Big Sam ready to shuffle the pack
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC on Saturday
24.07.2014
Sam Allardyce will make changes to his West Ham United side when they fact
Sydney FC in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday. The likes of Mauro Zarate
and Stewart Downing, whose introduction so nearly salvaged a draw from
Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland, goalkeeper Adrian,
Joey O'Brien and youngsters Diego Poyet, Dan Potts, Danny Whitehead and
Matthias Fanimo could all be handed starts at the Westpac Stadium. The
manager will not have the services of Andy Carroll, who is being rested due
to an ankle injury, and both Cheikhou Kouyate and James Tomkins, who
suffered ankle and groin problems in the midweek defeat. With those three
players absent and others completing an hour or more against the Phoenix,
Big Sam confirmed he will shuffle his pack for the second and final game of
the Football United Tour. "Cheikh and James have stayed behind in Auckland
because they've got injuries that mean we've left a physio with them," said
the boss. "Cheikh has gone for a scan to make sure there is no more damage
than we've initially assessed medically, while James has got a groin strain
towards the end of the game. "There was little point us flying them all the
way here, so we have given them the full attention of one of our physios
back in Auckland. Cheikh was caught just above the ankle when the boy
tackled him and he was rather fortunate he didn't break his leg, so we're
pleased about that. "I'm not expecting the news to be too bad because he
wasn't limping as badly in the morning as he was after the game, which is
usually a good sign. The scan is a precautionary measure just to make sure
there is not more damage than we actually think. "Our preparation for Sydney
is to assess the time on the pitch spent by the players who we've got with
us. We'll give some players more time than others and we've got to give
players who have come all this way and who haven't had much time on the
field as yet. We'll pick a team on Friday that serves both purposes - to get
the players out there and get everyone as much match-practice as we can.
"I'll sit down with the medical team and assess the knocks and bruises
suffered in the match on Wednesday and we'll prepare for training on Friday
from there."
Looking back on Wednesday's defeat by Wellington Phoenix, Big Sam said his
players had benefitted greatly from the competitive nature of the game,
despite the result. "I thought the Phoenix were very good, as is always the
case when we come and play a team which is not in the Premier League - they
play their best," said Big Sam. "They tried extremely hard and, if you speak
to their manager, I'm sure he would say that was one of the best
performances they have put in recently. "We're 20 days into the new season
and the lads didn't find their feet quickly enough and, by the time they
did, they were 2-0 down and couldn't find their way back into the game. In
terms of a physical contest, it certainly was that and there were one or two
naughty challenges, but in terms of the tempo of the game, I thought the
lads got a really good workout. "It really did lift their match-fitness
levels to another level in pre-season that we haven't had up to now. "We
travelled down to Wellington on Thursday and we'll do a little bit of
training on Friday and then we're into another highly-competitive game on
Saturday which concludes our very nice, well-accommodated trip to New
Zealand."
The game also gave thousands of West Ham supporters from across the region
and beyond the opportunity to cheer their heroes on - many for the first
time in their lives. "For me, I didn't think there would be many West Ham
fans get this far, but they're everywhere again! They were in and around the
bars, the hotel, the airport and flying with us and they've been everywhere.
"Lots and lots have flown from Australia to watch us and that just shows the
support West Ham have across the world."
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Fans out in force in NZ
WHUFc.com
Thousands of West Ham United supporters turned out to watch their side in
action on Wednesday
24.07.2014
Wherever West Ham United have been in New Zealand over the past week,
members of the Claret and Blue Army have been out in force. The squad has
met up with Hammers fans at the airport, the team hotel, at Open Training
sessions, at Wednesday's meeting with Wellington Phoenix or simply in the
street. On Wednesday afternoon, more than 500 supporters of all ages
gathered at a central Auckland pub to prepare for the evening fixture at
Eden Park, where they sang 'Bubbles' and 'Come on you Irons!' repeatedly
before welcoming a special guest in Joint-Chairman David Gold. The meet was
organised by the Kiwi Hammers Supporters' Club, whose co-founders Nick Daly
and Joe Foale were among the throng of fans to welcome Mr Gold to New
Zealand. "It's just brilliant to get everyone from New Zealand together,"
said Daly, 21. "We talk on Facebook all the time but to see everyone here in
the same place, it's just brilliant to catch up with everyone. "To put faces
to names is just fantastic."
Foale, who emigrated to Wellington from Dagenham as a child, and Kiwi
Hammers member Andrew Quinn said supporting West Ham is as important to New
Zealanders as it is to fans anywhere else in the world. "My Dad worked at
the Ford factory for the last 30 years, so I grew up in Dagenham and it's
just part of the culture when you grow up in east London," he explained.
"Everyone in my school was a West Ham fan and went to West Ham games." "For
me, it started back in 1979/80 when I went to my first game in London and it
was at West Ham, so I've supported them ever since." added Quinn ,53. "I
think we're all genuine fans. We like the game and the game played well.
We've also got a working-class mentality, so we do the right thing every
time we turn up. "We appreciate good football and good support and that's
what West Ham is all about."
Daly, who joined thousands of his fellow countrymen and women at Eden Park
on Wednesday, believes West Ham supporters are among the most loyal and
committed in the world. "I think the West Ham fans are absolutely fantastic
and our passion for the club is fantastic," he said. "You'd struggle to find
a passion like you find at West Ham. "Going to the Boleyn Ground is just an
incredible experience and seeing that many fans in the same place at the
same time is awesome. It's just a great club - what more can you say?" For
the trio, the sight of West Ham actually playing two matches in New Zealand
was one they never believed they would see. "It's absolutely amazing!"
exclaimed Foale, who attended the game with his girlfriend Kelsi. "Who would
have thought that seven years ago when I emigrated to New Zealand that West
Ham would be here!" "I remember saying a few years ago when David Beckham
came here, 'imagine if West Ham ever came over!', so it's incredible to see
them over here and Winston Reid coming home," said Daly. "He's a huge
influence on New Zealand football and I've heard many fans say they wish he
was English!" "It's eleven years since I left the UK and tried coming out
here," Quinn revealed. "We got an idea in around January or February that
the Hammers might come out and now they're here and it's just like being at
home!" All three, plus hundreds of fellow Kiwi Hammers members, will be at
Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon, where they will cheer
West Ham on against A-League side Sydney FC.
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oungsters head to Ruhr Cup
WHUFc.com
West Ham United have headed to Germany for the U19 Ruhr-International Cup
24.07.2014
West Ham United's youngsters head to Germany on Thursday to take part in the
Evonik Ruhr-International Cup. The Dortmund-based tournament has drawn teams
from all over Europe, as the Hammers continue to build for the season ahead
with a varied pre-season schedule. West Ham have taken a young squad for the
tournament, which is for Under-19 teams, with age groups from U16s upwards
represented in the Londoners' line-up. The group stages take place across
Thursday and Friday, with the weekend reserved for the knockout rounds.
First up on Thursday are two 40 minute matches, with Schalke 04 and Borussia
Monchengladback West Ham's first day opponents. Matches against Galatasaray
and Israeli outfit Maccabi Netanya await on Friday, while the likes of hosts
Borussia Dortmund and Benfica will battle it out in the other group.
Development Squad coach Nick Haycock believes the tournament will give the
Hammers' young players an invaluable experience. He said: "There's a good
mix of Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s. The expectation is to try and be
comeptitive in every game, and there's four or five U19 players - Kieran
Bywater, Amos Nasha, Moses Maskasi, Jaanai Gordon and Nathan Mavila - and
we've put the mantle on them to go and be the best player in the tournament.
"We want the reports coming back over the next three days that they've been
the best player, and for the youngsters it's a great experience of playing
against older opposition and continental styles. "They'll get another
experience which becomes part of their make-up."
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker faces long lay-off with ankle injury
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Andy Carroll has torn ligaments in his ankle and could be out of
action for four months. The former Liverpool player, 25, is set to have an
operation on Friday in the United States. Carroll picked up the problem on
the Hammers' tour of New Zealand, reporting a sore left ankle in training.
Jack Sullivan, son of co-owner David, tweeted details of the extent of the
injury on Thursday following a question and answer session with his father.
He wrote: "Very bad news regarding AC. Torn ligaments in ankle. Operation
tomorrow with top surgeon in USA. Will be playing in four months."
The club only discovered the full extent of the injury on Thursday evening.
Carroll missed West Ham's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wellington Phoenix and
the club announced he would miss the rest of the tour. He has been plagued
by injury since moving to Upton Park for a club record £15m from Liverpool
after impressing during a loan spell. He missed the majority of 2013-14 with
a heel problem - managing just 15 league appearances - and also failed to
force his way into England's World Cup squad.
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Carroll out for four months: confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Andy Carroll is
likely to be out of action for four months with torn ligaments. As
exclusively revealed here on KUMB.com yesterday, Carroll is facing a lengthy
lay-off once again after sustaining the injury during training in New
Zealand. The news was confirmed this afternoon by Sullivan via his youngest
son Jack's Twitter feed, following the second annual #askDS session in which
supporters were invited to send their questions to the Chairman.
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Kouyate injury not serious
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate is not as bad as
first feared. Central midfielder Kouyate was scythed down by a dreadful
tackle from Wellington Phoenix's Louis Fenton in the opening minutes of
yesterday's 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat. However Big Sam revealed at a
press conference that the 24-year-old Senegal international has shown signs
of improvement having limped off the field following the shin-high, studs-up
challenge. "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's no more damage
above the ankle where the boy tackled him," said the West Ham boss. "He was
rather fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that.
There were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really
good workout. "He [Kouyate] was limping this morning but he's not as bad as
he was last night."
Allardyce also revealed that James Tomkins had taken a knock during the game
and like Kouyate, has remained in Auckland for the time being to receive
treatment. "James Tomkins has got a groin strain," confirmed Allardyce.
"There was little point in them flying here [to Wellington] today."
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Sullivan and Big Sam set for Ravel showdown
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 25th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that Ravel Morrison remains part of the club's
long term vision - even if manager Sam Allardyce may not necessarily agree.
Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror claimed earlier this week that Allardyce
did not see a future at the club for the attacking midfielder, who spent the
latter half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers. However Sullivan,
speaking on Talksport last night insisted that Morrison was very much in his
plans - as is central defender Winston Reid, who recently turned down a new
contract offer. "I think Sam said in a press conference that Ravel's not
part of his plans - but we as a board do see him as part of our plans," he
said. "We don't agree with that, we would like to sit down and give him a
longer contract. "We like him and see him as part of the long-term future of
the club but we have to agree it with the manager, because there's no point
signing a player who's not going to play. "I think we will get to a deal
with Winston and we're working on it now. We're also trying to negotiate
with Ravel," he added. "So it's up in the air with regards to Winston and
Ravel but both are players we like very, very much."
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More pre-season friendlies live on TV
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's two Schalke Cup fixtures in early August will be broadcast live
on TV. Quest TV, an offshoot of the Discovery Channel have confirmed they
will be showing both of West Ham's matches against the hosts and La Liga
outfit Malaga, which take place on the weekend of 2nd/3rd August. Malaga and
Newcastle United - who are currently on tour with West Ham in New Zealand -
start the tournament at 3.30pm. West Ham's first game is against Schalke and
takes place on Saturday, 2nd August with a 5.30pm kick off (local time). The
following day West Ham face Malaga at 3.30pm, whilst Schalke and Newcastle
wrap up the mini-tournament at 5.30pm on the same day. All matches are to be
played at the 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena.
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INJURY UPDATE - CARROLL FACES FOUR MONTH LAYOFF
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 18:54
West Ham Till I Die
West Ham travelled to Wellington for their final New Zealand tour match
without midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender James Tomkins who both
picked up knocks in the Wellington Phoenix match.
Sam Allardyce revealed: "Cheik's gone for a scan just to make sure there's
no more damage above the ankle where the boy tackled him, He was rather
fortunate that he didn't break his leg, so we're pleased about that. There
were one or two naughty challenges but I thought the lads got a really good
workout.He was limping this morning but he's not as bad as he was last
night. James Tomkins has got a groin strain, there was little point in them
flying here today."
Andy Carroll has flown back to the UK from New Zealand for more treatment
but some sources claim he is due to fly to America to see a specialist. Wide
speculation on the internet has all kind of rumours and conspiracy theories
on what is really going on. One story yesterday suggested he could be out
for 2 to 4 months while Darren Lewis from the Daily Mirror suggested today
it would be more like 2-4 weeks. Meanwhile 13 year West Ham Jack Sullivan
looked to set the record straight by saying "CARROLL has a twisted ankle and
has gone back to England from treatment. We will know more in a few days but
hope he will be back 4 spurs" Seems a lot of fuss about a twisted ankle. I
guess the hysteria needs to die down and we need to wait to see what the so
called experts say.
Another rumour which broke yesterday was that new signing Enner Valencia was
also injured with an ankle problem and that he failed the West Ham medical.
A source close to the club said they knew nothing about any injury effecting
Valencia and West Ham's substitute PR man Jack Sullivan also looked to clam
fears by saying "Enner Valencia has passed his medical will flying colours
but has a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when there
back"
Ravel Morrison is recovering from his groin operation but I am told he will
not be travelling to Germany for the Schalke 04 Cup at the beginning of
August.
UPDATE: Carroll is having an operation in the US tomorrow and will be out
for FOUR months according to Jack Sullivan.
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RAVEL OFF TO MOSCOW?
By Sean Whetstone 24 Jul 2014 at 08:33
West Ham Till I Die
Ravel Morrison caused bemusement after tweeting the words 'CSKA Moscow'
being deleting the tweet a minute later and replacing it with the words
'decisions, decisions. decisions' Morrison is recovering from a groin
operation which he put off from last season and its claimed he has not been
offered a new contract to date despite only a year left on his existing
£15,000 per week contract. Whether CSKA Moscow means he has been offered a
loan deal, a permanent bid has come or it was the opposition he was playing
on FIFA 14 at midnight last night is unknown but it adds more speculation.
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Andy Carroll injured AGAIN and out for four months after torn ankle
ligaments confirmed
Jul 24, 2014 19:24 By Ben Burrows
The 25-year-old has been plagued by injuries since joining the Hammers and
is set for another spell on the sidelines to start the coming season
The Mirror
Andy Carroll is injured AGAIN with torn ankle ligaments confirmed. The
25-year-old striker is set for surgery in the US on Friday and will be
sidelined for at least four months - ending hopes of a return to Newcastle.
The news was revealed by Jack Sullivan – owner David's son – on Twitter on
Thursday afternoon. He confirmed that the striker, who was sent home from
New Zealand, would be heading to the US for an operation and would be out
for four months. On Tuesday the club confirmed he had been withdrawn from
the squad to face Wellington on Wednesday as "a precautionary measure".
"Andy Carroll will miss both games on the Football United tour of New
Zealand as a precautionary measure after developing a sore left ankle during
training," read a statement on the club's official website. "After
assessment by the club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England
international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment
to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. "It should be clear that
the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he
successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
But now their worst fears have been confirmed with torn ligaments diagnosed
in his left ankle. It is yet another blow for the England man who has seen
his time at Upton Park blighted. Carroll missed the first half of last term
with a heel problem, and made only 15 league appearances in his first
permanent season with the Hammers. And now it looks as if he won't be back
in action until November at the earliest this time around.
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Adrian scores for the Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's Development Squad made it two wins on the trot in their
pre-season friendlies after seeing off Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on
Wednesday night to show the senior squad just how it's done! West Ham won
the game 1-0 with a 50th minute goal by West Ham trialist Adrian Wojcik
Kosela Both teams were careful not to name the trialist referring to him
only as the 'unnamed trialist' but Adrian gave the game away by bragging
about his goal on twitter this morning.
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Newcastle and West Ham target Carl Jenkinson set for Arsenal stay as PSG
sign Serge Aurier
NEWCASTLE and West Ham are set to miss out on signing Arsenal defender Carl
Jenkinson after Paris Saint-Germain beat the Gunners to Serge Aurier.
