Manchester United match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the pre-match information ahead of the Hammers trip to Manchester
United
20.12.2013
MANCHESTER UNITED V WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE JONES
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Introduction
• West Ham United travel to reigning Champions Manchester United in the
Barclays Premier League this Saturday, looking to end a run of three
consecutive away league defeats.
• The Hammers will however be boosted by the fact they recorded a win on
their travels in midweek as they produced a stirring fightback to beat
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Wednesday night in the Capital One Cup.
• Sam Allardyce's side last won away in the league at White Hart Lane too,
as they triumphed 3-0 over Spurs in October, with Ravel Morrison notching
the third goal.
• The midfielder is the Hammers' top-scorer with three goals so far this
season and he returns to the club at which he started his career before
moving to east London in January 2012.
• Jussi Jaaskelainen has kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League this
season, joint-highest with fifth placed Everton and four more than
Manchester United.
• A draw with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground last time out left the Hammers
with 14 points from 16 games and 17th in the table.
• Manchester United return to Old Trafford after also reaching the
semi-finals of the Capital One Cup in midweek, following a 2-0 win over
Stoke City.
• In the Premier League, the Red Devils have under-performed so far and sit
eighth in the standings following a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park
in their last league outing.
• Two home league defeats on the spin, 1-0 losses to both Newcastle and
Everton, have added to Moyes' difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
• He may however take heart from the fact that in four meetings against the
Hammers last season the Red Devils were unbeaten, winning two and drawing
two.
Team news
West Ham United
• James Tomkins should return to the team to face Manchester United after
missing the win over Spurs in midweek following a groin problem.
• Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Andy Carroll (foot), Stewart Downing (ankle),
Stephen Henderson (shoulder), Winston Reid (ankle) and Mladen Petric (calf)
will all miss out.
• Captain Kevin Nolan serves the last of his three-game suspension against
Manchester United following his dismissal against Liverpool.
Manchester United
• Wayne Rooney is doubtful for Saturday's clash after picking up a groin
injury in training.
• Strike partner Robin Van Persie is however out of the match with a thigh
injury.
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup. The Hammers won 2-1 with Thomas Caldwell and
Danny Shea scoring the goals.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Manchester United came at the Boleyn
Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the Hammers to a
5-1 win with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell also on the score sheet.
• Manchester United's biggest win over West Ham United came almost 70 years
later on 1 April 2000. This time they had a hat-trick hero of their own as
Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 win. Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole, David
Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the other goals with Paulo Wanchope
on target for the Hammers.
• Of the Hammers last six trips to Old Trafford they have accrued no wins
and suffered defeat on all six occasions.
• The Club's overall record has seen West Ham play Manchester United on 127
occasions, winning 43, drawing 26 and losing 58.
Last time out
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
18 December 2013
West Ham United: Adrian, O'Brien, Rat, Collins (c), McCartney, Diarra
(Morrison 79), Taylor, Collison, J.Cole (Diame 70), Jarvis, C.Cole (Maiga
65)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Demel, Chambers
Goals: Jarvis 80, Maiga 85
Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
18 December 2013
Manchester United: de Gea, Rafael, Evra, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Cleverley,
Anderson (Hernandez 58), Welbeck (Fletcher 82), Young, Valencia
Subs not used: Nani, Kagawa, Buttner, Johnstone, Zaha
Goals: Young 62, Evra 78
Previous meeting
A valiant West Ham were twice pegged back by Manchester United as the teams
played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground. Ricardo Vaz Te gave
the home side the lead after 16 minutes, stooping low to head home an Andy
Carroll knockdown from a Matt Jarvis cross. After Antonio Valencia had
equalised, the Hammers regained control when Mohamed Diame struck a fierce
low effort past David de Gea with 55 minutes gone. The home side were denied
a win however as Robin Van Persie tapped home with 13 minutes left.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, O'Neil (Noble
65), Diame (Taylor 82), Nolan (Collison 82), Vaz Te, Jarvis, Carroll
Subs: C.Cole, Maiga, Henderson, Pogatetz
Goals: Vaz Te 16, Diame 55
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Jones, Carrick,
Valencia, Kagawa (Hernandez 79), Rooney (Giggs 71), Van Persie
Subs: Amos, Evans, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Welbeck, Hernandez
Goals: Valencia 31, Van Persie 77
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
17 April 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
16 January 2013 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
5 January 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
28 November 2012 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 - West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
30 November 2010 - West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United (Carling Cup fifth
round)
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 43 D 26 L 58
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Manchester United
2012/13 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
Referee
• The man in the middle at Old Trafford on Saturday will be Mike Jones.
• Jones plied his trade as a Football League referee for 11 years before he
was added to the Select Group in 2008 and began officiating in the Premier
League.
• Jones, who made his refereeing debut in August 1997 when Mansfield Town
played host to Hull City, regularly officiated in the Football League during
his tenure.
• He made his first appearance at Wembley Stadium when he took control of
the League Two Play-off Final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town in
2007.
• Jones was in the middle for a Premier League match for the first time when
Hull City took on Wigan Athletic in August 2008. He has been a permanent
fixture in the top flight ever since.
• Jones did not referee the Hammers at all in 2012/13 and his last game in
charge of a West Ham match came in March 2011 in an FA Cup sixth round tie
against Stoke City.
General information
• All of the away ticket allocation for Saturday's game have sold out.
• The weather is set to be overcast with temperatures around 7C.
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Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Champions
Manchester United
20.12.2013
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the gathered media ahead of West Ham United's
Barclays Premier League match against reigning champions Manchester United
on Saturday. Big Sam fielded questions about Wednesday's win against
Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup, Modibo Maiga and David Moyes'
start to life as United manager.
Morning Sam, any team news for us ahead of Saturday?
SA: "The only addition to the squad from Wednesday night will be James
Tomkins. He's recovered from a groin injury, he'll join in training this
morning and if there's no reaction then he'll join the squad to go to
Manchester United. The rest of the players are recovering from their gallant
efforts on Wednesday night and are hopefully ready to put in a similar
performance at Old Trafford. We can take a lot of satisfaction out of
Wednesday's result and I just hope I can get the same reaction for a very
big Premier League game at Old Trafford. As difficult as it is for us, it's
not beyond what we can do if we get everything right like we did on
Wednesday."
How much can you take from the result on Wednesday given the circumstances
you were in?
SA: "Players play to win and when they win they feel so much better, life is
so much better for them. We've not won as many games as we should have done
in the Premier League and that's left everybody a little down. When you win
such a game as at your local rivals, who are such a big club these days,
then it does lift everybody but you must use and take that into the next
game and make sure you deliver the same performance again. Whether it gets
the result at Old Trafford or not, who knows? Manchester United we all know,
if they're on song, on top of their form on that particular day it could be
very difficult for us.
"We have to go and deliver that type of performance and resilience again and
if we can be as clinical in front of goal as we were on Wednesday night,
even though the opposition territorially and possession wise were far better
than we were. We had more shots on target than they did and shots on target
ultimately lead to goals. We limited them to a few shots on target and when
we went up the other end we did the business. We had eleven attempts at
goal, seven on target and scored two goals. The top line's always the most
important and it's got us through to a big semi-final."
What could that goal do for Modibo Maiga's confidence?
SA: "Hopefully it'll kick him on. Goals come in a flurry sometime for
forwards and hopefully the next chance that comes his way he'll be as good
as was on Wednesday night. He was very unfortunate that it wasn't two. The
way he carved out the second attempt at goal, that rattled the bar, showed
the ultimate ability and shooting power that he's got. We want to see more
of it; more end product and hopefully then it will help us get more results.
Hopefully he can kick-on for himself, kick-on for us because we've been
desperate for someone to start putting some goals in upfront. I think Rav's
still our leading goal scorer with three so we need somebody to start
regularly putting the ball in the back of the net, and I hope it's him."
What do you make of David Moyes' start to life at Manchester United?
SA: "Semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, qualified winners of their European
group and unfortunately for him, a league position that he wouldn't have
wanted but obviously he'll face the task as he knew it was going to be a
difficult takeover period from Sir Alex. Old Trafford particularly is where
he wants it to be the fortress that Sir Alex always seemed to make it and on
occasion that hasn't seemed to happen for him. David will be planning as
always to get the right team out to beat us and go on from there. Like
everybody says, the transition cannot happen overnight and it's like every
manager there's a transitional period that you've got to try and get through
before you make your own mark on it. For him, at the moment I don't think
it's quite as bad as everyone makes out."
They've lost their last two home games, do you think Old Trafford's lost a
bit of its aura this year?
SA: "You've stacked the odds against us there! Looking back at Manchester
United's history when was the last time that Manchester United lost three
home games on the trot? What the odds be for that? It's not what Manchester
United or David Moyes wants to do or the players in fact. On that basis,
knowing Manchester United players, their desire and determination to win
that game will be greater against us.
"That will focus them even more and make sure that when they come of they've
beat us. We have to make sure we match their desire and determination and
the tactical organisation we showed against Tottenham. The key element will
be, if you get a chance try and score, see if there's any frailties that may
come out in Manchester United. I expect a tough match and I expect
Manchester United to make sure they go all out to win. In our position I
expect us to go and play our best within the tactical structure that we need
to."
Do you think Ravel Morrison feels he has a point to prove going back to
Manchester United?
SA: "He probably would, if selected. My concern is that if he is going to
play, if I do select him, then don't try and win the game by yourself. This
is a team game and if you want to win it play as a team, not as an
individual."
Do you think his form is getting close to what he was showing at the
beginning of the season?
SA: "I think his form, to be honest with you, has dipped a little bit.
That's only to be expected for such a young man who hit such great heights
when he arrived in the team. His average performance in terms of all of his
stats has gone down. He needs to pick that back up and kick back on to where
he was after two or three games in the first team and then improve it from
there. You expect a dip from a youngster somewhere along the line and it's
our responsibility to pick him back up, move him forward and improve him
again. He's a hugely talented player and we want to have his ability not in
flashes but to have it as constant as possible."
With such a busy schedule coming up, how do you approach coping with games
coming thick and fast with a small squad at your disposal?
SA: "It'll be using the members of the squad, even though small, that are
available on a regular basis. To ask the same eleven players to get through
that period and not change is an impossibility in today's modern-day
football by the huge amount of physical effort and mental fatigue that
players suffer in a game situation. The game is so fast and ferocious with
so much pressure on the players that fatigue levels are at their highest.
"Our programme changes completely where training is virtually non-existent
and it's travel, recover, play, travel, recover, play and we have to spend a
lot of time doing our tactical analysis. The training ground is only a
matter of re-energising the players and getting the blood flowing through
the system again and getting ready for the next battle. By the time we've
finished January we will have had a massive game programme and we hope that
by the end of January we are one, in the final of the Capital One Cup and
two, not in the same position in the league. That will be my ultimate late
Christmas present."
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Big Sam honoured by anti-racism charity
WHUFC.com
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was inducted into the Show Racism the Red Card
Hall of Fame
19.12.2013
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was honoured at Show Racism the Red
Card's third Hall of Fame event at Parliament this week. The event centred
around an award ceremony to induct supporters, patrons and sponsors of the
Show Racism the Red Card campaign into the Hall of Fame under five different
categories. Big Sam was one of four managers to be honoured, alongside
Newcastle United chief Alan Pardew, Northampton Town boss Aidy Boothroyd and
former Scotland manager Alex McLeish. 'Role Models' who received awards were
stand up comedian Ava Vidal, Premier League Referee Chris Foy, presenter of
the Football League Show Manish Bhasin, Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves
and ex-West Bromwich Albion defender Darren Moore.
League Two outfit Dagenham and Redbridge, Unison Assistant General secretary
Liz Snape, the Hilton in the Community Foundation and the building society
Nationwide were also given awards for being dedicated 'Supporters of the
Campaign'.
Professional footballers were recognised too, including Tottenham Hotspur
striker Jermain Defoe, Wigan's Emmerson Boyce, England's most capped player
Rachel Yankey, Everton Ladies goalkeeper Rachel Brown and the PFA's Director
of Community John Hudson.
For their Commitment to Education, ex-Norwich City and Watford defender
Clint Easton, former Charlton Athletic and Southend United defender Osei
Sankofa, ex-Leicester City striker Trevor Benjamin and Redbridge Council's
Diversity Programme Manager, Mike O'Hanlon were inducted too.
Guest presenters at the event included Gordon Taylor of the PFA, film
director Ken Loach and Hammers legend Sir Trevor Brooking.
Allardyce commented: "I'm delighted to collect this award. For more years
than I care to remember we've used our community campaigns to support Show
Racism the Red Card. "It was a pleasure to attend the event and I want to
thank everyone, especially the volunteers and workers behind the scenes, for
the hard work they put in to promote the good work of the Show Racism the
Red Card campaign. It was great to see how far Show Racism the Red Card has
come and how much it has achieved. "I must add that I travel all over Europe
while I look for players. For all the criticism we get in the UK, I think
we've done the most. There is still a long way to go but I go to many
countries all over Europe and we've progressed so far we should be proud of
campaigns like this. An event like the one on Tuesday shows everyone that we
are moving in the right direction."
Show Racism the Red Card Chief Executive Ged Grebby said: "This is Show
Racism the Red Card's third Hall of Fame event in our 17-year history. The
last major Hall of Fame occasion was in 2008 at 10 Downing Street. We are
delighted to be at the Speaker's Residence for this year's ceremony. "The
Hall of Fame is a way of thanking some of our key supporters, patrons and
sponsors for all the work they have done for our charity over many years.
"We are particularly pleased at the turn out for this year's Hall of Fame
event, having so many high profile managers and supporters attending. "At a
time when both Islamophobia and anti-migrant racism are on the increase, it
is vital for anti racism campaigners to increase their profile."
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Alou Diarra blogs for whufc.com on his return from injury, the win at
Tottenham and more
20.12.2013
Bonjour,
I was very happy to play my first game at Tottenham since my anterior
cruciate ligament injury and it was a great performance from us to win there
for the second time this season. It was not easy because it was a derby and
they lost their manager a few days before, so there was a lot of pressure on
the game, but we stayed strong, only conceded the one goal, and then with
the fresh players from the bench we scored two ourselves. We stayed focused,
even when we went behind, and after Matt Jarvis equalised, we pushed on and
we're very happy that we're in the next round of the Capital One Cup. We
know it will be hard against Man City, but we can do something good in this
competition. Personally, I'm feeling good, my knee was stable in the game at
Tottenham. It gives me more confidence, because it was a good test for me
and my knee. I think now I'm ready to play and I feel good. Obviously I need
some games for my physical condition, but the best thing for me was that my
knee was stable and I was able to do everything without a problem. I didn't
expect to come back so quickly when I suffered the injury in that second
round tie against Cheltenham Town. It's amazing really, but I've worked hard
with the medical staff and with the specialists in England and in France.
