Potts pleased with U18s progress
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts has been encouraged by the form of his much-changed U18s in
recent weeks
26.02.2014
Steve Potts has been encouraged by the form of his much-changed West Ham
United U18s in recent weeks. With a number of U21s out on loan, Potts'
Academy side has lost a number of players to the Development Squad, leaving
the U18s boss to blood a number of schoolboys. However, the changes have not
affected the Hammers' form, with the youth team going top of Barclays U18
Premier League South following a 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday. "Credit to
the boys because they deserve all the praise they have got recently," said
the former West Ham defender. "The effort they have been putting into their
training and the games has seen them get their rewards. I've been really
pleased with them. "The pleasing thing has been that we've kept winning,
despite having to make lots of changes to the team. I had quite a settled
team at the start of this season, but lately openings have appeared for the
schoolboys. "On Saturday at Fuham, I had three schoolboys starting alongside
four first-year scholars and four second-years, so I had quite a young team
against a good side. They did well to do what they did."
The U18s' win at Fulham was their fifth in succession and ninth in ten
league games. During that run, West Ham have scored 23 goals and conceded
just seven, pleasing Potts still further. However, he was quick to point out
that there is a big jump between U18 and Barclays Premier League football.
"I think the lads are just working really well for each other as a group.
All I am looking for is for them to keep improving individually and as a
team. "They have got to make a lot of improvements to make it to first-team
level and show that desire to want to improve. The day they don't show that
desire is the day they are going to struggle, I think, but the way it has
gone so far has been pleasing. "They are at a level now which is a good
standard, but they're not at the standard to go into the first team, and
that's what they need to get into their heads. They've done OK so far, but
they have a long way to go."
A number of U18s have been playing U21 football in recent weeks, including
Kyle Knoyle, Lewis Page, Reece Burke, Kieran Bywater and Josh Cullen and
Potts has been happy with their contribution at that higher and more
physical level. "I took the game against Southampton earlier this month and
I went to the game against Reading on Monday and the boys coped with it very
well, which was pleasing. "It was interesting to see, because they have done
well in the youth team and you want them to go to the next level and see how
they perform. They held their own and hopefully there will be more of the
U18s pushing in there, because that's what it's all about."
Potts saw Burke make his first-team debut at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup
with Budweiser third round in January, and now his ambition is to see one of
his charges graduate to make a debut in the Barclays Premier League. "That's
why we're all here - to try to get the boys up to that level and in the
first team. That will be a real buzz, I must admit, and it will be nice for
it to happen. "It's tough and a lot tougher than it was years ago with all
the money in the Premier League and a lot of foreign players here, so you've
got to be special to get in there. "You don't get there without a lot of
hard work and I've got a group who know how to work hard and that's the main
thing. They need to keep doing what they're doing."
The U18s have a free weekend coming up, but Potts' side will return to
action at Arsenal on Saturday 8 March.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid feeling lucky
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid believes West Ham United have deserved their recent run of good
results
26.02.2014
At the beginning of the current season, West Ham United did not exactly
enjoy the rub of the green in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers
suffered a horrendous succession of injuries, losing Andy Carroll, Winston
Reid, Alou Diarra and Ricardo Vaz Te to long-term absences, while a series
of agonising defeats left the players and staff wondering what they had done
to deserve their misfortune. Now, West Ham's fortunes are no longer hiding,
with a run of four straight victories in February carrying the Club from
18th to tenth in the table. Reid's return to the squad after three months
out with a high ankle sprain has coincided with the upturn in results, and
the No2 believes West Ham have deserved their improvement. "The last five
games, we have been performing really well and have picked up four wins and
draw, so points-wise it's been brilliant," said the New Zealand defender.
"At this stage six weeks ago, it wasn't looking the best, but we've picked
up a lot."
"I just think we have had luck on our side as well, which we didn't have at
the beginning of the season when free-kicks were going in from everywhere
and decisions were going against us. "You always get that over the season,
so you just need that little bit of luck and I think we're playing well as a
team, scoring goals and keeping the back door shut."
Reid has been part of keeping that 'back door shut' in recent weeks,
appearing as a substitute in the victories over Swansea, Aston Villa and
Southampton when Sam Allardyce has opted to go five at the back late on.
Having had a replacement's role in those wins, Reid is now biding his time
as he works to win back his place in the starting XI for the first time
since the goalless draw at home to Aston Villa on 2 November. "It's been OK.
I've come on for the last 15 minutes a couple of times and I've had to do my
job to help us to keep a clean sheet. "I've been out for three-and-a-bit
months so I need time to get myself right and take it from there."
Reid may or may not start at Everton on Saturday, but whoever does line up
in the back four will have a testing afternoon on their hands against
Roberto Martinez's top-four challengers. "It won't be easy because it's a
tough place to go. They are a good team with a good manager, so it'll be
tough but we've shown we can pick up points left, right and centre in the
last five games. "Hopefully we can go up there and pick up some more points
and bring them back to London."
One player who West Ham will have to watch carefully is Everton forward
Romelu Lukaku, who scored the late winner in the reverse fixture at the
Boleyn Ground in September and is expected to return from an ankle injury on
Saturday. "I think you have to accept that sometimes he is going to get the
ball and you can't really do anything about it. You have to pick your
battles and pick your moments when you're going to go for the ball. "He's a
good player, he's strong and he finishes his chances off really well too, so
we'll have to watch him."
While Reid and company will take nothing for granted at Goodison Park, the
No2 says West Ham can go to Merseyside in relaxed and confident mood
following their recent run of results. That said, the 25-year-old says the
Hammers are determined to finish the season strongly. "I think we can go
there confident and looking up the table rather than down it. Maybe six
weeks ago, we weren't thinking that, but there's now seven points between us
and the bottom three, so we've given ourselves a bit of breathing space.
"We'd like to hit the 40-point mark as quickly as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Macca relishing Goodison return
WHUFC.com
Assistant boss Neil McDonald wants the Hammers to maintain their fine form
at Everton
26.02.2014
West Ham United assistant manager Neil McDonald is looking forward to
returning to his old stamping ground in Everton this weekend. McDonald
played 90 league games for the Toffees between 1988-91 and now the Hammers
will travel to Goodison Park on the back of the four wins out of four. While
confidence is high, McDonald says nobody is getting carried away and there
is still work to do to pull away from the relegation zone. He said; "We are
in a really good habit at the minute, the team spirit is probably the
highest it has been since coming to the Club and the boys are trusting each
other, working hard for each other, and even when we go behind now, we seem
to respond in the right way. "The response was fantastic against Southampton
to score two goals in a few minutes, one from a corner ourselves and one
from a great ball from Kevin Nolan to Matt Jarvis. That put us on the front
foot. "It was a difficult game, all the way through Southampton played
really well but at the end of the day, you have to create the chances and
score from them to win the game. We then took our chance again in the second
half, carried on and it was a terrific finish from Kevin, that then killed
them off. "We are looking to reach those magic points of safety, there are
still a number of tough games to play and Everton will be difficult. "They
are an excellent side so we have to be on our guard, but we will be focused
and we will be ready."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee thrilled with Royals strike
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee hailed his goal against Reading on Monday night as one of the
best of his career
26.02.2014
A spectacular strike against Reading on Monday night saw a welcome return to
the scoresheet for Development Squad marksman Elliot Lee. The frontman
opened the scoring with an impeccable volley after 43 minutes, watching
Danny Whitehead's lofted pass drop over his shoulder before firing the ball
into the opposite corner of the net. It had been over two months since Lee's
last goal for the Under-21s, after he struck in a 2-1 win against Bristol
City in the U21 Premier League Cup on 2 December, and the forward was
delighted to be back amongst the goals. When asked if the goal was one of
his best, he told West Ham TV: "Yeah definitely, it's up there with my best.
It was a great ball from Danny and I've just hit it and it's gone in the
bottom corner so I'm absolutely delighted with it. "I made the run and I
didn't know if Danny was going to play it, but he's put it on an absolute
plate for me and I've done the other bit. It was a great goal and I'm really
happy with it. "As a striker, you go through these little blips and I think
I'd gone four games without a goal but I never lost confidence. I knew I was
going to get a goal soon and hopefully they'll keep coming now."
Blair Turgott added to Lee's opener with just three minutes left on the
clock, finishing off a swift counter-attack to wrap up all three points. The
second goal came a just a matter of seconds after Reading had gone within
inches of pulling level through Liam Kelly's long-range half-volley which
struck the post with Raphael Spiegel helpless in goal. It would have been
harsh on the Hammers, who dominated for large portions of the match and Lee
believes the result was fully deserved. "I think a lot of credit's got to go
to the back five. In the last two games they've limited the opposition to
very few chances and that's a big reason why we're winning. If us attackers
can do our job upfront then we're going to win games if we can keep keeping
clean sheets. "As we progress through the levels I think the margins become
smaller and smaller and I think it showed great character from the boys
today. "If that shot had of gone in then I think a few heads might have
dropped, but we went up the other end and we scored a great goal to kill the
game. It was a great performance from the boys, fully deserved."
Victory over the Royals means the squad have now picked up back-to-back wins
following their win against Southampton in their previous outing. The wins
have moved the Hammers back into the top four of the Barclays Under-21
Premier League, and Lee is hoping they can continue their fine form. "I
thought the lads were brilliant tonight. From goalkeeper to attack we were
all brilliant, and ground out a great result, on not the best pitch, but
it's another three points and hopefully we can keep going. "As you know, we
had a few disappointing results which saw us drop down the league a bit, but
the last two wins have given everybody a confidence boost and I think
they're fully deserved wins as well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - David Gold
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold talks exclusively to whufc.com
26.02.2014
Joint-Chairman David Gold is thrilled at the Club's upturn in fortunes over
the last month. The Hammers have climbed away from the bottom three with
four straight wins, in a five-game spell which has yielded 13 points and
just one goal conceded. Sam Allardyce's men have risen up to tenth in the
Barclays Premier League table as a result and Mr Gold is keen to maintain
the upward momentum.
Mr Gold, we've won four straight games - you must be delighted with the
team's form at the moment?
DG: "I'm absolutely thrilled. When Andy Carroll got sent off and we knew
he'd miss three games, you start thinking if we can get a point a game you'd
maybe live with that, but then to go on and win all three without him is a
great relief and very, very important to the football club, because you
could argue now that, dare we say it, we're [nearly] safe. "We've certainly
given ourselves a fantastic chance, and Sam was saying to me that this time
last year we actually had one point less than now. So this is a great
performance."
It's amazing to think that just a few weeks ago we were in the bottom three,
and now we're into the top half of the table. We could match last year's
tenth place finish if we keep this up...
DG: "There's every chance we can do that. Early in the season we had a lot
of bad luck, particularly with injuries and I know people say that it all
evens out, but early in the season I thought we had some poor decisions go
against us. I remember going away to Hull, and they had the softest of
penalties, then in the second half there was an absolute blatant penalty for
us which wasn't given. We could have won the game 1-0 when in actual fact we
lost it 1-0.
"There were a number of games not dissimilar to that, and then the injuries
started piling up. When I say it's bad luck with injuries, we all have
injuries, we know that, but it's when they all fall to the same area. You
wake up one morning and you don't have any centre-backs available - that's
when you feel the luck's running against you. But I think it's turned now."
We were asked to judge Sam and judge the team when all the options were back
available to him. Now they are it's beginning to bear fruit, isn't it?
DG: "Sure. Fans are frustrated, are angry and the first thing that happens
is that they want a change of manager, then the second thing they want a
change of the Chairmen. It comes with the territory, and there's no question
that Sam's vindicated himself and I'm delighted for him."
As well as the manager, it has been great to see the captain return in great
form after his suspensions...
DG: "He'll be the first to tell you how disappointed he was at getting
sent-off. He definitely felt that he let the team down, he let the fans down
and most importantly of course, he left himself down. He found it hard to
deal with, but he's dealt with it in the best possible way in coming back
and scoring five goals in his last four games. You couldn't ask for more
from him. It has been a true captain's performance on the field and what
people don't often get the opportunity to see, but I do, is what a great
captain he is off the field, in the dressing room and on the training pitch.
He is a special character."
This recent run has been based on defensive solidity and that shows that the
team is working hard together to keep it tight...
DG: "I thought the Adrian's Wall picture was brilliant and I loved it when I
saw it. The four defenders with the goalkeeper in the middle and the wall
behind. that was great, and of course they've been a stalwart. That's only
one goal in five games and i feel sorry that Adrian couldn't go on and break
some records because he was very close and it was unfortunate that he
conceded on Saturday, because James Tomkins told me that he never touched
him [Adam Lallana] to give away the free kick and I believe him! That
wouldn't have been a free kick and they wouldn't have scored. That would
have been nice, but having said that, to beat Southampton, who are a very
good side, was fantastic."
How much does this run boost the Club?
DG: "The good run we're on raises the spirits of the fans, the players and
the football club - it's buzzing. We were in a dark place for months,
worrying about what we were doing wrong, and of course we kept turning back,
claiming that it was bad luck, and once that turns we'll be in a much better
place. We are now and we can start thinking again about the future.
"Don't misunderstand me, we're not clear, our position is not guaranteed in
the Premier League, but we're in a good place and you would be very, very
disappointed if we were to fail from here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG: we're nearly safe
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has praised Sam Allardyce for West Ham's recent run of 'Champions
League' form - and believes that February's results have staved off the
threat of relegation. Allardyce is odds-on to be named as the Barclay's
Premier League Manager of the Month for February having led his team to four
successive victories - a string of wins that have taken West Ham from the
relegation zone to tenth place in the table. February's haul of a maximum 12
points has led to a renewed sense of optimism at the Boleyn Ground, as
exemplified by co-owner David Gold who believes that we should now be
looking up, rather than down, the table. "You could argue now that, dare we
say it, we're [nearly] safe," he told.whufc.com. "We've certainly given
ourselves a fantastic chance. "Early in the season we had a lot of bad luck,
particularly with injuries. I know people say that it all evens out, but I
thought we had some poor decisions go against us. I remember going away to
Hull and they had the softest of penalties. There were a number of games not
dissimilar to that and then the injuries started piling up.
"Fans are frustrated and the first thing that happens is that they want a
change of manager. Then the second thing they want a change of Chairmen. It
comes with the territory, there's no question that Sam's vindicated himself
and I'm delighted for him. "The good run we're on raises the spirits of the
fans, the players and the football club - it's buzzing," he added. "We were
in a dark place for months and we can start thinking again about the future.
"Don't misunderstand me, we're not clear, our position is not guaranteed in
the Premier League - but we're in a good place and you would be very, very
disappointed if we were to fail from here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chairman David Gold heaps praise on 'vindicated' boss Sam Allardyce
after turnaround
Feb 26, 2014 16:41 By Liam Prenderville
The Mirror
West Ham joint-chairman David Gold is delighted the club have been justified
in their decision to stick with boss Sam Allardyce. After just one win in 10
games through December and January, the Hammers looked almost certainties
for relegation with most sections of the Upton Park crowd calling for
Allardyce to be sacked. However, the 59-year-old has since masterminded four
wins on the bounce, with last weekend's 3-1 success over Southampton lifting
the club to 10th in the Premier League table. And Gold is delighted to see
Allardyce emerge through the difficult period and prove the club were right
to keep hold of him. He told Goal.com: "Fans are frustrated, are angry and
the first thing that happens is that they want a change of manager. "It
comes with the territory and there's no question that Sam's vindicated
himself and I'm delighted for him."
Someone else who has been rejuvenated in the past month is captain Kevin
Nolan, having scored five times in four matches. He also came under fire
after two petulant dismissals in games at Liverpool and Fulham and looked
set to be stripped of his captaincy. But Gold has also saved words of praise
for the in-form midfielder. He added: "Kevin definitely felt that he let the
team down, he let the fans down and, most importantly, of course, he let
himself down. "You couldn't ask for more from him. It has been a true
captain's performance on the field. "And what people don't often get the
opportunity to see, but I do, is what a great captain he is off the field,
in the dressing room and on the training pitch. He is a special character."
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Thursday, February 27
Wednesday, February 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th February 2014
AC ready to return
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is desperate to return to West Ham United's starting XI for
Saturday's trip to Everton
25.02.2014
Andy Carroll knows he faces a battle to win his starting place back
following West Ham United's outstanding recent run. The Hammers have won
four straight Barclays Premier League matches, scoring nine goals and
conceding just one - despite having Carroll available for just 70 minutes of
that run due to the striker's sending-off against Swansea City on 1
February. The England international's replacement, Carlton Cole, has led the
line well, netting the go-ahead goal in Saturday's 3-1 home win over
Southampton, while Kevin Nolan has scored five goals in his last four
appearances. Carroll returns from suspension for Saturday's trip to Everton,
but the No9 knows he will not automatically return to Sam Allardyce's
starting XI at Goodison Park. "Coley is on fire and has scored six goals,
while Kev has got seven, so I've just got to work hard and hope the Gaffer
sees fit to pick me," said Carroll, who was at the Boleyn Ground to cheer on
his team-mates to victory over Southampton on Saturday. "It's unbelievable,
where we have come from to where we are now. All the lads are buzzing in the
dressing room and when I went in there after the game they were all laughing
and messing about. It's great and I'm over the moon with how things are
going."
Having only returned from a long-term foot injury in January, Carroll has
kept himself fit during his enforced absence, most notably during an
extended warm-weather training visit to Dubai. The forward spent four days
with his team-mates before remaining at the Dubai Sports City for a further
four days to work one-on-one with the Club's rehabilitation coach Eduardo
Parra Garcia. "It was a lot of hard work at the beginning of the week, then
the rest of the lads left and it was one-on-one training with Eduardo, which
was really good. Having the sun on my back was even better. It's been hard
for me all season. I hadn't really done much training, so wherever I can
train is great, but it was even better to do it in the sun. "It's obviously
great to get away from the training ground when we get the chance. We're out
of the FA Cup and the lads were able to do the same training we do here, but
in Dubai. It gives everyone a change of scenery.
"The lads came back and won again against Southampton, which was great."
Carroll spent 18 months on Merseyside with Liverpool prior to joining West
Ham on loan in August 2013. During his time with the Reds, he scored a late
winner in their FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton at Wembley in April
2012. Having tasted one memorable win over the Toffees, Carroll is now
hoping to do again this weekend. First, he knows he has to force his way
back into Big Sam's starting XI. "We are playing well and are scoring goals
now, so I don't see why we can't go up there and get three points. I've just
got to work hard in training, because that's all I can do. At the end of the
day, the manager picks the team. "The sending-off has happened and I was
annoyed at the time with missing games, which was not what I wanted after
the season that I've had, but I'm over it now. I just need to focus on
playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing games."
While Carroll is eager to get his West Ham place back first and foremost, he
is also desperate to regain his spot in Roy Hodgson's England squad. The
striker has not played for his country since October 2012, but the
25-year-old is being widely tipped to make a return to Hodgson's selection
for the friendly international with Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday 5 March.
It is an opportunity he would relish. "I've definitely not given up on the
England squad and I never will do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole says West Ham are not safe yet from threat of relegation
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:32pm
SSN
Carlton Cole has admitted that West Ham United still have a lot of work to
do to secure their Premier League survival, but believes it is important to
look up rather than down. The Hammers were in deep trouble just a few weeks
ago but a run of four straight wins has catapulted them into the top half of
the table.
However, just seven points still separate Sam Allardyce's men from the
bottom three and Cole insists there is no chance of thinking safety is
already guaranteed. The striker is staying focused on Saturday's clash with
Everton and hopes West Ham can continue to climb the standings. "We're not
safe yet, we just need to keep winning games," Cole told the club's official
website. "We are looking upwards. At the start of the season, we were
looking up too and it is good to do that rather than looking over your
shoulder, because that can lead to mistakes. "We now have to look towards
Everton, which will be a hard game.
"They are a good footballing team so we just need to nullify their attacking
and try and get a goal, because the form we are in at the moment, we can
notch against anyone."
Cole netted his sixth goal of the season in the 3-1 victory over Southampton
and is delighted with his form, having returned to the club on an 18-month
deal last year. "I didn't have a pre-season, but I have been playing and
that is what I need to do," he said. "Training has been intense. There is a
lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep me fit. I feel wanted
because I got re-signed. "When you are not feeling wanted, it is always hard
to take, but when you feel wanted it is a big difference to your game and
your attitude."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll targets West Ham and England recalls
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:25pm
SSN
Andy Carroll is focused on earning his place back in the West Ham team and
fighting for an England recall following a three-match suspension. The
25-year-old was finding his form after a frustrating foot injury lay-off
when he was sent off against Swansea on February 1, and subsequently
received a three-game ban.
In Carroll's absence, Sam Allardyce's side have won three successive matches
to extend an unbeaten run to five games, and in the process have pulled
clear of the relegation zone and up to 10th place. Carroll will be available
again for West Ham's trip to Everton on Saturday, but the striker is taking
nothing for granted.
"The sending-off has happened and I was annoyed at the time with missing
games, which was not what I wanted after the season that I've had, but I'm
over it now," Carroll said on the club's official website. "I just need to
focus on playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing
games. "I have just got to work hard in training, because that is all I can
do. At the end of the day, the manager picks the team."
Recall
Carroll last featured for England in the 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over
San Marino at Wembley in October 2012. However, the 6ft 3in former Newcastle
and Liverpool frontman is determined to become part of Roy Hodgson's plans
for Brazil this summer, having been tipped for a recall to the international
squad in next week's friendly against Denmark. "I have definitely not given
up on the England squad and I never will do," he said.
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WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is desperate to return to West Ham United's starting XI for
Saturday's trip to Everton
25.02.2014
Andy Carroll knows he faces a battle to win his starting place back
following West Ham United's outstanding recent run. The Hammers have won
four straight Barclays Premier League matches, scoring nine goals and
conceding just one - despite having Carroll available for just 70 minutes of
that run due to the striker's sending-off against Swansea City on 1
February. The England international's replacement, Carlton Cole, has led the
line well, netting the go-ahead goal in Saturday's 3-1 home win over
Southampton, while Kevin Nolan has scored five goals in his last four
appearances. Carroll returns from suspension for Saturday's trip to Everton,
but the No9 knows he will not automatically return to Sam Allardyce's
starting XI at Goodison Park. "Coley is on fire and has scored six goals,
while Kev has got seven, so I've just got to work hard and hope the Gaffer
sees fit to pick me," said Carroll, who was at the Boleyn Ground to cheer on
his team-mates to victory over Southampton on Saturday. "It's unbelievable,
where we have come from to where we are now. All the lads are buzzing in the
dressing room and when I went in there after the game they were all laughing
and messing about. It's great and I'm over the moon with how things are
going."
Having only returned from a long-term foot injury in January, Carroll has
kept himself fit during his enforced absence, most notably during an
extended warm-weather training visit to Dubai. The forward spent four days
with his team-mates before remaining at the Dubai Sports City for a further
four days to work one-on-one with the Club's rehabilitation coach Eduardo
Parra Garcia. "It was a lot of hard work at the beginning of the week, then
the rest of the lads left and it was one-on-one training with Eduardo, which
was really good. Having the sun on my back was even better. It's been hard
for me all season. I hadn't really done much training, so wherever I can
train is great, but it was even better to do it in the sun. "It's obviously
great to get away from the training ground when we get the chance. We're out
of the FA Cup and the lads were able to do the same training we do here, but
in Dubai. It gives everyone a change of scenery.
"The lads came back and won again against Southampton, which was great."
Carroll spent 18 months on Merseyside with Liverpool prior to joining West
Ham on loan in August 2013. During his time with the Reds, he scored a late
winner in their FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton at Wembley in April
2012. Having tasted one memorable win over the Toffees, Carroll is now
hoping to do again this weekend. First, he knows he has to force his way
back into Big Sam's starting XI. "We are playing well and are scoring goals
now, so I don't see why we can't go up there and get three points. I've just
got to work hard in training, because that's all I can do. At the end of the
day, the manager picks the team. "The sending-off has happened and I was
annoyed at the time with missing games, which was not what I wanted after
the season that I've had, but I'm over it now. I just need to focus on
playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing games."