By: David WrightPublished: Thu, July 24, 2014
Daily Mail
Jenkinson is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited this
season after the arrival of Mathieu Debuchy, leading to speculation that he
could leave the Emirates this summer. Newcastle and West Ham are reportedly
lining up moves for his services, but are likely to have any approach
rebuffed after the Gunners missed out on signing his replacement Aurier. The
Toulouse right-back has instead opted for a season-long loan at PSG - who
have an option to buy - despite the 21-year-old Ivorian previously favouring
a move to the Emirates. "Serge Aurier, one of the most promising young
players in world football, courted by the biggest clubs, has chosen Paris
Saint-Germain to continue to shine on the European stage," PSG president
Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. "We are delighted to welcome this young player into
our team." Aurier came through the youth system at Lens and spent three
seasons in the north before moving to Toulouse in 2012.
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Valencia's medical update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Jack Sullivan has revealed that Enner Valencia passed his West Ham medical
with "flying colours." Rumours emerged on the internet yesterday that the
player was struggling with an ankle injury. However, co owner David
Sullivan's son appears to have put the record straight on Twitter. He
declared: "Enner Valencia has passed his medical with flying colours and has
a work permit hearing on the 29th and will join the team when they are back"
(from New Zealand). Sam Allardyce will plead Valencia's case at the hearing
next Tuesday with the club entirely confident of the outcome.
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Sam depressing analysis gives cause for worry
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
If a double injury blow and Sam Allardyce's comments on them hadn't
depressed us enough his view of the match against Wellington Phoenix was
pretty horrendous …to put it mildly! And before we consider his comments
let's remember that Newcastle United are at exactly the same stage of their
preparations as us yet brushed Sydney FC aside 4-0. Sam, however, rolled
out a litany of explanations on the Irons performance against Wellington
Phoenix which were disturbing in the extreme. Here's the nub of what he
said:
O We got caught cold by the fact that Phoenix showed a great attitude and
played at a tempo which the Irons failed to recognise and counter.
O We are " finding our feet" and Phoenix gave a great standard as he
expected
O They fought and shut us down over all over the pitch, did exceptionally
well and knocked us out of our stride."
O The team was changed in the second half because of fatigue as "we are
working the players extremely hard. We have been training every day, morning
and afternoon, because we have to get our fitness levels up."
O The important things are levels of fitness and technique and what was
worrying was that the technique level was "way down."
Not many positives there then. The players have returned from a summer break
and are now fatigued and lacking technique. The 'mighty Kiwi world beaters '
were more up for the game than us and caught a Premier League cold, took
their chances and were clearly the better team. Meanwhile our guys are being
trained morning and afternoon and we wonder whether that may actually
contribute to their levels of fatigue. It would be interesting to hear from
Sam not thay they ARE fatigues but WHY Looking at his appraisal of things –
and given two massive injuries – there's little room left for hope it
seems. There wasn't a word either about how the "lack of technique" would be
addressed. Instead we had: "What matter is what happens on the opening day
of the season."
Well on the strength of what we have seen so far at Stevenage, Ipswich and
now in New Zealand we might have reason to worry big time about the first
day of the season. I'm not going to judge anybody on three pre- season
friendlies but I seriously hope the manager knows how he is going to improve
performance levels as well as fitness and technique levels by around 150
per cent minimum come opening day. Yesterday the post match explanations
simply weren't up to much and did I mention Newcastle United are at exactly
the same point in their build-up as us?
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Good news on Kouyate
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hopes are rising inside the Hammers camp that the injury to Cheikhou Kouyate
is not as bad as first feared. The £7 million midfielder was at the
receiving end of a bad tackle in the clash against Wellington Phoenix at
Eden Park yesterday and left the ground on crutches. Sam Allardyce indicated
immediately afterwards the player could be out for a long time. But this
morning ClaretandHugh has learned that the player is now moving around very
well after a scan and that hopefully therefore, things may not be as bad as
at first feared.
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Ravel in Russian mystery
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison is at the centre of a Russian transfer mystery this morning!
And it is the midfielder himself who has created the situation with a
quickly deleted tweet. An eagle-eyed reporter on ClaretandHugh saw him tweet
the words 'CSKA Moscow' before promptly deleting it. It was then replaced
with the words: 'Decisions, decisions, decisions' which may or may not
include the possibilities of a loan or permanent move to Moscow. However,
given his dislike of flying and those close to him claiming he's sometimes
not too keen on foreign living, that would be a surprise! Morrison is
currently recovering from a groin operation which prevented him from
traveling to New Zealand with the squad for their pre season tour.
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David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
David Sullivan admits club 'probably made a mistake' by relying on injury-
prone Andy Carroll
Carroll will be out for four months with an ankle injury
West Ham co-owner says club shouldn't have put 'all our eggs in one basket'
Hammers will bring in another striker, according to Sullivan
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 00:42, 25 July 2014 | UPDATED: 01:48, 25 July 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has admitted the east London club shouldn't
have put 'all their eggs in one basket' by signing injury-plagued Andy
Carroll in 2012. The Hammers forward is out for four months with ankle
ligaments damage, leaving West Ham short of strikers ahead of the new
Premier League season. Sullivan told talkSPORT: 'It was desperate last
year... We probably made a mistake by putting all our eggs in one basket.
'Had we known what we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's
easy to be wise after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has
since left the club - that the player would be available for the start of
the season. 'He wasn't available until January or February. A mistake was
made and we were given the wrong information. We based our decision and our
purchase of the player on what the medical department told us. Sullivan also
revealed that West Ham will now delve back into the transfer market for
another frontman despite already signing Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia. He
added: 'We have to bring in another striker and we're working on it now to
buy one, or loan one, or both. 'You can never have enough strikers and
really with Andy gone we haven't got enough.'
Since moving on loan to West Ham in 2012, and signing permanently in 2013,
Carroll has had his share of injuries...
SEPTEMBER 2012
Misses a month after straining a hamstring against Fulham
DECEMBER 2012
Twists his knee against Man Utd and is out for two months
MAY 2013
Falls awkwardly and damages his heel against Reading and is out for seven
months
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Exclusive - Sullivan: West Ham will replace injured Carroll with new striker
By Dom Bryant (@dom_bryant) | Thursday, July 24, 2014
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told talkSPORT they will look to bring
in another striker after club-record signing Andy Carroll was ruled out for
four months. The Hammers' star striker tore the ligaments in his ankle
during training on a pre-season tour of New Zealand and is now unlikely to
return until November. Carroll, 25, has suffered a nightmare spell at Upton
Park since joining permanently in a £15million deal from Liverpool last
summer - he has only made 16 appearances for the east London club. West Ham
have already signed Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia this summer but Sullivan
admitted they will now be forced to bring in another striker. "We have to
bring in another striker and we're working on it now to buy one, or loan
one, or both," the Hammers chief told the Sports Bar. "You can never have
enough strikers and really with Andy gone we haven't got enough."
Last season Carroll did not make his first appearance for Hammers until
January and Sullivan confessed the club had erred in investing everything in
the striker. "It was desperate last year... We probably made a mistake by
putting all our eggs in one basket," the co-owner added. "Had we known what
we know now we wouldn't have signed the player. But it's easy to be wise
after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has since left the club
- that the player would be available for the start of the season. "He wasn't
available until January or February. A mistake was made and we were given
the wrong information. We based our decision and our purchase of the player
on what the medical department told us. "We've changed everything in that
department as a result of that. At the same time on his day he is a
devastating and fantastic player, we've just got to get him back to his
best. "But at the same time we can't start the season with the strikeforce
we've got. I don't think it's good enough, there's not enough height in it
and if we get another injury, in terms of quantity, it's insufficient, so we
have to sign at least one more player."
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Sullivan talks Ravel
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hammers supremo David Sullivan has admitted that talks are going on with
Ravel Morrison's agents. But he stopped short of saying that a new contract
was under discussion as the club continues to play its cards close to its
chest. ClaretandHugh has learned that the midfielder has dedicated himself
to making an impact at Upton Park this season. The player and his advisers
believe any bad blood which existed has been put aside by both sides. They
were encouraged that Sam Allardyce picked him for a pre-season friendly
before allowing him to miss the New Zealand tour in favour of undergoing
surgery on his groin problem. We have learned that although there is no
current interest, the player has been subject to inquiries from AC Milan,
Sporting Lisbon. Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City last year.
However, the Irons want to see that his attitude and application are
absolutely correct before committing to a big deal.
Sullivan said: "Discussions are on going with Ravel and his agents."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Friday, July 25
Thursday, July 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th July 2014
Phoenix give Big Sam Yellow Fever
WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce reflects on West Ham United's Football United Tour 2-1 defeat
by Wellington Phoenix
23.07.2014
Sam Allardyce praised Wellington Phoenix after the A-League side edged out
West Ham United 2-1 in Auckland. The Hammers suffered defeat in the opening
game of their two-match Football United Tour of New Zealand, falling two
goals behind at half-time before substitute Mauro Zarate pulled one back
late on.
Andrew Durante lost his marker to nod the Phoenix = whose loyal supporters
are known as the 'Yellow Fever' - in front before former Sunderland
midfielder Alex Gorrin fired in a superb second from outside the penalty
area. West Ham should have scored both before and after those goals, but
neither Carlton Cole nor Cheikhou Kouyate could find a way past an inspired
Glen Moss - Winston Reid's New Zealand international team-mate - in the
Phoenix goal. The Hammers improved after the break and halved their deficit
through Zarate's superb touch and accurate finish before the impressive
Stewart Downing was denied a late equaliser by replacement stopper Lewis
Italiano. There was to be no comeback, though, and Big Sam felt his side had
neither competed well enough, nor showed the requisite technical skills
required to defeat their opponents. At the same time, he conceded that the
Phoenix had taken full advantage of his own players' intense pre-season
schedule by pressing and competing relentlessly throughout a lively 90
minutes at Eden Park. "We're 20 days into our pre-season and I think that we
are disappointed with the first half performance, when we were caught cold
by the Phoenix," admitted Big Sam. "They showed a great attitude and played
at a tempo that we had a little struggle keeping tabs with and that's where
we lost the two goals. "We are finding our feet and finding our fitness with
each game but we certainly didn't find our standard, whereas the Phoenix hit
their standard and they competed as we expected them to. "They shut us down
high up the pitch and I thought they did that exceptionally well. They
knocked us out of our stride but, saying that, we should have scored the
first goal when Carlton Cole took a cutback from Matt Jarvis. "We then
should have scored just before half-time when it fell to Cheikh and that was
the difference between the two teams - they took their two chances and we
didn't. They scored through a header at the near post and the strike in the
bottom corner for the second was the way I was expecting us to be finishing.
"We tried to come back in the second half and got a little bit better. I had
to change the team because of the fatigue that kicked into the players
because we've been working extremely hard. "After our journey we've been
training every day, morning and afternoon, because we've got to get our
fitness levels up and fatigue the players. "It is a disappointing result,
but we're 20 days into pre-season and what matters is getting them ready for
16 August. I've won every pre-season game in the past and lost the first
three or four games in the league, and not won a pre-season game and then
not lost the first eight or ten games of the season. "It doesn't make a lot
of difference to me in terms of results. What is important to me is our
level of performance, what we are as a team, and our technique levels. That
did worry me, because our technique levels were way down on our standard so
I was disappointed about that. "I can understand that we were fatigued with
the way we've been working, but not the lack of technique on occasions. "The
players have to realise we didn't compete well enough, first and foremost.
Any game of football you play, anywhere in the world, you've got to earn the
right to play. "We're lovely in possession and in terms of trying to keep
the ball, but we weren't penetrative enough. When we lost it, the players
hardly competed and that was our biggest problem."
While the final result was one neither Big Sam, his players nor the
thousands of West Ham fans in the crowd would have been happy with, there
was encouragement to take from Zarate's cameo. The Argentine was lively,
neat and tidy in possession and showed quick feet and an eye for goal to net
with 20 minutes remaining. Downing, too, was in good form and only denied a
fine equaliser by an even better save from Italiano, who plunged to his
right to push the ball around the post. "It was a lovely goal," agreed Big
Sam. "Mauro showed some lovely touches around the final third and he's
certainly a type of player we haven't had at the Club. "In and around the
box, Mauro technically looks like he can open up defensive units and he did
do that against the Phoenix. "They were happy to put eight and nine behind
the ball once they went 2-0 up and I don't blame them for that because they
wanted to win the game, but Mauro showed a nice bit of technique, as did
Stewart Downing when he came on."
After using 20 players against the Phoenix, Big Sam is again expected to
utilise his squad when the Hammers take on Sydney FC in Wellington on
Saturday.
Cheikhou Kouyate suffered a knock to his leg in a heavy first-half
challenge, while James Tomkins was taken off late on, and the manager
admitted both may miss the Westpac Stadium fixture. "It's about giving the
squad of players as much match-fitness as I can give them. We've got to
balance out the amount of time we give them - we started out giving them 45
minutes in the first game and then 55 or so and tonight we gave them 60
minutes. "We'll reverse that on Saturday so those who played 30 will get 60
and some will get 90 - it depends on whether we have got any knocks or
strains. "It was a physical game and, by experience, some of the knocks they
got will mean they cannot play in Saturday's game, so some will have to play
90 minutes. "We'll have to wait until Friday to see where we are."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad triumph at Sutton
WHUFc.com
The Development Squad's productive pre-season continued with a 1-0 win at
Sutton on Wednesday
23.07.2014
Sutton United 0-1 Development Squad
Pre-Season Match
The Development Squad made it two wins on the spin in pre-season after
seeing off Skrill South side Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Wednesday
night.
West Ham's youngsters edged a tightly-contested game, with a trialist
notching the only goal in a lively start to the second period. Djair
Parfitt-Williams could have given the scoreline a more comfortable look 15
minutes from time, but Tom Lovelock saved his penalty to ensure the visitors
would have to work to the end for their victory. That they did, and the
younger players will now head off to the Ruhr Cup in Germany full of
confidence. Fresh from winning the Absolute Sports Travel Cup at Cambridge
at the weekend, Nick Haycock's Development Squad returned to taking on
senior sides when they travelled to Sutton. West Ham were able to name
Elliot Lee, who notched twice in the victory over Espanyol, Seb Lletget,
KIeran Sadlier and Josh Cullen in their line-up, but the team did have a
more youthful feel about it than at the weekend, with the likes of Jordan
Brown and Josh Pask featuring from the start. After a quiet opening, it was
Sutton who had the first chance of the opening period, when, with 13 minutes
on the clock Jessy Reindorf took up a good position to meet Claudiu Hoban's
right wing cross, but could only head over the top. Four minutes later the
hosts used the same flank to get pull back to Dylan Bowella, who shot wide
of the near post.
At the other end, Lee created a chance for himself when he shifted the ball
inside his man in the left channel and clipped an effort just past the far
post.
WIth 29 minutes on the clock, Sadlier found space down the left and crossed
to the far post where Brown collected, moved back onto his left foot and
brought a good low save from home keeper Tom Lovelock. In truth though,
chances were few and far between before the break, although the opening to
the second half proved to be far more open. First Sadlier burst through and
brought a fine save from Lovelock with a meatily-struck shot, before play
swung to the other end and Bowella miskicked when in front of goal. He was
made to pay almost immediately as, with 50 minutes played, Brown crossed low
from the right wing and the trialist was there to finish neatly. Both sides
made a raft of changes as the second period went on and two of the Hammers
subs, Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Parfitt-Williams, combined to good effect on
73 minutes when the former cut back for the latter, who fired inches over.
Two minutes later the pair were involved again, Hector-Ingram running at,
and drawing a foul from, Max Kontic inside the area. Referee Mike Coen
pointed straight to the spot, but Parfitt-Williams could not take advantage
as Lovelock dived to the left to parry away to safety. However, the
youngster's miss would not cost the Dev Squad victory as they maintained
their unbeaten start to pre-season.
Development Squad: St Louis-Hamilton; Westley (Amoo 58), Burke (Harney 46),
Pask (Onariase 58), Knoyle (Akinola 58); Cullen (M.Carter 58), Lletget
(Diangana 58); Brown (Rodriguez 65), Trialist (Hector-Ingram 72), Sadlier
(Parfitt-Williams 58); Lee (Maiga 58)
Goal: Trialist 50
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid seeking improvement
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is confident the Hammers will be ready and raring to go come 16
August
23.07.2014
Winston Reid believes West Ham United will be firing on all cylinders when
the Barclays Premier League season gets underway on 16 August. Reid
captained the Hammers for their third pre-season game on Wednesday night - a
2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in his home city of Auckland, New Zealand.