I've made a good rehab with Monte, the Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Rollsy, the Head of Sports Science and Sport Medicine, the physiotherapists,
and after six weeks I was ready to train with the team. That was amazing
after suffering as serious an injury as that, and the recovery has been
good. Looking to Saturday, the game at Tottenham will give us more
confidence for when we go to Manchester United. It will be hard there
because they lost their last game at home and there will be a lot of
pressure. We must be strong, like at White Hart Lane, not concede a goal and
we'll have some chances to score. I know Patrice Evra, he is a good friend!
I don't want him to score against us, but I respect him because he is a good
player. He has done a lot of great things for Manchester United, so we'll
see on Saturday. I hope we can win at Old Trafford, it would be great for
us.
À bientôt
Alou
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U18s look to get back on track
WHUFC.com
The Academy side take on Leicester City at Little Heath on Saturday
lunchtime
20.12.2013
West Ham United's Under-18s return to Barclays U18 Premier League action on
Saturday morning, looking to put their FA Youth Cup exit behind them. The
young Hammers suffered a shock exit at the hands of Accrington Stanley in
their last fixture, but are flying in the league and will hope to recapture
that form when they host Leicester City. Steve Potts' men are unbeaten in
nine league games and have risen to fourth in the table. Leicester,
meanwhile, sit ninth, although they drew 1-1 with Arsenal in their last
outing. The match will be played at Little Heath with a 12pm kick-off.
Admission and parking is free of charge.
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Man Utd v West Ham
KO 15:00
20 December 2013
Last updated at 12:45
By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 21 December
Manchester United manager David Moyes says Wayne Rooney, who missed
Wednesday's win over Stoke with a groin injury, has "a chance" of being fit.
Nemanja Vidic is also doubtful, while Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie
are definitely out. West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan serves the last of his
three-match ban.
James Tomkins returns after a groin problem but Andy Carroll, Stewart
Downing, Mladen Petric, Winston Reid and Ricardo Vaz Te are all injured.
MATCH PREVIEW
Are we all ready for the magic and madness of Christmas? It's the Premier
League's busiest time, with four rounds of fixtures in a week and a half -
time which will see us pass the season's halfway mark and usually gives the
table a sense of true order for the race to the finish. With the greatest
respect to their opponents, Manchester United won't be satisfied with
anything other than a maximum 12 points from their four games.
"West Ham boss Sam Allardyce still badly needs three points, and I cannot
see him getting them at Old Trafford, but I also cannot see them going down
Winning at home to West Ham has been all but a 'given' for years. The facts?
Twenty wins from 23 Hammers visits since 1986; a current run of six wins in
a row; not a single goal from the visitors in the last five. This season,
though, the overriding fact is that United can be beaten at home. They have
been three times in the league already. They haven't lost more home games in
a season since 2001-02 - and we aren't yet halfway through. They're
vulnerable at Old Trafford like never before in some people's lifetime, with
this game carrying the possibility of three successive home league defeats
for the first time since 1978-79. Buoyed by their comeback Capital One Cup
win at Spurs, you can be sure that Sam Allardyce will be hammering home that
message to his West Ham side - THIS is the season when you can go there and
get something. Goals are a problem for both sides. West Ham have only scored
five away, Man United only eight at home - and with Robin van Persie out and
Wayne Rooney a doubt, Danny Welbeck needs to come to the fore. His two at
Aston Villa last weekend ought to help him break a home run of 14 months (18
games) without scoring. It's the time of year when belief plays a huge part
in all our lives. Does he believe he'll score? Do West Ham fans believe they
can win? In the hope of an early present of a game to savour, I'm happy to
say "I believe". Merry Christmas.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
This is the fourth time in 2013 these two sides have met. Two of the
previous three matches have been 2-2 draws with the other ending in a 1-0
win for
Manchester United.
West Ham have won just twice in 17 Premier League trips to play Manchester
United and they were both 1-0 wins - in 2001 and 2007.
Manchester United have not lost to West Ham in their last nine league
encounters.
Manchester United have 25 points after 16 matches - their lowest at this
stage of a Premier League season since 2001-02.
They have won 14 points away but just 11 at Old Trafford, and have scored 17
away league goals, compared to just eight at home.
Their victory over Aston Villa last Sunday was the first league match they
had won without Robin van Persie being in the side since he arrived at the
club (D2 L2).
West Ham
West Ham have won just two of their last 15 Premier League matches (W2 D5
L8).
No Premier League team has kept more clean sheets than West Ham's eight this
season and their total of five goalless draws is more than any other team
has had in the Premier League.
In fact, five 0-0 draws is more than there has been in the Bundesliga this
season.
They have failed to score a first-half goal this season in 13 Premier League
matches - the joint-most in the division.
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Manchester United welcome West Ham to Old Trafford
Last Updated: 20/12/13 11:29am
SSN
Manchester United will want to maintain the momentum they have started to
rebuild when they welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford. The Red Devils
have offered a positive response to a recent wobble - with successes enjoyed
in Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Capital One Cup competition.
Whether they have left themselves with too much to do in the defence of
their top-flight title remains to be seen, with a 10-point gap separating
them from the summit. David Moyes is not about to throw in the towel,
though, and a productive run through the busy festive period would help to
push United back towards the frontrunners. West Ham, though, will make the
long journey north determined to become the latest side to frustrate the Red
Devils in their own backyard.
The Hammers could do with the morale boost a positive result would bring,
with only one place and a solitary point keeping them out of the drop zone
at present. Victory at capital rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One
Cup quarter-finals in midweek should have them in buoyant mood but points
are all that matter to Sam Allardyce's side at present, and they know they
have not taken enough of them so far.
If Manchester United win this then it will be four wins in 10 days, which
makes a big difference to David Moyes all of a sudden! West Ham had a great
result in the Capital One Cup in midweek, but they have been struggling in
the league and I think they are going to struggle again here. The West Ham
fans will be looking forward to the semi-final, but you wonder if their
squad can cope with too many extra games! It will only be a matter of time
before Man United break them down.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Man Utd
Last 6
Stoke City (a)0-2
A Villa (a)0-3
Shak Donetsk (h)1-0
Newcastle (h)0-1
Everton (h)0-1
Tottenham (a)2-2
Manchester United will hand a late fitness test to Wayne Rooney after seeing
him sit out Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Stoke City in the League Cup with a
knock. David Moyes is hopeful the England international will figure
prominently over the Christmas period, and he needs him to as fellow forward
Robin van Persie is missing with a thigh problem. Michael Carrick will not
be ready for a return until Boxing Day at the earliest, but club captain
Nemanja Vidic is fit again and Marouane Fellaini could come back into
contention after a back complaint.
West Ham
Last 6
Tottenham (a)1-2
Sunderland (h)0-0
Liverpool (a)4-1
C Palace (a)1-0
Fulham (h)3-0
Chelsea (h)0-3
West Ham will welcome James Tomkins back into their ranks on Saturday, with
the defender having recovered from a groin problem. He will be the only
addition to a squad which edged out Spurs 2-1 in midweek, with Kevin Nolan
set to serve the final game of a three-match ban. Record signing Andy
Carroll will not be ready until the New Year as he eases his way back from a
foot injury, while Stewart Downing (Achilles) and Winston Reid (ankle) are
among those still on the treatment table.
Opta stats
Manchester United have not lost three successive home league games since Dec
1978 - Feb 1979.
The Hammers have won just one of their eight Premier League away games this
season (D3 L4), failing to score five times.
Man Utd have scored only eight goals in eight Premier League home games this
season, only four clubs have managed fewer.
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Three have been sentenced after admitting spying on West Ham directors
Last Updated: 20/12/13 4:26pm
SSN
Three investigators have been sentenced today after admitting spying on West
Ham directors including Karren Brady in 2011. Brady's mobile phone records
were obtained during an investigation which centred around the bidding
process for the Olympic Stadium. Tottenham asked the firm PKF to investigate
that process. Howard Hill, Richard Forrest and Lee Stewart all pleaded
guilty on 8 November to illegally obtaining confidential information on West
Ham directors and officials from the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Tottenham
strongly deny any claims of spying and it was said in court one of the
investigators had told the club he did not believe he had been acting
illegally. Hill was fined £100,000 as the main investigator, with Judge
McCreath saying: "You had full control over this project. You engaged others
to do your dirty work for you."
Stewart was fined £13,250. The judge said his involvement was limited to two
of the victims. Forrest was fined £10,000. The judge said, like Stewart, he
had acted on Hill's instructions. As well as Brady, victims included fellow
joint-chairman David Sullivan and Ian Tomkins of West Ham, along with a
number of Olympic officials and the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales. David
Gold, another joint-chairman of the Hammers, was named as someone who became
the focus of attention.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce backs David Moyes to be a hit at Manchester United
Last Updated: 20/12/13 2:25pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has backed David Moyes to be a success at
Manchester United and feels his efforts so far have been undervalued. United
sit eighth in the Premier League table after losing their last two home
league games and face a must-win clash with the Hammers at Old Trafford on
Saturday.
Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as United boss last summer and Allardyce
acknowledged the size of the job he has. "For him, at the moment I don't
think it's quite as bad as everyone makes out," said Allardyce. "(United are
in the) semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, qualified (as) winners of their
European group and unfortunately for him, (they are in) a league position
that he wouldn't have wanted. "But obviously he'll face the task as he knew
it was going to be a difficult takeover period from Sir Alex. "Old Trafford
particularly is where he wants it to be the fortress that Sir Alex always
seemed to make it and on occasion that hasn't seemed to happen for him.
"David will be planning as always to get the right team out to beat us and
go on from there. "Like everybody says, the transition cannot happen
overnight and it's like every manager, there's a transitional period that
you've got to try and get through before you make your own mark on it."
West Ham joined United in the final four of the Capital One Cup after coming
from behind to beat rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night, and Allardyce hopes
it kick-start their stuttering league campaign. He said: "When you win such
a game at your local rivals, who are such a big club these days, then it
does lift everybody but you must use and take that into the next game and
make sure you deliver the same performance again. "We've not won as many
games as we should have done in the Premier League and that's left everybody
a little down. "Manchester United we all know, if they're on song, on top of
their form on that particular day it could be very difficult for us. "We
have to go and deliver that type of performance and resilience again and be
as clinical in front of goal as we were on Wednesday night, even though the
opposition territorially and possession-wise were far better than we were."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
KEVIN NOLAN'S BAN IN DECEMBER MAKES IT FIFTH SEASON IN A ROW!
By Sean Whetstone 20 Dec 2013 at 08:33
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan's three match ban over Christmas is the fifth
season in a row he has picked up a suspension in December. Nolan's straight
red card for a deliberate stamp at Liverpool's Jordan Henderson at Anfield
will rule him out of the trip up north to Manchester United. Last season he
picked up a fifth booking of the season against Reading on Boxing Day that
saw him suspended for our next game against Norwich on New Year's Day. In
2011 he was banned for West Ham's match against Derby on December 29th after
collecting five bookings after a tackle on Zigic of Birmingham which was
almost a carbon copy of the Jordan Hendicerson which got him sent off!. A
fifth caution of the season against Manchester City on Boxing Day 2010 while
playing for Newcastle meant he missed the trip to Spurs two days later.
In 2009, while a Newcastle player a red card against Watford on December 5th
led to a one-game ban. At the Season Ticket Holders Fans Forum earlier this
moth he apologised for his silly challenge but strongly denied he wanted to
have time off. The video can be seen below. Kevin said "It was a silly
tackle and stupid of me. I'm rarely disappointed in myself but I am sorry
for that. I apologised to all the lads as well" "I'll be working hard on the
training ground," the 31-year-old said. "I'm certainly not getting away with
it. I'll be in on Wednesday while all the other lads are off"
David Gold later that evening suggested Kevin Nolan's ban would give Ravel
Morrison a chance to shine and gave a strange analogy of how catching his
best friend with his wife led to strange twist of good fortune in his life.
I met Kevin Nolan on Wednesday at the Fans Forum and submitted a question on
why the gaffer always chooses him to start if he is fit. The question didn't
make the cut for questions to be asked.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham signed Ravel Morrison based on a single sentence spoken by
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson
Dec 20, 2013 22:30 By Neil Rowlands 0 Comments
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed how one sentence from Sir Alex
Ferguson was enough to make him take the gamble on Ravel Morrison. Many
thought it was a big risk when Allardyce brought in the troubled teen in
January 2012 with his side battling for promotion back to the Premier
League. At 18, Morrison had already been convicted of witness intimidation
and criminal damage and had never appeared for United in the league. But Big
Sam explained: "Fergie told me about his talent and that was it – that's
enough for me. "He said, 'If you can sort this lad out, Sam, you'll have one
of the best players you've ever had'. I don't need anything more than that
do I?"
Morrison returns to Old Trafford this weekend for the first time since he
was bombed out by the Premier League champions. Since then he has impressed
on loan at Birmingham, has scored five in 17 for the Hammers this term and
could even be in line for a shock call-up to Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.
Allardyce added: "Sir Alex let Ravel go for his own benefit. He said that if
Ravel's going to be a player he has to leave Manchester and go somewhere
else in this country because he felt being in Manchester wasn't helping him
develop. "[He said] if he comes down to you hopefully he'll find a new life
and a new way of living and then his performances and his ability will then
start to come through. "In actual fact, he struggled to look like he was
capable of playing football in the first team with us. That's why we sent
him on loan to Birmingham and I thought since that year he's grown up.
"Somewhere along the line lads wake up and they start coming in and
thinking, 'I can have all the help I need but if I don't change myself then
I'm not going to be successful'. I think he's changed himself and
delivered."
With his eye-catching displays for the Hammers, including a dazzling solo
goal in the 3-0 win at Tottenham in October, talk of a new contract has
emerged.
