Sheringham loving life at the Hammers
WHUFC.com
Teddy Sheringham is relishing his coaching role at West Ham United
06.12.2014
Teddy Sheringham is loving life back at the Hammers - as his coaching
charges follow in his footsteps by finding the back of the net at the Boleyn
Ground. Sheringham is no stranger to the good times here at West Ham. He's
witnessed the bad times too, of course. But he reflects fondly on the
instrumental role he played in the Championship play-off final success in
2005 - and a year later, when he returned to Cardiff as part of Alan
Pardew's team that were just moments away from winning the FA Cup. He uses
both experiences as a reminder to the players that they must savour the
special moments while they can. "It was fantastic," he says. "I was a
supporter as a young boy and would watch games in the North Bank. So to a
get chance to play for West Ham late in my career was great. And here I am
again, working for them which is lovely too. "Looking back, I had great
memories. It was a good time for the club really. Alan Pardew was doing a
very good job and there was a real buzz. "I wasn't a major part of it but
the FA Cup run was special. To have pulled that off would have been amazing,
especially having the chance to beat Liverpool. We were so close to doing
that and it would have been a major feat. But it wasn't to be. "So, I say to
a lot of the players to enjoy it when things are going well because you have
a lot of bad times in football. "They need to enjoy the camaraderie you do
get when you get a good club because there can be moments in football where
you don't enjoy going into work."
Sheringham has saluted his boss Sam Allardyce for leading the Hammers to a
fine start to the season, helping to ensure that West Ham is a harmonious
place to be. He added: "I think Sam has been fantastic. I couldn't have
asked to work with a better boss for my first real impression of what
managerial life is like. He's been very open with me and I've got the utmost
respect for that. "He's very experienced and in a nice place at the moment
here at the club, which adds to a nice atmosphere around the place."
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Lack of a winter break is putting players' careers at risk, says West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce
Dec 06, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
The Hammers boss is one of a growing number of managers who feel the Premier
League could benefit from a fortnight off
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce believes players' careers are in jeopardy because of the
punishing Christmas and New Year schedule as he renewed his call for a
winter break. West Ham start a hectic period of matches this afternoon when
they face Swansea at Upton Park and by the turn of 2015 they will have
played Sunderland, Leicester, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Brom in the Premier
League followed by an FA Cup third round tie.
Hammers boss Allardyce said: "My opinion has never changed and it never
will. You keep flogging your players and keep asking them to maintain the
levels they maintain, then you are asking for injuries. "And injuries have a
great cost to every investment you make in football. Every injury takes its
toll on the player. "But if they consistently start getting injuries then
the player will pay a price down the line. It will shorten his career.
"Until everybody gets their head together and really sorts it out, we are
always going to be faced with the fact that at this time of year we are
asking them to deliver four games in eight days. "And for them not to have a
break, it means they are open to being criticised because the players can't
get to where they want to produce the sort of football everybody is
expecting and continue to want them to get to, because they are not
physically capable of doing it any more."
West Ham – along with Southampton and Sunday's opponents Swansea – have been
a surprise package among the frontrunners in the Premier League this
season. But to maintain that momentum, Allardyce needs to call on his
first-choice squad players. And after the heavy domestic programme, he faces
losing three players to the African Cup of Nations next month – Diafra Sakho
and Cheikhou Kouyate to Senegal and Alex Song to Cameroon. Allardyce is
hopeful the players are not over-trained. "It depends how much they play and
how long they play there for and what type of training their coaches give
them while they are there," he said. "There is little or no coaching that
they need, but you are not in control of that and when you listen to what
some of the coaches do when they go there, they start thinking they have to
get them fitter. "That is the last thing they need to do – to start running
them around when they have just come through the Christmas period here."
Allardyce's long-term future remains undecided. He had to win over a
sceptical section of fans who objected to the brand of football in his
initial period but the dissent has died down. However, his contract runs out
at the end of the season along with that of defender Winston Reid. On his
own situation, Allardyce said: "There haven't been any talks yet. It will
happen like it happened last time – when we get closer to the end of the
season. It all depends on how you do as a manager. "Whether you have a
contract or not, if you've got good results, you're fine. "If you haven't
got good results, you get sacked. If you get a new set of owners it doesn't
matter how well you do – if they don't like you, they move you on. "I have
had that happen on two occasions. But I can't see West Ham being sold at
this moment in time." And on Reid – who has yet to accept the offer of a new
four-year contract – he said: "That is an on-going issue between the owners
and his agent."
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Liverpool leading the race for want-away West Ham centre-back Winston Reid
Dec 06, 2014 22:30 By Tom Hopkinson, Dean Jones
The New Zealand defender has been in good form for the Hammers this season
but his deal expires at the end of the season and he could be on the move
The Mirror
Liverpool are pushing on with their bid to land West Ham's Winston Reid,
reports the Sunday People. The New Zealand defender has been a star
performer this season and the Hammers have been desperately trying to secure
his future. But with his deal expiring at the end of the season, it is
thought he is keen on a big move. Arsenal are among the sides keeping an eye
on him but they are set to sign Tyrone Mings from Ipswich instead. West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce says that Reid, who will command a wage of around £80,000
per week, has to make a decision soon. He said: "His contract situation is
an on-going factor between the owner and his agent. I would imagine one or
both are going to come to the conclusion this has gone as far as it's going
to go and can't go any farther."
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Sam Allardyce: Only change of owners can stop my new West Ham deal
Sam Allardyce's contract with West Ham runs out in the summer
Alladyce signed a two-year contract with the Hammers in May 2013
West Ham have had an excellent start to this season's Premier League
Allardyce's side face Swansea at Upton Park on Sunday
West Ham are targeting their eighth win of the campaign
By RIATH AL-SAMARRAI FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 22:28, 6 December 2014 | UPDATED: 23:51, 6 December 2014
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce does not expect his West Ham contract to be renewed until the
last minute — but believes only a change in ownership will scupper his
chances of a new deal. Allardyce has overseen a stunning season despite not
knowing if he will have a future at the club beyond the summer, when his
contract runs out. No talks have yet been planned but Allardyce, whose
previous two-year extension was signed in May 2013, insisted he is
'comfortable' to wait. 'I think it will happen like it did last time when we
get closer to the end of the season,' he said. 'We will decide on where we
are going and what we are going to do. 'Just after getting promoted [in
2012] there were no new contract talks in the Premier League until April and
the back of end May. It will probably be the same this time round. I've
always been comfortable with that. I was last time and I'm comfortable with
it this time.' By Allardyce's logical rationale, which is that good results
will keep him safe, his future should be all but assured after an excellent
start to the season. They face Swansea at Upton Park on Sunday looking for
an eighth win of the campaign, boosted by the possible return of Alex Song
and Diafra Sakho from injury.
Allardyce said: 'Whether you have a contract or haven't got a contract, if
you have good results you're fine. If you haven't got good results, whether
you have a contract or not, you get sacked. 'If you get a set of new owners
then they might not like you and it doesn't matter how well you do, they'll
move you on. From that point of view, I can't see West Ham being sold at
this moment in time.' And he added: 'We are winning a lot of people over.
But any fans at any club, when results are not going well, make themselves
heard. You always win them over if you start winning, playing better and buy
better players.'
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Healthy Hammers ready to rumble
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
That's the exciting news from the Hammers camp ahead of tomorrow's clash
against Swansea. ClaretandHugh has received a call within the last few
minutes in which we were told that the entire squad is fit and that manager
Sam Allardyce now has the tricky choice of deciding on his best X1. The odds
are that Mark Noble and Alex Song will return for the game probably for
Kevin Nolan and Morgan Amalfitano but the big question now is who will he
team together up front. Diafra Sakho has been badly missed but although we
are assured he's ready to be let loose again, it would be a surprise if he
were thrown in from the start. The manager tends to reintroduce formerly
injured players slowly which would indicate that Andy Carroll and Enner
Valencia will start with the Senegal hitman arriving into the fray later as
sub.
However, our source said: "There may well be an opportunity for Sam to show
us his best team should he choose to take it.":
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Carroll injury rumour quashed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Wild rumours that Andy Carroll had again injured his ankle in training today
were quashed by West Ham sources this evening. Claretandhugh has received
three phone calls over the last two hours that the big striker had "gone
over" on the ankle and that he was back in trouble. But Hammers sources
quickly described the claims as "nonsense" insisting the player is 100 per
cent and available for selection for tomorrow's game against Swansea.
Stories had been rumbling around all day of a training ground incident
involving the player but we have been assured that they are entirely untrue.
ClaretandHugh's well placed source said: "Yours was not the first call but
we can assure everybody out there who may have been hearing the gossip that
it's simply not true – he's 100 per cent ok."
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"Go with Sakho and Valencia Sam – sorry Andy!"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
I hope Sam Allardyce plays his very best team tomorrow against Swansea and
that means teaming Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho together up front as we
go back to the system that brought all that early success. I understand that
we have a fully fit squad and that's great news as we look to get back into
the routine that won us all those early games with such a swagger We want to
see the diamond back in place and Stewart Downing playing in the role that
saw him perform well enough to join the international squad. Andy Carroll is
a top player but there's no two ways about it, Valencia and Sakho have been
the main men and that's where we need to get back to fast. If Sakho is fit
for the squad then he's fit for selection and Sam should play him. No
messing. Swansea play with a front three. it doesn't vary so we should see
Alex Song, Mark Noble and Cheik Kouyate dealing with Bony and Dyer and
Montero across the middle. This is a game we really want to win and take our
tally to 27. Swansea are a good side but they are very beatable and if Sam
picks the team that I'm looking for I believe we will win it. We don't want
to be giving possession back to Swansea too much because that team can play.
If we are at our best though we have the pace and power to lift the points
and head towards the Christmas programme with real confidence. It's
important that we put on the style again tomorrow after the attritional
battles against Villa, Everton, Newcastle and West Brom. The fans have been
fed some fantastic football early on this season and we need to get back
there. Newcastle showed this afternoon just what a good side they are by
beating Chelsea and that puts our victory over the Magpies into a very good
perspective. Leroy will be on BBC 2 this evening at 6pm when Manish Bahsin
introduces highlights of the FA Cup Round Two matches.
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Gold: 'Carroll v Bony…what about Sakho?'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho is fully expected to play a part in tomorrow afternoon's
intriguing clash between the Irons and Swansea at the Boleyn.