Although he admitted to being disappointed by the result, he felt that the
minor defensive issues would be easy to iron out before Tottenham Hotspur
visit the Boleyn Ground for the season opener in three and a half weeks'
time. "Phoenix played a good game and we didn't hit our usual standards, but
it's pre-season and we're working hard out there to try to improve
ourselves.," he said. "We made some mistakes but come the start of the
season we won't be making those mistakes any more. "The Phoenix played well.
They sat back and we created some chances but didn't take them, but they
scored the two chances they created."
Reid had to use his role as skipper to have a quiet word with referee Peter
O'Leary after some fierce first-half tackles left him and several other boys
in Claret and Blue on the floor. Thankfully, all returned to their feet, but
his manager stressed afterwards that he thought some of the challenges had
been a little over enthusiastic. "Phoenix were excited and they came in and
were hard to us. There were a couple of tackles in there that crossed the
line but it calmed down a bit in the second half."
Reid passed up a good chance to register when he glanced a header wide five
minutes from the end, although he was far from the only Hammers who failed
to convert when well placed. Much of that was down to Reid's fellow
countryman Glen Moss between the sticks, who pulled out some vital stops to
keep Big Sam's side at bay. "He's a good goalkeeper and I would like him to
have put a couple in the back for the net! To be fair I should have scored
as well but that's football."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell hails Hammers support
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell said West Ham United's players have enjoyed meeting fans on
their tour of New Zealand
24.07.2014
The result might not have gone their way, but Aaron Cresswell said West Ham
United were honoured to be part of their Football United Tour fixture with
Wellington Phoenix. Cresswell and company were edged out 2-1 by the A-League
side in the opening match of their two-game tour of New Zealand on Wednesday
evening. The game attracted a 19,183-strong crowd from all over New Zealand,
Australia and beyond to Auckland's legendary Eden Park - home of the All
Blacks. A colourful atmosphere featured a traditional Maori welcome,
including a performance of the Haka, before the two teams took to the pitch
amid scenes of great noise and colour. Despite dominating proceedings for
long periods, the touring Hammers fell two goals down by half-time before
Mauro Zarate sparked a frenetic finish with a 70th-minute strike. As it was,
the Phoenix - New Zealand's only professional club - held out to celebrate a
famous victory, but the left-back said the Hammers would not allow
themselves to get too down about their unexpected defeat. "We have come over
here and we expected a physical and competitive test," admitted Cresswell.
"They came out and at us from the first whistle and it was a tough test, but
the most important thing for us was to get our fitness up. "They came
straight out of the blocks and were not of a bad standard at all. We're on
the other side of the world and didn't know quite what to expect as we
hadn't seen much of the league, but I thought they were a good team."
The No3 said the squad had thoroughly enjoyed the very warm welcome they
have received since touching down in New Zealand on Saturday. Three Open
Training sessions held earlier this week attracted thousands of fans, many
of whom met their heroes for photographs and autographs, while parts of
central Auckland were turned Claret and Blue ahead of Wednesday's match.
Coming after a week-long training camp in France and pre-season matches with
Stevenage and his old club Ipswich, the 24-year-old said he and his fellow
new boys had quickly settled into life at the Club. "It was hard getting
around the time difference and stuff, but once we got around it we had three
good sessions training-wise and obviously the game on Wednesday night, so
it's been a hectic few days but very enjoyable. "We went to France for a
week, then back to England for a few days to play two games before flying
out to New Zealand, so I've been with the boys constantly and it's been good
for the new lads to get to know the group."
As well as helping to strengthen team spirit, Cresswell said pre-season was
going well for him in terms of getting him match-fit ahead of the new
Barclays Premier League season. With Saturday's Football United Tour fixture
with Sydney FC in Wellington, two games at the Schalke 04 Cup and the visit
of UC Sampdoria still to come, the defender believes he and his colleagues
will be ready for action come the big kick-off on 16 August. "Pre-season is
always about getting yourselves right and working on your fitness. It's
always nice to get into form, but the main thing is obviously fitness.
"There are still three or four games left until the start of the season, so
we hope it will come as we get as fit as we can."
Cresswell has made just three appearances in a West Ham shirt since his
summer arrival from Ipswich Town, but he is already showing signs of forging
an encouraging partnership with Matt Jarvis down the left-hand side. "Jarvo
is a great player and I find it easy to link up with him. We'll be looking
to carry that through throughout the pre-season and do good things. "I'll
just take each game as it comes and try to do my best and influence whoever
is playing in front of me."
The productive partnership may be rekindled at Westpac Stadium on Saturday,
where Cresswell is hoping West Ham can end their stay in New Zealand with a
morale-boosting victory. "It would be nice to give the travelling fans who
are out here something to celebrate and hopefully get the win."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker to sit out rest of pre-season tour
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Andy Carroll will sit out the club's pre-season tour of New
Zealand after suffering a sore ankle. Carroll missed Wednesday's 2-1 defeat
by Wellington Phoenix and will not be considered for the match against
Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday. A statement on the club's website said
that Carroll would "receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the
start of the season". The problem is unrelated to the heel injury Carroll
had last season. The 25-year-old missed the majority of 2013-14, managing
just 15 league appearances and also failed to force his way into England's
World Cup squad. New signing Mauro Zarate scored his first goal for the club
as they slipped to defeat in their opening tour fixture.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll returns from pre-season tour
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's Andy Carroll has returned to England to receive treatment on an
injured ankle. On Wednesday it was revealed here on KUMB.com that the
striker could miss the start of the season - and several weeks thereafter -
having damaged his ankle whilst training with the rest of the first team
squad in New Zealand at the weekend. And co-owner David Sullivan's son Jack
followed up our story by confirming via Twitter last night that Carroll had
already returned to the UK ahead of the travelling party.
Whilst the extent of Carroll's latest injury remains educated guesswork - at
best - club staff are hopeful that the injury-cursed forward may yet recover
in time to feature in the opening game of the 2014/15 campaign at home to
Tottenham. However a sizeable number of supporters are beginning to run out
of patience with the club's record signing, who has been beset by a series
of injury problems since first joining West Ham two years ago.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll facing new injury crisis
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll could be out of action for several weeks, according to reports
emerging this afternoon. A trusted source posting on the KUMB Forum this
afternoon claims that Carroll's ankle injury is far worse than previously
estimated, with the striker likely to be unavailable for between "two to
four months". Carroll is currently in New Zealand with the first team squad
but West Ham have already revealed that he will not be taking any part in
either of the two tour matches - the first of which West Ham lost to
Wellington Phoenix this morning. The same source had previously suggested
that Carroll was sent home from the pre-season trip to France earlier this
month after being told that his fitness levels were unacceptably low. Only
24 hours ago West Ham revealed that Carroll would miss both games of the
current Football United tour in New Zealand, stating that the striker had
been relieved of first team duties as "a precautionary measure after
developing a sore left ankle during training". The statement added: "It
should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the
previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Brown denies Bentley link
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Southend United manager Phil Brown has denied that he is considering selling
goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to West Ham. Brown, a long-term friend of
Allardyce's told the Echo that he had spoken to Big Sam after KUMB revealed
how West Ham had enquired about Bentley, the Blues' 21-year-old goalkeeper.
"I heard the rumour and wanted to check it out so I gave Sam a call in New
Zealand," said Brown. "You have to do these things to cover yourself,
especially if you're going to lose your first choice goalkeeper. "However,
Sam never made any reference to wanting to bring Daniel in." An odd choice
of words from Brown, who also revealed that he has both Paul Smith and Ted
Smith in reserve should Bentley be unavailable at any point. "Paul Smith is
fitter than he's been in a long time and he's had a good pre-season as
well,which is something he hasn't had for a couple of years now," he said.
"He might even challenge Dan for the number one slot and we have a great
number three in Ted Smith, so the goalkeeping position is looking very
strong indeed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce hurt by Phoenix defeat
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admitted to being disappointed by this morning's 2-1 defeat
against Wellington Phoenix - but insisted that fitness remained top of the
agenda.
The Hammers went down by the odd goal in three at Eden Park this morning
after two dreadful defensive lapses helped the home side take a two-goal
lead, before new signing Mauro Zarate finally gave the travelling fans
something to cheer about with a lovely curling effort. And whilst he
admitted to being unhappy at losing the game, Allardyce maintained that
continuing their efforts to regain full match fitness in time for the start
of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign was the ultimate goal for his squad.
"We're disappointed with the first half performance when we were caught cold
by the Phoenix," he told whufc.com. "They showed a great attitude and played
at a tempo that we struggled to keep tabs with - and that's where we lost
the two goals. "We are finding our fitness with each game but we certainly
didn't find our standard, whereas the Phoenix hit their standard and they
competed as we expected them to. They shut us down high up the pitch
exceptionally well. "We're 20 days into pre-season and what matters is
getting the players ready for 16 August. I've won every pre-season game in
the past and lost the first three or four games in the league, and not won a
pre-season game and then not lost the first eight or ten games of the
season!"
That's perhaps just as well, given that his side have failed to record a win
against Stevenage, Ipswich or Phoenix in pre-season so far. However
Allardyce did admit to being rather more concerned about a lack of quality
exhibited by his players. "It's a disappointing result, but it doesn't make
a lot of difference," he surmised. "What is important is our level of
performance, what we are as a team, and our technique levels. That did worry
me because our technique levels were way down on our standard, so I was
disappointed about that. I can understand that we were fatigued with the way
we've been working, but not the lack of technique on occasions. The players
have to realise we didn't compete well enough, first and foremost. Any game
of football you play, anywhere in the world, you've got to earn the right to
play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wellington Phoenix 2-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United remain without a win in pre-season after suffering a
surprise defeat in the first leg of the Football United tour. Having
previously drawn at Stevenage and Ipswich, the Hammers were expected to
comfortably beat Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park this morning. However Sam
Allardyce's jet-lagged side were left somewhat embarrassed - or 'stunned',
according to stuff.co.nz - after falling to a 2-1 defeat.
A lively encounter, the game began with Phoenix full back Louie Fenton
somehow escaping a red card for a dreadful, ankle-high lunge at new signing
Cheikhou Kouyate. Carlton Cole narrowly failed to convert a low Matt Jarvis
cross before West Ham found themselves behind.
A Phoenix free kick was delivered towards the near post and as West Ham's
defence stood motionless, Andrew Durante emerged from behind his marker to
steer his header beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Pre-season or not, it
was a dreadful goal to concede.
And as poor as the opening goal was, the second - conceded on 25 minutes -
was little better. James Collins, who has consistently made grave errors
throughout his career conceded possession 30 yards from goal. Alex Rodriguez
picked up the loose ball before firing it into the corner of Jasskelainen's
net from the edge of the box as West Ham's other defenders retreated.
However the 'English Premier League giants' - courtesy of New Zealand TV -
did at least give the travelling fans - who sang a rousing chorus of "you're
nothing special, we lose every week" - something to cheer about when Mauro
Zaratae scored his first goal in a West Ham shirt.
With 20 minutes to play, the Argentinian managed to beat the otherwise
excellent Phoenix 'keeper Glen Moss. Receiving the ball from Matt Jarvis,
Zarate curled a lovely effort inside the post to give West Ham a fighting
chance.
However the Hammers were left disappointed - and no doubt a little
embarrassed too - after failing to score for a second time - much to the
delight of the home crowd who had seen their team gain a most unexpected
victory.
Even though West Ham's involvement in the Football United tournament is
primarily about fitness, the performance will have disappointed the many
hundreds of New Zealand-based and travelling Hammers fans, some of whom have
spent several thousands of pounds to make the trip.
The game was preceded with a minute's silence for John Adler and Liam
Sweeney, the Newcastle United fans who were killed in the terrorist attack
on a Malaysian Airlines flight last week whilst on their way to support
their team in the Football United tour.
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid (c), Collins, Cresswell, Kouyate,
Noble, Nolan, Diame, Jarvis, Cole.
Subs: Adrian, Howes, Tomkins, Downing, Fanimo, O'Brien, Potts, Poyet, Vaz
Te, Whitehead, Zarate.
Wellington Phoenix: Moss, Muscat, Gorrin, Burns, Brockie, Boyd, Riera,
Fenron, Sigmund, Durante (c), Blake.
Subs: Italiano, Caira, Boxall, Brindell-Smith, Cunningham, Rufer, Hicks,
Lia, Krishna, Ridenton, Doyle.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham lose 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix in Auckland, New Zealand
Last Updated: 23/07/14 11:17am
SSn
Mauro Zarate scored his first West Ham goal in a 2-1 friendly defeat to
Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park on Wednesday. The Hammers began their
Football United Tour with a loss in Auckland, against a Phoenix team that
finished ninth in the 10-team A-League last season. New signings Aaron
Cresswell and Cheikhou Kouyate were both named in the starting line-up by
Sam Allardyce, with Winston Reid captaining the team in the city of his
birth. Carlton Cole forced an early save out of Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss
but in the 11th minute, the New Zealand club's skipper Andrew Durante headed
an Alex Gorrin free-kick past Jussi Jaaskelainen to give them the lead. And
on 27 minutes, the Phoenix doubled their advantage as Spanish midfielder
Gorrin raced through after winning a block tackle with James Collins and
finished coolly into the far corner. Zarate replaced Kouyate on the hour
mark and pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, curling a shot inside the post
after being set up by Matt Jarvis. Reid went close with a header in the
final stages before Phoenix substitute goalkeeper Lewis Italiano tipped
Stewart Downing's goalbound effort round the post in stoppage time. West Ham
now move on to Wellington to face Sydney FC at the Westpac Stadium on
Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ZARATE'S GOAL WAS CLASS, BUT APART FROM THAT...
By Iain Dale 23 Jul 2014 at 10:46
West Ham Till I Die
And to think I got up early on my holiday to watch that load of kack. OK,
it's only a pre-season friendly, yadda, yadda, yadda, but there was
virtually nothing positive to take out of that game apart from the quality
of Mauro Zarate's goal. We looked sluggish, uncommitted and too fond of
playing the long ball. If there has been a shift in our style of play I
can't say I noticed. Did anyone else?
There was a bit of an improvement in the second half when some of the fringe
players entered the fray, but we were made to look ordinary by a team which
would struggle in our League Two. And they are even further behind
pre-season than we are. Jussi looked as if he'd already retired and our
whole defence looked shaky. Kevin Nolan hardly touched the ball and although
Matt Jarvis raced past their right back with ease, he never actually
delivered a dangerous ball.
Maybe these new shirts are a jinx. I positively hate them. They don't even
look like a football shirt. No wonder we lost 2-1!
I think i will return to the Norfolk sun before I depress myself even
further…
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison faces West Ham transfer after delaying groin surgery because
he was too scared
Jul 23, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Boss Allardyce "didn't seem that sympathetic" when the club had to explain
to controversial midfielder he needed the op now to be fit for start of
season
The Mirror
West Ham are ready to offload Ravel Morrison - because the midfielder is not
in Sam Allardyce's plans for the new season. The England Under-21
international, a fans' favourite at Upton Park, is recovering from a minor
groin operation while the rest of the Hammers' squad are touring New
Zealand. The procedure was delayed, however, after Morrison refused to have
the op because he was frightened about being cut. It is claimed Allardyce
"didn't seem that sympathetic" West Ham had to persuade the player the
surgery was necessary ahead of the new season. Morrison is also said to have
left Big Sam exasperated with an aversion to long-haul flights. It comes two
years after Morrison, 21, refused to drink anything other than official
'West Ham bottled water' during a pre-season stay in Germany. The former
Manchester United schemer has been at St George's Park in the Midlands this
week as part of his rehab. He has just a year left on his Hammers' contract
and has been persistently linked with a new deal.
Mirror Sport understands Swansea, Russia's CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon
of Portugal have made discreet enquiries about his availability this summer.
Fulham failed with a big to poach him from Upton Park in January, and a
string of Championship clubs are interested in taking Morrison on loan for
next season. At his parent club, however, it is understood that Big Sam is
not prepared to indulge him ahead of the Hammers' team. A source close to
Morrison said: "Sam has been brilliant with Ravel – to his face – so unless
someone tells us otherwise he is happy to stay at West Ham. All the
indications have been that something could be worked out with his contract."
Morrison scored one of the goals of last season with his outstanding solo
effort as the Irons stunned Tottenham. It came during the first half of the
campaign, in which the midfielder was among West Ham's best players. But he
was shipped out on loan to QPR in February, as Allardyce constantly claimed
he was injured – only for Morrison to play regularly at Loftus Road.