Morrison has about 18 months left on his current agreement and it has been
suggested the east London club are lining up a bumper new deal for the
England Under-21 midfielder. But Allardyce has told him that if he keeps
concentrating on football then "mega-bucks" will come his way. The Hammers
manager, who will be without suspended skipper Kevin Nolan at Old Trafford
on Saturday, said: "A lot of the time, too often, it revolves around money
and not football. But it should revolve around having a good career and then
money follows. "If it ends up in the Premier League then it's mega-bucks. If
you don't get there and you take the money then the career can stagnate on
that basis."
Morrison is fresh after sitting out West Ham's Capital One Cup quarter-final
win over Tottenham on Wednesday – and is expected to start against David
Moyes' side, who are hoping to avoid a third straight home defeat in the
Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Saturday, December 21
Friday, December 20
Daily WHUFC News - 20th December 2013
'It's just what we needed'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis hopes to use Wednesday's Capital One Cup win at Spurs as a
springboard
18.12.2013
Matt Jarvis would be happy to play at White Hart Lane every week after
helping the Hammers secure their second away win of the season at Tottenham
Hotspur on Wednesday night. The winger crashed home with ten minutes
remaining to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener and set up the Hammers'
turnaround. Modibo Maiga won it for the visitors on 85 minutes and Jarvis
was thrilled to secure a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce utilised his squad, and the incoming players had a real impact -
another fact that pleased the No7. "It was a fantastic result for us and
just what we needed," Jarvis said. "This is a tough place to come to, so
we're delighted with the win. "This shows what a great squad we've got,
we're really working hard for each other and it paid off tonight."
Jarvis' goal was crucial to the Hammers fightback and he admitted that he
could not have picked a better moment to notch his second goal of the
campaign.
He added: "All that was going through my mind when I saw Matt Taylor laying
it off was to get on the end of it and hit the target. "I did that and I'm
absolutely delighted that it went in, especially in front of the West Ham
fans. "That's what it's all about, scoring goals, and to do it in front of
your own fans is a fantastic experience and let's hope we can get a few
more."
Maiga then sealed the win and Jarvis was thrilled for his teammate as he
also broke his duck for the campaign. He explained: "Modibo did really well,
he was really good in the air and managed to flick the ball on quite a few
times and we were able to pick up the knockdowns. "He took his goal really
well and I'm delighted for him. It's all about confidence and hopefully his
first goal of the season will push him on now. "This could be a massive
springboard for us and it's just what we needed. It was a win and a good
performance, and hopefully we can take it into the weekend now. "I'll be
looking to kick-on from this too, I was really pleased to get on the
scoresheet tonight."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dates set for semi-final ties
WHUFC.com
Fixture details have been confirmed for the Capital One Cup semi-final
19.12.2013
West Ham United will travel to Manchester City for the first leg of their
Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday 8 January with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The teams will then return to the Boleyn Ground for the second leg of the
tie on Tuesday 21 January, with kick-off again at 7.45pm. The Hammers booked
their place in the competition's last four with a stunning 2-1 victory at
London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, with Matt Jarvis and Modibo
Maiga on target. City, meanwhile, proved too hot for Leicester City in their
quarter-final, as they defeated the Championship side 3-1 at the King Power
Stadium the day before.
Ticketing details are yet to be confirmed and will be announced on whufc.com
in due course.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maiga celebrates 'special moment'
WHUFC.com
Match-winner Modibo Maiga was in high spirits after heading the Hammers into
the last four
19.12.2013
Modibo Maiga certainly knows how to pick his moments. His last West Ham
United goal was a late clincher in a 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over
Chelsea. This time, the Mali frontman leapt off the bench against Tottenham
Hotspur to transform the Hammers' evening. A dominant force in the air, one
of Maiga's many flick-ons laid the groundwork for Matt Jarvis' leveller,
before he powered home Mohamed Diame's cross to bag an 85th-minute winner.
And this, his first goal of the season, right in front of 4,200 jubilant
Hammers fans at White Hart Lane, to send West Ham United into the last four
of the Capital One Cup. As good timing goes, this was just about immaculate.
Though it has, by his own admission, been a frustrating wait for a first
goal of the campaign, the 26-year-old has complete faith in his own ability
and saw Wednesday night as just reward for his perseverance. He exclusively
told West Ham TV: "Definitely, it was a special moment. I'm absolutely
delighted, it's a huge reward for me and I hope it's going to continue that
way. "I've had quite a few chances in the last three or four games and
particularly with my head. It has really annoyed me, because in France I was
known for my ability in the air. "It's not happened for me until now, but
I've got my rewards in the Spurs game and I'm really happy, for the team
too! They all worked really hard in the first half, particularly
defensively, so as a unit we've got what we deserved and I'm chuffed."
With his account for the season now opened, Maiga is planning to make the
most of the momentum, hopeful that the goals will now flow. That very surge
of confidence was in evidence almost instantly, as the No11 rattled the
crossbar with a long-range drive in stoppage time. He continued: "Already
it feels great, because for me, what was going on wasn't normal! But that's
football and that's how it goes. You have to think, you have to work and,
sometimes, to wait. It [the goal] was always going to come and it happened
on Wednesday night. Here's hoping it carries on."
As with the Hammers' 3-0 league win at Spurs back in October, the visitors'
goals were scored in front of West Ham's traveling faithful, an experience
that Maiga absolutely loved. "As I always say, the supporters are
incredible, just incredible," he confirmed. "I love it, I really do and I
respect them a lot. They're fantastic, that's for sure. "The atmosphere was
mad! It's impressive, really impressive. Even though it was a cup match and
all that they bring, the support was still brilliant."
Admittedly, the Hammers have not had a whole lot to celebrate in recent
weeks, but Maiga reckons the tide is turning and they were good value for
victory on Wednesday. "Absolutely, we deserved it," he said. "We've had a
tough time in the last few games, where we've managed to create chances but
not got our rewards, like me, for example. "But now we're really happy.
Honestly, we really deserved it and I hope we're going to continue in this
vein and with results like this."
While Manchester City await in the semi-final, Maiga would rather
concentrate on league matters for now, starting with Saturday's trip to Old
Trafford. As tough a fixture as it is, the centre-forward is adamant that
West Ham will be positive in their approach. "Well, the draw's good and
we'll see how it goes. But that's done and now we go again for the next
league game, which is very, very important for us as well, for West Ham, for
everyone. So for now, we're thinking about that. "It's Manchester United, we
know what to expect. We're going to push to beat them. That's all I can say,
we're going there to win and come the end we'll see."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants league boost from Cup win
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hopes his players can "kick on" from their
Capital One Cup quarter-final victory against Tottenham as the Hammers look
to improve their Premier League form. The Irons, who are 17th in the
league, beat managerless Spurs 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday to reach
the last four of the League Cup. It was their first win in four games and
Allardyce said: "It's a relief. "For me, the challenge is to get the players
to kick on from this."
West Ham - last eight league games
Swansea City - drew 0-0
Aston Villa - drew 0-0
Norwich City - lost 3-1
Chelsea - lost 3-0
Fulham - won 3-0
Crystal Palace - lost 1-0
Liverpool - lost 4-1
Sunderland - drew 0-0
Spurs, with caretaker manager Tim Sherwood in charge following Andre
Villas-Boas's sacking on Monday, took the lead in the second half when
Emmanuel Adebayor volleyed home superbly for his first goal since May. But
the Hammers levelled late on through Matt Jarvis before substitute Modibo
Maiga headed in the winner five minutes from time. They will play Manchester
City in the semi-final, with the first leg taking place in the week
commencing 6 January. "We saw the shaken nerve-ends of Tottenham when we
scored," said Allardyce. "We then went for the jugular. Our substitutes, who
came on with fresh legs, exploited the spaces." It was West Ham's second win
at Spurs in three months, following October's 3-0 victory in the league.
Allardyce's men have only won two other Premier League games so far this
season, though, and are just one point above the relegation zone. "When we
beat [Tottenham] last time, I thought we'd go on a run of results and pick
up more points than we have done," he told West Ham's official website. "I
don't know where we'll go from here but it's just a fantastic result and the
lads are absolutely delighted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam gives Sullivan reasons to believe
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th December 2013
By: Paul Walker
David Sullivan got the sort of result and performance he no doubt feels
justify his claims that if West Ham were looking for a new manager, Sam
Allardyce would be the sort of person they would want in a mounting
relegation crisis.
Our co-chairman was given all the ammunition he needs to ride out the storm
over Allardyce's tenure as manager with that remarkable 2-1 League Cup win
at Spurs.
I feel now you can write off any thoughts of the axe falling on Big Sam
after such a morale-boosting triumph at White Hart Lane, certainly
unexpected by anyone who witnessed Saturday's turgid, feeble display against
Sunderland. Only shame really is that it wasn't another league game because
points are more important than cup wins to us at the moment.
Now we all have to pray that we can get something at Manchester United on
Saturday and then against Arsenal on Boxing Day before the more winnable
games at home to West Brom and then away to Fulham on New Years day arrive.
The euphoria of another victory at Spurs - getting too easy, isn't it? -
will be swept away, I fear, when reality bites again in our next two
matches.
But let's be happy for small mercies. Actually, if you read the coverage
after the win at Spurs, you would be forgiven for thinking we were not
really there. It was all about Spurs' downfall, Tim Sherwood's chances of
being manager (not a hope with Daniel Levy wanting another fantasy manager)
and the shambles that is now White Hart Lane.
Do we really care about all that? So it is worth underlining what a very
good win it was for our lot in the circumstances. Sam says he had 16 fit
players, with James Tomkins clearly failing a fitness test as he was not
even on the bench.
Then there was the little problem of having three full-backs in our back
four, and George McCartney as a central defender alongside James Collins.
Both were outstanding on the night.
Then we had the rare opportunity of seeing Alou Diarra in a starting line-up
(only his sixth) since he joined at the beginning of last season. And the
big Frenchman did very well in a holding role.
Our Spanish goalkeeper Adrian was excellent and Jack Collison produced
another high-energy display. All this has generally gone unnoticed in what
has became a Spurs wake in the national media. And of course we had the even
more unlikely situation of Modibo Maiga scoring, Matt Jarvis too, only his
fourth for the club.
All in all, Sam threw together one of the weakest sides we have fielded this
season and they showed spirit and effort for the cause. That is what
Sullivan was talking about when he praised the sort of professionalism that
Sam provides in a crisis.
Now Sam is cute (no not like that, even his old lady must feel the grizzled
old groaner has gone past the cute stage by now) and he may feel he can
utilise a few of the cup heroes at Old Trafford on Saturday. We are not
expected to get anything, so why not give Adrian a run out, as well as
Diarra?
If Adrian can produce a miracle performance, there could be a point in it
for us. And you never know how long it will be before Diarra gets injured
again, so why not play him now?
After the win at Spurs, both probably feel they deserve another crack.
Getting the best out of a job lot of our fringe players was the requirement,
and the result unexpected. The sack race stuff seems to wash over Sam, and
the fact that emerged on Thursday that he is one of the highest paid
managers in the world just underlines why.
Let's face it. He is a very, very rich man with business interests in Dubai
and elsewhere, and he doesn't need to work. If we sack him, he will care
because it will hurt his pride, but financially it's not an issue.
Not say for someone like David Flitcroft who was axed by Barnsley and jumped
straight into a new job at Rochdale. He, like many others in the lower
divisions, does need the money.
If Sam leaves West Ham, someone, somewhere, will give him a job. He's a
fire-fighter and a tough as old boots realist. None of that, however, will
appease the many West Ham fans who were brought up on the fine traditions of
our past.
But that's the way it is. Sullivan got the performance he needed to justify
his backing for the manager. Now we will see Sam working through the
transfer window trying to bring in new faces and no doubt sell a few too.
He now has three cup ties in January, only one - at Nottingham Forest -
where anyone gives us a dogs' chance. Manchester City home and away could be
very painful, and it is not as if they have the Champions League to distract
them again until February.
City are averaging over four goals per home game. as Manchester United,
Spurs and Arsenal have discovered, as well as Norwich. But on their travels
they are not as predictable, even over-cocky to be honest.
If we can just survive the away leg without being massacred, maybe, just
maybe, we can do to them what Cardiff and Sunderland have managed against
them on their own patches. You never know. And by then Andy Carroll will be
back and maybe another new striker could be in the squad. You can always
hope.
But just for now, let's bask in another humiliation for Spurs. It's worth it
just to see Levy's face (but don't expect him to sell us anyone in the
window!)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce praises his West Ham players ahead of Manchester United trip
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 19/12/13 6:42pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce insists he cannot fault the attitude of his
players ahead of their visit to Manchester United in the Premier League on
Saturday. Both teams progressed to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup on
Wednesday night, with West Ham coming from behind late on to score two goals
in five minutes to beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Allardyce's men lie
17th in the Barclays Premier League - one place above the relegation zone -
and know they face a difficult task against David Moyes' side at Old
Trafford this weekend. The West Ham manager admitted that while he is not
satisfied with the club's current league placing, he is delighted with the
attitude, application and determination his players are showing. "I'm not
happy with the way things are progressing because we are in the position we
are," Allardyce told skysports.com. "I expected us to be in a better
position than we are but what I am happy with is the amount of work the
players have put in, the amount of commitment they shown as a team to try
and win. "The end result is we have not won the games that we should have
done. We certainly are creating the chances and we're certainly doing our
very, very best to try and improve the situation." Allardyce added: "What
goes against us at this moment in time is too many key players injured and
suspended. Once we overcome that I am confident we will improve our position
in the league and improve our results."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis hopes to use Wednesday's Capital One Cup win at Spurs as a
springboard
18.12.2013
Matt Jarvis would be happy to play at White Hart Lane every week after
helping the Hammers secure their second away win of the season at Tottenham
Hotspur on Wednesday night. The winger crashed home with ten minutes
remaining to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener and set up the Hammers'
turnaround. Modibo Maiga won it for the visitors on 85 minutes and Jarvis
was thrilled to secure a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce utilised his squad, and the incoming players had a real impact -
another fact that pleased the No7. "It was a fantastic result for us and
just what we needed," Jarvis said. "This is a tough place to come to, so
we're delighted with the win. "This shows what a great squad we've got,
we're really working hard for each other and it paid off tonight."
Jarvis' goal was crucial to the Hammers fightback and he admitted that he
could not have picked a better moment to notch his second goal of the
campaign.
