Noble - 'We're full of belief'
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble says West Ham United took heart from their Liverpool win ahead of
Man City visit
27.10.2014
Mark Noble says Saturday's win over Manchester City was a victory for his
side's self-belief after goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho took
the Hammers to their second victory over UEFA Champions League opposition
this season. The No16 explained that last month's success against Liverpool
teed the Londoners up perfectly for the visit of champions City, and their
self-confidence was evident. Three points keeps the Hammers in the top four
of the Barclays Premier League table, leaving Noble delighted with the start
West Ham have made.
"I said in my pre-match press conference that we're playing well at the
minute and we're going to try and win the game," he explained. "We were
never going to come to our home, after a great win against Liverpool and
with players in our team scoring goals, and not try to win.
"We obviously had a few close shaves - they hit the bar a couple of times -
but sometimes you ride your luck and I'm buzzing that we got all three
points. "I think the front pair - Enner and Diafra - and the other players
we have signed have given the whole club a lift, because they are hungry and
they want to score goals. They also want to work hard for the team, rather
than show a bit of brilliance and then not run for 20 minutes. "Personally,
I hope we will keep on them and not let them get sloppy because they have
scored a few goals and all that. I will still be shouting at them on Monday
morning and hopefully they will play like this for the rest of the season.
"I will do my bit to make sure they don't stop running. I'll be on them
every day to keep them on their toes and so will the manager and Kevin Nolan
and hopefully they will keep scoring goals for us. "Don't get me wrong,
every player is due a break at some stage, but you do your hard work first
and then you score your goals and that's what they are doing. "Diafra Sakho
keeps on scoring and hopefully that won't stop, while Enner's energy and the
way he played against Vincent Kompany was fantastic, and we're going to need
that week-in, week-out. "We came into this season thinking a point out of
six against Manchester City would have been acceptable, because they are so
good at home that everyone in the league writes that one off, but we played
well, got a bit lucky and deserved the win."
Noble says his team's start has given them a healthy base from which to
reach their targets for the campaign already. He added: "I think our goal at
the minute is still to finish in the top ten but if you keep winning games
like that, then people will expect more from you.
"I'm pretty sure we won't get carried away. There are still loads of games
left and we know that there are still loads of points to play for, but we're
on 16 points and there is all to play for."
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Taylor urges men to feel nuts
WHUFc.com
Taylor Tombides has urged men to feel feel their nuts as part of a
testicular cancer awareness campaign
25.10.2014
Taylor Tombides has paid a moving tribute to his late brother Dylan and
encouraged men to feel their nuts regularly as part of a national testicular
cancer awareness campaign. The West Ham United striker lost brother Dylan to
cancer in April 2014, nearly three years after the 20-year-old had initially
been diagnosed with testicular cancer at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup
finals. Months before his disease was picked up by a random drugs test,
Dylan had been to see a doctor after discovering a lump, only to be told he
likely had nothing more troublesome than a cyst. Dylan showed amazing
courage in fighting off the disease three times, but it ultimately spread to
his vital organs and the brave Australian passed away with his family at his
side.
Six months on from Dylan's untimely passing, Taylor spoke for the first time
publicly about the pain caused by his loss, and urged men everywhere to be
diligent when it comes to checking their own testicles for potential issues.
The 18-year-old appeared on Channel 4's 'Feeling Nuts' show, an evening of
entertainment that encourages the nation's men to feel nuts and aimed at
raising awareness of testicular cancer, alongside mother Tracylee and father
Jim.
The Tombides family have set up The DT38 Foundation to raise awareness and
support of testicular cancer in young men and to enable young players to
fulfil their potential, where without funding and support neither of these
would be possible. For more details, click here.
"Since me and my brother were little kids, we always wanted to be
professional footballers and he got scouted straight away by West Ham and
moved into the West Ham Academy," Taylor began. "He was the big man and was
scoring four goals a game and was named on the bench for the first team on
the last day of the 2010/11 season. At 17-years-old, that was an excellent
achievement. "That summer, he was called-up by Australia for the U17 World
Cup in Mexico. A few weeks before he went to Mexico, he had a little lump on
his testicle, so my Dad took him to the GP. The GP said it 'You've probably
got a cyst, so don't worry' and he didn't think anything of it. "Before they
played Brazil, he had a mandatory urine test to see if he was taking any
drugs. After the game, he got called in and was told either he was taking an
illegal drug or he had cancer. "When we found out, it was heart-breaking. It
was the worst news you could ever think of. Within a week, he had his
surgery done and he started five months of hard chemotherapy sessions.After
that, the doctors said he was all-cleared, which was excellent news for us
and he was over the moon about it."
Tragically, Dylan's cancer returned twice more, but his illness did not stop
him from making his first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Wigan
Athletic in September 2012. "He made his debut while undergoing chemo, which
was an incredible achievement," Taylor continued. "The doctors still don't
know how he ever managed to play football. He's an inspiration to everyone.
"He physically changed because he lost weight and his complexion changed,
but his personality never did. He was still the funniest guy at the Club."
In January 2014, Dylan played for Australia at the Asian U-22 Championship
finals, but cancer would take his life just three months later.
"He had another blood test and it had come back again for the fourth time in
a row. The doctors said to him 'There is nothing more we can do. The chemo
is not killing it'. "He moved to Germany for treatment but he wasn't getting
better. The cancer was spreading and it was slowly, slowly killing him. We
found out the day before he died that his body was giving up on him. "The
next day he passed away and that was a heart-breaker for me and my family.
It just killed our spirits and it was definitely the hardest time of our
lives."
A memorial service for Dylan was attended by hundreds of team-mates,
friends, family members and supporters, before he was laid to rest in his
native Perth. For Taylor, the tragedy of losing his brother was made even
more difficult to take because an early diagnosis could have saved his life.
"There was a massive service for him, even people that didn't know him were
touched by his story. If he was diagnosed early before it had spread
anywhere else, then it would have been a simple procedure and he could still
be here. "Anyone now who goes into a GP with a lump on their testicle should
automatically have a blood test and an ultrasound. I do recommend, even if
it is the slightest notice that something might not be right, to tell
someone about it or go straight to a GP. "It's better to be safe than sorry,
because it could be your life on the line."
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Mellors leads Ladies' charge
WHUFc.com
West Ham United Ladies won emphatically 3-0 away at Copsewood Coventry
27.10.2014
West Ham United ladies returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 win
at Copsewood Coventry Ladies on Sunday afternoon. Striker Lily Mellors
headed the Hammers ahead from a Sarah McCrea cross after 19 minutes, before
Vicky Kinsman doubled the visitors' lead six minutes later. The points were
wrapped up before the break when McCrea turned from provider to scorer by
bursting through the Copsewood back line to slot into the back of the net.
Ladies boss Julian Dicks named an unchanged eleven that were knocked out of
the Ryman Cup by Charlton Athletic just three days earlier. With a lack of
fully fit defenders to choose from, Captain Stacey Little partnered Danica
Revell at the back, while striker Emma Sherwood returned to the substitutes'
bench after recovering from illness. West Ham came out quickly and began
looking for an early goal. McCrea and Kelly Blanchflower were causing the
home defence plenty of problems with their pace on the wings, while central
midfielders Zoe Lipley-Hinton and April Bowers were controlling the game
from the middle of the pitch. The visitors got themselves ahead after 19
minutes when Mellors timed her run perfectly to meet McCrea's cross and head
past former West Ham goalkeeper Nikki Duncan from 12 yards out.
Shortly after, the Hammers found themselves 2-0 ahead when Kinsman
sidefooted a shot perfectly into the corner of the net from 18 yards.
The Hammers kept the pressure up and they secured all three points with a
third goal just minutes before the half time whistle. McCrea picked up the
ball and had plenty of work to do, but she stormed through the Copsewood
defence and finished well into the back of the net for her eighth goal in
all competitions so far this season. In the second half, the Hammers
retained control of the match and dominated possession throughout, although
they failed to punish the home side further. The visitors had their best
chance for a fourth goal on 75 minutes when Duncan made an impressive double
save to deny both Kinsman and Bowers. West Ham's victory over Copsewood on
Sunday keeps them fifth in the Southern Division, with 18 points from their
nine games.
The Ladies' next league fixture is a trip to the south coast to face
Portsmouth Ladies on Sunday 2 November at 2pm.
West Ham United Ladies: Runnacles, King (Humphreys), Revell, Little (c),
Bottom, Lipley-Hinton, Bowers, McCrea, Blanchflower (Kelly), Mellors
(Sherwood), Kinsman.
Subs not used: Baxter, Masters.
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Loan round up
WHUFc.com
Find out how the four West Ham United players out on loan fared this weekend
27.10.2014
Sean Maguire opened the scoring for Accrington Stanley in their 1-1 away
draw with Newport County in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday. Maguire's shot
gave Stanley the lead before a stunning goal from Joe Pigott levelled the
match.
Midfielder George Moncur played the full 90 minutes as Colchester United
secured a 2-2 away draw with Swindon Town. The U's came back from 1-0 and
2-1 down to gain a valuable point after goals from Rhys Healey and Gavin
Massey.
Ravel Morrison replaced Federico Macheda in Cardiff City's 1-0 defeat by
Millwall on Saturday. Morrison came on in the 62nd minute after Danny Shittu
had opened the scoring ten minutes earlier.
West Ham striker Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute in FC Metz' 1-0
defeat by Saint Etienne. Max Gradel scored the winner in the 74th minute
after being set up by Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
In other news, West Ham United academy prospect Reece Oxford captained the
England U17s in their 4-1 victory over Cyprus in qualifying for the UEFA U17
Championship. Despite having a good game, the 15-year-old's game ended
prematurely with a red card late on. The match was England's first game in
their qualifying campaign as Leicester City striker Layton Ndukwu scored a
hat-trick and Marcus Edwards' goal sealed a comortable win.
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U18s come up short against Villa
WHUFc.com
West Ham United's Under-18s were defeated 3-1 by Aston Villa on Saturday
26.10.2014
The Academy slipped to their second successive 3-1 defeat when Aston Villa
got the better of them at Little Heath on Saturday. Steve Potts' men were
looking to bounce back from suffering their first reverse of the campaign
the previous week, but were unable to do so against the Villans. After
making a slow start, the Hammers were punished by the Birmingham side, who
opened the scoring from the spot after Marcus Browne committed a foul inside
the penalty area. Djair Parfitt-Williams had an opportunity to draw the
Hammers level before the break, but he shot wide after Decarrey Sheriff
regained possession high up the pitch. At the other end Clarke Bogard had to
make a good save after the Villa man was played through, but he was unable
to prevent a close range goal for 2-0. West Ham rallied and gave themselves
a shot when, straight from the kick-off, they pressured the ball and Jerry
Amoo crossed over the goalkeeper for Parfitt-Williams to head home. However,
that was as good as it got for West Ham, as Villa scored a third to secure
the points.
West Ham are back in action next Saturday when they visit Norwich City in
the Barclays U18 Premier League.
West Ham United: Bogard, Sylvestre, Borg, Browne, Carter, Knoyle, Amoo,
Bailey, Sheriff, Diangana, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: Boness (GK), Elsom, Rodriguez, Douglas
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Mediawatch - 27 October
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
27.10.2014
In today's Sun (£), former England striker Alan Shearer praises the West Ham
United board for not 'buckling under pressure' during the summer and
'staying strong' in their backing of manager Sam Allardyce.
In the same newspaper, Sergio Aguero is expected to escape action from the
FA for his tackle on Mark Noble on Saturday.
The Daily Mail carries a report on how Sam Allardyce works to gel his
players together.
Sky Sports' article on the Hammers' strike duo explains it is not only goals
that Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia offer.
Meanwhile, the Metro report on Winston Reid's contract situation.
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Confirmed: Sakho to miss Stoke encounter
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Diafra Sakho has been ruled out for up to two Premier League matches after
sustaining a shoulder injury against Manchester City at the weekend. The
24-year-old striker, who is in red-hot form having scored in every one of
his seven starts for West Ham will be out for between one and four weeks,
according to the son of chairman David Sullivan.
Jack Sullivan @jsullivanwhu
Sakho will be out for 1-4 weeks after Saturday's game ! Max out for 2 games
1 weeks is best case
4 weeks is worst case
However due to the international break, which takes place in mid-November
the only other game the Senegal international is set to miss is the visit of
Aston Villa to the Boleyn Ground two weeks from now (8 November); the
following match being the trip to Everton on 22 November.
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Umbro to replace Adidas as West Ham's kit provider
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have signed a long-term contract with kit manufacturer Umbro, say
reports. The Cheshire-born company, now a subsidiary of American company
Iconix Brand Group are set to take over from German manufacturer Adidas once
their current two-year deal with West Ham expires in 2015. It was revealed
on the KUMB Forum this afternoon that Umbro beat off interest from major kit
providers such as Nike and Puma to land the new contract, said to be a
five-year deal. Should this prove correct, Umbro will be worn for the very
first time in West Ham's final season at the Boleyn Ground and be the first
kit worn at the club's new Olympic Stadium home.
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Hodgson casts eye over Hammers' England hopefuls
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
England manager Roy Hodgson was present at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday to
watch West Ham overcome reigning champions Manchester City 2-1. The
67-year-old has been heavily criticised in recent months for not calling up
the in-form Mark Noble, who at 27 is still awaiting his first call up to the
full squad despite having captained the Under 21s on several occasions.
Hodgson has also been criticised for ignoring the excellent Stewart Downing
- last capped by England in May 2012 - who has excelled thus far this season
in a more central role - and likes of James Tomkins, who some feel deserves
a call-up. Despite having considered switching allegiances to the Irish camp
- for whom he qualifies through a grandparent - Noble insists that England
are the only country he wants to play for.
"Fingers crossed," he told the Recorder. "Obviously it helps when the team
is playing well and sitting in third or fourth place in the league. "I'm
pretty sure he was watching Stewart Downing as well as he has been in great
form, but hopefully it happens this time." England's next fixture comes
against Slovenia on November 15, when the Three Lions face the East
Europeans in a European qualifier. Three days after that they face Scotland
in a friendly.
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Mimms in, Margetson out
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Bobby Mimms has been appointed the new goalkeeping coach at West Ham
following the departure of Martyn Margeston. Mimms, who was most recently
working with the Bahrain national team told whufc.com: "I got a phone call
from Sam and he asked me if I would be interested to come down here and work
with the goalies, and I was more than interested. "Sam is a great character
who has a lot of knowledge of the game, and I learned a lot from him in the
two years I worked with him at Blackburn. He obviously trusts what I do, or
else he wouldn't have made the call to ask me to come here. It's great to
meet up with him again and to be able to work with him. "Things are going
well at the Club at the moment, so hopefully I can add a little bit to that
and we can keep it going."
Mimms, 51, enjoyed a lengthy playing career including a stint at Everton in
the mid-eighties, which included an appearance against West Ham in the game
that secured the runners-up spot for the Toffees in the 1985/86 season. He
replaces the outgoing Martyn Margetson, 43, who spent three years at the
club having left Cardiff in the summer of 2011. Margetson, has returned to
Wales in order to join the Bluebirds.
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Positive Sakho report
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 27, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham were remaining cautious over Diafra Sakho's return to action but as
reported yesterday by ClaretandHugh yesterday, his position is brighter than
many media sources reported earlier today. A top oleyn Bsource told us
today: "The news on Diafra is as good as it could be and we will no more as
the week progresses but there are definitely no breaks as you have reported.
"He is being closely examined and monitored by our medical staff and
although injuries such as this can take between a week and a month, things
don't look at all bad at the moment. "It's very unlikely that he will make
it for Stoke – although we rule nothing out – but it's more likely we will
see him back in action for the Villa game. "He's such an enthusiast for the
action though who knows!"
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West Ham loan star outshines Man City's Yaya Toure
15:03 27 October 2014
Dave Evans
London24.com
There was barely 10 seconds gone in Saturday's big clash when Alex Song
stormed towards Yaya Toure and took the ball off the big Manchester City
man. What a start! That set the tone for a game in which Song was
everywhere. He won the ball, blocked out City's dangerous attackers and even
delivered a stunning pass to Enner Valencia which led to the first goal. It
was as good an individual performance by a West Ham player than any we have
seen for years. All his experience for Arsenal and Barcelona came to the
fore and without him it was difficult to see how the Hammers could have held
out. "Everyone is happy because it was a great game to play," said the
27-year-old loan signing from Barcelona. "We have to enjoy moments like this
– all the boys gave everything and it's a fantastic result for us."
It certainly was. The 2-1 win was lucky at times with the ball seemingly
attracting it self to the woodwork like a magnet, but West Ham worked so
hard and took the game to the champions in such a way that they deserved the
victory. Alongside Song, Mark Noble has thrived. So what is it like to be
playing alongside one of the giants of European football? "It is nice
because, especially against City, the ball drops down to either one of us
and we have little touches off, little sets," explained Noble. "I think we
have obviously gelled together in the holding role. It has freed me up and
if I go forward, he knows that he has to sit. It is playing with that
freedom that makes the difference. "Our games complement each other well and
it seems to be working at the minute. It is nice that he has come from
Barcelona, he is just enjoying his football. Song's influence is not only on
the field, it is off it as well. He may be a big star, but he doesn't seem
to act like one. "It is the complete opposite with Alex," insisted Noble.
"There is no ego there. He comes in and he is as friendly with me as any of
the other lads. "I think you can see that he is enjoying playing here. We
are enjoying playing together and it looks quite comfortable with is sitting
in front of the back four."
Manager Sam Allardyce knows only too well just how important Song is to the
make-up of the team. "He has been in the shadow a bit because of Valencia
and Sakho, but he has outstanding quality. He goes alongside the likes of
Fernando Hierro and Jay Jay Okocha from the players I have had. His
prompting, passing and protection of the defensive players is excellent.
"When you have got quality players like Song, they look forward to the big
games, while the less quality players get a little fearful when the big
games come around. "Song led us as a team against City and everyone has
responded to that."
Noble has played with a few midfield partners in his time at the club, so
how does Song compare? "I played with Scott Parker and with Kevin Nolan in
the last few seasons," he reflected. "It is great when you play with players
like that. But with Alex, the way we sit there and let Stuart Downing go and
play and really enjoy his game, I think it is really working."
Clearly victories helps a lot with the morale of the team, but it seems that
the spirit has always been there, now it is the confidence that has come in
and made a big difference. "I think the key to the win was team spirit,"
said Song. "We attack together and we defend together and at the moment
we're playing great football. "City is a great team, but we got the three
points and everyone here is happy."
Everyone is ecstatic and with West Ham currently fourth, is it too much to
suggest that the club could even win a European place?
Probably, but let us keep dreaming.
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Sam deal: Nothing cut and dried
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 27, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is convinced the good times at the club are
only just beginning. But whether the 60 year old is around to enjoy them
beyond the end of this season remains a vexed question with his future
remaining in the balance. Allardyce used his 'Manager on Monday' column on
www.whufc.com column to declare: " "The club has got a huge potential.
"Moving to the new stadium is one of the best decisions the club has made.
It's a crucial step if we want to move on and become a top six side. "The
new stadium is going to be one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe. We're
making strides to be a top team by the time we move to the stadium, so it's
a fantastic time for us at the moment."
However, in line with their consistent policy, the board are determined to
stick by their decision not to make any decisions until the end of the
season and there's a suggestion, that for all the words, the manager himself
may not leap into a new contract with the club.
We were told by a very well placed source: "For all the early success,
everybody will keep their powder dry on that situation. "It has to be
remembered that if this continues he is bound to attract attention from
elsewhere given the brand of football being played. "He is an ambitious man
so it"s no given that he would automatically sign a new deal. It's all a bit
early to be discussing things but nobody will be believing there's any
serious urgency to look at things before the end of the season. "At some
point, if this continues, pressure could come from the fans to get a deal
sorted out but the board certainly won't be rushed into any decision and the
manager will want to look at his options. "It's very early but one thing is
sure – there will be nothing cut and dried about this one. "There's more to
this than meets the eye."
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ARSENAL RULE OUT JENKINSON RECALL
by @AAllenSport - October 27, 2014 39
Arseblog News understands that Arsenal have no plans to recall Carl
Jenkinson from his loan spell at West Ham United despite the club's mounting
injury problems in defence. Allowed to leave the Emirates this summer to
gain further first team experience, the 22-year-old has gone on to make six
appearances so far for Sam Allardyce's high-flying Hammers, including three
consecutive starts against QPR, Burnley and Manchester City. There had been
suggestions that the current injury issues might result in a recall but it
seems the club are prepared to weather the storm, and allow him to continue
his season long loan at Upton Park. Currently without Mathieu Debuchy and
Laurent Koscielny, and with Kieran Gibbs taking a knock to his hip at
Sunderland, the Gunners are down to the bare bones at the back ahead of this
weekend's clash with Burnley. Indeed, with only three defenders properly fit
– BFG, Nacho and Chambers – Arsene Wenger may have no choice but to play
Hector Bellerin at right back with Isaac Hayden likely to be on the bench.
The boss has already promised that he will look to sign defensive cover in
January, but until then it looks as though we're going to 'literally' limp
through the rest of the year with our current options.
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Sergio Agüero in the clear after stamp and can face Manchester United
• Agüero to escape punishment as incident was seen by referee
• Manchester City striker has nine goals in the Premier League
• West Ham hit bullseye by targeting City's Mangala
Guardian sport
theguardian.com, Monday 27 October 2014 13.34 GMT
Sergio Agüero is free to play in Sunday's Manchester derby after it was
revealed the Argentinian striker would face no action for his apparent stamp
on the West Ham midfielder Mark Noble. Manchester City's Agüero left Noble
in obvious pain during the Hammers' 2-1 victory over the Premier League
champions last Saturday but will avoid any retrospective punishment from the
Football Association because the incident was seen by the referee Martin
Atkinson, who dealt with it at the time. The news comes as a boost to City,
who dropped down to third place in the Premier League table at the weekend
and saw Chelsea stretch the gap between the two sides to six points, with
Manchester United due at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Agüero has scored
nine Premier Leagues goals in as many appearances this season and 11 in all
competitions but City's next highest scorers are Edin Dzeko and Frank
Lampard, who have four apiece
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Monday, October 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th October 2014
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Sam Allardyce hopes his side continue their winning run
against Stoke
26.10.2014
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham United are on course to finish tenth or
higher in the Premier League after an outstanding win over current champions
Manchester City. The Hammers were fantastic against City, winning individual
battles all over the pitch and attacking at will. They now travel to Stoke
City on Saturday and Allardyce has stressed that the standard of performance
must not drop. "The victory on Saturday was a fantastic achievement," Big
Sam enthused. "We were terrific and we deserved our victory. Every man
played his best, that was the beauty for me. We got the victory not many
people were expecting. "Our performance had everything. It had grit,
determination, quality and desire and I hope we can perform to a similar
level this Saturday."