West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on their tour of
New Zealand on Wednesday. They face Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday.
Ravel Morrison's career timeline
2009 Signed for the Manchester United academy.
2010 Turned professional at Old Trafford on his 17th birthday.
2011 Received a 12-month referral order and was ordered to pay £1,445 in
costs and compensation after admitting two counts of witness intimidation.
Assault charge dropped when his girlfriend refused to testify. Convicted of
criminal damage for throwing her phone out of a window. Advised to undergo
counselling.
2012 Limited chances at United led to him being sold to West Ham in January.
Charged by the FA over the posting of a homophobic threat on twitter.
Accepted his guilt and was fined £7,000.
2013 After being capped by England at U16, U17 and U18, made debut for the
U21s against San Marino.
Returned from a loan spell at Birmingham and scored one of the goals of the
season on a solo run against Spurs at White Hart Lane.
2014 Loaned to QPR and was in the Wembley squad that won the playoff final.
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Could new signing Cheikhou Kouyate from Anderlecht give West Ham the
platform to play under Sam Allardyce?
With the help of Sky Sports' Belgium correspondent Kristof Terreur and the
Opta data, Adam Bate discusses whether Cheikhou Kouyate could have a big
impact at West Ham...
By Adam Bate | Twitter @ghostgoal | Last Updated: 23/07/14 11:51pm
SSN
Following a season that left some in the stands and the board room
dissatisfied with West Ham's efforts, the appointment of Teddy Sheringham as
an attacking coach was seen as a symbol of a new era of intent. But the
signs are that Sam Allardyce will continue to do things his way. While
Sheringham will get the chance to develop talents such as Enner Valencia and
Mauro Zarate, the West Ham manager has shown his determination to maintain a
robust approach by building his midfield around a 6'4" powerhouse who spent
much of last season at centre-back.
Cheikhou Kouyate joined the Hammers from Anderlecht in a £7million deal
earlier this month after featuring in the team's back-four in all but one of
their six Champions League appearances last term. Indeed, he was in the
centre of defence all season until reverting back to midfield in April. His
Champions League statistics are indicative of his significant presence as he
ranked among the club's top two players for tackles, interceptions,
clearances and blocks. Kouyate even boasted the best aerial duel success
rate for any player to win 10 or more in last season's competition. Such
efforts led Sky Sports' resident Belgian football correspondent Kristof
Terreur to describe Kouyate as "one of the better defenders in Belgium" with
the caveat that he "sometimes he still has some strange attacking movements"
in his game.
It's those attacking instincts his new boss is so keen to harness. Upon his
acquisition, Allardyce told the club's official website: "Kouyate is a
dynamic midfielder, goes box to box and has excellent skills with both feet
as well as being strong in the air. If needed, he can fill in at centre back
but his strength will be what he can do in midfield and creating the chances
we need to attack."
Kouyate's pre-season performances have certainly offered encouragement that
the Hammers might be able to find the right balance. After making a strong
debut against Stevenage, Kouyate got his first goal against Ipswich in an
assured display that showcased his pace, strength and ball-playing
abilities. Perhaps Allardyce now has the physical foil for Mark Noble in
midfield.
The 24-year-old looks to be benefiting from the deal being agreed so early
in the summer. "I've adapted well," he says. "The team has really welcomed
me and the players have been extremely kind. That's great and has helped me
fit in. That's what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting it to happen so
quickly. From my very first day at West Ham, they have all been behind me."
This unity will be a key factor in whether West Ham's season is to be judged
a success or a failure by next May. Even when it comes to the arrival of
Sheringham, the insistence that the new coach was picked by Allardyce offers
hope that the integration of all the new faces will be a smooth one.
"Sam picked the one he wanted," said co-owner David Sullivan, quoted in the
Daily Mirror. "I think he has analysed the performance of the team last year
and agreed that we would like to score more goals. It was a weakness of the
team and he has brought in an expert to try and improve that."
Sheringham may be here and the mood at West Ham is changing. But Allardyce's
fingerprints remain on the team. And if Kouyate can build on his early
promise, that might be no bad thing.
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Nolan's words come back to haunt him
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Earlier this week Kevin Nolan told the Sun Andy-Carroll-1200
"We'll have the big man available for the whole of the season and that will
be a big thing for us, I'm confident that if we can keep Andy fit, as well
as introducing the signings we have brought in, this year is going to be a
very good one for us."
Those words must be haunting Nolan when hours later it became clear Andy
Carroll's fitness remained in severe doubt following West Ham's statement
last night blaming his ankle.
He is expected to fly back home today and it is claimed he will return to
face an intensive specialized programme in attempt to get him ready and
repay the faith the West Ham board and manager put in him when he signed
last summer.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFc.com
Sam Allardyce reflects on West Ham United's Football United Tour 2-1 defeat
by Wellington Phoenix
23.07.2014
Sam Allardyce praised Wellington Phoenix after the A-League side edged out
West Ham United 2-1 in Auckland. The Hammers suffered defeat in the opening
game of their two-match Football United Tour of New Zealand, falling two
goals behind at half-time before substitute Mauro Zarate pulled one back
late on.
Andrew Durante lost his marker to nod the Phoenix = whose loyal supporters
are known as the 'Yellow Fever' - in front before former Sunderland
midfielder Alex Gorrin fired in a superb second from outside the penalty
area. West Ham should have scored both before and after those goals, but
neither Carlton Cole nor Cheikhou Kouyate could find a way past an inspired
Glen Moss - Winston Reid's New Zealand international team-mate - in the
Phoenix goal. The Hammers improved after the break and halved their deficit
through Zarate's superb touch and accurate finish before the impressive
Stewart Downing was denied a late equaliser by replacement stopper Lewis
Italiano. There was to be no comeback, though, and Big Sam felt his side had
neither competed well enough, nor showed the requisite technical skills
required to defeat their opponents. At the same time, he conceded that the
Phoenix had taken full advantage of his own players' intense pre-season
schedule by pressing and competing relentlessly throughout a lively 90
minutes at Eden Park. "We're 20 days into our pre-season and I think that we
are disappointed with the first half performance, when we were caught cold
by the Phoenix," admitted Big Sam. "They showed a great attitude and played
at a tempo that we had a little struggle keeping tabs with and that's where
we lost the two goals. "We are finding our feet and finding our fitness with
each game but we certainly didn't find our standard, whereas the Phoenix hit
their standard and they competed as we expected them to. "They shut us down
high up the pitch and I thought they did that exceptionally well. They
knocked us out of our stride but, saying that, we should have scored the
first goal when Carlton Cole took a cutback from Matt Jarvis. "We then
should have scored just before half-time when it fell to Cheikh and that was
the difference between the two teams - they took their two chances and we
didn't. They scored through a header at the near post and the strike in the
bottom corner for the second was the way I was expecting us to be finishing.
"We tried to come back in the second half and got a little bit better. I had
to change the team because of the fatigue that kicked into the players
because we've been working extremely hard. "After our journey we've been
training every day, morning and afternoon, because we've got to get our
fitness levels up and fatigue the players. "It is a disappointing result,
but we're 20 days into pre-season and what matters is getting them ready for
16 August. I've won every pre-season game in the past and lost the first
three or four games in the league, and not won a pre-season game and then
not lost the first eight or ten games of the season. "It doesn't make a lot
of difference to me in terms of results. What is important to me is our
level of performance, what we are as a team, and our technique levels. That
did worry me, because our technique levels were way down on our standard so
I was disappointed about that. "I can understand that we were fatigued with
the way we've been working, but not the lack of technique on occasions. "The
players have to realise we didn't compete well enough, first and foremost.
Any game of football you play, anywhere in the world, you've got to earn the
right to play. "We're lovely in possession and in terms of trying to keep
the ball, but we weren't penetrative enough. When we lost it, the players
hardly competed and that was our biggest problem."
While the final result was one neither Big Sam, his players nor the
thousands of West Ham fans in the crowd would have been happy with, there
was encouragement to take from Zarate's cameo. The Argentine was lively,
neat and tidy in possession and showed quick feet and an eye for goal to net
with 20 minutes remaining. Downing, too, was in good form and only denied a
fine equaliser by an even better save from Italiano, who plunged to his
right to push the ball around the post. "It was a lovely goal," agreed Big
Sam. "Mauro showed some lovely touches around the final third and he's
certainly a type of player we haven't had at the Club. "In and around the
box, Mauro technically looks like he can open up defensive units and he did
do that against the Phoenix. "They were happy to put eight and nine behind
the ball once they went 2-0 up and I don't blame them for that because they
wanted to win the game, but Mauro showed a nice bit of technique, as did
Stewart Downing when he came on."
After using 20 players against the Phoenix, Big Sam is again expected to
utilise his squad when the Hammers take on Sydney FC in Wellington on
Saturday.
Cheikhou Kouyate suffered a knock to his leg in a heavy first-half
challenge, while James Tomkins was taken off late on, and the manager
admitted both may miss the Westpac Stadium fixture. "It's about giving the
squad of players as much match-fitness as I can give them. We've got to
balance out the amount of time we give them - we started out giving them 45
minutes in the first game and then 55 or so and tonight we gave them 60
minutes. "We'll reverse that on Saturday so those who played 30 will get 60
and some will get 90 - it depends on whether we have got any knocks or
strains. "It was a physical game and, by experience, some of the knocks they
got will mean they cannot play in Saturday's game, so some will have to play
90 minutes. "We'll have to wait until Friday to see where we are."
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Dev Squad triumph at Sutton
WHUFc.com
The Development Squad's productive pre-season continued with a 1-0 win at
Sutton on Wednesday
23.07.2014
Sutton United 0-1 Development Squad
Pre-Season Match
The Development Squad made it two wins on the spin in pre-season after
seeing off Skrill South side Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Wednesday
night.
West Ham's youngsters edged a tightly-contested game, with a trialist
notching the only goal in a lively start to the second period. Djair
Parfitt-Williams could have given the scoreline a more comfortable look 15
minutes from time, but Tom Lovelock saved his penalty to ensure the visitors
would have to work to the end for their victory. That they did, and the
younger players will now head off to the Ruhr Cup in Germany full of
confidence. Fresh from winning the Absolute Sports Travel Cup at Cambridge
at the weekend, Nick Haycock's Development Squad returned to taking on
senior sides when they travelled to Sutton. West Ham were able to name
Elliot Lee, who notched twice in the victory over Espanyol, Seb Lletget,
KIeran Sadlier and Josh Cullen in their line-up, but the team did have a
more youthful feel about it than at the weekend, with the likes of Jordan
Brown and Josh Pask featuring from the start. After a quiet opening, it was
Sutton who had the first chance of the opening period, when, with 13 minutes
on the clock Jessy Reindorf took up a good position to meet Claudiu Hoban's
right wing cross, but could only head over the top. Four minutes later the
hosts used the same flank to get pull back to Dylan Bowella, who shot wide
of the near post.
At the other end, Lee created a chance for himself when he shifted the ball
inside his man in the left channel and clipped an effort just past the far
post.
WIth 29 minutes on the clock, Sadlier found space down the left and crossed
to the far post where Brown collected, moved back onto his left foot and
brought a good low save from home keeper Tom Lovelock. In truth though,
chances were few and far between before the break, although the opening to
the second half proved to be far more open. First Sadlier burst through and
brought a fine save from Lovelock with a meatily-struck shot, before play
swung to the other end and Bowella miskicked when in front of goal. He was
made to pay almost immediately as, with 50 minutes played, Brown crossed low
from the right wing and the trialist was there to finish neatly. Both sides
made a raft of changes as the second period went on and two of the Hammers
subs, Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Parfitt-Williams, combined to good effect on
73 minutes when the former cut back for the latter, who fired inches over.
Two minutes later the pair were involved again, Hector-Ingram running at,
and drawing a foul from, Max Kontic inside the area. Referee Mike Coen
pointed straight to the spot, but Parfitt-Williams could not take advantage
as Lovelock dived to the left to parry away to safety. However, the
youngster's miss would not cost the Dev Squad victory as they maintained
their unbeaten start to pre-season.
Development Squad: St Louis-Hamilton; Westley (Amoo 58), Burke (Harney 46),
Pask (Onariase 58), Knoyle (Akinola 58); Cullen (M.Carter 58), Lletget
(Diangana 58); Brown (Rodriguez 65), Trialist (Hector-Ingram 72), Sadlier
(Parfitt-Williams 58); Lee (Maiga 58)
Goal: Trialist 50
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Reid seeking improvement
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid is confident the Hammers will be ready and raring to go come 16
August
23.07.2014
Winston Reid believes West Ham United will be firing on all cylinders when
the Barclays Premier League season gets underway on 16 August. Reid
captained the Hammers for their third pre-season game on Wednesday night - a
2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in his home city of Auckland, New Zealand.
Although he admitted to being disappointed by the result, he felt that the
minor defensive issues would be easy to iron out before Tottenham Hotspur
visit the Boleyn Ground for the season opener in three and a half weeks'
time. "Phoenix played a good game and we didn't hit our usual standards, but
it's pre-season and we're working hard out there to try to improve
ourselves.," he said. "We made some mistakes but come the start of the
season we won't be making those mistakes any more. "The Phoenix played well.
They sat back and we created some chances but didn't take them, but they
scored the two chances they created."
Reid had to use his role as skipper to have a quiet word with referee Peter
O'Leary after some fierce first-half tackles left him and several other boys
in Claret and Blue on the floor. Thankfully, all returned to their feet, but
his manager stressed afterwards that he thought some of the challenges had
been a little over enthusiastic. "Phoenix were excited and they came in and
were hard to us. There were a couple of tackles in there that crossed the
line but it calmed down a bit in the second half."
Reid passed up a good chance to register when he glanced a header wide five
minutes from the end, although he was far from the only Hammers who failed
to convert when well placed. Much of that was down to Reid's fellow
countryman Glen Moss between the sticks, who pulled out some vital stops to
keep Big Sam's side at bay. "He's a good goalkeeper and I would like him to
have put a couple in the back for the net! To be fair I should have scored
as well but that's football."
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Cresswell hails Hammers support
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell said West Ham United's players have enjoyed meeting fans on
their tour of New Zealand
24.07.2014
The result might not have gone their way, but Aaron Cresswell said West Ham
United were honoured to be part of their Football United Tour fixture with
Wellington Phoenix. Cresswell and company were edged out 2-1 by the A-League
side in the opening match of their two-game tour of New Zealand on Wednesday
evening. The game attracted a 19,183-strong crowd from all over New Zealand,
Australia and beyond to Auckland's legendary Eden Park - home of the All
Blacks. A colourful atmosphere featured a traditional Maori welcome,
including a performance of the Haka, before the two teams took to the pitch
amid scenes of great noise and colour. Despite dominating proceedings for
long periods, the touring Hammers fell two goals down by half-time before
Mauro Zarate sparked a frenetic finish with a 70th-minute strike. As it was,
the Phoenix - New Zealand's only professional club - held out to celebrate a
famous victory, but the left-back said the Hammers would not allow
themselves to get too down about their unexpected defeat. "We have come over
here and we expected a physical and competitive test," admitted Cresswell.
"They came out and at us from the first whistle and it was a tough test, but
the most important thing for us was to get our fitness up. "They came
straight out of the blocks and were not of a bad standard at all. We're on
the other side of the world and didn't know quite what to expect as we
hadn't seen much of the league, but I thought they were a good team."
The No3 said the squad had thoroughly enjoyed the very warm welcome they
have received since touching down in New Zealand on Saturday. Three Open
Training sessions held earlier this week attracted thousands of fans, many
of whom met their heroes for photographs and autographs, while parts of
central Auckland were turned Claret and Blue ahead of Wednesday's match.
Coming after a week-long training camp in France and pre-season matches with
Stevenage and his old club Ipswich, the 24-year-old said he and his fellow
new boys had quickly settled into life at the Club. "It was hard getting
around the time difference and stuff, but once we got around it we had three
good sessions training-wise and obviously the game on Wednesday night, so
it's been a hectic few days but very enjoyable. "We went to France for a
week, then back to England for a few days to play two games before flying
out to New Zealand, so I've been with the boys constantly and it's been good
for the new lads to get to know the group."