It's been ironic to see the full glare of publicity turned on the Wilfried
Bony and Andy Carrollwhen perhaps minds should be more focused on the
likely return to action of Diafra Sakho. Managers Sam Allardyce, Gary Monk
and the media have been having fun comparing the records of the first two
given that Bony was a Hammers target before joining the Swans for £13
million with Carroll arriving at Upton Park for a fee, with extras,
currently approaching £18 million. Hammers co chairman David Gold has his
own view of that declaring: "The comparison is wrong because of Andy's
injuries but there's no reason at all why he shouldn't come out ahead of
Bony by the end of this campaign. "It will also be interesting to make the
comparison between the Swansea striker and Sakho particularly bearing in
mind that our lad cost around £10 million less than him. The guy has been an
absolute revelation and Sam Allardyce loves him to bits. He's got that happy
knack of turning up in the right place at the right time and is forever
tracking and tackling back. "He has been passionate about this club since he
got here and is a real hero with the fans. We all have our fingers crossed
he'll be back on duty tomorrow."
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Sunday, December 7
Saturday, December 6
Daily WHUFC News - 6th December 2014
Preview - Swansea City
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Sunday's match against Swansea City
05.12.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v SWANSEA CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLYEN GROUND
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 1.30PM
REFEREE: CHRIS FOY
In brief
West Ham United host Swansea City on Sunday afternoon looking to extend
their winning run of games to three. Following wins over Newcastle United
and West Bromwich Albion, the Hammers are looking to complete a great week
by securing nine points in as many days.
Sunday's visitors Swansea are also enjoying a good run of form having taken
seven points from a possible 12.
The Swans have beaten the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal already
this term, sitting in seventh place just two points behind the Hammers on 22
points.
Related stories
Big Sam on: Swansea City
Chadwell Chatter
Who are they?
Formed in 1912 as Swansea Town, The Swans adopted the name Swansea City when
the town was granted City status in 1969.
Having almost gone out of business in 1985 following consecutive
relegations, the directors managed to salvage the club. They continued to
slip through the Football League to the fourth division yet their fortunes
changed in 2005 with a move away from Vetch Field to the Liberty Stadium.
Since the move, the Swans have enjoyed four promotions in a decade and are
now an established Premier League team. Praised for their possession-based
style of football, their recent success was capped off by winning the League
Cup in 2012/13, subsequently qualifying for the Europa League the following
year.
Team news
West Ham United
Enner Valencia played the last 25 minutes in the 2-1 win over the Baggies,
and is in contention to start on Sunday. Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have
returned to training this week and could also be involved. Manager Sam
Allardyce will make a late decision on Mark Noble's fitness after he missed
the game in midweek following a calf injury sustained against Newcastle.
Swansea City
Swansea have an almost clean bill of health with Federico Fernandez the only
likely absentee through injury. Neil Taylor is suspended but otherwise,
Garry Monk has a full squad to choose from as they came out of their 2-0 win
over Queens Park Rangers unscathed.
Referee
Sunday's referee is Chris Foy. The 52-year-old referee has 13 years of top
flight experience. Foy has taken charge of two West Ham games this season,
the opening day 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur and the 2-2 away draw with
Stoke City. The Assistant Referees are Gary Beswick and Marc Perry, while
Mike Dean is the Fourth Official.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 10
Yellow cards shown: 27
Red cards shown: 3
Penalties awarded: 0
One to watch
West Ham United
With his teammates grabbing the headlines, Morgan Amalfitano's excellent
contribution has gone slightly under the radar. The Frenchman has made ten
appearances this season, scoring two crucial goals in wins against Liverpool
and Manchester City. The tenacious midfielder has been in fine form, working
hard for the team as well as linking up well with Carl Jenkinson down the
right wing.
Swansea City
Wilfried Bony is Swansea's main man scoring six goals this season. Bony is
2014's top Premier League scorer with 18 in total, and he has started this
season as he finished the last.. The Ivorian international has struck up a
productive relationship with midfield creator Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has the
second highest number of assists on eight, just two behind Cesc Fabregas on
ten.
Tickets
Tickets will be available to buy on the day, with the Alpari Stand ticket
office open from 9am. Tickets are still available online here.
Tickets for the Hammers' home game with Leicester City on Saturday 20
December are available here.
Travel
For the very latest news on the London Underground, please visit the TfL
website here.
Weather
Sunday evening is set to be a cloudy day with rain predicted for later in
the afternoon. Temperature at kick off is forecast to be 10C (50F).
Last meeting
West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
Andy Carroll twice set up goals for Kevin Nolan before being sent off as
10-man West Ham beat Swansea to ease their relegation predicament. Carroll
caused chaos in the visiting defence, but 14 minutes into the second half
received a straight red card from referee Howard Webb for an altercation
with Chico Flores, after appearing to brush the defender with his elbow. For
the first goal, West Ham broke from deep and left-back McCartney drilled a
cross into the area which Carroll stretched to reach. His header found the
late-arriving Nolan, who chested the ball down before volleying into the
bottom corner. For the Hammers' second Stewart Downing's inswinging cross
was met at the far post by Carroll, who craned his neck enough to direct the
ball back into the six-yard box and Nolan headed it inside the post to
double his tally for the season.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Taylor
(Reid 79), Jarvis (C Cole), Nolan (Nocerino 87), Downing, Carroll, C. Cole,
Nocerino
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Johnson, Morrison, Borriello
Swansea City: Tremmel, Amat (Pozuelo 63), Chico Flores, Williams, Tiendalli,
Davies, Shelvey (Hernandez 70), Dyer (Ngog 77), Routledge, de Guzman, Bony
Subs not used: Cornell, Rangel, Britton, Lamah
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Big Sam on: Swansea City
WHUFC.com
The manager spoke to the press on Friday morning ahead of the Swansea City
match
05.12.2014
Sam Allardyce faced the media on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's Barclays
Premier League clash with Swansea City. The manager answered questions on
his returning players, containing Wilfried Bony and his team's fine start to
December.
What's the team news for this weekend?
SA: "Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have been training with us this week.
They're in contention to make the squad but we'll have to wait and see
because they've both been out for a while. We don't want to throw them in
too early and risk further injury. Mark Noble could also make it but we
don't have much time after the injury he picked up last weekend."
How hard is it going to be to contain Wilfried Bony?
SA: "It'll be very difficult to contain him because he's in such good form.
We'll have to limit the supply into him from the midfield and wide men. We
need to get tight to him but not too tight because he can roll defenders
well, he's strong and very skilful. To try and knock him off the ball is not
an easy task. It'll be a good test for our lads to play against a player
who's in such good form."
You scouted Bony when he was at Vitesse, and reportedly put in a bid for
him. What happened there, why didn't the transfer go through?
SA: "We signed Andy Carroll and it was a case of one or the other. We
couldn't do both with the budget we had, we also needed to bring in other
players in different positions."
Bony has been the top scorer this calendar year and has scored six in twelve
games this season. Diafra Sakho has scored six in seven starts, you wouldn't
want to switch them, would you?
SA: "No I wouldn't. We're looking forward to having Diaf back, I'm not sure
he's ready to start a match yet. We've also got Enner back, he played 25
minutes against West Brom and then we've also got Carlton Cole and Mauro
Zarate so this is the best striking options we've ever had."
What did you make of the win over West Brom in midweek?
SA: "We got another valuable three points. It wasn't the best performance
but we ground out a result. It's been a busy week and we've got six points
so far so we're all happy with that. However I think Sunday's game is the
biggest test of them all. Three games in eight days is a big test but we're
approaching it with confidence. If we win what a great week it would've been
for us."
James Tomkins was outstanding against West Brom, scoring the winner. After
the incident at Everton, how impressed have you been with his sense of
character to bounce back?
SA: "I think with everyone there are times in your life when you have things
you have to deal with. So it was a test of character for him but he's come
through it. I know he regrets what happened at Everton but he's got on with
his job and he needs to make sure it's not going to happen again."
Your next three games are Swansea, Sunderland and Leicester, three games
that you and your staff must be hoping to get some points from?
SA: "Yes, we've bounced back from the defeat against Everton with two wins
and now we want to maintain that level of performance and get some
consistency. We want to build some momentum ahead of our massive Christmas
fixtures with Chelsea and Arsenal. We know both those games will be very
difficult so to get as many points as we can beforehand will be very
useful."
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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing reflects on the win over West Brom and looks ahead to
Swansea
04.12.2014
Hello everyone,
As you know, it's been a very busy few days with two games in four days
against Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. Thankfully we secured back to
back wins, which I think we thoroughly deserved. It was great to see AC back
at the Boleyn and causing the Newcastle defence problems. I thought he was
excellent against West Brom too. His overhead effort that led to Kev's goal
was a demonstration of what he can do. It's great to have him back and I
know he's loving it. It was also nice to get an assist for Tonks' goal. He's
had a bit of stick after the Everton game but he responded in the best way
possible by scoring the winning goal. During the game their defenders had
been marking AC and Reidy but hadn't been concentrating on Tonks so I put
the ball in an area he could attack and thankfully he did the rest.
We've scored a lot of headers this season, but not many from set pieces. We
work on them a fair amount in training, both defensively and attacking so it
was nice to see it come off in a match.
It was a big win for us on Tuesday but we know we can still improve. We
should have come out of the blocks better than we did and that is something
we will look to do on Sunday against Swansea City this Sunday at the Boleyn
Ground. We know it will be a tough game as Swansea have some quality players
that we will need to look out for. Wilfried Bony is a player we know we'll
have to keep quiet while Gylfi Sigurdsson is another player I admire. We
know we'll have to limit their time on the ball and if we do that we have a
good chance of getting a result.
Swansea, like ourselves, have had a good season so far. As have Southampton,
I think they've surprised a lot of people. Overall, teams doing better than
expected is good for the league as it makes it less predictable and more
exciting. Having won four of our home games already, we want to continue our
form and turn the Boleyn into a real fortress, one that teams don't look
forward to visiting.
After Sunday, the games keep coming thick and fast as we have five games in
19 days over the Christmas period. It's a difficult time coming up, as
you'll remember last year we suffered from a lot injuries and suspensions.
This season however, we have a bigger squad and a good strength in depth
which will really help us out. It was good to see Enner Valencia coming on
for the last 25 minutes on Tuesday as he recovers from injury and hopefully
we'll have Diafra and Alex back with us soon.
See you on Sunday!
Stewart
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On this day - 5 December
WHUFC.com
A brilliant solo goal from Bobby Zamora set the Hammers on their way to
victory nine years ago today
05.12.2014
Classic match
Birmingham City 1-2 West Ham United
Premier League
5 December 2005
A stunning solo effort from Bobby Zamora and a goal from Marlon Harewood
were enough to give the Hammers all three points at St Andrews.
