in recent weeks and need to
get over. "I've not trained for a while and I'm glad for the rest because it
means I can do some work in the gym with the physios so the break has come
at a good time for me."
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OLYMPIC STADIUM CONVERSION UNDERWAY
By Sean Whetstone 12 Nov 2013 at 08:02
West Ham Till I Die
In the last few weeks work has commenced to prepare the Olympic Stadium for
it's transformation into a multi-purpose stadium and the new home of West
Ham United. Diggers have already removed the turf and more dismantling will
be visible very soon. In the next few weeks contractors will begin to
dismantle the existing roof and the iconic floodlight towers. This work is
expected to take around four months to complete this phase.
Contracts awarded
Populous are already on board as the architect for the shell-and-core
conversion contract. They were the original architects for the London 2012
Olympic Stadium. The first of new contracts to be awarded included Careys
who picked up a £1.5m contract for preparatory work for Balfour Beatty to
build the new roof. Imtech G&H won a £25m contract for electrical and
plumbing work in the redesigned stadium. The big winners at this stage were
Balfour Beatty who walked away with a £41m contract to fit a new Olympic
Stadium roof. When it is completed the roof will be twice its original size
to allow all-weather protection for spectators and improved acoustics for
football matches & concerts. A combination of solid and transparent roof
coverings will allow natural light to flow through. The roof boasts a
gravity-stressed structure spanning 84m and will provide cover for football
fans sitting above the existing running track. Then an extensive cable net
system will be fitted to support the new roof which will be constructed on
the floor of stadium and then lifted into position.Several 600-tonne cranes
operating within the stadium will then tandem lift the supporting roof steel
work into place.
The main £100m main conversion contract will be procured under a separate
contract and is yet to be awarded.Five firms are in the running for this
contract, including Balfour Beatty, Buckingham, ISG, Shepherd and Sir Robert
McAlpine. McAlpine is widely expected to take the main contract as former
Olympic Stadium builder, although the roof award makes Balfour a serious
contender too.
Although the new roof, electrical and plumbing contracts are expected to be
completed by Spring 2015 in time for the Rugby World Cup the retractable
seating will not be completed by then.The retractable seating project is
scheduled to commence after the end of the Rugby world cup but will be
completed by the start of the 2016 football season.
One thing we are almost definitely saying goodbye to is the iconic Olympic
Stadium triangle flood lights. The 14 existing lighting towers reach 70m
(230ft) above the ground and they support a total of 532 individual lights.
The new partially transparent roof will not take the weight of all 14 flood
lights and they are expected to become art sculptures around the Queen
Elizabeth although a few may be put back on the Stadium as ornaments.
The whole three-year conversion project involves replacing the roof,
building new hospitality suites and installing retractable seating over the
athletics track.
The current phase of digging up the grass will allow giant cranes to be
installed. They will also bury the running track beneath a protective layer
of synthetic sheet and crushed gravel.
The Olympic Stadium cost tax payers £429m to build for the London 2012
Olympics. It is estimated up to £200m of contracts will be awarded before
the Stadium is ready for the first football to be kicked in 2016.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jaanai Gordon training with West Ham United
A general view of Upton Park, home of West Ham United on October 15, 2011©
Getty Images
Sports Mole
By Matt Law, La Liga Correspondent
Filed: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 13:57 UK
Peterborough United youngster Jaanai Gordon is currently training with West
Ham United. The 17-year-old, who came through Posh's youth academy, is
regarded as one of the brightest prospects outside of the Premier League.
The striker scored twice for West Ham's Under-18 side last week and has been
granted an extra week to gain a contract after impressing the coaching staff
at Upton Park. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough as a 16-year-old, but
is yet to score a first-team goal for the club.
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West Ham ready to swoop for Peterborough youngster
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013
West Ham are poised to make a move for Peterborough's highly rated teenage
striker Jaanai Gordon after he impressed during a trial period with the
club.
Sam Allardyce is desperate to solve his striking crisis and is looking at
every option before the transfer window re-opens in January. Gordon, just
17, is regarded as one of the best young forwards outside the top fight and
has already been called into the England Under-19 squad. The talented
striker has been training with the east London club and stole all the
headlines when he scored a brace for West Ham's Under-18 team in their 3-1
win over Aston Villa. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough at just 16 and
has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs. But it seems
that West Ham are the favourites to clinch his signature and they hope to
finalise a deal in the near future.