As well as helping to strengthen team spirit, Cresswell said pre-season was
going well for him in terms of getting him match-fit ahead of the new
Barclays Premier League season. With Saturday's Football United Tour fixture
with Sydney FC in Wellington, two games at the Schalke 04 Cup and the visit
of UC Sampdoria still to come, the defender believes he and his colleagues
will be ready for action come the big kick-off on 16 August. "Pre-season is
always about getting yourselves right and working on your fitness. It's
always nice to get into form, but the main thing is obviously fitness.
"There are still three or four games left until the start of the season, so
we hope it will come as we get as fit as we can."
Cresswell has made just three appearances in a West Ham shirt since his
summer arrival from Ipswich Town, but he is already showing signs of forging
an encouraging partnership with Matt Jarvis down the left-hand side. "Jarvo
is a great player and I find it easy to link up with him. We'll be looking
to carry that through throughout the pre-season and do good things. "I'll
just take each game as it comes and try to do my best and influence whoever
is playing in front of me."
The productive partnership may be rekindled at Westpac Stadium on Saturday,
where Cresswell is hoping West Ham can end their stay in New Zealand with a
morale-boosting victory. "It would be nice to give the travelling fans who
are out here something to celebrate and hopefully get the win."
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West Ham striker to sit out rest of pre-season tour
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Andy Carroll will sit out the club's pre-season tour of New
Zealand after suffering a sore ankle. Carroll missed Wednesday's 2-1 defeat
by Wellington Phoenix and will not be considered for the match against
Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday. A statement on the club's website said
that Carroll would "receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the
start of the season". The problem is unrelated to the heel injury Carroll
had last season. The 25-year-old missed the majority of 2013-14, managing
just 15 league appearances and also failed to force his way into England's
World Cup squad. New signing Mauro Zarate scored his first goal for the club
as they slipped to defeat in their opening tour fixture.
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Andy Carroll returns from pre-season tour
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 24th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's Andy Carroll has returned to England to receive treatment on an
injured ankle. On Wednesday it was revealed here on KUMB.com that the
striker could miss the start of the season - and several weeks thereafter -
having damaged his ankle whilst training with the rest of the first team
squad in New Zealand at the weekend. And co-owner David Sullivan's son Jack
followed up our story by confirming via Twitter last night that Carroll had
already returned to the UK ahead of the travelling party.
Whilst the extent of Carroll's latest injury remains educated guesswork - at
best - club staff are hopeful that the injury-cursed forward may yet recover
in time to feature in the opening game of the 2014/15 campaign at home to
Tottenham. However a sizeable number of supporters are beginning to run out
of patience with the club's record signing, who has been beset by a series
of injury problems since first joining West Ham two years ago.
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Andy Carroll facing new injury crisis
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll could be out of action for several weeks, according to reports
emerging this afternoon. A trusted source posting on the KUMB Forum this
afternoon claims that Carroll's ankle injury is far worse than previously
estimated, with the striker likely to be unavailable for between "two to
four months". Carroll is currently in New Zealand with the first team squad
but West Ham have already revealed that he will not be taking any part in
either of the two tour matches - the first of which West Ham lost to
Wellington Phoenix this morning. The same source had previously suggested
that Carroll was sent home from the pre-season trip to France earlier this
month after being told that his fitness levels were unacceptably low. Only
24 hours ago West Ham revealed that Carroll would miss both games of the
current Football United tour in New Zealand, stating that the striker had
been relieved of first team duties as "a precautionary measure after
developing a sore left ankle during training". The statement added: "It
should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the
previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
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Brown denies Bentley link
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Southend United manager Phil Brown has denied that he is considering selling
goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to West Ham. Brown, a long-term friend of
Allardyce's told the Echo that he had spoken to Big Sam after KUMB revealed
how West Ham had enquired about Bentley, the Blues' 21-year-old goalkeeper.
"I heard the rumour and wanted to check it out so I gave Sam a call in New
Zealand," said Brown. "You have to do these things to cover yourself,
especially if you're going to lose your first choice goalkeeper. "However,
Sam never made any reference to wanting to bring Daniel in." An odd choice
of words from Brown, who also revealed that he has both Paul Smith and Ted
Smith in reserve should Bentley be unavailable at any point. "Paul Smith is
fitter than he's been in a long time and he's had a good pre-season as
well,which is something he hasn't had for a couple of years now," he said.
"He might even challenge Dan for the number one slot and we have a great
number three in Ted Smith, so the goalkeeping position is looking very
strong indeed."
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Allardyce hurt by Phoenix defeat
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admitted to being disappointed by this morning's 2-1 defeat
against Wellington Phoenix - but insisted that fitness remained top of the
agenda.
The Hammers went down by the odd goal in three at Eden Park this morning
after two dreadful defensive lapses helped the home side take a two-goal
lead, before new signing Mauro Zarate finally gave the travelling fans
something to cheer about with a lovely curling effort. And whilst he
admitted to being unhappy at losing the game, Allardyce maintained that
continuing their efforts to regain full match fitness in time for the start
of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign was the ultimate goal for his squad.
"We're disappointed with the first half performance when we were caught cold
by the Phoenix," he told whufc.com. "They showed a great attitude and played
at a tempo that we struggled to keep tabs with - and that's where we lost
the two goals. "We are finding our fitness with each game but we certainly
didn't find our standard, whereas the Phoenix hit their standard and they
competed as we expected them to. They shut us down high up the pitch
exceptionally well. "We're 20 days into pre-season and what matters is
getting the players ready for 16 August. I've won every pre-season game in
the past and lost the first three or four games in the league, and not won a
pre-season game and then not lost the first eight or ten games of the
season!"
That's perhaps just as well, given that his side have failed to record a win
against Stevenage, Ipswich or Phoenix in pre-season so far. However
Allardyce did admit to being rather more concerned about a lack of quality
exhibited by his players. "It's a disappointing result, but it doesn't make
a lot of difference," he surmised. "What is important is our level of
performance, what we are as a team, and our technique levels. That did worry
me because our technique levels were way down on our standard, so I was
disappointed about that. I can understand that we were fatigued with the way
we've been working, but not the lack of technique on occasions. The players
have to realise we didn't compete well enough, first and foremost. Any game
of football you play, anywhere in the world, you've got to earn the right to
play."
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Wellington Phoenix 2-1 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United remain without a win in pre-season after suffering a
surprise defeat in the first leg of the Football United tour. Having
previously drawn at Stevenage and Ipswich, the Hammers were expected to
comfortably beat Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park this morning. However Sam
Allardyce's jet-lagged side were left somewhat embarrassed - or 'stunned',
according to stuff.co.nz - after falling to a 2-1 defeat.
A lively encounter, the game began with Phoenix full back Louie Fenton
somehow escaping a red card for a dreadful, ankle-high lunge at new signing
Cheikhou Kouyate. Carlton Cole narrowly failed to convert a low Matt Jarvis
cross before West Ham found themselves behind.
A Phoenix free kick was delivered towards the near post and as West Ham's
defence stood motionless, Andrew Durante emerged from behind his marker to
steer his header beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Pre-season or not, it
was a dreadful goal to concede.
And as poor as the opening goal was, the second - conceded on 25 minutes -
was little better. James Collins, who has consistently made grave errors
throughout his career conceded possession 30 yards from goal. Alex Rodriguez
picked up the loose ball before firing it into the corner of Jasskelainen's
net from the edge of the box as West Ham's other defenders retreated.
However the 'English Premier League giants' - courtesy of New Zealand TV -
did at least give the travelling fans - who sang a rousing chorus of "you're
nothing special, we lose every week" - something to cheer about when Mauro
Zaratae scored his first goal in a West Ham shirt.
With 20 minutes to play, the Argentinian managed to beat the otherwise
excellent Phoenix 'keeper Glen Moss. Receiving the ball from Matt Jarvis,
Zarate curled a lovely effort inside the post to give West Ham a fighting
chance.
However the Hammers were left disappointed - and no doubt a little
embarrassed too - after failing to score for a second time - much to the
delight of the home crowd who had seen their team gain a most unexpected
victory.
Even though West Ham's involvement in the Football United tournament is
primarily about fitness, the performance will have disappointed the many
hundreds of New Zealand-based and travelling Hammers fans, some of whom have
spent several thousands of pounds to make the trip.
The game was preceded with a minute's silence for John Adler and Liam
Sweeney, the Newcastle United fans who were killed in the terrorist attack
on a Malaysian Airlines flight last week whilst on their way to support
their team in the Football United tour.
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid (c), Collins, Cresswell, Kouyate,
Noble, Nolan, Diame, Jarvis, Cole.
Subs: Adrian, Howes, Tomkins, Downing, Fanimo, O'Brien, Potts, Poyet, Vaz
Te, Whitehead, Zarate.
Wellington Phoenix: Moss, Muscat, Gorrin, Burns, Brockie, Boyd, Riera,
Fenron, Sigmund, Durante (c), Blake.
Subs: Italiano, Caira, Boxall, Brindell-Smith, Cunningham, Rufer, Hicks,
Lia, Krishna, Ridenton, Doyle.
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West Ham lose 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix in Auckland, New Zealand
Last Updated: 23/07/14 11:17am
SSn
Mauro Zarate scored his first West Ham goal in a 2-1 friendly defeat to
Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park on Wednesday. The Hammers began their
Football United Tour with a loss in Auckland, against a Phoenix team that
finished ninth in the 10-team A-League last season. New signings Aaron
Cresswell and Cheikhou Kouyate were both named in the starting line-up by
Sam Allardyce, with Winston Reid captaining the team in the city of his
birth. Carlton Cole forced an early save out of Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss
but in the 11th minute, the New Zealand club's skipper Andrew Durante headed
an Alex Gorrin free-kick past Jussi Jaaskelainen to give them the lead. And
on 27 minutes, the Phoenix doubled their advantage as Spanish midfielder
Gorrin raced through after winning a block tackle with James Collins and
finished coolly into the far corner. Zarate replaced Kouyate on the hour
mark and pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, curling a shot inside the post
after being set up by Matt Jarvis. Reid went close with a header in the
final stages before Phoenix substitute goalkeeper Lewis Italiano tipped
Stewart Downing's goalbound effort round the post in stoppage time. West Ham
now move on to Wellington to face Sydney FC at the Westpac Stadium on
Saturday.
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ZARATE'S GOAL WAS CLASS, BUT APART FROM THAT...
By Iain Dale 23 Jul 2014 at 10:46
West Ham Till I Die
And to think I got up early on my holiday to watch that load of kack. OK,
it's only a pre-season friendly, yadda, yadda, yadda, but there was
virtually nothing positive to take out of that game apart from the quality
of Mauro Zarate's goal. We looked sluggish, uncommitted and too fond of
playing the long ball. If there has been a shift in our style of play I
can't say I noticed. Did anyone else?
There was a bit of an improvement in the second half when some of the fringe
players entered the fray, but we were made to look ordinary by a team which
would struggle in our League Two. And they are even further behind
pre-season than we are. Jussi looked as if he'd already retired and our
whole defence looked shaky. Kevin Nolan hardly touched the ball and although
Matt Jarvis raced past their right back with ease, he never actually
delivered a dangerous ball.
Maybe these new shirts are a jinx. I positively hate them. They don't even
look like a football shirt. No wonder we lost 2-1!
I think i will return to the Norfolk sun before I depress myself even
further…
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Ravel Morrison faces West Ham transfer after delaying groin surgery because
he was too scared
Jul 23, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Boss Allardyce "didn't seem that sympathetic" when the club had to explain
to controversial midfielder he needed the op now to be fit for start of
season
The Mirror
West Ham are ready to offload Ravel Morrison - because the midfielder is not
in Sam Allardyce's plans for the new season. The England Under-21
international, a fans' favourite at Upton Park, is recovering from a minor
groin operation while the rest of the Hammers' squad are touring New
Zealand. The procedure was delayed, however, after Morrison refused to have
the op because he was frightened about being cut. It is claimed Allardyce
"didn't seem that sympathetic" West Ham had to persuade the player the
surgery was necessary ahead of the new season. Morrison is also said to have
left Big Sam exasperated with an aversion to long-haul flights. It comes two
years after Morrison, 21, refused to drink anything other than official
'West Ham bottled water' during a pre-season stay in Germany. The former
Manchester United schemer has been at St George's Park in the Midlands this
week as part of his rehab. He has just a year left on his Hammers' contract
and has been persistently linked with a new deal.
Mirror Sport understands Swansea, Russia's CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon
of Portugal have made discreet enquiries about his availability this summer.
Fulham failed with a big to poach him from Upton Park in January, and a
string of Championship clubs are interested in taking Morrison on loan for
next season. At his parent club, however, it is understood that Big Sam is
not prepared to indulge him ahead of the Hammers' team. A source close to
Morrison said: "Sam has been brilliant with Ravel – to his face – so unless
someone tells us otherwise he is happy to stay at West Ham. All the
indications have been that something could be worked out with his contract."
Morrison scored one of the goals of last season with his outstanding solo
effort as the Irons stunned Tottenham. It came during the first half of the
campaign, in which the midfielder was among West Ham's best players. But he
was shipped out on loan to QPR in February, as Allardyce constantly claimed
he was injured – only for Morrison to play regularly at Loftus Road.
West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on their tour of
New Zealand on Wednesday. They face Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday.
Ravel Morrison's career timeline
2009 Signed for the Manchester United academy.
2010 Turned professional at Old Trafford on his 17th birthday.
2011 Received a 12-month referral order and was ordered to pay £1,445 in
costs and compensation after admitting two counts of witness intimidation.
Assault charge dropped when his girlfriend refused to testify. Convicted of
criminal damage for throwing her phone out of a window. Advised to undergo
counselling.
2012 Limited chances at United led to him being sold to West Ham in January.
Charged by the FA over the posting of a homophobic threat on twitter.
Accepted his guilt and was fined £7,000.
2013 After being capped by England at U16, U17 and U18, made debut for the
U21s against San Marino.
Returned from a loan spell at Birmingham and scored one of the goals of the
season on a solo run against Spurs at White Hart Lane.
2014 Loaned to QPR and was in the Wembley squad that won the playoff final.
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Could new signing Cheikhou Kouyate from Anderlecht give West Ham the
platform to play under Sam Allardyce?
With the help of Sky Sports' Belgium correspondent Kristof Terreur and the
Opta data, Adam Bate discusses whether Cheikhou Kouyate could have a big
impact at West Ham...
By Adam Bate | Twitter @ghostgoal | Last Updated: 23/07/14 11:51pm
SSN
Following a season that left some in the stands and the board room
dissatisfied with West Ham's efforts, the appointment of Teddy Sheringham as
an attacking coach was seen as a symbol of a new era of intent. But the
signs are that Sam Allardyce will continue to do things his way. While
Sheringham will get the chance to develop talents such as Enner Valencia and
Mauro Zarate, the West Ham manager has shown his determination to maintain a
robust approach by building his midfield around a 6'4" powerhouse who spent
much of last season at centre-back.
Cheikhou Kouyate joined the Hammers from Anderlecht in a £7million deal
earlier this month after featuring in the team's back-four in all but one of
their six Champions League appearances last term. Indeed, he was in the
centre of defence all season until reverting back to midfield in April. His
Champions League statistics are indicative of his significant presence as he
ranked among the club's top two players for tackles, interceptions,
clearances and blocks. Kouyate even boasted the best aerial duel success
rate for any player to win 10 or more in last season's competition. Such
efforts led Sky Sports' resident Belgian football correspondent Kristof
Terreur to describe Kouyate as "one of the better defenders in Belgium" with
the caveat that he "sometimes he still has some strange attacking movements"
in his game.
It's those attacking instincts his new boss is so keen to harness. Upon his
acquisition, Allardyce told the club's official website: "Kouyate is a
dynamic midfielder, goes box to box and has excellent skills with both feet
as well as being strong in the air. If needed, he can fill in at centre back
but his strength will be what he can do in midfield and creating the chances
we need to attack."
Kouyate's pre-season performances have certainly offered encouragement that
the Hammers might be able to find the right balance. After making a strong
debut against Stevenage, Kouyate got his first goal against Ipswich in an
assured display that showcased his pace, strength and ball-playing
abilities. Perhaps Allardyce now has the physical foil for Mark Noble in
midfield.
The 24-year-old looks to be benefiting from the deal being agreed so early
in the summer. "I've adapted well," he says. "The team has really welcomed
me and the players have been extremely kind. That's great and has helped me
fit in. That's what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting it to happen so
quickly. From my very first day at West Ham, they have all been behind me."