Emile Heskey had given the hosts the lead after 11 minutes before Zamora
produced a spectacular goal, beating three players and sliding the ball
through the keepers legs, to level the scores. The scoring was completed
before half-time as Harewood notched his sixth goal of the season with two
minutes until the break to secure a brilliant away result for the Hammers in
their first season back in the Premier League.
Complete record - 5 December
1925 Everton 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1931 West Ham United 4-2 Everton (Division One)
1936 Bradford City 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 West Ham United 1-2 Notts County (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 4-1 Nottingham Forest (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 0-0 Leicester City (Division One)
1970 Derby County 2-4 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (Division One)
1987 West Ham United 2-1 Southampton (Division One)
1998 Leeds United 4-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2001 West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
2005 Birmingham City 1-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
2009 West Ham United 0-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
2010 Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 14, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Scored 20, Conceded 26
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West Ham v Swansea
KO 13:30
5 December 2014
Last updated at 13:43
By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 7 December
TEAM NEWS
West Ham manger Sam Allardyce is hopeful that Diafra Sakho and Alex Song
will be available on Sunday after respective back and knee injuries. Enner
Valencia could start after making a return from injury as a substitute in
midweek but the game could be too soon for Mark Noble, who has a calf
problem. Swansea defender Neil Taylor is suspended after picking up his
fifth booking of the season in midweek.
Federico Fernandez remains sidelined by a calf injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
It sums up the unpredictability of the Premier League season so far that,
going into this weekend in December, this was a meeting of two of the top
seven, separated by two points. Both clubs fully deserve their current
accolades as they defy the pre-season predictions.
Lawro's prediction "I keep thinking Swansea might go on a bit of an iffy
spell but, each time, they pick up a win like they did against QPR in
midweek. I also thought West Ham would have buckled a bit by now, but they
certainly haven't done that."
West Ham are one of the form teams, having lost only once in their last
eight league matches. The Hammers were the sixth lowest scorers in the
division last season but they've managed a dramatic improvement in the
current campaign and have found the back of the net in 12 of their last 13
games.
Sam Allardyce was backed in the transfer market and he has used his funds
extremely wisely. His squad has much more depth and quality to it and that
has been reflected in their results so far. Gone is the over reliance on
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. It illustrates the options available that the
midweek win at West Brom was achieved without both Mark Noble and Alex Song,
while £12m striker Enner Valencia was among the substitutes. They've had 11
different goalscorers already and you can feel the positivity in their play.
While Allardyce has called on his experience of over 400 Premier League
games, he'll face a manager 25 years his junior who is in his first full
season in charge. Gary Monk's seamless transition at Swansea is there for
all to see. When you spend time in his company he is very measured and calm,
and that's exactly how his team have performed so far this season. I watched
them push Manchester City all the way at the Etihad Stadium recently and,
even when they fell behind in the second half, there wasn't any panic and
still a desire to pass the ball. The Swansea boss described the win over QPR
in the week as a 'complete performance' and he won't a fear a trip to east
London. He'll know, though, those standards can't afford to drop or the
Hammers could strike a blow.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Swansea's only win in their 23 league visits to West Ham came in the old
Division Two in August 1956 (W1, D5, L17).
West Ham are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Swansea (W2,
D1) and haven't conceded a goal in those matches.
West Ham
West Ham's tally of 24 points from 14 matches represents their best start to
a Premier League campaign. The last time they had a better tally in the top
flight was in 1983-84 (29 pts).
They have only lost one of their last eight league matches (W5, D2).
Only Chelsea (12) have had more Premier League goalscorers this season than
West Ham (11).
Andy Carroll hasn't scored or assisted a goal in his last 10 West Ham league
games, spanning 756 minutes.
Kevin Nolan needs one goal to reach 100 in league football.
Swansea
Swansea are also enjoying their best Premier League start, with 22 points
from 14 matches.
They have lost one of their last six league games (W3, D2) - keeping three
clean sheets in the process.
Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson have either scored or created more than
three quarters of Swansea's league goals this season (15 of 19).
Only Cesc Fabregas (10) has created more league goals than Sigurdsson this
season (8).
Swansea and Chelsea lead the Premier League this season in ever-present
players, both with seven.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll was signed over Wilfried Bony
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce chose to sign striker Andy Carroll over
Swansea top scorer Wilfried Bony last summer. Bony, set to start at Upton
Park on Sunday, signed from Vitesse Arnhem for £12m and has scored six
league goals this season after 16 last time round. Carroll has struggled
with injury since his £15m move from Liverpool, scoring just twice in 19
league appearances. Allardcye said: "It was a case of one or the other. We
couldn't do both with the budget we had." West Ham's wins over Newcastle and
West Brom this week leave them in fifth place in the Premier League with
Allardyce, who admitted making an initial bid for Bony, delivering on his
promise to bring a new brand of attacking football to the Londoners.
Swansea though are just two places and two points below the Hammers and
Allardyce knows, in Ivory Coast's Bony, the Welshmen have a striker capable
of causing defences damage. "It'll be very difficult to contain him because
he's in such good form," he said. "We'll have to limit the supply into him
from the midfield and wide men. "We need to get tight to him but not too
tight because he can roll defenders well, he's strong and very skilful. "To
try and knock him off the ball is not an easy task. It'll be a good test for
our lads to play against a player who's in such good form."
Carroll, 25, has started just two matches for West Ham this season after
returning from four months out following ankle surgery. He missed the
majority of 2013-14 with a heel problem. He cost Liverpool £35m in January
2011 but was loaned to West Ham in August, scoring seven goals in 24 games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
42
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
It may be the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and
Everything - but 42 is also the number of West Ham's ball in next week's FA
Cup third round draw!
It's one of the most eagerly-anticipated weekends of the football season,
when the part-timers, the minnows and those featuring at the lower end of
the football pyramid have the opportunity to test themselves against the
giants of the Premier League.
On Monday evening in Hull, TV pundit Alan Shearer and local volunteer Paul
Adamson will draw the 64 balls for this season's third round draw, for which
West Ham have been granted the number 42.
A number of non-league clubs will be involved in the draw, such as Gateshead
and Warrington Town (both number 55 as their second round tie remains
unresolved), Dover Athletic (61 should they beat Cheltenham Town) plus
Southport and Eastleigh (both 54).
Some of the other numbers to look out for with view to potential opponents
include 27 (Millwall), 12 (Chelsea) and 25 (Manchester United). You may tune
into Monday evening's live draw on BBC2 or thefa.com from 7pm.
FA Cup 3rd Round Draw Numbers
1 AFC Bournemouth
2 Arsenal
3 Aston Villa
4 Birmingham City
5 Blackburn Rovers
6 Blackpool
7 Bolton Wanderers
8 Brentford
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Burnley
11 Cardiff City
12 Charlton Athletic
13 Chelsea
14 Crystal Palace
15 Derby County
16 Everton
17 Fulham
18 Huddersfield Town
19 Hull City
20 Ipswich Town
21 Leeds United
22 Leicester City
23 Liverpool
24 Manchester City
25 Manchester United
26 Middlesbrough
27 Millwall
28 Newcastle United
29 Norwich City
30 Nottingham Forest
31 Queens Park Rangers
32 Reading
33 Rotherham United
34 Sheffield Wednesday
35 Southampton
36 Stoke City
37 Sunderland
38 Swansea City
39 Tottenham Hotspur
40 Watford
41 West Bromwich Albion
42 West Ham United
43 Wigan Athletic
44 Wolverhampton Wanderers
45 Oxford United Or Tranmere Rovers
46 Bury Or Luton Town
47 Wrexham Or Maidstone United
48 Scunthorpe United Or Worcester City
49 Colchester United Or Peterborough United
50 Wycombe Wanderers Or AFC Wimbledon
51 Accrington Stanley Or Yeovil Town
52 Hartlepool United Or Blyth Spartans
53 Milton Keynes Dons Or Chesterfield
54 Southport Or Eastleigh
55 Gateshead Or Warrington Town
56 Oldham Athletic Or Doncaster Rovers
57 Preston North End Or Shrewsbury Town
58 Barnsley Or Chester
59 Bradford City Or Dartford
60 Sheffield United Or Plymouth Argyle
61 Cheltenham Town Or Dover Athletic
62 Cambridge United Or Mansfield Town
63 Bristol City Or AFC Telford United
64 Aldershot Town Or Rochdale
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Adidas kit out of stock - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Thousands of young Hammers will be left disappointed again this Christmas
after it was confirmed club shops would not be re-stocking replica kit
before the new year. For the second successive year, West Ham have been left
short by kit supplier Adidas who have informed the club that a scheduled
order will not be delivered in time for Christmas. "Adidas informed the Club
on Thursday that its major junior order for the Christmas period will not be
delivered due to stock supply issues," read a statement on whufc.com. "This
disappointing news means that the Club will not be receiving any further
children's replica kits this season and will therefore be out of stock in
most junior sizes in the run-up to Christmas. "In a statement, adidas said:
'Unfortunately due to stock supply issues we have been unable to provide the
originally agreed quantities of the new West Ham United Matchwear in time
for Christmas. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to fans. We are
confident that alternative adidas West Ham United clothing range can be
found currently in stores.'"
Last Christmas fans were similarly disappointed when exactly the same thing
happened, as West Ham sold their entire stock of replica junior shorts -
only to be told that Adidas would not be supplying any more. At the time,
West Ham blamed "exceptional response" for the problem. "We advise all fans
and make clear in our marketing communications at the start of the season to
buy early to avoid missing out", read a statement published at the time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho and Song return for Swansea clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that both Diafra Sakho and Alex Song are expected
to be involved in this weekend's Premier League clash with Swansea - whilst
the inclusion of Mark Noble is also a possibility. Sakho, who was touch and
go for the West Brom trip earlier in the week and Song, who has been out of
action since the goalless draw with Aston Villa at the beginning of November
are both expected to be in the 18-man party to face the Jacks at the Boleyn
Ground this Saturday lunchtime. However Noble's situation is slightly more
precarious and the vice captain may have to wait for the trip to Sunderland
before making his return. "Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have been training
with us this week," confirmed Allardyce. "They're in contention to make the
squad but we'll have to wait and see because they've both been out for a
while. "We don't want to throw them in too early and risk further injury.
Mark Noble could also make it but we don't have much time after the injury
he picked up last weekend. "We're looking forward to having Diaf back though
I'm not sure he's ready to start a match yet. We've also got Enner back, he
played 25 minutes against West Brom and then we've also got Carlton Cole and
Mauro Zarate; these are the best striking options we've ever had."
In recent seasons West Ham have fared well against Swansea. On the four
occasions the two clubs have met this century (all in the last two two
seasons), West Ham have lost just once - and kept clean sheets in the last
three meetings, including successive wins at the Boleyn.