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Former Man City striker wanted by West Ham
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013
West Ham want to lure former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo back to
England, according to reports in Russia. The Lokomotiv Moscow man, who
played for City between 2008 and 2011, wants to leave the club and West Ham
have been linked. Sam Allardyce is short of striking options with injured
Andy Carroll still yet to appear this season, and is expected to move for a
new forward when the transfer window opens. And Russian newspaper Izvestia
has reported that the Hammers are one of a number of teams currently lining
up a New Year move for Ecuador international Caicedo. But Allardyce will
face competition from across Europe with Espanyol and Lazio also interested
in a January swoop for the 25-year-old.
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Do the decent thing, say Hammers fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
An individual whom Police are keen to question following an incident in
Norwich last weekend has been urged to come forward by West Ham United
supporters.
Prior to West Ham's 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road last Saturday afternoon a cake
stall at Norwich station was wrecked by the individual in question, who is
thought to have been amongst West Ham's travelling support.
Prior to the midless attack, which happened around 4:45pm, the stall had
been raising money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. Ironically, it
is owned by the partner of a West Ham United supporter.
Jack Falgate, who has been running the Cupcake and Co stand for less than a
month told edp24.co.uk: "He didn't say anything, he just broke the leg of
the gazebo and then trashed it.
"We have to buy a new stall and I am deciding whether to carry on or not. A
lot of Norwich fans have been asking us to come back, but the margins are so
small that this sort of thing is a big thing for a small business."
Since the incident came to light a number of Hammers supporters, disgusted
by the incident have urged the individual - who is known to have been
drinking in the Compleat Angler public house - to come forward and
compensate the stand's owners for their losses.
"The idiot that did this ripped down the gazebo , the British legion signs
and basically wrecked the stall," said one prominent KUMB member. "Those
with him allowed him to continue.
"Firstly, you should be ashamed of yourself. We are West Ham, we are not
Leeds or Millwall. The stand is now wrecked and the lady can't trade.
Secondly, if this was you you may want to seriously consider your actions
and get a new gazebo sorted out."
Those sentiments were echoed almost unanimously by fellow supporters, many
of whom offered to help fund a new stall for Cupcake and Co should the
perpetrator of this senseless crime not be uncovered.
* Have any information about this incident? Feel free to contact us here at
KUMB.com.
* Cupcake & Co may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/Cupcake_and_Co.
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WHUFC.com
An experienced West Ham United XI beat Gillingham 9-0 in a friendly at Rush
Green Stadium on Tuesday
12.11.2013
Two goals from ex-Gillingham winger Matt Jarvis helped a West Ham United XI
to a resounding 9-0 win over his former club. There were braces for Blair
Turgott and a trialist as an experienced Hammers side ran riot at Rush Green
Stadium. First-team strike duo Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga also netted a
goal apiece as they enjoyed a profitable run-out before a long-range effort
from Taylor Miles rounded off the scoring. It was a thumping win for a team
which also featured George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Adrian alongside a
number of the Hammers' Under-21 regulars. The game started with a bang for
the Hammers, who were ahead after only three minutes as Cole released Jarvis
down the left and he pulled the ball back to the edge of the box for the
oncoming Turgott, who fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner. Maiga
had started the game with purpose and got his reward after 18 minutes when
another Jarvis cross was met by Cole. He headed the ball into the path of
the Mali frontman, who applied a neat finish to beat the keeper from a
couple of yards. The visitors were struggling to cope with the quality of
West Ham's attacking contingent but did their best to strike back with Harry
Grant firing in three efforts over the course of four minutes, only one of
which caused Adrian any trouble. The lead was stretched further on 33
minutes when Maiga whipped in a cross from the right-hand side which was
turned past the keeper by Jarvis from six yards. A minute before half-time,
the winger had his second as he expertly dispatched a volley into the top
corner of the net after Danny Whitehead had nodded the ball to him on the
edge of the box. The senior players remained on after half-time and nine
minutes after the restart the Hammers celebrated their fifth as Cole flicked
in Turgott's shot from a Jarvis cross.
Gillingham looked deflated and just two minutes later found themselves six
down when Turgott pounced on Cole's rebounded shot to sidefoot home his
second goal of the game from ten yards out. A raft of substitutions then
ensued in the 60th minute, with Adrian and Diarra the only first-team
players to remain on the pitch until the final whistle. It took the new
arrivals a few moments to settle into the game, but it would just eight
minutes for the trialist to make his mark, adding a seventh goal from fellow
replacement Kieran Sadlier's cross. The trialist doubled his tally and hit
West Ham's eighth on 79 minutes when he burst into the box, shrugged off a
couple of defenders and placed a shot past goalkeeper George Howard. The
scoring was complete with five minutes left as Miles got in on the act when
he blasted home a low shot from outside the box after the trialist had teed
him up. The display delighted the watching West Ham Academy players, coaches
and staff, as well as midfielder Joe Cole, who turned out to keep an eye on
proceedings as the goals flowed.