This unity will be a key factor in whether West Ham's season is to be judged
a success or a failure by next May. Even when it comes to the arrival of
Sheringham, the insistence that the new coach was picked by Allardyce offers
hope that the integration of all the new faces will be a smooth one.
"Sam picked the one he wanted," said co-owner David Sullivan, quoted in the
Daily Mirror. "I think he has analysed the performance of the team last year
and agreed that we would like to score more goals. It was a weakness of the
team and he has brought in an expert to try and improve that."
Sheringham may be here and the mood at West Ham is changing. But Allardyce's
fingerprints remain on the team. And if Kouyate can build on his early
promise, that might be no bad thing.
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Nolan's words come back to haunt him
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Earlier this week Kevin Nolan told the Sun Andy-Carroll-1200
"We'll have the big man available for the whole of the season and that will
be a big thing for us, I'm confident that if we can keep Andy fit, as well
as introducing the signings we have brought in, this year is going to be a
very good one for us."
Those words must be haunting Nolan when hours later it became clear Andy
Carroll's fitness remained in severe doubt following West Ham's statement
last night blaming his ankle.
He is expected to fly back home today and it is claimed he will return to
face an intensive specialized programme in attempt to get him ready and
repay the faith the West Ham board and manager put in him when he signed
last summer.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, July 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd July 2014
Match Preview - Wellington Phoenix
WHUFC.com
Team news, ticket and travel details and much more ahead of West Ham United's historic visit to Eden Park
22.07.2014
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL UNITED TOUR
EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
WEDNESDAY 23JULY 2014
KICK-OFF: 7.37PM NZ TIME
In brief
West Ham United play their first-ever match in New Zealand as part of the 2014 Football United Tour, taking on A-League side Wellington Phoenix at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park in Auckland.
The tournament also features Newcastle United, who beat Sydney FC 4-0 in the opening match in Dunedin, on New Zealand's South Island, on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers have drawn their opening two pre-season matches 2-2 at Stevenage and 0-0 at Ipswich Town, but will be hopeful of scoring a first victory when they take on the Phoenix on Wednesday.
Thousands of supporters from across New Zealand, Australia and further afield have descended on New Zealand's biggest city for what promises to be a unique occasion in Kiwi football history.
Before the big match kicks-off at 7.37pm local time, a curtain-raiser fixture will be played featuring some of New Zealand's best-known celebrities and sports stars. This kicks-off at 6pm.
A moment's silence will be held before kick-off in the main match in memory of John Alder and Liam Sweeney, the two Newcastle fans who were tragically killed en route to New Zealand, when a Malaysian Airlines flight was shot down over Ukraine last week.
The match will be screened live on television in New Zealand on pay-per-view by Sky Sport, in the UK by BT Sport and in more than 20 other countries around the world.
Who are they?
Founded in March 2007 following the dissolution of the New Zealand Knights, Wellington Phoenix entered the A-League later the same year, becoming the first expansion club in the league's history.
The name for the new club was picked from a shortlist of six, picked from 250 names suggested by the public, and represents the 'fresh start' for football made in the city with the club's birth.
In 2009/10, under the guidance of future New Zealand manager Ricki Herbert, Wellington Phoenix became the first ever New Zealand side to reach the A-League play-offs, defeating Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets to reach the Preliminary final, where they were beaten by Sydney FC. The Nix, as they are nicknamed, reached the play-offs again in 2011 and 2012.
In September 2011, the Phoenix was taken over by Welnix, a consortium of some of Wellington's most successful and influential businessmen. With business acumen and professional intergrity unparallelled in New Zealand business, this consortium has secured the future of the Phoenix for many years to come.
Scottish head coach Ernie Merrick has overseen a major turnover in players since his appointment in more than a dozen new faces since his appointment in May 2013. A two-time A-League champion with Melbourne Victory, Merrick will hope to see the Phoenix rise from a ninth-place finish in 2013/14.
As New Zealand's sole A-League representative, the Phoenix are an important and integral part of the country's sporting landscape, enjoying passionate support at home and abroad. With a strong suite of corporate sponsors, a passionate supporter base and the support of the Wellington community in general, the Wellington Phoenix's future looks bright.
Team news
West Ham will field the vast majority of their 24-man squad at Eden Park. However, Andy Carroll will miss the game with an ankle injury. For an update on this, click here.
One to watch
Wellington Phoenix
Australia international midfielder and winger Nathan Burns joined Wellington Phoenix from Korean club Incheon United in June 2014. Capped seven times by his country, Burns attended the Australian Institute of Sport as a youngster before turning out for Parramatta Eagles and A-League club Adelaide United.
In 2008, Burns moved to European football by joining Greek Super League side AEK Athens. He spent three and a half years in Greece, being loaned to Kerkyra in 2009/10, and totalled 70 appearances and ten goals for the two clubs.
After 18 months with Incheon, the 26-year-old returned to his homeland with Newcastle Jets on loan, scoring twice in 12 A-League appearances in 2013/14. At international level, Burns also helped Australia to runners-up spot at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
West Ham United
West Ham United fans could see Mauro Zarate make his second appearance in a Hammers shirt, with the exciting Argentine having made his debut as a substitute at Ipswich Town last time out.
Technically excellent, blessed with a low centre of gravity and superb finishing skills, Zarate has the talent and game to play in any of the attacking positions - either 'in the hole', out wide or as a central striker.
Zarate has looked sharp in training in New Zealand and could be handed a start in Andy Carroll's absence at Eden Park.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for what promises to be a unique occasion at New Zealand's largest stadium - Eden Park.
To purchases your tickets now, click here.
Travel
By public transport: For full information about how to get to Eden Park by public transport, click here.
By car: For full information about the road closures and parking restrictions around Eden Park, click here.
Where to go for a pre-match drink/meal
West Ham United fans are set to take over many of the bars in Auckland city centre, with supporters' groups attending from all over New Zealand, Australia and beyond.
The Australian supporters' clubs will be at O'Hagan's Irish Pub in the city's Viaduct Harbour district from 4pm.
Weather
The forecast is for a cool evening, with the small possibility of some showers and a maximum temperature of 10C (50F).
Last meeting
West Ham United have never met Wellington Phoenix previously.
Old boys
No player has every turned out for West Ham United and Wellington Phoenix.
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New Zealand update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will be rested for both games on the Football United tour in New Zealand
22.07.2014
Andy Carroll will miss both games on the Football United tour of New Zealand as a precautionary measure after developing a sore left ankle during training.
After assessment by the Club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. It should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season. West Ham United kick off their Football United tour against Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday evening before facing Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday.
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Phoenix rise to Hammers challenge
WHUFc.com
Wellington Phoenix head coach Ernie Merrick says the A-League club cannot wait to face West Ham United
21.07.2014
West Ham United's Football United Tour is a big deal to Wellington Phoenix. The visit of the Hammers, Newcastle United and Sydney FC to New Zealand was the brainchild of the A-League club, who will face Sam Allardyce's side at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday evening. While both clubs are still in pre-season, Phoenix head coach Ernie Merrick says the Football United Tour has caught the imagination of his players, staff and the general public alike. "I'm looking forward to it, the players are certainly looking forward to it and it has created a huge buzz around the whole of New Zealand," said Merrick, who visited Chadwell Heath earlier this year. It's great to see so many fans come out to see us. "This has never been done before in Australia and New Zealand, having two English Premier League sides visiting the country at the same time. This is first-class and we'll be making the most of it and hopefully we can put on a show for the fans. "First and foremost this is about our preparation in pre-season. In the A-League the pre-season is a prolonged period, so we really need to utilise the time well and play games regionally and against Australian sides. To play two Premier League sides is a huge boost for us and it will give our boys a chance to play against the players they have only seen on television."
Merrick said the Football United Tour, which is being broadcast in more than 20 countries worldwide, would offer the opportunity for his players to catch the attention of European clubs. "This is going to be broadcast on television, so it will be seen in Europe as well and I have no doubt that some of our young players will want to be spotted. I don't think it's a bad thing for them to have that ambition and we have some technically very good youngsters here.
"It will be very competitive. There is no doubt that Kiwi boys are very competitive, but they'll want to play good football too. This isn't about rough and tough or about defending - it's about trying to play a style that entertains the fans. "The result is important, but performance is very important for us at this stage as well."
Ticket sales for Wednesday's fixture and Saturday's double-header at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where West Ham will face Sydney FC and the Phoenix will host Newcastle, have been very strong. A 20,000-strong crowd is expected at Eden Park, while a sell-out 34,500 will attend at Westpac - outstanding figures in a country more commonly associated with rugby union. "Ticket sales have been terrific, thanks in part to the promotion done by West Ham and Newcastle and the fact they have brought all their players," Merrick confirmed. "On the back of the World Cup, this really promotes the game in our country."
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Claret and Blues
WHUFC.com
All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan spent time with West Ham United during their tour to New Zealand
22.07.2014
West Ham United visited one of world sport's great venues on Tuesday, where they were welcomed by one of New Zealand's legendary sporting heroes.
Sir John Kirwan played 63 Test matches for the All Blacks rugby union team between 1984 and 1994, scoring 35 tries and winning the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. The former winger spent eleven years playing for his home city of Auckland, while also turning out for Italian club Treviso during the European season. It was while living in Italy that he developed a love of football, supporting Juventus and studying the nuances of the beautiful game. Now a successful coach who has led both Italy and Japan to Rugby World Cups, the 49-year-old is now head coach of the Super Rugby team Auckland Blues. On Tuesday, he - was a very interested spectator - along with Blues players Angus Ta'avao, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Parsons - as West Ham trained at the home of the Blues, Auckland's iconic Eden Park. The Hammers taken on A-League side Wellington Phoenix at the 50,000-seater stadium on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.
Sir John welcomed the Hammers to a stadium where he enjoyed a near-perfect playing record before spending an extended period in discussion with Hammers manager Sam Allardyce. "For me, Eden Park is a very special place," Sir John confirmed. "I didn't lose here for four years and didn't lose here playing for the All Blacks for about eight years and only lost two games in total, so it's a very special ground for me and I feel really at home here.
"It's a great honour for me to have such a prestigious football team here and I hope you enjoy the moment of what, for me, is a very special place. The honour is ours that you are here. "I'm a big soccer fan. I lived in Italy for 12 years and I like to study the game, so I'm a really passionate fan. I follow Juventus and my son plays soccer and wants to be a professional soccer player. He loves his soccer and I watch him play and am passionate about it. "It's also good for me to study. Big Sam, who I have seen from a distance for many years, was absolutely outstanding for me. As a manager myself, I got the chance to talk to him about some of the finer points on how to manage sides at that level."
Sir John believes that rugby union, which was an amatuer sport just 20 years ago, is now catching up with football - and in some areas has overtaken it - when it comes to many technical, physical, mental and commercial aspects of the game. "I think it's fair to say that rugby is heading towards soccer as far as income and the pressures on us as coaches and managers, so I was very privileged that I spent half an hour chatting to Sam. "I think all sports can learn from each other and many of the things I was talking about with Sam were mainly around management of players - physical, mental, game-stress and implementation of gameplan under pressure. There are a whole lot of different things, but they all come back to the individual athlete."
While New Zealand is undoubtedly rugby country, Sir John was quick to make the comparison of the Kiwis' love of the All Blacks and West Ham fans' loyal support of their own team. "For us, rugby is a bit like football is for you guys - a religion. I sum it up by saying that when my team loses - the biggest team with the biggest stadium in New Zealand - and I ring my mother up, who is 86, she will tell me what went wrong and ask me about selection, the scrum and the lineout. "That makes this country very unique and it's a bit like football in the UK. There are a lot of people who know about the game. We're passionate about it, we've got a winning culture and that comes with expectation and lots of passion, which is why we do it."
While Sir John had few peers as a rugby player, his talent on the football pitch is less well known. However, fans watching Wednesday's Football United Tour fixture between West Ham and Wellington will be able to catch him in action in a pre-match curtain-raiser game at Eden Park, which kicks-off at 6pm local time. "I've got a special pair of boots which make me go fast!" he joked. "I'm actually going to be playing as a defender, so if anybody tries to go past me there could be some contact! "I've heard the English game is much more physical than our game, so I was very interested to look at the Phoenix and your athletes, but I wouldn't be looking at the pre-game curtain-raiser for any tips! "I'm excited to be playing, I'm honoured that you guys are here and I think it's a fantastic thing for sport in general. I'll be out there having a kick-around, but I'll be watching the main game afterwards with a lot of interest."
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Lee loving pre-season purple patch
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is thrilled to be back scoring after injury brought a premature end to his involvement last term
22.07.2014
Elliot Lee is fit and firing again. West Ham United's teenage frontman missed the back end of last term with an ankle injury but is quickly making up for lost time. The 19-year-old has already netted four times for the Development Squad in pre-season and could hardly have wished for a better return to action.
"Pre-season's got off to a good start, I'm really pleased with how it's gone," Lee told West Ham TV. "With my injury last season, I really wanted to get my fitness and sharpness back as soon as I could. I think you can see that it's coming now and the goals are just an added bonus. It's brilliant to get them. "As a striker that's all you want to do, you want to score goals! I know throughout the season there will be blips when I don't score and I've just got to keep my confidence up. But at the minute, it's going really well for me. Hopefully I can just carry on scoring more."
Following a match-winning double at Havant and Waterlooville on Tuesday evening, Lee was at it again on Sunday, netting twice in quick succession to help down RCD Espanyol. If his first was a thing of beauty, nestling perfectly in the far corner, the second was more of a poacher's goal, but both welcome in his bid to wrestle his way back into senior reckoning. He continued: "I think it was a great team goal," he confirmed. "I owe all credit to my team-mates. We've popped it about down the left-hand side. It's a great ball from Kieran [Sadlier] to Sebby [Sebastian Lletget], it's a great set from Sebby to me and I've just put it in the corner, so it's a great goal all round if you ask me. "It [the second] is just being in the right place at the right time. Sam [Westley] has headed it against the bar and luckily it's come straight to me and I've just been able to put it in the goal. "I'm happy with my performances so far. I hope to carry on scoring goals, playing well and if I catch the gaffer's eye, then hopefully I can go and put in performances for the first team. But we'll have to see about that."
Aside from his own form, Lee is encouraged by how the Development Squad is shaping up this term, particularly with a new raft of youngsters ready to stake their claim. He continued: "I think we've had a great start to pre-season. All the lads are gelling again, we're all looking forward to the new season and hopefully we can do really well. We've got all the youngsters coming through. We push the youngsters on and they push us on, so there's no difference really. They've stepped up very well and they don't look out of place at all."
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll has picked up an ankle injury
Last Updated: 22/07/14 11:14pm
SSN
Andy Carroll is to miss both of West Ham United's friendly contests in New Zealand after picking up an ankle problem. The 25-year-old had been hoping to enjoy an injury-free pre-season, allowing him to start the 2014/15 campaign at peak fitness. Having spent much of last season on the treatment table as he nursed his way back from a serious heel complaint, the last thing he wanted was to suffer a fresh setback. West Ham hope the problem is not too serious and plan to rest Carroll as a precaution. They remain confident that the England international will be ready for the start of the new Premier League season and that there will be no repeat of the concerns from 12 months ago. A statement posted on the club's official website read: "After assessment by the Club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. "It should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
West Ham are due to face Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday morning before travelling to Wellington to play Sydney FC on Saturday.
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GUEST POST: DAY TWO IN NEW ZEALAND
By Iain Dale 22 Jul 2014 at 08:37
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Kiwi Hammer
I will cut to the chase ….. Andy Carroll did not train and was not at the ground. A "reliable source" tells me he was doing a gym session and they were hoping he would play tomorrow but would make no further comment other than that ……. like the seasoned journo i have become (ha ha ha ha ) i cannot divulge that source!
But the weather was better and the stadium far more befitting of the mighty West Ham Utd (1895) and much to my delight i managed to get the following players to sign my daughter's West Ham tops, and for that I will be forever grateful …… Kevin Nolan, Winston Reid, Ginge Collins, Mohammed Diame ….. and my personal favourite ……. Carlton Cole.
You will also be delighted to know that one of the drills focussed on SHOOTING !!