On-loan midfielder Alex Song was awarded the man-of-the-match after a
talismanic performance and the Hammers' manager knows Song will have to be
at his best at the Britannia Stadium. "Song has been a bit in the shadows
with Sakho and Valencia grabbing the headlines, but he's got outstanding
quality. His prompting, passing and protection he gives to the back players
is phenomenal."
Morgan Amalfitano opened the scoring from close range before Diafra Sakho
scored his seventh goal in seven starts and Allardyce believes there is more
still to come from the Senegalese international. "Sakho is his own player.
He is just so determined and so self-confident which I didn't expect. He has
shown no fear since he's come in. "I don't think he or Enner Valencia really
know how good they've been so far this season. The rest of the team has been
lifted by them."
While the West Ham manager has enjoyed his side's great start to their
league campaign he warned against any complacency as the Hammers have a
tough schedule ahead of them. "There's a long way to go, after all we're
only nine games in but we're looking forward to every game, and Saturday
away at Stoke is no different. We're approaching a difficult period in
December when the games come thick and fast. That'll be a real test for our
players and give us an idea of where we really are."
Speaking about West Ham's long term future, Allardyce is convinced the good
times are only just beginning, with the move to the new Stratford stadium
less than 18 months away. "The club has got a huge potential. Moving to the
new stadium is one of the best decisions the club has made. It's a crucial
step if we want to move on and become a top six side. "The new stadium is
going to be one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe. We're making strides
to be a top team by the time we move to the stadium, so it's a fantastic
time for us at the moment."
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Cresswell delivers yet again
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell produced another fine all-round display as West Ham United
defeated Manchester City
26.10.2014
Walking down the Boleyn Ground tunnel following Saturday's magnificent 2-1
Barclays Premier League win over Manchester City, Andy Carroll wore a broad
grin on his face. "I can't wait to play with Aaron Cresswell," beamed the
West Ham United centre forward, who could be back in action within two to
three weeks, "because his delivery is out of this world!"
Meanwhile, Cresswell himself was gathering his family members together
before heading home, having chalked up a match-winning assist for Diafra
Sakho and helped the Hammers to another outstanding victory. While Carroll
will have to wait a little longer to benefit from the left-back's
outstanding left foot, Sakho and company are already enjoying his
inch-perfect deliveries. Cresswell's outstanding crossing was only matched
by his outstanding work-rate, which pushed the champions back into their own
half time and time again. A determined character, the former Tranmere Rovers
and Ipswich Town man has taken his top-flight chance with aplomb since his
summer arrival from Portman Road. "Manchester City have spent over £300m in
the last few seasons so to beat them was a massive result for us," said the
ever-present defender, who also set up Sakho's opener at Burnley the
previous weekend. "We were talking before the game about the fact they are
always on the move, their two centre forwards, two wide players and two
centre midfielders are always moving around, so it was a tough test for us.
"We came out of the blocks straight away in both halves and obviously got
the two goals. "You cannot just stand off players of that quality because,
if you do, you are going to get picked off. They will always get a few
chances, but the Gaffer's tactics were spot-on, we pressed them from the off
and it worked for us. "It was nice to get a little assist but the main thing
would have been to get a clean sheet. That wasn't to be, but we'll take the
three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian hails defensive effort
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian had special praise for his defenders after
the win over Manchester City
26.10.2014
Adrian hailed the efforts of his defence after West Ham United secured a
memorable 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday. The Hammers
withstood a strong City fightback after the break, once Morgan Amalfitano
had given the home side a first half lead. Diafra Sakho doubled the
advantage in the closing stages, after the Hammers had thwarted the likes of
Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, and although David Silva
pulled one back, West Ham held on. "It was a very happy dressing room after
the game," Adrian said. "It's a massive three points for us and the team
played so well. "Manchester City came on strongly in the second half but the
team defended well and it's an unbelievable win. "In the Premier League
every game is difficult and they have Dzeko, Aguero and Jovetic - it's hard
work for a goalkeeper! "But we had a clean sheet in the first half, Silva
scored a good goal in the second half but we got the win." The three points
keeps West Ham in the top four and the No13 has been delighted with the
team's start to the campaign. He added: "The new signings have been top
class and we've got a very good group. The most important thing in football
is the team, and we're attacking and defending as a team. "We need to keep
on going this way, step-by-step, but enjoy the situation now!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Page hoping for new chapter
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad's Lewis Page is confident the team can turn
performances into points
26.10.2014
West Ham United Development Squad left-back Lewis Page has enjoyed a run in
the team recently, featuring in the last six games. Page continued this run
in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Rush Green on Friday night. James
Wilson opened the scoring before Elliot Lee equalised with his fifth goal in
four goals. Will Keane sealed the three points with a close range finish
late into the second half.
Speaking after the game, Page said: "I thought in the first half we dealt
with them pretty well. We got the press right. In the second half I thought
we were a bit sloppy with the ball, we had too many sloppy passes and that
helped them keep the pressure on us. We're were pretty poor in the second
half and they took control. "We kept them down to two and maybe we should
have scored one more but they deserved the win in the end." The win sees
Manchester United extend their unbeaten run to five games as they continue
their challenge to be Barclays U21 Premier League champions. "I thought they
had a few very good players. Obviously they showed their quality on Friday.
Some of them have played in the Premier League and I think that showed.
Michael Carrick was very good, especially as he's only just come back."
The Dev Squad's next game is away to Norwich City on Thursday 6 November
2014 and Page is confident his team can soon turn the positive performances
into points. "I thought first half I played well. In the second half I gave
a few passes away, some poor passes but overall I'd say I did ok and had a
decent enough game. "We're trying to keep upbeat, we're a bit down because
we lost quite a few games so far this season. But we'll keep our heads up,
keep working hard and hope the results turn for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alex Song reckons West Ham's improvement is down to bonding
Last Updated: 26/10/14 3:11pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Alex Song reckons the improvement in the team's
performances this season is down to bonding among the squad. The Hammers
beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, to win their fourth Premier League
game in five and remain in the top four. Song, who is on-loan at West Ham
from Barcelona, will have a scan on a shoulder problem on Monday after being
substituted in the second half following a collision with City goalkeeper
Joe Hart. And the former Arsenal player believes hard work from Sam
Allerdyce's squad is also playing a big part in the team's success. "The key
to the win on Saturday was team spirit. We attack together, we defend
together and at the moment we are playing great football," Song said. "All
the boys together are happy. We enjoy training together and that is why it
is easier to play when you come to the pitch. "Now we have to continue to
improve game by game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce mindful of tough tests ahead
Last Updated: 27/10/14 12:34am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels the biggest test of his in-form side
will begin when the fixtures start to pile up next month.
New signings Diafra Sakho netted for the sixth game in a row as the Hammers
stunned Manchester City 2-1 at Upton Park on Saturday to go fourth in the
Premier League. Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has also been a key player
since his summer arrival but Allardyce, who took Sakho off against City as a
precaution against a shoulder injury, will judge his team when the hustle
and bustle of English football takes hold. "We are on a big high at the
moment, it is a fantastic feeling, but we are only nine games in and there
is a long way to go yet," Allardyce said. "We still have the difficult time
ahead - it will be the end of November and December when all the games come
flooding thick and fast. "The new players - will they fatigue or won't
they? We are absolutely delighted they have all hit the ground running, but
they have never experienced this level of physicality. "They could easily
fall into December finding life extremely difficult, the rest of the squad
may have to dip in then and help them out while we give them a rest.
Hopefully it is not the case, but I have to be wary of that."
Allardyce added: "We don't particularly talk to the player about that
because we don't want to put any negativity in his mind. "They are never
going to think they are tired when they are winning, but you have to make
big decisions on making sure you do give them a rest.
"Look at Valencia's programme this year, it has been absolutely huge.
Playing in Mexico, playing in the World Cup, coming straight here, playing
in every game, playing four games on international duty, travelling
thousands and thousands of miles and yet still capable of running around
like he did."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal plot transfer of West Ham defender Winston Reid in the January
window
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
The Mirror
The Gunners are desperate for cover at the back and the 26-year-old
centre-half could be available for a bargain fee as summer free agency
looms. Arsenal are still in the hunt for West Ham defender Winston Reid. The
Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is desperate for a centre-half in January and
26-year-old Reid is on their list of potential targets. Wenger has sent
scouts to check on in him in recent weeks, with Reid yet to commit himself
to a new contract. Reid, who has just been made New Zealand captain, is
destined to be out of contract and a free agent at the end of the season.
Premier League big guns are keeping tabs on him and he will be in demand if
he is a free agent next summer. The Hammers are hoping that Reid will commit
himself to a new contract and co-owner David Gold last week claimed he is
"hopeful" the centre half will stay. Arsenal could try and get him on the
cheap in January as Wenger has already said he will definitely look to buy
in the next window. The North Londoners have also been scouting Celtic
defender Virgil Van Dijk who is rated in the £8m bracket.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fear Diafro Sakho will spend a month on the sidelines with shoulder
injury
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
Monday scan will reveal just how long the Senegalese striker who has scored
in each of his first 6 Premier League starts will be out for
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been dealt a huge injury blow after striker
Diafra Sakho was ruled out for up to a month. Sakho has been a huge part of
the Hammers' remarkable start to the campaign after equalling a Premier
League record of scoring in each of his opening six games. But the
Senagalese forward went off in the final minute of West Ham's win over
Manchester City with a shoulder injury. Sakho will go for a scan on Monday
but it is believed West Ham fear he will be out for around a month with the
problem. That will be a huge blow for West Ham while they also wait for
England striker Andy Carroll to make his return from a pre-season ankle
injury.
Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero could be facing a ban and trial by
television from the Football Association. TV pictures showed that he caught
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble with a late challenge which enraged
Allardyce. But the officials did not appear to spot the incident which means
Aguero could be hit with retrospective punishment.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero facing FA rap over eye-watering West Ham
challenge
Oct 25, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
Referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants missed late tackle on Mark Noble
and took no action, leaving the champions' striker open to trial by TV
The M irror
Sergio Aguero could face action from the FA after an X-rated challenge on
West Ham's Mark Noble. A late tackle was unseen by referee Martin Atkinson
but highlighted on television. And because Atkinson took no action, the
Argentinian star could face a ban when the incident is reviewed. West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce revealed after his team's 2-1 win that Noble was
incensed about the tackle. "Mark was complaining about it at half-time. It
was a dangerous tackle and the referee was right in front of it." If the FA
decide to punish Aguero, he faces a three-match suspension and if he admits
the charge and the ban is imposed this week, he could miss the Manchester
derby at the Etihad next Sunday. Champions City's boss Manuel Pellegrini
said: "I'm disappointed because we had so many chances but I trust this
group of players. "Am I concerned about Chelsea [who can now go eight points
clear of City by beating Manchester United on Sunday]? No. I am only
concerned about my team. As for pressure, the pressure on me is exactly the
same as it always was." Allardyce rated the win above the victory achieved
in the 3-1 win over Liverpool recently. "This was a team with two of the
most strikers in Europe in Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko and I thought we
handled them well, " he said. "It was a little better than the win over
Liverpool." Of man of the match Alex Song, he said: "His experience was very
important. At Bolton, I had people like Fernando Hierro and Jay-Jay Okocha
and he goes alongside them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho injury update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hospital X-rays show that Diafra Sakho has no broken bones in his collarbone
or shoulder area. Fears that he may have broken his collarbone or suffered
a dislocation have been ruled out and the overview at the moment is that he
may have suffered some ligament damage.
The club medics will take a closer look at the striker tomorrow (Mon) but it
looks unlikely he will be available for next weekend's clash at Stoke.
However, should the ligament damage diagnosis prove accurate the club are
hopeful he will be fit to return for the match against Aston Villa on
November 8. ClaretandHugh has learned over the last few minutes that the
news on the player is encouraging following his tangle with Manchester City
keeper Joe Hart in the closing stages of yesterday's game. A well placed
Boleyn source said: "The X-rays show no breaks or dislocations and the view
is there's likely to be ligament damage. We'll have a closer look tomorrow
but Stoke looks unlikely for him and Villa looks set to become the target."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United Sam Allardyce hopes his side continue their winning run
against Stoke
26.10.2014
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham United are on course to finish tenth or
higher in the Premier League after an outstanding win over current champions
Manchester City. The Hammers were fantastic against City, winning individual
battles all over the pitch and attacking at will. They now travel to Stoke
City on Saturday and Allardyce has stressed that the standard of performance
must not drop. "The victory on Saturday was a fantastic achievement," Big
Sam enthused. "We were terrific and we deserved our victory. Every man
played his best, that was the beauty for me. We got the victory not many
people were expecting. "Our performance had everything. It had grit,
determination, quality and desire and I hope we can perform to a similar
level this Saturday."
On-loan midfielder Alex Song was awarded the man-of-the-match after a
talismanic performance and the Hammers' manager knows Song will have to be
at his best at the Britannia Stadium. "Song has been a bit in the shadows
with Sakho and Valencia grabbing the headlines, but he's got outstanding
quality. His prompting, passing and protection he gives to the back players
is phenomenal."
Morgan Amalfitano opened the scoring from close range before Diafra Sakho
scored his seventh goal in seven starts and Allardyce believes there is more
still to come from the Senegalese international. "Sakho is his own player.
He is just so determined and so self-confident which I didn't expect. He has
shown no fear since he's come in. "I don't think he or Enner Valencia really
know how good they've been so far this season. The rest of the team has been
lifted by them."
While the West Ham manager has enjoyed his side's great start to their
league campaign he warned against any complacency as the Hammers have a
tough schedule ahead of them. "There's a long way to go, after all we're
only nine games in but we're looking forward to every game, and Saturday
away at Stoke is no different. We're approaching a difficult period in
December when the games come thick and fast. That'll be a real test for our
players and give us an idea of where we really are."
Speaking about West Ham's long term future, Allardyce is convinced the good
times are only just beginning, with the move to the new Stratford stadium
less than 18 months away. "The club has got a huge potential. Moving to the
new stadium is one of the best decisions the club has made. It's a crucial
step if we want to move on and become a top six side. "The new stadium is
going to be one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe. We're making strides
to be a top team by the time we move to the stadium, so it's a fantastic
time for us at the moment."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell delivers yet again
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell produced another fine all-round display as West Ham United
defeated Manchester City
26.10.2014
Walking down the Boleyn Ground tunnel following Saturday's magnificent 2-1
Barclays Premier League win over Manchester City, Andy Carroll wore a broad
grin on his face. "I can't wait to play with Aaron Cresswell," beamed the
West Ham United centre forward, who could be back in action within two to
three weeks, "because his delivery is out of this world!"
Meanwhile, Cresswell himself was gathering his family members together
before heading home, having chalked up a match-winning assist for Diafra
Sakho and helped the Hammers to another outstanding victory. While Carroll
will have to wait a little longer to benefit from the left-back's
outstanding left foot, Sakho and company are already enjoying his
inch-perfect deliveries. Cresswell's outstanding crossing was only matched
by his outstanding work-rate, which pushed the champions back into their own
half time and time again. A determined character, the former Tranmere Rovers
and Ipswich Town man has taken his top-flight chance with aplomb since his
summer arrival from Portman Road. "Manchester City have spent over £300m in
the last few seasons so to beat them was a massive result for us," said the
ever-present defender, who also set up Sakho's opener at Burnley the
previous weekend. "We were talking before the game about the fact they are
always on the move, their two centre forwards, two wide players and two
centre midfielders are always moving around, so it was a tough test for us.
"We came out of the blocks straight away in both halves and obviously got
the two goals. "You cannot just stand off players of that quality because,
if you do, you are going to get picked off. They will always get a few
chances, but the Gaffer's tactics were spot-on, we pressed them from the off
and it worked for us. "It was nice to get a little assist but the main thing
would have been to get a clean sheet. That wasn't to be, but we'll take the
three points."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian hails defensive effort
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian had special praise for his defenders after
the win over Manchester City
26.10.2014
Adrian hailed the efforts of his defence after West Ham United secured a
memorable 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday. The Hammers
withstood a strong City fightback after the break, once Morgan Amalfitano
had given the home side a first half lead. Diafra Sakho doubled the
advantage in the closing stages, after the Hammers had thwarted the likes of
Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, and although David Silva
pulled one back, West Ham held on. "It was a very happy dressing room after
the game," Adrian said. "It's a massive three points for us and the team
played so well. "Manchester City came on strongly in the second half but the
team defended well and it's an unbelievable win. "In the Premier League
every game is difficult and they have Dzeko, Aguero and Jovetic - it's hard
work for a goalkeeper! "But we had a clean sheet in the first half, Silva
scored a good goal in the second half but we got the win." The three points
keeps West Ham in the top four and the No13 has been delighted with the
team's start to the campaign. He added: "The new signings have been top
class and we've got a very good group. The most important thing in football
is the team, and we're attacking and defending as a team. "We need to keep
on going this way, step-by-step, but enjoy the situation now!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Page hoping for new chapter
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad's Lewis Page is confident the team can turn
performances into points
26.10.2014
West Ham United Development Squad left-back Lewis Page has enjoyed a run in
the team recently, featuring in the last six games. Page continued this run
in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Rush Green on Friday night. James
Wilson opened the scoring before Elliot Lee equalised with his fifth goal in
four goals. Will Keane sealed the three points with a close range finish
late into the second half.
Speaking after the game, Page said: "I thought in the first half we dealt
with them pretty well. We got the press right. In the second half I thought
we were a bit sloppy with the ball, we had too many sloppy passes and that
helped them keep the pressure on us. We're were pretty poor in the second
half and they took control. "We kept them down to two and maybe we should
have scored one more but they deserved the win in the end." The win sees
Manchester United extend their unbeaten run to five games as they continue
their challenge to be Barclays U21 Premier League champions. "I thought they
had a few very good players. Obviously they showed their quality on Friday.
Some of them have played in the Premier League and I think that showed.
Michael Carrick was very good, especially as he's only just come back."
The Dev Squad's next game is away to Norwich City on Thursday 6 November
2014 and Page is confident his team can soon turn the positive performances
into points. "I thought first half I played well. In the second half I gave
a few passes away, some poor passes but overall I'd say I did ok and had a
decent enough game. "We're trying to keep upbeat, we're a bit down because
we lost quite a few games so far this season. But we'll keep our heads up,
keep working hard and hope the results turn for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alex Song reckons West Ham's improvement is down to bonding
Last Updated: 26/10/14 3:11pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Alex Song reckons the improvement in the team's
performances this season is down to bonding among the squad. The Hammers
beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, to win their fourth Premier League
game in five and remain in the top four. Song, who is on-loan at West Ham
from Barcelona, will have a scan on a shoulder problem on Monday after being
substituted in the second half following a collision with City goalkeeper
Joe Hart. And the former Arsenal player believes hard work from Sam
Allerdyce's squad is also playing a big part in the team's success. "The key
to the win on Saturday was team spirit. We attack together, we defend
together and at the moment we are playing great football," Song said. "All
the boys together are happy. We enjoy training together and that is why it
is easier to play when you come to the pitch. "Now we have to continue to
improve game by game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce mindful of tough tests ahead
Last Updated: 27/10/14 12:34am
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels the biggest test of his in-form side
will begin when the fixtures start to pile up next month.
New signings Diafra Sakho netted for the sixth game in a row as the Hammers
stunned Manchester City 2-1 at Upton Park on Saturday to go fourth in the
Premier League. Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has also been a key player
since his summer arrival but Allardyce, who took Sakho off against City as a
precaution against a shoulder injury, will judge his team when the hustle
and bustle of English football takes hold. "We are on a big high at the
moment, it is a fantastic feeling, but we are only nine games in and there
is a long way to go yet," Allardyce said. "We still have the difficult time
ahead - it will be the end of November and December when all the games come
flooding thick and fast. "The new players - will they fatigue or won't
they? We are absolutely delighted they have all hit the ground running, but
they have never experienced this level of physicality. "They could easily
fall into December finding life extremely difficult, the rest of the squad
may have to dip in then and help them out while we give them a rest.
Hopefully it is not the case, but I have to be wary of that."
Allardyce added: "We don't particularly talk to the player about that
because we don't want to put any negativity in his mind. "They are never
going to think they are tired when they are winning, but you have to make
big decisions on making sure you do give them a rest.
"Look at Valencia's programme this year, it has been absolutely huge.
Playing in Mexico, playing in the World Cup, coming straight here, playing
in every game, playing four games on international duty, travelling
thousands and thousands of miles and yet still capable of running around
like he did."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal plot transfer of West Ham defender Winston Reid in the January
window
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
The Mirror
The Gunners are desperate for cover at the back and the 26-year-old
centre-half could be available for a bargain fee as summer free agency
looms. Arsenal are still in the hunt for West Ham defender Winston Reid. The
Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is desperate for a centre-half in January and
26-year-old Reid is on their list of potential targets. Wenger has sent
scouts to check on in him in recent weeks, with Reid yet to commit himself
to a new contract. Reid, who has just been made New Zealand captain, is
destined to be out of contract and a free agent at the end of the season.
Premier League big guns are keeping tabs on him and he will be in demand if
he is a free agent next summer. The Hammers are hoping that Reid will commit
himself to a new contract and co-owner David Gold last week claimed he is
"hopeful" the centre half will stay. Arsenal could try and get him on the
cheap in January as Wenger has already said he will definitely look to buy
in the next window. The North Londoners have also been scouting Celtic
defender Virgil Van Dijk who is rated in the £8m bracket.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fear Diafro Sakho will spend a month on the sidelines with shoulder
injury
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
Monday scan will reveal just how long the Senegalese striker who has scored
in each of his first 6 Premier League starts will be out for
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been dealt a huge injury blow after striker
Diafra Sakho was ruled out for up to a month. Sakho has been a huge part of
the Hammers' remarkable start to the campaign after equalling a Premier
League record of scoring in each of his opening six games. But the
Senagalese forward went off in the final minute of West Ham's win over
Manchester City with a shoulder injury. Sakho will go for a scan on Monday
but it is believed West Ham fear he will be out for around a month with the
problem. That will be a huge blow for West Ham while they also wait for
England striker Andy Carroll to make his return from a pre-season ankle
injury.
Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero could be facing a ban and trial by
television from the Football Association. TV pictures showed that he caught
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble with a late challenge which enraged
Allardyce. But the officials did not appear to spot the incident which means
Aguero could be hit with retrospective punishment.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero facing FA rap over eye-watering West Ham
challenge
Oct 25, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
Referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants missed late tackle on Mark Noble
and took no action, leaving the champions' striker open to trial by TV
The M irror
Sergio Aguero could face action from the FA after an X-rated challenge on
West Ham's Mark Noble. A late tackle was unseen by referee Martin Atkinson
but highlighted on television. And because Atkinson took no action, the
Argentinian star could face a ban when the incident is reviewed. West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce revealed after his team's 2-1 win that Noble was
incensed about the tackle. "Mark was complaining about it at half-time. It
was a dangerous tackle and the referee was right in front of it." If the FA
decide to punish Aguero, he faces a three-match suspension and if he admits
the charge and the ban is imposed this week, he could miss the Manchester
derby at the Etihad next Sunday. Champions City's boss Manuel Pellegrini
said: "I'm disappointed because we had so many chances but I trust this
group of players. "Am I concerned about Chelsea [who can now go eight points
clear of City by beating Manchester United on Sunday]? No. I am only
concerned about my team. As for pressure, the pressure on me is exactly the
same as it always was." Allardyce rated the win above the victory achieved
in the 3-1 win over Liverpool recently. "This was a team with two of the
most strikers in Europe in Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko and I thought we
handled them well, " he said. "It was a little better than the win over
Liverpool." Of man of the match Alex Song, he said: "His experience was very
important. At Bolton, I had people like Fernando Hierro and Jay-Jay Okocha
and he goes alongside them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho injury update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hospital X-rays show that Diafra Sakho has no broken bones in his collarbone
or shoulder area. Fears that he may have broken his collarbone or suffered
a dislocation have been ruled out and the overview at the moment is that he
may have suffered some ligament damage.
The club medics will take a closer look at the striker tomorrow (Mon) but it
looks unlikely he will be available for next weekend's clash at Stoke.
However, should the ligament damage diagnosis prove accurate the club are
hopeful he will be fit to return for the match against Aston Villa on
November 8. ClaretandHugh has learned over the last few minutes that the
news on the player is encouraging following his tangle with Manchester City
keeper Joe Hart in the closing stages of yesterday's game. A well placed
Boleyn source said: "The X-rays show no breaks or dislocations and the view
is there's likely to be ligament damage. We'll have a closer look tomorrow
but Stoke looks unlikely for him and Villa looks set to become the target."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sunday, October 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th October 2014
Hammers topple champions City
WHUFC.com
Morgan Amalfitano and the irrepressible Diafra Sakho fire the Hammers to
victory over champions Man City
25.10.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester City
West Ham United's stunning start to the Barclays Premier League season
continued as they toppled reigning champions Manchester City in a pulsating
encounter at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Morgan Amalfitano set the
Hammers on their way with the simplest of finishes after 21 minutes, before
Diafra Sakho made it an astonishing six league goals in as many starts with
another supreme header. David Silva's exquisite individual effort made for a
grandstand finish, but the Hammers were to hold on to record a third
successive win and move within a point of second-placed City. Sam Allardyce
stayed loyal to the XI that produced three goals and points at Turf Moor
last weekend, though there was a place for the fit-again Cheikho Kouyate on
the bench. Manchester City, meanwhile, made two changes to the side held by
CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, with Aleksandar Kolarov making way for Gael Clichy
and Jesus Navas in for James Milner.
And it was the visitors who had the first real sight of goal, as David
Silva's sixth-minute free-kick just brushed the top of the Adrian's net. At
the other end, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho were at their high-energy
best, when the former chased a lost cause down the left and promptly backed
Vincent Kompany into a corner. As the ball looped up, Sakho and Elaquim
Mangala went head to head, with Joe Hart then having to be on his toes to
tip it over the bar. West Ham's new strike duo combined again in the 19th
minute, this time courtesy of a well-flighted James Collins free-kick. Sakho
flicked it on and Valencia darted around the back, only for Hart to come out
bravely to block and get a hefty blow for his troubles.
And so to the goal, brilliant in its design and simple in its execution.
Alex Song's clever ball bypassed the full-back and gave Valencia the time
and space to run at Mangala. The Ecuadorian skipped past the centre-half and
though his cut back was miss hit, it wrong footed Kompany, before Pablo
Zabaleta collided with Hart and gifted Amalfitano the freedom of the
six-yard box to tap into an almost empty net.
But City were still posing questions of their own and Navas' near-post
corner was matched by the run of Edin Dzeko, whose effort flew just over the
top.
Big Sam's side, for their part, twice threatened to double the lead. Sakho's
cross was only headed up in the air and Stewart Downing nodded over the top
from eight yards, before Valencia's cute free-kick played in goalscorer
Amalfitano, whose ball across the face just flashed beyond a sliding Sakho.
But West Ham still had Adrian to thank for preserving the Hammers' lead at
the break, as Sergio Aguero diverted Navas' centre goalward in first-half
stoppage time, only for the Spanish stopper to somehow keep it out.
Into the second half and Downing again went close. Valencia's free-kick
ricocheted in the path of Song, whose rabona was chested, by Aaron
Cresswell, into Downing's path and he duly blasted it just wide of the far
post. Moments later, Noble picked out Sakho's run with a fine crossfield
ball and the No15's angled volley might have been aimed at Valencia, or
equally at the far corner. It missed both. Aguero then came to the fore,
with two gilt-edged chances in a matter of minutes. First-up, Silva's ball
set him away, forcing Adrian to save with his feet and then Collins to dive
in to smother the rebound. Then, Aguero saw his close-range effort cannon
back off the underside of the crossbar and Yaya Toure, on the follow up, was
foiled by Adrian once more. But one-way traffic it was not. Valencia robbed
Zabaleta and but for Mangala's last-ditch interception, Sakho would surely
have been celebrating again. He very nearly was, collecting from second-half
substitute Kouyate and fizzing a curler inches over the top from the edge of
the box.
City were then denied by the woodwork once more, as Toure's 18-yard drive
clattered into the angle of post and bar. It looked to be a pivotal moment,
as West Ham were soon two goals to the good. Just as he did last weekend,
Cresswell provided the ammunition for Sakho, whose header just snuck beyond
the goalline, despite Hart's despairing efforts. Breathing space? Not a bit
of it, Silva made sure of that. Cutting in off the right flank and jinking
his way past Claret and Blue shirts, the silky Spaniard buried a low strike
into the far corner to halve the City deficit. Stevan Jovetic turned smartly
on the box and saw his piledriver palmed aside, before Kolarov smashed one
into side netting from miles out. But there would be no late drama as West
Ham held firm to record a fourth win in five.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Noble (c),
Song, Amalfitano (Kouyate 66), Downing, Valencia (Cole 76), Sakho (Nolan 89)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Poyet
Goals: Amalfitano 21, Sakho 75
Booked: Amalfitano, Song
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Mangala, Clichy (Kolarov 78),
Fernando (Milner 78) , Toure, Navas, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko (Jovetic 59)
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho
Goals: Silva 77
Booked: Kompany
Referee: Martin Atkinson
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'We terrorised their defence'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham United following their 2-1 win over champions
Manchester City
25.10.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham United's best performance of the season so far
- a 2-1 home win over Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The
Hammers were full-value for their win, scoring through Morgan Amalfitano's
first-half finish and Diafra Sakho's second-half header - his seventh goal
in seven starts for the Club - before holding out before and after David
Silva's consolation strike.
The manager, whose team stay fourth after a fifth win in nine league games,
praised his players for their performances all over the pitch.
"There was not doubt that was the best of our three home wins," said Big
Sam. "The performance was the best of the lot as well, because the quality
of the opposition we played makes it the best performance we did this
season. "I think the difficulties we had to cope with in the closing stages
meant this was a magnificent effort by the players. Watching the TV before
the game, they put up the top scorers in Europe and Aguero and Dzeko were
both up there, and neither of those two have scored. That's the big
contribution from a defensive point of view. "Attacking-wise, it was about
maximising our chances and we certainly maximised our possession for the
amount of chances we created against a Manchester City side who are the
current champions. If you look at the possession stats and can't believe
that Man City lost, if you look at the chances we created against the
chances City did you can see why we caused them lots of problems and ended
up winning the game. "We terrorised their defence whenever we got the
chance."
West Ham's goals both came from crosses, albeit different types. The first,
on 21 minutes, saw Alex Song and Enner Valencia combine at lightning speed
before the Ecuadorian crossed low for Amalfitano to convert. A breathless
game appeared to be settled when Aaron Cresswell sent over yet another
inch-perfect cross for Sakho to nod powerfully past Joe Hart with 15 minutes
to go. However, Silva set up a grandstand finish by curling high into the
net seconds later. Either side of the Spaniard's goal, City also hit the
woodwork through Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure, while Adrian produced a host
of important saves. "People are calling it old-fashioned for some reason,
but crossing the ball and heading it in the net is never going to be
old-fashioned. If you play to your strengths, and these lads are showing
that is one of their strengths, then you will score goals. "These lads are
not as big as Andy Carroll but they're as good in the air as Andy in the
box, so if the quality of the ball continues to be there, they are going to
get more and more chances and more and more goals.
"Two crosses created two goals. Morgan was brilliant coming in off his line
inside the far post. We didn't play with two strikers because I thought that
was too risky against their quality, so we played with a 4-2-3-1 and for me
it was the right decision because we got the right result - and one not many
people expected."
At the back, Adrian and his defenders ran themselves into the ground to
prevent City from stealing a point late on. While West Ham rode their luck,
Big Sam said they deserved their success. "They were there when they were
needed and made a big contribution to us winning. We wanted a clean sheet
but I can't complain about what Silva did, because I said to the players
that if we lose a goal, let it be a brilliant one. That little man pulled
out a bit of genius there, so we have to accept that quality. "That genius
hasn't hurt us, though, and we have got the three points."
So, with 16 points from nine games, what is the challenge now for Big Sam?
"The hard thing is sustaining it. You have spells as a team and those that
are the best are usually the ones who can sustain it the best and stand the
pressures it brings. We are going to find out if we can do that now, because
we have certainly made an impact. "The lads are going to have to cope with
more scrutiny from the opposition in terms of stopping the effect of our
front two, in particular. They will try to protect themselves better against
the problems I don't think anybody expected us to cause. "We have to keep
our feet on the ground and ask ourselves 'Can we get better than we already
are?' - that's our ultimate challenge. For me, the ultimate challenge is not
to see any complacency slip in and them thinking 'We've done it all'.
"We will not do anything unless we continue to work as hard as we've done
for the whole of this season."
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Morgan hails united front
WHUFc.com
Morgan Amalfitano paid tribute to the Hammers' togetherness following
victory against Manchester City
25.10.2014
Goalscorer Morgan Amalfitano believes West Ham United's exceptional run of
form owes much to the players' willingness to work for one another, after
the Hammers downed champions Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground.
Amalfitano got the ball rolling with a 21st-minute opener, his second at the
Boleyn Ground, but was merely grateful that it paved the way for another
fine Barclays Premier League win.
Though the visitors came on strong in the final throes of the contest, the
Frenchman felt his side were good value for the victory, with the Hammers'
united front at the heart of their success. He told West Ham TV: "It's a
great win, against a massive team, but with all the respect that we had for
them, we've produced a big performance."It was difficult right up until the
end, but we're united as a team and so when it's like that, when you defend
as a unit, you can attack better too. That's what made the difference. "With
five added minutes, we knew that it was going to be very tough. We gave
nothing away, so we bring back the important victory that we now have."
As for his goal, Amalfitano was the beneficiary of Enner Valencia's industry
down the right and though ultimately it was a tap in, he will very happily
take it. He continued: "It led to three points for the team, that's the
satisfaction that it brings. "It was very important, a goal's a goal,
whether it's beautiful, simple or difficult, it's the points that count at
the end. So if it brings a win all the better and this afternoon it's a win
for the team! "It's good for the confidence as well. We all try to work for
the team and a little bit extra like that's all good."
Victory on Saturday makes it four wins in five for the Hammers, but
Amalfitano has no plans to rest on his laurels, adamant that his teammates
must always demand more of one another, not least for the fans. "We try to
bring a lot of joy to our fans, that's very important for the team as well
and we're really pleased for them. "We've got to continue to work like that
and we've always got to aim for more. Now, another tough game coming up and
it's up to us to stay together just as we were on Saturday."
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Song - 'The key is team spirit'
WHUFC.com
Alex Song says West Ham United's togetherness is pushing them upwards
25.10.2014
Alex Song produced a Man of the Match display to help West Ham United claim
the scalp of Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
The on-loan Barcelona man made eleven ball recoveries, alongside three
tackles and an interception to push the Hammers to their second home victory
over UEFA Champions League opposition this season. Morgan Amalfitano's 21st
minute opener was added to by Diafra Sakho 15 minutes from time, and
although David Silva pulled one back, West Ham held on for a memorable
victory. Song was thrilled with the performance and result, but says there
is yet more to come from this team. "Everyone is happy because it was a
great game to play in," he said. "We have to enjoy moments like this - all
the boys gave everything and it's a fantastic result for us. "We have to
continue to improve game-by-game. All the boys together are happy, we enjoy
training together and that's why it's easier to play when you come to the
pitch. "I think the key to the win on Saturday was team spirit. We attack
together and we defend together and at the moment we're playing great
football. "We're taking the opportunities when they come along. It is a
great win for us and now it's important to look forward, rest and go to the
next game. "City is a great team, but we got the three points and everyone
here is happy!"
Song was heavily involved in the opening goal, threading a ball through for
Enner Valencia to cross to Amalfitano. It was a move of the highest quality
and Song says it is a pleasure to play as part of this team. "We enjoy
training together and playing together, and when we have the ball we're
looking for the solution to see the partnerships," he explained. "It was
great movement from Valencia before I played the ball, and that's the
football I love to play. When you have the ball, to play and give the ball
forward. "We had opportunities to score goals and we were also compact when
we had to be."
Sakho's header was his seventh West Ham goal in as many starts and Song has
been thoroughly impressed with his start to life in England.
He added: "Diafra has made an unbelievable start and I think there is even
more to come from this guy because he's hungry. "I'm very happy for him,
it's not easy to come to England from the French league but he has done very
well."
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West Ham 2 Man City 1
25 October 2014
Last updated at 15:25
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
Manchester City's title ambitions suffered a setback as Diafra Sakho scored
for the sixth straight league game to help earn West Ham victory. City, five
points behind leaders Chelsea, fell behind when Morgan Amalfitano stabbed
home Enner Valencia's cut-back from three yards. Sergio Aguero and Yaya
Toure hit the bar for the visitors before Sakho headed in Aaron Cresswell's
cross. David Silva pulled one back with a curled shot into the far corner.
City poured forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, Stevan
Jovetic denied by a fine Adriano save. But Manuel Pellegrini's men were poor
overall, and West Ham full value for a third straight win that lifts them
one point behind last season's champions. For long periods, City played like
a side jaded after their long midweek Champions League trip to Russia, where
they were held to a draw by CSKA Moscow after blowing a 2-0 lead. They
lacked cutting edge in attack and organisation at the back as Enner Valencia
and Sakho used their pace to torment a defence that has kept just three
clean sheets in 13 league and cup games.
Keeper Joe Hart needed treatment after he was hurt in denying Valencia and
it was the Ecuador forward's ball that led to the opening goal moments
later.
City's England international keeper was left badly exposed as Amalfitano
side-footed home in the 21st minute after Eliaquim Mangala had been outpaced
by Valencia following Song's defence-splitting pass. West Ham have won five
of their opening nine games in a Premier League season for the first time
since 1999-2000. With the visitors looking a shadow of the side that had
destroyed Tottenham a week earlier, Stewart Downing twice went close,
Valencia screwed a chance wide and James Collins narrowly failed to connect
with Amalfitano's ball across the six-yard area. In contrast, Aguero only
looked like adding to his nine Premier League goals once the match entered
its frantic closing stages. The Argentine was denied when Adrian
finger-tipped his 65th-minute effort on to the bar following Toure's surge.
It was then Toure's turn to hit the woodwork with a thunderous effort -
before Sakho doubled the hosts' lead. When the 24-year-old Senegalese
climbed to meet Cresswell's 75th-minute cross, Hart dropped to his left to
get a hand to the ball and turn it away from goal.
But the assistant referee correctly ruled the ball had crossed the line,
leaving the £3.5m summer signing from Boulogne to celebrate becoming the
first Hammers player to score in six straight Premier League games. City
pulled a goal back two minutes later when Silva weaved through the West Ham
defence before launching a shot into the far corner. Adrian denied Jovetic
in the dying moments but Sam Allardyce's men hung on for a deserved win.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce:
"We put Manchester City's back four to task and, in my opinion, they didn't
hold up. "The quality of our play in the final third is why we have won the
game. "When you have got quality players, quality players look forward to
the big games. "Alex Song led us as a team and the rest of the lads
responded."
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Sam sweating on Sakho injury
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admits that leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho is an injury
concern ahead of next weekend's trip to Stoke City. The 24-year-old striker,
who prior to this season had never played top flight football scored his
seventh goal in as many starts today when he grabbed the second in West
Ham's 2-1 win over reigning champions Manchester City at the Boleyn. However
Allardyce admitted after the game that Sakho is a major worry ahead of next
week's trip to the Potteries after damaging a shoulder in the second half
today. "My big worry is that my leading goalscorer today came off with a
shoulder problem at the end," he said. "I sincerely hope that damage is not
severe and he can recover very quickly. "When you've got someone who scores
six in six you can ill-afford to lose them at any stage and if we're going
to lose him, that'll be a big blow. "Saying that, everybody who stepped up
to the plate today, with the injuries that we have, has gone out and got a
result, gone out and given a great performance so we're in a very good frame
of mind and we're in a good mood."
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Allardyce on... Manchester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Big Sam was in top form tonight as he reflected on the performance of the
season so far following his side's defeat of the reigning league champions.
His full post match, press conference exclusively in full here...
Sam: You've beaten two of the clubs who finished in the top four last
season. Was this more satisfying than the Liverpool victory?
The Liverpool victory was fantastic from the point of view that I don't
think anybody expected Liverpool to be quite as ineffective as they've been
this season. They've not hit the heights they did last season so perhaps
this victory's a little better than that.
They've got two of the most dangerous goalscorers in Europe with Dzeko and
Aguero. Dzeko goes quietly about his job and has scored 45 goals in his time
at Manchester City whilst Aguero's scored 61. They're in the top ten in
Europe for scoring goals per minute, I just saw that on the telly before we
started.
That can bring some fears before the game but our defensive lads today
marshalled that [threat] particularly well and that gave us a base to go on
and get the victory.
We have goalscorers, we have players who believe they're going to score -
none more so that Sakho, who scored again. We had a terrific performance
today, that was the big thing for me. It wasn't a lucky victory, it was a
well-deserved victory.
We made some outstanding chances and we took Man City's back four to task
and, in my opinion, it didn't hold up. It didn't hold up because of the
quality of our play in their final third is why we won the game today.
It had everything that performance, didn't it?
Yes, it had great determination, quality, desire, everything you want in
amounts. One or two moments where the game is on the edge but the Premier
League is so exciting because of the amount of activity in both penalty
areas today. It went from end to end and that's why I think it's such a
great product and such a great brand, this league. Gladly, we've come out on
top today and it's a massive victory and a massive statement from us as a
team and a football club. We should all be very proud of ourselves this
weekend.
A word about Alex Song, he was outstanding today?
He's been in the shadows a little bit because of Valencia and Sakho but this
lad has outstanding quality. He goes alongside Fernando Hierro and Jay Jay
Okocha in my teams before. He's prompt with his passing and his protection
to the back players is excellent.
Every man played his best today, that's the beauty. Every man went out their
and gave their all, played their very best and got the victory that I don't
think too many people were expecting today. So well done them, a fantastic
result and a fantastic run we're on at the minute. We'll all meet up again
next week and get started for Stoke away.
Were there any complaints about the challenge in the first half? Mark Noble
seemed to be on the edge of a two-footed one.
Yes, he was complaining bitterly about it. We all had a look at it, you can
make your own mind up. For me it's a very dangerous tackle and Martin
[Atkinson] was right in front of it but I'm not going to talk about
referee's decisions when we've played so well and won the game. None of his
decisions affected the result today which is very important. That can easily
be done.
It was a pretty difficult game to manage because of the commitment of both
sets of players but obviously at the end of it we've managed to come out on
top. Even when they produced the outstanding quality they've got with
[David] Silva we still won the game and that was the beauty of getting the
second goal when we did.
Going back to Song, is it days like this in such a high-profile,
high-intensity game that you get to see the best of him?
Absolutely. Quality players look forward to the big games whereas sometime
the less qualified players can get a little anxious and think oh, look who
I'm playing against today. But Songy led us as a team today and the rest of
the lads responded to that.
As for Valencia and Sakho, I don't think they really know what they've done
yet. I don't really think they know how good they've been. They've just come
here and want to play football, and I don't think they realise how big an
impact they've made. The rest of the team has been lifted by those two, but
also the players who have stayed with me for the last two or three years are
playing much better as well.
There were out there today who were new and did excellent jobs today and the
sixth was [Chiekhou] Kouyate who came on as a sub and who we're really
pleased to have back. The rest of the players who've been with us for a
while are playing their best football as well.
A few weeks ago you were very unhappy with a 2-1 scoreline against another
Manchester club. I imagine you'll be in a more celebratory mood tonight?
Yes, I am. I'm really delighted that it hasn't knocked us back in terms of
confidence that we may have lost by having that goal [at Old Trafford]
disallowed. We're not four wins our of five and three on the trot so our
response has been brilliant. For me, my big worry is that my leading
goalscorer today came off with a shoulder problem at the end so I sincerely
hope that damage is not sever and he can recover very quickly. When you've
got someone who scores six in six you can ill-afford to lose them at any
stage and if we're going to lose him that'll be a big blow.
Saying that, everybody who steps up to the plate today with the injuries
that we have has gone out and got a result and gone out and given a great
performance so we're in a very good frame of mind and we're in a good mood.
It's nice to be able to come in the training ground with everybody smiling
and looking forward to training. It's about grasping those moments and
making sure we make them last as long as we can.
Do you feel a certain amount of vindication? Because in the dark days you
said that when you new signings gel and acclimatise and when people came
back from injury that we'd see a different West Ham to what we saw last
season.
I don't dwell too much on the past to be honest with you. I think too many
people have been talking about the past, even on VT today they asked about
last season. It's well documented but I'm still here! I'm doing my job as
best I can like I've always done. I've done it for 20 years, 13 in the
Premier League.
Gary Neville did us a favour last week with the stats he put up as I didn't
realise they were as good as they were so I'm doing ok, you know! There were
some dark moments but you've got to get through it.
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West Ham Utd 2-1 Manchester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham proved that their decent start to the 2014/15 campaign was no fluke
when they saw off reigning league champions Manchester City at the Boleyn
Ground this lunchtime.
Morgan Amalfitano's first half effort, combined with the red-hot Diafra
Sakho's seventh goal in as many starts since moving to England were enough
to cement fourth place in the Premier League for Sam Allardyce's in-form
side.
And whilst they certainly rode their luck at times, only the meanest
observers would deny West Ham - winning their third successive Premier
League game - deserved a fifth win of the season and one which takes them to
16 points.
The last time West Ham scored in eight successive top-flight fixtures was
back in December 2009 under Gianfranco Zola's stewardship (a sequence that
extended to ten games). However unlike then, this current West Ham side
always looks to have goals in it - regardless of the opposition.