West Ham United: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney
(Chambers 60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60),
Jarvis (Maguire 60), Cole (Trialist 60)
Sub not used: Brown
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Fans' forum details confirmed
WHUFC.com
The Club are delighted to reveal full details of December's fans' forum for
Season Ticket Holders
06.11.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce ticketing details for an exclusive
free fans' forum for Season Ticket Holders at the Boleyn Ground with
Joint-Chairman David Gold, manager Sam Allardyce and captain Kevin Nolan on
Tuesday 10 December at 6.30pm. Prior to a prompt 7pm start, supporters will
be invited to be part of an exclusive autograph and picture session with Big
Sam and Nolan, before the Hammers duo kick-off the evening's Q and A. Mr
Gold will then take the floor for the second half of the evening, answering
questions from Season Ticket Holders on all manner of West Ham matters, both
on and off the pitch, in this, the first event of a recently-announced raft
of rewards for our most loyal supporters.
Tickets will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis at a
rate of one per successful applicant and are available to 2013/14 Season
Ticket Holders only. Please note, Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult
Season Ticket Holder.
To secure one of the 400 places available for this exclusive event, please
call the Ticket Office on 0871 529 1966 - option 3* - from 9am on Wednesday
13 November. The Club will announce, via whufc.com, as and when all spaces
are filled.
December's event will be the first of many exclusive fans' forums held by
the Club, with a second Season Ticket Holders' forum already set for the New
Year.
Andy Carroll, Mark Noble and Joe Cole will all be in attendance at the
Circus Tavern, Purfleet, with Season Ticket Holders again invited to quiz
the Hammers players. Further details will be announced on whufc.com in due
course.
To read more on Season Ticket Holder benefits, including a complimentary DVD
of the Hammers' 3-0 win at White Hart Lane, an open training session and
unprecedented access to next season's first-team photo, please click here.
*Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
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Pair on the Ball for Richard House
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole and Mark Noble attended the Richard House Children's Hospice Secret
Garden Ball
12.11.2013
Mark Noble and Joe Cole helped to raise over £80,000 for the Richard House
Children's Hospice at the recent Secret Garden Ball. The West Ham United
pair are both patrons of the Beckton-based hospice, which is also one of the
Hammers' official Club charities. The duo swapped their kit for smart suits
to attend the event at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, joining fellow
patrons, business people and long-standing supporters of Richard House. The
evening got off to a lively start with both Noble and Cole joining in a game
of Heads and Tails as the guests guessed on the toss of a coin, with the
last person standing, winning a prize. This was followed by a three-course
meal and an auction in which both players whole-heartedly took part. Cole
was first to bid in the auction, which was hosted by renowned auctioneer
Charlie Ross. The midfielder was successful as he beat others in the room to
grab an exclusive behind-the-scenes designer package with fashion brand
Warehouse. Noble was also successful in his bid and went home with a signed
and framed running spike belonging to sprinting legend Usain Bolt. The funds
raised from the auction will ensure they can continue to provide a service
to children and young people with life limiting conditions and provide
respite for their families.
As well as the main auction, there was also a raffle and a silent auction -
where prizes included tickets and hospitality in Cole's own box for the next
home match against Chelsea, while another prize was dinner and wine for four
people at FiftyNine New Street, a restaurant partly owned by Cole and Noble
along with other players. Speaking about the event and his long-standing
support of the hospice, Cole said: "It was a real pleasure once again to be
supporting such a wonderful charity as Richard House. I have been a patron
for a while now and I am always totally in awe of the brilliant work it does
year in year out. "If I can do my bit in helping where I can, raising money
or just helping them raise awareness of what it does, then I am only too
happy to do so. It is great that we as a Club can support such a charity
right on our doorstep."
The hospice's work was shown in a short film made by 17-year-old Jordan
Samuel, who has been making use of the services at Richard House since he
was nine years old. The teenager is a member of the hospice's Living Films
Club, run together with family support worker Bernie Wighton. It is just one
of the many projects offered by the hospice alongside the practical and
medical services it provides on a daily basis. Noble, who asked for
donations to Richard House instead of gifts at his wedding in 2012, was
delighted to be helping the hospice in whatever way he could. "It is such a
special place. I have been there several times now and we as a Club have
supported Richard House and visited as a team. Despite the difficulties the
children, their families and all the staff go through, they always have
smiling faces and make you welcome. "So for me and Joe and us as a Club, to
spend time helping in what way we can is something we do without question.
If it enables the hospice to keep on doing the fantastic work that it does,
then it is only a good thing."