The guys spilt into 3 groups. Poyet, Vaz Te, Diame, Jarvis, Reid & Potts Nolan, Ginge. Tomkins, Zarate, Kouyate Noble, Downing, Cresswell, Demel, Cole
Obviously there were also the Academy boys who I'm less familiar with. One end was a 6 v 6 "game" in one third of the pitch, the other end the ball movement and shooting drill alternating sides of the pitch. At both ends the keepers were wholly involved. The groups rotated between attacking the goal in the 6 v 6, defending the goal in the 6 v 6 and the shooting drill.
Apart from a brief shower the weather held. David Gold mixed and mingled and talked of the possibility of additional loan players to add to the squad …. gee he's a patient man!!
I'm a 48 year man yet felt like a school boy today. I cant wait for tomorrow. You should all be very proud of your team, they are all doing you and the club proud over here.
I can see an upsurge in the support for West Ham United from down under.
Interestingly ….. someone (i assume authorised) was also selling West Ham gear as you came through the gate …… probably too many kids and not enough Dads to be successful, but interesting nonetheless. Tomorrow night could be a bumper night for sales.
The groundsman tells me they are hoping for 20,000 tomorrow night, anything above 10 realistically will be a great result (funny, he was also getting grumpy with the goalkeepers chewing up the grass and the work he was going to have to do to get it shipshape by kick off).
Come on you Irons
UPDATE: I've just read that 17,000 tickets have been pre-sold.
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West Ham's young wing wizard Oscar Borg, on trial at Manchester United, to start for Red Devils' Under 18 side
Borg, on trial at Manchester United, to start for Red Devils' Under 18 side
The West Ham youngster has been dubbed as the 'next Gareth Bale'
Southampton are also interested in 16-year-old wing-back
By ADAM CRAFTON
PUBLISHED: 19:23, 22 July 2014 | UPDATED: 19:23, 22 July 2014
Daily Mail
Oscar Borg, the 16-year-old West Ham winger compared to Gareth Bale and on trial at Manchester United, is set to start for the Red Devils' under-18 team against Trafford on Monday night. The youngster, currently trying to impress at Old Trafford, has also attracted interest from Southampton, according to the Daily Express. Nicknamed 'Gareth' by the West Ham coaching set-up for a similar style of play to the Welsh wizard, Borg looks to have a bright future. Should Borg impress, he will cost United around £220,000 but as he is not signed on as a scholar at West Ham he is free to move. The east Londoners have also offered another rising star, Reece Oxford, a new and much improved deal to stay following interest from United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Oxford is a 15-year-old defender who has already played for West Ham's Under 18 side. The deal is believed to be the biggest the club have ever offered to a player under 20. Speaking earlier this month Hammers co-owner David Sullivan spoke of the club's intention to keep Oxford and blasted England's top sides for continually poaching the lesser clubs' best talent. 'It almost makes you give up on having an academy if they can come in and nick your best 15-year-old. What's the point?,' Sullivan said. Meanwhile Ogo Obi, a trialist from Watford, will also play some part for United's young side.
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West Ham will regret sticking with Sam Allardyce
by Daryl Hardy
GiveMesport.com
Ahead of the new Premier League season West Ham have been busy in the transfer market as they look to improve on a stuttering campaign last term, however their decision to stick with Sam Allardyce as manager could prove to be their downfall. The Hammers finished 13th last season reaching the benchmark points tally of 40 which is often enough to ensure a team of their Premier League safety. However the 2013-14 season was not like many others with the bottom half of the table in a relegation dogfight for the majority of it.
Deserves recognition
Just seven points separated the relegated Norwich in 18th and West Ham. Allardyce deserves credit for getting his side out of the scrap and clearing them to safety, which he has previously stated was his objective for the season. Although if the club want to progress and ensure they are not involved in a similar situation in the future, then it is perhaps not wise to stick with the man that put them there in the first place.
In need of a new style
Allardyce teams are fighters, scrappers and give everything they've got to the cause which is a credit to the man as it has got them this far. But in my opinion his style does not suit the West Ham philosophy of free-flowing, attacking football, breeding youngsters through the academy and generating excitement among fans with their often unpredictable but enjoyable performances. Nowadays under Allardyce they are the complete opposite. They have become so predictable that teams know how to deal with them and have wisened up to the 59-year-old manager's tricks. He plays direct, percentage football that isn't very reliable or pretty to watch. The fact that his sides are usually defensively sound and well organised is his saving grace, but is that enough in the modern era of football that is all about goals and excitement?
Calls for sacking
There were vociferous calls from sections of the club's support for his dismissal last season despite the side reaching the Capital One Cup semi-final and securing league safety. The board at the club have been insistent on improvements being made to the team's style of play to provide "more entertainment" in future while also demanding a top-half finish. But having watched many Allardyce sides in the past he is not one to change – his Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle team's all provided similar displays and outcomes.
In my view it would be a surprise if Big Sam is still at the helm this time next year as his new season objectives appear rather ambitious and I don't believe he is the man to take them forward, but if his new signings deliver then there is no reason why he can't steer them clear of relegation once again.
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Up to 950 homes to be build at the Boleyn Ground
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
A scoping planning application has been submitted to Newham council on behalf of the applicant Galliard Homes for the redevelopment of the Boleyn Ground. The proposed application is for demolition of the existing buildings on site and the development of a residential-led mixed used scheme compromising of up to approximately 950 residential units in a number of buildings ranging in height from 3-16 storeys. Also proposed is approximately 950sqm of non-residential floor space which predominantly comprises of small-scale commercial and community uses and public and private open spaces and landscaping.
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Arsenal chasing West Ham starlet
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: July 22, 2014
ARSENAL have joined the chase for West Ham youngster Reece Oxford. The teenager has impressed for the Hammers youth team and is now on the radar for several Premier League Clubs. The Gunners will have to fend off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea if they are to secure the defender's signature. However, Sam Allardyce is hoping to keep hold of Oxford, as the club try to pin him down to a long-term deal.
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Andy Carroll will play one half tomorrow
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The Brisbane & Sydney Hammers from Australia are in New Zealand to watch the Football United tour and earlier today Claret and Hugh caught up with Brisbane Hammers chairman Dave Rhodes to give us an update of today's open training session. "David Gold said Andy Carroll had a slight knock and would play a half tomorrow. He didn't train today. There wasn't a whole lot to report from the training. They were kicking the ball about doing a bit of sprints etc. everybody was there except Carroll from what I could see. Kevin Nolan came over for a chat with the Brisbane Hammers and he was good as gold. The West Ham media team took our banner to the dressing room and got it signed by all the West Ham lads. None of the other players came over to us which was a bit disappointing but David Gold came over for a good chat, what a lovely bloke he is. We were interviewed by West ham TV first then New Zealand TV Channel One News which you can see below. COYI"
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Enner Valencia to miss Wellington Phoenix clash as club plays down Ivan Strinic links
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 22 July 2014 Updated: 11:38, 22 July 2014
West Ham's new £12 million signing Enner Valencia will be missing from Sam Allardyce's team when they meet Wellington Phoenix tomorrow in the first of two pre‑season tour matches in New Zealand. The 24-year-old, who scored all of Ecuador's three goals in the World Cup finals, has signed a five-year deal for the Upton Park club but is still waiting for a work permit.
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Hammers hit Arsenal "wall"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are still chasing Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson but talks are currently deadlocked! The Hammers are keen to grab the right back either permanently or on loan but the Gunners are playing hardball. And until the north Londoners complete their own business it is unlikely the Hammers will be able to move forward. Jenkinson would have a £5 million price tag on his head were he be allowed to move on from the Emirates and it would be a deal the Irons would find hard to resist. The alternative of course would be a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. However, at the moment Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is unwilling to move the process on as he chases his own targets. A senior Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: "Nothing has changed at the moment but that's not to say it's dead. Anything can happen in this game!"
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AC fitness: The big question
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll's state of health continues to monopolise pre season as more reports flow in on the issue from New Zealand. ClaretandHugh carried a story yesterday which claimed the Geordie had done just five minutes on the training pitch. Very quickly a source close to the club, and with the squad in New Zealand, claimed there was no injury, that he trained fully on Sunday and was on an exercise bike in the tunnel on Monday during the training session. He added he will play in both games in New Zealand, that he was a bit behind the other squad members in terms of fitness and had his own programme. The first game comes against Wellington Phoenix tomorrow morning and the second against Sydney FC on Saturday. How much that will tell us about his state of fitness is debatable given these are, after all, friendlies. But the big question that hasn't been answered after originally being raised on Twitter by a usually reliable resource, is WHY the player is behind the others in training. Unless there has been an injury problem – and there didn't appear to be as he enjoyed the summer break amid the usual accompanying glare of publicity – it begs a few questions. I have little doubt that the No 9 will be up to speed by the time the Spurs match comes around but given his history with injuries, the club should not be surprised that questions are being asked by the fans. Andy Carroll's fitness is a major and central issue at West Ham United and hopefully at some stage we will be told why he has been on his own programme.
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WHUFC.com
Team news, ticket and travel details and much more ahead of West Ham United's historic visit to Eden Park
22.07.2014
WELLINGTON PHOENIX v WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL UNITED TOUR
EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
WEDNESDAY 23JULY 2014
KICK-OFF: 7.37PM NZ TIME
In brief
West Ham United play their first-ever match in New Zealand as part of the 2014 Football United Tour, taking on A-League side Wellington Phoenix at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park in Auckland.
The tournament also features Newcastle United, who beat Sydney FC 4-0 in the opening match in Dunedin, on New Zealand's South Island, on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers have drawn their opening two pre-season matches 2-2 at Stevenage and 0-0 at Ipswich Town, but will be hopeful of scoring a first victory when they take on the Phoenix on Wednesday.
Thousands of supporters from across New Zealand, Australia and further afield have descended on New Zealand's biggest city for what promises to be a unique occasion in Kiwi football history.
Before the big match kicks-off at 7.37pm local time, a curtain-raiser fixture will be played featuring some of New Zealand's best-known celebrities and sports stars. This kicks-off at 6pm.
A moment's silence will be held before kick-off in the main match in memory of John Alder and Liam Sweeney, the two Newcastle fans who were tragically killed en route to New Zealand, when a Malaysian Airlines flight was shot down over Ukraine last week.
The match will be screened live on television in New Zealand on pay-per-view by Sky Sport, in the UK by BT Sport and in more than 20 other countries around the world.
Who are they?
Founded in March 2007 following the dissolution of the New Zealand Knights, Wellington Phoenix entered the A-League later the same year, becoming the first expansion club in the league's history.
The name for the new club was picked from a shortlist of six, picked from 250 names suggested by the public, and represents the 'fresh start' for football made in the city with the club's birth.
In 2009/10, under the guidance of future New Zealand manager Ricki Herbert, Wellington Phoenix became the first ever New Zealand side to reach the A-League play-offs, defeating Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets to reach the Preliminary final, where they were beaten by Sydney FC. The Nix, as they are nicknamed, reached the play-offs again in 2011 and 2012.
In September 2011, the Phoenix was taken over by Welnix, a consortium of some of Wellington's most successful and influential businessmen. With business acumen and professional intergrity unparallelled in New Zealand business, this consortium has secured the future of the Phoenix for many years to come.
Scottish head coach Ernie Merrick has overseen a major turnover in players since his appointment in more than a dozen new faces since his appointment in May 2013. A two-time A-League champion with Melbourne Victory, Merrick will hope to see the Phoenix rise from a ninth-place finish in 2013/14.
As New Zealand's sole A-League representative, the Phoenix are an important and integral part of the country's sporting landscape, enjoying passionate support at home and abroad. With a strong suite of corporate sponsors, a passionate supporter base and the support of the Wellington community in general, the Wellington Phoenix's future looks bright.
Team news
West Ham will field the vast majority of their 24-man squad at Eden Park. However, Andy Carroll will miss the game with an ankle injury. For an update on this, click here.
One to watch
Wellington Phoenix
Australia international midfielder and winger Nathan Burns joined Wellington Phoenix from Korean club Incheon United in June 2014. Capped seven times by his country, Burns attended the Australian Institute of Sport as a youngster before turning out for Parramatta Eagles and A-League club Adelaide United.
In 2008, Burns moved to European football by joining Greek Super League side AEK Athens. He spent three and a half years in Greece, being loaned to Kerkyra in 2009/10, and totalled 70 appearances and ten goals for the two clubs.
After 18 months with Incheon, the 26-year-old returned to his homeland with Newcastle Jets on loan, scoring twice in 12 A-League appearances in 2013/14. At international level, Burns also helped Australia to runners-up spot at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
West Ham United
West Ham United fans could see Mauro Zarate make his second appearance in a Hammers shirt, with the exciting Argentine having made his debut as a substitute at Ipswich Town last time out.
Technically excellent, blessed with a low centre of gravity and superb finishing skills, Zarate has the talent and game to play in any of the attacking positions - either 'in the hole', out wide or as a central striker.
Zarate has looked sharp in training in New Zealand and could be handed a start in Andy Carroll's absence at Eden Park.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for what promises to be a unique occasion at New Zealand's largest stadium - Eden Park.
To purchases your tickets now, click here.
Travel
By public transport: For full information about how to get to Eden Park by public transport, click here.
By car: For full information about the road closures and parking restrictions around Eden Park, click here.
Where to go for a pre-match drink/meal
West Ham United fans are set to take over many of the bars in Auckland city centre, with supporters' groups attending from all over New Zealand, Australia and beyond.
The Australian supporters' clubs will be at O'Hagan's Irish Pub in the city's Viaduct Harbour district from 4pm.
Weather
The forecast is for a cool evening, with the small possibility of some showers and a maximum temperature of 10C (50F).
Last meeting
West Ham United have never met Wellington Phoenix previously.
Old boys
No player has every turned out for West Ham United and Wellington Phoenix.
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New Zealand update
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll will be rested for both games on the Football United tour in New Zealand
22.07.2014
Andy Carroll will miss both games on the Football United tour of New Zealand as a precautionary measure after developing a sore left ankle during training.
After assessment by the Club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. It should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season. West Ham United kick off their Football United tour against Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday evening before facing Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday.
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Phoenix rise to Hammers challenge
WHUFc.com
Wellington Phoenix head coach Ernie Merrick says the A-League club cannot wait to face West Ham United
21.07.2014
West Ham United's Football United Tour is a big deal to Wellington Phoenix. The visit of the Hammers, Newcastle United and Sydney FC to New Zealand was the brainchild of the A-League club, who will face Sam Allardyce's side at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday evening. While both clubs are still in pre-season, Phoenix head coach Ernie Merrick says the Football United Tour has caught the imagination of his players, staff and the general public alike. "I'm looking forward to it, the players are certainly looking forward to it and it has created a huge buzz around the whole of New Zealand," said Merrick, who visited Chadwell Heath earlier this year. It's great to see so many fans come out to see us. "This has never been done before in Australia and New Zealand, having two English Premier League sides visiting the country at the same time. This is first-class and we'll be making the most of it and hopefully we can put on a show for the fans. "First and foremost this is about our preparation in pre-season. In the A-League the pre-season is a prolonged period, so we really need to utilise the time well and play games regionally and against Australian sides. To play two Premier League sides is a huge boost for us and it will give our boys a chance to play against the players they have only seen on television."
Merrick said the Football United Tour, which is being broadcast in more than 20 countries worldwide, would offer the opportunity for his players to catch the attention of European clubs. "This is going to be broadcast on television, so it will be seen in Europe as well and I have no doubt that some of our young players will want to be spotted. I don't think it's a bad thing for them to have that ambition and we have some technically very good youngsters here.
"It will be very competitive. There is no doubt that Kiwi boys are very competitive, but they'll want to play good football too. This isn't about rough and tough or about defending - it's about trying to play a style that entertains the fans. "The result is important, but performance is very important for us at this stage as well."
Ticket sales for Wednesday's fixture and Saturday's double-header at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, where West Ham will face Sydney FC and the Phoenix will host Newcastle, have been very strong. A 20,000-strong crowd is expected at Eden Park, while a sell-out 34,500 will attend at Westpac - outstanding figures in a country more commonly associated with rugby union. "Ticket sales have been terrific, thanks in part to the promotion done by West Ham and Newcastle and the fact they have brought all their players," Merrick confirmed. "On the back of the World Cup, this really promotes the game in our country."
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Claret and Blues
WHUFC.com
All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan spent time with West Ham United during their tour to New Zealand
22.07.2014
West Ham United visited one of world sport's great venues on Tuesday, where they were welcomed by one of New Zealand's legendary sporting heroes.