The pace and determination of Sakho and strike partner Enner Valencia has
tormented a string of defences already this season and today was no
different. Supported by the outrageously brilliant Alex Song, whose
individual performance today was as good as any witnessed at the BG in
recent seasons, they were a constant threat.
Although Adrian was called into action as early as the first minute when he
was forced to deny Sergio Aguero, West Ham - combining an attacking 442
diamond with a defensive 451 formation - were the better side in a busy
opening half.
A mis-kicked clearance on 13 minutes by Eliaquim Mangala saw Joe Hart
reaching to tip the ball over the bar, before the England 'keeper came off
worse in a 50/50 challenge with Enner Valencia six minutes later.
Having received lengthy treatment - yet little sympathy from the West Ham
fans he'd made an obscene gesture towards moments before - Hart may well
have been slightly groggy when West Ham opened the scoring two minutes after
play resumed.
Alex Song, resplendent in half mast shorts and black gloves slipped a
delicious through ball into the path of Valencia, whose centre evaded two
City defenders before finding an unmarked Amalfitano at the back post. The
French winger will probably never score an easier goal, yet few of such
importance.
The rejuvenated Stewart Downing should have doubled West Ham's lead just
ahead of the half-hour mark when he had the entire goal to aim after the
ball broke loose in the box, but could only send his header over the bar.
Then, in the final minute of the half, a clever free kick was turned across
goal by Amalfitano - but just out of the reach of Diafra Sakho and James
Collins, whose desperate attempts to make contact proved in vain.
Bar Aguero's first minute effort, City - who could have gone seven points
clear of West Ham had they won today - also created decent openings from the
likes of David Silva and Edin Dzeko but failed to breach a resolute Hammers
defence.
The second half initially followed a similar pattern, with Downing and Sakho
both going close ahead of the hour mark before Manuel Pellegrini decided to
ring the changes by introducing Stevan Jovetic.
The introduction of the Montenegro international had an instant effect and
within seconds, Aguero somehow managed to hit the bar when it was easier to
miss - before Adrian was forced into a fantastic point blank save from the
same player.
In order to quell the onslaught, Allardyce introduced Cheik Kouyate for a
tiring Amalfitano and this too proved beneficial. After Vicent Kompany has
escaped a second yellow card for one of several late challenges West Ham
produced their best move of the match which ended with Sakho firing narrowly
wide.
That oft-used term 'fine margins' certainly applied between the 74th and
76th minutes when City hit the woodwork for a second time as Yaya Toure's
speculative effort crashed off the woodwork.
90 seconds later, West Ham were two ahead and on the way to all three points
when that man Sakho was on target to convert Aaron Cresswell's cross,
despite Hart's best efforts to try and claw the ball back before it crossed
the line. West Ham wheeled away to celebrate and the goal verdict was
delivered seconds later courtesy of the new goal-line technology system now
in place.
City, who just nine months ago beat West Ham 9-0 over two legs in the
Capital One Cup semi final managed to grab a consolation goal through David
Silva just two minutes after Sakho had doubled United's advantage. The
Spanish international cut inside from the right, skipping over a couple of
half-hearted challenges before curling a well-placed shot into the far
corner.
That left the Irons with some 15 minutes to stave off wave after wave of
City attacks that crashed down on the good ship West Ham with alarming
regularity as the minutes ebbed away. James Collins was imperious in
thwarting the City Armada, throwing himself into last-ditch challenges with
reckless abandon.
Milner and Toure found themselves in good positions but could only find the
side netting, but Adrian - who answered his critics in the best possible way
with a superb performance - single-handedly saved two points for the Hammers
when he dived full length to divert a dipping Jovetic volley that was
heading for the top corner deep into injury time.
That was the end of the road for City and a delirious Boleyn crowd gave West
Ham the reception they fully deserved with a standing ovation at the final
whistle. Sam Allardyce joined in the revelry by taking a bow, which perhaps
represented redemption for the man who only seven months earlier had been
heavily criticised for cupping a hand to an ear when he was booed following
a 2-1 win against Hull.
What is undoubtable is that few now appear to maintain support for the
once-deafening (and vicious) 'Allardyce Out' campaign that blighted the
summer months. Which can only be a good thing, as - to coin a phrase - we
are better together. Also, if any proof that pre-season results mean nothing
in terms of competitive matches, this year surely does just that!
After all who, when waking up to news that West Ham had lost successive
games against Wellington Phoenix and Sydney back in July would have gambled
on the Hammers beating last season's Premier League runners-up and champions
within the opening nine games of the season?
West Ham Utd 2-1 Manchester City: Match Facts
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Downing, Sakho, Noble (c),
Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Song, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Kouyate, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Poyet, Cole.
Manchester City: Hart, Kompany (c), Zabaleta, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando,
Navas, Youre, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero.
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho, Jovetic.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hails Manchester City win
Last Updated: 25/10/14 5:47pm
SSN
The Irons, who had climbed into the top four, took a deserved lead through
Morgan Amalfitano before Diafra Sakho's sixth goal in as many league starts
made it 2-0. David Silva hit back immediately to set up a grandstand finale,
but the home side held on to the delight of the East End natives. They have
now beaten Liverpool, QPR and City in their last three home games which
pleased Allardyce. "There was no doubt that was the best of our three home
wins," Allardyce told the official West Ham website. "The performance was
the best of the lot as well, because the quality of the opposition we played
makes it the best performance we did this season." I think the difficulties
we had to cope with in the closing stages meant this was a magnificent
effort by the players. Watching the TV before the game, they put up the top
scorers in Europe and (Sergio) Aguero and (Edin) Dzeko were both up there,
and neither of those two have scored. That's the big contribution from a
defensive point of view. "Attacking-wise, it was about maximising our
chances and we certainly maximised our possession for the amount of chances
we created against a Manchester City side who are the current champions. "If
you look at the possession stats and can't believe that Man City lost, if
you look at the chances we created against the chances City did you can see
why we caused them lots of problems and ended up winning the game. "We
terrorised their defence whenever we got the chance. "We have to keep our
feet on the ground and ask ourselves 'Can we get better than we already
are?' - that's our ultimate challenge. For me, the ultimate challenge is not
to see any complacency slip in and them thinking 'We've done it all'. "We
will not do anything unless we continue to work as hard as we've done for
the whole of this season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham earn battling 2-1 win over Manchester City at Upton Park
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 25/10/14 6:40pm
SSN
West Ham put a severe dent in Manchester City's title aspirations after
earning a deserved 2-1 win at Upton Park. Morgan Amalfitano opened the
scoring after great work from Enner Valencia down the right flank, as the
Hammers dominated the first half. City came out with added impetus after the
break, and were twice denied by the woodwork in their quest to level
proceedings.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: Alex Song. Controlled the game in the middle of the park.
Goal of the Match: David Silva. Fantastic individual goal.
Save of the Match: Adrian: Late acrobatic stop ensured victory.
Talking Points: How much damage does this result do to City? Can West Ham
keep this form up?
However, the in-form Diafra Sakho headed his sixth successive goal for the
Hammers - becoming the first player to record such a feat in the club's
history, to double his side's lead. David Silva immediately got City back in
the game with a sublime individual effort, and ensured a nervy final 10
minutes were in store for the home fans. However, Adrian and his defence
stood firm and Sam Allardyce's team continued their fantastic start to the
season. The result sees West Ham stay fourth, while City will be hoping for
a favour from bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday to ensure they don't
fall too far behind leaders Chelsea in their title defence. City had plenty
of early possession, but it was the visitors who looked more threatening
from the word go.
A West Ham free-kick almost led to the opening goal. James Collins lumped it
forward and Sakho flicked it onto Valencia, but Hart saved from close range.
The goalkeeper was clattered by Valencia and looked to be in trouble, but he
managed to shake it off and carry on.
Valencia was causing City all sorts of problems with his pace and power, and
the Ecuadorian was key to earning the Hammers the lead.
Latching onto a fantastic throughball from Alex Song, Valencia drove at
Clichy, got to the byline, and pulled the ball across goal, just evading the
outstretched leg of Pablo Zabaleta, and straight into the path of
Amalfitano, who couldn't miss from one yard out.
The hosts were certainly buoyed by their goal, and they almost doubled their
lead just a few minutes later, but Stewart Downing headed over when he
really should have hit the target after arriving late in the box. Valencia
was in the thick of the action again as the home side continued to dominate.
The lively forward got on the end of an Aaron Cresswell cutback, but he
scuffed his shot just wide. City rarely threatened, but almost got an
undeserved equaliser late in the opening period, but Adrian was alert to use
his feet to clear from under Sergio Aguero's nose as the Argentinian striker
tried to control a low, fizzing cross. The second-half began as the first
ended - with the home side in the ascendancy. Downing wasted a glorious
chance to extend the lead early in the half, after being picked out by some
audacious skill from Song, but the former Liverpool midfielder dragged his
effort wide on the volley. Aguero almost levelled just before the hour mark
after being played in by David Silva, but City's talisman was denied by the
feet of Adrian, and a wonderful James Collins block on the rebound. Then the
Argentinian hitman had the best chance of the match, and a man of his
ability should really have equalised. After being picked out, in space,
three yards out, Aguero somehow contrived to hit the underside of the
crossbar, with the rebound falling to Yaya Toure, but Adrian was equal to
it, making an acrobatic block, even keeping hold of the ball.
City enjoyed a period of dominance following that chance, but they couldn't
find a way through a resolute Hammers rear guard. Toure was then guilty of
missing another great chance to get back on level terms, but his curling
effort from the edge of the box clipped the top of the crossbar. The hosts
made City pay for missing those opportunities just minutes later, with Sakho
once again getting on the scoresheet.
A wonderful left-wing cross from the impressive Cresswell picked out the
in-form Senegalese hitman, who headed towards the bottom corner, which Joe
Hart reached to try to keep out, but the goal decision system revealed it
had crossed the line. City got back into it almost immediately, however,
thanks to a wonderful individual goal from David Silva. The Spanish
midfielder jinked his way through several tackles, and curled a sublime
effort past Adrian to give the visitors hope. It ensured the final 10
minutes were nervy for the Upton Park faithful, but some last ditch
defending kept the champions at bay, and ensured the Hammers' impressive
start to the season continues.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SAKHO INJURED
By Sean Whetstone 25 Oct 2014 at 21:50
West Ham Til I Die
Not to spoil the celebrations of beating the reigning Premier League
champions but it is now emerged that Sakho was injured on the shoulder
during a collision with Joe Hart.
In his post match conference reported by KUMB.com Allardyce said :"My big
worry is that my leading goalscorer today came off with a shoulder problem
at the end," he said. "I sincerely hope that damage is not severe and he can
recover very quickly. When you've got someone who scores six in six you can
ill-afford to lose them at any stage and if we're going to lose him, that'll
be a big blow.Saying that, everybody who stepped up to the plate today, with
the injuries that we have, has gone out and got a result, gone out and given
a great performance so we're in a very good frame of mind and we're in a
good mood."
Claret and Hugh are reporting he was taken to hospital directly after the
game.
David Gold has answered concerns by fans on twitter by saying "I'm worried,
we will know better after the scan on Monday. dg"
Diafra Sakho who signed from Metz for £3.5m has scored 7 goals from 7 starts
and 6 goals from 6 Premier League starts. Let's hope for good news after the
scan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hero Diafra Sakho in hospital after collision with Man City keeper
Joe Hart
Oct 25, 2014 23:44 By Neil Rowlands
The Mirror
West Ham star Diafra Sakho was taken to hospital on Saturday night after
colliding with Manchester City keeper Joe Hart late on in the Hammers' 2-1
win, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People . Sakho, who scored the
Irons' second goal in the match , was helped off after clashing with Hart in
the 88th minute and taken to hospital to assess whether he had damaged a
shoulder or his collarbone. The strike was Sakho's sixth goal in as many
games. Speaking of Sakho and striker partner Enner Valencia - also new to
the irons this season - after a thrilling game that keeps West Ham fourth in
the table, boss Sam Allardyce said: "I don't think Valencia and Sakho really
know what they have done yet. They've just come here, they want to play
football and I don't think they realise what a big impact they have made."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFC.com
Morgan Amalfitano and the irrepressible Diafra Sakho fire the Hammers to
victory over champions Man City
25.10.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester City
West Ham United's stunning start to the Barclays Premier League season
continued as they toppled reigning champions Manchester City in a pulsating
encounter at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Morgan Amalfitano set the
Hammers on their way with the simplest of finishes after 21 minutes, before
Diafra Sakho made it an astonishing six league goals in as many starts with
another supreme header. David Silva's exquisite individual effort made for a
grandstand finish, but the Hammers were to hold on to record a third
successive win and move within a point of second-placed City. Sam Allardyce
stayed loyal to the XI that produced three goals and points at Turf Moor
last weekend, though there was a place for the fit-again Cheikho Kouyate on
the bench. Manchester City, meanwhile, made two changes to the side held by
CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, with Aleksandar Kolarov making way for Gael Clichy
and Jesus Navas in for James Milner.
And it was the visitors who had the first real sight of goal, as David
Silva's sixth-minute free-kick just brushed the top of the Adrian's net. At
the other end, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho were at their high-energy
best, when the former chased a lost cause down the left and promptly backed
Vincent Kompany into a corner. As the ball looped up, Sakho and Elaquim
Mangala went head to head, with Joe Hart then having to be on his toes to
tip it over the bar. West Ham's new strike duo combined again in the 19th
minute, this time courtesy of a well-flighted James Collins free-kick. Sakho
flicked it on and Valencia darted around the back, only for Hart to come out
bravely to block and get a hefty blow for his troubles.
And so to the goal, brilliant in its design and simple in its execution.
Alex Song's clever ball bypassed the full-back and gave Valencia the time
and space to run at Mangala. The Ecuadorian skipped past the centre-half and
though his cut back was miss hit, it wrong footed Kompany, before Pablo
Zabaleta collided with Hart and gifted Amalfitano the freedom of the
six-yard box to tap into an almost empty net.
But City were still posing questions of their own and Navas' near-post
corner was matched by the run of Edin Dzeko, whose effort flew just over the
top.
Big Sam's side, for their part, twice threatened to double the lead. Sakho's
cross was only headed up in the air and Stewart Downing nodded over the top
from eight yards, before Valencia's cute free-kick played in goalscorer
Amalfitano, whose ball across the face just flashed beyond a sliding Sakho.
But West Ham still had Adrian to thank for preserving the Hammers' lead at
the break, as Sergio Aguero diverted Navas' centre goalward in first-half
stoppage time, only for the Spanish stopper to somehow keep it out.
Into the second half and Downing again went close. Valencia's free-kick
ricocheted in the path of Song, whose rabona was chested, by Aaron
Cresswell, into Downing's path and he duly blasted it just wide of the far
post. Moments later, Noble picked out Sakho's run with a fine crossfield
ball and the No15's angled volley might have been aimed at Valencia, or
equally at the far corner. It missed both. Aguero then came to the fore,
with two gilt-edged chances in a matter of minutes. First-up, Silva's ball
set him away, forcing Adrian to save with his feet and then Collins to dive
in to smother the rebound. Then, Aguero saw his close-range effort cannon
back off the underside of the crossbar and Yaya Toure, on the follow up, was
foiled by Adrian once more. But one-way traffic it was not. Valencia robbed
Zabaleta and but for Mangala's last-ditch interception, Sakho would surely
have been celebrating again. He very nearly was, collecting from second-half
substitute Kouyate and fizzing a curler inches over the top from the edge of
the box.
City were then denied by the woodwork once more, as Toure's 18-yard drive
clattered into the angle of post and bar. It looked to be a pivotal moment,
as West Ham were soon two goals to the good. Just as he did last weekend,
Cresswell provided the ammunition for Sakho, whose header just snuck beyond
the goalline, despite Hart's despairing efforts. Breathing space? Not a bit
of it, Silva made sure of that. Cutting in off the right flank and jinking
his way past Claret and Blue shirts, the silky Spaniard buried a low strike
into the far corner to halve the City deficit. Stevan Jovetic turned smartly
on the box and saw his piledriver palmed aside, before Kolarov smashed one
into side netting from miles out. But there would be no late drama as West
Ham held firm to record a fourth win in five.
West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Noble (c),
Song, Amalfitano (Kouyate 66), Downing, Valencia (Cole 76), Sakho (Nolan 89)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Poyet
Goals: Amalfitano 21, Sakho 75
Booked: Amalfitano, Song
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Mangala, Clichy (Kolarov 78),
Fernando (Milner 78) , Toure, Navas, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko (Jovetic 59)
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho
Goals: Silva 77
Booked: Kompany
Referee: Martin Atkinson
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'We terrorised their defence'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham United following their 2-1 win over champions
Manchester City
25.10.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham United's best performance of the season so far
- a 2-1 home win over Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City. The
Hammers were full-value for their win, scoring through Morgan Amalfitano's
first-half finish and Diafra Sakho's second-half header - his seventh goal
in seven starts for the Club - before holding out before and after David
Silva's consolation strike.
The manager, whose team stay fourth after a fifth win in nine league games,
praised his players for their performances all over the pitch.
"There was not doubt that was the best of our three home wins," said Big
Sam. "The performance was the best of the lot as well, because the quality
of the opposition we played makes it the best performance we did this
season. "I think the difficulties we had to cope with in the closing stages
meant this was a magnificent effort by the players. Watching the TV before
the game, they put up the top scorers in Europe and Aguero and Dzeko were
both up there, and neither of those two have scored. That's the big
contribution from a defensive point of view. "Attacking-wise, it was about
maximising our chances and we certainly maximised our possession for the
amount of chances we created against a Manchester City side who are the
current champions. If you look at the possession stats and can't believe
that Man City lost, if you look at the chances we created against the
chances City did you can see why we caused them lots of problems and ended
up winning the game. "We terrorised their defence whenever we got the
chance."
West Ham's goals both came from crosses, albeit different types. The first,
on 21 minutes, saw Alex Song and Enner Valencia combine at lightning speed
before the Ecuadorian crossed low for Amalfitano to convert. A breathless
game appeared to be settled when Aaron Cresswell sent over yet another
inch-perfect cross for Sakho to nod powerfully past Joe Hart with 15 minutes
to go. However, Silva set up a grandstand finish by curling high into the
net seconds later. Either side of the Spaniard's goal, City also hit the
woodwork through Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure, while Adrian produced a host
of important saves. "People are calling it old-fashioned for some reason,
but crossing the ball and heading it in the net is never going to be
old-fashioned. If you play to your strengths, and these lads are showing
that is one of their strengths, then you will score goals. "These lads are
not as big as Andy Carroll but they're as good in the air as Andy in the
box, so if the quality of the ball continues to be there, they are going to
get more and more chances and more and more goals.
"Two crosses created two goals. Morgan was brilliant coming in off his line
inside the far post. We didn't play with two strikers because I thought that
was too risky against their quality, so we played with a 4-2-3-1 and for me
it was the right decision because we got the right result - and one not many
people expected."
At the back, Adrian and his defenders ran themselves into the ground to
prevent City from stealing a point late on. While West Ham rode their luck,
Big Sam said they deserved their success. "They were there when they were
needed and made a big contribution to us winning. We wanted a clean sheet
but I can't complain about what Silva did, because I said to the players
that if we lose a goal, let it be a brilliant one. That little man pulled
out a bit of genius there, so we have to accept that quality. "That genius
hasn't hurt us, though, and we have got the three points."
So, with 16 points from nine games, what is the challenge now for Big Sam?
"The hard thing is sustaining it. You have spells as a team and those that
are the best are usually the ones who can sustain it the best and stand the
pressures it brings. We are going to find out if we can do that now, because
we have certainly made an impact. "The lads are going to have to cope with
more scrutiny from the opposition in terms of stopping the effect of our
front two, in particular. They will try to protect themselves better against
the problems I don't think anybody expected us to cause. "We have to keep
our feet on the ground and ask ourselves 'Can we get better than we already
are?' - that's our ultimate challenge. For me, the ultimate challenge is not
to see any complacency slip in and them thinking 'We've done it all'.
"We will not do anything unless we continue to work as hard as we've done
for the whole of this season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Morgan hails united front
WHUFc.com
Morgan Amalfitano paid tribute to the Hammers' togetherness following
victory against Manchester City
25.10.2014
Goalscorer Morgan Amalfitano believes West Ham United's exceptional run of
form owes much to the players' willingness to work for one another, after
the Hammers downed champions Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground.
Amalfitano got the ball rolling with a 21st-minute opener, his second at the
Boleyn Ground, but was merely grateful that it paved the way for another
fine Barclays Premier League win.
Though the visitors came on strong in the final throes of the contest, the
Frenchman felt his side were good value for the victory, with the Hammers'
united front at the heart of their success. He told West Ham TV: "It's a
great win, against a massive team, but with all the respect that we had for
them, we've produced a big performance."It was difficult right up until the
end, but we're united as a team and so when it's like that, when you defend
as a unit, you can attack better too. That's what made the difference. "With
five added minutes, we knew that it was going to be very tough. We gave
nothing away, so we bring back the important victory that we now have."
As for his goal, Amalfitano was the beneficiary of Enner Valencia's industry
down the right and though ultimately it was a tap in, he will very happily
take it. He continued: "It led to three points for the team, that's the
satisfaction that it brings. "It was very important, a goal's a goal,
whether it's beautiful, simple or difficult, it's the points that count at
the end. So if it brings a win all the better and this afternoon it's a win
for the team! "It's good for the confidence as well. We all try to work for
the team and a little bit extra like that's all good."
Victory on Saturday makes it four wins in five for the Hammers, but
Amalfitano has no plans to rest on his laurels, adamant that his teammates
must always demand more of one another, not least for the fans. "We try to
bring a lot of joy to our fans, that's very important for the team as well
and we're really pleased for them. "We've got to continue to work like that
and we've always got to aim for more. Now, another tough game coming up and
it's up to us to stay together just as we were on Saturday."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Song - 'The key is team spirit'
WHUFC.com
Alex Song says West Ham United's togetherness is pushing them upwards
25.10.2014
Alex Song produced a Man of the Match display to help West Ham United claim
the scalp of Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
The on-loan Barcelona man made eleven ball recoveries, alongside three
tackles and an interception to push the Hammers to their second home victory
over UEFA Champions League opposition this season. Morgan Amalfitano's 21st
minute opener was added to by Diafra Sakho 15 minutes from time, and
although David Silva pulled one back, West Ham held on for a memorable
victory. Song was thrilled with the performance and result, but says there
is yet more to come from this team. "Everyone is happy because it was a
great game to play in," he said. "We have to enjoy moments like this - all
the boys gave everything and it's a fantastic result for us. "We have to
continue to improve game-by-game. All the boys together are happy, we enjoy
training together and that's why it's easier to play when you come to the
pitch. "I think the key to the win on Saturday was team spirit. We attack
together and we defend together and at the moment we're playing great
football. "We're taking the opportunities when they come along. It is a
great win for us and now it's important to look forward, rest and go to the
next game. "City is a great team, but we got the three points and everyone
here is happy!"