Richard House chief executive Peter Ellis summed up what was a successful
14th annual ball, which ended with a performance by showband Pure Orange.
"It has been another tremendous night for us, to see old and new supporters
of Richard House coming together again to help not only raise funds but
support us in so many ways," said Ellis. "This backing will allow us to
continue to support families in and around London, to develop the service
and care we provide and reflect our vision, which is for communities to
journey together to create positive memories of living and dying. "The
support of West Ham, with Joe and Mark attending once again, is very
valuable to us, as is all the work that many people do. We look forward to a
continuing partnership that will allow us to keep providing a high level of
care and unique experiences to all those who come to Richard House."
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Potts praises team effort
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts was happy with the performance of his entire team after they
beat Aston Villa
11.11.2013
Steve Potts hailed the team effort which saw his West Ham United Under-18s
reap the reward of all three points after they saw off Aston Villa on
Saturday.
A 3-1 win over the Villans extended the Hammers' unbeaten run to seven games
as they overcame an early setback to continue their fine form. Centre-back
Reece Burke conceded a 16th minute penalty which was dispatched to the
bottom left-hand corner, leaving Sam Howes with no chance. Less than sixty
seconds later however and trialist Jaanai Gordon equalised on his first
appearance for the U18s before he doubled the lead shortly before half-time.
Top-scorer Kieran Bywater then completed the scoring with 13 minutes left to
leave his manager praising the team's performance. Potts said: "It was a
very tough game. It was a good test for the boys with the way they move the
ball around really well. "We went 1-0 down against them and I thought it
might be a difficult game for us but credit to the boys, they came back into
the game straight away and I think we deserved the win. "When you look back,
it was just one of those all-round good team performances and that's what
got us on top. Everyone did their jobs, worked hard for each other and in
the end got the rewards for their performances. "If everyone doesn't do
their jobs then it becomes difficult but everyone did their bit which is
pleasing."
Crucial to the success was 17-year-old trilaist Gordon, who has made three
first team appearances for Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United this
season. The striker's brace came courtesy of some cool finishing and he
clearly did enough to impress Potts. "He did well, he came in for his first
game and scored two goals so you can't ask much more than that on his first
appearance. It was very positive what he did and he settled in very
quickly."
Gordon was partnered in attack by Jordan Brown, who after joining West Ham
from Arsenal in the summer, has now signed his first professional contract
with the Club. Brown had cause for a double celebration as it was also the
frontman's 17th birthday on the day he signed and Potts has been impressed
with his contribution so far. "With Jordan, he's been at Arsenal all through
the younger age groups so to leave a settled environment like that and come
to a new club it takes time to settle. "He's shown in spells some really
good stuff. I think now with Jordan he's got used to what we're all about
here and he's settled in well with the rest of the boys and hopefully he can
kick-on from here."
Whilst the U18s boss still hopes there's more to come from Brown, that also
applies to the whole squad who he hopes can push on towards appearances for
the Development Squad. He said: "I'm just looking for more and more out of
the boys each week. The only danger they've got is taking their foot off the
pedal.
"I want them pushing on towards the under-21s, that's my aim for them, to
play well in the U21s. To play well enough to make Nick [Haycock] think they
deserve a chance in the U21s, that's the main focus for them."
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Collison added to Wales squad
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison joins the list of West Ham United players called up for
international duty this week
07.11.2013
Jack Collison has been added to Chris Coleman's Wales squad for their
international friendly with Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Hammers midfielder Collison joins James Collins in the Wales party with the
pair looking to add to their 16 and 43 caps respectively.
Ravel Morrison has been named in the England squad for their UEFA U21
Championship qualifiers against Finland and San Marino later this month.
Gareth Southgate's team are looking to continue their unbeaten start to
their qualification campaign, which has seen them take ten points from their
opening four games. Morrison earned his first call-up to the Under-21s for
their last round of qualifiers, and scored in the 5-0 mauling of Lithuania.
The Young Lions are set to take on Finland at Milton Keynes Dons' stadiummk
on Thursday 14 November, before moving on to Shrewsbury Town's Greenhaus
Stadium for the San Marino clash on Tuesday 19 November.
Fellow Hammer Joey O'Brien is in the Republic of Ireland squad for their
friendly internationals against Latvia in Dublin on Friday 15 November and
Poland in Poznan on Tuesday 19 November. New Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is
set to take charge of the team for the two friendlies, although caretaker
boss Noel King completed his duties in the role by finalising the 27-man
squad before handing over the reins. O'Brien will be looking to win his
sixth cap for his country, and his first since a September 2012 friendly
against Oman.