However Allardyce believes his players will be tested to the hilt, having
played three times in the space of a week. "It's been a busy week and we've
got six points so far so we're all happy with that," he said. "However I
think Sunday's game is the biggest test of them all. Three games in eight
days is a big test but we're approaching it with confidence. "We want to
build some momentum ahead of our massive Christmas fixtures with Chelsea and
Arsenal. We know both those games will be very difficult so to get as many
points as we can beforehand will be very useful. "If we win, what a great
week it would've been for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: we could've signed Bony - but chose Carroll
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes that stopping Wilfried Bony is key to stopping
Swansea. The 25-year-old striker is his club's leading goalscorer having
found the back of the net six times already this season. And when asked
about his importance to the Swansea squad, Allardyce - speaking to the press
ahead of Sunday lunchtime's game - insisted that stopping Bony, a player he
almost signed, was paramount. "It'll be very difficult to contain him
because he's in such good form", admitted the Hammers boss. "We'll have to
limit the supply into him from the midfield and wide men. "We need to get
tight to him but not too tight because he can roll defenders well as he's
strong and very skilful. To try and knock him off the ball is not an easy
task. It'll be a good test for our lads to play against a player who's in
such good form. "We signed Andy Carroll [in 2013] and it was a case of one
or the other. We couldn't do both with the budget we had, we also needed to
bring in other players in different positions."
Meanwhile the Ivory Coast international, who has been a huge hit at the
Liberty Stadium since signing for the Jacks in July of last year admitted
that he's happy not to score - if it means a win for his team, who go into
Sunday's match just two points and two places behind West Ham. "What is more
important is to win," he said. "It's good for me, it's good for the team. If
I don't score, I can create chances for other players to score. We take the
games step by step. We don't care what other people say. We just care about
what we do and our performances. We just focus on our way of play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In-form West Ham and Swansea tussle for top-four opening
Last Updated: 05/12/14 9:04pm
SSN
Two of the Premier League's in-form sides meet in a mouth-watering encounter
at Upton Park to kick off Sky Sports' Super Sunday double header. Just two
points and two places separate West Ham and Swansea in the league and both
enter Sunday's early kick-off fresh off the back of midweek victories. The
Hammers followed up Saturday's 1-0 win over Newcastle with their third away
success of the season at West Brom. Sam Allardyce's men showed their
resilience having initially gone behind at The Hawthorns, with goals from
Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins ensuring that a third win on the bounce on
Sunday would see the Hammers rise to third in the table.
Swansea got back to winning ways on Tuesday night, after a disappointing
draw at home to Crystal Palace, but were made to sweat by a stubborn QPR
side inspired by the brilliant Rob Green. Ki Sung-Yeung's 78th-minute opener
finally broke the deadlock before Wayne Routledge sealed the points just
minutes later to rightfully hand the Swans the victory their determined
performance warranted. A victory in the capital would see Garry Monk's side
leapfrog West Ham in the table and that could well hinge on the form of
influential striker Wilfried Bony. Allardyce has openly admitted stopping
Bony from running riot at Upton Park should be his team's top priority. And
rightfully so; the Ivorian is in prolific form in the Premier League this
calendar year, having hit the back of the net on 18 occasions.
Team News
Allardyce is hoping to have a trio of players fit and ready to feature for
West Ham. The game may come too early for midfielder Mark Noble (calf) but
the Hammers boss believes both Diafra Sakho (back) and Alex Song (knee)
could play some part against the Swans. With Enner Valencia making his own
comeback from injury in the midweek victory at West Brom and Andy Carroll
fit, Allardyce will now have all of his attacking options available as he
looks to guide the Hammers to an eighth league win of the campaign.
Neil Taylor misses the trip to east London after picking up his fifth
booking of the season in midweek. With no natural cover at left-back, either
Dwight Tiendalli or Jazz Richards are likely to deputise, with Angel Rangel
restored on the right after being rested from the victory over QPR. Swansea
boss Garry Monk will assess how Leon Britton came through his first start of
the season after three months out before finalising his side at Upton Park,
but Argentina defender Federico Fernandez is still not fit enough to make
the matchday squad despite returning to training this week after a calf
problem.
Opta Facts
West Ham have won nine and lost none of their last 18 home games against
Swansea in all competitions.
Swansea have failed to score in their last three Premier League games
against the Hammers.
None of West Ham's last five league goals have been scored by their
strikers. Of the previous nine, seven were netted by their front men.
Andy Carroll has not scored or assisted a single goal in any of his last 10
Premier League appearances for West Ham (756 mins).
Of all regular first-choice goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski has the best
saves-to-shots ratio in the Premier League this season (76%).
Before this season Kevin Nolan had started all 68 Premier League he had
played for West Ham. This season, he has started just three of the 10 league
games he has played in.
Merson's Prediction
"I think both of these sides are good teams. I've been really impressed with
West Ham. Even though I saw them lose at Goodison the other week, they were
better than Everton and they've bounced back from that to a good result in
midweek."
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
Betting
West Ham are Sky Bet's 13/10 favourites for victory as they look to maintain
their impressive start, with fellow in-form outfit Swansea 2/1 to win, with
the draw 12/5. Both sides have shortened significantly in the top-four and
top-six betting thanks to their early-season form, having each started the
season at shorter prices for relegation than Champions League qualification.
On average, West Ham are scoring 1.3 goals at home in the league this
season, while Swansea average exactly one per game on the road - a 1-1 draw
is available to back at 5/1.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Swansea boss Garry Monk says West Ham did not want Wilfried Bony enough
Last Updated: 05/12/14 7:55pm
SSN
Swansea City manager Garry Monk believes West Ham did not show enough
ambition in trying to sign Wilfried Bony. The Ivory Coast international
striker signed for the Welsh club from Vitesse Arnhem in 2013 but he was
also a target for the Hammers at the same time, according to manager Sam
Allardyce. The London club instead brought in Andy Carroll from Liverpool
for £15m with Allardyce claiming he did not have the funds to pursue both
players. Monk has suggested this shows that West Ham did not want Bony
enough, while the Swans pushed out all the stops to get their man. "It's the
first I've heard of it, but if that's what they were doing they didn't
really want him enough," Monk said responding to Allardyce's comments. We
obviously pursued Wilfried, he's committed to us, we're committed to him and
the rest is history."
Bony has been in impressive form since moving to the Liberty Stadium,
scoring 31 goals so far, and has been linked to a number of Champions League
teams, while Carroll has struggled with injury during his time at Upton
Park. Despite the difference in form, Monk refuses to be drawn on who the
better player is. "They've got different strengths and they're two very good
players, and I think you'll see in games this season what they can offer
both teams," he added. "I don't look at who is the better player. I look at
what Wilf does for us and they will concentrate on what Andy Carroll does
for them. "We managed to sign Wilfried and we've done a lot of development
with him as far as the team is concerned. "He plays to our strengths, the
team to play to his strengths and it obviously works for Wilfried and
Swansea City."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Allardyce: I chose to buy Andy Carroll over Wilfried Bony and
think it was right decision
Dec 05, 2014 22:30 By Alec Shilton
Boss doesn't regret opting for Geordie who has suffered 3 major injuries
since joining instead of Ivorian who is Prem's joint-top scorer in 2014
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has admitted he opted to sign Andy Carroll ahead of Wilfried
Bony - and still reckons he got the better deal. The pair were both
available in the summer of 2013 and West Ham boss Allardyce made enquiries
about signing Ivorian striker Bony from Vitesse Arnhem.
But as Carroll had impressed with seven goals in 24 appearances while on
loan from Liverpool the previous season, Allardyce went with a tried and
trusted option over Bony. Three major injuries have restricted Carroll to
just two goals in 19 appearances for the Hammers since he moved to east
London permanently in a £15million deal - having been forced to undergo
ankle surgery after getting injured on the club's pre-season tour to New
Zealand. Meanwhile, Bony joined Swansea for £12m has struck 22 times in 48
league games in the same period. He is level with Manchester City's Sergio
Aguero for most Premier League goals this calendar year at 18. Carroll has
completed 90 minutes just once this season as he returns to fitness - in the
1-0 win over former club Newcastle a week ago - but will lead the line when
his team host Bony and Swansea on Sunday. But despite his team being 11
points and 11 goals better off than they were at this stage of last season,
Carroll is yet to get on the score-sheet. New signings Enner Valencia and
Diafra Sakho among the early-season goals - of which the last nine have come
from nine different players. Carroll's manager has repeatedly denied having
any regrets over signing him and Allardyce has now moved a step further by
claiming time will prove his decision to sign him instead of Bony as a good
one. When asked if he would get to see the better value of the two deals,
Allardyce said: "I think so. "Hopefully, in the end, it will be an Andy that
is not picking up injuries and starts getting back to what we know he can
do. His first season in the Premier League at Newcastle he scored 11 goals
in 16 or 17 matches. "That showed at that young age he was a massive
goal-scoring threat against anyone. He has done it before. Because of the
injuries he had, that career hasn't blossomed as it should have done. "It
was one [player] or the other, it couldn't be both. We got the deal done
with Andy and we couldn't do both - we didn't have enough money in the
budget that year."
Allardyce appears to have spent his £30million wisely over the summer on the
likes of Valencia, Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate but accepts there is always a
risk bringing in players from abroad. "For every one that succeeds, there
are probably four or five who don't," he added. "They will get forgotten
about because they end up getting sold back abroad again and get lost to
this country but from Bony's point of view, he has been an outstanding
success."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham plan Ravel Morrison transfer in January once his wash-out loan
spell at Cardiff ends
Dec 04, 2014 22:30 By Darren Witcoop
The 21-year-old has been battling injury and started just once for the
Championship side but the Hammers hope a Prem team facing relegation will
take him
The Mirror
Ravel Morrison will be touted about to Premier League strugglers in January.