While Carroll is eager to get his West Ham place back first and foremost, he
is also desperate to regain his spot in Roy Hodgson's England squad. The
striker has not played for his country since October 2012, but the
25-year-old is being widely tipped to make a return to Hodgson's selection
for the friendly international with Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday 5 March.
It is an opportunity he would relish. "I've definitely not given up on the
England squad and I never will do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole says West Ham are not safe yet from threat of relegation
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:32pm
SSN
Carlton Cole has admitted that West Ham United still have a lot of work to
do to secure their Premier League survival, but believes it is important to
look up rather than down. The Hammers were in deep trouble just a few weeks
ago but a run of four straight wins has catapulted them into the top half of
the table.
However, just seven points still separate Sam Allardyce's men from the
bottom three and Cole insists there is no chance of thinking safety is
already guaranteed. The striker is staying focused on Saturday's clash with
Everton and hopes West Ham can continue to climb the standings. "We're not
safe yet, we just need to keep winning games," Cole told the club's official
website. "We are looking upwards. At the start of the season, we were
looking up too and it is good to do that rather than looking over your
shoulder, because that can lead to mistakes. "We now have to look towards
Everton, which will be a hard game.
"They are a good footballing team so we just need to nullify their attacking
and try and get a goal, because the form we are in at the moment, we can
notch against anyone."
Cole netted his sixth goal of the season in the 3-1 victory over Southampton
and is delighted with his form, having returned to the club on an 18-month
deal last year. "I didn't have a pre-season, but I have been playing and
that is what I need to do," he said. "Training has been intense. There is a
lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep me fit. I feel wanted
because I got re-signed. "When you are not feeling wanted, it is always hard
to take, but when you feel wanted it is a big difference to your game and
your attitude."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll targets West Ham and England recalls
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:25pm
SSN
Andy Carroll is focused on earning his place back in the West Ham team and
fighting for an England recall following a three-match suspension. The
25-year-old was finding his form after a frustrating foot injury lay-off
when he was sent off against Swansea on February 1, and subsequently
received a three-game ban.
In Carroll's absence, Sam Allardyce's side have won three successive matches
to extend an unbeaten run to five games, and in the process have pulled
clear of the relegation zone and up to 10th place. Carroll will be available
again for West Ham's trip to Everton on Saturday, but the striker is taking
nothing for granted.
"The sending-off has happened and I was annoyed at the time with missing
games, which was not what I wanted after the season that I've had, but I'm
over it now," Carroll said on the club's official website. "I just need to
focus on playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing
games. "I have just got to work hard in training, because that is all I can
do. At the end of the day, the manager picks the team."
Recall
Carroll last featured for England in the 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over
San Marino at Wembley in October 2012. However, the 6ft 3in former Newcastle
and Liverpool frontman is determined to become part of Roy Hodgson's plans
for Brazil this summer, having been tipped for a recall to the international
squad in next week's friendly against Denmark. "I have definitely not given
up on the England squad and I never will do," he said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Tuesday, February 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th February 2014
New date for Hull
WHUFC.com
West Ham's home meeting with Hull City will now take place on Wednesday 26
March
24.02.2014
West Ham United's home Barclays Premier League clash with Hull City will now
be played on Wednesday 26 March with a 7.45pm kick-off. The game was
originally scheduled for Saturday 8 March but needed to be moved due to
Hull's continued involvement in the FA Cup with Budweiser, which now sees
them take on Sunderland in the competition's quarter-finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Moore OBE 1941-1993
WHUFC.com
West Ham United and England's finest-ever captain Bobby Moore OBE died on
this day 21 years ago
24.02.2014
Bobby Moore OBE, West Ham United's most famous player and England's 1966
World Cup-winning captain, sadly passed away on this day 21 years ago. The
central defender made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers,
scoring 27 goals. Moore was born in Barking on 12 April 1941, making his
debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn
Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a
glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over.
As a West Ham player, Moore lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup
Winners' Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an
unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following
England's 4-2 victory over West Germany.
Moore would go on to star at the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico before
moving to Fulham, for whom he played against the Hammers in the 1975 FA Cup
final. Following his retirement, Moore moved first into management and then
into the world of broadcasting before his life was cut short by cancer in
February 1993. He was just 51.
Fellow Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE recalls Bobby's memory fondly. He
said: "Mooro was an absolute icon. I respected a lot of team-mates and
opponents down the years but he was the only person in my entire career, who
made me feel that way. "He was fantastic to me from the day that I arrived
and I loved him as a player and as a person. Bobby Moore had a presence both
off and on the field. "There was no side to him at all and, having lifted
the World Cup, he'd been the most famous person on the planet on that July
afternoon at Wembley in 1966 but, despite all of that, Bobby wasn't the
slightest bit lairy. Mooro treated everyone the same, no matter who they
were. "Bobby Moore wasn't a particularly good header of the ball and he
wasn't very quick either but, boy, his timing was impeccable. He didn't need
to be good in the air or fast because he could read the game so well - he
always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to nick the ball
off a centre-forward. "And he was just so good at bringing the ball out of
defence and starting attacks, too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes lauds perfect February
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was in positive mood after helping West Ham United to four wins
out of four in February
24.02.2014
After a tough start to 2013/14 that saw West Ham United begin the New Year
in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone, the Hammers roared back to
form in February. Sam Allardyce's side won four league games out of four in
the month, scoring nine goals and conceding just one. Over the same period,
West Ham climbed from 18th and two points from safety to tenth, seven points
clear of the bottom three. While the improvement has been a real team
effort, the form of midfielder Mark Noble has been a recognisable highlight
in recent weeks. The No16 played every minute in February, chalking up an
assist for Mohamed Diame in the 2-0 win over Norwich City and making a
team-high 154 passes and 16 tackles over the four matches. Unsurprisingly,
Noble is enjoying the Club's first four-match winning league run since May
2007, when he was part of the team which miraculously avoided relegation by
winning their final four league fixtures. "I was in that run as well, wasn't
I?" he smiled "That's nice. I can't remember it, if I am honest, but
obviously I remember that season. I didn't know that is when we last won
four in a row. "It's a similar situation, really. We were obviously low in
the league, so a draw and four wins in a row is superb. Up until a month ago
I don't even think we had achieved back-to-back wins for two years, and then
we win four in a row. That is just what you get for working hard and taking
your chances."
Many commentators have suggested it was a goalless draw at Chelsea on 29
January - where West Ham repelled 39 shots on their goal - that proved to be
the catalyst for the Hammers' winning run. However, Noble believes the
confidence drawn from the 2-0 win at Cardiff City on 11 January was the real
start of the resurgence. There, West Ham overcame the loss of James Tomkins
to a red card at 1-0, with the midfielder himself scoring a last-gasp
clincher. "To be honest it has been an accumulation of things. We went away
to Cardiff and that was a massive game. We went down to ten men on 70
minutes and we won it 2-0, then we played at home to Newcastle [and llost
3-1]. Then, we went away to Chelsea and defended well and then obviously we
have now won four games in a row. Three of those teams are among the ones
around us and they are the teams you have to beat. "I think the top six or
seven are out of sight and the rest are fighting for places. It has been
enjoyable in the last month. We have come back from Dubai, where we had a
good team-bonding thing out there. We trained and had some free time which
we enjoyed and we have come back and put another win on the board."
Saturday saw Noble at his best yet again, making a team-high 33 passes and
four tackles as West Ham upset a Southampton side which had not lost in the
league since New Year's Day. "Everyone said how good Southampton are," Noble
added. "I think they had taken 19 points away from home already this season.
They came here and we ended up winning 3-1. The confidence is high, it is
five games unbeaten now and we are looking forward to whatever comes our
way."
That 'whatever' is a trip to Everton on Saturday. West Ham's five-match
unbeaten run will no doubt come under threat at Goodison Park, where Everton
have lost just once in 12 home league matches this season. The Toffees also
won 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the Boleyn Ground in September - a game
that saw Noble score before being sent-off for two bookable offences. After
his dismissal, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku netted late goals to send
West Ham spiralling to a disappointing home defeat. However, with confidence
high and striker Andy Carroll available again after a three-match
suspension, Noble says the Hammers have nothing to fear from their trip to
Merseyside. "Yeah. I remember we were 2-1 up and I scored a penalty and I
think there were only ten minutes to go," he recalled. "We always look back
and see that game as what was going wrong with our season in the first half
of it. "Has Baines scored another free kick this season? I don't think he
has. It just seemed like it was all happening to us and we didn't deserve
it. We were getting punished and that is what happens in this league. Now we
are solid and scoring goals it shows what a team we are."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reading 0-2 Dev Squad: FT
WHUFC.com
Live text commentary from the Development Squad's match against Reading
24.02.2014
READING v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
CAMROSE GROUND
MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2014
REFEREE: IAN COOPER
KICK-OFF: 7PM
Reading U21 0-2 Development Squad
Full-time: A win for the young Hammers arrives courtesy of a brilliant
Elliot Lee volley and Blair Turgott's tidy finish. A very good team
performance from the Under-21s saw them dominate for long periods with the
hosts struggling to create chances. When they did, Spiegel was in inspired
form making two great saves. A well deserved win is the squad's second in a
row. Get in!
90+2 mins: Whithead tries a long-range spectacular with a half-volley from
just inside the Reading half but doesn't connect cleanly and it goes out for
a goal-kick.
90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time indicated as the Hammers look to
have done enough to earn a second consecutive win.
89 mins: That spell of play just goes to show how small the margins are in
football. Reading come within inches of scoring a late equaliser before
conceding a second less than a minute later. Great entertainment here.
87 mins GOAL: Turgott wraps it up! The winger slams home first time from
Fanimo's centre following a swift counter-attack.
86 mins: The post comes to the rescue as Kelly hits a wonderful long-range
half-volley which had Spiegel beaten before rebounding off the upright. What
an effort!
84 mins: Haycock makes his second change, bringing on Makasi for Lletget. A
good shift from the midfielder tonight who linked up well with Lee up top.
82 mins: What a save! Spiegel produces his second fantastic stop of the
night as he gets down to deny Ugwu from close-range as the forward prodded
powerfully goalward. Super Spiegel to the rescue for the Hammers.
80 mins: Great running from Lee who shrugs off the attentions of Kuhl before
scuffing a shot over the bar. The forward has been full of running tonight
and a menace to the Royals' back four.
78 mins: Tshibola launches a long diagonal looking for Tanner and Fanimo
flicks the ball out for a corner. From the resulting set-piece Burke leaps
to head the ball clear.
76 mins: Reading are probing around the West Ham penalty area but have found
no joy so far today. They'll have to come up with something a bit different
if they want to level things up.
74 mins: Chambers goes off to a good ovation as he's substituted for Burke.
Chambers has been excellent tonight, making a couple of key interceptions as
well as providing composure on the ball at the back for the Hammers.
72 mins: Fanimo just fails to link-up with Lee as he attacks the opposition
box. Close but not quite.
70 mins: A second change of the match for the home side. They take off Keown
and replace him with No 14 Cooper.
68 mins: Signs of life from the Royals who attack down the right with Long
crossing to the centre where Ugwu put his header well wide after stretching
for the ball.
65 mins: Spiegel's been a by-stander for much of the match but the one time
he was called into action he made a terrific stop to keep the scores level.
That may prove to be a crucial moment in this match.
63 mins: Fosu-Henry runs off to be replaced by Kelly as the hosts make their
first change.
61 mins: Fanimo looks to be racing way until the linesman signals he was
offside as he chased Lee's through ball.
59 mins: Chambers makes a great interception to thwart the Reading attack as
he backtracked. It's been a very tidy performance so far from the
centre-back and his partner Potts.
57 mins: The ball breaks to Fanimo who slides it through for Lee. The
striker takes it first time but the 'keeper saves low to his right. Great
chance for the striker to bag his second.
56 mins: A scrappy period of play this with both sides committing fouls as
they search for some rhythm.
54 mins: The Hammers have started the second period on the front foot but
have been unable to carve an opportunity from their possession so far.
51 mins: Professional foul by Whitehead who recieves a talking to for
upending Tshibola as Reading counter-attacked.
49 mins: Knoyle is absolutely clattered as he stops the run of Sweeney whose
momentum flattens the defender. He's on his feet though and should be able
to continue.
48 mins: An early free-kick as Tshibola handles midway inside his own half.
Lee steps up, bouyed by his earlier goal, but sends the ball high into the
stand behind the goal.
46 mins: Reading kick-off the second half looking to claw back the Hammers
who lead thanks to a stunner from Lee.
Half-time: The whistle goes for the end of a competitive first half. The
Hammers have the lead thanks to a brilliant volleyed goal from Elliot Lee
just a couple of minutes before the break. The visitors have enjoyed the
best of the chances so far with Turgott and Lletget also close to opening
the scoring. At half-time the Hammers are good value for their lead.
45 mins: That was a touch of class from Lee who let the ball drop over his
shoulder before firing his volley into the opposite corner. Superb.
43 mins GOAL: What a goal from Lee! The striker does brilliantly to turn a
volley home from a ball into the area. Great strike!
42 mins: The hosts have come into the game after a strong spell from the
Hammers who've performed well so far as we come up to half-time.
41 mins: Whitehead hoists a free-kick into the area where Turgott is unable
to bring the ball down and it rolls out of play.
39 mins: Chambers makes an important interception as Griffin crosses into
the centre.
37 mins: The Royals earn themselves a corner which Tanner takes. Keown meets
it powerfully but Spiegel makes a great diving save before Fanimo is able to
boot the ball clear.
35 mins: Lee's been quiet so far, but has himself a free-kick just outside
the area as he lures the defender into a foul. Fanimo whips it in and Ugwu
is back to make an important headed clearance.
33 mins: Reading have themselves a corner as Page makes a clearance. Tanner
swings it into the box where Turgott clears.
31 mins: Chambers and Turgott play a nice one-two before Turgott has a shot
deflected off for a corner. Fanimo takes and Potts gets up highest to head
straight at Lincoln. The defender is adjudged to have fouled his marker in
the build-up to the chance however.
29 mins: Ugwu turns a long ball into the path of Long who's just unable to
collexct as Chambers gets in to clear.
27 mins: Spiegel is yet to be tested by the Royals who've struggled to cope
with Fanimo and Turgott down the flanks. The Hammers best moments have come
from the two wingers so far.
25 mins: Confusion in the Reading ranks as the keeper and centre-back get in
a muddle. Lincoln clears but only after a back pass which nearly caught him
out.
23 mins: A great piece of play from Chambers sees him dribble the ball past
two players before a Cruyff turn which leaves Ugwu committing a foul on the
defender.
20 mins: A couple of great chances there for the visitors, let's hope they
don't come back to haunt them.
18 mins: So close again! The Hammers are having a purple patch now as
Lletget goes within inches of opening the scoring. The midfielder collects
Whitehead's pass before curling a shot just past the post.
16 mins: Close! A great cross from Fanimo finds Turgott unmarked in the
centre but the winger can only direct his header straight at Lincoln.
14 mins: Chambers does well to cut-out another probing pass destined for
Ugwu and the striker plants a shove in his back, conceding a free-kick in
the process.
12 mins: The home side are growing in confidence and Ugwu is nearly clean
through on goal as he looks to latch onto a through ball. The offside flag
is raised however.
9 mins: Reading enjoy a spell of keep ball amongst their back five before
eventually firing a long ball toward the left which drifts out of play.
7 mins: Turgott lively again as he dances inside onto his right foot and
fires toward goal. His shot is deflected and comfortable for the 'keeper.
6 mins: Turgott races onto Potts' through ball and forces a corner as he
looks to find a teammate in the centre. The winger takes but it's easy for
the home defence.
4 mins: Fanimo's clearance finds Stacey who hits a first-time shot out for a
throw-in. One he'll want to forget.
3 mins: Long combines with Stacey down the Hammers' left and crosses but
it's overhit and flies over the bar.
1 min: Lletget races away immediately from the kick-off and fires a
left-foot shot goalward. His effort has the keeper scrambling but slides
just wide of the post. Great start.
Kick-off: West Ham kick us off at the Camrose Ground, kicking from right to
left into the wind.
6:57pm: Reading in their usual blue and white stripes and West Ham
resplendent in their glorious claret and blue shirts emerge from the tunnel
as we prepare to get under-way in Basingstoke.
6:48pm: The teams head back inside the changing rooms as they prepare to go
head-to-head in this Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash.
6:35pm: There are a fair few spectators who've braved the elements pouring
into the Camrose Ground, with a fair few of those making a trip to the
burger van to my left. The rain has eased slightly and the pitch would seem
to be in perfect condition.
6:21pm: Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and are now into their
pre-match routines. The Hammers will have to play well tonight to earn the
three points against a Reading side who've lost just once in their last five
matches, and scoring two wins in that period.
6:15pm: The tunes are on and the 'keepers are out here in Basingstoke.
Haycock is also out and surveying surroundings at the Skrill South club.
6:00pm: The pitch is in good nick here at the Camrose Ground despite the
heavy rain currently seaping into the turf. We're awaiting the teams to
begin their warm-ups.
Nick Haycock is back in the dug-out tonight as he takes the Development
Squad to the home of Basingstoke Town FC to play Reading. Haycock was in
Dubai with the first team when the Under-21s were last in action, beating
Southampton 1-0 courtesy of a wonder strike from Danny Whitehead. That win
was the young Hammers first of 2014 and they will be hoping to follow it up
with victory against the lowly Royals. The home side occupy 19th place in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League but did score a 2-1 victory against
Arsenal last time out.
A West Ham squad, containing the returning Raphael Spiegel in goal, will
look to secure the three points which would boost their hopes of returning
to the top four in the table. The young Hammers lie sixth in the league
table at present, just one point off fourth placed Liverpool.
West Ham United: Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Potts, Chambers, Turgott,
Cullen, Lee, Lletget, Fanimo
Subs: Burke, Nemrava, Sadlier, Makasi, Brown
Reading: Lincoln, Long, Griffin, Tshibola, Sweeney, Keown, Stacey, Kuhl,
Ugwu, Tanner, Fosu-Henry
Subs: Hyam, Ward, Cooper, Fridjonsson, Kelly
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lucash returns
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 24th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United captain Lucas Neill is back in English football after
signing a short-term contract with Watford. The 35-year-old Australian
international has joined the Championship club for the remainder of the
2013/14 season, subject to international clearance being obtained. Neill
spent just over two years in east London having rejected Liverpool in order
to join the Icelandic revolution in January 2007. He was named club captain
upon the sale of predecessor Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa in July of the
same year. He left West Ham in the summer of 2009 having rejected a one-year
contract extension, said to be worth around half the £70k-per-week
"Magnusson" contract he previously enjoyed. A brief spell at Everton then
followed before Neill moved to Turkey in order to join Galatasaray. After a
year-and-a-half with Gala, Neill moved on to UAE Pro League Club Al Jazira
before being released a year later. Three months at Al Wasl followed - after
which he was effectively fired as the club's lone foreign player. In
February last year the right back returned to Australian where he signed a
short-term deal with the A-League club. Just six months later the
globetrotting Neil was off to Japan, where he signed a four-month deal with
Omiya Ardija. A contract extention was not forthcoming, hence Neill's return
to English football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Mark Noble believes he is playing best football of career
Last Updated: 24/02/14 5:13pm
SSN
Mark Noble believes he is playing the best football of his career and would
love to force his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad. The 26-year-old West
Ham midfielder enjoyed another impressive display at Upton Park on Saturday
when the east Londoners beat Southampton 3-1. And Noble said: "I think I am
playing the best football of my career right now as far as my all-round game
is concerned - winning back the ball and starting us off to play. "I have
probably played as well as I ever have in 90 per cent of the games so far
this season but when you are losing it doesn't show. "To be picked for my
country is my ultimate goal, as it should be with any English player. "The
subject has come up a few times before and people have said when an
international squad is about to be announced, 'you've definitely got a
chance', but it hasn't happened. "All I can do, though, is go out there
every week and in training and try my hardest.
"Roy Hodgson hasn't spoken to me but I will carry on enjoying what I do,
working hard for the team and all being well one day I will get my chance."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Kevin Nolan has repaid club for two red
cards
Last Updated: 24/02/14 5:10pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Kevin Nolan has repaid the club for the
two red cards he received earlier this season. Nolan was sent off in quick
succession against Liverpool and Fulham, meaning he missed a number of key
games as West Ham struggled at the wrong end of the table, and Allardyce
admits the dismissals were 'one of the lowest points of his career' for the
midfielder. However, the former Bolton man has bounced back from that
disappointment and has been instrumental in West Ham's climb up the table
with five goals in four games and Allardyce never doubted Nolan would come
good. "I know his qualities and I like the fact that he's gone about his job
and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened," said
Allardyce.
"It was his lowest point of his career. It wasn't just the one sending off;
it was two in a short period of time, but his contribution since then has
been massive and it is not only in the goals, but also the contribution with
the first goal which was a top quality pass. "Everyone talks about him being
with Andy (Carroll), but Andy hasn't been here for a while, and Kevin's
still feeding off the front men with the balls going in the box, and our
quality in the final third is getting so much better now. "Because it's
getting so much better is the reason why we're winning games of football
now, because we've always been good at defending."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TEN THINGS WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE LAST MONTH
By Iain Dale 24 Feb 2014 at 13:45
West Ham Till I Die
1. Sam Allardyce hasn't lost the dressing room.
2. David Sullivan and David Gold have balls of steel.
3. Adrian has proved to be rather better than we thought in December.
4. We should never have let Carlton Cole leave in May.
5. Ravel Morrison has proved not to be the player we thought he was in
December.
6. Bobby Moore is even prouder of Jonjo Heuerman.
7. Winston Reid has a fight on his hands to get back into the team.
8. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for our comments on Kevin Nolan.
9. Scoring goals is not something confined to other teams.
10. With apologies to Harold Wilson, a month is a very long time in
football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guilty consciences: Why Bobby Moore has become more revered in death than he
ever was in life
Feb 20, 2013 07:301
OPINION BY OLIVERHOLT
The Mirror
Bobby Moore was an idol of mine, too. When he died 20 years ago this
weekend, I took the front page of a national newspaper that commemorated his
passing and stuck it up on my wall. "Bobby Moore," the headline said, "A
True Hero Who'll Never Be Forgotten." I never saw Moore play. I never met
him, either. Of all the people in the game, I wish I could have shaken hands
with but never did, Moore and Bill Shankly top the list. His reputation has
not faded in the two decades that have now passed since he died at the age
of 51 from bowel cancer. Far from it, in fact. His legend has grown and
grown. Initial reactions to a man's death are, typically, uncomplicated by
inconvenient recollections of character flaws. Indeed, in the aftermath of
Moore's tragically early end, the elegies centred on Moore's personal
qualities as much as his football. He was, everyone agreed, 'a perfect
gentleman', 'a perfect pro', 'a great person in every sense'.
The funny thing about Moore is that the intervention of time has done
nothing either to dull or dilute those recollections. His memory has been
cherished with such steadfastness that, if anything, he is regarded as even
more flawless now. Partly, that is because that the vast majority of people
who knew him regarded him with great affection as well as admiration. He was
a popular man, a man's man, one of the chaps, a gentle man possessed of
great generosity of spirit.
But partly, it is because of guilt.
Partly, it is because he was treated like dirt towards the end of his life
and we have been trying desperately to over-compensate for it ever since.