Song was heavily involved in the opening goal, threading a ball through for
Enner Valencia to cross to Amalfitano. It was a move of the highest quality
and Song says it is a pleasure to play as part of this team. "We enjoy
training together and playing together, and when we have the ball we're
looking for the solution to see the partnerships," he explained. "It was
great movement from Valencia before I played the ball, and that's the
football I love to play. When you have the ball, to play and give the ball
forward. "We had opportunities to score goals and we were also compact when
we had to be."
Sakho's header was his seventh West Ham goal in as many starts and Song has
been thoroughly impressed with his start to life in England.
He added: "Diafra has made an unbelievable start and I think there is even
more to come from this guy because he's hungry. "I'm very happy for him,
it's not easy to come to England from the French league but he has done very
well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2 Man City 1
25 October 2014
Last updated at 15:25
By Neil Johnston
BBC Sport
Manchester City's title ambitions suffered a setback as Diafra Sakho scored
for the sixth straight league game to help earn West Ham victory. City, five
points behind leaders Chelsea, fell behind when Morgan Amalfitano stabbed
home Enner Valencia's cut-back from three yards. Sergio Aguero and Yaya
Toure hit the bar for the visitors before Sakho headed in Aaron Cresswell's
cross. David Silva pulled one back with a curled shot into the far corner.
City poured forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, Stevan
Jovetic denied by a fine Adriano save. But Manuel Pellegrini's men were poor
overall, and West Ham full value for a third straight win that lifts them
one point behind last season's champions. For long periods, City played like
a side jaded after their long midweek Champions League trip to Russia, where
they were held to a draw by CSKA Moscow after blowing a 2-0 lead. They
lacked cutting edge in attack and organisation at the back as Enner Valencia
and Sakho used their pace to torment a defence that has kept just three
clean sheets in 13 league and cup games.
Keeper Joe Hart needed treatment after he was hurt in denying Valencia and
it was the Ecuador forward's ball that led to the opening goal moments
later.
City's England international keeper was left badly exposed as Amalfitano
side-footed home in the 21st minute after Eliaquim Mangala had been outpaced
by Valencia following Song's defence-splitting pass. West Ham have won five
of their opening nine games in a Premier League season for the first time
since 1999-2000. With the visitors looking a shadow of the side that had
destroyed Tottenham a week earlier, Stewart Downing twice went close,
Valencia screwed a chance wide and James Collins narrowly failed to connect
with Amalfitano's ball across the six-yard area. In contrast, Aguero only
looked like adding to his nine Premier League goals once the match entered
its frantic closing stages. The Argentine was denied when Adrian
finger-tipped his 65th-minute effort on to the bar following Toure's surge.
It was then Toure's turn to hit the woodwork with a thunderous effort -
before Sakho doubled the hosts' lead. When the 24-year-old Senegalese
climbed to meet Cresswell's 75th-minute cross, Hart dropped to his left to
get a hand to the ball and turn it away from goal.
But the assistant referee correctly ruled the ball had crossed the line,
leaving the £3.5m summer signing from Boulogne to celebrate becoming the
first Hammers player to score in six straight Premier League games. City
pulled a goal back two minutes later when Silva weaved through the West Ham
defence before launching a shot into the far corner. Adrian denied Jovetic
in the dying moments but Sam Allardyce's men hung on for a deserved win.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce:
"We put Manchester City's back four to task and, in my opinion, they didn't
hold up. "The quality of our play in the final third is why we have won the
game. "When you have got quality players, quality players look forward to
the big games. "Alex Song led us as a team and the rest of the lads
responded."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam sweating on Sakho injury
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admits that leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho is an injury
concern ahead of next weekend's trip to Stoke City. The 24-year-old striker,
who prior to this season had never played top flight football scored his
seventh goal in as many starts today when he grabbed the second in West
Ham's 2-1 win over reigning champions Manchester City at the Boleyn. However
Allardyce admitted after the game that Sakho is a major worry ahead of next
week's trip to the Potteries after damaging a shoulder in the second half
today. "My big worry is that my leading goalscorer today came off with a
shoulder problem at the end," he said. "I sincerely hope that damage is not
severe and he can recover very quickly. "When you've got someone who scores
six in six you can ill-afford to lose them at any stage and if we're going
to lose him, that'll be a big blow. "Saying that, everybody who stepped up
to the plate today, with the injuries that we have, has gone out and got a
result, gone out and given a great performance so we're in a very good frame
of mind and we're in a good mood."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Manchester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
Big Sam was in top form tonight as he reflected on the performance of the
season so far following his side's defeat of the reigning league champions.
His full post match, press conference exclusively in full here...
Sam: You've beaten two of the clubs who finished in the top four last
season. Was this more satisfying than the Liverpool victory?
The Liverpool victory was fantastic from the point of view that I don't
think anybody expected Liverpool to be quite as ineffective as they've been
this season. They've not hit the heights they did last season so perhaps
this victory's a little better than that.
They've got two of the most dangerous goalscorers in Europe with Dzeko and
Aguero. Dzeko goes quietly about his job and has scored 45 goals in his time
at Manchester City whilst Aguero's scored 61. They're in the top ten in
Europe for scoring goals per minute, I just saw that on the telly before we
started.
That can bring some fears before the game but our defensive lads today
marshalled that [threat] particularly well and that gave us a base to go on
and get the victory.
We have goalscorers, we have players who believe they're going to score -
none more so that Sakho, who scored again. We had a terrific performance
today, that was the big thing for me. It wasn't a lucky victory, it was a
well-deserved victory.
We made some outstanding chances and we took Man City's back four to task
and, in my opinion, it didn't hold up. It didn't hold up because of the
quality of our play in their final third is why we won the game today.
It had everything that performance, didn't it?
Yes, it had great determination, quality, desire, everything you want in
amounts. One or two moments where the game is on the edge but the Premier
League is so exciting because of the amount of activity in both penalty
areas today. It went from end to end and that's why I think it's such a
great product and such a great brand, this league. Gladly, we've come out on
top today and it's a massive victory and a massive statement from us as a
team and a football club. We should all be very proud of ourselves this
weekend.
A word about Alex Song, he was outstanding today?
He's been in the shadows a little bit because of Valencia and Sakho but this
lad has outstanding quality. He goes alongside Fernando Hierro and Jay Jay
Okocha in my teams before. He's prompt with his passing and his protection
to the back players is excellent.
Every man played his best today, that's the beauty. Every man went out their
and gave their all, played their very best and got the victory that I don't
think too many people were expecting today. So well done them, a fantastic
result and a fantastic run we're on at the minute. We'll all meet up again
next week and get started for Stoke away.
Were there any complaints about the challenge in the first half? Mark Noble
seemed to be on the edge of a two-footed one.
Yes, he was complaining bitterly about it. We all had a look at it, you can
make your own mind up. For me it's a very dangerous tackle and Martin
[Atkinson] was right in front of it but I'm not going to talk about
referee's decisions when we've played so well and won the game. None of his
decisions affected the result today which is very important. That can easily
be done.
It was a pretty difficult game to manage because of the commitment of both
sets of players but obviously at the end of it we've managed to come out on
top. Even when they produced the outstanding quality they've got with
[David] Silva we still won the game and that was the beauty of getting the
second goal when we did.
Going back to Song, is it days like this in such a high-profile,
high-intensity game that you get to see the best of him?
Absolutely. Quality players look forward to the big games whereas sometime
the less qualified players can get a little anxious and think oh, look who
I'm playing against today. But Songy led us as a team today and the rest of
the lads responded to that.
As for Valencia and Sakho, I don't think they really know what they've done
yet. I don't really think they know how good they've been. They've just come
here and want to play football, and I don't think they realise how big an
impact they've made. The rest of the team has been lifted by those two, but
also the players who have stayed with me for the last two or three years are
playing much better as well.
There were out there today who were new and did excellent jobs today and the
sixth was [Chiekhou] Kouyate who came on as a sub and who we're really
pleased to have back. The rest of the players who've been with us for a
while are playing their best football as well.
A few weeks ago you were very unhappy with a 2-1 scoreline against another
Manchester club. I imagine you'll be in a more celebratory mood tonight?
Yes, I am. I'm really delighted that it hasn't knocked us back in terms of
confidence that we may have lost by having that goal [at Old Trafford]
disallowed. We're not four wins our of five and three on the trot so our
response has been brilliant. For me, my big worry is that my leading
goalscorer today came off with a shoulder problem at the end so I sincerely
hope that damage is not sever and he can recover very quickly. When you've
got someone who scores six in six you can ill-afford to lose them at any
stage and if we're going to lose him that'll be a big blow.
Saying that, everybody who steps up to the plate today with the injuries
that we have has gone out and got a result and gone out and given a great
performance so we're in a very good frame of mind and we're in a good mood.
It's nice to be able to come in the training ground with everybody smiling
and looking forward to training. It's about grasping those moments and
making sure we make them last as long as we can.
Do you feel a certain amount of vindication? Because in the dark days you
said that when you new signings gel and acclimatise and when people came
back from injury that we'd see a different West Ham to what we saw last
season.
I don't dwell too much on the past to be honest with you. I think too many
people have been talking about the past, even on VT today they asked about
last season. It's well documented but I'm still here! I'm doing my job as
best I can like I've always done. I've done it for 20 years, 13 in the
Premier League.
Gary Neville did us a favour last week with the stats he put up as I didn't
realise they were as good as they were so I'm doing ok, you know! There were
some dark moments but you've got to get through it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 2-1 Manchester City
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 25th October 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham proved that their decent start to the 2014/15 campaign was no fluke
when they saw off reigning league champions Manchester City at the Boleyn
Ground this lunchtime.
Morgan Amalfitano's first half effort, combined with the red-hot Diafra
Sakho's seventh goal in as many starts since moving to England were enough
to cement fourth place in the Premier League for Sam Allardyce's in-form
side.
And whilst they certainly rode their luck at times, only the meanest
observers would deny West Ham - winning their third successive Premier
League game - deserved a fifth win of the season and one which takes them to
16 points.
The last time West Ham scored in eight successive top-flight fixtures was
back in December 2009 under Gianfranco Zola's stewardship (a sequence that
extended to ten games). However unlike then, this current West Ham side
always looks to have goals in it - regardless of the opposition.
The pace and determination of Sakho and strike partner Enner Valencia has
tormented a string of defences already this season and today was no
different. Supported by the outrageously brilliant Alex Song, whose
individual performance today was as good as any witnessed at the BG in
recent seasons, they were a constant threat.
Although Adrian was called into action as early as the first minute when he
was forced to deny Sergio Aguero, West Ham - combining an attacking 442
diamond with a defensive 451 formation - were the better side in a busy
opening half.
A mis-kicked clearance on 13 minutes by Eliaquim Mangala saw Joe Hart
reaching to tip the ball over the bar, before the England 'keeper came off
worse in a 50/50 challenge with Enner Valencia six minutes later.
Having received lengthy treatment - yet little sympathy from the West Ham
fans he'd made an obscene gesture towards moments before - Hart may well
have been slightly groggy when West Ham opened the scoring two minutes after
play resumed.
Alex Song, resplendent in half mast shorts and black gloves slipped a
delicious through ball into the path of Valencia, whose centre evaded two
City defenders before finding an unmarked Amalfitano at the back post. The
French winger will probably never score an easier goal, yet few of such
importance.
The rejuvenated Stewart Downing should have doubled West Ham's lead just
ahead of the half-hour mark when he had the entire goal to aim after the
ball broke loose in the box, but could only send his header over the bar.
Then, in the final minute of the half, a clever free kick was turned across
goal by Amalfitano - but just out of the reach of Diafra Sakho and James
Collins, whose desperate attempts to make contact proved in vain.
Bar Aguero's first minute effort, City - who could have gone seven points
clear of West Ham had they won today - also created decent openings from the
likes of David Silva and Edin Dzeko but failed to breach a resolute Hammers
defence.
The second half initially followed a similar pattern, with Downing and Sakho
both going close ahead of the hour mark before Manuel Pellegrini decided to
ring the changes by introducing Stevan Jovetic.
The introduction of the Montenegro international had an instant effect and
within seconds, Aguero somehow managed to hit the bar when it was easier to
miss - before Adrian was forced into a fantastic point blank save from the
same player.
In order to quell the onslaught, Allardyce introduced Cheik Kouyate for a
tiring Amalfitano and this too proved beneficial. After Vicent Kompany has
escaped a second yellow card for one of several late challenges West Ham
produced their best move of the match which ended with Sakho firing narrowly
wide.
That oft-used term 'fine margins' certainly applied between the 74th and
76th minutes when City hit the woodwork for a second time as Yaya Toure's
speculative effort crashed off the woodwork.
90 seconds later, West Ham were two ahead and on the way to all three points
when that man Sakho was on target to convert Aaron Cresswell's cross,
despite Hart's best efforts to try and claw the ball back before it crossed
the line. West Ham wheeled away to celebrate and the goal verdict was
delivered seconds later courtesy of the new goal-line technology system now
in place.
City, who just nine months ago beat West Ham 9-0 over two legs in the
Capital One Cup semi final managed to grab a consolation goal through David
Silva just two minutes after Sakho had doubled United's advantage. The
Spanish international cut inside from the right, skipping over a couple of
half-hearted challenges before curling a well-placed shot into the far
corner.
That left the Irons with some 15 minutes to stave off wave after wave of
City attacks that crashed down on the good ship West Ham with alarming
regularity as the minutes ebbed away. James Collins was imperious in
thwarting the City Armada, throwing himself into last-ditch challenges with
reckless abandon.
Milner and Toure found themselves in good positions but could only find the
side netting, but Adrian - who answered his critics in the best possible way
with a superb performance - single-handedly saved two points for the Hammers
when he dived full length to divert a dipping Jovetic volley that was
heading for the top corner deep into injury time.
That was the end of the road for City and a delirious Boleyn crowd gave West
Ham the reception they fully deserved with a standing ovation at the final
whistle. Sam Allardyce joined in the revelry by taking a bow, which perhaps
represented redemption for the man who only seven months earlier had been
heavily criticised for cupping a hand to an ear when he was booed following
a 2-1 win against Hull.
What is undoubtable is that few now appear to maintain support for the
once-deafening (and vicious) 'Allardyce Out' campaign that blighted the
summer months. Which can only be a good thing, as - to coin a phrase - we
are better together. Also, if any proof that pre-season results mean nothing
in terms of competitive matches, this year surely does just that!
After all who, when waking up to news that West Ham had lost successive
games against Wellington Phoenix and Sydney back in July would have gambled
on the Hammers beating last season's Premier League runners-up and champions
within the opening nine games of the season?
West Ham Utd 2-1 Manchester City: Match Facts
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Downing, Sakho, Noble (c),
Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Song, Valencia.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Nolan, Kouyate, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Poyet, Cole.
Manchester City: Hart, Kompany (c), Zabaleta, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando,
Navas, Youre, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero.
Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Sagna, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho, Jovetic.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hails Manchester City win
Last Updated: 25/10/14 5:47pm
SSN
The Irons, who had climbed into the top four, took a deserved lead through
Morgan Amalfitano before Diafra Sakho's sixth goal in as many league starts
made it 2-0. David Silva hit back immediately to set up a grandstand finale,
but the home side held on to the delight of the East End natives. They have
now beaten Liverpool, QPR and City in their last three home games which
pleased Allardyce. "There was no doubt that was the best of our three home
wins," Allardyce told the official West Ham website. "The performance was
the best of the lot as well, because the quality of the opposition we played
makes it the best performance we did this season." I think the difficulties
we had to cope with in the closing stages meant this was a magnificent
effort by the players. Watching the TV before the game, they put up the top
scorers in Europe and (Sergio) Aguero and (Edin) Dzeko were both up there,
and neither of those two have scored. That's the big contribution from a
defensive point of view. "Attacking-wise, it was about maximising our
chances and we certainly maximised our possession for the amount of chances
we created against a Manchester City side who are the current champions. "If
you look at the possession stats and can't believe that Man City lost, if
you look at the chances we created against the chances City did you can see
why we caused them lots of problems and ended up winning the game. "We
terrorised their defence whenever we got the chance. "We have to keep our
feet on the ground and ask ourselves 'Can we get better than we already
are?' - that's our ultimate challenge. For me, the ultimate challenge is not
to see any complacency slip in and them thinking 'We've done it all'. "We
will not do anything unless we continue to work as hard as we've done for
the whole of this season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham earn battling 2-1 win over Manchester City at Upton Park
By Pete Hall - @PeteHall86. Last Updated: 25/10/14 6:40pm
SSN
West Ham put a severe dent in Manchester City's title aspirations after
earning a deserved 2-1 win at Upton Park. Morgan Amalfitano opened the
scoring after great work from Enner Valencia down the right flank, as the
Hammers dominated the first half. City came out with added impetus after the
break, and were twice denied by the woodwork in their quest to level
proceedings.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: Alex Song. Controlled the game in the middle of the park.
Goal of the Match: David Silva. Fantastic individual goal.
Save of the Match: Adrian: Late acrobatic stop ensured victory.
Talking Points: How much damage does this result do to City? Can West Ham
keep this form up?
However, the in-form Diafra Sakho headed his sixth successive goal for the
Hammers - becoming the first player to record such a feat in the club's
history, to double his side's lead. David Silva immediately got City back in
the game with a sublime individual effort, and ensured a nervy final 10
minutes were in store for the home fans. However, Adrian and his defence
stood firm and Sam Allardyce's team continued their fantastic start to the
season. The result sees West Ham stay fourth, while City will be hoping for
a favour from bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday to ensure they don't
fall too far behind leaders Chelsea in their title defence. City had plenty
of early possession, but it was the visitors who looked more threatening
from the word go.
A West Ham free-kick almost led to the opening goal. James Collins lumped it
forward and Sakho flicked it onto Valencia, but Hart saved from close range.
The goalkeeper was clattered by Valencia and looked to be in trouble, but he
managed to shake it off and carry on.
Valencia was causing City all sorts of problems with his pace and power, and
the Ecuadorian was key to earning the Hammers the lead.
Latching onto a fantastic throughball from Alex Song, Valencia drove at
Clichy, got to the byline, and pulled the ball across goal, just evading the
outstretched leg of Pablo Zabaleta, and straight into the path of
Amalfitano, who couldn't miss from one yard out.
The hosts were certainly buoyed by their goal, and they almost doubled their
lead just a few minutes later, but Stewart Downing headed over when he
really should have hit the target after arriving late in the box. Valencia
was in the thick of the action again as the home side continued to dominate.
The lively forward got on the end of an Aaron Cresswell cutback, but he
scuffed his shot just wide. City rarely threatened, but almost got an
undeserved equaliser late in the opening period, but Adrian was alert to use
his feet to clear from under Sergio Aguero's nose as the Argentinian striker
tried to control a low, fizzing cross. The second-half began as the first
ended - with the home side in the ascendancy. Downing wasted a glorious
chance to extend the lead early in the half, after being picked out by some
audacious skill from Song, but the former Liverpool midfielder dragged his
effort wide on the volley. Aguero almost levelled just before the hour mark
after being played in by David Silva, but City's talisman was denied by the
feet of Adrian, and a wonderful James Collins block on the rebound. Then the
Argentinian hitman had the best chance of the match, and a man of his
ability should really have equalised. After being picked out, in space,
three yards out, Aguero somehow contrived to hit the underside of the
crossbar, with the rebound falling to Yaya Toure, but Adrian was equal to
it, making an acrobatic block, even keeping hold of the ball.
City enjoyed a period of dominance following that chance, but they couldn't
find a way through a resolute Hammers rear guard. Toure was then guilty of
missing another great chance to get back on level terms, but his curling
effort from the edge of the box clipped the top of the crossbar. The hosts
made City pay for missing those opportunities just minutes later, with Sakho
once again getting on the scoresheet.
A wonderful left-wing cross from the impressive Cresswell picked out the
in-form Senegalese hitman, who headed towards the bottom corner, which Joe
Hart reached to try to keep out, but the goal decision system revealed it
had crossed the line. City got back into it almost immediately, however,
thanks to a wonderful individual goal from David Silva. The Spanish
midfielder jinked his way through several tackles, and curled a sublime
effort past Adrian to give the visitors hope. It ensured the final 10
minutes were nervy for the Upton Park faithful, but some last ditch
defending kept the champions at bay, and ensured the Hammers' impressive
start to the season continues.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SAKHO INJURED
By Sean Whetstone 25 Oct 2014 at 21:50
West Ham Til I Die
Not to spoil the celebrations of beating the reigning Premier League
champions but it is now emerged that Sakho was injured on the shoulder
during a collision with Joe Hart.
In his post match conference reported by KUMB.com Allardyce said :"My big
worry is that my leading goalscorer today came off with a shoulder problem
at the end," he said. "I sincerely hope that damage is not severe and he can
recover very quickly. When you've got someone who scores six in six you can
ill-afford to lose them at any stage and if we're going to lose him, that'll
be a big blow.Saying that, everybody who stepped up to the plate today, with
the injuries that we have, has gone out and got a result, gone out and given
a great performance so we're in a very good frame of mind and we're in a
good mood."
Claret and Hugh are reporting he was taken to hospital directly after the
game.
David Gold has answered concerns by fans on twitter by saying "I'm worried,
we will know better after the scan on Monday. dg"
Diafra Sakho who signed from Metz for £3.5m has scored 7 goals from 7 starts
and 6 goals from 6 Premier League starts. Let's hope for good news after the
scan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hero Diafra Sakho in hospital after collision with Man City keeper
Joe Hart
Oct 25, 2014 23:44 By Neil Rowlands
The Mirror
West Ham star Diafra Sakho was taken to hospital on Saturday night after
colliding with Manchester City keeper Joe Hart late on in the Hammers' 2-1
win, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People . Sakho, who scored the
Irons' second goal in the match , was helped off after clashing with Hart in
the 88th minute and taken to hospital to assess whether he had damaged a
shoulder or his collarbone. The strike was Sakho's sixth goal in as many
games. Speaking of Sakho and striker partner Enner Valencia - also new to
the irons this season - after a thrilling game that keeps West Ham fourth in
the table, boss Sam Allardyce said: "I don't think Valencia and Sakho really
know what they have done yet. They've just come here, they want to play
football and I don't think they realise what a big impact they have made."
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Saturday, October 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th October 2014
Preview - Manchester City
WHUFC.com
All the essential pre-match information ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester City
24.10.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
In brief
West Ham United welcome Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, with both teams in the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Citizens currently sit second, having taken 17 points from their first eight games. They are unbeaten in their last five league games and defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 last weekend.
Sam Allardyce's team are four points and two places behind, having tasted victory in their last two starts. Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole were all on target as Saturday as the Hammers defeated Burnley 3-1.