Morrison is set to return to West Ham after a nightmare loan spell in the
Championship with Cardiff. The former Manchester United starlet has made
little impression and could even head back to the Hammers early after making
just one start. Morrison, 21, has been plagued by a long-term knee injury in
Wales. But the Irons still plan on offering his services and sending him
straight back out. Burnley and Leicester were among the clubs to show
interest at the start of the season. And they could move again with both
goal-shy sides eyeing an injection of quality in attack.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CandH EXCLUSIVE: Reid's six year contract offer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh has today discovered that Winston Reid has been offered a SIX
YEAR DEAL with the club in advance of £60k a week. Yet despite the
phenomenal deal, the New Zealander is continuing to keep the club waiting
for an answer as he awaits to see what options arise in January. The
extraordinary stand-off between Reid and the club has of course been going
on for several months but until now the terms of the Hammers offer have been
never made entirely clear. By our reckoning were Reid to put pen to paper
the six year deal worth around £3 million a year plus bonuses which could
net the player in advance of £20 million over the contract's duration which
would take him to beyond his 32nd birthday, It has also become clear that
the club are ready to leave the deal on the table rather than present the
player with a deadline to sign as was thought to be the case. We were told:
"We have no control. It seems Winston wants to see what options he is
presented with in January and there's no guarantee the situation couldn't go
on into the summer. "The club has no real control over the situation. It's
the players decision. He has been offered a fantastic six year contract and
it's all in his hands."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yes Barca we ARE coming to get you!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Our New York based blogger Scott Alsweiler's first blog received a great
reception from readers. But our east-end boy, serving a self imposed US
exile since marrying his American wife, still flies the Hammers flag outside
his home. Here's the second piece from Scott where like most of us he's in
very positive mood.
By Scott Alsweiler
"We're going to win the league". Okay, we're really not (although it is
mathematically possible). And there's some irony in it. But let's not write
it off on a permanent basis. As Hammers we're used to the roller-coaster
sensation of rising to the top middle, followed by the stomach churning fall
into a lower league. The constant relegation battles. This year feels
different.
We've got strength in depth, the likes of which we haven't seen in a long
time. We're definitely being helped by some fairly average performances from
some of the bigger clubs, but we shouldn't let that impugn the results we've
seen.
Some of them have been scrappy, like our mid week against WBA (although
there was 30 min of great football in there). Some of them have been
desperately unlucky. But we're fifth. From out in the football wilderness of
Central New York state I have a genuine sense of belief.
Sam has defied his critics - myself included - by doing as the owners, and
perhaps more importantly us - the fans, have demanded. He's built a team
capable of playing attractive, attacking football. And haven't the squad
responded!
We did astonishingly well in the transfer market over the summer. We still
need to try and cement a couple of places, so the job is not yet complete,
but we're approaching it. It hasn't always been pretty, but it's been so
more often than not. We'll see it again this Sunday when we meet, and beat,
Swansea.
Let's look ahead. We can genuinely challenge for a top six place this year.
Build on our current squad next summer as we prepare for our final season
before moving to the Olympic Stadium. Start pushing the league leaders. It
won't be this year. Or next. But it can happen.
We're growing, we're learning, if we continue as we've started we're only
going to get better. "Barcelona, we're coming for you."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tottenham interested in Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic
Posted by: Eren Sarigul December 5, 2014
Tottenham are interested in hiring Beşiktaş's manager Slaven Bilic according
to Turkish newspaper Sabah. The report claims that Spurs have reached out to
Bilic's representatives. The former Croatia national team manager has been
with the Istanbul club since July 2013 and still has two-years left on his
contract. Beşiktaş are yet to offer the 46-year-old manager a contract
extension but have made it clear that they do want Bilic to remain as head
coach. Bilic recently underlined that he is happy at Beşiktaş but were he to
move in the future it would be to a Premier League club. "I have not
received an offer from West Ham however, of course like any manager one day
I would like to manage in the Premier League," Bilic. Bilic spent four years
in England during his playing career. The former Croatia national team coach
played for West Ham United and Everton. The Black Eagles are currently first
in the Turkish Super League with 23 points from 11 games. Tottenham sit 10th
in the Premier Leauge, far below pre-season expectations. Slaven Bilic has
also been linked with Aston Villa in recent weeks.
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WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Sunday's match against Swansea City
05.12.2014
WEST HAM UNITED v SWANSEA CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLYEN GROUND
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 1.30PM
REFEREE: CHRIS FOY
In brief
West Ham United host Swansea City on Sunday afternoon looking to extend
their winning run of games to three. Following wins over Newcastle United
and West Bromwich Albion, the Hammers are looking to complete a great week
by securing nine points in as many days.
Sunday's visitors Swansea are also enjoying a good run of form having taken
seven points from a possible 12.
The Swans have beaten the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal already
this term, sitting in seventh place just two points behind the Hammers on 22
points.
Related stories
Big Sam on: Swansea City
Chadwell Chatter
Who are they?
Formed in 1912 as Swansea Town, The Swans adopted the name Swansea City when
the town was granted City status in 1969.
Having almost gone out of business in 1985 following consecutive
relegations, the directors managed to salvage the club. They continued to
slip through the Football League to the fourth division yet their fortunes
changed in 2005 with a move away from Vetch Field to the Liberty Stadium.
Since the move, the Swans have enjoyed four promotions in a decade and are
now an established Premier League team. Praised for their possession-based
style of football, their recent success was capped off by winning the League
Cup in 2012/13, subsequently qualifying for the Europa League the following
year.
Team news
West Ham United
Enner Valencia played the last 25 minutes in the 2-1 win over the Baggies,
and is in contention to start on Sunday. Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have
returned to training this week and could also be involved. Manager Sam
Allardyce will make a late decision on Mark Noble's fitness after he missed
the game in midweek following a calf injury sustained against Newcastle.
Swansea City
Swansea have an almost clean bill of health with Federico Fernandez the only
likely absentee through injury. Neil Taylor is suspended but otherwise,
Garry Monk has a full squad to choose from as they came out of their 2-0 win
over Queens Park Rangers unscathed.
Referee
Sunday's referee is Chris Foy. The 52-year-old referee has 13 years of top
flight experience. Foy has taken charge of two West Ham games this season,
the opening day 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur and the 2-2 away draw with
Stoke City. The Assistant Referees are Gary Beswick and Marc Perry, while
Mike Dean is the Fourth Official.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 10
Yellow cards shown: 27
Red cards shown: 3
Penalties awarded: 0
One to watch
West Ham United
With his teammates grabbing the headlines, Morgan Amalfitano's excellent
contribution has gone slightly under the radar. The Frenchman has made ten
appearances this season, scoring two crucial goals in wins against Liverpool
and Manchester City. The tenacious midfielder has been in fine form, working
hard for the team as well as linking up well with Carl Jenkinson down the
right wing.
Swansea City
Wilfried Bony is Swansea's main man scoring six goals this season. Bony is
2014's top Premier League scorer with 18 in total, and he has started this
season as he finished the last.. The Ivorian international has struck up a
productive relationship with midfield creator Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has the
second highest number of assists on eight, just two behind Cesc Fabregas on
ten.
Tickets
Tickets will be available to buy on the day, with the Alpari Stand ticket
office open from 9am. Tickets are still available online here.
Tickets for the Hammers' home game with Leicester City on Saturday 20
December are available here.
Travel
For the very latest news on the London Underground, please visit the TfL
website here.
Weather
Sunday evening is set to be a cloudy day with rain predicted for later in
the afternoon. Temperature at kick off is forecast to be 10C (50F).
Last meeting
West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City
Barclays Premier League
1 February 2014
Andy Carroll twice set up goals for Kevin Nolan before being sent off as
10-man West Ham beat Swansea to ease their relegation predicament. Carroll
caused chaos in the visiting defence, but 14 minutes into the second half
received a straight red card from referee Howard Webb for an altercation
with Chico Flores, after appearing to brush the defender with his elbow. For
the first goal, West Ham broke from deep and left-back McCartney drilled a
cross into the area which Carroll stretched to reach. His header found the
late-arriving Nolan, who chested the ball down before volleying into the
bottom corner. For the Hammers' second Stewart Downing's inswinging cross
was met at the far post by Carroll, who craned his neck enough to direct the
ball back into the six-yard box and Nolan headed it inside the post to
double his tally for the season.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Taylor
(Reid 79), Jarvis (C Cole), Nolan (Nocerino 87), Downing, Carroll, C. Cole,
Nocerino
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Johnson, Morrison, Borriello
Swansea City: Tremmel, Amat (Pozuelo 63), Chico Flores, Williams, Tiendalli,
Davies, Shelvey (Hernandez 70), Dyer (Ngog 77), Routledge, de Guzman, Bony
Subs not used: Cornell, Rangel, Britton, Lamah
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Swansea City
WHUFC.com
The manager spoke to the press on Friday morning ahead of the Swansea City
match
05.12.2014
Sam Allardyce faced the media on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's Barclays
Premier League clash with Swansea City. The manager answered questions on
his returning players, containing Wilfried Bony and his team's fine start to
December.
What's the team news for this weekend?
SA: "Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have been training with us this week.
They're in contention to make the squad but we'll have to wait and see
because they've both been out for a while. We don't want to throw them in
too early and risk further injury. Mark Noble could also make it but we
don't have much time after the injury he picked up last weekend."
How hard is it going to be to contain Wilfried Bony?
SA: "It'll be very difficult to contain him because he's in such good form.
We'll have to limit the supply into him from the midfield and wide men. We
need to get tight to him but not too tight because he can roll defenders
well, he's strong and very skilful. To try and knock him off the ball is not
an easy task. It'll be a good test for our lads to play against a player
who's in such good form."
You scouted Bony when he was at Vitesse, and reportedly put in a bid for
him. What happened there, why didn't the transfer go through?
SA: "We signed Andy Carroll and it was a case of one or the other. We
couldn't do both with the budget we had, we also needed to bring in other
players in different positions."
Bony has been the top scorer this calendar year and has scored six in twelve
games this season. Diafra Sakho has scored six in seven starts, you wouldn't
want to switch them, would you?
SA: "No I wouldn't. We're looking forward to having Diaf back, I'm not sure
he's ready to start a match yet. We've also got Enner back, he played 25
minutes against West Brom and then we've also got Carlton Cole and Mauro
Zarate so this is the best striking options we've ever had."
What did you make of the win over West Brom in midweek?
SA: "We got another valuable three points. It wasn't the best performance
but we ground out a result. It's been a busy week and we've got six points
so far so we're all happy with that. However I think Sunday's game is the
biggest test of them all. Three games in eight days is a big test but we're
approaching it with confidence. If we win what a great week it would've been
for us."
James Tomkins was outstanding against West Brom, scoring the winner. After
the incident at Everton, how impressed have you been with his sense of
character to bounce back?
SA: "I think with everyone there are times in your life when you have things
you have to deal with. So it was a test of character for him but he's come
through it. I know he regrets what happened at Everton but he's got on with
his job and he needs to make sure it's not going to happen again."
Your next three games are Swansea, Sunderland and Leicester, three games
that you and your staff must be hoping to get some points from?