Moore is revered in death but in life he was shunned by almost every part of
the football establishment. He found work at Capital Radio in the end,
driving to matches with his mate, the commentator Jonathan Pearce. Still, we
have never forgiven ourselves for his banishment. The greatest sporting hero
we ever had was treated pretty much like a pariah. It's different now. At
Wembley, before England's match against Brazil earlier this month, a slogan
on the big screen encouraging donations to the bowel cancer charity set up
in his name urged us to 'Make Bobby Proud'. 1970 World Cup Finals,
Guadalajara, Mexico 7th June, 1970, England 0 v Brazil 1, Bobby Moore and
Pele embrace after a fantastic personal dual throughout the match1970 World
Cup Finals, Guadalajara, Mexico 7th June, 1970, England 0 v Brazil 1, Bobby
Moore and Pele embrace after a fantastic personal dual throughout the match
It was an interesting, cleverly-devised message that played on the idea of
Moore as a benevolent force we must seek to please. There's a stand named
after him at Upton Park, of course, and a lovely statue with a fine
inscription outside Wembley. Fans will gather there on the anniversary of
his death on Sunday before the Capital One Cup Final to gaze up at the
likeness of England's World Cup winning skipper.
More tributes will be paid to him and we will mourn afresh for the time when
England's place in the football world was still a matter of pride.
Sometimes, it feels as though Moore's memory has become a giant stick used
to beat the ingrates of the current footballing generation. He was perfect
on and off the pitch, he tackled Pele in full flow, he wiped his hands
before he took the World Cup from our young Queen. How could anyone ever
match that? Some use his memory to portray the current generation of players
as an embarrassment to the game. They use their behaviour on and off the
pitch as evidence and talk as if Moore belonged to a different species. That
ignores inconvenient truths like the fact that the current England squad
have made generous donations to the Bobby Moore Fund. It ignores the fact
that many of our current players, men like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and
others, play the game with the same commitment to excellence Moore had. And,
most importantly of all, it ignores the fact that part of the reason Moore
was revered was precisely because he was one of the lads. He wasn't some
remote, haughty, buttoned-up skipper. He liked a drink. He loved a night
out. And to mock those who have followed him, to say that they are somehow
not worthy, is to ignore the lessons we are supposed to have learned when we
shunned him. I see Moore's legacy everywhere now. I saw it when I went to a
corporate evening at The Emirates recently and Charlie George gave us a
stadium tour. I see it when I read of the delight of Manchester United fans
who have been entertained on match days by a talk from Norman Whiteside. I
see it when I watch an interview with Didi Hamann on Liverpool's website.
And I see it in the determination, doomed or otherwise, to try to save Paul
Gascoigne from himself.
Footballers and ex-footballers deserve our respect and our gratitude for the
entertainment they have given us. The guilt we feel about the way we treated
the great Bobby Moore taught us that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In memory: St George's flag to fly at half mast at Wembley on Sunday for
Bobby Moore
Feb 21, 2013 17:05 By Mirror Football
The Mirror
The flag of St George will fly at half mast at Wembley this Sunday as a mark
of respect to England's only World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore. Bradford
are taking on Swansea in the Capital One Cup final and it will be exactly 20
years since the death of Moore from liver and colon cancer, aged just 51.
Earlier this month, FA chairman David Bernstein handed over a £25,000 cheque
to the Bobby Moore Fund, with England skipper Steven Gerrard confirming the
players would match that donation. In addition, the FA promoted 'text to
donate' messages around the stadium during England's friendly win over
Brazil - a policy they have pledged to repeat at future England home games,
in addition to the FA Cup semi-finals and final later this season. The most
prestigious section of Club Wembley has been named the Bobby Moore Club, an
association that entitles the BMF, amongst other things, to host an annual
match at Wembley to generate additional funds. Moore's first wife Tina and
daughter Roberta were invited to Wembley this week by FA director of
football development Sir Trevor Brooking ahead of Sunday's anniversary.
"Bobby's contribution to football and history has sadly only been recognised
after his premature death," said Brooking. "He was an astonishing
footballer, but also a great man and an important footballing friend to me
in my early days." Former West Ham and England team-mate Sir Geoff Hurst
added: "Bobby Moore was a great player, a great leader and a great
friend."He was loved and respected by all who played with him and by all who
watched him perform."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bishop: the truth about Morley
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United star Ian Bishop has revealed the full details of what
really happened on the infamous night that team mate Trevor Morley was
stabbed.
In March 1991, the news that Morley was critically ill in hospital having
been wounded in a domestic incident shook West Ham. The striker's Norwegian
wife Hege was held responsible, although the reasons for the dispute were
unclear.
Shortly after the incident occurred two main rumours regarding the source of
Mrs Morley's fury emerged. Firstly it was claimed that that Morley and team
mate Bishop had been caught with two women in a compromising position by
Hege - but secondly, and with far wider consequences for the two players'
careers, that no women had been involved in the liaison.
The latter rumour - that the two friends and team mates were involved in a
gay relationship - is a falsehood that pervades to this day. It is an
allegation that Bishop, speaking exclusively in the latest episode of the
KUMB.com Podcast, calls "evil" - and a record he was keen to finally set
straight.
Taking up the story, Bishop, 48 - who now resides in the United States -
said: "We were at a function for Tony Gale in Chigwell and we shouldn't have
been because it was two nights before a game. But we did it for Galey.
"We thought 'we won't drink too much', because you're not allowed to before
a game. As much as we were a bit of a drinking squad at the time we didn't
abuse it, we didn't go out after a Wednesday.
"You couldn't, because it was your club, your team - you wouldn't disrespect
the club and the supporters in that way. But this night was a function with
our wives in Chigwell, where I lived; Trevor lived in Waltham Abbey.
"After the function, Trevor and his wife came back to our house; we'd had a
couple of beers and they were arguing. After that, she waited in a cab
outside whilst he was finishing a beer in the house. My next-door neighbour
and his wife were there too. Eventually, Trevor and Hege went home
together."
That was the last Bishop saw of his team mate that night - and news of what
had happened upon the couple's return home was broken to him by manager
Billy Bonds the next day after Bish's regular chauffeur at the time - Morley
- failed to collect him for work.
"I was on a driving ban at the time and Trevor was picking me up every
morning," he continued. "I was late for training because he didn't turn up.
When Bill told me [what had happened], it was the first I knew of it.
"Bill said apparently his [Morley's] wife had come home and found us with
two birds - which, considering what the other rumours were, I would have
taken as that would have been a far better story for me! My wife would have
killed me, but luckily enough, she was there at the time..."
It wasn't long before rumours of an alleged relationship between the two
players began to emerge - and soon Bishop and Morley were fending off not
only disgusting abuse from the terraces the length and breadth of the
country, but also the unwelcome advances of the press who sniffed a big
story.
"It was ugly and evil; you know what football fans are like," Bishop
recalled. "We got dogs abuse and I don't think Trevor dealt with it too
well. Obviously he nearly died as well.
"I had the press come to my house offering me tons of money to do a story. I
could have made something up, taken the money and just laughed at them. But
it was at every game we went to.
"Every time we turned up the sports press, who you thought were your
friends, would come up to you and say 'look, the story's going out tomorrow,
do you want to put your side across? Is there anything you'd like us to say
on your behalf?' And I said 'yeah - write the story and I'll sue you'.
"I can talk about it now. The thing was, I was getting abused but I wouldn't
speak because it wasn't my story. It was Trevor's, and what went on in their
house was between him and his wife."
Although he admits that he used to occasionally react to the very worst
abuse - "I showed my arse to the Manchester United fans once, but I got away
with it because I did it really sneakily", he admits - the slurs are
something that have stayed with him ever since.
And despite some 23 years having passed since Morley was hospitalised and
the subsequent false rumours festered, homophobia remains a major issue
within both football (and sport in general, see the recent Olympic
protests).
* To listen to the full interview with Bishop, download the latest episode
of the KUMB.com Podcast.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'I could have moved to West Ham', admits Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba
ahead of Chelsea reunion
Feb 24, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
The Mirror
Didier Drogba could have ended up joining West Ham two years before Chelsea.
Drogba was still a rookie at Guingamp when ex- Hammers boss Glenn Roeder
tried to sign him – and his career would have been very different. "That was
two years before moving to Chelsea, I could have gone there," admitted the
Ivorian. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also tells a story how he could have got
Drogba for around £200,000 before he went to Marseille. But Wenger decided
not to pursue it as he already had Thierry Henry. He added: "I wasn't really
aware of it at the time. I think I spoke about it with my agents at the
time. "That's life, you know, there's a few things, a few decisions that you
make in life take you in a different direction."
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WHUFC.com
West Ham's home meeting with Hull City will now take place on Wednesday 26
March
24.02.2014
West Ham United's home Barclays Premier League clash with Hull City will now
be played on Wednesday 26 March with a 7.45pm kick-off. The game was
originally scheduled for Saturday 8 March but needed to be moved due to
Hull's continued involvement in the FA Cup with Budweiser, which now sees
them take on Sunderland in the competition's quarter-finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bobby Moore OBE 1941-1993
WHUFC.com
West Ham United and England's finest-ever captain Bobby Moore OBE died on
this day 21 years ago
24.02.2014
Bobby Moore OBE, West Ham United's most famous player and England's 1966
World Cup-winning captain, sadly passed away on this day 21 years ago. The
central defender made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers,
scoring 27 goals. Moore was born in Barking on 12 April 1941, making his
debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn
Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a
glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over.
As a West Ham player, Moore lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup
Winners' Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an
unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following
England's 4-2 victory over West Germany.
Moore would go on to star at the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico before
moving to Fulham, for whom he played against the Hammers in the 1975 FA Cup
final. Following his retirement, Moore moved first into management and then
into the world of broadcasting before his life was cut short by cancer in
February 1993. He was just 51.
Fellow Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE recalls Bobby's memory fondly. He
said: "Mooro was an absolute icon. I respected a lot of team-mates and
opponents down the years but he was the only person in my entire career, who
made me feel that way. "He was fantastic to me from the day that I arrived
and I loved him as a player and as a person. Bobby Moore had a presence both
off and on the field. "There was no side to him at all and, having lifted
the World Cup, he'd been the most famous person on the planet on that July
afternoon at Wembley in 1966 but, despite all of that, Bobby wasn't the
slightest bit lairy. Mooro treated everyone the same, no matter who they
were. "Bobby Moore wasn't a particularly good header of the ball and he
wasn't very quick either but, boy, his timing was impeccable. He didn't need
to be good in the air or fast because he could read the game so well - he
always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to nick the ball
off a centre-forward. "And he was just so good at bringing the ball out of
defence and starting attacks, too."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobes lauds perfect February
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was in positive mood after helping West Ham United to four wins
out of four in February
24.02.2014
After a tough start to 2013/14 that saw West Ham United begin the New Year
in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone, the Hammers roared back to
form in February. Sam Allardyce's side won four league games out of four in
the month, scoring nine goals and conceding just one. Over the same period,
West Ham climbed from 18th and two points from safety to tenth, seven points
clear of the bottom three. While the improvement has been a real team
effort, the form of midfielder Mark Noble has been a recognisable highlight
in recent weeks. The No16 played every minute in February, chalking up an
assist for Mohamed Diame in the 2-0 win over Norwich City and making a
team-high 154 passes and 16 tackles over the four matches. Unsurprisingly,
Noble is enjoying the Club's first four-match winning league run since May
2007, when he was part of the team which miraculously avoided relegation by
winning their final four league fixtures. "I was in that run as well, wasn't
I?" he smiled "That's nice. I can't remember it, if I am honest, but
obviously I remember that season. I didn't know that is when we last won
four in a row. "It's a similar situation, really. We were obviously low in
the league, so a draw and four wins in a row is superb. Up until a month ago
I don't even think we had achieved back-to-back wins for two years, and then
we win four in a row. That is just what you get for working hard and taking
your chances."
Many commentators have suggested it was a goalless draw at Chelsea on 29
January - where West Ham repelled 39 shots on their goal - that proved to be
the catalyst for the Hammers' winning run. However, Noble believes the
confidence drawn from the 2-0 win at Cardiff City on 11 January was the real
start of the resurgence. There, West Ham overcame the loss of James Tomkins
to a red card at 1-0, with the midfielder himself scoring a last-gasp
clincher. "To be honest it has been an accumulation of things. We went away
to Cardiff and that was a massive game. We went down to ten men on 70
minutes and we won it 2-0, then we played at home to Newcastle [and llost
3-1]. Then, we went away to Chelsea and defended well and then obviously we
have now won four games in a row. Three of those teams are among the ones
around us and they are the teams you have to beat. "I think the top six or
seven are out of sight and the rest are fighting for places. It has been
enjoyable in the last month. We have come back from Dubai, where we had a
good team-bonding thing out there. We trained and had some free time which
we enjoyed and we have come back and put another win on the board."
Saturday saw Noble at his best yet again, making a team-high 33 passes and
four tackles as West Ham upset a Southampton side which had not lost in the
league since New Year's Day. "Everyone said how good Southampton are," Noble
added. "I think they had taken 19 points away from home already this season.
They came here and we ended up winning 3-1. The confidence is high, it is
five games unbeaten now and we are looking forward to whatever comes our
way."
That 'whatever' is a trip to Everton on Saturday. West Ham's five-match
unbeaten run will no doubt come under threat at Goodison Park, where Everton
have lost just once in 12 home league matches this season. The Toffees also
won 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the Boleyn Ground in September - a game
that saw Noble score before being sent-off for two bookable offences. After
his dismissal, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku netted late goals to send
West Ham spiralling to a disappointing home defeat. However, with confidence
high and striker Andy Carroll available again after a three-match
suspension, Noble says the Hammers have nothing to fear from their trip to
Merseyside. "Yeah. I remember we were 2-1 up and I scored a penalty and I
think there were only ten minutes to go," he recalled. "We always look back
and see that game as what was going wrong with our season in the first half
of it. "Has Baines scored another free kick this season? I don't think he
has. It just seemed like it was all happening to us and we didn't deserve
it. We were getting punished and that is what happens in this league. Now we
are solid and scoring goals it shows what a team we are."
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Reading 0-2 Dev Squad: FT
WHUFC.com
Live text commentary from the Development Squad's match against Reading
24.02.2014
READING v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
CAMROSE GROUND
MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2014
REFEREE: IAN COOPER
KICK-OFF: 7PM
Reading U21 0-2 Development Squad
Full-time: A win for the young Hammers arrives courtesy of a brilliant
Elliot Lee volley and Blair Turgott's tidy finish. A very good team
performance from the Under-21s saw them dominate for long periods with the
hosts struggling to create chances. When they did, Spiegel was in inspired
form making two great saves. A well deserved win is the squad's second in a
row. Get in!
90+2 mins: Whithead tries a long-range spectacular with a half-volley from
just inside the Reading half but doesn't connect cleanly and it goes out for
a goal-kick.
90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time indicated as the Hammers look to
have done enough to earn a second consecutive win.
89 mins: That spell of play just goes to show how small the margins are in
football. Reading come within inches of scoring a late equaliser before
conceding a second less than a minute later. Great entertainment here.
87 mins GOAL: Turgott wraps it up! The winger slams home first time from
Fanimo's centre following a swift counter-attack.
86 mins: The post comes to the rescue as Kelly hits a wonderful long-range
half-volley which had Spiegel beaten before rebounding off the upright. What
an effort!
84 mins: Haycock makes his second change, bringing on Makasi for Lletget. A
good shift from the midfielder tonight who linked up well with Lee up top.
82 mins: What a save! Spiegel produces his second fantastic stop of the
night as he gets down to deny Ugwu from close-range as the forward prodded
powerfully goalward. Super Spiegel to the rescue for the Hammers.
80 mins: Great running from Lee who shrugs off the attentions of Kuhl before
scuffing a shot over the bar. The forward has been full of running tonight
and a menace to the Royals' back four.
78 mins: Tshibola launches a long diagonal looking for Tanner and Fanimo
flicks the ball out for a corner. From the resulting set-piece Burke leaps
to head the ball clear.
76 mins: Reading are probing around the West Ham penalty area but have found
no joy so far today. They'll have to come up with something a bit different
if they want to level things up.
74 mins: Chambers goes off to a good ovation as he's substituted for Burke.
Chambers has been excellent tonight, making a couple of key interceptions as
well as providing composure on the ball at the back for the Hammers.
72 mins: Fanimo just fails to link-up with Lee as he attacks the opposition
box. Close but not quite.
70 mins: A second change of the match for the home side. They take off Keown
and replace him with No 14 Cooper.
68 mins: Signs of life from the Royals who attack down the right with Long
crossing to the centre where Ugwu put his header well wide after stretching
for the ball.
65 mins: Spiegel's been a by-stander for much of the match but the one time
he was called into action he made a terrific stop to keep the scores level.
That may prove to be a crucial moment in this match.
63 mins: Fosu-Henry runs off to be replaced by Kelly as the hosts make their
first change.
61 mins: Fanimo looks to be racing way until the linesman signals he was
offside as he chased Lee's through ball.
59 mins: Chambers makes a great interception to thwart the Reading attack as
he backtracked. It's been a very tidy performance so far from the
centre-back and his partner Potts.
57 mins: The ball breaks to Fanimo who slides it through for Lee. The
striker takes it first time but the 'keeper saves low to his right. Great
chance for the striker to bag his second.
56 mins: A scrappy period of play this with both sides committing fouls as
they search for some rhythm.
54 mins: The Hammers have started the second period on the front foot but
have been unable to carve an opportunity from their possession so far.
51 mins: Professional foul by Whitehead who recieves a talking to for
upending Tshibola as Reading counter-attacked.
49 mins: Knoyle is absolutely clattered as he stops the run of Sweeney whose
momentum flattens the defender. He's on his feet though and should be able
to continue.
48 mins: An early free-kick as Tshibola handles midway inside his own half.
Lee steps up, bouyed by his earlier goal, but sends the ball high into the
stand behind the goal.
46 mins: Reading kick-off the second half looking to claw back the Hammers
who lead thanks to a stunner from Lee.
Half-time: The whistle goes for the end of a competitive first half. The
Hammers have the lead thanks to a brilliant volleyed goal from Elliot Lee
just a couple of minutes before the break. The visitors have enjoyed the
best of the chances so far with Turgott and Lletget also close to opening
the scoring. At half-time the Hammers are good value for their lead.
45 mins: That was a touch of class from Lee who let the ball drop over his
shoulder before firing his volley into the opposite corner. Superb.
43 mins GOAL: What a goal from Lee! The striker does brilliantly to turn a
volley home from a ball into the area. Great strike!
42 mins: The hosts have come into the game after a strong spell from the
Hammers who've performed well so far as we come up to half-time.
41 mins: Whitehead hoists a free-kick into the area where Turgott is unable
to bring the ball down and it rolls out of play.
39 mins: Chambers makes an important interception as Griffin crosses into
the centre.
37 mins: The Royals earn themselves a corner which Tanner takes. Keown meets
it powerfully but Spiegel makes a great diving save before Fanimo is able to
boot the ball clear.
35 mins: Lee's been quiet so far, but has himself a free-kick just outside
the area as he lures the defender into a foul. Fanimo whips it in and Ugwu
is back to make an important headed clearance.
33 mins: Reading have themselves a corner as Page makes a clearance. Tanner
swings it into the box where Turgott clears.
31 mins: Chambers and Turgott play a nice one-two before Turgott has a shot
deflected off for a corner. Fanimo takes and Potts gets up highest to head
straight at Lincoln. The defender is adjudged to have fouled his marker in
the build-up to the chance however.
29 mins: Ugwu turns a long ball into the path of Long who's just unable to
collexct as Chambers gets in to clear.
27 mins: Spiegel is yet to be tested by the Royals who've struggled to cope
with Fanimo and Turgott down the flanks. The Hammers best moments have come
from the two wingers so far.
25 mins: Confusion in the Reading ranks as the keeper and centre-back get in
a muddle. Lincoln clears but only after a back pass which nearly caught him
out.
23 mins: A great piece of play from Chambers sees him dribble the ball past
two players before a Cruyff turn which leaves Ugwu committing a foul on the
defender.
20 mins: A couple of great chances there for the visitors, let's hope they
don't come back to haunt them.
18 mins: So close again! The Hammers are having a purple patch now as
Lletget goes within inches of opening the scoring. The midfielder collects
Whitehead's pass before curling a shot just past the post.
16 mins: Close! A great cross from Fanimo finds Turgott unmarked in the
centre but the winger can only direct his header straight at Lincoln.
14 mins: Chambers does well to cut-out another probing pass destined for
Ugwu and the striker plants a shove in his back, conceding a free-kick in
the process.
12 mins: The home side are growing in confidence and Ugwu is nearly clean
through on goal as he looks to latch onto a through ball. The offside flag
is raised however.
9 mins: Reading enjoy a spell of keep ball amongst their back five before
eventually firing a long ball toward the left which drifts out of play.
7 mins: Turgott lively again as he dances inside onto his right foot and
fires toward goal. His shot is deflected and comfortable for the 'keeper.
6 mins: Turgott races onto Potts' through ball and forces a corner as he
looks to find a teammate in the centre. The winger takes but it's easy for
the home defence.
4 mins: Fanimo's clearance finds Stacey who hits a first-time shot out for a
throw-in. One he'll want to forget.
3 mins: Long combines with Stacey down the Hammers' left and crosses but
it's overhit and flies over the bar.
1 min: Lletget races away immediately from the kick-off and fires a
left-foot shot goalward. His effort has the keeper scrambling but slides
just wide of the post. Great start.
Kick-off: West Ham kick us off at the Camrose Ground, kicking from right to
left into the wind.
6:57pm: Reading in their usual blue and white stripes and West Ham
resplendent in their glorious claret and blue shirts emerge from the tunnel
as we prepare to get under-way in Basingstoke.
6:48pm: The teams head back inside the changing rooms as they prepare to go
head-to-head in this Barclays Under-21 Premier League clash.
6:35pm: There are a fair few spectators who've braved the elements pouring
into the Camrose Ground, with a fair few of those making a trip to the
burger van to my left. The rain has eased slightly and the pitch would seem
to be in perfect condition.
6:21pm: Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and are now into their
pre-match routines. The Hammers will have to play well tonight to earn the
three points against a Reading side who've lost just once in their last five
matches, and scoring two wins in that period.
6:15pm: The tunes are on and the 'keepers are out here in Basingstoke.
Haycock is also out and surveying surroundings at the Skrill South club.
6:00pm: The pitch is in good nick here at the Camrose Ground despite the
heavy rain currently seaping into the turf. We're awaiting the teams to
begin their warm-ups.
Nick Haycock is back in the dug-out tonight as he takes the Development
Squad to the home of Basingstoke Town FC to play Reading. Haycock was in
Dubai with the first team when the Under-21s were last in action, beating
Southampton 1-0 courtesy of a wonder strike from Danny Whitehead. That win
was the young Hammers first of 2014 and they will be hoping to follow it up
with victory against the lowly Royals. The home side occupy 19th place in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League but did score a 2-1 victory against
Arsenal last time out.
A West Ham squad, containing the returning Raphael Spiegel in goal, will
look to secure the three points which would boost their hopes of returning
to the top four in the table. The young Hammers lie sixth in the league
table at present, just one point off fourth placed Liverpool.