He added: "All that was going through my mind when I saw Matt Taylor laying
it off was to get on the end of it and hit the target. "I did that and I'm
absolutely delighted that it went in, especially in front of the West Ham
fans. "That's what it's all about, scoring goals, and to do it in front of
your own fans is a fantastic experience and let's hope we can get a few
more."
Maiga then sealed the win and Jarvis was thrilled for his teammate as he
also broke his duck for the campaign. He explained: "Modibo did really well,
he was really good in the air and managed to flick the ball on quite a few
times and we were able to pick up the knockdowns. "He took his goal really
well and I'm delighted for him. It's all about confidence and hopefully his
first goal of the season will push him on now. "This could be a massive
springboard for us and it's just what we needed. It was a win and a good
performance, and hopefully we can take it into the weekend now. "I'll be
looking to kick-on from this too, I was really pleased to get on the
scoresheet tonight."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dates set for semi-final ties
WHUFC.com
Fixture details have been confirmed for the Capital One Cup semi-final
19.12.2013
West Ham United will travel to Manchester City for the first leg of their
Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday 8 January with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The teams will then return to the Boleyn Ground for the second leg of the
tie on Tuesday 21 January, with kick-off again at 7.45pm. The Hammers booked
their place in the competition's last four with a stunning 2-1 victory at
London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, with Matt Jarvis and Modibo
Maiga on target. City, meanwhile, proved too hot for Leicester City in their
quarter-final, as they defeated the Championship side 3-1 at the King Power
Stadium the day before.
Ticketing details are yet to be confirmed and will be announced on whufc.com
in due course.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maiga celebrates 'special moment'
WHUFC.com
Match-winner Modibo Maiga was in high spirits after heading the Hammers into
the last four
19.12.2013
Modibo Maiga certainly knows how to pick his moments. His last West Ham
United goal was a late clincher in a 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over
Chelsea. This time, the Mali frontman leapt off the bench against Tottenham
Hotspur to transform the Hammers' evening. A dominant force in the air, one
of Maiga's many flick-ons laid the groundwork for Matt Jarvis' leveller,
before he powered home Mohamed Diame's cross to bag an 85th-minute winner.
And this, his first goal of the season, right in front of 4,200 jubilant
Hammers fans at White Hart Lane, to send West Ham United into the last four
of the Capital One Cup. As good timing goes, this was just about immaculate.
Though it has, by his own admission, been a frustrating wait for a first
goal of the campaign, the 26-year-old has complete faith in his own ability
and saw Wednesday night as just reward for his perseverance. He exclusively
told West Ham TV: "Definitely, it was a special moment. I'm absolutely
delighted, it's a huge reward for me and I hope it's going to continue that
way. "I've had quite a few chances in the last three or four games and
particularly with my head. It has really annoyed me, because in France I was
known for my ability in the air. "It's not happened for me until now, but
I've got my rewards in the Spurs game and I'm really happy, for the team
too! They all worked really hard in the first half, particularly
defensively, so as a unit we've got what we deserved and I'm chuffed."
With his account for the season now opened, Maiga is planning to make the
most of the momentum, hopeful that the goals will now flow. That very surge
of confidence was in evidence almost instantly, as the No11 rattled the
crossbar with a long-range drive in stoppage time. He continued: "Already
it feels great, because for me, what was going on wasn't normal! But that's
football and that's how it goes. You have to think, you have to work and,
sometimes, to wait. It [the goal] was always going to come and it happened
on Wednesday night. Here's hoping it carries on."
As with the Hammers' 3-0 league win at Spurs back in October, the visitors'
goals were scored in front of West Ham's traveling faithful, an experience
that Maiga absolutely loved. "As I always say, the supporters are
incredible, just incredible," he confirmed. "I love it, I really do and I
respect them a lot. They're fantastic, that's for sure. "The atmosphere was
mad! It's impressive, really impressive. Even though it was a cup match and
all that they bring, the support was still brilliant."
Admittedly, the Hammers have not had a whole lot to celebrate in recent
weeks, but Maiga reckons the tide is turning and they were good value for
victory on Wednesday. "Absolutely, we deserved it," he said. "We've had a
tough time in the last few games, where we've managed to create chances but
not got our rewards, like me, for example. "But now we're really happy.
Honestly, we really deserved it and I hope we're going to continue in this
vein and with results like this."
While Manchester City await in the semi-final, Maiga would rather
concentrate on league matters for now, starting with Saturday's trip to Old
Trafford. As tough a fixture as it is, the centre-forward is adamant that
West Ham will be positive in their approach. "Well, the draw's good and
we'll see how it goes. But that's done and now we go again for the next
league game, which is very, very important for us as well, for West Ham, for
everyone. So for now, we're thinking about that. "It's Manchester United, we
know what to expect. We're going to push to beat them. That's all I can say,
we're going there to win and come the end we'll see."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants league boost from Cup win
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hopes his players can "kick on" from their
Capital One Cup quarter-final victory against Tottenham as the Hammers look
to improve their Premier League form. The Irons, who are 17th in the
league, beat managerless Spurs 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday to reach
the last four of the League Cup. It was their first win in four games and
Allardyce said: "It's a relief. "For me, the challenge is to get the players
to kick on from this."
West Ham - last eight league games
Swansea City - drew 0-0
Aston Villa - drew 0-0
Norwich City - lost 3-1
Chelsea - lost 3-0
Fulham - won 3-0
Crystal Palace - lost 1-0
Liverpool - lost 4-1
Sunderland - drew 0-0
Spurs, with caretaker manager Tim Sherwood in charge following Andre
Villas-Boas's sacking on Monday, took the lead in the second half when
Emmanuel Adebayor volleyed home superbly for his first goal since May. But
the Hammers levelled late on through Matt Jarvis before substitute Modibo
Maiga headed in the winner five minutes from time. They will play Manchester
City in the semi-final, with the first leg taking place in the week
commencing 6 January. "We saw the shaken nerve-ends of Tottenham when we
scored," said Allardyce. "We then went for the jugular. Our substitutes, who
came on with fresh legs, exploited the spaces." It was West Ham's second win
at Spurs in three months, following October's 3-0 victory in the league.
Allardyce's men have only won two other Premier League games so far this
season, though, and are just one point above the relegation zone. "When we
beat [Tottenham] last time, I thought we'd go on a run of results and pick
up more points than we have done," he told West Ham's official website. "I
don't know where we'll go from here but it's just a fantastic result and the
lads are absolutely delighted."
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Sam gives Sullivan reasons to believe
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th December 2013
By: Paul Walker
David Sullivan got the sort of result and performance he no doubt feels
justify his claims that if West Ham were looking for a new manager, Sam
Allardyce would be the sort of person they would want in a mounting
relegation crisis.
Our co-chairman was given all the ammunition he needs to ride out the storm
over Allardyce's tenure as manager with that remarkable 2-1 League Cup win
at Spurs.
I feel now you can write off any thoughts of the axe falling on Big Sam
after such a morale-boosting triumph at White Hart Lane, certainly
unexpected by anyone who witnessed Saturday's turgid, feeble display against
Sunderland. Only shame really is that it wasn't another league game because
points are more important than cup wins to us at the moment.
Now we all have to pray that we can get something at Manchester United on
Saturday and then against Arsenal on Boxing Day before the more winnable
games at home to West Brom and then away to Fulham on New Years day arrive.
The euphoria of another victory at Spurs - getting too easy, isn't it? -
will be swept away, I fear, when reality bites again in our next two
matches.
But let's be happy for small mercies. Actually, if you read the coverage
after the win at Spurs, you would be forgiven for thinking we were not
really there. It was all about Spurs' downfall, Tim Sherwood's chances of
being manager (not a hope with Daniel Levy wanting another fantasy manager)
and the shambles that is now White Hart Lane.
Do we really care about all that? So it is worth underlining what a very
good win it was for our lot in the circumstances. Sam says he had 16 fit
players, with James Tomkins clearly failing a fitness test as he was not
even on the bench.
Then there was the little problem of having three full-backs in our back
four, and George McCartney as a central defender alongside James Collins.
Both were outstanding on the night.
Then we had the rare opportunity of seeing Alou Diarra in a starting line-up
(only his sixth) since he joined at the beginning of last season. And the
big Frenchman did very well in a holding role.
Our Spanish goalkeeper Adrian was excellent and Jack Collison produced
another high-energy display. All this has generally gone unnoticed in what
has became a Spurs wake in the national media. And of course we had the even
more unlikely situation of Modibo Maiga scoring, Matt Jarvis too, only his
fourth for the club.
All in all, Sam threw together one of the weakest sides we have fielded this
season and they showed spirit and effort for the cause. That is what
Sullivan was talking about when he praised the sort of professionalism that
Sam provides in a crisis.
Now Sam is cute (no not like that, even his old lady must feel the grizzled
old groaner has gone past the cute stage by now) and he may feel he can
utilise a few of the cup heroes at Old Trafford on Saturday. We are not
expected to get anything, so why not give Adrian a run out, as well as
Diarra?
If Adrian can produce a miracle performance, there could be a point in it
for us. And you never know how long it will be before Diarra gets injured
again, so why not play him now?
After the win at Spurs, both probably feel they deserve another crack.
Getting the best out of a job lot of our fringe players was the requirement,
and the result unexpected. The sack race stuff seems to wash over Sam, and
the fact that emerged on Thursday that he is one of the highest paid
managers in the world just underlines why.
Let's face it. He is a very, very rich man with business interests in Dubai
and elsewhere, and he doesn't need to work. If we sack him, he will care
because it will hurt his pride, but financially it's not an issue.
Not say for someone like David Flitcroft who was axed by Barnsley and jumped
straight into a new job at Rochdale. He, like many others in the lower
divisions, does need the money.
If Sam leaves West Ham, someone, somewhere, will give him a job. He's a
fire-fighter and a tough as old boots realist. None of that, however, will
appease the many West Ham fans who were brought up on the fine traditions of
our past.
But that's the way it is. Sullivan got the performance he needed to justify
his backing for the manager. Now we will see Sam working through the
transfer window trying to bring in new faces and no doubt sell a few too.
He now has three cup ties in January, only one - at Nottingham Forest -
where anyone gives us a dogs' chance. Manchester City home and away could be
very painful, and it is not as if they have the Champions League to distract
them again until February.
City are averaging over four goals per home game. as Manchester United,
Spurs and Arsenal have discovered, as well as Norwich. But on their travels
they are not as predictable, even over-cocky to be honest.
If we can just survive the away leg without being massacred, maybe, just
maybe, we can do to them what Cardiff and Sunderland have managed against
them on their own patches. You never know. And by then Andy Carroll will be
back and maybe another new striker could be in the squad. You can always
hope.
But just for now, let's bask in another humiliation for Spurs. It's worth it
just to see Levy's face (but don't expect him to sell us anyone in the
window!)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce praises his West Ham players ahead of Manchester United trip
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 19/12/13 6:42pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce insists he cannot fault the attitude of his
players ahead of their visit to Manchester United in the Premier League on
Saturday. Both teams progressed to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup on
Wednesday night, with West Ham coming from behind late on to score two goals
in five minutes to beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Allardyce's men lie
17th in the Barclays Premier League - one place above the relegation zone -
and know they face a difficult task against David Moyes' side at Old
Trafford this weekend. The West Ham manager admitted that while he is not
satisfied with the club's current league placing, he is delighted with the
attitude, application and determination his players are showing. "I'm not
happy with the way things are progressing because we are in the position we
are," Allardyce told skysports.com. "I expected us to be in a better
position than we are but what I am happy with is the amount of work the
players have put in, the amount of commitment they shown as a team to try
and win. "The end result is we have not won the games that we should have
done. We certainly are creating the chances and we're certainly doing our
very, very best to try and improve the situation." Allardyce added: "What
goes against us at this moment in time is too many key players injured and
suspended. Once we overcome that I am confident we will improve our position
in the league and improve our results."
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Thursday, December 19
Daily WHUFC News - 19th December 2013
Hammers do it again!
WHUFC.com
West Ham United produced a super turnaround to defeat Tottenham Hotspur on
Wednesday
18.12.2013
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
West Ham United produced a superb turnaround to claim their second White
Hart Lane win of the season on Wednesday. Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga
notched inside the final ten minutes to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's
opener and send the Hammers into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce's men produced a wonderful response to Adebayor's goal, with
Maiga's half-hour appearance from the bench proving central to their
success.
The 4,200 travelling fans revelled in another win in north London - after
waiting 14 years since their last success at the venue - to set up a
last-four tie with Manchester City.
The hosts gave a signal of intent in the very first minute when Aaron Lennon
showed considerable pace to burst past Razvan Rat down the flank and cross
low. Gylfi Sigurdsson's inital shot was blocked, then Jermain Defoe pulled
his effort wide when he really should have hit the target. Next it was
Andros Townsend's turn to try his luck as he moved onto his left foot from
25-yards and sent a fierce effort whistling just past Adrian's near post.
Spurs were finding joy by attacking down the right early on, but their next
chance started with a move down the opposite flank as Townsend crossed with
ten minutes on the clock and Emmanuel Adebayor headed wide.
Defoe tried his luck with an ambitious left footed volley after he latched
onto a lofted ball into the left channel, but his shot was closer to the
upper tier than the goal. The Hammers were undoubtedly under the cosh, but
weathered that early storm and began to restrict Tottenham's chances. Hugo
Lloris had to make his first save of the evening on 35 minutes when Carlton
Cole's snapshot needed to be gathered down low to his right. At the other
end, Adebayor sent a shot twice the height of the goal after Lennon cut back
and it was 0-0 at the break.
Ten minutes after the restart, Danny Rose continued the pattern of shooting
too high after he moved into a central position, screamed for the ball,
received it and curled off target. West Ham looked to be growing in
confidence, but just as they forced their first corner after 66 minutes,
Spurs broke with devastating effect. Townsend spread the play out wide to
the left, where Defoe advanced and crossed into the box, where Adebayor was
arriving like a train to smash home via the underside of the crossbar. The
Hammers responded well though and sub Mo Diame almost levelled with his
first contribution when his strong shot needed a good save from Lloris after
Maiga flicked on well. Maiga's flick-ons were proving profitable and another
dropped at the feet of Matt Taylor on 76 minutes, but as he ran out of space
he could not find the power to beat Lloris. West Ham were not beaten and
with ten minutes left the equaliser came, Jarvis ramming home after Maiga
won another header for Taylor to control and lay off.