SA: "Yes, we've bounced back from the defeat against Everton with two wins
and now we want to maintain that level of performance and get some
consistency. We want to build some momentum ahead of our massive Christmas
fixtures with Chelsea and Arsenal. We know both those games will be very
difficult so to get as many points as we can beforehand will be very
useful."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing reflects on the win over West Brom and looks ahead to
Swansea
04.12.2014
Hello everyone,
As you know, it's been a very busy few days with two games in four days
against Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. Thankfully we secured back to
back wins, which I think we thoroughly deserved. It was great to see AC back
at the Boleyn and causing the Newcastle defence problems. I thought he was
excellent against West Brom too. His overhead effort that led to Kev's goal
was a demonstration of what he can do. It's great to have him back and I
know he's loving it. It was also nice to get an assist for Tonks' goal. He's
had a bit of stick after the Everton game but he responded in the best way
possible by scoring the winning goal. During the game their defenders had
been marking AC and Reidy but hadn't been concentrating on Tonks so I put
the ball in an area he could attack and thankfully he did the rest.
We've scored a lot of headers this season, but not many from set pieces. We
work on them a fair amount in training, both defensively and attacking so it
was nice to see it come off in a match.
It was a big win for us on Tuesday but we know we can still improve. We
should have come out of the blocks better than we did and that is something
we will look to do on Sunday against Swansea City this Sunday at the Boleyn
Ground. We know it will be a tough game as Swansea have some quality players
that we will need to look out for. Wilfried Bony is a player we know we'll
have to keep quiet while Gylfi Sigurdsson is another player I admire. We
know we'll have to limit their time on the ball and if we do that we have a
good chance of getting a result.
Swansea, like ourselves, have had a good season so far. As have Southampton,
I think they've surprised a lot of people. Overall, teams doing better than
expected is good for the league as it makes it less predictable and more
exciting. Having won four of our home games already, we want to continue our
form and turn the Boleyn into a real fortress, one that teams don't look
forward to visiting.
After Sunday, the games keep coming thick and fast as we have five games in
19 days over the Christmas period. It's a difficult time coming up, as
you'll remember last year we suffered from a lot injuries and suspensions.
This season however, we have a bigger squad and a good strength in depth
which will really help us out. It was good to see Enner Valencia coming on
for the last 25 minutes on Tuesday as he recovers from injury and hopefully
we'll have Diafra and Alex back with us soon.
See you on Sunday!
Stewart
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 5 December
WHUFC.com
A brilliant solo goal from Bobby Zamora set the Hammers on their way to
victory nine years ago today
05.12.2014
Classic match
Birmingham City 1-2 West Ham United
Premier League
5 December 2005
A stunning solo effort from Bobby Zamora and a goal from Marlon Harewood
were enough to give the Hammers all three points at St Andrews.
Emile Heskey had given the hosts the lead after 11 minutes before Zamora
produced a spectacular goal, beating three players and sliding the ball
through the keepers legs, to level the scores. The scoring was completed
before half-time as Harewood notched his sixth goal of the season with two
minutes until the break to secure a brilliant away result for the Hammers in
their first season back in the Premier League.
Complete record - 5 December
1925 Everton 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1931 West Ham United 4-2 Everton (Division One)
1936 Bradford City 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 West Ham United 1-2 Notts County (Division Two)
1959 West Ham United 4-1 Nottingham Forest (Division One)
1964 West Ham United 0-0 Leicester City (Division One)
1970 Derby County 2-4 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (Division One)
1987 West Ham United 2-1 Southampton (Division One)
1998 Leeds United 4-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2001 West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
2005 Birmingham City 1-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
2009 West Ham United 0-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
2010 Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 14, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Scored 20, Conceded 26
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Swansea
KO 13:30
5 December 2014
Last updated at 13:43
By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 7 December
TEAM NEWS
West Ham manger Sam Allardyce is hopeful that Diafra Sakho and Alex Song
will be available on Sunday after respective back and knee injuries. Enner
Valencia could start after making a return from injury as a substitute in
midweek but the game could be too soon for Mark Noble, who has a calf
problem. Swansea defender Neil Taylor is suspended after picking up his
fifth booking of the season in midweek.
Federico Fernandez remains sidelined by a calf injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
It sums up the unpredictability of the Premier League season so far that,
going into this weekend in December, this was a meeting of two of the top
seven, separated by two points. Both clubs fully deserve their current
accolades as they defy the pre-season predictions.
Lawro's prediction "I keep thinking Swansea might go on a bit of an iffy
spell but, each time, they pick up a win like they did against QPR in
midweek. I also thought West Ham would have buckled a bit by now, but they
certainly haven't done that."
West Ham are one of the form teams, having lost only once in their last
eight league matches. The Hammers were the sixth lowest scorers in the
division last season but they've managed a dramatic improvement in the
current campaign and have found the back of the net in 12 of their last 13
games.
Sam Allardyce was backed in the transfer market and he has used his funds
extremely wisely. His squad has much more depth and quality to it and that
has been reflected in their results so far. Gone is the over reliance on
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. It illustrates the options available that the
midweek win at West Brom was achieved without both Mark Noble and Alex Song,
while £12m striker Enner Valencia was among the substitutes. They've had 11
different goalscorers already and you can feel the positivity in their play.
While Allardyce has called on his experience of over 400 Premier League
games, he'll face a manager 25 years his junior who is in his first full
season in charge. Gary Monk's seamless transition at Swansea is there for
all to see. When you spend time in his company he is very measured and calm,
and that's exactly how his team have performed so far this season. I watched
them push Manchester City all the way at the Etihad Stadium recently and,
even when they fell behind in the second half, there wasn't any panic and
still a desire to pass the ball. The Swansea boss described the win over QPR
in the week as a 'complete performance' and he won't a fear a trip to east
London. He'll know, though, those standards can't afford to drop or the
Hammers could strike a blow.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Swansea's only win in their 23 league visits to West Ham came in the old
Division Two in August 1956 (W1, D5, L17).
West Ham are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Swansea (W2,
D1) and haven't conceded a goal in those matches.
West Ham
West Ham's tally of 24 points from 14 matches represents their best start to
a Premier League campaign. The last time they had a better tally in the top
flight was in 1983-84 (29 pts).
They have only lost one of their last eight league matches (W5, D2).
Only Chelsea (12) have had more Premier League goalscorers this season than
West Ham (11).
Andy Carroll hasn't scored or assisted a goal in his last 10 West Ham league
games, spanning 756 minutes.
Kevin Nolan needs one goal to reach 100 in league football.
Swansea
Swansea are also enjoying their best Premier League start, with 22 points
from 14 matches.
They have lost one of their last six league games (W3, D2) - keeping three
clean sheets in the process.
Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson have either scored or created more than
three quarters of Swansea's league goals this season (15 of 19).
Only Cesc Fabregas (10) has created more league goals than Sigurdsson this
season (8).
Swansea and Chelsea lead the Premier League this season in ever-present
players, both with seven.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll was signed over Wilfried Bony
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce chose to sign striker Andy Carroll over
Swansea top scorer Wilfried Bony last summer. Bony, set to start at Upton
Park on Sunday, signed from Vitesse Arnhem for £12m and has scored six
league goals this season after 16 last time round. Carroll has struggled
with injury since his £15m move from Liverpool, scoring just twice in 19
league appearances. Allardcye said: "It was a case of one or the other. We
couldn't do both with the budget we had." West Ham's wins over Newcastle and
West Brom this week leave them in fifth place in the Premier League with
Allardyce, who admitted making an initial bid for Bony, delivering on his
promise to bring a new brand of attacking football to the Londoners.
Swansea though are just two places and two points below the Hammers and
Allardyce knows, in Ivory Coast's Bony, the Welshmen have a striker capable
of causing defences damage. "It'll be very difficult to contain him because
he's in such good form," he said. "We'll have to limit the supply into him
from the midfield and wide men. "We need to get tight to him but not too
tight because he can roll defenders well, he's strong and very skilful. "To
try and knock him off the ball is not an easy task. It'll be a good test for
our lads to play against a player who's in such good form."
Carroll, 25, has started just two matches for West Ham this season after
returning from four months out following ankle surgery. He missed the
majority of 2013-14 with a heel problem. He cost Liverpool £35m in January
2011 but was loaned to West Ham in August, scoring seven goals in 24 games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
42
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
It may be the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and
Everything - but 42 is also the number of West Ham's ball in next week's FA
Cup third round draw!
It's one of the most eagerly-anticipated weekends of the football season,
when the part-timers, the minnows and those featuring at the lower end of
the football pyramid have the opportunity to test themselves against the
giants of the Premier League.
On Monday evening in Hull, TV pundit Alan Shearer and local volunteer Paul
Adamson will draw the 64 balls for this season's third round draw, for which
West Ham have been granted the number 42.
A number of non-league clubs will be involved in the draw, such as Gateshead
and Warrington Town (both number 55 as their second round tie remains
unresolved), Dover Athletic (61 should they beat Cheltenham Town) plus
Southport and Eastleigh (both 54).
Some of the other numbers to look out for with view to potential opponents
include 27 (Millwall), 12 (Chelsea) and 25 (Manchester United). You may tune
into Monday evening's live draw on BBC2 or thefa.com from 7pm.
FA Cup 3rd Round Draw Numbers
1 AFC Bournemouth
2 Arsenal
3 Aston Villa
4 Birmingham City
5 Blackburn Rovers
6 Blackpool
7 Bolton Wanderers
8 Brentford
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Burnley
11 Cardiff City
12 Charlton Athletic
13 Chelsea
14 Crystal Palace
15 Derby County
16 Everton
17 Fulham
18 Huddersfield Town
19 Hull City
20 Ipswich Town
21 Leeds United
22 Leicester City
23 Liverpool
24 Manchester City
25 Manchester United
26 Middlesbrough
27 Millwall
28 Newcastle United
29 Norwich City
30 Nottingham Forest
31 Queens Park Rangers
32 Reading
33 Rotherham United
34 Sheffield Wednesday
35 Southampton
36 Stoke City
37 Sunderland
38 Swansea City
39 Tottenham Hotspur
40 Watford
41 West Bromwich Albion
42 West Ham United
43 Wigan Athletic
44 Wolverhampton Wanderers
45 Oxford United Or Tranmere Rovers
46 Bury Or Luton Town
47 Wrexham Or Maidstone United
48 Scunthorpe United Or Worcester City
49 Colchester United Or Peterborough United
50 Wycombe Wanderers Or AFC Wimbledon
51 Accrington Stanley Or Yeovil Town
52 Hartlepool United Or Blyth Spartans
53 Milton Keynes Dons Or Chesterfield
54 Southport Or Eastleigh
55 Gateshead Or Warrington Town
56 Oldham Athletic Or Doncaster Rovers
57 Preston North End Or Shrewsbury Town
58 Barnsley Or Chester
59 Bradford City Or Dartford
60 Sheffield United Or Plymouth Argyle
61 Cheltenham Town Or Dover Athletic
62 Cambridge United Or Mansfield Town
63 Bristol City Or AFC Telford United
64 Aldershot Town Or Rochdale
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adidas kit out of stock - again
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Thousands of young Hammers will be left disappointed again this Christmas
after it was confirmed club shops would not be re-stocking replica kit
before the new year. For the second successive year, West Ham have been left
short by kit supplier Adidas who have informed the club that a scheduled
order will not be delivered in time for Christmas. "Adidas informed the Club
on Thursday that its major junior order for the Christmas period will not be
delivered due to stock supply issues," read a statement on whufc.com. "This
disappointing news means that the Club will not be receiving any further
children's replica kits this season and will therefore be out of stock in
most junior sizes in the run-up to Christmas. "In a statement, adidas said:
'Unfortunately due to stock supply issues we have been unable to provide the
originally agreed quantities of the new West Ham United Matchwear in time
for Christmas. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to fans. We are
confident that alternative adidas West Ham United clothing range can be
found currently in stores.'"