The Hammers will be hoping to improve on last season's showings against the Citizens, when they lost all four meetings with Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Who are they?
Manchester City were formed in 1880 as St Mark's (West Gordon), eventually taking on their current name in 1894.
They have played at the Etihad Stadium since 2003, having previously turned out at Maine Road from 1923. Their most successful period until recent times came in the late 1960s and early 1970s when they won the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.
More recently, they have won the Barclays Premier League twice in the last three years, as well as the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.
Team news
West Ham United
Cheikhou Kouyate and James Tomkins return to the Hammers squad after both overcoming groin injuries to train this week.
Andy Carroll is also back in training but not yet ready to return to the first team.
Manchester City
Frank Lampard will miss out for Manchester City after suffering a thigh injury in last week's win at Tottenham.
Lampard's fellow midfielder Samir Nasri is also absent after undergoing groin surgery.
Referee
Saturday's match referee will be Martin Atkinson. A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in Premier League matches.
He joined the National List of referees for the Football League at the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham City. He was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay United at Wembley Stadium.
Atkinson also refereed the Hammers on the final day of last season, when Manchester City clinched the Barclays Premier League title with a 2-0 win at Etihad Stadium, and in the 2-2 draw at Hull City on 15 September.
One to watch
West Ham United
Diafra Sakho's goalscoring form has really caught the eye since his summer move from French side FC Metz. Last Saturday's goal at Burnley was his sixth in as many starts for the Club, and meant he has scored in his last five consecutive Premier League games. He becomes only the second player to achieve that feat for West Ham in the Premier League era, alongside Carlton Cole.
Manchester City
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is in irrepressible form at the moment, having scored in his last five appearances. He bagged four against Tottenham last week, and could even had added a fifth had he not missed a first half penalty. The 26-year-old now has 61 league goals for the Citizens in just 95 appearances, with his goals helping the club win Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014.
Tickets
Standard tickets for this game have now sold out. However, tickets may become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist their tickets.
TV coverage
Click here for a list of broadcasters for Saturday's game.
Travel
The District Line will be suspended between South Kensington and Aldgate East, but services will be running on the eastern branch of the line to serve Upton Park.
Click here for up to the minute news from TfL and here for National Rail.
Weather
A sunny day is predicted for Saturday, with temperature at kick-off of 14C (57F)
Last meeting
Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
11 May 2014
Manchester City secured the league title with a 2-0 win over the Hammers on the final day of last season. A goal in each half did the trick, with Vincent Kompany's close-range finish supplementing Samir Nasri's earlier strike.
Manchester City: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Demichelis, Nasri, Garcia, Silva (Milner 76) Y.Toure (Negredo 86), Dzeko (Fernandinho 69), Aguero
Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Clichy, Jovetic
Goals: Nasri 39, Kompany 49
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins, O'Brien, Nolan (Jarvis 64), Taylor, Noble, Diame (J.Cole 81), Downing, Carroll (C.Cole 72)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collins, Vaz Te
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Noble excited by City clash
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Mark Noble is relishing Saturday's clash with Manchester City
24.10.2014
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble is hoping the Hammers can continue their excellent run of form against Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday. The 27-year-old midfielder has played an integral part of the Hammers' good start to the season, captaining the team to victories over Liverpool and Burnley. The West Ham Academy graduate has now been a mainstay in the first team for a decade as he closes in on West Ham's record Premier League appearance maker. Having made 200 appearances he is just four games behind current record holder Steve Potts. Speaking ahead of the match against Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground, Noble said: "Obviously we're all enjoying being fourth while it lasts. I'm enjoying the way we're playing at the moment, I think most of the players are. The form the boys are in is very enjoyable. "Last year I said we needed to buy good players if we're going to move on, and we've done that. By the time we move to the New Stadium we want to be a top six or seven club."
Looking back to last Saturday's 3-1 win over Burnley, Noble explained: "I think Burnley were probably the better side in the first half on Saturday but we came out strong in the second half and blew them away in the first 20 minutes. "The two goals the strikers scored against Burnley were proper striker's goals. They were two excellent headers from good crosses from the boys out wide, hopefully that will continue."
Speaking about the fantastic impact new signing Diafra Sakho has made since moving from FC Metz, the midfielder said: "Having a top goal scorer is very helpful. It's the difference between winning and losing. Some games last year we were losing games we really should have won but we couldn't get the goals we needed. "Sakho's done extremely well but so has Valencia too. Carlton's made important contributions from the bench and then Andy Carroll is back in full training so the manager has got a lot of options."
Another player who has made an impressive impact is Alex Song. "Alex is a top footballer, we've seen that over the years. He played in the Barcelona team who were arguably the best team ever. It was a big deal that he wanted to come to us. To play alongside a player as good as he is only going to improve my game. "He's thoroughly enjoying the way he's playing here at the moment. He's got a smile on his face
everyday, he looks like a happy man when he's out there playing."
Looking ahead to Saturday's clash with Manchester City, Noble says the Hammers are in a confident mood: "It's a good atmosphere here now, it helps when you're winning games. But we know it's early days we're not going to get carried away with being fourth. Saturday is a massive day against Man City. I know the boys are buzzing for it and hopefully we can give them a good game. "This is certainly the best start to a season I've ever been involved with. There's a buzz around the place and I'm really enjoying it."
Despite City playing away the Champions League in midweek, Noble knows the Hammers will be in for a tough test this Saturday. He concluded: "I don't think there is ever a good time to play them. They have got such a big squad full of top quality players. But at the moment we're playing well, we can go out and attack and be confident. We'll take the game to them and see what happens."
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Haycock happy with Dev Squad effort
WHUFC.com
Dev Squad coach Nick Haycock was pleased with his side's effort against Manchester United
24.10.2014
West Ham United Development Squad manager Nick Haycock was pleased with his sides' effort against Manchester United despite a narrow 2-1 defeat. The visitors took the lead in the first half through the highly rated James Wilson before Elliot Lee equalised with his fifth goal in four matches for the Hammers. The Red Devils claimed the three points late on in the second half after Will Keane finished from close range. Speaking after the game, Haycock said: "When I saw their team sheet before the game I knew it was going to be a tough ask. They had a lot of Premier league experience in there. I think their quality showed tonight, they had a higher calibre of player out there. "I thought we did well in the first half to contain them well. We limited them to only few chances. All week we worked on being more resilient because against Bilbao we conceded too many sloppy goals. "In the second half it was slightly disappointing because we wanted the team to pass the ball. We don't set up a team just to defend, we didn't keep the ball well enough which put us under pressure."
After conceding five goals against Athletic Bilbao last week, the Hammers put in a much more resolute performance. "Yeah I think you can say that because we kept them down to two goals. We're disappointed with the second goal because we think it's a foul and we were on the attack at the time. In terms of defending as a group as think we were better tonight."
Manchester United fielded a strong side including ex-West Ham graduate Michael Carrick as well as experienced first team players such as Anders Lindegaard, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson. Haycock continued: "I said to the boys in there if you can compete against Manchester United you'll be able to beat most sides in the league. I think come the end of the season, they'll be up there. "Warren always has a good work ethic about his team. His young players are trying to catch the eye of Louis van Gaal. There as good a side as we'll play, there's no doubt about that. I couldn't fault them in terms of effort."
Another positive for Haycock is striker Elliot Lee's return to goal scoring form. The captain has now netted five goals in four games.
"Yeah, Elliot's always got a goal in him. He'll be disappointed a bit tonight because he was starved of the ball for too long. I can understand his frustration at not receiving the ball enough. "With him in the team, and his attributes there's always a chance. He's got five goals in four games now and he's still working on other areas of his game."
The Development Squad's next game is away to Norwich City on Thursday 6 November, 2014.
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia reflects on a productive international break and his goal at Burnley
23.10.2014
Hello everyody,
We have Manchester City at home on Saturday and it is a game everybody is looking forward to. We are all happy wih the way the team is going at the moment and we have to keep working to keep it the same way. I was really pleased to score at Burnley, after getting three for my country during the international break. I scored one against the United States which swerved away from Brad Guzan and I practised that sort of shot in training. I'm happy that it is paying off. I try to give my all for the national team, so I am happy with what I have contributed.
To then back it up at Burnley was great and we have a very strong squad this season. All the players are giving their best. In all positions, we have very good players that can give you assists. This makes things easier and we have to keep it the same way. I hope to score my first goal at the Boleyn Ground very soon and it will be nice to score in front of our home fans. I hope I can score in front of them and get them the three points on Saturday. It's great to play up front with Diafra. He is doing really well and scoring goals at pivotal points of the game. He's been doing very well and he is a nice guy, so I am happy for him. I am confident we can get three points against Manchester City. We play in front of our fans in our stadium and I think this gives us a good opportunity to get three points.
The team is training hard every day to achieve those kind of performances. Hopefully we can repeat the performance we had against Liverpool and Manchester United and beat Manchester City and get the three points on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Enner
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Joint-Chairman's pride in Enterprise win
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold joined the Club's Premier League Enterprise winners at the Commons
24.10.2014
Joint-Chairman David Gold shared in the celebrations of West Ham United's Premier League Enterprise Challenge winners on Wednesday, as the triumphant Hammers group took centre stage at the House of Commons. Managed by West Ham United Community Sports Trust and delivered by WHU inspire Learning Centre, the Hammers cohort told a gathering of MPs and special guests, including former Premier League duo Graeme Le Saux and Jason Roberts, of how the Enterprise Challenge has helped them. The Enterprise Challenge is the highlight of Premier League
Enterprise, a project which uses the hook of football and the knowledge and expertise of the clubs to engage young people in the world of business and enterprise. The initiative has engaged 90,000 young people since its inception in 2008. Joint-Chairman David Gold meets West Ham's triumphant youngsters "I am so proud of them," Mr Gold said. "I am proud they have come from schools where I was born and proud they are here representing West Ham United. It's just wonderful to see. "We ignore our young people at our peril. They need all the support and encouragement we can offer. Young people get such bad press but when a young person does a good thing, we don't see it in our newspapers. I am just thrilled that this project is succeeding. "It's a momentous occasion for these young men. Here they are in the Houses of Parliament, in front of MPs, and it's incredibly daunting. I couldn't have done this when I was their age. It would have terrified me. "I came from humble beginnings and my life would have been a lot easier if I had had the mentors and encouragement these young men have been given, through the funding and efforts of the Premier League and all the people associated with this scheme."
So impressed was the Joint-Chairman by the West Ham team that he has invited them as VIP guests to the Boleyn Ground, where he plans to discuss the business ideas with the students in more detail. "Going to Downing Street and the House of Commons in one day has been great," said team member Ismaeel Haqq. "Opportunities like this make you more ambitious, they make you aim higher because you know it is possible. I will remember this for a long time. "A lot of people doubted us but I am happy we stuck together as a team, got through it and turned up here. We've now been selected as ambassadors of this competition so we will be mentoring the kids that represent West Ham this year. We hope to take them all the way."
The extension to the long-running partnership between the Premier League and Comic Relief will involve £2.7 million being invested into an expanded Premier League Enterprise programme. The scheme will target hard-to-reach young people who are underachieving or at risk of not realising their potential, with the aim of engaging 7,000 people a year in enterprise education activities.
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Hammers catch Mimms
WHUFC.com
The experienced Bobby Mimms has been appointed as West Ham United's new goalkeeper coach
24.10.2014
West Ham United are pleased to announce the appointment of Bobby Mimms as the Club's new goalkeeper coach. The former Everton and Tottenham Hotspur stopper has joined the Hammers after a spell working with the Bahrain national side. The 51-year-old is a vastly-experienced coach who spent eight years at Wolverhampton Wanderers before working under Sam Allardyce during a four-year spell at Blackburn Rovers. Mimms has joined West Ham following the departure of Martyn Margetson.
After stints with Oldham Athletic and in the Middle East, the one-time England U21 international is relishing a return to the Barclays Premier League. "It's a pleasure to be here," Mimms confirmed. "I got a phone call from Sam and he asked me if I would be interested to come down here and work with the goalies, and I was more than interested. "I've just come back from Bahrain, where I was working with the national team and this opportunity came along. "Sam is a great character who has a lot of knowledge of the game, and I learned a lot from him in the two years I worked with him at Blackburn. He obviously trusts what I do, or else he wouldn't have made the call to ask me to come here. It's great to meet up with him again and to be able to work with him. "Things are going well at the Club at the moment, so hopefully I can add a little bit to that and we can keep it going."
Mimms held his first training session with Jussi Jaaskelainen and Adrian on Thursday and he hopes to build on the work done by his predecessor. "I said to the goalkeepers that I'm not here to rip their game to pieces, but as we go along I hope to pick up bits that I can add to their game. With their knowledge and ability, and my knowledge, hopefully we can add to their skills and make everybody better."
Saturday sees West Ham take on one of Mimms' other former clubs, Manchester City, and he knows whoever starts in goal will face a challenge to keep the ball out of their net. "I am looking forward to returning to the Premier League," he confirmed. "Everybody out in Bahrain was talking about the Premier League and this is the place to work. "I was lucky enough to get this opportunity and I cannot wait for Saturday's game. Hopefully we will carry on how we've been going. "I went to Burnley last weekend for a look and we produced a great performance and a great result, so with a home game coming up hopefully we can build on that."
As a player, Mimms played for Halifax Town and Rotherham United as a youngster before joining league champions Everton in 1985. There, he mainly served as understudy to Neville Southall but he did start the 1986 FA Cup final defeat by Liverpool. After a host of loan spells, the York-born stopper moved to Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis in 1988. Two years later, he began a long association with Blackburn, helping Rovers to win promotion to the Premier League, and he was part of the title-winning squad in 1994/95. After spells with a number of Football League clubs, Mimms retired in 2001, having made 552 senior appearances for 13 different clubs.
Mimms' predecessor Margetson joined the Hammers in 2011 and played a role in helping the Club regain and establish its Barclays Premier League status. The Welshman won praise from his fellow coaches and goalkeepers alike for his innovative approach and was central to the signing of Spaniard Adrian in summer 2013. The Club would like to thank Martyn for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future career.
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Potts plotting Villa victory
WHUFC.com
U18s manager Steve Potts is hoping his side can return to winning ways against Villa
24.10.2014
West Ham United U18 manager Steve Potts is looking forward to the opportunity of bouncing back from a first loss of the season after the 3-1 defeat by Fulham last Saturday. The Hammers missed a spot-kick before the Cottagers roared into a three-goal lead at Motspur Park, with a second penalty converted by Alex Pike providing a late consolation. Elijah Adebayo, Josh Walker and Stephen Humphrys got the goals for the hosts, who ended West Ham's eight-match unbeaten run to start the 2014/15 campaign. Summarising his thoughts about the defeat ahead of Saturday's game against Aston Villa, Potts said: "It's always disappointing to get beat. Afterwards, we looked at a game as a whole and I thought we did well enough. "In the three games before that we kept clean sheets and didn't give anything away. We've also been taking our chances in games recently. "Last Saturday we didn't keep it tight enough at the back. We did have some chances at the other end. We had a penalty at 0-0 that didn't go in as well as a few other chances. On the day they were more clinical than us."
Saturday's opponents Aston Villa have had a tough to their season, in particular losing 12-2 to Chelsea, having been 2-0 up. However Villa responded strongly by beating Leicester 2-1 and Potts knows his U18s will have improve from last weekend's display. "It's important they learn the lessons from last weekend. We need to be tighter at the back and sharper in front of goal. We need to move the ball around as well as we have been doing in parts of the season." "They're a good team, I remember playing them last year. They were a very good side. We got two results against them but I think they were the better team in at least one of the games. "They'll probably think they were unlucky not to do better in the games against us. I expect a tough game, Aston Villa always have good teams."
Following the U18s' good start to the season which included an eight game unbeaten run, five of the team featured for the Development Squad in their Barclays Premier League International Cup against Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao. The five players involved were free scoring Jordan Brown, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Manny Onariase, Josh Pask and Grady Diangana. Assessing their performances in the eight goal thriller, Potts said: "They did OK, I think it was difficult for them. Some of them were making their first starts for the Development Squad this year. "A couple of them were making their first starts at the Boleyn Ground and that can be tough in itself. They will have learnt a lot of lessons from that game so going forward that will benefit them. "We gave some poor goals away that night and made it very difficult for ourselves but there was some OK stuff in there too."
West Ham United U18s play Aston Villa on Saturday 25 October at Little Heath, kick-off is 11am.
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Your farewell to the Boleyn
WHUFc.com
The Club are reaching out to fans to gather your thoughts on how best to bid farewell to the Boleyn Ground
24.10.2014
August 2015 will see West Ham United kick off their final season at the Boleyn Ground, ahead of their historic move to the former Olympic Stadium in Stratford. With over a century's history to honour, the Club are determined to ensure that, with your help, the Boleyn bows out in style. So over the coming weeks and months we will be reaching out to Hammers fans to gather your thoughts on how best to bid farewell to the ground we have called home since 1904. Following an initial consultation with the Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) we have identified a shortlist of match themes to be incorporated into our final season's home fixtures. Now it is over to you. Each week we will be launching a poll on whufc.com and on Twitter, alongside a call for fans to share their personal highlights and memories within each theme.
We will also be asking you about your favourite kits from down the years and canvassing your ideas for inspiration for the final commemorative Boleyn kit.
We want all of our loyal supporters to play their part in this unique season, so whether you are a Season Ticket Holder or a fan from afar, we will be calling on you to share your personal highlights and the unforgettable moments that make the Boleyn Ground such a unique place. Keep an eye out next week for the first vote launching next week.
Supporters are already jumping at the chance to book their spot for the final farewell to our home of 110 years, with thousands having put their name down on the Final Season waiting list. To book your place in history, join the waiting list here.
2014/15 Season Ticket Holders will automatically qualify for renewal for the final season. Half-Season Tickets are now on sale and are available online at whufcboxoffice.com, by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visiting the Stadium Ticket Office in person.
A 2015/16 Season Ticket Holders will gain access to all 19 Premier League home games plus any cup fixtures and secure their place in the migration process to West Ham United's new world-class, iconic home ground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
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Manchester City look to close gap on Chelsea with win at West Ham
Last Updated: 24/10/14 2:18pm
SSN
Manchester City head to face West Ham at Upton Park in Saturday's early kick-off looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to just two points. Jose Mourinho's men do not play until they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford as part of Sky Sports' Super Sunday so Manuel Pellegrini's side will be bidding to up the pressure on the early pacesetters. The Hammers will be hoping to maintain their own place in the top four, although Sam Allardyce's side have taken just one point from their last six Barclays Premier League encounters with City. They will have to deal with in-form City striker Sergio Aguero, fresh from his four-goal haul against Tottenham last weekend. The Argentine has the best minutes-per-goal rate of any player in Barclays Premier League history and will be looking to add to his tally.
Opta facts
The Hammers lost four times to City last season (twice in the league and both legs of the League Cup semi-final).
Sergio Aguero's record of nine goals in his team's opening eight games has never been bettered in Premier League history.
Diafra Sakho is only the second player in Premier League history (after Mick Quinn) to score in each of his first five starts in the competition.
West Ham have allowed the opposition fewer clear cut chances (7) than any other Premier League team this season.
Pellegrini's side have happy memories of their last clash with Allardyce's men, having secured the league title against West Ham on the final day of the previous season with a 2-0 win at the Etihad - a game in which the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target.
The home side's fine form aside, City's biggest problem could be coping with jet-lag after the long trip back from their 2-2 Champions League draw against CSKA Moscow.
Team news
West Ham will be boosted by the returns of James Tomkins and Cheikhou Kouyate. Defender Tomkins and midfielder Kouyate have recovered from thigh and groin problems respectively while striker Andy Carroll is back in training but not considered ready for the clash at Upton Park.
Guy Demel (thigh), Joey O'Brien (knee) and James Collins (groin) are also out injured. Former West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard has an outside chance of returning for City after picking up a thigh injury against Spurs last weekend, but Samir Nasri is out following a groin operation.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham is a tough place to go these days. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia play with a lot of pace and can't stop scoring goals and Stewart Downing is playing in a really good position. However, Man City have to win to put some pressure on Chelsea and I think it will prove a hard game for both sides with not a lot in it. Ultimately I think Sergio Aguero will be the difference and for that reason I am going for a narrow Man City win.
MERSON PREDICTS: 1-2
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Sam Allardyce hails the influence of Alex Song at West Ham
Last Updated: 24/10/14 1:35pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has praised the influence of on-loan midfielder Alex Song in the West Ham changing room. Song joined the Hammers from Barcelona in August and Allardyce feels the 26-year-old has had the same impact for West Ham that Yaya Toure has had for Saturday's opponents Manchester City. West Ham's, who are fourth in the table, will be given a tough test when they host defending champions City on Saturday and when asked about his opponents' world-class stars, the Hammers boss said: "We've got that type of signing in Alex Song.
"That's a Yaya Toure-type signing for us. He's a top quality player of the highest calibre and he'll provide the sort of service our front line need. "He links everything together very well so we've got a top quality international player that's played for Arsenal, for Barcelona and in the Champions League. "He's obviously being slightly overshadowed by Enner Valencia and Sakho at the moment but he'll have a big impact for us."
Allardyce added: "He's a massive influence on the training ground and in the changing room - with his dress sense particularly. "Everyone has a lot respect for what he's done before. He hasn't hit top form yet but he's certainly a major influence for us." West Ham played City four times last season, losing on each occasion and conceding 14 goals while scoring just once. The worst of those defeats came in the Capital One Cup first leg in January when the Hammers were thrashed 6-0 but Allardyce is confident his side will do better this time around. "We've got a different team, a different set of players, some of them last season will remember the fact we didn't get anything against City," the West Ham boss said. "Everyone still talks about the semi-final of the Capital One Cup but there was little we could do with the injuries we had. "If we're going to challenge against them, it's at this moment in time - City have just come back from playing in the Champions League and we're in good, confident form."
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Ebola virus: West Ham star Alex Song says Africa Cup of Nations should be scrapped
Oct 24, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The epidemic has so far claimed more than 4,500 lives since its outbreak, and the midfielder has called for the tournament to be cancelled
The Mirror
Alex Song has called for January's Africa Cup of Nations to be scrapped because of the Ebola virus. The Cameroon star also said football's high-profile African stars must help those affected. Song said: "If calling it off is the way to stop the spread of the virus then we have to do it. When you watch the TV you don't know where it is going next." The Ebola virus has killed more than 4,500 people since the outbreak in west Africa. Song added: "We have a lot of African players here in the UK - and around in the world - if we can find a solution together to help the people we have to do it. A string of Premier League stars are due to head to Africa for the tournament which runs from January 17 until February 8. Hosts Morocco have asked for it to be postponed but the Confederation of African Football has so refused. The two parties will meet on November 3 to discuss the issue. Song added: "You can't go somewhere and put your life and the lives of all the people coming in at risk. "I am worried because I have a lot of friends in the affected regions. Some people say: 'Its only in Guinea, its not going to come to Cameroon' but the truth is that people don't have any information because the information does not go everywhere. So something has to be done to help."