If the travelling fans were happy enough at that effort, they were sent into
dreamland five minutes later when the Hammers completed the turnaround.
Ravel Morrison started the move by spreading play out to Diame on the right,
who clipped a cross over for Maiga to climb high and head home. The Hammers
even went close to extending the advantage in added time, as Maiga thundered
a shot against the bar and Jack Collison drew a save from Lloris, but two
goals were enough on a memorable evening at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris; Walker, Capoue, Chiriches, Rose (Fryers 61);
Lennon, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Townsend (Chadli 72); Adebayor (Holtby 77),
Defoe
Subs: Friedel, Soldado, Eriksen, Fredericks
Goal: Adebayor 67
Booked: Adebayor
West Ham United: Adrian; O'Brien, Collins, McCartney, Rat; Collison, Diarra
(Morrison 77), Taylor; J.Cole (Diame 69), C.Cole (Maiga 64), Jarvis
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Demel, Chambers
Goals: Jarvis 80, Maiga 85
Booked: Diarra
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 34,080
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam delights in Spurs win
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke exclusively to West Ham TV after his side reached the
Capital One Cup semi-finals
18.12.2013
Sam Allardyce was in high spirits following West Ham United's sensational
2-1 Capital One Cup quarter-final victory at Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs went
ahead midway through the second half through Emmanuel Adebayor, only for
West Ham to roar back through late goals from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga
and set up a semi-final meeting with Manchester City in the New Year. Big
Sam told West Ham TV of his delight at his team's all-round display, Maiga's
first goal of the season and recording a second win of the season at White
Hart Lane. "We got better after we went 1-0 down," he said. "We were doing
pretty well up to then and starting to get more and more ball in Tottenham's
half and the game looked like it was panning out a lot like it did when we
won here 3-0 [in October].
"It was all about whether we would get an opportunity to score, then we got
a corner and we thought it would be dangerous for them, then they broke out
and Adebayor put a tremendous volley into the net. From there on, we picked
up the game and got better and better. "Mo Diame almost equalised straight
away after their goal, then Matt Taylor has hit a good strike and Matt
Jarvis has come up with the goods and put it in the top of the net. Then. it
was for us to go all out to win it because we didn't want extra time on a
Wednesday night and Manchester United coming up on the Saturday and only 16
senior players fit.
Read a full Match Report from the sensational win at Tottenham
"We went all out and got our just rewards in the end because we were the
dominant force in the final quarter of the game. Maiga scored his first goal
and I hope that will help him to produce a lot more in terms of goals, and
he almost got his second when he hit a fantastic shot that hit the bar and
Jack Collison nearly got one. "It went really well up until the scored and
it went even better after that when we came back from 1-0 down to win for
the first time this season, putting us in the semi-final of the Capital One
Cup."
Tactically, Big Sam got things spot-on. West Ham defended superbly before
half-time, restricting Spurs to long-range or wayward efforts, before
expanding their attacking play after the break. Even when Adebayor put the
hosts in front, the Hammers refused to panic and got the goals their play
warranted in the final ten minutes. "Fresh legs came on and when more space
develops they can make the difference for you. Modibo Maiga and Mo Diame
particularly did that after Carlton Cole and Joe Cole had run their socks
off to make sure we would not lose the game. "Then, they lifted up the level
of the play from the balls going forward, playing against tired defenders,
and in the end we fully capitalised on that. It all started from a free-kick
but it was a fantastic finish from Matt Jarvis and we had many chances in
the final third of the game. "Overall, when you look at what Tottenham's
possession delivered for them, it was not a lot of chances. If you look at
the amount of shots on target we had from our chances, it was very, very
good. "Our goalkeeper Adrian then came up with the goods when we needed him
in added-time with a great save low to his left, pushing the ball away and
stopping it from being 2-2 and going to extra time. It was a brilliant save
when we needed it and he showed he is the quality that we were looking for
and gives us two competitive goalkeepers in the squad. "The big
disappointment is that we have Manchester City in the semi-final! Away from
home they haven't been too clever, but at home they've been scoring an
average of four goals a game. You never know and we'll go and give it our
best shot, but we want to see more performances like that and pick up more
points in what is the main priority for us - the Premier League."
For Big Sam personally, the manager admitted that the victory was a boost
for him and for the supporters who did not stop singing from first to last.
"It's a relief. For me, the challenge is to get the players to kick on from
this. When we beat them last time, I thought we'd go on a run of results and
pick up more points than we have done. I don't know where we'll go from here
but it's just a fantastic result and the lads are absolutely delighted. "The
players have stepped in like Matt Taylor, Alou Diarra and Jack Collison and
Adrian in goal have done a fantastic job with the rest of the team. The
squad is struggling for numbers at the moment, but what a fantastic
performance from those who took part. "You have got to play to your best to
give the fans something to cheer about and we have sent them home extremely
happy, having beaten the old enemy again, twice on the trot. It's just a
delight for them and, in the end, a delight for us as players and staff."
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'It's just what we needed'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis hopes to use Wednesday's Capital One Cup win at Spurs as a
springboard
18.12.2013
Matt Jarvis would be happy to play at White Hart Lane every week after
helping the Hammers secure their second away win of the season at Tottenham
Hotspur on Wednesday night. The winger crashed home with ten minutes
remaining to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener and set up the Hammers'
turnaround. Modibo Maiga won it for the visitors on 85 minutes and Jarvis
was thrilled to secure a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce utilised his squad, and the incoming players had a real impact -
another fact that pleased the No7. "It was a fantastic result for us and
just what we needed," Jarvis said. "This is a tough place to come to, so
we're delighted with the win. "This shows what a great squad we've got,
we're really working hard for each other and it paid off tonight."
Jarvis' goal was crucial to the Hammers fightback and he admitted that he
could not have picked a better moment to open his account for the campaign.
He added: "All that was going through my mind when I saw Matt Taylor laying
it off was to get on the end of it and hit the target. "I did that and I'm
absolutely delighted that it went in, especially in front of the West Ham
fans. "That's what it's all about, scoring goals, and to do it in front of
your own fans is a fantastic experience and let's hope we can get a few
more."
Maiga then sealed the win and Jarvis was thrilled for his teammate as he
also broke his duck for the campaign. He explained: "Modibo did really well,
he was really good in the air and managed to flick the ball on quite a few
times and we were able to pick up the knockdowns. "He took his goal really
well and I'm delighted for him. It's all about confidence and hopefully his
first goal of the season will push him on now. "This could be a massive
springboard for us and it's just what we needed. It was a win and a good
performance, and hopefully we can take it into the weekend now. "I'll be
looking to kick-on from this too, I was really pleased to get on the
scoresheet tonight."
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Hammers draw City in semi-finals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have drawn Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final
draw
18.12.2013
West Ham United have been drawn to face Manchester City in the Capital One
Cup semi-finals. The Hammers will take on Manuel Pellegrini's men over two
legs, with the first match taking place at the City of Manchester Stadium in
the week commencing 6 January. The teams will return to the Boleyn Ground
for the second leg in the week commencing 20 January with a place in the
final at Wembley the prize. Sunderland face Manchester United in the other
semi-final.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said: "I think Sunderland would have
fancied they'd have got us and we'd have fancied Sunderland but we got
Manchester City. It makes us the underdogs, of course, but underdogs have
won in the semi-finals before. I did it against Aston Villa a few years ago
and it was probably the best semi-final first leg you'll see as we won 5-3.
"We'll give it our best shot when that comes around but the most important
thing for me is not that just yet. I t's a great night for us, the draw's a
tough one and we will look forward to that in January but we've got a lot of
Premier League games to focus on before that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham 1 West Ham 2
18 December 2013
Last updated at 22:17
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport
Tottenham suffered a second successive home defeat as Modibo Maiga's late
goal saw West Ham book a Capital One Cup semi-final tie with Manchester
City.
Spurs took the lead in the second half when Emmanuel Adebayor scored his
first goal since May with a superb volley. The Hammers levelled when Matt
Taylor found Matt Jarvis on the left side of the area and he smashed home.
Five minutes from time substitute Maiga grabbed the winner when he headed in
from Mohamed Diame's right-wing cross. It was a stunning end to a match that
only came alive in the 67th minute when Adebayor, who had previously only
played 45 minutes of club football this season, crashed home a spectacular
opener. But ultimately Spurs were left to contemplate another defeat so soon
after Sunday's 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, which led to the sacking of
manager Andre-Villas Boas.
The Portuguese's temporary replacement, Tim Sherwood, will be hoping luck
changes for his side on Sunday when they travel to Southampton - but this
defeat will be a difficult one to recover from. It all started well for the
hosts, with three chances in the first five minutes. The first two came
during one move when Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot was blocked and Jermain Defoe
fired the follow-up a foot wide from about eight yards. In the next attack,
the marauding Andros Townsend, who later came off with what looked like a
hamstring injury, ran 15 yards with the ball before firing in a low strike
that went inches wide.
But Spurs hit a creative block for the rest of the half, with West Ham's
disciplined defence easily reading their opponents' predictable final balls.
Although Sam Allardyce's men spent much of the half on the back foot, they
did manage to test Hugo Lloris, on a rare foray forward, when he dived left
to prevent Carlton Cole's strike from creeping in. The first 20 minutes of
the second half were forgettable bar a moment when James Collins attempted a
lofted pass back to Lloris, after play was stopped for an injury, but
instead nearly caught out the keeper. It did finally improve as a spectacle
with just over 20 minutes remaining when Adebayor launched himself at
Defoe's cross and volleyed the ball in off the underside of the bar. That
woke the Hammers up, with the impressive Taylor launching a fierce drive
that Lloris prevented from bursting the net. They then equalised with a goal
typical of an Allardyce-led team. Keeper Adrian launched a long punt
downfield which was headed down to Taylor. The midfielder found Jarvis on
his left and he scampered a couple of yards before firing home. Five minutes
later, the match turned on its head when Maiga, who came on for Cole in the
65th minute, scored his first goal for a year when he rose highest to head
in Diame's delivery. The Mali forward came close to adding a spectacular
second in stoppage time, but saw his shot rebound back off the crossbar.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "As the game wore on both teams had to go
for it. Neither of us wanted it to go into extra-time. "It is what you can
do when the spaces get bigger and bigger. We improved after Emmanuel
Adebayor's goal. "We saw the shaken nerve ends of Tottenham when we scored.
We then went for the jugular. Our substitutes, who came on with fresh legs,
exploited the spaces."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam panned for second string choice
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's apparent decision to refrain from employing a first choice
XI at Tottenham tonight has been met with derision in some quarters.
Allardyce revealed yesterday that he would be "using the squad to its full
intent" at White Hart Lane when the two local rivals meet in the quarter
final of the Capital One Cup. "I would have loved to have come to this game
with a bigger squad," he said. "We will play the team that has the desire
and the energy to go out there and give a great account of themselves
against a very good side."
Those comments, which appear to point to a weaker team being played tonight,
have led to criticism in some quarters. Martin Samuel, writing in the Mail
today accused Allardyce of "spurning one of the few chances he has to win a
trophy", adding: "If Allardyce was playing the reserves with an eye on
gaining momentum against Manchester United, that would be different. "Had
he decided that Saturday's lacklustre display was reason enough for changes,
and some of his first-team regulars were not up to the task of taking on a
rattled Tottenham team, fair enough. "But playing the reserves in a
quarter-final against a major rival because the players that got outclassed
by Sunderland need to recharge for the visit to Old Trafford? That is voodoo
economics. "Everything Allardyce appears to be rejecting is what really
defines a club, long term. It is the stuff of memories and schoolboy
scrapbooks and father-and-son tickets and days out, the delight of which
will be taken to the grave."
Supporters are fairly mixed over news of a potentially-weakened West Ham
team. KUMB member k-r-c agreed with Samuel's sentiments, calling for a 'best
XI' scenario. "We have Man Utd at Old Trafford at the weekend, we cannot
score in a brothel, the chances are we are going to lose easily up there so
why not just stick a full strength team out tonight?" he asked. "That still
gives them a week until Arsenal at home, which we have more chance of taking
a point from."
Meanwhile the celestial insect argued that regardless of being just two
games from Wembley, the league should remain a priority. "While I feel very
sorry for our loyal fans going to the game, I should hope Allardyce does
prioritise the league. "What are the consequences of going out of the Cup,
compared to relegation?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham beat Tottenham 2-1 in quarter-finals
Last Updated: 19/12/13 12:08am
SSN
West Ham booked their place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals after beating
managerless Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening.
Tottenham, with Tim Sherwood in charge for the first time, flew out of traps
and went close twice through Jermain Defoe and the lively Andros Townsend.
Emmanuel Adebayor, restored to the starting line-up after being frozen out
by Andre Villas-Boas, steered a header wide as Spurs continued to boss the
opening period without truly testing Adrian in the visting goal. West Ham
were much more positive after the break but it was Spurs who broke the
deadlock in the 66th minute when Defoe's cross to the far post was superbly
volleyed home by Adebayor. The Hammers drew level, however, with 10 minutes
to go when Jarvis beat Hugo Lloris at his near post after good work by
Modibo Maiga and Matt Taylor. And Sam Allardyce's men stunned the home
faithful with five minutes to go when Maiga powered a header past Lloris to
book their place in the semi-finals.
With the selection of Adebayor and Defoe as two of six changes in a
conventional 4-4-2 formation, Sherwood made a statement. The former Spurs
captain, wearing a tracksuit and trainers, showed more energy than Adebayor
in Spurs' opening attack, imploring Aaron Lennon to sprint down the right
before Defoe dragged a shot wide. Townsend shot wide from the edge of the
area before another Lennon cross caused danger in the Hammers' box and Joey
O'Brien headed too close to his own post for comfort in conceding a corner.
O'Brien conceded another set-piece when Adebayor attacked the right side of
the area and then the Togo striker headed a Townsend cross wide. Defoe
blasted over, much to Sherwood's frustration, as West Ham struggled to break
free of their own half. Carlton Cole shot straight at Hugo Lloris as the
visitors registered an effort on target for the first time after 36 minutes.