Last Christmas fans were similarly disappointed when exactly the same thing
happened, as West Ham sold their entire stock of replica junior shorts -
only to be told that Adidas would not be supplying any more. At the time,
West Ham blamed "exceptional response" for the problem. "We advise all fans
and make clear in our marketing communications at the start of the season to
buy early to avoid missing out", read a statement published at the time.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho and Song return for Swansea clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that both Diafra Sakho and Alex Song are expected
to be involved in this weekend's Premier League clash with Swansea - whilst
the inclusion of Mark Noble is also a possibility. Sakho, who was touch and
go for the West Brom trip earlier in the week and Song, who has been out of
action since the goalless draw with Aston Villa at the beginning of November
are both expected to be in the 18-man party to face the Jacks at the Boleyn
Ground this Saturday lunchtime. However Noble's situation is slightly more
precarious and the vice captain may have to wait for the trip to Sunderland
before making his return. "Diafra Sakho and Alex Song have been training
with us this week," confirmed Allardyce. "They're in contention to make the
squad but we'll have to wait and see because they've both been out for a
while. "We don't want to throw them in too early and risk further injury.
Mark Noble could also make it but we don't have much time after the injury
he picked up last weekend. "We're looking forward to having Diaf back though
I'm not sure he's ready to start a match yet. We've also got Enner back, he
played 25 minutes against West Brom and then we've also got Carlton Cole and
Mauro Zarate; these are the best striking options we've ever had."
In recent seasons West Ham have fared well against Swansea. On the four
occasions the two clubs have met this century (all in the last two two
seasons), West Ham have lost just once - and kept clean sheets in the last
three meetings, including successive wins at the Boleyn.
However Allardyce believes his players will be tested to the hilt, having
played three times in the space of a week. "It's been a busy week and we've
got six points so far so we're all happy with that," he said. "However I
think Sunday's game is the biggest test of them all. Three games in eight
days is a big test but we're approaching it with confidence. "We want to
build some momentum ahead of our massive Christmas fixtures with Chelsea and
Arsenal. We know both those games will be very difficult so to get as many
points as we can beforehand will be very useful. "If we win, what a great
week it would've been for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: we could've signed Bony - but chose Carroll
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes that stopping Wilfried Bony is key to stopping
Swansea. The 25-year-old striker is his club's leading goalscorer having
found the back of the net six times already this season. And when asked
about his importance to the Swansea squad, Allardyce - speaking to the press
ahead of Sunday lunchtime's game - insisted that stopping Bony, a player he
almost signed, was paramount. "It'll be very difficult to contain him
because he's in such good form", admitted the Hammers boss. "We'll have to
limit the supply into him from the midfield and wide men. "We need to get
tight to him but not too tight because he can roll defenders well as he's
strong and very skilful. To try and knock him off the ball is not an easy
task. It'll be a good test for our lads to play against a player who's in
such good form. "We signed Andy Carroll [in 2013] and it was a case of one
or the other. We couldn't do both with the budget we had, we also needed to
bring in other players in different positions."
Meanwhile the Ivory Coast international, who has been a huge hit at the
Liberty Stadium since signing for the Jacks in July of last year admitted
that he's happy not to score - if it means a win for his team, who go into
Sunday's match just two points and two places behind West Ham. "What is more
important is to win," he said. "It's good for me, it's good for the team. If
I don't score, I can create chances for other players to score. We take the
games step by step. We don't care what other people say. We just care about
what we do and our performances. We just focus on our way of play."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In-form West Ham and Swansea tussle for top-four opening
Last Updated: 05/12/14 9:04pm
SSN
Two of the Premier League's in-form sides meet in a mouth-watering encounter
at Upton Park to kick off Sky Sports' Super Sunday double header. Just two
points and two places separate West Ham and Swansea in the league and both
enter Sunday's early kick-off fresh off the back of midweek victories. The
Hammers followed up Saturday's 1-0 win over Newcastle with their third away
success of the season at West Brom. Sam Allardyce's men showed their
resilience having initially gone behind at The Hawthorns, with goals from
Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins ensuring that a third win on the bounce on
Sunday would see the Hammers rise to third in the table.
Swansea got back to winning ways on Tuesday night, after a disappointing
draw at home to Crystal Palace, but were made to sweat by a stubborn QPR
side inspired by the brilliant Rob Green. Ki Sung-Yeung's 78th-minute opener
finally broke the deadlock before Wayne Routledge sealed the points just
minutes later to rightfully hand the Swans the victory their determined
performance warranted. A victory in the capital would see Garry Monk's side
leapfrog West Ham in the table and that could well hinge on the form of
influential striker Wilfried Bony. Allardyce has openly admitted stopping
Bony from running riot at Upton Park should be his team's top priority. And
rightfully so; the Ivorian is in prolific form in the Premier League this
calendar year, having hit the back of the net on 18 occasions.
Team News
Allardyce is hoping to have a trio of players fit and ready to feature for
West Ham. The game may come too early for midfielder Mark Noble (calf) but
the Hammers boss believes both Diafra Sakho (back) and Alex Song (knee)
could play some part against the Swans. With Enner Valencia making his own
comeback from injury in the midweek victory at West Brom and Andy Carroll
fit, Allardyce will now have all of his attacking options available as he
looks to guide the Hammers to an eighth league win of the campaign.
Neil Taylor misses the trip to east London after picking up his fifth
booking of the season in midweek. With no natural cover at left-back, either
Dwight Tiendalli or Jazz Richards are likely to deputise, with Angel Rangel
restored on the right after being rested from the victory over QPR. Swansea
boss Garry Monk will assess how Leon Britton came through his first start of
the season after three months out before finalising his side at Upton Park,
but Argentina defender Federico Fernandez is still not fit enough to make
the matchday squad despite returning to training this week after a calf
problem.
Opta Facts
West Ham have won nine and lost none of their last 18 home games against
Swansea in all competitions.
Swansea have failed to score in their last three Premier League games
against the Hammers.
None of West Ham's last five league goals have been scored by their
strikers. Of the previous nine, seven were netted by their front men.
Andy Carroll has not scored or assisted a single goal in any of his last 10
Premier League appearances for West Ham (756 mins).
Of all regular first-choice goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski has the best
saves-to-shots ratio in the Premier League this season (76%).
Before this season Kevin Nolan had started all 68 Premier League he had
played for West Ham. This season, he has started just three of the 10 league
games he has played in.
Merson's Prediction
"I think both of these sides are good teams. I've been really impressed with
West Ham. Even though I saw them lose at Goodison the other week, they were
better than Everton and they've bounced back from that to a good result in
midweek."
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
Betting
West Ham are Sky Bet's 13/10 favourites for victory as they look to maintain
their impressive start, with fellow in-form outfit Swansea 2/1 to win, with
the draw 12/5. Both sides have shortened significantly in the top-four and
top-six betting thanks to their early-season form, having each started the
season at shorter prices for relegation than Champions League qualification.
On average, West Ham are scoring 1.3 goals at home in the league this
season, while Swansea average exactly one per game on the road - a 1-1 draw
is available to back at 5/1.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Swansea boss Garry Monk says West Ham did not want Wilfried Bony enough
Last Updated: 05/12/14 7:55pm
SSN
Swansea City manager Garry Monk believes West Ham did not show enough
ambition in trying to sign Wilfried Bony. The Ivory Coast international
striker signed for the Welsh club from Vitesse Arnhem in 2013 but he was
also a target for the Hammers at the same time, according to manager Sam
Allardyce. The London club instead brought in Andy Carroll from Liverpool
for £15m with Allardyce claiming he did not have the funds to pursue both
players. Monk has suggested this shows that West Ham did not want Bony
enough, while the Swans pushed out all the stops to get their man. "It's the
first I've heard of it, but if that's what they were doing they didn't
really want him enough," Monk said responding to Allardyce's comments. We
obviously pursued Wilfried, he's committed to us, we're committed to him and
the rest is history."
Bony has been in impressive form since moving to the Liberty Stadium,
scoring 31 goals so far, and has been linked to a number of Champions League
teams, while Carroll has struggled with injury during his time at Upton
Park. Despite the difference in form, Monk refuses to be drawn on who the
better player is. "They've got different strengths and they're two very good
players, and I think you'll see in games this season what they can offer
both teams," he added. "I don't look at who is the better player. I look at
what Wilf does for us and they will concentrate on what Andy Carroll does
for them. "We managed to sign Wilfried and we've done a lot of development
with him as far as the team is concerned. "He plays to our strengths, the
team to play to his strengths and it obviously works for Wilfried and
Swansea City."
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West Ham's Allardyce: I chose to buy Andy Carroll over Wilfried Bony and
think it was right decision
Dec 05, 2014 22:30 By Alec Shilton
Boss doesn't regret opting for Geordie who has suffered 3 major injuries
since joining instead of Ivorian who is Prem's joint-top scorer in 2014
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has admitted he opted to sign Andy Carroll ahead of Wilfried
Bony - and still reckons he got the better deal. The pair were both
available in the summer of 2013 and West Ham boss Allardyce made enquiries
about signing Ivorian striker Bony from Vitesse Arnhem.