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Irons aim to make Noble a 'lifer'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2014 in Whispers
CANDH EXCLUSIVE
BY HUGH SOUTHON
West Ham are preparing to make loyalist Mark Noble an offer he can't refuse next summer and all but tying him to the club for life.
ClaretandHugh can exclusively reveal that the club will activate a two year option on the midfielder's deal and are ready to make him an improved contract offer at the same time. Noble is the man who is set to lead the club into its new Olympic Stadium era and the club want to tie him down for another six years. And the Canning Town-born Mr West Ham looks certain to sign away his footballing life to the club he has served since he was 15, Winston Reid's contract dispute has hogged the headlines over recent months but the club has been working on the Noble scenario for several weeks. And this afternoon a top insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "We have an option to extend his contract two years, which we will do and we are likely to be offering him an improved deal and a new four year contract."
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"WE DON'T WANT SPURS AT OS AND THAT'S THAT"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have made it clear to the London Legacy Development Corporation they don't want Spurs as ground share "partners" at the Olympic Stadium in their first season at the new 'showpiece' Hammers home. London's mayor Boris Johnson ducked and dived under constant questioning in a video shown on this site yesterday hiding behind Premier League rules and suggesting Hammers approval would be required.
The Irons today made it clear to ClaretandHugh today the club has no intention of giving its approval and had made that clear to the LLDC.
That may explain why Johnson regularly argued that it would be very difficult for the owners of the stadium to agree to a Spurs ground share without the Hammers approval and his regular dismissal of the propostion as a "hypothesis." A well placed Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: We do not want Spurs in our stadium during the first year or any other year and have made our position clear. "This is coming up with monotonous regularity but the truth is there has been no approach from Spurs and we are not expecting one. "They would far sooner go to Wembley but our understanding is they are likely to end up at Milton Keynes!"
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham's owners are best I've ever had and deserve this success after not sacking me
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent6:21PM BST 24 Oct 2014
Daily Telegraph
When West Ham United met Manchester City last season, Sam Allardyce's side conceded five goals in the Premier League and nine in the Capital One Cup, and many fans bayed for the manager's removal. Upton Park now hosts the champions on Saturday with West Ham in fourth place and Allardyce in a better place with supporters, given the improved quality of football. The club's co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, stayed strong in those dark days, backing Allardyce, reinforcing the squad in the summer, successfully installing Teddy Sheringham as attacking coach and quietly requesting football more in keeping with the club's "academy" traditions, "attacking a bit more" in Sullivan's words. "They are the best owners I've ever had," says Allardyce, sitting in his small but neat office at Chadwell Heath. "They are loyal. They could have cracked under pressure. At one stage I thought it might have been very, very close in December and January [to his sacking]. It's very difficult to take the pressure when you're the owner and every man and his dog is saying, 'Your manager's c---, you've got to get rid of him'. "They were saying it to them through social media, through abusive messages and emails. The owners are very easily contactable – personally, I'd say too easily. They get affected by it. I've no problem with that. My life's about adjusting to owners' needs. "When you come into a club – and this is where young managers slip up – the relationship with the owners is the most important thing, not the relationship with players. With owners, it's what do they want? What do they need? They said to me [in 2011 with West Ham in the Championship]: 'Get up – and stay there.' That was the first priority and then can you build on that. Everyone wants to have the best team, and play the best football, but that takes some building, some doing."
Just turned 60, Allardyce rankles over his old "long-ball" reputation. "That's other managers that did that. They used that as an excuse for the times when we beat them: Wenger, O'Leary, Souness, Benítez. It's not founded in fact. "You work with what you've got and get the best out of it. It's like now. People are saying, 'Sam's made this unbelievable change at West Ham' but the change has been evolving from day one. We've given ourselves enough time to evolve this team."
He noted in passing that some of the most lauded midfielders deliver the ball over long range. "Yaya Touré will turn round and ping the ball 60 yards behind our defence. City don't do short, short, short. It was one of the traits of Liverpool last season that Stevie Gerrard played more long passes than anyone else but they were more accurate than anybody else. He was unbelievable. We all sussed that one out, saying 'Stop Stevie Gerrard passing it' and slow Liverpool down as a team." They did last month, beating Liverpool, and playing well. It has taken into what Allardyce calls "Year Four", his fourth season in charge, to blend the styles. "It has got the 'academy' everywhere. I came into a club that got relegated in 2011, and it was all about sorting out the finances and can you put a team out on the pitch which says this is 'the West Ham way'? Can you go to difficult places in the Championship where they won't let you play 'the West Ham way'? What do you do? You do what you need to do to win.
"We have the great new stadium [the Olympic Stadium] that we're going to and that's exciting but that's an extra pressure [to make sure they arrive still in the Premier League in 2016]. At least as time has gone by we've improved, improved, improved. The only way is getting results, not playing 85 passes in midfield, looking pretty and not winning.
"It's not so much 'boring' football, it's about a winning culture that gives you the time to do what you need to do. Eleven managers out of 20 in the Premier League left last year. Half of them we'll never see again." He feared for his job. "The blip has only been November, December last year. It was brutal. Everything is brutal in football when it's not going well. It's brutal for Harry Redknapp at the minute. The Etihad [the 6-0 loss] was brutal. I cope with it because I'm experienced, I've seen it all before. I can't let it make me lose my focus. I can't let it destroy my belief in my own ability.''
Allardyce took the criticism on himself, shielding the players. "If it gets to your players you're finished. I take it on me.''
Allardyce cites Sir Alex Ferguson as the king of diversions in protecting the team. "Fergie was the master at it: create a controversy to take the pressure off the players, so the media would talk about him and not about Fergie's players not being so good for that particular week. They'd all talk about what a disgrace he was doing or saying something.
"There are two types of coaches. There's coaches like me who weigh up the opposition and ask the team to adjust. Fergie was similar. Jose [Mourinho] is similar. Then there's Arsène, who won't adjust. There's Brendan [Rodgers], who looks like he won't adjust. There's Manuel Pellegrini, who looks like he won't adjust, even in the Champions League. He seems to favour what he's got. City are quite open.
"Their [Wenger/Rodgers/Pellegrini's] philosophy is different to ours. Ours is more about who are we playing against. Their philosophy is more, 'We always play this way', and they won't change, they carry doing on the same thing. That's why you can beat them. "This squad is now looking better. Every fan at the moment is happy that we are not only winning but also we're entertaining them. We've scored 15 goals in the first eight games. If we carry on like that, that's 72 goals and that means we'll finish in the top four – unlikely but great. We might have a chance of Europe if we stay consistent."
Allardyce reflects on his past, on the influences that shaped this resilience and helped get him here. "My old man always said you only get what you graft for. It doesn't matter how intelligent you are, how much education you've got, you'll only get there on work rate. My dad was a policeman for 25 years, a sergeant, and he taught me discipline. Any problems on our estate were always sorted out by Bob Allardyce. If we got into any trouble we'd be in trouble with my old man. So discipline was everything. Getting up for work on time, don't be late, shave, don't let anyone down. "We lack a lot of discipline today. It's society. As parents we're all guilty of not disciplining our children enough. I was strong-ish with my children. I don't think my son, who's married now, is as strong [on discipline] as I used to be. That's the way society has gone."
Managers are almost substitute fathers at times, especially with those such as Ravel Morrison who come from splintered families. Ravel's upbringing certainly had an impact on his football life. Then again, there are people who've had that sort of upbringing who fight their way out of that like Incey [Paul Ince] here. He's got that inner drive to succeed." So has Allardyce. He has always grafted, "working in the parks, cutting the grass" as a player, even doing up properties in Bolton during his time as a centre-half at Burnden Park.
"We modernised terraced houses. Buy the place for £6,000. It didn't have a damp-proof course and needed rewiring, so you'd do a rip-out job, revamp it and sell them for £10,000 to £12,000. I did a lot of the mortgages during the season and in the summer, I'd be in there with a sledgehammer, knocking down walls.'' He has fought his way up the managerial ladder, learning the trade at places such as Limerick. When the League of Ireland club were short of money for wages, the chairman, Father Joe Young, put out the word to his mates. "He called in a few favours. Divine intervention! I'd go and collect money with the priest. Fantastic. We'd pull up in the garage, the window would come down, and someone would pass this envelope over. I'd count the punts. Joe would then ring the club secretary, who'd say, 'We need another 200 punts'. Once we got enough, that was it. We had enough to pay the players for Sunday. The collar has mighty powers there.
"Watching Joe, with his faith, was a massive eye-opener for me. He looked after one of the poorest parishes in Limerick, working with people who were struggling, down and out, but it never got him down. We had a brilliant time together. We travelled all over the country in a little minibus, playing games and winning."
He now enjoys the attacking likes of Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyaté at West Ham. "They've settled in fine but we didn't realise they would deliver potential into reality as quickly as this. They want to be successful.''
West Ham's record signing, Andy Carroll, is back in training, and should be available within "two to three" weeks. Allardyce laughs at the suggestion that he had a difficult decision to make. "No, I haven't. Andy has to wait. If those two [Valencia and Sakho] carry on, there's no way they can be put to one side for Andy. Andy will have to earn his place. He knows it."
For £3.5 million, West Ham have already been rewarded with six goals in seven games from Sakho. "He's a brilliant lad, brilliant pro, focused. His self-belief at the minute is sky high. He believes when he runs out on the field that he'll score, even Saturday against City. He did it against Liverpool. Him and Valencia tortured them. Kouyaté is top quality too. "It's exciting. The club has bought players who are younger, and seem to be really hungry. Alex Song has got the best gear we've ever seen, the best hats we've ever seen and unbelievable scarves. He wears glasses when he doesn't need them but they're fashionable. He fetches a chuckle when he comes wandering into the dressing-room."
Allardyce has experienced vibrant wardrobes, having worked with El Hadji Diouf at Bolton and Blackburn. "Dioufy was madder than Alex. Dioufy had a striped suit with 'El Hadji Diouf' written on all the stripes. Dioufy bought a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren [for £420,000] and had it wrapped in silver. Dioufy was the most likeable rogue I ever met."
His thoughts returning to the West Ham dressing room, Allardyce would like more of his players to have England recognition. "Mark Noble is a candidate, definitely. With the way Stewart Downing is playing, he's a candidate for central midfield for England. Stewart's playing great in there. "Whether Roy [Hodgson] thinks he's a player there he can only find out by sending his scouts to come and watch. Hopefully Andy will get back there if he strives forward and doesn't get any more injuries. While England are struggling at right-back, Carl Jenkinson should be in there.'' He talks to his players about England. "If you want to be an England international now, and dedicate your life to football, there's never been a better time in history to get in the squad. We have so few players to choose from with 70 per cent foreign in the Premier League now. We tell the players to 'keep believing, it will come through consistency and they can't not come and have a look at you'." And Allardyce himself? "England is too far away for me to think that way but I would love it. I'd have loved it last time [in 2006 when Steve McClaren got it]. They made a mistake not doing it. Never mind. That's life." Allardyce always recovers.
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WHUFC.com
All the essential pre-match information ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester City
24.10.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
In brief
West Ham United welcome Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, with both teams in the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Citizens currently sit second, having taken 17 points from their first eight games. They are unbeaten in their last five league games and defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 last weekend.
Sam Allardyce's team are four points and two places behind, having tasted victory in their last two starts. Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Carlton Cole were all on target as Saturday as the Hammers defeated Burnley 3-1.
The Hammers will be hoping to improve on last season's showings against the Citizens, when they lost all four meetings with Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Who are they?
Manchester City were formed in 1880 as St Mark's (West Gordon), eventually taking on their current name in 1894.
They have played at the Etihad Stadium since 2003, having previously turned out at Maine Road from 1923. Their most successful period until recent times came in the late 1960s and early 1970s when they won the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.
More recently, they have won the Barclays Premier League twice in the last three years, as well as the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.
Team news
West Ham United
Cheikhou Kouyate and James Tomkins return to the Hammers squad after both overcoming groin injuries to train this week.
Andy Carroll is also back in training but not yet ready to return to the first team.
Manchester City
Frank Lampard will miss out for Manchester City after suffering a thigh injury in last week's win at Tottenham.
Lampard's fellow midfielder Samir Nasri is also absent after undergoing groin surgery.
Referee
Saturday's match referee will be Martin Atkinson. A referee since the age of 16, Atkinson was promoted to the Football League list of assistant referees in 1998. In 2000, Atkinson was promoted to the Select Group of assistant referees, allowing him to run the line in Premier League matches.
He joined the National List of referees for the Football League at the start of the 2003/04 season before taking charge of his first Premier League fixture on 20 April 2005 when Manchester City entertained Birmingham City. He was the man in the middle at the 2006 FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He also took charge of the 2008 FA Trophy final between Ebbsfleet United and Torquay United at Wembley Stadium.
Atkinson also refereed the Hammers on the final day of last season, when Manchester City clinched the Barclays Premier League title with a 2-0 win at Etihad Stadium, and in the 2-2 draw at Hull City on 15 September.
One to watch
West Ham United
Diafra Sakho's goalscoring form has really caught the eye since his summer move from French side FC Metz. Last Saturday's goal at Burnley was his sixth in as many starts for the Club, and meant he has scored in his last five consecutive Premier League games. He becomes only the second player to achieve that feat for West Ham in the Premier League era, alongside Carlton Cole.
Manchester City
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is in irrepressible form at the moment, having scored in his last five appearances. He bagged four against Tottenham last week, and could even had added a fifth had he not missed a first half penalty. The 26-year-old now has 61 league goals for the Citizens in just 95 appearances, with his goals helping the club win Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014.
Tickets
Standard tickets for this game have now sold out. However, tickets may become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist their tickets.
TV coverage
Click here for a list of broadcasters for Saturday's game.
Travel
The District Line will be suspended between South Kensington and Aldgate East, but services will be running on the eastern branch of the line to serve Upton Park.
Click here for up to the minute news from TfL and here for National Rail.
Weather
A sunny day is predicted for Saturday, with temperature at kick-off of 14C (57F)
Last meeting
Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
11 May 2014
Manchester City secured the league title with a 2-0 win over the Hammers on the final day of last season. A goal in each half did the trick, with Vincent Kompany's close-range finish supplementing Samir Nasri's earlier strike.
Manchester City: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Demichelis, Nasri, Garcia, Silva (Milner 76) Y.Toure (Negredo 86), Dzeko (Fernandinho 69), Aguero
Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Clichy, Jovetic
Goals: Nasri 39, Kompany 49
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins, O'Brien, Nolan (Jarvis 64), Taylor, Noble, Diame (J.Cole 81), Downing, Carroll (C.Cole 72)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collins, Vaz Te
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Noble excited by City clash
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Mark Noble is relishing Saturday's clash with Manchester City
24.10.2014
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble is hoping the Hammers can continue their excellent run of form against Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday. The 27-year-old midfielder has played an integral part of the Hammers' good start to the season, captaining the team to victories over Liverpool and Burnley. The West Ham Academy graduate has now been a mainstay in the first team for a decade as he closes in on West Ham's record Premier League appearance maker. Having made 200 appearances he is just four games behind current record holder Steve Potts. Speaking ahead of the match against Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground, Noble said: "Obviously we're all enjoying being fourth while it lasts. I'm enjoying the way we're playing at the moment, I think most of the players are. The form the boys are in is very enjoyable. "Last year I said we needed to buy good players if we're going to move on, and we've done that. By the time we move to the New Stadium we want to be a top six or seven club."
Looking back to last Saturday's 3-1 win over Burnley, Noble explained: "I think Burnley were probably the better side in the first half on Saturday but we came out strong in the second half and blew them away in the first 20 minutes. "The two goals the strikers scored against Burnley were proper striker's goals. They were two excellent headers from good crosses from the boys out wide, hopefully that will continue."
Speaking about the fantastic impact new signing Diafra Sakho has made since moving from FC Metz, the midfielder said: "Having a top goal scorer is very helpful. It's the difference between winning and losing. Some games last year we were losing games we really should have won but we couldn't get the goals we needed. "Sakho's done extremely well but so has Valencia too. Carlton's made important contributions from the bench and then Andy Carroll is back in full training so the manager has got a lot of options."
Another player who has made an impressive impact is Alex Song. "Alex is a top footballer, we've seen that over the years. He played in the Barcelona team who were arguably the best team ever. It was a big deal that he wanted to come to us. To play alongside a player as good as he is only going to improve my game. "He's thoroughly enjoying the way he's playing here at the moment. He's got a smile on his face
everyday, he looks like a happy man when he's out there playing."
Looking ahead to Saturday's clash with Manchester City, Noble says the Hammers are in a confident mood: "It's a good atmosphere here now, it helps when you're winning games. But we know it's early days we're not going to get carried away with being fourth. Saturday is a massive day against Man City. I know the boys are buzzing for it and hopefully we can give them a good game. "This is certainly the best start to a season I've ever been involved with. There's a buzz around the place and I'm really enjoying it."
Despite City playing away the Champions League in midweek, Noble knows the Hammers will be in for a tough test this Saturday. He concluded: "I don't think there is ever a good time to play them. They have got such a big squad full of top quality players. But at the moment we're playing well, we can go out and attack and be confident. We'll take the game to them and see what happens."
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Haycock happy with Dev Squad effort
WHUFC.com
Dev Squad coach Nick Haycock was pleased with his side's effort against Manchester United
24.10.2014
West Ham United Development Squad manager Nick Haycock was pleased with his sides' effort against Manchester United despite a narrow 2-1 defeat. The visitors took the lead in the first half through the highly rated James Wilson before Elliot Lee equalised with his fifth goal in four matches for the Hammers. The Red Devils claimed the three points late on in the second half after Will Keane finished from close range. Speaking after the game, Haycock said: "When I saw their team sheet before the game I knew it was going to be a tough ask. They had a lot of Premier league experience in there. I think their quality showed tonight, they had a higher calibre of player out there. "I thought we did well in the first half to contain them well. We limited them to only few chances. All week we worked on being more resilient because against Bilbao we conceded too many sloppy goals. "In the second half it was slightly disappointing because we wanted the team to pass the ball. We don't set up a team just to defend, we didn't keep the ball well enough which put us under pressure."
After conceding five goals against Athletic Bilbao last week, the Hammers put in a much more resolute performance. "Yeah I think you can say that because we kept them down to two goals. We're disappointed with the second goal because we think it's a foul and we were on the attack at the time. In terms of defending as a group as think we were better tonight."
Manchester United fielded a strong side including ex-West Ham graduate Michael Carrick as well as experienced first team players such as Anders Lindegaard, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson. Haycock continued: "I said to the boys in there if you can compete against Manchester United you'll be able to beat most sides in the league. I think come the end of the season, they'll be up there. "Warren always has a good work ethic about his team. His young players are trying to catch the eye of Louis van Gaal. There as good a side as we'll play, there's no doubt about that. I couldn't fault them in terms of effort."
Another positive for Haycock is striker Elliot Lee's return to goal scoring form. The captain has now netted five goals in four games.
"Yeah, Elliot's always got a goal in him. He'll be disappointed a bit tonight because he was starved of the ball for too long. I can understand his frustration at not receiving the ball enough. "With him in the team, and his attributes there's always a chance. He's got five goals in four games now and he's still working on other areas of his game."
The Development Squad's next game is away to Norwich City on Thursday 6 November, 2014.
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia reflects on a productive international break and his goal at Burnley
23.10.2014
Hello everyody,
We have Manchester City at home on Saturday and it is a game everybody is looking forward to. We are all happy wih the way the team is going at the moment and we have to keep working to keep it the same way. I was really pleased to score at Burnley, after getting three for my country during the international break. I scored one against the United States which swerved away from Brad Guzan and I practised that sort of shot in training. I'm happy that it is paying off. I try to give my all for the national team, so I am happy with what I have contributed.
To then back it up at Burnley was great and we have a very strong squad this season. All the players are giving their best. In all positions, we have very good players that can give you assists. This makes things easier and we have to keep it the same way. I hope to score my first goal at the Boleyn Ground very soon and it will be nice to score in front of our home fans. I hope I can score in front of them and get them the three points on Saturday. It's great to play up front with Diafra. He is doing really well and scoring goals at pivotal points of the game. He's been doing very well and he is a nice guy, so I am happy for him. I am confident we can get three points against Manchester City. We play in front of our fans in our stadium and I think this gives us a good opportunity to get three points.
The team is training hard every day to achieve those kind of performances. Hopefully we can repeat the performance we had against Liverpool and Manchester United and beat Manchester City and get the three points on Saturday.
Come on you Irons!
Enner
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Joint-Chairman's pride in Enterprise win
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold joined the Club's Premier League Enterprise winners at the Commons
24.10.2014
Joint-Chairman David Gold shared in the celebrations of West Ham United's Premier League Enterprise Challenge winners on Wednesday, as the triumphant Hammers group took centre stage at the House of Commons. Managed by West Ham United Community Sports Trust and delivered by WHU inspire Learning Centre, the Hammers cohort told a gathering of MPs and special guests, including former Premier League duo Graeme Le Saux and Jason Roberts, of how the Enterprise Challenge has helped them. The Enterprise Challenge is the highlight of Premier League
Enterprise, a project which uses the hook of football and the knowledge and expertise of the clubs to engage young people in the world of business and enterprise. The initiative has engaged 90,000 young people since its inception in 2008. Joint-Chairman David Gold meets West Ham's triumphant youngsters "I am so proud of them," Mr Gold said. "I am proud they have come from schools where I was born and proud they are here representing West Ham United. It's just wonderful to see. "We ignore our young people at our peril. They need all the support and encouragement we can offer. Young people get such bad press but when a young person does a good thing, we don't see it in our newspapers. I am just thrilled that this project is succeeding. "It's a momentous occasion for these young men. Here they are in the Houses of Parliament, in front of MPs, and it's incredibly daunting. I couldn't have done this when I was their age. It would have terrified me. "I came from humble beginnings and my life would have been a lot easier if I had had the mentors and encouragement these young men have been given, through the funding and efforts of the Premier League and all the people associated with this scheme."
So impressed was the Joint-Chairman by the West Ham team that he has invited them as VIP guests to the Boleyn Ground, where he plans to discuss the business ideas with the students in more detail. "Going to Downing Street and the House of Commons in one day has been great," said team member Ismaeel Haqq. "Opportunities like this make you more ambitious, they make you aim higher because you know it is possible. I will remember this for a long time. "A lot of people doubted us but I am happy we stuck together as a team, got through it and turned up here. We've now been selected as ambassadors of this competition so we will be mentoring the kids that represent West Ham this year. We hope to take them all the way."
The extension to the long-running partnership between the Premier League and Comic Relief will involve £2.7 million being invested into an expanded Premier League Enterprise programme. The scheme will target hard-to-reach young people who are underachieving or at risk of not realising their potential, with the aim of engaging 7,000 people a year in enterprise education activities.