The Hammers resumed on the defensive and registered a second shot on target
in strange circumstances. James Collins kicked the ball back to Spurs
following an injury to George McCartney, but instead of a tame pass to a
member of the opposition, the Wales defender booted the ball from inside his
own half and forced Lloris to back-pedal to save.
Townsend fed Defoe, who ran down the left before crossing to the back post
where Adebayor did the rest, converting with a thunderous right-footed
volley which went in off the underside of the bar. Adebayor has now scored
three times in his last four Spurs starts. Mohamed Diame, on for Joe Cole,
forced Lloris to save low to his left as the Hammers sought a swift
response. Townsend pulled up worryingly for Spurs and departed with 17
minutes remaining, with Nacer Chadli on in his place. Lloris saved a Matt
Taylor effort from 25 yards before Adebayor made way with 12 minutes
remaining to a rousing reception from the home faithful. But instead of
Tottenham closing out victory, West Ham equalised when Maiga flicked on
goalkeeper Adrian's long ball to Taylor. With his back to goal, Taylor
turned and fed Jarvis on the left and the winger was granted enough space by
Kyle Walker to fire in.
O'Brien made a fine challenge to deny Chadli after the midfielder broke into
the West Ham box and shaped to shoot. The Hammers then struck again after
substitute Ravel Morrison found Diame. Diame's deep cross was met at the far
post by Maiga, whose header found the corner for his first goal in a year.
Sigurdsson was denied by Adrian in the first of five minutes of added time
as the visiting fans taunted Tottenham and Sherwood, exclaiming "You're
getting sacked in the morning". Maiga then struck the crossbar with a
powerful drive and Jack Collison forced Lloris to save as West Ham finished
the contest on top as they sealed their progress.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hails anti-racism work in England
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 18/12/13 9:46pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that England is streets ahead of other
European nations when it comes to tackling racism in football. Allardyce was
speaking after becoming one of four managers inducted into the Show Racism
the Red Card Hall of fame at a ceremony in the Speaker's Residence at the
Houses of Parliament on Tuesday night. And Allardyce insists people in
England should be proud of the various bodies that are leading the way in
trying to rid racism from the game. "I travel all over Europe and I travel
far and wide while I look for players," Allardyce told skysports.com.
"However much criticism there is about this country being racist, we are the
best. We've done the most - there's still a long way to go but I go to many
countries all over Europe and we've progressed so far compared to those and
I think we should be proud of that. "I know we're going to continue to push
this campaign but tonight is a show for everybody that we're moving in the
right direction. Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew, former Birmingham
City manager Alex McLeish and Northampton Town manager Aidy Boothroyd were
also recognised at the ceremony hosted by House of Commons speaker John
Bercow. Allardyce said he was a proud to be recognised for his work to
combat racism in the game but insisted a lot of credit must go to the people
working behind the scenes. "I'm obviously delighted and of course for more
years than I care to remember we've started our community campaign our
showing racism the red card for as far back as I can remember," he said. "To
listen to everybody speaking tonight about just how far it's come, and just
what we've achieved over a huge amount of time - particularly in football
circumstances - it's a great pleasure to be here tonight and to thank
everybody. "It's not just about me on the front line because I'm a
personality as a manager but also all the workers and the volunteers and all
the guys who do so much to continue to promote this fantastic campaign in
terms of continuing going forward."
Show Racism the Red Card was founded in 1996 and the organisation now
delivers training to more than 50,000 people in schools and football clubs
annually.
Allardyce paid tribute to the organisation's work and says football must
lead the way in terms of tackling the problem of racism in society. "There's
a lot of work that still needs to be done but football leads the way (in
tackling racism)," he said. "If you listen to Gordon Taylor and the people
running this campaign it has spread far and wide throughout Europe, UEFA and
FIFA and we have led the way. "The guys (at Show Racism the Red Card) have
led the way and done a fantastic job - not just in this country but also to
make more countries aware of the situation and sooner or later there has to
be zero tolerance of the situation."
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Hannover wait on any offers for Sebastian Pocognoli
By Thomas Zocher | Last Updated: 18/12/13 1:10pm
SSN
Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner has admitted the club might listen to
offers for Sebastian Pocognoli. The Belgium international left-back joined
Hannover last January from Standard Liege and he still has over two years
left on his current deal. However, reports in Germany claim a number of
Premier League clubs - including Aston Villa and West Ham - are monitoring
his situation. Now Dufner admits that the club would look at an offer should
it come in, and if it is what Pocognoli wants. "If he (Pocognoli) comes up
with a concrete offer, we will surely look into it," Dufner told Bild.
"Still he has to signal that to us.
"If he thinks he is in touch with a club that offers him better chances to
win a spot in the Belgium World Cup squad, then he should tell us about it!"
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Allardyce hails West Ham's "fantastic victory" over Spurs
Last Updated: 18/12/13 11:40pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham's "resilient performance" after knocking Spurs
out of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. The Hammers came from behind to
claim a second successive win at White Hart Lane. Allardyce's men won 3-0 in
the Premier League encounter in October in one of the results which
ultimately cost Andre Villas-Boas his job and saw Tim Sherwood placed in
charge of Spurs for the League Cup quarter-final. Sherwood thought he had
made a dream start to life in the dugout when Emmanuel Adebayor put Spurs in
front midway through the second half, but Matt Jarvis scored 10 minutes from
time and Modibo Maiga headed in an 85th-minute winner. That sent the
Hammers, struggling in the Premier League, into the semi-finals, where they
will face Manchester City. Allardyce hopes the win can provide a much-needed
fillip for his relegation-threatened side - and said: "It was a fantastic
victory for us. "It's a brilliant effort from the squad. It's a great night
for us, it's a great night for the West Ham fans, because it's twice on the
trot. "It's a victory we can enjoy tonight, but tomorrow it's up and at it
again and getting ready for Manchester United. "With a resilient performance
- like we showed tonight - against Manchester United, hopefully we might get
something there. Hopefully it will kick us on."
It was Maiga's first goal in more than a year and Allardyce hopes it will be
the start for him, too. "I'm delighted for him because he's showed glimpses
of what we saw when we watched him in France," Allardyce added. "All I hope
is it's unlocked the door for him and he goes on to continue to score more
goals."
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Tim Sherwood admits he is in the dark over Tottenham future following defeat
to West Ham
Dec 18, 2013 23:19 By Neil McLeman 1
The Mirror
Tim Sherwood claimed he was in the dark about his Tottenham future after
suffering defeat in his first game in charge on Wednesday night. Late goals
from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga sent West Ham through to the semi-finals
of the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane. And caretaker boss Sherwood, who
has replaced Andre Villas-Boas, said he was unsure whether he will still be
on charge for Sunday's trip to Southampton. "I was due to take the
development team out training on Monday morning and the chairman asked me to
take the first team training, which I did, and here we are now," Sherwood
explained. "The future beyond that, I need to have a chat with the chairman
and see what they're thinking. I don't know, to be honest. The immediate
future is up in the air, that's as much as I know." But the former Spurs
midfielder, 44, admitted he would be interested in the role after his quick
elevation to head coach. "It's madness, isn't it really?" he continued. "I'm
up for a challenge, I always have been. I'm very opinionated. I know a
certain way I need to play. I think I can manage men, deal with them, be
honest with them. "The decision that's going on is out of my hands,
unfortunately. "It would have to be right for me, and obviously right for
the football club. There are a lot of big names being bandied about to take
this job , as you would imagine. It's a huge football club.
"I just think the chairman and the football club need to take the best
decision, and find the manager who is best compatible to take this football
club forward.
"I've got to be in the frame, but it's not my decision, unfortunately."
On Wednesday Tottenham issued a press release saying Sherwood will hold a
pre-match press conference on Friday. Asked if he had any sympathy for AVB,
Sherwood said: "I wish him well. He's a really nice guy. "Everyone liked him
around the football club. But it's a decision the club decided to make and
we all have to abide by. Unfortunately that is football."
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Tottenham 1-2 West Ham: Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga's late goals clinch
Capital One Cup semi spot
Dec 18, 2013 21:49 By Mike Walters 1
The Mirror
Tim Sherwood's first sip from the poisoned chalice turned out to be pure
cyanide. For 80 minutes, Sherwood appeared to have consigned the dreary,
soulless era of Andre Villas-Boas and his dossiers to the dustbin at White
Hart Lane. But Santa's hat is claret and blue, and two goals in the last
five minutes earned West Ham the booby prize of a Capital One Cup semi-final
date with Manchester City. Good luck with that one, fellas.
If this was caretaker manager Sherwood's audition for the Tottenham job
full-time, he only fluffed his lines in the last 15 minutes when Tottenham
remembered to lock all the doors - but forgot that Santa comes down the
chimney. Sure enough, the Hammers took the aerial route to salvation,
leaving Sherwood to wonder if his spell in charge will be for one night
only. The job is already taking its toll on him. "It's different - I slept
like a baby last night," he said. "I woke up crying four times."
Tottenham's late collapse was the stuff of nightmares after Emmanuel
Adebayor, restored to the front line after being ludicrously exiled and
banished to train with the kids by AVB, had volleyed them in front, crashing
Jermain Defoe's left-wing cross in off the crossbar midway through the
second half. But West Ham boss Sam Allardyce spoiled Sherwood's coronation
expertly. If you need a house guest to spoil the party, mutilate the turkey
and scoff all the Quality Street next week, Big Sam's your man. Allardyce
sent on Mohamed Diame, Modibo Maiga and Ravel Morrison to retrieve the
cause, and before Sherwood knew what had hit him, the pearly kings were
celebrating an unlikely sequel to their 3-0 win at the Lane in October. The
equaliser was hardly from Barcelona's tiki-taka manual, Maiga and Matt
Taylor helping on goalkeeper Adrian's long clearance for Matt Jarvis to
finish high and handsome beyond Hugo Lloris. And it was just Sherwood's luck
that Maiga, without a goal in 2013, should rise to meet Diame's cross with a
firm header into the bottom corner five minutes later. There was even enough
time for the Mali goal machine to crash a long-range missile against the bar
as Allardyce's Christmases all came at once.
Sherwood said: "To be honest, we ran out of steam. I think the players are
fit enough to play a certain way, but I asked them to go a bit more gung-ho,
and it was a complete change of mindset. "West Ham bombarded us aerially
late on and they got the breaks, but it's a major disappointment to the
lads. They are absolutely sick in there, and so am I."
As if Tottenham's night did not end in enough crushing anti-climax, England
winger Andros Townsend will miss the Christmas and New Year programme after
pulling a hamstring. The only consolation for Sherwood was the reintegration
of Adebayor, whose brilliant goal and all-round contribution made a mockery
of AVB restricting him to just 45 minutes of Premier League action, in the
humiliating 6-0 rout at City, this season. Spurs' interim coach said:
"Adebayor showed enough to prove he can play a key role. He was dropping
deep, scored a fantastic goal and put us in the driving seat, but
unfortunately we fell off it."
With Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend deployed as orthodox wingers -
club-record £30million signing Erik Lamela was not even on the bench - and
two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation AVB wouldn't touch with a bargepole, Spurs
made a bright start bristling with verve and purpose. In fact, there was
more excitement in the first 10 minutes of Sherwood's reign than in 18
months under the unlamented Portugese. But as the heavens opened and the
Hammers closed ranks, Tottenham's enthusiasm for an early kill was gradually
asphyxiated.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's League Cup win over Tottenham one for the fans says Sam Allardyce
Dec 18, 2013 23:30 By Neil McLeman 1 Comments
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was delighted after beating big-spending
Tottenham to book a League Cup semi-final place. Goals in the last 10
minutes from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga cancelled out a superb strike from
Emmanuel Adebayor and set the Hammers up for a two-legged battle with
Manchester City next month for a place at Wembley in March. After defeating
the home side's debutant caretaker manager Tim Sherwood, Allardyce crowed:
"It was a case of exploiting the spaces Tottenham left. "Territorially, we
didn't play as well as we would have liked, but I hope the way we finished
the game will give the players a big lift. "My squad is probably worth only
a fifth of the money Tottenham have spent on theirs, so it's been a great
night for us - that's two wins on the trot here, and I know how much that
means to West Ham fans."
West Ham, one place and one point above the bottom three, are back to
fighting relegation on Saturday when they travel to Old Trafford to meet
champions Manchester United in a potential league Cup Final dress rehearsal.
"We hope it's a big, big lift for the players," said Allardyce of
Wednesday's win. "We have only got 16 fit players today. It's a brilliant
effort from the squad today and a great night for the West Ham fans.
"It's a victory we can enjoy tonight but tomorrow it's up and at them again
and getting ready for Manchester United and with a resilience like we showed
tonight, who knows, we may get something there. Hopefully it will kick us
on." Allardyce, who made seven changes from Saturday, helped change the game
with his three second-half substitutions. "We knew Tottenham had had a few
problems with centre-halves and we exploited that, but that's what it is all
about," he said. "They can say they rested players but we had nine injuries.
We've really enjoyed it, and enjoyed coming back against our own rivals." On
facing in-form City in the semis, Allardyce conceded: "It's a tough one. If
it was one leg and it was at our place not at theirs it would have been
nice, but over two legs it makes it more difficult. Manchester City have
scored four goals every home game. So I am just hoping we play at home
first!"
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United produced a super turnaround to defeat Tottenham Hotspur on
Wednesday
18.12.2013
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
West Ham United produced a superb turnaround to claim their second White
Hart Lane win of the season on Wednesday. Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga
notched inside the final ten minutes to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's
opener and send the Hammers into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce's men produced a wonderful response to Adebayor's goal, with
Maiga's half-hour appearance from the bench proving central to their
success.
The 4,200 travelling fans revelled in another win in north London - after
waiting 14 years since their last success at the venue - to set up a
last-four tie with Manchester City.
The hosts gave a signal of intent in the very first minute when Aaron Lennon
showed considerable pace to burst past Razvan Rat down the flank and cross
low. Gylfi Sigurdsson's inital shot was blocked, then Jermain Defoe pulled
his effort wide when he really should have hit the target. Next it was
Andros Townsend's turn to try his luck as he moved onto his left foot from
25-yards and sent a fierce effort whistling just past Adrian's near post.
Spurs were finding joy by attacking down the right early on, but their next
chance started with a move down the opposite flank as Townsend crossed with
ten minutes on the clock and Emmanuel Adebayor headed wide.