Also set to represent his country in this next set of internationals is
Mohamed Diame, who has been named in the Senegal squad for the second leg of
their FIFA World Cup Play-Off against Ivory Coast on Saturday 16 November.
Senegal are 3-1 down following the away leg and will have to play the home
match in Morocco as they are currently serving a suspension from playing
matches in Senegal due to crowd disturbances.
Razvan Rat is in Romania's squad for their FIFA World Cup Play-Off matches
against Greece on 15 and 19 November, but Winston Reid will miss New
Zealand's showdown with Mexico due to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, West Ham schoolboy Jahmal Hector-Ingram will hope to make his
England U16 debut in their Sky Sports Victory Shield clash with Northern
Ireland in Bournemouth on Friday 8 November.
Academy defenders Reece Burke and Kyle Knoyle have been named in the England
U18 squad for a two-day training camp at St George's Park this month.
Raphael Spiegel is in the Switzerland U21 squad for their matches against
Croatia (14 November) and Ukraine (18 November), and Academy goalkeeper Vit
Nemrava is due to play for Caech Republic U18s in a tournament in Turkey.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers go goal crazy
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Here's one for the record books... both Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga were
on the scoresheet as a West Ham XI ran out 9-0 winners over Gillingham in a
behind-closed-doors friendly this afternoon.
Especially arranged for those not taking part in international fixtures
during the forthcoming Premier League break, the Hammers eased to victory at
Rush Green Stadium against the League One side - who only yesterday
appointed former England Under 21 boss Peter Taylor as their new manager -
in a completely one-sided affair.
Blair Turgott scored the first goal of the day from the edge of the penalty
box before Maiga converted a Matt Jarvis cross to double West Ham's
advantage. The goalscorer turned provider shortly after to set Jarvis up for
a third from close range. The winger was to double his tally shortly before
the half time break with a fine volley.
After the break it was more of the same from the Hammers, who were also
featuring Alou Diarra - making his second appearance in recent days - and
George McCartney. Carlton Cole scored his first and only goal of the day
shortly after the restart, soon to be followed by young Turgott,
capitalising on a spilled shot to notch his second.
Despite four of the six senior players on show being substituted on the hour
mark, West Ham continued to pile on the misery for a shellshocked Gills
side. An unnamed triallist - believed to be Jaanai Gordon - scored a quick
brace to make it 8-0 before grabbing an assist by setting up young
midfielder Taylor Miles for the ninth and final goal of the day.
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney (Chambers
60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60), Jarvis
(Maguire 60), C Cole (Trialist 60).
Subs not used: Brown.
Goals: Turgott (2), Maiga, Jarvis (2), C Cole, Triallist (2), Miles.
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Winston's woes
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
Winston Reid has revealed that he could be out of action until the New Year.
The reigning KUMB.com Player of the Year suffered a Hammer blow at the
weekend after scans revealed that the injury he sustained during training
last week may keep him out of action until the New Year. Reid, speaking to
Live Sport Radio at the weekend revealed how the injury happened. "I was at
training and I slipped. I got stuck between a player's leg and twisted my
ankle," he said. "I went back into the physio room afterwards and they
tested me a couple of times but as a player you know when something's not
right. So I had the scans and unfortunately they pretty much confirmed that
there was a problem. I then had another scan to see how bad the injury was
and unfortunately it's pretty serious. It was a freak accident, slipping and
getting my leg caught under another player - but these things happen.
"Unfortunately it happen in training and you can perhaps accept it more if
it happens in a game. For me personally it's one of the worst things that
can happen. It couldn't have happened at a worse time, but life goes on."
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The Norwich debacle
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Gary Portugal
Despite their drubbing by Man City ,this was never going to be an easy game.
Why? For a start,we haven't won at Carrow Road in 40 years.
In theory,that shouldn't matter, especially against a decidedly average
Canaries side. But in reality , history does matter. Just check our record
at Anfield.
Secondly, without Reid,we were always going to be vulnerable ,even with
Collins back as cover. Collins himself was only just back from injury, and
not surprisingly, a bit rusty.
Thirdly, the whole stadium knew that Hughton's job was on the line; simply
put,in front of their own fans ,there HAD to be a response from the Norwich
players following their mauling.
Finally,like us,Norwich are fighting for their PL survival. Which is why a
draw,though disappointing,would not have been a disaster.
What is the sense in keeping a player of Diame's quality on the bench? Does
he want another player to hand in a transfer request? Even if played out of
position, Diame offers far more than Joe Cole, who was utterly ineffective
at Norwich. What must Diame be thinking, if he can't even get into the
starting eleven of a side in the bottom 6 ? Could you blame him for wanting
to leave in January? Yes, Diame was subpar at Burnley. But that's history
now.