West Ham United: Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Potts, Chambers, Turgott,
Cullen, Lee, Lletget, Fanimo
Subs: Burke, Nemrava, Sadlier, Makasi, Brown
Reading: Lincoln, Long, Griffin, Tshibola, Sweeney, Keown, Stacey, Kuhl,
Ugwu, Tanner, Fosu-Henry
Subs: Hyam, Ward, Cooper, Fridjonsson, Kelly
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lucash returns
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 24th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United captain Lucas Neill is back in English football after
signing a short-term contract with Watford. The 35-year-old Australian
international has joined the Championship club for the remainder of the
2013/14 season, subject to international clearance being obtained. Neill
spent just over two years in east London having rejected Liverpool in order
to join the Icelandic revolution in January 2007. He was named club captain
upon the sale of predecessor Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa in July of the
same year. He left West Ham in the summer of 2009 having rejected a one-year
contract extension, said to be worth around half the £70k-per-week
"Magnusson" contract he previously enjoyed. A brief spell at Everton then
followed before Neill moved to Turkey in order to join Galatasaray. After a
year-and-a-half with Gala, Neill moved on to UAE Pro League Club Al Jazira
before being released a year later. Three months at Al Wasl followed - after
which he was effectively fired as the club's lone foreign player. In
February last year the right back returned to Australian where he signed a
short-term deal with the A-League club. Just six months later the
globetrotting Neil was off to Japan, where he signed a four-month deal with
Omiya Ardija. A contract extention was not forthcoming, hence Neill's return
to English football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Mark Noble believes he is playing best football of career
Last Updated: 24/02/14 5:13pm
SSN
Mark Noble believes he is playing the best football of his career and would
love to force his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad. The 26-year-old West
Ham midfielder enjoyed another impressive display at Upton Park on Saturday
when the east Londoners beat Southampton 3-1. And Noble said: "I think I am
playing the best football of my career right now as far as my all-round game
is concerned - winning back the ball and starting us off to play. "I have
probably played as well as I ever have in 90 per cent of the games so far
this season but when you are losing it doesn't show. "To be picked for my
country is my ultimate goal, as it should be with any English player. "The
subject has come up a few times before and people have said when an
international squad is about to be announced, 'you've definitely got a
chance', but it hasn't happened. "All I can do, though, is go out there
every week and in training and try my hardest.
"Roy Hodgson hasn't spoken to me but I will carry on enjoying what I do,
working hard for the team and all being well one day I will get my chance."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Kevin Nolan has repaid club for two red
cards
Last Updated: 24/02/14 5:10pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Kevin Nolan has repaid the club for the
two red cards he received earlier this season. Nolan was sent off in quick
succession against Liverpool and Fulham, meaning he missed a number of key
games as West Ham struggled at the wrong end of the table, and Allardyce
admits the dismissals were 'one of the lowest points of his career' for the
midfielder. However, the former Bolton man has bounced back from that
disappointment and has been instrumental in West Ham's climb up the table
with five goals in four games and Allardyce never doubted Nolan would come
good. "I know his qualities and I like the fact that he's gone about his job
and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened," said
Allardyce.
"It was his lowest point of his career. It wasn't just the one sending off;
it was two in a short period of time, but his contribution since then has
been massive and it is not only in the goals, but also the contribution with
the first goal which was a top quality pass. "Everyone talks about him being
with Andy (Carroll), but Andy hasn't been here for a while, and Kevin's
still feeding off the front men with the balls going in the box, and our
quality in the final third is getting so much better now. "Because it's
getting so much better is the reason why we're winning games of football
now, because we've always been good at defending."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TEN THINGS WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE LAST MONTH
By Iain Dale 24 Feb 2014 at 13:45
West Ham Till I Die
1. Sam Allardyce hasn't lost the dressing room.
2. David Sullivan and David Gold have balls of steel.
3. Adrian has proved to be rather better than we thought in December.
4. We should never have let Carlton Cole leave in May.
5. Ravel Morrison has proved not to be the player we thought he was in
December.
6. Bobby Moore is even prouder of Jonjo Heuerman.
7. Winston Reid has a fight on his hands to get back into the team.
8. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for our comments on Kevin Nolan.
9. Scoring goals is not something confined to other teams.
10. With apologies to Harold Wilson, a month is a very long time in
football.
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Guilty consciences: Why Bobby Moore has become more revered in death than he
ever was in life
Feb 20, 2013 07:301
OPINION BY OLIVERHOLT
The Mirror
Bobby Moore was an idol of mine, too. When he died 20 years ago this
weekend, I took the front page of a national newspaper that commemorated his
passing and stuck it up on my wall. "Bobby Moore," the headline said, "A
True Hero Who'll Never Be Forgotten." I never saw Moore play. I never met
him, either. Of all the people in the game, I wish I could have shaken hands
with but never did, Moore and Bill Shankly top the list. His reputation has
not faded in the two decades that have now passed since he died at the age
of 51 from bowel cancer. Far from it, in fact. His legend has grown and
grown. Initial reactions to a man's death are, typically, uncomplicated by
inconvenient recollections of character flaws. Indeed, in the aftermath of
Moore's tragically early end, the elegies centred on Moore's personal
qualities as much as his football. He was, everyone agreed, 'a perfect
gentleman', 'a perfect pro', 'a great person in every sense'.
The funny thing about Moore is that the intervention of time has done
nothing either to dull or dilute those recollections. His memory has been
cherished with such steadfastness that, if anything, he is regarded as even
more flawless now. Partly, that is because that the vast majority of people
who knew him regarded him with great affection as well as admiration. He was
a popular man, a man's man, one of the chaps, a gentle man possessed of
great generosity of spirit.
But partly, it is because of guilt.
Partly, it is because he was treated like dirt towards the end of his life
and we have been trying desperately to over-compensate for it ever since.
Moore is revered in death but in life he was shunned by almost every part of
the football establishment. He found work at Capital Radio in the end,
driving to matches with his mate, the commentator Jonathan Pearce. Still, we
have never forgiven ourselves for his banishment. The greatest sporting hero
we ever had was treated pretty much like a pariah. It's different now. At
Wembley, before England's match against Brazil earlier this month, a slogan
on the big screen encouraging donations to the bowel cancer charity set up
in his name urged us to 'Make Bobby Proud'. 1970 World Cup Finals,
Guadalajara, Mexico 7th June, 1970, England 0 v Brazil 1, Bobby Moore and
Pele embrace after a fantastic personal dual throughout the match1970 World
Cup Finals, Guadalajara, Mexico 7th June, 1970, England 0 v Brazil 1, Bobby
Moore and Pele embrace after a fantastic personal dual throughout the match
It was an interesting, cleverly-devised message that played on the idea of
Moore as a benevolent force we must seek to please. There's a stand named
after him at Upton Park, of course, and a lovely statue with a fine
inscription outside Wembley. Fans will gather there on the anniversary of
his death on Sunday before the Capital One Cup Final to gaze up at the
likeness of England's World Cup winning skipper.
More tributes will be paid to him and we will mourn afresh for the time when
England's place in the football world was still a matter of pride.
Sometimes, it feels as though Moore's memory has become a giant stick used
to beat the ingrates of the current footballing generation. He was perfect
on and off the pitch, he tackled Pele in full flow, he wiped his hands
before he took the World Cup from our young Queen. How could anyone ever
match that? Some use his memory to portray the current generation of players
as an embarrassment to the game. They use their behaviour on and off the
pitch as evidence and talk as if Moore belonged to a different species. That
ignores inconvenient truths like the fact that the current England squad
have made generous donations to the Bobby Moore Fund. It ignores the fact
that many of our current players, men like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and
others, play the game with the same commitment to excellence Moore had. And,
most importantly of all, it ignores the fact that part of the reason Moore
was revered was precisely because he was one of the lads. He wasn't some
remote, haughty, buttoned-up skipper. He liked a drink. He loved a night
out. And to mock those who have followed him, to say that they are somehow
not worthy, is to ignore the lessons we are supposed to have learned when we
shunned him. I see Moore's legacy everywhere now. I saw it when I went to a
corporate evening at The Emirates recently and Charlie George gave us a
stadium tour. I see it when I read of the delight of Manchester United fans
who have been entertained on match days by a talk from Norman Whiteside. I
see it when I watch an interview with Didi Hamann on Liverpool's website.
And I see it in the determination, doomed or otherwise, to try to save Paul
Gascoigne from himself.
Footballers and ex-footballers deserve our respect and our gratitude for the
entertainment they have given us. The guilt we feel about the way we treated
the great Bobby Moore taught us that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In memory: St George's flag to fly at half mast at Wembley on Sunday for
Bobby Moore
Feb 21, 2013 17:05 By Mirror Football
The Mirror
The flag of St George will fly at half mast at Wembley this Sunday as a mark
of respect to England's only World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore. Bradford
are taking on Swansea in the Capital One Cup final and it will be exactly 20
years since the death of Moore from liver and colon cancer, aged just 51.
Earlier this month, FA chairman David Bernstein handed over a £25,000 cheque
to the Bobby Moore Fund, with England skipper Steven Gerrard confirming the
players would match that donation. In addition, the FA promoted 'text to
donate' messages around the stadium during England's friendly win over
Brazil - a policy they have pledged to repeat at future England home games,
in addition to the FA Cup semi-finals and final later this season. The most
prestigious section of Club Wembley has been named the Bobby Moore Club, an
association that entitles the BMF, amongst other things, to host an annual
match at Wembley to generate additional funds. Moore's first wife Tina and
daughter Roberta were invited to Wembley this week by FA director of
football development Sir Trevor Brooking ahead of Sunday's anniversary.
"Bobby's contribution to football and history has sadly only been recognised
after his premature death," said Brooking. "He was an astonishing
footballer, but also a great man and an important footballing friend to me
in my early days." Former West Ham and England team-mate Sir Geoff Hurst
added: "Bobby Moore was a great player, a great leader and a great
friend."He was loved and respected by all who played with him and by all who
watched him perform."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bishop: the truth about Morley
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 25th February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Former West Ham United star Ian Bishop has revealed the full details of what
really happened on the infamous night that team mate Trevor Morley was
stabbed.
In March 1991, the news that Morley was critically ill in hospital having
been wounded in a domestic incident shook West Ham. The striker's Norwegian
wife Hege was held responsible, although the reasons for the dispute were
unclear.
Shortly after the incident occurred two main rumours regarding the source of
Mrs Morley's fury emerged. Firstly it was claimed that that Morley and team
mate Bishop had been caught with two women in a compromising position by
Hege - but secondly, and with far wider consequences for the two players'
careers, that no women had been involved in the liaison.
The latter rumour - that the two friends and team mates were involved in a
gay relationship - is a falsehood that pervades to this day. It is an
allegation that Bishop, speaking exclusively in the latest episode of the
KUMB.com Podcast, calls "evil" - and a record he was keen to finally set
straight.
Taking up the story, Bishop, 48 - who now resides in the United States -
said: "We were at a function for Tony Gale in Chigwell and we shouldn't have
been because it was two nights before a game. But we did it for Galey.
"We thought 'we won't drink too much', because you're not allowed to before
a game. As much as we were a bit of a drinking squad at the time we didn't
abuse it, we didn't go out after a Wednesday.
"You couldn't, because it was your club, your team - you wouldn't disrespect
the club and the supporters in that way. But this night was a function with
our wives in Chigwell, where I lived; Trevor lived in Waltham Abbey.
"After the function, Trevor and his wife came back to our house; we'd had a
couple of beers and they were arguing. After that, she waited in a cab
outside whilst he was finishing a beer in the house. My next-door neighbour
and his wife were there too. Eventually, Trevor and Hege went home
together."
That was the last Bishop saw of his team mate that night - and news of what
had happened upon the couple's return home was broken to him by manager
Billy Bonds the next day after Bish's regular chauffeur at the time - Morley
- failed to collect him for work.
"I was on a driving ban at the time and Trevor was picking me up every
morning," he continued. "I was late for training because he didn't turn up.
When Bill told me [what had happened], it was the first I knew of it.
"Bill said apparently his [Morley's] wife had come home and found us with
two birds - which, considering what the other rumours were, I would have
taken as that would have been a far better story for me! My wife would have
killed me, but luckily enough, she was there at the time..."
It wasn't long before rumours of an alleged relationship between the two
players began to emerge - and soon Bishop and Morley were fending off not
only disgusting abuse from the terraces the length and breadth of the
country, but also the unwelcome advances of the press who sniffed a big
story.
"It was ugly and evil; you know what football fans are like," Bishop
recalled. "We got dogs abuse and I don't think Trevor dealt with it too
well. Obviously he nearly died as well.
"I had the press come to my house offering me tons of money to do a story. I
could have made something up, taken the money and just laughed at them. But
it was at every game we went to.
"Every time we turned up the sports press, who you thought were your
friends, would come up to you and say 'look, the story's going out tomorrow,
do you want to put your side across? Is there anything you'd like us to say
on your behalf?' And I said 'yeah - write the story and I'll sue you'.
"I can talk about it now. The thing was, I was getting abused but I wouldn't
speak because it wasn't my story. It was Trevor's, and what went on in their
house was between him and his wife."
Although he admits that he used to occasionally react to the very worst
abuse - "I showed my arse to the Manchester United fans once, but I got away
with it because I did it really sneakily", he admits - the slurs are
something that have stayed with him ever since.
And despite some 23 years having passed since Morley was hospitalised and
the subsequent false rumours festered, homophobia remains a major issue
within both football (and sport in general, see the recent Olympic
protests).
* To listen to the full interview with Bishop, download the latest episode
of the KUMB.com Podcast.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'I could have moved to West Ham', admits Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba
ahead of Chelsea reunion
Feb 24, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
The Mirror
Didier Drogba could have ended up joining West Ham two years before Chelsea.
Drogba was still a rookie at Guingamp when ex- Hammers boss Glenn Roeder
tried to sign him – and his career would have been very different. "That was
two years before moving to Chelsea, I could have gone there," admitted the
Ivorian. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also tells a story how he could have got
Drogba for around £200,000 before he went to Marseille. But Wenger decided
not to pursue it as he already had Thierry Henry. He added: "I wasn't really
aware of it at the time. I think I spoke about it with my agents at the
time. "That's life, you know, there's a few things, a few decisions that you
make in life take you in a different direction."
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Monday, February 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th February 2014
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased to see the goals shared around his squad during
Saturday's 3-1 win against Southampton
23.02.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with the team effort
that secured his team's fourth consecutive win in the Barclays Premier
League against Southampton at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Big Sam was
left praising the contribution from all members of his team after goals from
Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole and captain Kevin Nolan fired the Hammers to a 3-1
victory against the Saints. The east Londoners have now gone five games
without defeat since a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on 29 January and Allardyce
was delighted that goals are starting to come from all areas of the team.
"It's always about sharing goals around the team and if you share the right
amount of goals it gets you into the right position in the league," he
explained. "One thing we've turned around and why we're doing so well at the
moment is that we've stopped, apart from Saturday, conceding from set-plays.
"In the last eight or ten games we've started scoring some goals from
set-plays and open play and kept clean sheets once we've had our defence
back together. That was always a recipe for winning football matches. "The
quality of our front play and our final third play is key now. We're
resilient defensively but our final third play is getting much, much better
now and of course our finishing is in a top-ten position in terms of the
chances that we're turning into goals."
Before the team's current run of four wins from five games, the Hammers
occupied a place in the relegation zone. After Saturday's victory against
the Saints, Allardyce's side moved up to tenth in the Premier League and the
manager believes that the battling performance at Stamford Bridge was a
turning point for his side. "When you go to a Chelsea when you've been
struggling away from home, and you see a performance where you put your body
on the line and do whatever you need to do to stop the opposition scoring
and you come out of there with a point, then you can build from there. "That
started it, then when you win against Swansea with ten men it lifts
everybody. The new players that have come in all have a small factor in
building everybody's confidence, even though the new guys haven't played
very much. "It also adds pressure in terms of challenging for places which
is always a very healthy position. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon and
it's not where you are after five, ten, 15 or 20 games, it's where you are
after 38 games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's loanees were in action in England and Scotland on Saturday
23.02.2014
West Ham United's loanees were in action on Saturday. Ravel Morrison made
his Queens Park Rangers debut by playing the full 90 minutes at Charlton
Athletic, but could not prevent Harry Redknapp's side falling to a 1-0
defeat at The Valley. Fellow Hammers loanee Modibo Maiga was introduced as a
70th-minute substitute for the Hoops, who sit fourth in the table, seven
points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
In League One, Jordan Spence played the full game for MK Dons, who are ninth
after a 1-0 defeat at Bradford City.
North of the border, Paul McCallum played the opening 52 minutes for Heart
of MIdlothian in their 2-0 Scottish Premiership defeat by leaders Celtic at
Tynecastle. The game was goalless when McCallum was replaced.
At Partick Thistle, George Moncur was an unused substitute for a shock 3-1
home win over second-place Aberdeen.
Sean Maguire will hope to make his Sligo Rovers debut in the League of
Ireland Premier Division side's Setanta Sports Cup opener at Northern Irish
club
Crusaders on Monday evening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brayley back at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
FA Youth Cup winner Bertie Brayley is fast becoming a Boleyn Ground regular
once more
23.02.2014
There was a familiar face back at the Boleyn Ground this week as West Ham
United Academy graduate Bertie Brayley popped in to reacquaint himself with
some old friends. Currently plying his trade with Chelmsford City of the
Conference South, 32-year-old Brayley was once a pivotal figure in the
famous FA Youth Cup-winning side of 1999. Alongside the likes of Michael
Carrick, Joe Cole and Stephen Bywater, Brayley netted three times in an
astonishing 9-0 aggregate win over Coventry City in the final. Incidentally,
it is only in recent weeks that Brayley has returned to the Boleyn Ground,
with almost four years having passed since he turned out for the testimonial
of Academy Director Tony Carr MBE. But with his son now firmly Claret and
Blue and the Hammers flying, Brayley is hardly about to stop now. "I've
brought my son to the last few home games and West Ham keep winning, so
we're going to keep coming," he told West Ham TV. "To be fair, I did give
him the choice of who to support, but there was only one team for him. "The
Club's doing really well at the moment. It's nice for the fans, because it
had been a bit of a slow start this season but we've turned that corner now
and things are going right at the moment, so it's all good."
While some 15 years have passed since Brayley lifted the FA Youth Cup, the
Basildon-born Hammer still regards that triumph as one of his finest hours.
He continued: "It was a great experience. It was great playing in front of a
full house at the Boleyn Ground. I scored at both ends in that game, so
walking back around brings back some nice memories. "It was a special group
that year, every single boy, and they were all very good players. It was a
great experience and probably one of the best of my life. "It really is
lovely to see people like Joe [Cole] and Michael [Carrick] win the Champions
League and trophies like that. I'm proud of them and it's good to say that I
was once alongside them."
With the Hammers' U18s currently top of the Barclays U18 Premier League, the
Academy is still as potent a force as ever and Brayley paid tribute to
long-serving director Carr. "The Academy has always been very good and I was
fortunate to be in one of the best youth sides that West Ham's ever had," he
explained. Above that you had Rio [Ferdinand] and Frank [Lampard], who were
two, three years older than us. "It was a good time to be at the Club and
it will always have a name for that [youth development]. Tony Carr has done
a fantastic job here over the years, so it's down to him."
In fact, 1998/99 was a fine season all round for the Hammers, with Harry
Redknapp leading his seniors to fifth in the top flight and subsequently
into the then UEFA Cup. For all the success on the pitch, Brayley was just
as thrilled to rub shoulders with some household names. "You had players
like Ian Wright, John Hartson and Razor [Neil Ruddock], some real
characters. The special thing for me was being lucky enough to get up every
morning, not have to go into work, go to training and mix with those sort of
characters, Paolo Di Canio and people like that, it was amazing. When you're
living it you don't realise how lucky you are. "I would go in the old gym at
Chadwell Heath with Wright in the mornings and we used to play two-touch
against the wall. Just little things like that. Everything about it, it was
just fantastic."
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U18s go top of the table
WHUFC.com
West Ham United went top of the Barclays U18 Premier League following a 2-0
win at leaders Fulham
23.02.2014
West Ham United went top of the Barclays U18 Premier League following a 2-0
win at leaders Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers made it five wins in a row
and nine in ten league matches with a deserved victory at Motspur Park.
Jordan Brown continued his impressive recent run of form with the opening
goal before half-time. Bermuda-born winger Djair Parfitt-Williams (pictured)
then added a second on the hour-mark to complete a fine day's work for Steve
Potts' side. West Ham have lost just one of their previous 16 league matches
and now sit three points clear of Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, whose
Saturday fixture with Arsenal was postponed.
After a free weekend, the Hammers return to action on Saturday 8 March, when
they travel to London Colney to take on Arsenal.
U18s: Howes, Pask (Gordon 60, Bailey 89), Harney, Onariase, Burke, Nasha,
Makasi, Diangana (Amoo 46), Bywater, Parfitt-Williams, J.Brown
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers going down under?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United could be off to New Zealand this summer for at least two
pre-season friendlies. West Ham, who have never previously visited New
Zealand could be set for a summer trip to the country, from where West Ham's
central defender Winston Reid's hails. That's according to Wellington
Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia, whose side are hoping to play host the Hammers
this summer. Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Tony Veitch, Lia
said: "If it does [come off] it's great for us, it's great for the game in
New Zealand. Just think back about seven years ago when LA Galaxy came to
Wellington and how football mad the town was." Wellington Phoenix are
currently seventh in the ten-team Hyundai A-League, the top tier of New
Zealand football.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce expects Kevin Nolan to miss out on an England
call-up
Last Updated: 23/02/14 3:21pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Kevin Nolan will be overlooked by
England, despite his fine recent form for the club. Nolan has played a key
role in the Hammers' recent surge up the table and the midfielder netted his
fifth goal in as many games in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton. England
assistant Ray Lewington was keeping a close eye on Southampton's World Cup
hopefuls at Upton Park, but Nolan outshone the likes of Adam Lallana and Jay
Rodriguez.
Allarcyce is delighted with Nolan's response since a costly sending-off
against Fulham, but fears the 31-year-old's chance of an England place has
passed him by. "He has had a lot of times that he has knocked on the door
and I don't think that's going to make much difference for him now," he said
ahead of Thursday's squad announcement for the friendly with Denmark. "It
would be nice if he did, but it is just about Kevin continuing where he is
now. "He is in his thirties now so he has got to continue his career as long
as he possible can by doing what he has always done and that is score goals.
"Apart from a short spell out in the Championship with Newcastle, he has
scored goals every single season he has played at a very, very high level
for a midfield player. "There are very, very few players better than him at
scoring goals from midfield."
Saints have not been short of goals this season, but Allardyce feels his own
side has a potent attacking line-up. "We all know how much praise has been
heaped on Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana about the goals
they've scored and the way they've scored them," Allardyce said. "But it's
our lads up front - it's Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis and their
quality which has outshone Southampton. "That's the reason why we've won
3-1, because we all know how good we are at defending. "We had a big
disappointment after just a few minutes when we gave away a free-kick and
lost a goal, but in the end it's an outstanding victory."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE MONTH WEST HAM BOUNCED BACK!
By Tony Hanna 23 Feb 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
Back on the 1st of February things were not looking great for West Ham. We
had 22 points from 24 matches, were lying 3rd last and the two teams above
us had a game in hand. Aston Villa were in 10th spot in a very congested
league table and some five points ahead of us - things were looking grim and
relegation was not just a possibility but a probability. Out of the bottom
nine clubs, six had changed manager this season and the calls were out for
the Hammers to do the same and become the seventh. Despite a gruesome injury
list for much of this season, surely even the return of Andy Carroll and
Winston Reid would not be enough to turn our fortunes around? Was Big Sam's
time up?
Forward 23 days and can we stop pinching ourselves? The month of February
2014 can be etched with the stats of four wins in succession and four
without conceding if you include the 0-0 at Chelsea on the 29th January.
Here we are three weeks later in 10th position and some seven points clear
of Sunderland who are now where we were some 3 weeks ago - 3rd last! The
first of the four wins came against Swansea and the euphoria of winning only
our 3rd game at home of the season was soured by the sending off of Andy
Carroll who had been unplayable on the day. The decision by referee Howard
Webb was a tough one to take, especially with the theatrics of Chico Flores
who was apparently the victim of a careless arm across his hair bun. West
Ham threatened to go to the High Court initially in their attempts to get a
3 games suspension over ruled but in the end walked away with a new panel
review only, that was never going to reverse a flawed system. We had three
games left in the month that were winnable if we were at our best, but
without Andy it just looked like the football gods were against us.