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Hammers catch Mimms
WHUFC.com
The experienced Bobby Mimms has been appointed as West Ham United's new goalkeeper coach
24.10.2014
West Ham United are pleased to announce the appointment of Bobby Mimms as the Club's new goalkeeper coach. The former Everton and Tottenham Hotspur stopper has joined the Hammers after a spell working with the Bahrain national side. The 51-year-old is a vastly-experienced coach who spent eight years at Wolverhampton Wanderers before working under Sam Allardyce during a four-year spell at Blackburn Rovers. Mimms has joined West Ham following the departure of Martyn Margetson.
After stints with Oldham Athletic and in the Middle East, the one-time England U21 international is relishing a return to the Barclays Premier League. "It's a pleasure to be here," Mimms confirmed. "I got a phone call from Sam and he asked me if I would be interested to come down here and work with the goalies, and I was more than interested. "I've just come back from Bahrain, where I was working with the national team and this opportunity came along. "Sam is a great character who has a lot of knowledge of the game, and I learned a lot from him in the two years I worked with him at Blackburn. He obviously trusts what I do, or else he wouldn't have made the call to ask me to come here. It's great to meet up with him again and to be able to work with him. "Things are going well at the Club at the moment, so hopefully I can add a little bit to that and we can keep it going."
Mimms held his first training session with Jussi Jaaskelainen and Adrian on Thursday and he hopes to build on the work done by his predecessor. "I said to the goalkeepers that I'm not here to rip their game to pieces, but as we go along I hope to pick up bits that I can add to their game. With their knowledge and ability, and my knowledge, hopefully we can add to their skills and make everybody better."
Saturday sees West Ham take on one of Mimms' other former clubs, Manchester City, and he knows whoever starts in goal will face a challenge to keep the ball out of their net. "I am looking forward to returning to the Premier League," he confirmed. "Everybody out in Bahrain was talking about the Premier League and this is the place to work. "I was lucky enough to get this opportunity and I cannot wait for Saturday's game. Hopefully we will carry on how we've been going. "I went to Burnley last weekend for a look and we produced a great performance and a great result, so with a home game coming up hopefully we can build on that."
As a player, Mimms played for Halifax Town and Rotherham United as a youngster before joining league champions Everton in 1985. There, he mainly served as understudy to Neville Southall but he did start the 1986 FA Cup final defeat by Liverpool. After a host of loan spells, the York-born stopper moved to Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis in 1988. Two years later, he began a long association with Blackburn, helping Rovers to win promotion to the Premier League, and he was part of the title-winning squad in 1994/95. After spells with a number of Football League clubs, Mimms retired in 2001, having made 552 senior appearances for 13 different clubs.
Mimms' predecessor Margetson joined the Hammers in 2011 and played a role in helping the Club regain and establish its Barclays Premier League status. The Welshman won praise from his fellow coaches and goalkeepers alike for his innovative approach and was central to the signing of Spaniard Adrian in summer 2013. The Club would like to thank Martyn for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future career.
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Potts plotting Villa victory
WHUFC.com
U18s manager Steve Potts is hoping his side can return to winning ways against Villa
24.10.2014
West Ham United U18 manager Steve Potts is looking forward to the opportunity of bouncing back from a first loss of the season after the 3-1 defeat by Fulham last Saturday. The Hammers missed a spot-kick before the Cottagers roared into a three-goal lead at Motspur Park, with a second penalty converted by Alex Pike providing a late consolation. Elijah Adebayo, Josh Walker and Stephen Humphrys got the goals for the hosts, who ended West Ham's eight-match unbeaten run to start the 2014/15 campaign. Summarising his thoughts about the defeat ahead of Saturday's game against Aston Villa, Potts said: "It's always disappointing to get beat. Afterwards, we looked at a game as a whole and I thought we did well enough. "In the three games before that we kept clean sheets and didn't give anything away. We've also been taking our chances in games recently. "Last Saturday we didn't keep it tight enough at the back. We did have some chances at the other end. We had a penalty at 0-0 that didn't go in as well as a few other chances. On the day they were more clinical than us."
Saturday's opponents Aston Villa have had a tough to their season, in particular losing 12-2 to Chelsea, having been 2-0 up. However Villa responded strongly by beating Leicester 2-1 and Potts knows his U18s will have improve from last weekend's display. "It's important they learn the lessons from last weekend. We need to be tighter at the back and sharper in front of goal. We need to move the ball around as well as we have been doing in parts of the season." "They're a good team, I remember playing them last year. They were a very good side. We got two results against them but I think they were the better team in at least one of the games. "They'll probably think they were unlucky not to do better in the games against us. I expect a tough game, Aston Villa always have good teams."
Following the U18s' good start to the season which included an eight game unbeaten run, five of the team featured for the Development Squad in their Barclays Premier League International Cup against Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao. The five players involved were free scoring Jordan Brown, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Manny Onariase, Josh Pask and Grady Diangana. Assessing their performances in the eight goal thriller, Potts said: "They did OK, I think it was difficult for them. Some of them were making their first starts for the Development Squad this year. "A couple of them were making their first starts at the Boleyn Ground and that can be tough in itself. They will have learnt a lot of lessons from that game so going forward that will benefit them. "We gave some poor goals away that night and made it very difficult for ourselves but there was some OK stuff in there too."
West Ham United U18s play Aston Villa on Saturday 25 October at Little Heath, kick-off is 11am.
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Your farewell to the Boleyn
WHUFc.com
The Club are reaching out to fans to gather your thoughts on how best to bid farewell to the Boleyn Ground
24.10.2014
August 2015 will see West Ham United kick off their final season at the Boleyn Ground, ahead of their historic move to the former Olympic Stadium in Stratford. With over a century's history to honour, the Club are determined to ensure that, with your help, the Boleyn bows out in style. So over the coming weeks and months we will be reaching out to Hammers fans to gather your thoughts on how best to bid farewell to the ground we have called home since 1904. Following an initial consultation with the Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) we have identified a shortlist of match themes to be incorporated into our final season's home fixtures. Now it is over to you. Each week we will be launching a poll on whufc.com and on Twitter, alongside a call for fans to share their personal highlights and memories within each theme.
We will also be asking you about your favourite kits from down the years and canvassing your ideas for inspiration for the final commemorative Boleyn kit.
We want all of our loyal supporters to play their part in this unique season, so whether you are a Season Ticket Holder or a fan from afar, we will be calling on you to share your personal highlights and the unforgettable moments that make the Boleyn Ground such a unique place. Keep an eye out next week for the first vote launching next week.
Supporters are already jumping at the chance to book their spot for the final farewell to our home of 110 years, with thousands having put their name down on the Final Season waiting list. To book your place in history, join the waiting list here.
2014/15 Season Ticket Holders will automatically qualify for renewal for the final season. Half-Season Tickets are now on sale and are available online at whufcboxoffice.com, by calling 0871 529 1966 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visiting the Stadium Ticket Office in person.
A 2015/16 Season Ticket Holders will gain access to all 19 Premier League home games plus any cup fixtures and secure their place in the migration process to West Ham United's new world-class, iconic home ground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
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Manchester City look to close gap on Chelsea with win at West Ham
Last Updated: 24/10/14 2:18pm
SSN
Manchester City head to face West Ham at Upton Park in Saturday's early kick-off looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to just two points. Jose Mourinho's men do not play until they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford as part of Sky Sports' Super Sunday so Manuel Pellegrini's side will be bidding to up the pressure on the early pacesetters. The Hammers will be hoping to maintain their own place in the top four, although Sam Allardyce's side have taken just one point from their last six Barclays Premier League encounters with City. They will have to deal with in-form City striker Sergio Aguero, fresh from his four-goal haul against Tottenham last weekend. The Argentine has the best minutes-per-goal rate of any player in Barclays Premier League history and will be looking to add to his tally.
Opta facts
The Hammers lost four times to City last season (twice in the league and both legs of the League Cup semi-final).
Sergio Aguero's record of nine goals in his team's opening eight games has never been bettered in Premier League history.
Diafra Sakho is only the second player in Premier League history (after Mick Quinn) to score in each of his first five starts in the competition.
West Ham have allowed the opposition fewer clear cut chances (7) than any other Premier League team this season.
Pellegrini's side have happy memories of their last clash with Allardyce's men, having secured the league title against West Ham on the final day of the previous season with a 2-0 win at the Etihad - a game in which the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target.
The home side's fine form aside, City's biggest problem could be coping with jet-lag after the long trip back from their 2-2 Champions League draw against CSKA Moscow.
Team news
West Ham will be boosted by the returns of James Tomkins and Cheikhou Kouyate. Defender Tomkins and midfielder Kouyate have recovered from thigh and groin problems respectively while striker Andy Carroll is back in training but not considered ready for the clash at Upton Park.
Guy Demel (thigh), Joey O'Brien (knee) and James Collins (groin) are also out injured. Former West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard has an outside chance of returning for City after picking up a thigh injury against Spurs last weekend, but Samir Nasri is out following a groin operation.
Paul Merson's prediction
West Ham is a tough place to go these days. Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia play with a lot of pace and can't stop scoring goals and Stewart Downing is playing in a really good position. However, Man City have to win to put some pressure on Chelsea and I think it will prove a hard game for both sides with not a lot in it. Ultimately I think Sergio Aguero will be the difference and for that reason I am going for a narrow Man City win.
MERSON PREDICTS: 1-2
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Sam Allardyce hails the influence of Alex Song at West Ham
Last Updated: 24/10/14 1:35pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce has praised the influence of on-loan midfielder Alex Song in the West Ham changing room. Song joined the Hammers from Barcelona in August and Allardyce feels the 26-year-old has had the same impact for West Ham that Yaya Toure has had for Saturday's opponents Manchester City. West Ham's, who are fourth in the table, will be given a tough test when they host defending champions City on Saturday and when asked about his opponents' world-class stars, the Hammers boss said: "We've got that type of signing in Alex Song.
"That's a Yaya Toure-type signing for us. He's a top quality player of the highest calibre and he'll provide the sort of service our front line need. "He links everything together very well so we've got a top quality international player that's played for Arsenal, for Barcelona and in the Champions League. "He's obviously being slightly overshadowed by Enner Valencia and Sakho at the moment but he'll have a big impact for us."
Allardyce added: "He's a massive influence on the training ground and in the changing room - with his dress sense particularly. "Everyone has a lot respect for what he's done before. He hasn't hit top form yet but he's certainly a major influence for us." West Ham played City four times last season, losing on each occasion and conceding 14 goals while scoring just once. The worst of those defeats came in the Capital One Cup first leg in January when the Hammers were thrashed 6-0 but Allardyce is confident his side will do better this time around. "We've got a different team, a different set of players, some of them last season will remember the fact we didn't get anything against City," the West Ham boss said. "Everyone still talks about the semi-final of the Capital One Cup but there was little we could do with the injuries we had. "If we're going to challenge against them, it's at this moment in time - City have just come back from playing in the Champions League and we're in good, confident form."
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Ebola virus: West Ham star Alex Song says Africa Cup of Nations should be scrapped
Oct 24, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The epidemic has so far claimed more than 4,500 lives since its outbreak, and the midfielder has called for the tournament to be cancelled
The Mirror
Alex Song has called for January's Africa Cup of Nations to be scrapped because of the Ebola virus. The Cameroon star also said football's high-profile African stars must help those affected. Song said: "If calling it off is the way to stop the spread of the virus then we have to do it. When you watch the TV you don't know where it is going next." The Ebola virus has killed more than 4,500 people since the outbreak in west Africa. Song added: "We have a lot of African players here in the UK - and around in the world - if we can find a solution together to help the people we have to do it. A string of Premier League stars are due to head to Africa for the tournament which runs from January 17 until February 8. Hosts Morocco have asked for it to be postponed but the Confederation of African Football has so refused. The two parties will meet on November 3 to discuss the issue. Song added: "You can't go somewhere and put your life and the lives of all the people coming in at risk. "I am worried because I have a lot of friends in the affected regions. Some people say: 'Its only in Guinea, its not going to come to Cameroon' but the truth is that people don't have any information because the information does not go everywhere. So something has to be done to help."
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Irons aim to make Noble a 'lifer'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2014 in Whispers
CANDH EXCLUSIVE
BY HUGH SOUTHON
West Ham are preparing to make loyalist Mark Noble an offer he can't refuse next summer and all but tying him to the club for life.
ClaretandHugh can exclusively reveal that the club will activate a two year option on the midfielder's deal and are ready to make him an improved contract offer at the same time. Noble is the man who is set to lead the club into its new Olympic Stadium era and the club want to tie him down for another six years. And the Canning Town-born Mr West Ham looks certain to sign away his footballing life to the club he has served since he was 15, Winston Reid's contract dispute has hogged the headlines over recent months but the club has been working on the Noble scenario for several weeks. And this afternoon a top insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "We have an option to extend his contract two years, which we will do and we are likely to be offering him an improved deal and a new four year contract."
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"WE DON'T WANT SPURS AT OS AND THAT'S THAT"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 24, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham have made it clear to the London Legacy Development Corporation they don't want Spurs as ground share "partners" at the Olympic Stadium in their first season at the new 'showpiece' Hammers home. London's mayor Boris Johnson ducked and dived under constant questioning in a video shown on this site yesterday hiding behind Premier League rules and suggesting Hammers approval would be required.
The Irons today made it clear to ClaretandHugh today the club has no intention of giving its approval and had made that clear to the LLDC.
That may explain why Johnson regularly argued that it would be very difficult for the owners of the stadium to agree to a Spurs ground share without the Hammers approval and his regular dismissal of the propostion as a "hypothesis." A well placed Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: We do not want Spurs in our stadium during the first year or any other year and have made our position clear. "This is coming up with monotonous regularity but the truth is there has been no approach from Spurs and we are not expecting one. "They would far sooner go to Wembley but our understanding is they are likely to end up at Milton Keynes!"
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham's owners are best I've ever had and deserve this success after not sacking me
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent6:21PM BST 24 Oct 2014
Daily Telegraph
When West Ham United met Manchester City last season, Sam Allardyce's side conceded five goals in the Premier League and nine in the Capital One Cup, and many fans bayed for the manager's removal. Upton Park now hosts the champions on Saturday with West Ham in fourth place and Allardyce in a better place with supporters, given the improved quality of football. The club's co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, stayed strong in those dark days, backing Allardyce, reinforcing the squad in the summer, successfully installing Teddy Sheringham as attacking coach and quietly requesting football more in keeping with the club's "academy" traditions, "attacking a bit more" in Sullivan's words. "They are the best owners I've ever had," says Allardyce, sitting in his small but neat office at Chadwell Heath. "They are loyal. They could have cracked under pressure. At one stage I thought it might have been very, very close in December and January [to his sacking]. It's very difficult to take the pressure when you're the owner and every man and his dog is saying, 'Your manager's c---, you've got to get rid of him'. "They were saying it to them through social media, through abusive messages and emails. The owners are very easily contactable – personally, I'd say too easily. They get affected by it. I've no problem with that. My life's about adjusting to owners' needs. "When you come into a club – and this is where young managers slip up – the relationship with the owners is the most important thing, not the relationship with players. With owners, it's what do they want? What do they need? They said to me [in 2011 with West Ham in the Championship]: 'Get up – and stay there.' That was the first priority and then can you build on that. Everyone wants to have the best team, and play the best football, but that takes some building, some doing."
Just turned 60, Allardyce rankles over his old "long-ball" reputation. "That's other managers that did that. They used that as an excuse for the times when we beat them: Wenger, O'Leary, Souness, Benítez. It's not founded in fact. "You work with what you've got and get the best out of it. It's like now. People are saying, 'Sam's made this unbelievable change at West Ham' but the change has been evolving from day one. We've given ourselves enough time to evolve this team."
He noted in passing that some of the most lauded midfielders deliver the ball over long range. "Yaya Touré will turn round and ping the ball 60 yards behind our defence. City don't do short, short, short. It was one of the traits of Liverpool last season that Stevie Gerrard played more long passes than anyone else but they were more accurate than anybody else. He was unbelievable. We all sussed that one out, saying 'Stop Stevie Gerrard passing it' and slow Liverpool down as a team." They did last month, beating Liverpool, and playing well. It has taken into what Allardyce calls "Year Four", his fourth season in charge, to blend the styles. "It has got the 'academy' everywhere. I came into a club that got relegated in 2011, and it was all about sorting out the finances and can you put a team out on the pitch which says this is 'the West Ham way'? Can you go to difficult places in the Championship where they won't let you play 'the West Ham way'? What do you do? You do what you need to do to win.
"We have the great new stadium [the Olympic Stadium] that we're going to and that's exciting but that's an extra pressure [to make sure they arrive still in the Premier League in 2016]. At least as time has gone by we've improved, improved, improved. The only way is getting results, not playing 85 passes in midfield, looking pretty and not winning.
"It's not so much 'boring' football, it's about a winning culture that gives you the time to do what you need to do. Eleven managers out of 20 in the Premier League left last year. Half of them we'll never see again." He feared for his job. "The blip has only been November, December last year. It was brutal. Everything is brutal in football when it's not going well. It's brutal for Harry Redknapp at the minute. The Etihad [the 6-0 loss] was brutal. I cope with it because I'm experienced, I've seen it all before. I can't let it make me lose my focus. I can't let it destroy my belief in my own ability.''
Allardyce took the criticism on himself, shielding the players. "If it gets to your players you're finished. I take it on me.''
Allardyce cites Sir Alex Ferguson as the king of diversions in protecting the team. "Fergie was the master at it: create a controversy to take the pressure off the players, so the media would talk about him and not about Fergie's players not being so good for that particular week. They'd all talk about what a disgrace he was doing or saying something.
"There are two types of coaches. There's coaches like me who weigh up the opposition and ask the team to adjust. Fergie was similar. Jose [Mourinho] is similar. Then there's Arsène, who won't adjust. There's Brendan [Rodgers], who looks like he won't adjust. There's Manuel Pellegrini, who looks like he won't adjust, even in the Champions League. He seems to favour what he's got. City are quite open.
"Their [Wenger/Rodgers/Pellegrini's] philosophy is different to ours. Ours is more about who are we playing against. Their philosophy is more, 'We always play this way', and they won't change, they carry doing on the same thing. That's why you can beat them. "This squad is now looking better. Every fan at the moment is happy that we are not only winning but also we're entertaining them. We've scored 15 goals in the first eight games. If we carry on like that, that's 72 goals and that means we'll finish in the top four – unlikely but great. We might have a chance of Europe if we stay consistent."
Allardyce reflects on his past, on the influences that shaped this resilience and helped get him here. "My old man always said you only get what you graft for. It doesn't matter how intelligent you are, how much education you've got, you'll only get there on work rate. My dad was a policeman for 25 years, a sergeant, and he taught me discipline. Any problems on our estate were always sorted out by Bob Allardyce. If we got into any trouble we'd be in trouble with my old man. So discipline was everything. Getting up for work on time, don't be late, shave, don't let anyone down. "We lack a lot of discipline today. It's society. As parents we're all guilty of not disciplining our children enough. I was strong-ish with my children. I don't think my son, who's married now, is as strong [on discipline] as I used to be. That's the way society has gone."
Managers are almost substitute fathers at times, especially with those such as Ravel Morrison who come from splintered families. Ravel's upbringing certainly had an impact on his football life. Then again, there are people who've had that sort of upbringing who fight their way out of that like Incey [Paul Ince] here. He's got that inner drive to succeed." So has Allardyce. He has always grafted, "working in the parks, cutting the grass" as a player, even doing up properties in Bolton during his time as a centre-half at Burnden Park.
"We modernised terraced houses. Buy the place for £6,000. It didn't have a damp-proof course and needed rewiring, so you'd do a rip-out job, revamp it and sell them for £10,000 to £12,000. I did a lot of the mortgages during the season and in the summer, I'd be in there with a sledgehammer, knocking down walls.'' He has fought his way up the managerial ladder, learning the trade at places such as Limerick. When the League of Ireland club were short of money for wages, the chairman, Father Joe Young, put out the word to his mates. "He called in a few favours. Divine intervention! I'd go and collect money with the priest. Fantastic. We'd pull up in the garage, the window would come down, and someone would pass this envelope over. I'd count the punts. Joe would then ring the club secretary, who'd say, 'We need another 200 punts'. Once we got enough, that was it. We had enough to pay the players for Sunday. The collar has mighty powers there.
"Watching Joe, with his faith, was a massive eye-opener for me. He looked after one of the poorest parishes in Limerick, working with people who were struggling, down and out, but it never got him down. We had a brilliant time together. We travelled all over the country in a little minibus, playing games and winning."
He now enjoys the attacking likes of Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyaté at West Ham. "They've settled in fine but we didn't realise they would deliver potential into reality as quickly as this. They want to be successful.''
West Ham's record signing, Andy Carroll, is back in training, and should be available within "two to three" weeks. Allardyce laughs at the suggestion that he had a difficult decision to make. "No, I haven't. Andy has to wait. If those two [Valencia and Sakho] carry on, there's no way they can be put to one side for Andy. Andy will have to earn his place. He knows it."
For £3.5 million, West Ham have already been rewarded with six goals in seven games from Sakho. "He's a brilliant lad, brilliant pro, focused. His self-belief at the minute is sky high. He believes when he runs out on the field that he'll score, even Saturday against City. He did it against Liverpool. Him and Valencia tortured them. Kouyaté is top quality too. "It's exciting. The club has bought players who are younger, and seem to be really hungry. Alex Song has got the best gear we've ever seen, the best hats we've ever seen and unbelievable scarves. He wears glasses when he doesn't need them but they're fashionable. He fetches a chuckle when he comes wandering into the dressing-room."
Allardyce has experienced vibrant wardrobes, having worked with El Hadji Diouf at Bolton and Blackburn. "Dioufy was madder than Alex. Dioufy had a striped suit with 'El Hadji Diouf' written on all the stripes. Dioufy bought a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren [for £420,000] and had it wrapped in silver. Dioufy was the most likeable rogue I ever met."
His thoughts returning to the West Ham dressing room, Allardyce would like more of his players to have England recognition. "Mark Noble is a candidate, definitely. With the way Stewart Downing is playing, he's a candidate for central midfield for England. Stewart's playing great in there. "Whether Roy [Hodgson] thinks he's a player there he can only find out by sending his scouts to come and watch. Hopefully Andy will get back there if he strives forward and doesn't get any more injuries. While England are struggling at right-back, Carl Jenkinson should be in there.'' He talks to his players about England. "If you want to be an England international now, and dedicate your life to football, there's never been a better time in history to get in the squad. We have so few players to choose from with 70 per cent foreign in the Premier League now. We tell the players to 'keep believing, it will come through consistency and they can't not come and have a look at you'." And Allardyce himself? "England is too far away for me to think that way but I would love it. I'd have loved it last time [in 2006 when Steve McClaren got it]. They made a mistake not doing it. Never mind. That's life." Allardyce always recovers.
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