Sir John Kirwan played 63 Test matches for the All Blacks rugby union team between 1984 and 1994, scoring 35 tries and winning the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. The former winger spent eleven years playing for his home city of Auckland, while also turning out for Italian club Treviso during the European season. It was while living in Italy that he developed a love of football, supporting Juventus and studying the nuances of the beautiful game. Now a successful coach who has led both Italy and Japan to Rugby World Cups, the 49-year-old is now head coach of the Super Rugby team Auckland Blues. On Tuesday, he - was a very interested spectator - along with Blues players Angus Ta'avao, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Parsons - as West Ham trained at the home of the Blues, Auckland's iconic Eden Park. The Hammers taken on A-League side Wellington Phoenix at the 50,000-seater stadium on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.
Sir John welcomed the Hammers to a stadium where he enjoyed a near-perfect playing record before spending an extended period in discussion with Hammers manager Sam Allardyce. "For me, Eden Park is a very special place," Sir John confirmed. "I didn't lose here for four years and didn't lose here playing for the All Blacks for about eight years and only lost two games in total, so it's a very special ground for me and I feel really at home here.
"It's a great honour for me to have such a prestigious football team here and I hope you enjoy the moment of what, for me, is a very special place. The honour is ours that you are here. "I'm a big soccer fan. I lived in Italy for 12 years and I like to study the game, so I'm a really passionate fan. I follow Juventus and my son plays soccer and wants to be a professional soccer player. He loves his soccer and I watch him play and am passionate about it. "It's also good for me to study. Big Sam, who I have seen from a distance for many years, was absolutely outstanding for me. As a manager myself, I got the chance to talk to him about some of the finer points on how to manage sides at that level."
Sir John believes that rugby union, which was an amatuer sport just 20 years ago, is now catching up with football - and in some areas has overtaken it - when it comes to many technical, physical, mental and commercial aspects of the game. "I think it's fair to say that rugby is heading towards soccer as far as income and the pressures on us as coaches and managers, so I was very privileged that I spent half an hour chatting to Sam. "I think all sports can learn from each other and many of the things I was talking about with Sam were mainly around management of players - physical, mental, game-stress and implementation of gameplan under pressure. There are a whole lot of different things, but they all come back to the individual athlete."
While New Zealand is undoubtedly rugby country, Sir John was quick to make the comparison of the Kiwis' love of the All Blacks and West Ham fans' loyal support of their own team. "For us, rugby is a bit like football is for you guys - a religion. I sum it up by saying that when my team loses - the biggest team with the biggest stadium in New Zealand - and I ring my mother up, who is 86, she will tell me what went wrong and ask me about selection, the scrum and the lineout. "That makes this country very unique and it's a bit like football in the UK. There are a lot of people who know about the game. We're passionate about it, we've got a winning culture and that comes with expectation and lots of passion, which is why we do it."
While Sir John had few peers as a rugby player, his talent on the football pitch is less well known. However, fans watching Wednesday's Football United Tour fixture between West Ham and Wellington will be able to catch him in action in a pre-match curtain-raiser game at Eden Park, which kicks-off at 6pm local time. "I've got a special pair of boots which make me go fast!" he joked. "I'm actually going to be playing as a defender, so if anybody tries to go past me there could be some contact! "I've heard the English game is much more physical than our game, so I was very interested to look at the Phoenix and your athletes, but I wouldn't be looking at the pre-game curtain-raiser for any tips! "I'm excited to be playing, I'm honoured that you guys are here and I think it's a fantastic thing for sport in general. I'll be out there having a kick-around, but I'll be watching the main game afterwards with a lot of interest."
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Lee loving pre-season purple patch
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is thrilled to be back scoring after injury brought a premature end to his involvement last term
22.07.2014
Elliot Lee is fit and firing again. West Ham United's teenage frontman missed the back end of last term with an ankle injury but is quickly making up for lost time. The 19-year-old has already netted four times for the Development Squad in pre-season and could hardly have wished for a better return to action.
"Pre-season's got off to a good start, I'm really pleased with how it's gone," Lee told West Ham TV. "With my injury last season, I really wanted to get my fitness and sharpness back as soon as I could. I think you can see that it's coming now and the goals are just an added bonus. It's brilliant to get them. "As a striker that's all you want to do, you want to score goals! I know throughout the season there will be blips when I don't score and I've just got to keep my confidence up. But at the minute, it's going really well for me. Hopefully I can just carry on scoring more."
Following a match-winning double at Havant and Waterlooville on Tuesday evening, Lee was at it again on Sunday, netting twice in quick succession to help down RCD Espanyol. If his first was a thing of beauty, nestling perfectly in the far corner, the second was more of a poacher's goal, but both welcome in his bid to wrestle his way back into senior reckoning. He continued: "I think it was a great team goal," he confirmed. "I owe all credit to my team-mates. We've popped it about down the left-hand side. It's a great ball from Kieran [Sadlier] to Sebby [Sebastian Lletget], it's a great set from Sebby to me and I've just put it in the corner, so it's a great goal all round if you ask me. "It [the second] is just being in the right place at the right time. Sam [Westley] has headed it against the bar and luckily it's come straight to me and I've just been able to put it in the goal. "I'm happy with my performances so far. I hope to carry on scoring goals, playing well and if I catch the gaffer's eye, then hopefully I can go and put in performances for the first team. But we'll have to see about that."
Aside from his own form, Lee is encouraged by how the Development Squad is shaping up this term, particularly with a new raft of youngsters ready to stake their claim. He continued: "I think we've had a great start to pre-season. All the lads are gelling again, we're all looking forward to the new season and hopefully we can do really well. We've got all the youngsters coming through. We push the youngsters on and they push us on, so there's no difference really. They've stepped up very well and they don't look out of place at all."
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll has picked up an ankle injury
Last Updated: 22/07/14 11:14pm
SSN
Andy Carroll is to miss both of West Ham United's friendly contests in New Zealand after picking up an ankle problem. The 25-year-old had been hoping to enjoy an injury-free pre-season, allowing him to start the 2014/15 campaign at peak fitness. Having spent much of last season on the treatment table as he nursed his way back from a serious heel complaint, the last thing he wanted was to suffer a fresh setback. West Ham hope the problem is not too serious and plan to rest Carroll as a precaution. They remain confident that the England international will be ready for the start of the new Premier League season and that there will be no repeat of the concerns from 12 months ago. A statement posted on the club's official website read: "After assessment by the Club's medical experts, it was decided to let the England international rest for both remaining games and receive intensive treatment to ensure he is fit for the start of the season. "It should be clear that the affected area is not in any way associated with the previous injury he successfully overcame towards the end of last season."
West Ham are due to face Wellington Phoenix in Auckland on Wednesday morning before travelling to Wellington to play Sydney FC on Saturday.
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GUEST POST: DAY TWO IN NEW ZEALAND
By Iain Dale 22 Jul 2014 at 08:37
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Kiwi Hammer
I will cut to the chase ….. Andy Carroll did not train and was not at the ground. A "reliable source" tells me he was doing a gym session and they were hoping he would play tomorrow but would make no further comment other than that ……. like the seasoned journo i have become (ha ha ha ha ) i cannot divulge that source!
But the weather was better and the stadium far more befitting of the mighty West Ham Utd (1895) and much to my delight i managed to get the following players to sign my daughter's West Ham tops, and for that I will be forever grateful …… Kevin Nolan, Winston Reid, Ginge Collins, Mohammed Diame ….. and my personal favourite ……. Carlton Cole.
You will also be delighted to know that one of the drills focussed on SHOOTING !!
The guys spilt into 3 groups. Poyet, Vaz Te, Diame, Jarvis, Reid & Potts Nolan, Ginge. Tomkins, Zarate, Kouyate Noble, Downing, Cresswell, Demel, Cole
Obviously there were also the Academy boys who I'm less familiar with. One end was a 6 v 6 "game" in one third of the pitch, the other end the ball movement and shooting drill alternating sides of the pitch. At both ends the keepers were wholly involved. The groups rotated between attacking the goal in the 6 v 6, defending the goal in the 6 v 6 and the shooting drill.
Apart from a brief shower the weather held. David Gold mixed and mingled and talked of the possibility of additional loan players to add to the squad …. gee he's a patient man!!
I'm a 48 year man yet felt like a school boy today. I cant wait for tomorrow. You should all be very proud of your team, they are all doing you and the club proud over here.
I can see an upsurge in the support for West Ham United from down under.
Interestingly ….. someone (i assume authorised) was also selling West Ham gear as you came through the gate …… probably too many kids and not enough Dads to be successful, but interesting nonetheless. Tomorrow night could be a bumper night for sales.
The groundsman tells me they are hoping for 20,000 tomorrow night, anything above 10 realistically will be a great result (funny, he was also getting grumpy with the goalkeepers chewing up the grass and the work he was going to have to do to get it shipshape by kick off).
Come on you Irons
UPDATE: I've just read that 17,000 tickets have been pre-sold.
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West Ham's young wing wizard Oscar Borg, on trial at Manchester United, to start for Red Devils' Under 18 side
Borg, on trial at Manchester United, to start for Red Devils' Under 18 side
The West Ham youngster has been dubbed as the 'next Gareth Bale'
Southampton are also interested in 16-year-old wing-back
By ADAM CRAFTON
PUBLISHED: 19:23, 22 July 2014 | UPDATED: 19:23, 22 July 2014
Daily Mail
Oscar Borg, the 16-year-old West Ham winger compared to Gareth Bale and on trial at Manchester United, is set to start for the Red Devils' under-18 team against Trafford on Monday night. The youngster, currently trying to impress at Old Trafford, has also attracted interest from Southampton, according to the Daily Express. Nicknamed 'Gareth' by the West Ham coaching set-up for a similar style of play to the Welsh wizard, Borg looks to have a bright future. Should Borg impress, he will cost United around £220,000 but as he is not signed on as a scholar at West Ham he is free to move. The east Londoners have also offered another rising star, Reece Oxford, a new and much improved deal to stay following interest from United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Oxford is a 15-year-old defender who has already played for West Ham's Under 18 side. The deal is believed to be the biggest the club have ever offered to a player under 20. Speaking earlier this month Hammers co-owner David Sullivan spoke of the club's intention to keep Oxford and blasted England's top sides for continually poaching the lesser clubs' best talent. 'It almost makes you give up on having an academy if they can come in and nick your best 15-year-old. What's the point?,' Sullivan said. Meanwhile Ogo Obi, a trialist from Watford, will also play some part for United's young side.
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West Ham will regret sticking with Sam Allardyce
by Daryl Hardy
GiveMesport.com
Ahead of the new Premier League season West Ham have been busy in the transfer market as they look to improve on a stuttering campaign last term, however their decision to stick with Sam Allardyce as manager could prove to be their downfall. The Hammers finished 13th last season reaching the benchmark points tally of 40 which is often enough to ensure a team of their Premier League safety. However the 2013-14 season was not like many others with the bottom half of the table in a relegation dogfight for the majority of it.
Deserves recognition
Just seven points separated the relegated Norwich in 18th and West Ham. Allardyce deserves credit for getting his side out of the scrap and clearing them to safety, which he has previously stated was his objective for the season. Although if the club want to progress and ensure they are not involved in a similar situation in the future, then it is perhaps not wise to stick with the man that put them there in the first place.
In need of a new style
Allardyce teams are fighters, scrappers and give everything they've got to the cause which is a credit to the man as it has got them this far. But in my opinion his style does not suit the West Ham philosophy of free-flowing, attacking football, breeding youngsters through the academy and generating excitement among fans with their often unpredictable but enjoyable performances. Nowadays under Allardyce they are the complete opposite. They have become so predictable that teams know how to deal with them and have wisened up to the 59-year-old manager's tricks. He plays direct, percentage football that isn't very reliable or pretty to watch. The fact that his sides are usually defensively sound and well organised is his saving grace, but is that enough in the modern era of football that is all about goals and excitement?
Calls for sacking
There were vociferous calls from sections of the club's support for his dismissal last season despite the side reaching the Capital One Cup semi-final and securing league safety. The board at the club have been insistent on improvements being made to the team's style of play to provide "more entertainment" in future while also demanding a top-half finish. But having watched many Allardyce sides in the past he is not one to change – his Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle team's all provided similar displays and outcomes.
In my view it would be a surprise if Big Sam is still at the helm this time next year as his new season objectives appear rather ambitious and I don't believe he is the man to take them forward, but if his new signings deliver then there is no reason why he can't steer them clear of relegation once again.
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Up to 950 homes to be build at the Boleyn Ground
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
A scoping planning application has been submitted to Newham council on behalf of the applicant Galliard Homes for the redevelopment of the Boleyn Ground. The proposed application is for demolition of the existing buildings on site and the development of a residential-led mixed used scheme compromising of up to approximately 950 residential units in a number of buildings ranging in height from 3-16 storeys. Also proposed is approximately 950sqm of non-residential floor space which predominantly comprises of small-scale commercial and community uses and public and private open spaces and landscaping.
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Arsenal chasing West Ham starlet
By Essex Chronicle | Posted: July 22, 2014
ARSENAL have joined the chase for West Ham youngster Reece Oxford. The teenager has impressed for the Hammers youth team and is now on the radar for several Premier League Clubs. The Gunners will have to fend off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea if they are to secure the defender's signature. However, Sam Allardyce is hoping to keep hold of Oxford, as the club try to pin him down to a long-term deal.
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Andy Carroll will play one half tomorrow
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
The Brisbane & Sydney Hammers from Australia are in New Zealand to watch the Football United tour and earlier today Claret and Hugh caught up with Brisbane Hammers chairman Dave Rhodes to give us an update of today's open training session. "David Gold said Andy Carroll had a slight knock and would play a half tomorrow. He didn't train today. There wasn't a whole lot to report from the training. They were kicking the ball about doing a bit of sprints etc. everybody was there except Carroll from what I could see. Kevin Nolan came over for a chat with the Brisbane Hammers and he was good as gold. The West Ham media team took our banner to the dressing room and got it signed by all the West Ham lads. None of the other players came over to us which was a bit disappointing but David Gold came over for a good chat, what a lovely bloke he is. We were interviewed by West ham TV first then New Zealand TV Channel One News which you can see below. COYI"
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Enner Valencia to miss Wellington Phoenix clash as club plays down Ivan Strinic links
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 22 July 2014 Updated: 11:38, 22 July 2014
West Ham's new £12 million signing Enner Valencia will be missing from Sam Allardyce's team when they meet Wellington Phoenix tomorrow in the first of two pre‑season tour matches in New Zealand. The 24-year-old, who scored all of Ecuador's three goals in the World Cup finals, has signed a five-year deal for the Upton Park club but is still waiting for a work permit.
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Hammers hit Arsenal "wall"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are still chasing Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson but talks are currently deadlocked! The Hammers are keen to grab the right back either permanently or on loan but the Gunners are playing hardball. And until the north Londoners complete their own business it is unlikely the Hammers will be able to move forward. Jenkinson would have a £5 million price tag on his head were he be allowed to move on from the Emirates and it would be a deal the Irons would find hard to resist. The alternative of course would be a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. However, at the moment Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is unwilling to move the process on as he chases his own targets. A senior Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: "Nothing has changed at the moment but that's not to say it's dead. Anything can happen in this game!"
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AC fitness: The big question
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll's state of health continues to monopolise pre season as more reports flow in on the issue from New Zealand. ClaretandHugh carried a story yesterday which claimed the Geordie had done just five minutes on the training pitch. Very quickly a source close to the club, and with the squad in New Zealand, claimed there was no injury, that he trained fully on Sunday and was on an exercise bike in the tunnel on Monday during the training session. He added he will play in both games in New Zealand, that he was a bit behind the other squad members in terms of fitness and had his own programme. The first game comes against Wellington Phoenix tomorrow morning and the second against Sydney FC on Saturday. How much that will tell us about his state of fitness is debatable given these are, after all, friendlies. But the big question that hasn't been answered after originally being raised on Twitter by a usually reliable resource, is WHY the player is behind the others in training. Unless there has been an injury problem – and there didn't appear to be as he enjoyed the summer break amid the usual accompanying glare of publicity – it begs a few questions. I have little doubt that the No 9 will be up to speed by the time the Spurs match comes around but given his history with injuries, the club should not be surprised that questions are being asked by the fans. Andy Carroll's fitness is a major and central issue at West Ham United and hopefully at some stage we will be told why he has been on his own programme.
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