What has followed since has been unbelievable when considering our previous
form this season. Two more successive 2-0 wins away to Villa and at home to
Norwich and this weekends 3-1 victory over Southampton now sees Sam
Allardyce ready to accept the poisoned chalice of "Manager of the Month"!
However, before we start getting too comfortable we must realise one bad
month can be just as devastating as one good one. On the 1st February, Stoke
and Sunderland were sitting OK in 11th and 14th respectively and now both
find themselves in the mire. We must keep our foot on the pedal with a very
tough finish to the fixture list. In our last eleven games of the season I
can only see the bookies chalking us up as favourites for two of the
remaining games - home to Palace and Hull.
So, what was the changing point to our season? There are many variables and
perhaps there are several reasons? What most of us thought a month ago was
that the return of Carroll and Reid would hopefully be the catalyst of
changing fortunes. Both have had very little play time so it surely can't be
that. Was Ravel a bad influence on the squad - there did seem times when
playing colleagues were getting frustrated with him on the pitch. Did Andy's
seemingly unfair dismissal provoke a backs to the wall attitude from the
players - Sam says no and surely the massive attitude we saw away at Chelsea
a few days before that incident would suggest not either. Is it the fact we
now have Tomkins and Collins in career best form, together with the attitude
and performances of Adrian our "new keeper" that has seen the tide turn? Or
perhaps that Kevin Nolan has bounced back from his dual sending's off and
found his desire and scoring touch again. Or perhaps it is the much maligned
Matty Taylor in a midfield role where his work rate and contribution has
added a new steel. Or was it the performance to grind out a magnificent
point at Chelsea that made the players believe once again?
Whatever the reason I am sure Sam has a stat for it. For me it is a
combination of all of the above but a big factor must also rest on the fact
that our injury list is now manageable and the key is we have been able to
send the same side out in successive weeks. When Winston Reid can't get in
the run on side at the moment you know things must be going well!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's sprint away from relegation zone shows I was right to sacrifice
Cups says Sam Allardyce
Feb 23, 2014 22:30 By Hector Nunns
The Mirror
After crushing defeats in the cups and deep in the relegation mire, an
under-pressure Sam Allardyce was backed by United owners David Gold and
David Sullivan in January. A glance at the table shows five out of the
bottom six have opted to sack their manager, but it is the resurgent Hammers
who can now boast four consecutive league wins after Saturday's 3-1 victory
over Southampton. The turnarounds for the club, its manager and talismanic
captain Kevin Nolan, after the disgrace of his two red cards at the turn of
the year, have been astonishing. And Allardyce, now feted but pilloried just
weeks ago, believes decisions such as his controversial team -selection at
Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup have been shown to be correct. He said: "The
worst week was when we lost to Forest [5-0] and then [6-0 to] Manchester
City. But that was in the cups, so it proves my point again, doesn't it?
That's why I'm good at what I do, isn't it? "The cup is not the material
thing, the Premier League is - for everybody apart from the top four. They
need to win the Premier League and get into the -Champions League, everybody
else needs to stay in the Premier League first and go for other things after
that. "I don't need to feel vindicated, I'm just doing my job properly. It's
not a sprint, it's a marathon. It's not where you are in the league after
five, 10, 20 games, it's where you are after 38. "Unfortunately, patience
has long gone in the game today. I could get sacked just by new owners
coming in. "You have just got to do your job and get results for that club.
And if you can do what your club's philosophy is, then you should be OK. The
owners have picked you to do that." Nolan's redemption also appears
complete, after his sending-off at Fulham on New Year's Day triggered a
frank exchange with Allardyce and work with the club psychologist .
Christopher LeeFebruary 22: Smiles all round at Upton Park over a fourth
league win in a row After West Ham fell behind to Maya Yoshida's early
header, Nolan made the -equaliser for Matt Jarvis, a first league goal of
the season. And then, after Carlton Cole put the home side ahead, Nolan fed
on the striker's knockdown, acrobatically hooking in his fifth goal in four
matches. Jarvis said: "Kevin has really turned things around, it shows
exactly what a character and leader he is. His goals have been sensational
and really kicked us up the table. It was a bit of us helping pick him up
and him doing it for himself. He is very mentally strong."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MORRISON WATCH: Midfielder angers QPR fans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 23, 2014 in News Agenda
Claret&hughinfo.com
Ravel Morrison found more trouble on his first game for Queens Park Rangers
at Charlton over the weekend. The on loan West Ham midfielder left the
travelling Rangers fans incensed with a lack-lustre display following by a
petulant reaction at the end. He stalked off after the late 1-0 defeat
without acknowledging the fans who had travelled to the New Valley. And that
brought a frosty response from club sources who preferred to remain
anonymous with one declaring: "We all know his reputation but we didn't
expect that - there's a lack of class involved in that isn't there?
"Applauding the fans at the end of a disappointing display - or at any time
- is the very least we should expect."
Morrison's mood may not have been helped by missing two simple chances to
put the game beyond recall before Johnnie Jackson's late smash and grab raid
gave Chartotn the points. He had sidefooted wide of an open goal before
placing an even better chance gently into goalkeeper Yohann Thuram's arms
from point blank range. QPR boss Harry Redknapp had believed Morrison could
be the key to his problems after a shocking February which sees them
win-less and with a single points from their efforts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was pleased to see the goals shared around his squad during
Saturday's 3-1 win against Southampton
23.02.2014
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with the team effort
that secured his team's fourth consecutive win in the Barclays Premier
League against Southampton at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Big Sam was
left praising the contribution from all members of his team after goals from
Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole and captain Kevin Nolan fired the Hammers to a 3-1
victory against the Saints. The east Londoners have now gone five games
without defeat since a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on 29 January and Allardyce
was delighted that goals are starting to come from all areas of the team.
"It's always about sharing goals around the team and if you share the right
amount of goals it gets you into the right position in the league," he
explained. "One thing we've turned around and why we're doing so well at the
moment is that we've stopped, apart from Saturday, conceding from set-plays.
"In the last eight or ten games we've started scoring some goals from
set-plays and open play and kept clean sheets once we've had our defence
back together. That was always a recipe for winning football matches. "The
quality of our front play and our final third play is key now. We're
resilient defensively but our final third play is getting much, much better
now and of course our finishing is in a top-ten position in terms of the
chances that we're turning into goals."
Before the team's current run of four wins from five games, the Hammers
occupied a place in the relegation zone. After Saturday's victory against
the Saints, Allardyce's side moved up to tenth in the Premier League and the
manager believes that the battling performance at Stamford Bridge was a
turning point for his side. "When you go to a Chelsea when you've been
struggling away from home, and you see a performance where you put your body
on the line and do whatever you need to do to stop the opposition scoring
and you come out of there with a point, then you can build from there. "That
started it, then when you win against Swansea with ten men it lifts
everybody. The new players that have come in all have a small factor in
building everybody's confidence, even though the new guys haven't played
very much. "It also adds pressure in terms of challenging for places which
is always a very healthy position. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon and
it's not where you are after five, ten, 15 or 20 games, it's where you are
after 38 games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's loanees were in action in England and Scotland on Saturday
23.02.2014
West Ham United's loanees were in action on Saturday. Ravel Morrison made
his Queens Park Rangers debut by playing the full 90 minutes at Charlton
Athletic, but could not prevent Harry Redknapp's side falling to a 1-0
defeat at The Valley. Fellow Hammers loanee Modibo Maiga was introduced as a
70th-minute substitute for the Hoops, who sit fourth in the table, seven
points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
In League One, Jordan Spence played the full game for MK Dons, who are ninth
after a 1-0 defeat at Bradford City.
North of the border, Paul McCallum played the opening 52 minutes for Heart
of MIdlothian in their 2-0 Scottish Premiership defeat by leaders Celtic at
Tynecastle. The game was goalless when McCallum was replaced.
At Partick Thistle, George Moncur was an unused substitute for a shock 3-1
home win over second-place Aberdeen.
Sean Maguire will hope to make his Sligo Rovers debut in the League of
Ireland Premier Division side's Setanta Sports Cup opener at Northern Irish
club
Crusaders on Monday evening.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brayley back at the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
FA Youth Cup winner Bertie Brayley is fast becoming a Boleyn Ground regular
once more
23.02.2014
There was a familiar face back at the Boleyn Ground this week as West Ham
United Academy graduate Bertie Brayley popped in to reacquaint himself with
some old friends. Currently plying his trade with Chelmsford City of the
Conference South, 32-year-old Brayley was once a pivotal figure in the
famous FA Youth Cup-winning side of 1999. Alongside the likes of Michael
Carrick, Joe Cole and Stephen Bywater, Brayley netted three times in an
astonishing 9-0 aggregate win over Coventry City in the final. Incidentally,
it is only in recent weeks that Brayley has returned to the Boleyn Ground,
with almost four years having passed since he turned out for the testimonial
of Academy Director Tony Carr MBE. But with his son now firmly Claret and
Blue and the Hammers flying, Brayley is hardly about to stop now. "I've
brought my son to the last few home games and West Ham keep winning, so
we're going to keep coming," he told West Ham TV. "To be fair, I did give
him the choice of who to support, but there was only one team for him. "The
Club's doing really well at the moment. It's nice for the fans, because it
had been a bit of a slow start this season but we've turned that corner now
and things are going right at the moment, so it's all good."
While some 15 years have passed since Brayley lifted the FA Youth Cup, the
Basildon-born Hammer still regards that triumph as one of his finest hours.
He continued: "It was a great experience. It was great playing in front of a
full house at the Boleyn Ground. I scored at both ends in that game, so
walking back around brings back some nice memories. "It was a special group
that year, every single boy, and they were all very good players. It was a
great experience and probably one of the best of my life. "It really is
lovely to see people like Joe [Cole] and Michael [Carrick] win the Champions
League and trophies like that. I'm proud of them and it's good to say that I
was once alongside them."
With the Hammers' U18s currently top of the Barclays U18 Premier League, the
Academy is still as potent a force as ever and Brayley paid tribute to
long-serving director Carr. "The Academy has always been very good and I was
fortunate to be in one of the best youth sides that West Ham's ever had," he
explained. Above that you had Rio [Ferdinand] and Frank [Lampard], who were
two, three years older than us. "It was a good time to be at the Club and
it will always have a name for that [youth development]. Tony Carr has done
a fantastic job here over the years, so it's down to him."
In fact, 1998/99 was a fine season all round for the Hammers, with Harry
Redknapp leading his seniors to fifth in the top flight and subsequently
into the then UEFA Cup. For all the success on the pitch, Brayley was just
as thrilled to rub shoulders with some household names. "You had players
like Ian Wright, John Hartson and Razor [Neil Ruddock], some real
characters. The special thing for me was being lucky enough to get up every
morning, not have to go into work, go to training and mix with those sort of
characters, Paolo Di Canio and people like that, it was amazing. When you're
living it you don't realise how lucky you are. "I would go in the old gym at
Chadwell Heath with Wright in the mornings and we used to play two-touch
against the wall. Just little things like that. Everything about it, it was
just fantastic."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s go top of the table
WHUFC.com
West Ham United went top of the Barclays U18 Premier League following a 2-0
win at leaders Fulham
23.02.2014
West Ham United went top of the Barclays U18 Premier League following a 2-0
win at leaders Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers made it five wins in a row
and nine in ten league matches with a deserved victory at Motspur Park.
Jordan Brown continued his impressive recent run of form with the opening
goal before half-time. Bermuda-born winger Djair Parfitt-Williams (pictured)
then added a second on the hour-mark to complete a fine day's work for Steve
Potts' side. West Ham have lost just one of their previous 16 league matches
and now sit three points clear of Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, whose
Saturday fixture with Arsenal was postponed.
After a free weekend, the Hammers return to action on Saturday 8 March, when
they travel to London Colney to take on Arsenal.
U18s: Howes, Pask (Gordon 60, Bailey 89), Harney, Onariase, Burke, Nasha,
Makasi, Diangana (Amoo 46), Bywater, Parfitt-Williams, J.Brown
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers going down under?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United could be off to New Zealand this summer for at least two
pre-season friendlies. West Ham, who have never previously visited New
Zealand could be set for a summer trip to the country, from where West Ham's
central defender Winston Reid's hails. That's according to Wellington
Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia, whose side are hoping to play host the Hammers
this summer. Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Tony Veitch, Lia
said: "If it does [come off] it's great for us, it's great for the game in
New Zealand. Just think back about seven years ago when LA Galaxy came to
Wellington and how football mad the town was." Wellington Phoenix are
currently seventh in the ten-team Hyundai A-League, the top tier of New
Zealand football.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce expects Kevin Nolan to miss out on an England
call-up
Last Updated: 23/02/14 3:21pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Kevin Nolan will be overlooked by
England, despite his fine recent form for the club. Nolan has played a key
role in the Hammers' recent surge up the table and the midfielder netted his
fifth goal in as many games in Saturday's 3-1 win over Southampton. England
assistant Ray Lewington was keeping a close eye on Southampton's World Cup
hopefuls at Upton Park, but Nolan outshone the likes of Adam Lallana and Jay
Rodriguez.
Allarcyce is delighted with Nolan's response since a costly sending-off
against Fulham, but fears the 31-year-old's chance of an England place has
passed him by. "He has had a lot of times that he has knocked on the door
and I don't think that's going to make much difference for him now," he said
ahead of Thursday's squad announcement for the friendly with Denmark. "It
would be nice if he did, but it is just about Kevin continuing where he is
now. "He is in his thirties now so he has got to continue his career as long
as he possible can by doing what he has always done and that is score goals.
"Apart from a short spell out in the Championship with Newcastle, he has
scored goals every single season he has played at a very, very high level
for a midfield player. "There are very, very few players better than him at
scoring goals from midfield."
Saints have not been short of goals this season, but Allardyce feels his own
side has a potent attacking line-up. "We all know how much praise has been
heaped on Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana about the goals
they've scored and the way they've scored them," Allardyce said. "But it's
our lads up front - it's Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis and their
quality which has outshone Southampton. "That's the reason why we've won
3-1, because we all know how good we are at defending. "We had a big
disappointment after just a few minutes when we gave away a free-kick and
lost a goal, but in the end it's an outstanding victory."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THE MONTH WEST HAM BOUNCED BACK!
By Tony Hanna 23 Feb 2014 at 18:00
West Ham Till I Die
Back on the 1st of February things were not looking great for West Ham. We
had 22 points from 24 matches, were lying 3rd last and the two teams above
us had a game in hand. Aston Villa were in 10th spot in a very congested
league table and some five points ahead of us - things were looking grim and
relegation was not just a possibility but a probability. Out of the bottom
nine clubs, six had changed manager this season and the calls were out for
the Hammers to do the same and become the seventh. Despite a gruesome injury
list for much of this season, surely even the return of Andy Carroll and
Winston Reid would not be enough to turn our fortunes around? Was Big Sam's
time up?
Forward 23 days and can we stop pinching ourselves? The month of February
2014 can be etched with the stats of four wins in succession and four
without conceding if you include the 0-0 at Chelsea on the 29th January.
Here we are three weeks later in 10th position and some seven points clear
of Sunderland who are now where we were some 3 weeks ago - 3rd last! The
first of the four wins came against Swansea and the euphoria of winning only
our 3rd game at home of the season was soured by the sending off of Andy
Carroll who had been unplayable on the day. The decision by referee Howard
Webb was a tough one to take, especially with the theatrics of Chico Flores
who was apparently the victim of a careless arm across his hair bun. West
Ham threatened to go to the High Court initially in their attempts to get a
3 games suspension over ruled but in the end walked away with a new panel
review only, that was never going to reverse a flawed system. We had three
games left in the month that were winnable if we were at our best, but
without Andy it just looked like the football gods were against us.
What has followed since has been unbelievable when considering our previous
form this season. Two more successive 2-0 wins away to Villa and at home to
Norwich and this weekends 3-1 victory over Southampton now sees Sam
Allardyce ready to accept the poisoned chalice of "Manager of the Month"!
However, before we start getting too comfortable we must realise one bad
month can be just as devastating as one good one. On the 1st February, Stoke
and Sunderland were sitting OK in 11th and 14th respectively and now both
find themselves in the mire. We must keep our foot on the pedal with a very
tough finish to the fixture list. In our last eleven games of the season I
can only see the bookies chalking us up as favourites for two of the
remaining games - home to Palace and Hull.
So, what was the changing point to our season? There are many variables and
perhaps there are several reasons? What most of us thought a month ago was
that the return of Carroll and Reid would hopefully be the catalyst of
changing fortunes. Both have had very little play time so it surely can't be
that. Was Ravel a bad influence on the squad - there did seem times when
playing colleagues were getting frustrated with him on the pitch. Did Andy's
seemingly unfair dismissal provoke a backs to the wall attitude from the
players - Sam says no and surely the massive attitude we saw away at Chelsea
a few days before that incident would suggest not either. Is it the fact we
now have Tomkins and Collins in career best form, together with the attitude
and performances of Adrian our "new keeper" that has seen the tide turn? Or
perhaps that Kevin Nolan has bounced back from his dual sending's off and
found his desire and scoring touch again. Or perhaps it is the much maligned
Matty Taylor in a midfield role where his work rate and contribution has
added a new steel. Or was it the performance to grind out a magnificent
point at Chelsea that made the players believe once again?
Whatever the reason I am sure Sam has a stat for it. For me it is a
combination of all of the above but a big factor must also rest on the fact
that our injury list is now manageable and the key is we have been able to
send the same side out in successive weeks. When Winston Reid can't get in
the run on side at the moment you know things must be going well!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's sprint away from relegation zone shows I was right to sacrifice
Cups says Sam Allardyce
Feb 23, 2014 22:30 By Hector Nunns
The Mirror
After crushing defeats in the cups and deep in the relegation mire, an
under-pressure Sam Allardyce was backed by United owners David Gold and
David Sullivan in January. A glance at the table shows five out of the
bottom six have opted to sack their manager, but it is the resurgent Hammers
who can now boast four consecutive league wins after Saturday's 3-1 victory
over Southampton. The turnarounds for the club, its manager and talismanic
captain Kevin Nolan, after the disgrace of his two red cards at the turn of
the year, have been astonishing. And Allardyce, now feted but pilloried just
weeks ago, believes decisions such as his controversial team -selection at
Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup have been shown to be correct. He said: "The
worst week was when we lost to Forest [5-0] and then [6-0 to] Manchester
City. But that was in the cups, so it proves my point again, doesn't it?
That's why I'm good at what I do, isn't it? "The cup is not the material
thing, the Premier League is - for everybody apart from the top four. They
need to win the Premier League and get into the -Champions League, everybody
else needs to stay in the Premier League first and go for other things after
that. "I don't need to feel vindicated, I'm just doing my job properly. It's
not a sprint, it's a marathon. It's not where you are in the league after
five, 10, 20 games, it's where you are after 38. "Unfortunately, patience
has long gone in the game today. I could get sacked just by new owners
coming in. "You have just got to do your job and get results for that club.
And if you can do what your club's philosophy is, then you should be OK. The
owners have picked you to do that." Nolan's redemption also appears
complete, after his sending-off at Fulham on New Year's Day triggered a
frank exchange with Allardyce and work with the club psychologist .
Christopher LeeFebruary 22: Smiles all round at Upton Park over a fourth
league win in a row After West Ham fell behind to Maya Yoshida's early
header, Nolan made the -equaliser for Matt Jarvis, a first league goal of
the season. And then, after Carlton Cole put the home side ahead, Nolan fed
on the striker's knockdown, acrobatically hooking in his fifth goal in four
matches. Jarvis said: "Kevin has really turned things around, it shows
exactly what a character and leader he is. His goals have been sensational
and really kicked us up the table. It was a bit of us helping pick him up
and him doing it for himself. He is very mentally strong."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MORRISON WATCH: Midfielder angers QPR fans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 23, 2014 in News Agenda
Claret&hughinfo.com
Ravel Morrison found more trouble on his first game for Queens Park Rangers
at Charlton over the weekend. The on loan West Ham midfielder left the
travelling Rangers fans incensed with a lack-lustre display following by a
petulant reaction at the end. He stalked off after the late 1-0 defeat
without acknowledging the fans who had travelled to the New Valley. And that
brought a frosty response from club sources who preferred to remain
anonymous with one declaring: "We all know his reputation but we didn't
expect that - there's a lack of class involved in that isn't there?
"Applauding the fans at the end of a disappointing display - or at any time
- is the very least we should expect."
Morrison's mood may not have been helped by missing two simple chances to
put the game beyond recall before Johnnie Jackson's late smash and grab raid
gave Chartotn the points. He had sidefooted wide of an open goal before
placing an even better chance gently into goalkeeper Yohann Thuram's arms
from point blank range. QPR boss Harry Redknapp had believed Morrison could
be the key to his problems after a shocking February which sees them
win-less and with a single points from their efforts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sunday, February 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd February 2014
Hammers go marching on
WHUFC.com
West Ham United secured a fourth straight win as Southampton were defeated
3-1 on Saturday
22.02.2014
West Ham United 3-1 Southampton
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United continued their climb away from the Barclays Premier League
danger zone with a fourth straight win on Saturday. Southampton were the
latest victims, as they saw the early lead given to them by Maya Yoshida get
wiped out by an excellent West Ham fightback. Two goals in three minutes
started the turnaround, as Carlton Cole quickly backed up Matt Jarvis'
leveller, before the Hammers punished their visitors again in the second
period. Kevin Nolan's acrobatic effort 19 minutes from time set the seal on
the three-point haul as the Hammers moved up into the top half of the table.
West Ham went into the contest having not conceded in four games, but their
goal was breached within eight minutes as Maya Yoshida got up above George
McCartney to nod Steven Davis' free kick home after James Tomkins felled
Adam Lallana in the right channel. Southampton's intention of holding on to
possession was clear and they proceeded to see the majority of the ball in
the opening stages as the Hammers took their time to get doing. But with 20
minutes on the clock they drew level as Kevin Nolan clipped a ball over a
static Saints backline for Jarvis to dart onto and poke through Artur
Boruc's legs as the visiting keeper advanced from his goal. The Saints
wanted offside, but a flag from the assistant referee was not forthcoming
and the lead had been erased. Indeed, it would get worse for Southampton
just three minutes later as the Hammers won a corner down the left and
Stewart Downing's delivery picked out Carlton Cole, whose header thumped
against the post but fell kindly for the No24 to smash home on the rebound.
The all-action nature of the game continued as the Saints went desperately
close to a 32nd minute leveller when Rickie Lambert rose highest in the area
and planted a header against the base of the left-hand post with Adrian
beaten.
Southampton came again at the start of the second period, with Luke Shaw's
pace down the left flank providing a useful outlet from full-back. With 64
minutes played, his burst took him away from James Collins and he looked to
to cut back for Adam Lallana, but the ball had just too much on it and the
visitors' captain could not convert. A minute later substitute Gaston
Ramirez left Collins standing on the edge of the area before lifting the
ball over the top. Lallana then prodded wide after racing through the the
Saints were left to count the cost of those missed opportunities when
Nolan's seventh of the season - and his fifth in the last four games -
stretched West Ham's advantage 19 minutes from the end. Downing was the
goal's architect, whipping over a cross from the right which Carlton Cole
nodded back for Nolan to acrobatically hook home from close range. Mohamed
Diame struck the top of the crossbar with a long range blockbuster, but the
Hammers' work was done as they withstood Southampton's late pressure to
ensure their fine run would go on.