Defoe tried his luck with an ambitious left footed volley after he latched
onto a lofted ball into the left channel, but his shot was closer to the
upper tier than the goal. The Hammers were undoubtedly under the cosh, but
weathered that early storm and began to restrict Tottenham's chances. Hugo
Lloris had to make his first save of the evening on 35 minutes when Carlton
Cole's snapshot needed to be gathered down low to his right. At the other
end, Adebayor sent a shot twice the height of the goal after Lennon cut back
and it was 0-0 at the break.
Ten minutes after the restart, Danny Rose continued the pattern of shooting
too high after he moved into a central position, screamed for the ball,
received it and curled off target. West Ham looked to be growing in
confidence, but just as they forced their first corner after 66 minutes,
Spurs broke with devastating effect. Townsend spread the play out wide to
the left, where Defoe advanced and crossed into the box, where Adebayor was
arriving like a train to smash home via the underside of the crossbar. The
Hammers responded well though and sub Mo Diame almost levelled with his
first contribution when his strong shot needed a good save from Lloris after
Maiga flicked on well. Maiga's flick-ons were proving profitable and another
dropped at the feet of Matt Taylor on 76 minutes, but as he ran out of space
he could not find the power to beat Lloris. West Ham were not beaten and
with ten minutes left the equaliser came, Jarvis ramming home after Maiga
won another header for Taylor to control and lay off.
If the travelling fans were happy enough at that effort, they were sent into
dreamland five minutes later when the Hammers completed the turnaround.
Ravel Morrison started the move by spreading play out to Diame on the right,
who clipped a cross over for Maiga to climb high and head home. The Hammers
even went close to extending the advantage in added time, as Maiga thundered
a shot against the bar and Jack Collison drew a save from Lloris, but two
goals were enough on a memorable evening at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris; Walker, Capoue, Chiriches, Rose (Fryers 61);
Lennon, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Townsend (Chadli 72); Adebayor (Holtby 77),
Defoe
Subs: Friedel, Soldado, Eriksen, Fredericks
Goal: Adebayor 67
Booked: Adebayor
West Ham United: Adrian; O'Brien, Collins, McCartney, Rat; Collison, Diarra
(Morrison 77), Taylor; J.Cole (Diame 69), C.Cole (Maiga 64), Jarvis
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Demel, Chambers
Goals: Jarvis 80, Maiga 85
Booked: Diarra
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 34,080
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Big Sam delights in Spurs win
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke exclusively to West Ham TV after his side reached the
Capital One Cup semi-finals
18.12.2013
Sam Allardyce was in high spirits following West Ham United's sensational
2-1 Capital One Cup quarter-final victory at Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs went
ahead midway through the second half through Emmanuel Adebayor, only for
West Ham to roar back through late goals from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga
and set up a semi-final meeting with Manchester City in the New Year. Big
Sam told West Ham TV of his delight at his team's all-round display, Maiga's
first goal of the season and recording a second win of the season at White
Hart Lane. "We got better after we went 1-0 down," he said. "We were doing
pretty well up to then and starting to get more and more ball in Tottenham's
half and the game looked like it was panning out a lot like it did when we
won here 3-0 [in October].
"It was all about whether we would get an opportunity to score, then we got
a corner and we thought it would be dangerous for them, then they broke out
and Adebayor put a tremendous volley into the net. From there on, we picked
up the game and got better and better. "Mo Diame almost equalised straight
away after their goal, then Matt Taylor has hit a good strike and Matt
Jarvis has come up with the goods and put it in the top of the net. Then. it
was for us to go all out to win it because we didn't want extra time on a
Wednesday night and Manchester United coming up on the Saturday and only 16
senior players fit.
Read a full Match Report from the sensational win at Tottenham
"We went all out and got our just rewards in the end because we were the
dominant force in the final quarter of the game. Maiga scored his first goal
and I hope that will help him to produce a lot more in terms of goals, and
he almost got his second when he hit a fantastic shot that hit the bar and
Jack Collison nearly got one. "It went really well up until the scored and
it went even better after that when we came back from 1-0 down to win for
the first time this season, putting us in the semi-final of the Capital One
Cup."
Tactically, Big Sam got things spot-on. West Ham defended superbly before
half-time, restricting Spurs to long-range or wayward efforts, before
expanding their attacking play after the break. Even when Adebayor put the
hosts in front, the Hammers refused to panic and got the goals their play
warranted in the final ten minutes. "Fresh legs came on and when more space
develops they can make the difference for you. Modibo Maiga and Mo Diame
particularly did that after Carlton Cole and Joe Cole had run their socks
off to make sure we would not lose the game. "Then, they lifted up the level
of the play from the balls going forward, playing against tired defenders,
and in the end we fully capitalised on that. It all started from a free-kick
but it was a fantastic finish from Matt Jarvis and we had many chances in
the final third of the game. "Overall, when you look at what Tottenham's
possession delivered for them, it was not a lot of chances. If you look at
the amount of shots on target we had from our chances, it was very, very
good. "Our goalkeeper Adrian then came up with the goods when we needed him
in added-time with a great save low to his left, pushing the ball away and
stopping it from being 2-2 and going to extra time. It was a brilliant save
when we needed it and he showed he is the quality that we were looking for
and gives us two competitive goalkeepers in the squad. "The big
disappointment is that we have Manchester City in the semi-final! Away from
home they haven't been too clever, but at home they've been scoring an
average of four goals a game. You never know and we'll go and give it our
best shot, but we want to see more performances like that and pick up more
points in what is the main priority for us - the Premier League."
For Big Sam personally, the manager admitted that the victory was a boost
for him and for the supporters who did not stop singing from first to last.
"It's a relief. For me, the challenge is to get the players to kick on from
this. When we beat them last time, I thought we'd go on a run of results and
pick up more points than we have done. I don't know where we'll go from here
but it's just a fantastic result and the lads are absolutely delighted. "The
players have stepped in like Matt Taylor, Alou Diarra and Jack Collison and
Adrian in goal have done a fantastic job with the rest of the team. The
squad is struggling for numbers at the moment, but what a fantastic
performance from those who took part. "You have got to play to your best to
give the fans something to cheer about and we have sent them home extremely
happy, having beaten the old enemy again, twice on the trot. It's just a
delight for them and, in the end, a delight for us as players and staff."
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'It's just what we needed'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis hopes to use Wednesday's Capital One Cup win at Spurs as a
springboard
18.12.2013
Matt Jarvis would be happy to play at White Hart Lane every week after
helping the Hammers secure their second away win of the season at Tottenham
Hotspur on Wednesday night. The winger crashed home with ten minutes
remaining to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener and set up the Hammers'
turnaround. Modibo Maiga won it for the visitors on 85 minutes and Jarvis
was thrilled to secure a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup. Sam
Allardyce utilised his squad, and the incoming players had a real impact -
another fact that pleased the No7. "It was a fantastic result for us and
just what we needed," Jarvis said. "This is a tough place to come to, so
we're delighted with the win. "This shows what a great squad we've got,
we're really working hard for each other and it paid off tonight."
Jarvis' goal was crucial to the Hammers fightback and he admitted that he
could not have picked a better moment to open his account for the campaign.
He added: "All that was going through my mind when I saw Matt Taylor laying
it off was to get on the end of it and hit the target. "I did that and I'm
absolutely delighted that it went in, especially in front of the West Ham
fans. "That's what it's all about, scoring goals, and to do it in front of
your own fans is a fantastic experience and let's hope we can get a few
more."
Maiga then sealed the win and Jarvis was thrilled for his teammate as he
also broke his duck for the campaign. He explained: "Modibo did really well,
he was really good in the air and managed to flick the ball on quite a few
times and we were able to pick up the knockdowns. "He took his goal really
well and I'm delighted for him. It's all about confidence and hopefully his
first goal of the season will push him on now. "This could be a massive
springboard for us and it's just what we needed. It was a win and a good
performance, and hopefully we can take it into the weekend now. "I'll be
looking to kick-on from this too, I was really pleased to get on the
scoresheet tonight."
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Hammers draw City in semi-finals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have drawn Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final
draw
18.12.2013
West Ham United have been drawn to face Manchester City in the Capital One
Cup semi-finals. The Hammers will take on Manuel Pellegrini's men over two
legs, with the first match taking place at the City of Manchester Stadium in
the week commencing 6 January. The teams will return to the Boleyn Ground
for the second leg in the week commencing 20 January with a place in the
final at Wembley the prize. Sunderland face Manchester United in the other
semi-final.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said: "I think Sunderland would have
fancied they'd have got us and we'd have fancied Sunderland but we got
Manchester City. It makes us the underdogs, of course, but underdogs have
won in the semi-finals before. I did it against Aston Villa a few years ago
and it was probably the best semi-final first leg you'll see as we won 5-3.
"We'll give it our best shot when that comes around but the most important
thing for me is not that just yet. I t's a great night for us, the draw's a
tough one and we will look forward to that in January but we've got a lot of
Premier League games to focus on before that."
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Tottenham 1 West Ham 2
18 December 2013
Last updated at 22:17
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport
Tottenham suffered a second successive home defeat as Modibo Maiga's late
goal saw West Ham book a Capital One Cup semi-final tie with Manchester
City.
Spurs took the lead in the second half when Emmanuel Adebayor scored his
first goal since May with a superb volley. The Hammers levelled when Matt
Taylor found Matt Jarvis on the left side of the area and he smashed home.
Five minutes from time substitute Maiga grabbed the winner when he headed in
from Mohamed Diame's right-wing cross. It was a stunning end to a match that
only came alive in the 67th minute when Adebayor, who had previously only
played 45 minutes of club football this season, crashed home a spectacular
opener. But ultimately Spurs were left to contemplate another defeat so soon
after Sunday's 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, which led to the sacking of
manager Andre-Villas Boas.
The Portuguese's temporary replacement, Tim Sherwood, will be hoping luck
changes for his side on Sunday when they travel to Southampton - but this
defeat will be a difficult one to recover from. It all started well for the
hosts, with three chances in the first five minutes. The first two came
during one move when Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot was blocked and Jermain Defoe
fired the follow-up a foot wide from about eight yards. In the next attack,
the marauding Andros Townsend, who later came off with what looked like a
hamstring injury, ran 15 yards with the ball before firing in a low strike
that went inches wide.
But Spurs hit a creative block for the rest of the half, with West Ham's
disciplined defence easily reading their opponents' predictable final balls.
Although Sam Allardyce's men spent much of the half on the back foot, they
did manage to test Hugo Lloris, on a rare foray forward, when he dived left
to prevent Carlton Cole's strike from creeping in. The first 20 minutes of
the second half were forgettable bar a moment when James Collins attempted a
lofted pass back to Lloris, after play was stopped for an injury, but
instead nearly caught out the keeper. It did finally improve as a spectacle
with just over 20 minutes remaining when Adebayor launched himself at
Defoe's cross and volleyed the ball in off the underside of the bar. That
woke the Hammers up, with the impressive Taylor launching a fierce drive
that Lloris prevented from bursting the net. They then equalised with a goal
typical of an Allardyce-led team. Keeper Adrian launched a long punt
downfield which was headed down to Taylor. The midfielder found Jarvis on
his left and he scampered a couple of yards before firing home. Five minutes
later, the match turned on its head when Maiga, who came on for Cole in the
65th minute, scored his first goal for a year when he rose highest to head
in Diame's delivery. The Mali forward came close to adding a spectacular
second in stoppage time, but saw his shot rebound back off the crossbar.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "As the game wore on both teams had to go
for it. Neither of us wanted it to go into extra-time. "It is what you can
do when the spaces get bigger and bigger. We improved after Emmanuel
Adebayor's goal. "We saw the shaken nerve ends of Tottenham when we scored.
We then went for the jugular. Our substitutes, who came on with fresh legs,
exploited the spaces."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam panned for second string choice
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce's apparent decision to refrain from employing a first choice
XI at Tottenham tonight has been met with derision in some quarters.
Allardyce revealed yesterday that he would be "using the squad to its full
intent" at White Hart Lane when the two local rivals meet in the quarter
final of the Capital One Cup. "I would have loved to have come to this game
with a bigger squad," he said. "We will play the team that has the desire
and the energy to go out there and give a great account of themselves
against a very good side."
Those comments, which appear to point to a weaker team being played tonight,
have led to criticism in some quarters. Martin Samuel, writing in the Mail
today accused Allardyce of "spurning one of the few chances he has to win a
trophy", adding: "If Allardyce was playing the reserves with an eye on
gaining momentum against Manchester United, that would be different. "Had
he decided that Saturday's lacklustre display was reason enough for changes,
and some of his first-team regulars were not up to the task of taking on a
rattled Tottenham team, fair enough. "But playing the reserves in a
quarter-final against a major rival because the players that got outclassed
by Sunderland need to recharge for the visit to Old Trafford? That is voodoo
economics. "Everything Allardyce appears to be rejecting is what really
defines a club, long term. It is the stuff of memories and schoolboy
scrapbooks and father-and-son tickets and days out, the delight of which
will be taken to the grave."
Supporters are fairly mixed over news of a potentially-weakened West Ham
team. KUMB member k-r-c agreed with Samuel's sentiments, calling for a 'best
XI' scenario. "We have Man Utd at Old Trafford at the weekend, we cannot
score in a brothel, the chances are we are going to lose easily up there so
why not just stick a full strength team out tonight?" he asked. "That still
gives them a week until Arsenal at home, which we have more chance of taking
a point from."
Meanwhile the celestial insect argued that regardless of being just two
games from Wembley, the league should remain a priority. "While I feel very
sorry for our loyal fans going to the game, I should hope Allardyce does
prioritise the league. "What are the consequences of going out of the Cup,
compared to relegation?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham beat Tottenham 2-1 in quarter-finals
Last Updated: 19/12/13 12:08am
SSN
West Ham booked their place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals after beating
managerless Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening.
Tottenham, with Tim Sherwood in charge for the first time, flew out of traps
and went close twice through Jermain Defoe and the lively Andros Townsend.
Emmanuel Adebayor, restored to the starting line-up after being frozen out
by Andre Villas-Boas, steered a header wide as Spurs continued to boss the
opening period without truly testing Adrian in the visting goal. West Ham
were much more positive after the break but it was Spurs who broke the
deadlock in the 66th minute when Defoe's cross to the far post was superbly
volleyed home by Adebayor. The Hammers drew level, however, with 10 minutes
to go when Jarvis beat Hugo Lloris at his near post after good work by
Modibo Maiga and Matt Taylor. And Sam Allardyce's men stunned the home
faithful with five minutes to go when Maiga powered a header past Lloris to
book their place in the semi-finals.