Mistakes happen - they are partly unavoidable ,like death and taxes. The
trick,obviously,is to try to minimize their frequency and the damage
resulting from them. Jussi has made many great saves this season,so I can't
moan about his clanger leading to the penalty. The penalty decision itself
was debatable, as it appeared that he did get the ball,and not just the
player.
What I will complain about is our inability, COLLECTIVELY, to deal with free
kicks. Clearly , the keeper has a weakness there. In which case, the club
should try to help him out. Why not have a man at the post ? How many more
points do we have to drop before we learn? Everton,Stoke, and now Norwich.
That many teams choose NOT to have a man on the post is no excuse. That's as
stupid as saying that we shouldn't play 4-4-2 simply because "nobody plays
that way anymore." Oh,really? Take a look at Liverpool. Man United . And
even Norwich,who beat us with 2 strikers. Our tactics should not be dictated
by what everyone else does. On the contrary. Being a sheep , following the
herd,is tactical suicide. To fail to defend a free kick once in eleven games
is acceptable. But four times? That is how teams get relegated-especially
those that cannot even score a goal a game,like us. It goes without saying
that we need to be a lot more careful about conceding free kicks near the
area in the first place.
What was most disturbing was the utter lack of fight shown in the second
half. It was as if,based on our first half "dominance" , that we thought
that we had the game won already. Sorry folks, but dominance and possession
count for little when all you have to show for it is a 1-0 lead at
half-time. Anything can change that , be it an error, or a contentious
decision, or both,as we learned the hard way. Coming off to boos at
half-time,and with Hughton's job on the line,Norwich HAD to be better in the
second half. Did Sam have the players mentally prepared for the inevitable
onslaught? Seemingly not. Saying " more of the same please" isn't enough of
a team talk,even after a "dominant" first half,under such circumstances.
The concession of the first two goals should have galvanized us in each
case. Instead , it shell-shocked us into numbness and submission ,with not a
single player prepared to show leadership and take the match by the scruff
of the neck. When adversity strikes is when , for better or worse ,
character comes to the fore . And we were found to be severely wanting,like
spoiled children moaning to the ref,or overpaid primadonnas. It was
embarrassing how spineless and uncreative our response was. Our substitutes
had absolutely no impact and looked both listless and uninspired.
Diame in particular,looked a lost soul,jogging aimlessly. Carlton Cole was
no better,unable to hold the ball up or retain possession as time was ebbing
away. We never looked like equalizing and barely created any chances in the
second period,especially in the last 15 minutes of the match.
People will take a pop at Kevin Nolan,especially given his lack of goals
this season. I'm not a big fan, for many reasons. But ironically, I think
playing the advanced striker role in recent games,he's done pretty well. He
had a couple good chances at Carrow Road and provided the assist for Ravel's
goal. Questions have to be asked . Why didn t we play Nolan,or Vaz Te , in
this role from the start of the season,instead of Maiga? Given Nolan's lack
of pace and inability to track back quickly,it suits him better in some
ways,to play as a lone striker,rather than part of a 5 man midfield,whilst
Carroll is out. He's a big lump who holds the ball up well, with a decent
touch,who can score. From the moment Carroll's injury came to even sniff
like being "long term", Nolan should have been put into this role. And
allowed to lead by example.
There are signs of unrest in the dressing room-never a good thing for a side
battling relegation. We saw it with Vaz Te earlier this season. And Diarra
before that. Clearly, something is amiss between Diame and Sam at the
moment. When a team,or certain of its key players stop giving 100 % ,despite
facing relegation,that is a warning sign. Yes,it was only 45 minutes,and has
been the exception,not the rule this season,but is was a VITAL 45 minutes.
And our players failed to stand up and be counted. They looked
dejected,downhearted and completely lacking in determination in the second
half. None of which points to a situation in which the players and manager
are on the same page. Players that believe and trust in their manager fight
'till the final whistle. Ours seemed to stop at the 75th minute. They
caved-in and capitulated with a capital C.
Of course,it doesn't get any easier,with Chelsea next, despite them being
inconsistent on the road this season. Our ability to get anything from the
game will depend partly on the availability of Reid. Chelsea are Jekyll and
Hyde, beating Man City one match, and then nearly succumbing to WBA the
next. So we CAN get something from the match,but we have to be totally
committed for the full 90 minutes.
What West Ham fans,especially season ticket holders,have been subject to in
recent seasons,but especially this season,is an utter disgrace. This season
should never have been about a relegation battle,regardless of
injuries,especially with Morrison coming of age, and the arrival of a proper
left back. But the club's owners and management have put us in this
position. They clearly didn't do their homework on Carroll before signing on
the dotted line, and failed to get an "insurance policy" , read suitable and
fit cover, given the inevitability of Carroll getting injured at some stage.