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel. Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (Reid
73), Noble, Taylor; Jarvis (Diame 57), C.Cole, Downing
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collison, J.Cole, Nocerino
Goals: Jarvis 20, C.Cole 23, Nolan 71
Southampton: Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork
(Ramirez 63); S.Davis (Ward-Prowse 78), Lallana, Rodriguez; Lambert
(Gallagher 78)
Subs: K.Davis, Clyne, Lovren, Guly
Goal: Yoshida 8
Booked: Lallana
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 33,148
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Big Sam thrilled with Hammers quality
WHUFC.com
Manager Sam Allardyce is pleased to see West Ham's clinical edge returning
22.02.2014
West Ham United made it four wins on the spin by defeating Southampton 3-1
on Saturday and manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with his side's
performance. He had praise for the clinical edge shown by his attacking
players, which sat in contrast to the visitors, who spurned opportunities
through Rickie Lambert, Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana. Instead, Matt
Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan all scored to wipe out Maya Yoshida's
early opener for the Saints and send the majority of the Boleyn Ground crowd
home happy. The three points lifted West Ham up into the top half of the
Barclays Premier League table - just three games after they occupied a
position in the division's bottom three - and even means they have now
picked up more points this term than at this stage 12 months ago. It came as
little surprise, then, that Big Sam wore a broad smile at the final whistle
on Saturday. He told West Ham TV: "It's four wins on the trot, and one
against a side of Southampton's quality, which has been praised a huge
amount this season and, as ourselves, has been in particularly good form.
"That made for an intriguing game and what we saw is that we ended up having
better quality finishing than Southampton. "We all know how much praise has
been heaped on Lambert, Rodriguez and Lallana about the goals they've scored
and they way they've scored them, but it's our lads up front - it's Kevin
Nolan, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis and their quality which has outshone
Southampton. "That's the reason why we've won 3-1, because we all know how
good we are at defending. We had a big disappointment after just a few
minutes when we gave away a free-kick and lost a goal, but in the end it's
an outstanding victory."
The manager says the improvement in the Hammers' finishing is the reason
behind their recent improvement in form. He continued: "You always need
something a bit special at this level and we're producing something a bit
special in every game we're playing right now. "We know how to do the
nitty-gritty, the hard work of stopping the opposition playing. We all
believe in doing that and now the quality players that are good on the ball,
who can create and cause the opposition did brilliantly today, and got us
back from 1-0 down to win 3-1. West Ham now have 31 points from their 27
league matches - one more than from 27 last term - and Allardyce believes
the recent run has been the perfect riposte to the critics. He added: "It's
a fantastic stat considering the amount of criticism we've had to suffer
over the last few months. It shuts everybody up and makes them say 'wow, I
didn't know that one'. "Nobody would have gone away from here thinking that
we've got more points that at this stage this year. It's an outstanding
spell that we never had last season - we never won back-to-back games last
season but finished tenth. "Everyone thought we had a fantastic season,
which we did, everyone thinks we've had a diabolical season now, but now
we're one point ahead of where we were last year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole 'over the moon' with form
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was thrilled with his part in Saturday's impressive turnaround
against the Saints
23.02.2014
Carlton Cole is riding the crest of a West Ham United wave, as he scored one
and made a second in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over
Southampton. With the sides level at one apiece, Cole saw a powerful header
cannon back off the upright, before slamming the loose ball into the
opposite corner to bag his 50th career top-flight goal. Leading from the
front for a third successive outing, the Hammers No24 was instrumental in
the hosts' third goal too. Cole nodded Stewart Downing's centre across goal,
paving the way for Kevin Nolan to volley home. While there was much to
admire about Saturday's latest triumph at the Boleyn Ground, the 30-year-old
was particularly pleased to see the Hammers recover from an early setback.
"That's four games in a row that we've won now and that's our best run since
2007," he told West Ham TV. "Everyone's over the moon with the result,
firstly, and the form that we're showing. "The manager pointed out that this
is the first time this season that we've come from behind [in the league] to
win. It just shows the grit, courage and the team spirit in the dressing
room at the moment. "The manager has got everyone pulling in the same
direction and helping each other out and digging ourselves out of trouble,
like we did on Saturday. "Nobby [Kevin Nolan] and I shared the spoils today
with the goals and the assists, but it's a team effort and we wouldn't have
been in that position to get the goals if it weren't for the other players
as well, so credit to everybody."
In the absence of the suspended Andy Carroll and injured Marco Borriello,
West Ham's attacking ambitions lay largely at Cole's door, responsibility
that he took in his stride. As for his side's supreme run of results, the
former England international reckons that the return of key figures, along
with Lady Luck, has helped Sam Allardyce's men turn the corner. "Of course
I know what's going to be asked of me and I'm experienced enough to deal
with it," he continued. "I'm happy with my form, obviously, but first and
foremost I just want to win games. "It was looking dodgy for us at the start
of the season, but now we're on a good run of form and the tide has turned.
We're getting the rub of the green and the luck that we deserve now. "We
all knew that when we got a few players back from injury that we could start
doing stuff and get on a good run of form. That's what we were banking on
really. Now we've got competition for places and everyone just wants to get
in the team and in training everything's fiery."
Much of that training was set against a Dubai backdrop, with the Hammers
last week embarking on a four-day trip to the UAE. Cole insists Saturday's
win is already vindication of the trip's worth and can only foresee a bright
future with Carroll and Borriello to stake a claim in the coming days and
weeks. He added: "People were criticising us for going away, but that
doesn't affect anything. We were going away to have a bit of warm-weather
training. We're still training, not on a jolly up! So as long as we come
back and we put in the results, that's all we can do and I think it
benefitted us. It's a team effort. Andy and I are vying for the same spot
and Marco as well. Competition for places pushes everyone to do better and
that's all you can do. When Andy's back, training's going to be fierce, with
everyone wanting to start. That's how it goes!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maguire loaned to Sligo
WHUFC.com
Sean Maguire has joined League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers on loan until 31
July
22.02.2014
West Ham United can confirm that striker Sean Maguire has joined SSE
Airtricity League of Ireland club Sligo Rovers on loan. Maguire, 19, will
remain with the three-times Irish champions until 31 July 2014. Sligo, who
won the title in 2012 and competed in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers
before finishing third last season, start the 2014 season with a Setanta
Sports Cup tie at Crusaders on Monday 24 February. The Development Squad
forward, who joined West Ham from Waterford United in January 2013, has made
five Barclays U21 Premier League appearances this season.
Maguire is one of six West Ham players out on loan, joining Jordan Spence
(MK Dons), Ravel Morrison, Modibo Maiga (both Queens Park Rangers), George
Moncur (Partick Thistle) and Paul McCallum (Heart of Midlothian).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 Southampton 1
22 February 2014
Last updated at 17:13
By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport
In-form West Ham earned their fourth consecutive league victory after coming
from behind to defeat Southampton. Maya Yoshida headed Southampton in front
from Steven Davis's free-kick but Matt Jarvis levelled after tapping past
Artur Boruc. Three minutes later, Carlton Cole made it 2-1 for West Ham
before Rickie Lambert hit a post for Saints. "Southampton had so much of the
ball but Adrian had so little to do with Saints putting so many of their
opportunities off target. They had more than enough chances to score but the
problem is they didn't take any of them."
Kevin Nolan made the game safe with a volley from close range and Mohamed
Diame also hit the bar late on. The result continued West Ham's renaissance
and moved them further away from the relegation places, with Sam Allardyce's
side now sitting comfortably in 10th position on 31 points. It was
Southampton's first league defeat in seven games, having won three of their
last six, with any faint hope of qualifying for Europe now surely over. The
result was harsh on the visitors, who carved out 25 opportunities but only
managed to get five on target against a West Ham side who clinically
punished such wastefulness. It also meant consecutive defeats for
Southampton after they lost in the FA Cup last weekend at Sunderland.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino was heavily criticised for fielding a
much-changed team in that game and spoke during the week at being hurt by
that criticism.
Perhaps with that in mind, his side started as if they had a point to prove.
The unmarked Yoshida took advantage of poor defending to head home Davis's
free kick from close range and record his first Premier League goal. West
Ham responded well to the setback and Jarvis benefited from a tight offside
call to break clear and level with a neat finish past the onrushing Boruc
after a fine Nolan pass from deep. Buoyed by that, West Ham then went ahead
three minutes later. Cole smashed in from six yards after his initial header
from Stewart Downing's corner cannoned back off an upright and Yoshida
failed to clear. Lambert headed against a post for Southampton before the
end of an entertaining first half at Upton Park and Saints felt they should
have had a penalty in the early stages of the second period following a
handball by James Collins. However, referee Mark Clattenburg waved away
their appeals in the first Southampton match he had taken charge of since
the club made an official complaint accusing him of insulting captain Adam
Lallana in December.
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was then equal to Luke Shaw's low shot from 25
yards, and the defender continued to threaten by outpacing Collins and
almost finding Lallana with a cross. At the other end, Collins headed a
Downing corner over the bar. Pochettino turned to his bench in an attempt to
get his side back in the game and it almost paid off immediately. Gaston
Ramirez replaced Jack Cork and within minutes the Uruguayan produced a
wonderful piece of skill on the edge of the area to nutmeg Collins before
blazing over from 12 yards. Lallana then dragged a shot wide and, within
minutes, it was 3-1 to West Ham. Another Downing cross caused mayhem in the
Southampton box before Cole's header found Nolan in the six-yard box. He
volleyed home on the stretch for his fifth goal of the month. Diame then hit
the bar with a fierce dipping strike but the visitors refused to give up.
Lallana forced a fine low save from Adrian at his near post and Jay
Rodriguez sent a half volley just wide but the Hammers held on.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "It has been a fantastic run for us. "The four
wins on the trot from where we were is an outstanding performance by the
players. "I thank them for their efforts and the quality they are showing at
the moment. "In the Premier League it is all about the resilient qualities
in defence and you have to score a goal, which today contributed massively
in us winning this game. "The three goals we scored were excellent and that
got us back after going 1-0 down so early on. Credit to all the players."
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino: "I am very disappointed with the
defeat today. I thought we fully deserved to get something more from that
game.
"We had full control in the game and that even led us to go 1-0 up. It is
clear that the 1-1 goal came from an offside position and that was unlucky
for us.
"Then the team struggled to recover from going 2-1 down and that made
everything quite difficult for us as well. "In the second half we created
many good chances and were unlucky not to get the 2-2, which actually
changed the game. "Overall today, I thought we were quite unlucky with the
refereeing decisions and to have not scored more goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 3-1 Southampton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce must be a shoo-in for the Premier League's Manager of the
Month award after his West Ham team secured a fourth successive win against
a toothless Southampton at the Boleyn this afternoon. It's been eight years
since Alan Pardew became the most recent West Ham manager to receive that
particular accolade but Allardyce - whose record for February reads played
four, won four with a goal difference of nine to one - must surely be poised
to receive the latest award when it is announced. Today was a typical
Allardyce performance in that Southampton enjoyed a colossal 69 per cent of
possession yet left Upton Park on the wrong end of a 3-1 result, as the
Hammers made the most of the scant opportunities they were awarded by a
Saints side who, prior to today, had conceded just 13 goals from 14 away
fixtures in the BPL this season. And despite enjoying 25 shots at goal, the
visitors failed to work West Ham's in-form 'keeper Adrian who had very
little to do as 80 per cent of Southampton's efforts on goal ended up
everywhere but their intended destination.
Although they went on to squander a whole host of opportunities during the
game, the Saints took the lead after just eight minutes when Maya Yoshida
rose unmarked to nod home a Steven Davis free kick - awarded for a Adam
Lallana dive - from the right of the penalty area. However the Hammers were
back on level terms just 12 minutes later when a delicious through ball by
Kevin Nolan was converted by Matt Jarvis. The winger, who has endured a
frustrating season took Nolan's lofted pass down with a sublime first touch
before toe-poking the ball under the advancing Artur Boruc. Just three
minutes later West Ham took the lead for the first time in the game when
Carlton Cole, enjoying an extended run in the side due to Andy Carroll's
suspension scored from inside the six-yard box having seen his initial
effort crash back off the woodwork. Having survived a string of scares after
the break, West Ham scored the killer third when Kevin Nolan pounced from
close range to register his fifth goal of the month with a volley from three
yards out, after Carlton Cole's header fell perfectly for the Hammers
captain. The captain's return to form - Nolan has scored five of West Ham's
nine goals this month - couldn't have been better timed. This latest win
takes United back into the upper half of the Premier League and, just as
importantly, some seven points clear of the relegation zone.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pochettino on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
They may well "play on the floor", but they also shipped three goals today.
Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino does his best to explain this afternoon's
defeat - via his interpretor...
Mauricio: I know you're not a huge fan of statistics but you did had 25
shots today. Can you believe you lost the match?
I do like statistics today! To justify the defeat today. I'm very
disappointed with the defeat, I felt we deserved to get something out of the
game. We had full control of the game to go 1-0 ahead and it's clear their
equaliser came from an offside position. That was unlucky for us.
The team struggled to recover at 2-1, that made everything quite difficult
for us. I felt that in the second half we created many good chances and were
unlucky not to get back to 2-2. which would have changed the game. Overall I
thought we were quite unlucky with the refereeing decisions and were unlucky
in the sense that we didn't actually score more goals.
It was the first game back for Mark Clattenburg, a lot had been made of that
- do you feel he didn't have the greatest of games - and his assistants as
well?
The refereeing decisions actually influenced the game today. We were unlucky
in that sense. We don't want to make anything more out of it. It seems that
the stars are not with us whenever Mr Clattenburg referees for us.
Defensively you looked a bit sloppy at times. What did you make of that?
I thought we were unlucky for the first goal so we can leave that one to one
side, because it shouldn't have counted. For the second goal there were
three of our players who were unable to clear the ball, it was just one of
those moments where there was indecision in the box.
Then we were looking for the equaliser and they came out strong on a counter
attack. We know of Cole and Nolan's strength, they're very strong players.
but I thought the team worked very well today. We knew it was going to be a
tough game against very good opposition. and I think today we lacked exactly
what they had - effectiveness.
Were you surprised the Premier League allowed Mark Clattenburg to referee a
Southampton game so soon after everything that happened?
No. It's clear that we're disappointed but I think that it's a good thing
that he's refereeing for us because we want to try to normalise the
situation. We don't want to make a bid deal out of it or keep on rehashing
the situation again. We want to help referees as much as we can because we
know that their job is quite hard and try to make things easier for them so
that they can make the best decisions in every single game for us and every
other team.
England assistant Ray Lewington was here today, do you think he'd have been
impressed by your English players? Do you expect them to get called up for
the game with Denmark?
I don't know, after a defeat it's quite hard to analyse individually the
performance of every single individual player but it's clear tht Roy Hodgson
and his assistants have been to many of our games and that they know our
players quite well already.
You had [Dejan] Lovren on the bench today; how long is it before he'll be
able to play?
We'll see. We need to assess his fitness. Also, Gaston [Ramirez] came on the
pitch today. They're both fully recovered, but they will have to fight to
get their places back in the team.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on......Southampton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
Sam Allardyce shares his view of the 3-1 win over Southampton....
Sam, four wins out of four this month. It's been a good month?
It's been a fantastic month for us. The last run of games, particularly the
four wins on the trot from where we were is an outstanding performance from
the players and I thank them for their efforts and the quality that they're
showing at the moment. It's all about the Premier League and the resilience
you have in defending and the quality you need to score goals. The quality
we had to score goals today contributed massively to us winning this game
today. The three goals we scored today were excellent goals and that got us
back from the shock of us going 1-0 down early on. Credit to the players and
the confidence that's growing in the team and the fact that we're pulling
away from the danger area that little bit more week by week. When you
consider that we've had to win four games on the trot to get to where we are
shows how difficult it is when you get in and around that bottom zone just
after Christmas.
Sam can you talk about Kevin Nolan? Sent off at Craven Cottage, fast forward
to now and he's had a standing ovation, he's got five goals in his last four
games. Can you believe the turnaround in the space of a month?
I can believe it because I know about his qualities. What I like is the way
he's gone about his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for
what happened. It was the lowest point of his career I think - not just the
one but the two sendings-off in a short period of time. The contribution is
massive and it's not just the goal today - the contribution in the first
goal - it was a top quality pass at this level which split a resilient
Southampton defence open, Long may it continue. Feeding off the front men is
Kevin's great quality. People talk about him being with Andy [Carroll] but
Andy hasn't been around for a while now and Kevin's still feeding off the
front men and the balls going in the box. Our quality in the final third is
getting so much better which is why we're winning games of football because
we've always been good at defending anyway.
It's helped turn his season around - he's come back a reformed man.....
Yes he has. He had a lot of time to reflect on what had happened to him. And
I think for him it was about rolling his sleeves up and defining himself in
terms of "when I come back I'm gonna show you hat I can do. So he didn't
have to worry abut games and captaining the team. He just had to worry about
himself and reflect on what he'd done. He's come back with a massive bang.
Do you think Andy Carroll's suspension helped motivate the team/
No - I don't think it did.
We were starting this run when Andy came back it was a lift for everybody.
The lift was about getting players fit. The other lift was about bringing
three payers in - four with Roger Johnson - and none of them are getting the
game they came here for. I can't put them in because we keep winning!
They're thinking "why did you bring us because you don't really need us!"
It's had an effect on the other players - they're saying to themselves "if
we don't turn around performances I'm gonna be out of the team and the new
guys are gonna be in as well as the guys who have come back from injury."
it's worked fantastically well at the moment and long may it continue. We've
still got a bit to go - we've made life a little easier for ourselves but
there's at least nine points we need to pick up as quickly as we can and try
to keep the undefeated run going through a difficult game next week at
Everton.
You joked that you hoped it would be difficult for Andy Carroll to get back
into the team
It's a hard one! I'll reflect on that. Let me have a weekend to enjoy this
one!
So much has been said about Southampton and their England players. The form
Kevin's in do you think he's worth a look at for the upcoming match against
Denmark?
I wouldn't have thought so. He's had a lot of times when he knocked at the
door but I don't think it'll make much difference. It'd be nice if he did
but it's about Kevin continuing where he is. He's in his thirties now and he
needs to continue his career as long as he can by doing what he does, and
that's scoring goals. Apart from a short spell out in the Championship with
Newcastle he's scored goals every season he's scored at a very high level as
a midfield player. There are few players as good as him at scoring from
midfield.
How encouraged were you to see Matt Jarvis on the scoresheet today?
Brilliant. We talk about Matt and Stewart [Downing] and their contribution
to making goals. Stewart obviously made the second goal from the corner and
the third one from the cross. Matt made a big contribution when we needed
it, coming in from wide and running between the full back and the centre
half and taking a touch after a fantastic ball from Kevin. Goals are
beginning to spread around the team now which is very good. If we keep our
defensive resilience up everyone will find it difficult to beat us.
Thanks.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham come from goal down to earn 3-1 win over Southampton
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 22/02/14 10:00pm
SSN
West Ham secured their fourth win in a row after coming from behind to beat
Southampton 3-1 at Upton Park. The visitors took a deserved lead early on
thanks to Maya Yoshida's first Premier League goal, but were pegged back by
two goals in quick succession, somewhat against the run of play. First, Matt
Jarvis marginally beat the offside trap to level for the Hammers, and then
Carlton Cole emphatically lashed home the loose ball after his header had
come back off the post to put West Ham surprisingly in front. The
second-half was virtually all Southampton as they threw everything at the
Hammers to try and get the equaliser.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: Mark Noble. Covered every blade of grass for the West Ham
cause.
Goal of the Match: Kevin Nolan. The Hammers skipper acrobatically made sure
of the points.
Attempt of the Match: Mohamed Diame. Substitute almost added a fourth from
distance.
Talking Points: What has happened to West Ham? How much credit does Sam
Allardyce deserve? Were Southampton unlucky in defeat?
However, Sam Allardyce's men held firm, and on the counter they made sure of
the points, thanks to their captain fantastic Kevin Nolan, from close range.
The scoreline doesn't tell the full story of a match that Southampton
dominated for large spells, but it is what you do with your possession that
counts, and the Hammers' bid for Premier League safety is looking healthier
by the week, and they won't care how they get the points. After dominating
the early stages it was the Saints that managed to score the first goal
against West Ham for over six hours of Premier League football, with Yoshida
leaping above a static defence to head home a Steven Davis free-kick. In the
opening 15 minutes Saints had 70 per cent possession as they passed the ball
around with ease, and looked excellent value for their lead. However, two
goals in three minutes sprang the game into life, and turned the match on
its head.
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce hailed his side's efforts after their 3-1 win
over Southampton. Skipper Nolan picked up the ball in the centre circle,
played an excellent ball over the top, which Jarvis, who close to being
offside, controlled well and slotted the ball under the onrushing Boruc to
level. And then, as the Saints were still in shock from conceding against
the run of play, Cole struck to send Upton Park into raptures. From a
left-wing Stewart Downing corner, Cole outjumped his marker, headed against
the upright, but as Yoshida struggled to clear the rebound the imposing
hitman pounced to fire the Hammers in front.
Mauricio Pochettino say's he was proud with his team's performance despite
their 3-1 loss at West Ham. Southampton were shocked into life, and almost
leveled through a distinctly off-colour Rickie Lambert, whose close-range
header came back of the post with Adrian beaten. The second half followed
much of the same pattern, with Saints dominating possession, but West Ham
standing firm. Substitute Gaston Ramirez did add more impetus to the
Southampton attack, and came mightily close to grabbing the leveller, firing
just over after manoeuvring space for the shot well. But on the counter, the
home side made sure of the victory thanks to their ever-reliable skipper.
Downing's ball into the box found Cole, who climbed above his man to head
down, and Nolan, who has come under much scrutiny from the Hammers faithful
this season, acrobatically volleyed the loose ball past Boruc to seal
victory. Substitute Mohamed Diame almost made the scoreline more flattering,
hitting the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance, but the Hammers
held on for a vital victory, and continued their impressive resurgence.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Kevin Nolan after victory
Last Updated: 22/02/14 7:06pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce heaped praise on skipper Kevin Nolan after helping West Ham
earn a 3-1 win over Southampton at Upton Park. The 31-year-old's captaincy
was reviewed at the start of the year after he was sent off for kicking
Fernando Amorebieta in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham. It was Nolan's second red
card in less than four weeks after lunging at Jordan Henderson against
Liverpool, leading Allardyce to say "there's something wrong with his
mentality at the minute". The Hammers' captain has certainly made amends
since then, netting five goals in as many league games since returning from
suspension. "I can believe the turnaround because I know Kevin's qualities,"
Allardyce told Sky Sports. "What I like about it is that he has gone about
his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened. "It
was the lowest point of his career, I think, because it was not just one
sending off but two in a short period of time. "The contribution now is
massive and it is not just the goals, but the pass he made for the first
goal - a top quality pass at this level, which split open a very resilient
Southampton defence. Long may it continue."
Nolan has been key in West Ham's revival, with their 100 per cent record in
February taking them from the relegation zone to the relatively dizzy
heights of the top half. The latest win came courtesy of strikes from Matt
Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Nolan, as the Hammers turned the match on its head
following Maya Yoshida's early header. "It has been a fantastic run for us,"
Allardyce added. "The four wins on the trot from where we were is an
outstanding performance by the players. "I thank them for their efforts and
the quality they are showing at the moment. "In the Premier League it is all
about the resilient qualities in defence and you have to score a goal, which
today contributed massively in us winning this game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MATCH REPORT: WEST HAM 3 SOUTHAMPTON 1
By Iain Dale 22 Feb 2014 at 20:04
West Ham Till I Die
This victory wouldn't have been possible even a month ago. Having conceded
first, we'd have capitulated. How is it that the same players are showing a
resolve and a passion which just wasn't there before? I don't have an
explanation.
At one stage it looked as if we were about to be beaten by the better team.
Southampton's passing game overwhelmed us in the first twenty minutes. When
they scored after eight minutes I think we all feared the worst. But after
the first goal, we got back into the match and quickly asserted some
physical authority. We should all have been pleased for Matt Jarvis, who
took his goal extremely well. One of our main weaknesses this season has
been the lack of goals coming from our wingers.