With the selection of Adebayor and Defoe as two of six changes in a
conventional 4-4-2 formation, Sherwood made a statement. The former Spurs
captain, wearing a tracksuit and trainers, showed more energy than Adebayor
in Spurs' opening attack, imploring Aaron Lennon to sprint down the right
before Defoe dragged a shot wide. Townsend shot wide from the edge of the
area before another Lennon cross caused danger in the Hammers' box and Joey
O'Brien headed too close to his own post for comfort in conceding a corner.
O'Brien conceded another set-piece when Adebayor attacked the right side of
the area and then the Togo striker headed a Townsend cross wide. Defoe
blasted over, much to Sherwood's frustration, as West Ham struggled to break
free of their own half. Carlton Cole shot straight at Hugo Lloris as the
visitors registered an effort on target for the first time after 36 minutes.
The Hammers resumed on the defensive and registered a second shot on target
in strange circumstances. James Collins kicked the ball back to Spurs
following an injury to George McCartney, but instead of a tame pass to a
member of the opposition, the Wales defender booted the ball from inside his
own half and forced Lloris to back-pedal to save.
Townsend fed Defoe, who ran down the left before crossing to the back post
where Adebayor did the rest, converting with a thunderous right-footed
volley which went in off the underside of the bar. Adebayor has now scored
three times in his last four Spurs starts. Mohamed Diame, on for Joe Cole,
forced Lloris to save low to his left as the Hammers sought a swift
response. Townsend pulled up worryingly for Spurs and departed with 17
minutes remaining, with Nacer Chadli on in his place. Lloris saved a Matt
Taylor effort from 25 yards before Adebayor made way with 12 minutes
remaining to a rousing reception from the home faithful. But instead of
Tottenham closing out victory, West Ham equalised when Maiga flicked on
goalkeeper Adrian's long ball to Taylor. With his back to goal, Taylor
turned and fed Jarvis on the left and the winger was granted enough space by
Kyle Walker to fire in.
O'Brien made a fine challenge to deny Chadli after the midfielder broke into
the West Ham box and shaped to shoot. The Hammers then struck again after
substitute Ravel Morrison found Diame. Diame's deep cross was met at the far
post by Maiga, whose header found the corner for his first goal in a year.
Sigurdsson was denied by Adrian in the first of five minutes of added time
as the visiting fans taunted Tottenham and Sherwood, exclaiming "You're
getting sacked in the morning". Maiga then struck the crossbar with a
powerful drive and Jack Collison forced Lloris to save as West Ham finished
the contest on top as they sealed their progress.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hails anti-racism work in England
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 18/12/13 9:46pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that England is streets ahead of other
European nations when it comes to tackling racism in football. Allardyce was
speaking after becoming one of four managers inducted into the Show Racism
the Red Card Hall of fame at a ceremony in the Speaker's Residence at the
Houses of Parliament on Tuesday night. And Allardyce insists people in
England should be proud of the various bodies that are leading the way in
trying to rid racism from the game. "I travel all over Europe and I travel
far and wide while I look for players," Allardyce told skysports.com.
"However much criticism there is about this country being racist, we are the
best. We've done the most - there's still a long way to go but I go to many
countries all over Europe and we've progressed so far compared to those and
I think we should be proud of that. "I know we're going to continue to push
this campaign but tonight is a show for everybody that we're moving in the
right direction. Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew, former Birmingham
City manager Alex McLeish and Northampton Town manager Aidy Boothroyd were
also recognised at the ceremony hosted by House of Commons speaker John
Bercow. Allardyce said he was a proud to be recognised for his work to
combat racism in the game but insisted a lot of credit must go to the people
working behind the scenes. "I'm obviously delighted and of course for more
years than I care to remember we've started our community campaign our
showing racism the red card for as far back as I can remember," he said. "To
listen to everybody speaking tonight about just how far it's come, and just
what we've achieved over a huge amount of time - particularly in football
circumstances - it's a great pleasure to be here tonight and to thank
everybody. "It's not just about me on the front line because I'm a
personality as a manager but also all the workers and the volunteers and all
the guys who do so much to continue to promote this fantastic campaign in
terms of continuing going forward."
Show Racism the Red Card was founded in 1996 and the organisation now
delivers training to more than 50,000 people in schools and football clubs
annually.
Allardyce paid tribute to the organisation's work and says football must
lead the way in terms of tackling the problem of racism in society. "There's
a lot of work that still needs to be done but football leads the way (in
tackling racism)," he said. "If you listen to Gordon Taylor and the people
running this campaign it has spread far and wide throughout Europe, UEFA and
FIFA and we have led the way. "The guys (at Show Racism the Red Card) have
led the way and done a fantastic job - not just in this country but also to
make more countries aware of the situation and sooner or later there has to
be zero tolerance of the situation."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hannover wait on any offers for Sebastian Pocognoli
By Thomas Zocher | Last Updated: 18/12/13 1:10pm
SSN
Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner has admitted the club might listen to
offers for Sebastian Pocognoli. The Belgium international left-back joined
Hannover last January from Standard Liege and he still has over two years
left on his current deal. However, reports in Germany claim a number of
Premier League clubs - including Aston Villa and West Ham - are monitoring
his situation. Now Dufner admits that the club would look at an offer should
it come in, and if it is what Pocognoli wants. "If he (Pocognoli) comes up
with a concrete offer, we will surely look into it," Dufner told Bild.
"Still he has to signal that to us.
"If he thinks he is in touch with a club that offers him better chances to
win a spot in the Belgium World Cup squad, then he should tell us about it!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce hails West Ham's "fantastic victory" over Spurs
Last Updated: 18/12/13 11:40pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham's "resilient performance" after knocking Spurs
out of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. The Hammers came from behind to
claim a second successive win at White Hart Lane. Allardyce's men won 3-0 in
the Premier League encounter in October in one of the results which
ultimately cost Andre Villas-Boas his job and saw Tim Sherwood placed in
charge of Spurs for the League Cup quarter-final. Sherwood thought he had
made a dream start to life in the dugout when Emmanuel Adebayor put Spurs in
front midway through the second half, but Matt Jarvis scored 10 minutes from
time and Modibo Maiga headed in an 85th-minute winner. That sent the
Hammers, struggling in the Premier League, into the semi-finals, where they
will face Manchester City. Allardyce hopes the win can provide a much-needed
fillip for his relegation-threatened side - and said: "It was a fantastic
victory for us. "It's a brilliant effort from the squad. It's a great night
for us, it's a great night for the West Ham fans, because it's twice on the
trot. "It's a victory we can enjoy tonight, but tomorrow it's up and at it
again and getting ready for Manchester United. "With a resilient performance
- like we showed tonight - against Manchester United, hopefully we might get
something there. Hopefully it will kick us on."
It was Maiga's first goal in more than a year and Allardyce hopes it will be
the start for him, too. "I'm delighted for him because he's showed glimpses
of what we saw when we watched him in France," Allardyce added. "All I hope
is it's unlocked the door for him and he goes on to continue to score more
goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tim Sherwood admits he is in the dark over Tottenham future following defeat
to West Ham
Dec 18, 2013 23:19 By Neil McLeman 1
The Mirror
Tim Sherwood claimed he was in the dark about his Tottenham future after
suffering defeat in his first game in charge on Wednesday night. Late goals
from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga sent West Ham through to the semi-finals
of the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane. And caretaker boss Sherwood, who
has replaced Andre Villas-Boas, said he was unsure whether he will still be
on charge for Sunday's trip to Southampton. "I was due to take the
development team out training on Monday morning and the chairman asked me to
take the first team training, which I did, and here we are now," Sherwood
explained. "The future beyond that, I need to have a chat with the chairman
and see what they're thinking. I don't know, to be honest. The immediate
future is up in the air, that's as much as I know." But the former Spurs
midfielder, 44, admitted he would be interested in the role after his quick
elevation to head coach. "It's madness, isn't it really?" he continued. "I'm
up for a challenge, I always have been. I'm very opinionated. I know a
certain way I need to play. I think I can manage men, deal with them, be
honest with them. "The decision that's going on is out of my hands,
unfortunately. "It would have to be right for me, and obviously right for
the football club. There are a lot of big names being bandied about to take
this job , as you would imagine. It's a huge football club.
"I just think the chairman and the football club need to take the best
decision, and find the manager who is best compatible to take this football
club forward.
"I've got to be in the frame, but it's not my decision, unfortunately."
On Wednesday Tottenham issued a press release saying Sherwood will hold a
pre-match press conference on Friday. Asked if he had any sympathy for AVB,
Sherwood said: "I wish him well. He's a really nice guy. "Everyone liked him
around the football club. But it's a decision the club decided to make and
we all have to abide by. Unfortunately that is football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham 1-2 West Ham: Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga's late goals clinch
Capital One Cup semi spot
Dec 18, 2013 21:49 By Mike Walters 1
The Mirror
Tim Sherwood's first sip from the poisoned chalice turned out to be pure
cyanide. For 80 minutes, Sherwood appeared to have consigned the dreary,
soulless era of Andre Villas-Boas and his dossiers to the dustbin at White
Hart Lane. But Santa's hat is claret and blue, and two goals in the last
five minutes earned West Ham the booby prize of a Capital One Cup semi-final
date with Manchester City. Good luck with that one, fellas.
If this was caretaker manager Sherwood's audition for the Tottenham job
full-time, he only fluffed his lines in the last 15 minutes when Tottenham
remembered to lock all the doors - but forgot that Santa comes down the
chimney. Sure enough, the Hammers took the aerial route to salvation,
leaving Sherwood to wonder if his spell in charge will be for one night
only. The job is already taking its toll on him. "It's different - I slept
like a baby last night," he said. "I woke up crying four times."
Tottenham's late collapse was the stuff of nightmares after Emmanuel
Adebayor, restored to the front line after being ludicrously exiled and
banished to train with the kids by AVB, had volleyed them in front, crashing
Jermain Defoe's left-wing cross in off the crossbar midway through the
second half. But West Ham boss Sam Allardyce spoiled Sherwood's coronation
expertly. If you need a house guest to spoil the party, mutilate the turkey
and scoff all the Quality Street next week, Big Sam's your man. Allardyce
sent on Mohamed Diame, Modibo Maiga and Ravel Morrison to retrieve the
cause, and before Sherwood knew what had hit him, the pearly kings were
celebrating an unlikely sequel to their 3-0 win at the Lane in October. The
equaliser was hardly from Barcelona's tiki-taka manual, Maiga and Matt
Taylor helping on goalkeeper Adrian's long clearance for Matt Jarvis to
finish high and handsome beyond Hugo Lloris. And it was just Sherwood's luck
that Maiga, without a goal in 2013, should rise to meet Diame's cross with a
firm header into the bottom corner five minutes later. There was even enough
time for the Mali goal machine to crash a long-range missile against the bar
as Allardyce's Christmases all came at once.
Sherwood said: "To be honest, we ran out of steam. I think the players are
fit enough to play a certain way, but I asked them to go a bit more gung-ho,
and it was a complete change of mindset. "West Ham bombarded us aerially
late on and they got the breaks, but it's a major disappointment to the
lads. They are absolutely sick in there, and so am I."
As if Tottenham's night did not end in enough crushing anti-climax, England
winger Andros Townsend will miss the Christmas and New Year programme after
pulling a hamstring. The only consolation for Sherwood was the reintegration
of Adebayor, whose brilliant goal and all-round contribution made a mockery
of AVB restricting him to just 45 minutes of Premier League action, in the
humiliating 6-0 rout at City, this season. Spurs' interim coach said:
"Adebayor showed enough to prove he can play a key role. He was dropping
deep, scored a fantastic goal and put us in the driving seat, but
unfortunately we fell off it."
With Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend deployed as orthodox wingers -
club-record £30million signing Erik Lamela was not even on the bench - and
two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation AVB wouldn't touch with a bargepole, Spurs
made a bright start bristling with verve and purpose. In fact, there was
more excitement in the first 10 minutes of Sherwood's reign than in 18
months under the unlamented Portugese. But as the heavens opened and the
Hammers closed ranks, Tottenham's enthusiasm for an early kill was gradually
asphyxiated.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's League Cup win over Tottenham one for the fans says Sam Allardyce
Dec 18, 2013 23:30 By Neil McLeman 1 Comments
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was delighted after beating big-spending
Tottenham to book a League Cup semi-final place. Goals in the last 10
minutes from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga cancelled out a superb strike from
Emmanuel Adebayor and set the Hammers up for a two-legged battle with
Manchester City next month for a place at Wembley in March. After defeating
the home side's debutant caretaker manager Tim Sherwood, Allardyce crowed:
"It was a case of exploiting the spaces Tottenham left. "Territorially, we
didn't play as well as we would have liked, but I hope the way we finished
the game will give the players a big lift. "My squad is probably worth only
a fifth of the money Tottenham have spent on theirs, so it's been a great
night for us - that's two wins on the trot here, and I know how much that
means to West Ham fans."
West Ham, one place and one point above the bottom three, are back to
fighting relegation on Saturday when they travel to Old Trafford to meet
champions Manchester United in a potential league Cup Final dress rehearsal.
"We hope it's a big, big lift for the players," said Allardyce of
Wednesday's win. "We have only got 16 fit players today. It's a brilliant
effort from the squad today and a great night for the West Ham fans.
"It's a victory we can enjoy tonight but tomorrow it's up and at them again
and getting ready for Manchester United and with a resilience like we showed
tonight, who knows, we may get something there. Hopefully it will kick us
on." Allardyce, who made seven changes from Saturday, helped change the game
with his three second-half substitutions. "We knew Tottenham had had a few
problems with centre-halves and we exploited that, but that's what it is all
about," he said. "They can say they rested players but we had nine injuries.
We've really enjoyed it, and enjoyed coming back against our own rivals." On
facing in-form City in the semis, Allardyce conceded: "It's a tough one. If
it was one leg and it was at our place not at theirs it would have been
nice, but over two legs it makes it more difficult. Manchester City have
scored four goals every home game. So I am just hoping we play at home
first!"
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