Bad business and total stupidity.
Why were Cole and/or Petric not brought in sooner,when we knew full well
what the status was with Carroll in pre-season? What is the point of buying
Downing if there is no fit striker for him to put crosses into? We are in
16th place. As good a player as he is,was it the right decision to buy him?
Clearly not . If we had brought in a fit striker instead, we would be on, at
a minimum, 3 or 4 more points by now.
As for Carroll,no news is bad news. If he was genuinely making progress,the
club would be shouting it from the rooftops. Hence the rumours about Ba in
January,which may be too late. Talk of him suffering yet another setback may
be wide of the mark,but the silence from the club implies not. What odds on
Carroll not kicking a ball this season?
The owners have put a lot of money into this club, and do strike me as
genuine "supporters", especially Sullivan. But their unwillingness to take a
firmer hand with Sam's spending is costing us dear,literally and
figuratively. If there is not a significant improvement in the attitude of
the players from the second half at Carrow Road,then I suspect many season
ticket holders may get fed up. And start to consider whether they really
want to renew next season ,whether we stay up or not.
There is a limit to how much aggro loyal supporters can be expected to put
up with . At some point,even the most dedicated fans are going to say that
they have had enough. We seem incapable of putting together more than 2 good
seasons without reverting back to the same dire relegation scrap. It has
gotten old. No wonder there is no atmosphere at Upton Park.
After the match , a senior club official said to me that "we're going to
find out now what we're made of" ,referring to both the players and
management. Indeed. Same old West Ham . Always doing things the hard way. No
matter how many changes of ownership or management. It seems to be embedded
in the DNA of this club,sadly. And if we're not careful,it could really be
the final undoing of us.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack Collison added to Wales squad for Finland game
Last Updated: November 12, 2013 3:57pm
SSN
Chris Coleman has added West Ham's Jack Collison to his squad for their game
with Finland on Saturday. Collison had not been included in the original
party, but he will now be in contention to feature at the Cardiff City
Stadium. Collison comes into the squad after Brighton's Andrew Crofts, who
has a groin problem, and David Vaughan, on loan at Nottingham Forest from
Sunderland, pulled out. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 16 caps to his
name, last played for his country in the World Cup qualifier against
Macedonia in September. Coleman lost Boaz Myhill earlier on Tuesday after
the West Brom goalkeeper pulled out due to an Achilles problem and ligament
damage to his left thumb. Myhill said: "Personally I am going to need
treatment on a couple of injuries I've picked up in recent weeks and need to
get over. "I've not trained for a while and I'm glad for the rest because it
means I can do some work in the gym with the physios so the break has come
at a good time for me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OLYMPIC STADIUM CONVERSION UNDERWAY
By Sean Whetstone 12 Nov 2013 at 08:02
West Ham Till I Die
In the last few weeks work has commenced to prepare the Olympic Stadium for
it's transformation into a multi-purpose stadium and the new home of West
Ham United. Diggers have already removed the turf and more dismantling will
be visible very soon. In the next few weeks contractors will begin to
dismantle the existing roof and the iconic floodlight towers. This work is
expected to take around four months to complete this phase.
Contracts awarded
Populous are already on board as the architect for the shell-and-core
conversion contract. They were the original architects for the London 2012
Olympic Stadium. The first of new contracts to be awarded included Careys
who picked up a £1.5m contract for preparatory work for Balfour Beatty to
build the new roof. Imtech G&H won a £25m contract for electrical and
plumbing work in the redesigned stadium. The big winners at this stage were
Balfour Beatty who walked away with a £41m contract to fit a new Olympic
Stadium roof. When it is completed the roof will be twice its original size
to allow all-weather protection for spectators and improved acoustics for
football matches & concerts. A combination of solid and transparent roof
coverings will allow natural light to flow through. The roof boasts a
gravity-stressed structure spanning 84m and will provide cover for football
fans sitting above the existing running track. Then an extensive cable net
system will be fitted to support the new roof which will be constructed on
the floor of stadium and then lifted into position.Several 600-tonne cranes
operating within the stadium will then tandem lift the supporting roof steel
work into place.
The main £100m main conversion contract will be procured under a separate
contract and is yet to be awarded.Five firms are in the running for this
contract, including Balfour Beatty, Buckingham, ISG, Shepherd and Sir Robert
McAlpine. McAlpine is widely expected to take the main contract as former
Olympic Stadium builder, although the roof award makes Balfour a serious
contender too.