Carlton Cole put in a very physical shift and for me was a contender for man
of the match. He was great in the air, held the ball up well and brought
other players into the game. He was a constant menace in a way which Rickie
Lambert wasn't. In fact the Southampton front three, so impressive for most
of the season, failed to have much effect on the game at all. It's not that
they didn't have chances, they certainly did, but they couldn't find the
net. Indeed, I counted at least three moments when we were lucky not to
concede.
But it was in midfield where we came into our own. Mark Noble put in a real
leader's performance. He was everywhere, tackling mercilessly and putting
through several brilliantly measured slide rule passes. Matt Taylor and
Kevin Nolan also harried and hassled and I thought Nolan had one of his best
games this season, topped off by a fantastic bicycle volley to nab the third
and decisive goal. Up until that point a one goal lead always looked a dodgy
one.
Adrian really has become a cult figure with the crowd who were constantly
chanting his name. He made several outstanding saves and his defence clearly
seem every comfortable playing in front of him. I thought James Collins and
James Tomkins proved their worth again, although in the later stages Ginge
was beaten for speed a couple of times. However, that is to carp. He was
always in the right place at the right time, heading the ball away from
danger. And let's not forget the contributions of McCartney and Demel who
were both excellent.
The truth is that there wasn't a weak link in this team today. I score every
player at least a 7 and I can't remember the last time I did that.
It's a great feeling this evening, isn't it? 10th place, seven points above
the relegation zone and one point better off than we were at this stage last
season.
We may still not be very pretty to watch, but compared to where we were a
month ago we should all be very pleased, relieved and toasting whoever or
whatever has changed things around.
Adrian 7
Demel 7
McCartney 7
Tomkins 7
Collins 8
Reid 7
Noble 8
Taylor 7
Nolan 7
Downing 7
Cole 7
Jarvis 7
Diame 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-1 Southampton: Irons see off under-par Saints to earn fourth
consecutive victory
Feb 22, 2014 17:14 By Marc Isaacs
The Mirror
In the space of a month, Kevin Nolan has -transformed West Ham's season and
turned around his own career. The West Ham captain received a standing
ovation and continued his rich vein of form to help the east London club
notch up a fourth consecutive victory. Nolan suffered the lowest point of
his career after getting himself needlessly sent off in a New Year's Day
clash at Fulham which resulted in a four-match ban at a crucial stage of the
season. The fans made their -feelings known towards the 31-year-old, but the
dismissal could be the best thing that has happened to both him and the
Hammers. Nolan has returned to the side a reformed character and he has his
appetite for goals back, netting five of them in his last four games. Who
needs Andy Carroll when you have got Nolan playing at the top of his game?
Sam Allardyce's side move into the top half of the table and equal their
best run of results since the Great Escape back in 2007 - when Alan
Curbishley helped them stay in the top flight. Victories over Swansea, Aston
Villa, Norwich and now Southampton have given West Ham belief they can stay
in the top flight. They had to show their fighting qualities once again
after going one down early in the game to a Maya Yoshida header, but goals
from Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Nolan's scissor kick secured the three
points. Allardyce praised the way Nolan has battled back from his nightmare
spell and feels he has made a major -difference to the club's recent
revival: "He has made sure that he has repaid everybody at the club for what
has happened. It was the lowest point of his career. He had been sent off
twice in a small matter of time. "His contribution has been massive, not
just his goals. The pass he made today for our equaliser split a very
resilient Southampton defence open. "He had a lot of time to reflect what
happened to him.
"For him, it was about rolling his sleeves up and using those weeks to
define himself and target showing everyone what he can really do. He's come
back with a massive bang."
It could have been a different story had- the visitors held on to an early
lead given to them by Yoshida, the defender's first league goal of the
campaign.
It was the most unlikely of partnerships which led to the opening goal. Two
months ago, Saints launched a complaint against referee Mark -Clattenburg,
saying he had insulted Adam Lallana during a Premier League game against
Everton. The Football Association subsequently exonerated the Durham
official and the two were face-to-face again at Upton Park. When Lallana was
fouled by James Tomkins on eight minutes, Clattenburg gave a generous
decision to award a foul in Lallana's favour. Steve Davis's free-kick picked
out Yoshida who rose above the West Ham defence and directed a powerful
header past Adrian into the corner of the net. But Mauricio Pochettino was
soon cursing -Clattenburg once again after he allowed West Ham's equaliser
to stand on 20 minutes despite Jarvis appearing to be in an offside position
when he raced onto a through ball from Nolan and used his pace to slide the
ball past Artur Boruc. Pochettino said: "It is clear the goal came from an
offside position. It seems that the stars are not with us whenever Mr
Clattenburg referees for us."
West Ham added a second on 23 minutes after Guy Demel saw his close-range
header come back off the post and Cole made no mistake with his left-foot
shot. Rickie Lambert struck the post for Southampton on 32 minutes but they
were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Nolan made the game
safe for the home side in spectacular fashion on 71 minutes. Stewart
Downing's cross fell to Cole who flicked the ball back across to Nolan and
he fired an acrobatic scissor kick into the corner of the net to give his
gaffer every chance of winning the manager-of-the-month award for February.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Defence of Big Sam
http://www.wildwordsofsport.blogspot.com.au/
After taking in West Ham's 3-1 defeat of Southampton on Saturday, their
fourth consecutive victory, and a match in which they allowed their first
goal in five games, it struck me as the time to praise Sam Allardyce. Since
they occupied the second relegation position five matches ago, Allardyce has
persuaded the Hammers to draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and then
win the next four matches, three of them without Andy Carroll. They have
quietly leapt from 18th to 10th, and are now 7 points from the drop zone. It
is a remarkable turnaround, and one must think that the credit for this
storming improvement is due to Big Sam. While most teams striving to avoid
the drop tend to slowly and surely grind out results, gaining momentum bit
by bit, willing themselves over the line at the last, Allardyce, after
finding himself under the cosh (the only manager in the bottom five not to
have been replaced at one point) has reversed the fortunes of his team
nearly instantly. As soon as the pressure was on, he, and they, delivered
with gusto. The way Allardyce bellows himself silly from the touchline, his
face ruddy and contorted to the point of resembling a particularly knobbly
capsicum, you get the impression that he doesn't mind having his back to the
wall, that he relishes exerting the strength and aggression that's needed
for a scrap. He has never been relegated as a manager.
The way that Allardyce set his team up to play Southampton, to concede 70%
of the possession, to allow 25 goal attempts and 11 corners, is typically
his own brand. He has received a lot of criticism over the years, not least
a few weeks ago, for the way he sends his teams out to play. Even now, with
safety now much more clearly in sight, I know that many West Ham fans would
be happy to be rid of him regardless. Although usually reliable, his style
can only take you so far. But I also think he ought to be commended for it,
in these tight circumstances. The 'Long Ball' style of play is scorned for
its apparent cynicism, its lack of regard for the playing of the game. As
the Saints supporters booed every hoof out from the back on Saturday, they
were thinking to themselves "They haven't even got the courage to play
against us, to compete on the ground. All they can do is bloot it away and
hope. Cowards." But I'd contest that courage is exactly what's needed for
such an approach. Think about what West Ham are, what they currently possess
under Allardyce. To be certain it's Allardyce's own doing; he has designed
the team to play this way, and so any shortcomings that result should be
laid at his feet. But, such as it is, West Ham cannot hope, not in a million
years, to compete with Southampton by trying to beat them at their own game.
They would be torn apart because they lack the required poise on the ball,
and the knowledge of what movement is needed to accommodate the passing.
Their centre halves are too slow, their wingers too orthodox, and their
strikers too technically unskilled. So Allardyce, when facing such
opposition, must find a way to compete. And the way forward resides in his
confidence that he has in his defence.
Big Sam's defence have kept 13 clean sheets in the league this season, as
many as Bayern Munich's defence have kept in the Bundesliga. This is in
spite of the fact that at one point in the season he was forced to play two
fullbacks as centre halves against West Brom. Make no mistake, West Ham have
been plagued by injuries this term, and not just Andy Carroll. Their entire
first choice defence was out, and only now is it beginning to be
reassembled. Still, in the face of such adversity, they rallied and have
shut out more teams than anyone else. Southampton did have 25 shots
yesterday, but only 5 were on target, and I can't remember Adrian needing to
trouble himself too much with any of those. Imagine the bravery it takes for
a defender to head out onto the pitch at home, knowing that you will spend
two thirds of the game without the ball. West Ham have had around 40%
possession on average this season, sometimes much less. That means that
there needs to be defensive heroes every week. James Collins has blocked
more shots per game than anyone else in the league. Adrian has cemented his
place over early season starter Jussi Jaaskelainen, winning vital points on
his own with blinding performances against Norwich and Chelsea. Mark Noble
runs himself into the ground every weekend. Downing and Jarvis track back
diligently every match. Such tenacity has come at a cost; the second most
yellow and red cards in the league. But it is a true testament to Allardyce
that West Ham has defended this way. The way Allardyce wants to play
requires this level of defensive solidity and he has achieved it with this
far from ever-present bunch.
I'll take this moment to debunk some Allardyce myths too. According to
Whoscored.com, West Ham don't play the most long balls per game, Southampton
do, equal with Aston Villa on 70 (admittedly West Ham are right there behind
them on 67). West Ham are 11th in fouls committed per game, contrary to the
thuggy reputation that Allardyce's teams have seemed to acquire. West Ham
don't score all their goals from set pieces either, only 5 this term, a
number dwarfed by Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Southampton, who
all have 12 or more. West Ham are a team that rely on stoic defending, on
hustle over ingenuity in midfield and on quality orthodox wing play on the
break. That is exactly how they beat Southampton.
Speaking personally, I think that West Ham and their fans shouldn't be
content with Allardyce for too much longer. Moving into the Olympic Stadium
in two years will be a huge step, and flirting with relegation, as can be
the Allardyce way, will not suit. But I also can see that there are many
worse options than Big Sam and many teams worse than his West Ham. A lot of
people are content to lazily gobble up the sneering assumptions about
Allardyce's teams; I am not one of them, and not just because I happen to
support his current one. It's very easy to deride Allardyce, to tut-tut his
"19th century" methods (has Jose Mourinho any knowledge of 19th century
tactics? No, is the answer) and to jeeringly guffaw with pointed fingers
when he asserts his professional worth, sometimes hyperbolically. But people
shouldn't be congratulated for doing something easy. The task that Big Sam
was facing five games ago was far from easy. Yet, so far, he's easily
shouldered the weight of it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United secured a fourth straight win as Southampton were defeated
3-1 on Saturday
22.02.2014
West Ham United 3-1 Southampton
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United continued their climb away from the Barclays Premier League
danger zone with a fourth straight win on Saturday. Southampton were the
latest victims, as they saw the early lead given to them by Maya Yoshida get
wiped out by an excellent West Ham fightback. Two goals in three minutes
started the turnaround, as Carlton Cole quickly backed up Matt Jarvis'
leveller, before the Hammers punished their visitors again in the second
period. Kevin Nolan's acrobatic effort 19 minutes from time set the seal on
the three-point haul as the Hammers moved up into the top half of the table.
West Ham went into the contest having not conceded in four games, but their
goal was breached within eight minutes as Maya Yoshida got up above George
McCartney to nod Steven Davis' free kick home after James Tomkins felled
Adam Lallana in the right channel. Southampton's intention of holding on to
possession was clear and they proceeded to see the majority of the ball in
the opening stages as the Hammers took their time to get doing. But with 20
minutes on the clock they drew level as Kevin Nolan clipped a ball over a
static Saints backline for Jarvis to dart onto and poke through Artur
Boruc's legs as the visiting keeper advanced from his goal. The Saints
wanted offside, but a flag from the assistant referee was not forthcoming
and the lead had been erased. Indeed, it would get worse for Southampton
just three minutes later as the Hammers won a corner down the left and
Stewart Downing's delivery picked out Carlton Cole, whose header thumped
against the post but fell kindly for the No24 to smash home on the rebound.
The all-action nature of the game continued as the Saints went desperately
close to a 32nd minute leveller when Rickie Lambert rose highest in the area
and planted a header against the base of the left-hand post with Adrian
beaten.
Southampton came again at the start of the second period, with Luke Shaw's
pace down the left flank providing a useful outlet from full-back. With 64
minutes played, his burst took him away from James Collins and he looked to
to cut back for Adam Lallana, but the ball had just too much on it and the
visitors' captain could not convert. A minute later substitute Gaston
Ramirez left Collins standing on the edge of the area before lifting the
ball over the top. Lallana then prodded wide after racing through the the
Saints were left to count the cost of those missed opportunities when
Nolan's seventh of the season - and his fifth in the last four games -
stretched West Ham's advantage 19 minutes from the end. Downing was the
goal's architect, whipping over a cross from the right which Carlton Cole
nodded back for Nolan to acrobatically hook home from close range. Mohamed
Diame struck the top of the crossbar with a long range blockbuster, but the
Hammers' work was done as they withstood Southampton's late pressure to
ensure their fine run would go on.
West Ham United: Adrian; Demel. Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan (Reid
73), Noble, Taylor; Jarvis (Diame 57), C.Cole, Downing
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collison, J.Cole, Nocerino
Goals: Jarvis 20, C.Cole 23, Nolan 71
Southampton: Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork
(Ramirez 63); S.Davis (Ward-Prowse 78), Lallana, Rodriguez; Lambert
(Gallagher 78)
Subs: K.Davis, Clyne, Lovren, Guly
Goal: Yoshida 8
Booked: Lallana
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 33,148
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam thrilled with Hammers quality
WHUFC.com
Manager Sam Allardyce is pleased to see West Ham's clinical edge returning
22.02.2014
West Ham United made it four wins on the spin by defeating Southampton 3-1
on Saturday and manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with his side's
performance. He had praise for the clinical edge shown by his attacking
players, which sat in contrast to the visitors, who spurned opportunities
through Rickie Lambert, Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana. Instead, Matt
Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan all scored to wipe out Maya Yoshida's
early opener for the Saints and send the majority of the Boleyn Ground crowd
home happy. The three points lifted West Ham up into the top half of the
Barclays Premier League table - just three games after they occupied a
position in the division's bottom three - and even means they have now
picked up more points this term than at this stage 12 months ago. It came as
little surprise, then, that Big Sam wore a broad smile at the final whistle
on Saturday. He told West Ham TV: "It's four wins on the trot, and one
against a side of Southampton's quality, which has been praised a huge
amount this season and, as ourselves, has been in particularly good form.
"That made for an intriguing game and what we saw is that we ended up having
better quality finishing than Southampton. "We all know how much praise has
been heaped on Lambert, Rodriguez and Lallana about the goals they've scored
and they way they've scored them, but it's our lads up front - it's Kevin
Nolan, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis and their quality which has outshone
Southampton. "That's the reason why we've won 3-1, because we all know how
good we are at defending. We had a big disappointment after just a few
minutes when we gave away a free-kick and lost a goal, but in the end it's
an outstanding victory."
The manager says the improvement in the Hammers' finishing is the reason
behind their recent improvement in form. He continued: "You always need
something a bit special at this level and we're producing something a bit
special in every game we're playing right now. "We know how to do the
nitty-gritty, the hard work of stopping the opposition playing. We all
believe in doing that and now the quality players that are good on the ball,
who can create and cause the opposition did brilliantly today, and got us
back from 1-0 down to win 3-1. West Ham now have 31 points from their 27
league matches - one more than from 27 last term - and Allardyce believes
the recent run has been the perfect riposte to the critics. He added: "It's
a fantastic stat considering the amount of criticism we've had to suffer
over the last few months. It shuts everybody up and makes them say 'wow, I
didn't know that one'. "Nobody would have gone away from here thinking that
we've got more points that at this stage this year. It's an outstanding
spell that we never had last season - we never won back-to-back games last
season but finished tenth. "Everyone thought we had a fantastic season,
which we did, everyone thinks we've had a diabolical season now, but now
we're one point ahead of where we were last year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole 'over the moon' with form
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole was thrilled with his part in Saturday's impressive turnaround
against the Saints
23.02.2014
Carlton Cole is riding the crest of a West Ham United wave, as he scored one
and made a second in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over
Southampton. With the sides level at one apiece, Cole saw a powerful header
cannon back off the upright, before slamming the loose ball into the
opposite corner to bag his 50th career top-flight goal. Leading from the
front for a third successive outing, the Hammers No24 was instrumental in
the hosts' third goal too. Cole nodded Stewart Downing's centre across goal,
paving the way for Kevin Nolan to volley home. While there was much to
admire about Saturday's latest triumph at the Boleyn Ground, the 30-year-old
was particularly pleased to see the Hammers recover from an early setback.
"That's four games in a row that we've won now and that's our best run since
2007," he told West Ham TV. "Everyone's over the moon with the result,
firstly, and the form that we're showing. "The manager pointed out that this
is the first time this season that we've come from behind [in the league] to
win. It just shows the grit, courage and the team spirit in the dressing
room at the moment. "The manager has got everyone pulling in the same
direction and helping each other out and digging ourselves out of trouble,
like we did on Saturday. "Nobby [Kevin Nolan] and I shared the spoils today
with the goals and the assists, but it's a team effort and we wouldn't have
been in that position to get the goals if it weren't for the other players
as well, so credit to everybody."
In the absence of the suspended Andy Carroll and injured Marco Borriello,
West Ham's attacking ambitions lay largely at Cole's door, responsibility
that he took in his stride. As for his side's supreme run of results, the
former England international reckons that the return of key figures, along
with Lady Luck, has helped Sam Allardyce's men turn the corner. "Of course
I know what's going to be asked of me and I'm experienced enough to deal
with it," he continued. "I'm happy with my form, obviously, but first and
foremost I just want to win games. "It was looking dodgy for us at the start
of the season, but now we're on a good run of form and the tide has turned.
We're getting the rub of the green and the luck that we deserve now. "We
all knew that when we got a few players back from injury that we could start
doing stuff and get on a good run of form. That's what we were banking on
really. Now we've got competition for places and everyone just wants to get
in the team and in training everything's fiery."
Much of that training was set against a Dubai backdrop, with the Hammers
last week embarking on a four-day trip to the UAE. Cole insists Saturday's
win is already vindication of the trip's worth and can only foresee a bright
future with Carroll and Borriello to stake a claim in the coming days and
weeks. He added: "People were criticising us for going away, but that
doesn't affect anything. We were going away to have a bit of warm-weather
training. We're still training, not on a jolly up! So as long as we come
back and we put in the results, that's all we can do and I think it
benefitted us. It's a team effort. Andy and I are vying for the same spot
and Marco as well. Competition for places pushes everyone to do better and
that's all you can do. When Andy's back, training's going to be fierce, with
everyone wanting to start. That's how it goes!"
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Maguire loaned to Sligo
WHUFC.com
Sean Maguire has joined League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers on loan until 31
July
22.02.2014
West Ham United can confirm that striker Sean Maguire has joined SSE
Airtricity League of Ireland club Sligo Rovers on loan. Maguire, 19, will
remain with the three-times Irish champions until 31 July 2014. Sligo, who
won the title in 2012 and competed in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers
before finishing third last season, start the 2014 season with a Setanta
Sports Cup tie at Crusaders on Monday 24 February. The Development Squad
forward, who joined West Ham from Waterford United in January 2013, has made
five Barclays U21 Premier League appearances this season.
Maguire is one of six West Ham players out on loan, joining Jordan Spence
(MK Dons), Ravel Morrison, Modibo Maiga (both Queens Park Rangers), George
Moncur (Partick Thistle) and Paul McCallum (Heart of Midlothian).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 Southampton 1
22 February 2014
Last updated at 17:13
By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport
In-form West Ham earned their fourth consecutive league victory after coming
from behind to defeat Southampton. Maya Yoshida headed Southampton in front
from Steven Davis's free-kick but Matt Jarvis levelled after tapping past
Artur Boruc. Three minutes later, Carlton Cole made it 2-1 for West Ham
before Rickie Lambert hit a post for Saints. "Southampton had so much of the
ball but Adrian had so little to do with Saints putting so many of their
opportunities off target. They had more than enough chances to score but the
problem is they didn't take any of them."
Kevin Nolan made the game safe with a volley from close range and Mohamed
Diame also hit the bar late on. The result continued West Ham's renaissance
and moved them further away from the relegation places, with Sam Allardyce's
side now sitting comfortably in 10th position on 31 points. It was
Southampton's first league defeat in seven games, having won three of their
last six, with any faint hope of qualifying for Europe now surely over. The
result was harsh on the visitors, who carved out 25 opportunities but only
managed to get five on target against a West Ham side who clinically
punished such wastefulness. It also meant consecutive defeats for
Southampton after they lost in the FA Cup last weekend at Sunderland.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino was heavily criticised for fielding a
much-changed team in that game and spoke during the week at being hurt by
that criticism.
Perhaps with that in mind, his side started as if they had a point to prove.
The unmarked Yoshida took advantage of poor defending to head home Davis's
free kick from close range and record his first Premier League goal. West
Ham responded well to the setback and Jarvis benefited from a tight offside
call to break clear and level with a neat finish past the onrushing Boruc
after a fine Nolan pass from deep. Buoyed by that, West Ham then went ahead
three minutes later. Cole smashed in from six yards after his initial header
from Stewart Downing's corner cannoned back off an upright and Yoshida
failed to clear. Lambert headed against a post for Southampton before the
end of an entertaining first half at Upton Park and Saints felt they should
have had a penalty in the early stages of the second period following a
handball by James Collins. However, referee Mark Clattenburg waved away
their appeals in the first Southampton match he had taken charge of since
the club made an official complaint accusing him of insulting captain Adam
Lallana in December.
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was then equal to Luke Shaw's low shot from 25
yards, and the defender continued to threaten by outpacing Collins and
almost finding Lallana with a cross. At the other end, Collins headed a
Downing corner over the bar. Pochettino turned to his bench in an attempt to
get his side back in the game and it almost paid off immediately. Gaston
Ramirez replaced Jack Cork and within minutes the Uruguayan produced a
wonderful piece of skill on the edge of the area to nutmeg Collins before
blazing over from 12 yards. Lallana then dragged a shot wide and, within
minutes, it was 3-1 to West Ham. Another Downing cross caused mayhem in the
Southampton box before Cole's header found Nolan in the six-yard box. He
volleyed home on the stretch for his fifth goal of the month. Diame then hit
the bar with a fierce dipping strike but the visitors refused to give up.
Lallana forced a fine low save from Adrian at his near post and Jay
Rodriguez sent a half volley just wide but the Hammers held on.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "It has been a fantastic run for us. "The four
wins on the trot from where we were is an outstanding performance by the
players. "I thank them for their efforts and the quality they are showing at
the moment. "In the Premier League it is all about the resilient qualities
in defence and you have to score a goal, which today contributed massively
in us winning this game. "The three goals we scored were excellent and that
got us back after going 1-0 down so early on. Credit to all the players."
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino: "I am very disappointed with the
defeat today. I thought we fully deserved to get something more from that
game.
"We had full control in the game and that even led us to go 1-0 up. It is
clear that the 1-1 goal came from an offside position and that was unlucky
for us.
"Then the team struggled to recover from going 2-1 down and that made
everything quite difficult for us as well. "In the second half we created
many good chances and were unlucky not to get the 2-2, which actually
changed the game. "Overall today, I thought we were quite unlucky with the
refereeing decisions and to have not scored more goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 3-1 Southampton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce must be a shoo-in for the Premier League's Manager of the
Month award after his West Ham team secured a fourth successive win against
a toothless Southampton at the Boleyn this afternoon. It's been eight years
since Alan Pardew became the most recent West Ham manager to receive that
particular accolade but Allardyce - whose record for February reads played
four, won four with a goal difference of nine to one - must surely be poised
to receive the latest award when it is announced. Today was a typical
Allardyce performance in that Southampton enjoyed a colossal 69 per cent of
possession yet left Upton Park on the wrong end of a 3-1 result, as the
Hammers made the most of the scant opportunities they were awarded by a
Saints side who, prior to today, had conceded just 13 goals from 14 away
fixtures in the BPL this season. And despite enjoying 25 shots at goal, the
visitors failed to work West Ham's in-form 'keeper Adrian who had very
little to do as 80 per cent of Southampton's efforts on goal ended up
everywhere but their intended destination.
Although they went on to squander a whole host of opportunities during the
game, the Saints took the lead after just eight minutes when Maya Yoshida
rose unmarked to nod home a Steven Davis free kick - awarded for a Adam
Lallana dive - from the right of the penalty area. However the Hammers were
back on level terms just 12 minutes later when a delicious through ball by
Kevin Nolan was converted by Matt Jarvis. The winger, who has endured a
frustrating season took Nolan's lofted pass down with a sublime first touch
before toe-poking the ball under the advancing Artur Boruc. Just three
minutes later West Ham took the lead for the first time in the game when
Carlton Cole, enjoying an extended run in the side due to Andy Carroll's
suspension scored from inside the six-yard box having seen his initial
effort crash back off the woodwork. Having survived a string of scares after
the break, West Ham scored the killer third when Kevin Nolan pounced from
close range to register his fifth goal of the month with a volley from three
yards out, after Carlton Cole's header fell perfectly for the Hammers
captain. The captain's return to form - Nolan has scored five of West Ham's
nine goals this month - couldn't have been better timed. This latest win
takes United back into the upper half of the Premier League and, just as
importantly, some seven points clear of the relegation zone.
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Pochettino on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer
They may well "play on the floor", but they also shipped three goals today.
Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino does his best to explain this afternoon's
defeat - via his interpretor...
Mauricio: I know you're not a huge fan of statistics but you did had 25
shots today. Can you believe you lost the match?
I do like statistics today! To justify the defeat today. I'm very
disappointed with the defeat, I felt we deserved to get something out of the
game. We had full control of the game to go 1-0 ahead and it's clear their
equaliser came from an offside position. That was unlucky for us.
The team struggled to recover at 2-1, that made everything quite difficult
for us. I felt that in the second half we created many good chances and were
unlucky not to get back to 2-2. which would have changed the game. Overall I
thought we were quite unlucky with the refereeing decisions and were unlucky
in the sense that we didn't actually score more goals.
It was the first game back for Mark Clattenburg, a lot had been made of that
- do you feel he didn't have the greatest of games - and his assistants as
well?
The refereeing decisions actually influenced the game today. We were unlucky
in that sense. We don't want to make anything more out of it. It seems that
the stars are not with us whenever Mr Clattenburg referees for us.
Defensively you looked a bit sloppy at times. What did you make of that?
I thought we were unlucky for the first goal so we can leave that one to one
side, because it shouldn't have counted. For the second goal there were
three of our players who were unable to clear the ball, it was just one of
those moments where there was indecision in the box.
Then we were looking for the equaliser and they came out strong on a counter
attack. We know of Cole and Nolan's strength, they're very strong players.
but I thought the team worked very well today. We knew it was going to be a
tough game against very good opposition. and I think today we lacked exactly
what they had - effectiveness.
Were you surprised the Premier League allowed Mark Clattenburg to referee a
Southampton game so soon after everything that happened?
No. It's clear that we're disappointed but I think that it's a good thing
that he's refereeing for us because we want to try to normalise the
situation. We don't want to make a bid deal out of it or keep on rehashing
the situation again. We want to help referees as much as we can because we
know that their job is quite hard and try to make things easier for them so
that they can make the best decisions in every single game for us and every
other team.
England assistant Ray Lewington was here today, do you think he'd have been
impressed by your English players? Do you expect them to get called up for
the game with Denmark?
I don't know, after a defeat it's quite hard to analyse individually the
performance of every single individual player but it's clear tht Roy Hodgson
and his assistants have been to many of our games and that they know our
players quite well already.
You had [Dejan] Lovren on the bench today; how long is it before he'll be
able to play?
We'll see. We need to assess his fitness. Also, Gaston [Ramirez] came on the
pitch today. They're both fully recovered, but they will have to fight to
get their places back in the team.
Thank you.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on......Southampton
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd February 2014
By: Staff Writer No.2
Sam Allardyce shares his view of the 3-1 win over Southampton....
Sam, four wins out of four this month. It's been a good month?
It's been a fantastic month for us. The last run of games, particularly the
four wins on the trot from where we were is an outstanding performance from
the players and I thank them for their efforts and the quality that they're
showing at the moment. It's all about the Premier League and the resilience
you have in defending and the quality you need to score goals. The quality
we had to score goals today contributed massively to us winning this game
today. The three goals we scored today were excellent goals and that got us
back from the shock of us going 1-0 down early on. Credit to the players and
the confidence that's growing in the team and the fact that we're pulling
away from the danger area that little bit more week by week. When you
consider that we've had to win four games on the trot to get to where we are
shows how difficult it is when you get in and around that bottom zone just
after Christmas.
Sam can you talk about Kevin Nolan? Sent off at Craven Cottage, fast forward
to now and he's had a standing ovation, he's got five goals in his last four
games. Can you believe the turnaround in the space of a month?
I can believe it because I know about his qualities. What I like is the way
he's gone about his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for
what happened. It was the lowest point of his career I think - not just the
one but the two sendings-off in a short period of time. The contribution is
massive and it's not just the goal today - the contribution in the first
goal - it was a top quality pass at this level which split a resilient
Southampton defence open, Long may it continue. Feeding off the front men is
Kevin's great quality. People talk about him being with Andy [Carroll] but
Andy hasn't been around for a while now and Kevin's still feeding off the
front men and the balls going in the box. Our quality in the final third is
getting so much better which is why we're winning games of football because
we've always been good at defending anyway.
It's helped turn his season around - he's come back a reformed man.....
Yes he has. He had a lot of time to reflect on what had happened to him. And
I think for him it was about rolling his sleeves up and defining himself in
terms of "when I come back I'm gonna show you hat I can do. So he didn't
have to worry abut games and captaining the team. He just had to worry about
himself and reflect on what he'd done. He's come back with a massive bang.
Do you think Andy Carroll's suspension helped motivate the team/
No - I don't think it did.
We were starting this run when Andy came back it was a lift for everybody.
The lift was about getting players fit. The other lift was about bringing
three payers in - four with Roger Johnson - and none of them are getting the
game they came here for. I can't put them in because we keep winning!
They're thinking "why did you bring us because you don't really need us!"
It's had an effect on the other players - they're saying to themselves "if
we don't turn around performances I'm gonna be out of the team and the new
guys are gonna be in as well as the guys who have come back from injury."
it's worked fantastically well at the moment and long may it continue. We've
still got a bit to go - we've made life a little easier for ourselves but
there's at least nine points we need to pick up as quickly as we can and try
to keep the undefeated run going through a difficult game next week at
Everton.
You joked that you hoped it would be difficult for Andy Carroll to get back
into the team
It's a hard one! I'll reflect on that. Let me have a weekend to enjoy this
one!
So much has been said about Southampton and their England players. The form
Kevin's in do you think he's worth a look at for the upcoming match against
Denmark?
I wouldn't have thought so. He's had a lot of times when he knocked at the
door but I don't think it'll make much difference. It'd be nice if he did
but it's about Kevin continuing where he is. He's in his thirties now and he
needs to continue his career as long as he can by doing what he does, and
that's scoring goals. Apart from a short spell out in the Championship with
Newcastle he's scored goals every season he's scored at a very high level as
a midfield player. There are few players as good as him at scoring from
midfield.
How encouraged were you to see Matt Jarvis on the scoresheet today?
Brilliant. We talk about Matt and Stewart [Downing] and their contribution
to making goals. Stewart obviously made the second goal from the corner and
the third one from the cross. Matt made a big contribution when we needed
it, coming in from wide and running between the full back and the centre
half and taking a touch after a fantastic ball from Kevin. Goals are
beginning to spread around the team now which is very good. If we keep our
defensive resilience up everyone will find it difficult to beat us.
Thanks.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham come from goal down to earn 3-1 win over Southampton
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 22/02/14 10:00pm
SSN
West Ham secured their fourth win in a row after coming from behind to beat
Southampton 3-1 at Upton Park. The visitors took a deserved lead early on
thanks to Maya Yoshida's first Premier League goal, but were pegged back by
two goals in quick succession, somewhat against the run of play. First, Matt
Jarvis marginally beat the offside trap to level for the Hammers, and then
Carlton Cole emphatically lashed home the loose ball after his header had
come back off the post to put West Ham surprisingly in front. The
second-half was virtually all Southampton as they threw everything at the
Hammers to try and get the equaliser.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: Mark Noble. Covered every blade of grass for the West Ham
cause.
Goal of the Match: Kevin Nolan. The Hammers skipper acrobatically made sure
of the points.
Attempt of the Match: Mohamed Diame. Substitute almost added a fourth from
distance.
Talking Points: What has happened to West Ham? How much credit does Sam
Allardyce deserve? Were Southampton unlucky in defeat?
However, Sam Allardyce's men held firm, and on the counter they made sure of
the points, thanks to their captain fantastic Kevin Nolan, from close range.
The scoreline doesn't tell the full story of a match that Southampton
dominated for large spells, but it is what you do with your possession that
counts, and the Hammers' bid for Premier League safety is looking healthier
by the week, and they won't care how they get the points. After dominating
the early stages it was the Saints that managed to score the first goal
against West Ham for over six hours of Premier League football, with Yoshida
leaping above a static defence to head home a Steven Davis free-kick. In the
opening 15 minutes Saints had 70 per cent possession as they passed the ball
around with ease, and looked excellent value for their lead. However, two
goals in three minutes sprang the game into life, and turned the match on
its head.
West Ham manager Sam Allarydce hailed his side's efforts after their 3-1 win
over Southampton. Skipper Nolan picked up the ball in the centre circle,
played an excellent ball over the top, which Jarvis, who close to being
offside, controlled well and slotted the ball under the onrushing Boruc to
level. And then, as the Saints were still in shock from conceding against
the run of play, Cole struck to send Upton Park into raptures. From a
left-wing Stewart Downing corner, Cole outjumped his marker, headed against
the upright, but as Yoshida struggled to clear the rebound the imposing
hitman pounced to fire the Hammers in front.
Mauricio Pochettino say's he was proud with his team's performance despite
their 3-1 loss at West Ham. Southampton were shocked into life, and almost
leveled through a distinctly off-colour Rickie Lambert, whose close-range
header came back of the post with Adrian beaten. The second half followed
much of the same pattern, with Saints dominating possession, but West Ham
standing firm. Substitute Gaston Ramirez did add more impetus to the
Southampton attack, and came mightily close to grabbing the leveller, firing
just over after manoeuvring space for the shot well. But on the counter, the
home side made sure of the victory thanks to their ever-reliable skipper.
Downing's ball into the box found Cole, who climbed above his man to head
down, and Nolan, who has come under much scrutiny from the Hammers faithful
this season, acrobatically volleyed the loose ball past Boruc to seal
victory. Substitute Mohamed Diame almost made the scoreline more flattering,
hitting the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance, but the Hammers
held on for a vital victory, and continued their impressive resurgence.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Kevin Nolan after victory
Last Updated: 22/02/14 7:06pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce heaped praise on skipper Kevin Nolan after helping West Ham
earn a 3-1 win over Southampton at Upton Park. The 31-year-old's captaincy
was reviewed at the start of the year after he was sent off for kicking
Fernando Amorebieta in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham. It was Nolan's second red
card in less than four weeks after lunging at Jordan Henderson against
Liverpool, leading Allardyce to say "there's something wrong with his
mentality at the minute". The Hammers' captain has certainly made amends
since then, netting five goals in as many league games since returning from
suspension. "I can believe the turnaround because I know Kevin's qualities,"
Allardyce told Sky Sports. "What I like about it is that he has gone about
his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened. "It
was the lowest point of his career, I think, because it was not just one
sending off but two in a short period of time. "The contribution now is
massive and it is not just the goals, but the pass he made for the first
goal - a top quality pass at this level, which split open a very resilient
Southampton defence. Long may it continue."
Nolan has been key in West Ham's revival, with their 100 per cent record in
February taking them from the relegation zone to the relatively dizzy
heights of the top half. The latest win came courtesy of strikes from Matt
Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Nolan, as the Hammers turned the match on its head
following Maya Yoshida's early header. "It has been a fantastic run for us,"
Allardyce added. "The four wins on the trot from where we were is an
outstanding performance by the players. "I thank them for their efforts and
the quality they are showing at the moment. "In the Premier League it is all
about the resilient qualities in defence and you have to score a goal, which
today contributed massively in us winning this game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MATCH REPORT: WEST HAM 3 SOUTHAMPTON 1
By Iain Dale 22 Feb 2014 at 20:04
West Ham Till I Die
This victory wouldn't have been possible even a month ago. Having conceded
first, we'd have capitulated. How is it that the same players are showing a
resolve and a passion which just wasn't there before? I don't have an
explanation.
At one stage it looked as if we were about to be beaten by the better team.
Southampton's passing game overwhelmed us in the first twenty minutes. When
they scored after eight minutes I think we all feared the worst. But after
the first goal, we got back into the match and quickly asserted some
physical authority. We should all have been pleased for Matt Jarvis, who
took his goal extremely well. One of our main weaknesses this season has
been the lack of goals coming from our wingers.
Carlton Cole put in a very physical shift and for me was a contender for man
of the match. He was great in the air, held the ball up well and brought
other players into the game. He was a constant menace in a way which Rickie
Lambert wasn't. In fact the Southampton front three, so impressive for most
of the season, failed to have much effect on the game at all. It's not that
they didn't have chances, they certainly did, but they couldn't find the
net. Indeed, I counted at least three moments when we were lucky not to
concede.
But it was in midfield where we came into our own. Mark Noble put in a real
leader's performance. He was everywhere, tackling mercilessly and putting
through several brilliantly measured slide rule passes. Matt Taylor and
Kevin Nolan also harried and hassled and I thought Nolan had one of his best
games this season, topped off by a fantastic bicycle volley to nab the third
and decisive goal. Up until that point a one goal lead always looked a dodgy
one.
Adrian really has become a cult figure with the crowd who were constantly
chanting his name. He made several outstanding saves and his defence clearly
seem every comfortable playing in front of him. I thought James Collins and
James Tomkins proved their worth again, although in the later stages Ginge
was beaten for speed a couple of times. However, that is to carp. He was
always in the right place at the right time, heading the ball away from
danger. And let's not forget the contributions of McCartney and Demel who
were both excellent.
The truth is that there wasn't a weak link in this team today. I score every
player at least a 7 and I can't remember the last time I did that.
It's a great feeling this evening, isn't it? 10th place, seven points above
the relegation zone and one point better off than we were at this stage last
season.
We may still not be very pretty to watch, but compared to where we were a
month ago we should all be very pleased, relieved and toasting whoever or
whatever has changed things around.
Adrian 7
Demel 7
McCartney 7
Tomkins 7
Collins 8
Reid 7
Noble 8
Taylor 7
Nolan 7
Downing 7
Cole 7
Jarvis 7
Diame 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-1 Southampton: Irons see off under-par Saints to earn fourth
consecutive victory
Feb 22, 2014 17:14 By Marc Isaacs
The Mirror
In the space of a month, Kevin Nolan has -transformed West Ham's season and
turned around his own career. The West Ham captain received a standing
ovation and continued his rich vein of form to help the east London club
notch up a fourth consecutive victory. Nolan suffered the lowest point of
his career after getting himself needlessly sent off in a New Year's Day
clash at Fulham which resulted in a four-match ban at a crucial stage of the
season. The fans made their -feelings known towards the 31-year-old, but the
dismissal could be the best thing that has happened to both him and the
Hammers. Nolan has returned to the side a reformed character and he has his
appetite for goals back, netting five of them in his last four games. Who
needs Andy Carroll when you have got Nolan playing at the top of his game?
Sam Allardyce's side move into the top half of the table and equal their
best run of results since the Great Escape back in 2007 - when Alan
Curbishley helped them stay in the top flight. Victories over Swansea, Aston
Villa, Norwich and now Southampton have given West Ham belief they can stay
in the top flight. They had to show their fighting qualities once again
after going one down early in the game to a Maya Yoshida header, but goals
from Matt Jarvis, Carlton Cole and Nolan's scissor kick secured the three
points. Allardyce praised the way Nolan has battled back from his nightmare
spell and feels he has made a major -difference to the club's recent
revival: "He has made sure that he has repaid everybody at the club for what
has happened. It was the lowest point of his career. He had been sent off
twice in a small matter of time. "His contribution has been massive, not
just his goals. The pass he made today for our equaliser split a very
resilient Southampton defence open. "He had a lot of time to reflect what
happened to him.
"For him, it was about rolling his sleeves up and using those weeks to
define himself and target showing everyone what he can really do. He's come
back with a massive bang."
It could have been a different story had- the visitors held on to an early
lead given to them by Yoshida, the defender's first league goal of the
campaign.
It was the most unlikely of partnerships which led to the opening goal. Two
months ago, Saints launched a complaint against referee Mark -Clattenburg,
saying he had insulted Adam Lallana during a Premier League game against
Everton. The Football Association subsequently exonerated the Durham
official and the two were face-to-face again at Upton Park. When Lallana was
fouled by James Tomkins on eight minutes, Clattenburg gave a generous
decision to award a foul in Lallana's favour. Steve Davis's free-kick picked
out Yoshida who rose above the West Ham defence and directed a powerful
header past Adrian into the corner of the net. But Mauricio Pochettino was
soon cursing -Clattenburg once again after he allowed West Ham's equaliser
to stand on 20 minutes despite Jarvis appearing to be in an offside position
when he raced onto a through ball from Nolan and used his pace to slide the
ball past Artur Boruc. Pochettino said: "It is clear the goal came from an
offside position. It seems that the stars are not with us whenever Mr
Clattenburg referees for us."
West Ham added a second on 23 minutes after Guy Demel saw his close-range
header come back off the post and Cole made no mistake with his left-foot
shot. Rickie Lambert struck the post for Southampton on 32 minutes but they
were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Nolan made the game
safe for the home side in spectacular fashion on 71 minutes. Stewart
Downing's cross fell to Cole who flicked the ball back across to Nolan and
he fired an acrobatic scissor kick into the corner of the net to give his
gaffer every chance of winning the manager-of-the-month award for February.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Defence of Big Sam
http://www.wildwordsofsport.blogspot.com.au/
After taking in West Ham's 3-1 defeat of Southampton on Saturday, their
fourth consecutive victory, and a match in which they allowed their first
goal in five games, it struck me as the time to praise Sam Allardyce. Since
they occupied the second relegation position five matches ago, Allardyce has
persuaded the Hammers to draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and then
win the next four matches, three of them without Andy Carroll. They have
quietly leapt from 18th to 10th, and are now 7 points from the drop zone. It
is a remarkable turnaround, and one must think that the credit for this
storming improvement is due to Big Sam. While most teams striving to avoid
the drop tend to slowly and surely grind out results, gaining momentum bit
by bit, willing themselves over the line at the last, Allardyce, after
finding himself under the cosh (the only manager in the bottom five not to
have been replaced at one point) has reversed the fortunes of his team
nearly instantly. As soon as the pressure was on, he, and they, delivered
with gusto. The way Allardyce bellows himself silly from the touchline, his
face ruddy and contorted to the point of resembling a particularly knobbly
capsicum, you get the impression that he doesn't mind having his back to the
wall, that he relishes exerting the strength and aggression that's needed
for a scrap. He has never been relegated as a manager.
The way that Allardyce set his team up to play Southampton, to concede 70%
of the possession, to allow 25 goal attempts and 11 corners, is typically
his own brand. He has received a lot of criticism over the years, not least
a few weeks ago, for the way he sends his teams out to play. Even now, with
safety now much more clearly in sight, I know that many West Ham fans would
be happy to be rid of him regardless. Although usually reliable, his style
can only take you so far. But I also think he ought to be commended for it,
in these tight circumstances. The 'Long Ball' style of play is scorned for
its apparent cynicism, its lack of regard for the playing of the game. As
the Saints supporters booed every hoof out from the back on Saturday, they
were thinking to themselves "They haven't even got the courage to play
against us, to compete on the ground. All they can do is bloot it away and
hope. Cowards." But I'd contest that courage is exactly what's needed for
such an approach. Think about what West Ham are, what they currently possess
under Allardyce. To be certain it's Allardyce's own doing; he has designed
the team to play this way, and so any shortcomings that result should be
laid at his feet. But, such as it is, West Ham cannot hope, not in a million
years, to compete with Southampton by trying to beat them at their own game.
They would be torn apart because they lack the required poise on the ball,
and the knowledge of what movement is needed to accommodate the passing.
Their centre halves are too slow, their wingers too orthodox, and their
strikers too technically unskilled. So Allardyce, when facing such
opposition, must find a way to compete. And the way forward resides in his
confidence that he has in his defence.
Big Sam's defence have kept 13 clean sheets in the league this season, as
many as Bayern Munich's defence have kept in the Bundesliga. This is in
spite of the fact that at one point in the season he was forced to play two
fullbacks as centre halves against West Brom. Make no mistake, West Ham have
been plagued by injuries this term, and not just Andy Carroll. Their entire
first choice defence was out, and only now is it beginning to be
reassembled. Still, in the face of such adversity, they rallied and have
shut out more teams than anyone else. Southampton did have 25 shots
yesterday, but only 5 were on target, and I can't remember Adrian needing to
trouble himself too much with any of those. Imagine the bravery it takes for
a defender to head out onto the pitch at home, knowing that you will spend
two thirds of the game without the ball. West Ham have had around 40%
possession on average this season, sometimes much less. That means that
there needs to be defensive heroes every week. James Collins has blocked
more shots per game than anyone else in the league. Adrian has cemented his
place over early season starter Jussi Jaaskelainen, winning vital points on
his own with blinding performances against Norwich and Chelsea. Mark Noble
runs himself into the ground every weekend. Downing and Jarvis track back
diligently every match. Such tenacity has come at a cost; the second most
yellow and red cards in the league. But it is a true testament to Allardyce
that West Ham has defended this way. The way Allardyce wants to play
requires this level of defensive solidity and he has achieved it with this
far from ever-present bunch.
I'll take this moment to debunk some Allardyce myths too. According to
Whoscored.com, West Ham don't play the most long balls per game, Southampton
do, equal with Aston Villa on 70 (admittedly West Ham are right there behind
them on 67). West Ham are 11th in fouls committed per game, contrary to the
thuggy reputation that Allardyce's teams have seemed to acquire. West Ham
don't score all their goals from set pieces either, only 5 this term, a
number dwarfed by Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Southampton, who
all have 12 or more. West Ham are a team that rely on stoic defending, on
hustle over ingenuity in midfield and on quality orthodox wing play on the
break. That is exactly how they beat Southampton.
Speaking personally, I think that West Ham and their fans shouldn't be
content with Allardyce for too much longer. Moving into the Olympic Stadium
in two years will be a huge step, and flirting with relegation, as can be
the Allardyce way, will not suit. But I also can see that there are many
worse options than Big Sam and many teams worse than his West Ham. A lot of
people are content to lazily gobble up the sneering assumptions about
Allardyce's teams; I am not one of them, and not just because I happen to
support his current one. It's very easy to deride Allardyce, to tut-tut his
"19th century" methods (has Jose Mourinho any knowledge of 19th century
tactics? No, is the answer) and to jeeringly guffaw with pointed fingers
when he asserts his professional worth, sometimes hyperbolically. But people
shouldn't be congratulated for doing something easy. The task that Big Sam
was facing five games ago was far from easy. Yet, so far, he's easily
shouldered the weight of it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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