Although the new roof, electrical and plumbing contracts are expected to be
completed by Spring 2015 in time for the Rugby World Cup the retractable
seating will not be completed by then.The retractable seating project is
scheduled to commence after the end of the Rugby world cup but will be
completed by the start of the 2016 football season.
One thing we are almost definitely saying goodbye to is the iconic Olympic
Stadium triangle flood lights. The 14 existing lighting towers reach 70m
(230ft) above the ground and they support a total of 532 individual lights.
The new partially transparent roof will not take the weight of all 14 flood
lights and they are expected to become art sculptures around the Queen
Elizabeth although a few may be put back on the Stadium as ornaments.
The whole three-year conversion project involves replacing the roof,
building new hospitality suites and installing retractable seating over the
athletics track.
The current phase of digging up the grass will allow giant cranes to be
installed. They will also bury the running track beneath a protective layer
of synthetic sheet and crushed gravel.
The Olympic Stadium cost tax payers £429m to build for the London 2012
Olympics. It is estimated up to £200m of contracts will be awarded before
the Stadium is ready for the first football to be kicked in 2016.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jaanai Gordon training with West Ham United
A general view of Upton Park, home of West Ham United on October 15, 2011©
Getty Images
Sports Mole
By Matt Law, La Liga Correspondent
Filed: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 13:57 UK
Peterborough United youngster Jaanai Gordon is currently training with West
Ham United. The 17-year-old, who came through Posh's youth academy, is
regarded as one of the brightest prospects outside of the Premier League.
The striker scored twice for West Ham's Under-18 side last week and has been
granted an extra week to gain a contract after impressing the coaching staff
at Upton Park. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough as a 16-year-old, but
is yet to score a first-team goal for the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham ready to swoop for Peterborough youngster
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013
West Ham are poised to make a move for Peterborough's highly rated teenage
striker Jaanai Gordon after he impressed during a trial period with the
club.
Sam Allardyce is desperate to solve his striking crisis and is looking at
every option before the transfer window re-opens in January. Gordon, just
17, is regarded as one of the best young forwards outside the top fight and
has already been called into the England Under-19 squad. The talented
striker has been training with the east London club and stole all the
headlines when he scored a brace for West Ham's Under-18 team in their 3-1
win over Aston Villa. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough at just 16 and
has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs. But it seems
that West Ham are the favourites to clinch his signature and they hope to
finalise a deal in the near future.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Man City striker wanted by West Ham
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013
West Ham want to lure former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo back to
England, according to reports in Russia. The Lokomotiv Moscow man, who
played for City between 2008 and 2011, wants to leave the club and West Ham
have been linked. Sam Allardyce is short of striking options with injured
Andy Carroll still yet to appear this season, and is expected to move for a
new forward when the transfer window opens. And Russian newspaper Izvestia
has reported that the Hammers are one of a number of teams currently lining
up a New Year move for Ecuador international Caicedo. But Allardyce will
face competition from across Europe with Espanyol and Lazio also interested
in a January swoop for the 25-year-old.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Do the decent thing, say Hammers fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer
An individual whom Police are keen to question following an incident in
Norwich last weekend has been urged to come forward by West Ham United
supporters.
Prior to West Ham's 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road last Saturday afternoon a cake
stall at Norwich station was wrecked by the individual in question, who is
thought to have been amongst West Ham's travelling support.
Prior to the midless attack, which happened around 4:45pm, the stall had
been raising money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. Ironically, it
is owned by the partner of a West Ham United supporter.
Jack Falgate, who has been running the Cupcake and Co stand for less than a
month told edp24.co.uk: "He didn't say anything, he just broke the leg of
the gazebo and then trashed it.
"We have to buy a new stall and I am deciding whether to carry on or not. A
lot of Norwich fans have been asking us to come back, but the margins are so
small that this sort of thing is a big thing for a small business."
Since the incident came to light a number of Hammers supporters, disgusted
by the incident have urged the individual - who is known to have been
drinking in the Compleat Angler public house - to come forward and
compensate the stand's owners for their losses.
"The idiot that did this ripped down the gazebo , the British legion signs
and basically wrecked the stall," said one prominent KUMB member. "Those
with him allowed him to continue.
"Firstly, you should be ashamed of yourself. We are West Ham, we are not
Leeds or Millwall. The stand is now wrecked and the lady can't trade.
Secondly, if this was you you may want to seriously consider your actions
and get a new gazebo sorted out."
Those sentiments were echoed almost unanimously by fellow supporters, many
of whom offered to help fund a new stall for Cupcake and Co should the
perpetrator of this senseless crime not be uncovered.
* Have any information about this incident? Feel free to contact us here at
KUMB.com.
* Cupcake & Co may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/Cupcake_and_Co.
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