But as Carroll had impressed with seven goals in 24 appearances while on
loan from Liverpool the previous season, Allardyce went with a tried and
trusted option over Bony. Three major injuries have restricted Carroll to
just two goals in 19 appearances for the Hammers since he moved to east
London permanently in a £15million deal - having been forced to undergo
ankle surgery after getting injured on the club's pre-season tour to New
Zealand. Meanwhile, Bony joined Swansea for £12m has struck 22 times in 48
league games in the same period. He is level with Manchester City's Sergio
Aguero for most Premier League goals this calendar year at 18. Carroll has
completed 90 minutes just once this season as he returns to fitness - in the
1-0 win over former club Newcastle a week ago - but will lead the line when
his team host Bony and Swansea on Sunday. But despite his team being 11
points and 11 goals better off than they were at this stage of last season,
Carroll is yet to get on the score-sheet. New signings Enner Valencia and
Diafra Sakho among the early-season goals - of which the last nine have come
from nine different players. Carroll's manager has repeatedly denied having
any regrets over signing him and Allardyce has now moved a step further by
claiming time will prove his decision to sign him instead of Bony as a good
one. When asked if he would get to see the better value of the two deals,
Allardyce said: "I think so. "Hopefully, in the end, it will be an Andy that
is not picking up injuries and starts getting back to what we know he can
do. His first season in the Premier League at Newcastle he scored 11 goals
in 16 or 17 matches. "That showed at that young age he was a massive
goal-scoring threat against anyone. He has done it before. Because of the
injuries he had, that career hasn't blossomed as it should have done. "It
was one [player] or the other, it couldn't be both. We got the deal done
with Andy and we couldn't do both - we didn't have enough money in the
budget that year."
Allardyce appears to have spent his £30million wisely over the summer on the
likes of Valencia, Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate but accepts there is always a
risk bringing in players from abroad. "For every one that succeeds, there
are probably four or five who don't," he added. "They will get forgotten
about because they end up getting sold back abroad again and get lost to
this country but from Bony's point of view, he has been an outstanding
success."
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West Ham plan Ravel Morrison transfer in January once his wash-out loan
spell at Cardiff ends
Dec 04, 2014 22:30 By Darren Witcoop
The 21-year-old has been battling injury and started just once for the
Championship side but the Hammers hope a Prem team facing relegation will
take him
The Mirror
Ravel Morrison will be touted about to Premier League strugglers in January.
Morrison is set to return to West Ham after a nightmare loan spell in the
Championship with Cardiff. The former Manchester United starlet has made
little impression and could even head back to the Hammers early after making
just one start. Morrison, 21, has been plagued by a long-term knee injury in
Wales. But the Irons still plan on offering his services and sending him
straight back out. Burnley and Leicester were among the clubs to show
interest at the start of the season. And they could move again with both
goal-shy sides eyeing an injection of quality in attack.
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CandH EXCLUSIVE: Reid's six year contract offer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh has today discovered that Winston Reid has been offered a SIX
YEAR DEAL with the club in advance of £60k a week. Yet despite the
phenomenal deal, the New Zealander is continuing to keep the club waiting
for an answer as he awaits to see what options arise in January. The
extraordinary stand-off between Reid and the club has of course been going
on for several months but until now the terms of the Hammers offer have been
never made entirely clear. By our reckoning were Reid to put pen to paper
the six year deal worth around £3 million a year plus bonuses which could
net the player in advance of £20 million over the contract's duration which
would take him to beyond his 32nd birthday, It has also become clear that
the club are ready to leave the deal on the table rather than present the
player with a deadline to sign as was thought to be the case. We were told:
"We have no control. It seems Winston wants to see what options he is
presented with in January and there's no guarantee the situation couldn't go
on into the summer. "The club has no real control over the situation. It's
the players decision. He has been offered a fantastic six year contract and
it's all in his hands."
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Yes Barca we ARE coming to get you!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Our New York based blogger Scott Alsweiler's first blog received a great
reception from readers. But our east-end boy, serving a self imposed US
exile since marrying his American wife, still flies the Hammers flag outside
his home. Here's the second piece from Scott where like most of us he's in
very positive mood.
By Scott Alsweiler
"We're going to win the league". Okay, we're really not (although it is
mathematically possible). And there's some irony in it. But let's not write
it off on a permanent basis. As Hammers we're used to the roller-coaster
sensation of rising to the top middle, followed by the stomach churning fall
into a lower league. The constant relegation battles. This year feels
different.
We've got strength in depth, the likes of which we haven't seen in a long
time. We're definitely being helped by some fairly average performances from
some of the bigger clubs, but we shouldn't let that impugn the results we've
seen.
Some of them have been scrappy, like our mid week against WBA (although
there was 30 min of great football in there). Some of them have been
desperately unlucky. But we're fifth. From out in the football wilderness of
Central New York state I have a genuine sense of belief.
Sam has defied his critics - myself included - by doing as the owners, and
perhaps more importantly us - the fans, have demanded. He's built a team
capable of playing attractive, attacking football. And haven't the squad
responded!
We did astonishingly well in the transfer market over the summer. We still
need to try and cement a couple of places, so the job is not yet complete,
but we're approaching it. It hasn't always been pretty, but it's been so
more often than not. We'll see it again this Sunday when we meet, and beat,
Swansea.
Let's look ahead. We can genuinely challenge for a top six place this year.
Build on our current squad next summer as we prepare for our final season
before moving to the Olympic Stadium. Start pushing the league leaders. It
won't be this year. Or next. But it can happen.
We're growing, we're learning, if we continue as we've started we're only
going to get better. "Barcelona, we're coming for you."
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Tottenham interested in Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic
Posted by: Eren Sarigul December 5, 2014
Tottenham are interested in hiring Beşiktaş's manager Slaven Bilic according
to Turkish newspaper Sabah. The report claims that Spurs have reached out to
Bilic's representatives. The former Croatia national team manager has been
with the Istanbul club since July 2013 and still has two-years left on his
contract. Beşiktaş are yet to offer the 46-year-old manager a contract
extension but have made it clear that they do want Bilic to remain as head
coach. Bilic recently underlined that he is happy at Beşiktaş but were he to
move in the future it would be to a Premier League club. "I have not
received an offer from West Ham however, of course like any manager one day
I would like to manage in the Premier League," Bilic. Bilic spent four years
in England during his playing career. The former Croatia national team coach
played for West Ham United and Everton. The Black Eagles are currently first
in the Turkish Super League with 23 points from 11 games. Tottenham sit 10th
in the Premier Leauge, far below pre-season expectations. Slaven Bilic has
also been linked with Aston Villa in recent weeks.
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Friday, December 5
Daily WHUFC News - 5th December 2014
Tomkins glad to end two-year wait
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins ended a goal drought when he scored the winner at West Brom
04.12.2014
James Tomkins ended a two-year wait for a goal when he popped up with the
winner at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. Having last scored in a 2-1
defeat at Wigan Athletic in the 2012/13 season, the No5 was delighted to
help his team maintain their fine form with victory at the Hawthorns. He
said: "I hadn't scored for two years, so I don't think the fans were
expecting me to score. I think they thought it was AC! "It was nice to score
- a winner as well - and the three points is always the most important
thing. "Getting on the scoresheet is a bonus. It was a hard-fought game, we
started sloppily but did well towards the end of the first half to go in 2-1
up.
"We kept it tight at the back and held out."
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Matthew Etherington: Winger retires with back injury
BBC.co.uk
Former Stoke and West Ham winger Matthew Etherington has retired from
football after failing to overcome a back injury. The 33-year-old left Stoke
in the summer, although he was recently training with Millwall. He started
his career with Peterborough and also played for Tottenham, Bradford on loan
and West Ham before moving to the Potters in 2009. In total, Etherington
made 493 club appearances, scoring 43 goals. He tweeted: "Due to an
ongoing back problem, the day has come for me to retire from professional
football. I have some amazing memories since the day I made my debut at just
15 years old. "Thank you to all the great clubs I have played for and to the
supporters. I have made some mistakes along the way but it has made me who I
am today. I look at the past with pride and to the future with optimism.
"Thanks to everyone for the kind messages. Really overwhelming reading them
all. Nice to know I left a few good memories during my career."
A few of his former team-mates tweeted that Etherington would be missed.
Potters keeper Asmir Begovic said: "Big congrats to @mattyethers on his
fantastic career! One of the best wingers I have played with so far.
#topman" Stoke striker Peter Crouch said: "@mattyethers is retiring! Great
player, great career and best of all a great lad! Can see that golf handicap
coming right down now." Middlesbrough midfielder Dean Whitehead, another
former Stoke team-mate said: "@mattyethers, what a player you've been lad,
pleasure to have played with you!! proper winger. #class act."
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Zarate decision angers team mates
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
The decision to allow West Ham United's Mauro Zarate to represent Chile has
angered some of the country's established stars. Queens Park Rangers forward
Eduardo Vargas claims he spoke for many of his international team mates when
he argued that Zarate, who has previously appeared for Argentina in youth
competitions shouldn't be allowed to change allegiance. That he is being
given the opportunity to do so is as the result of having a father born in
Chile. However Vargas still maintains that Zarate will not be generally
welcomed if selected to represent La Roja. "The truth is that it is
something that does not seem right," he argued. "The squad has very good
Chilean players and we don't need to nationalise others to come and perform
in our place. It is up to the coach, but the players are not happy with it.
"It's not a decision very well received by the dressing room but if the
coach [Jorge Sampaoli] decides he is important and brings him to the team,
welcome."
Zarate has never represented Argentina at full international level but made
five appearances in a sky blue and white shirt in the Under 20 championships
back in 2007. He spent the first 20 years of his life in Argentina before
securing a move to Qutari side Al-Sadd in 2007, since when he has largely
lived in Europe.
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Cole joins fight against Ebola
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole is one of the stars of a new campaign helping to fight the
spread of the deadly Ebola disease. West Ham United's number 24 is one of
six footballers to feature in a video (see below) commissioned by UNICEF
that aims to provide information and support - both financial and otherwise
- to the people of West Africa who are fighting Ebola on a daily basis.
Entitled 'Africa United We've Got Your Back', the video highlights the
workers involved at 'ground zero' - the doctors, nurses and other aid
workers who provide support on the ground to those afflicted with the virus.
The other five players to feature alongside Cole in the short film are Yaya
Touré, Andros Townsend, Patrick Vieira, Kei Kamara and Fabrice Muamba. For
further information, visit the campaign website at
www.weareafricaunited.org.
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AND NOW THEY'RE GONNA BELIEVE US!!!
By Bianca Westwood 4 Dec 2014 at 08:23
West Ham till I Die
I know I've said this before but this time I mean it. Today's column is
going to be short and sweet. And a teeny bit rushed. Needs must at the
moment with the busy football schedule and to be totally honest I'm running
out of ways of praising our team!
Another 6 points in the bag. First a really important win against one of the
in-form teams in the Premier League followed by an away day at the
Hawthorns, coming back from a goal down to seal a valuable victory. Mustn't
grumble hey? Although unbelievably people are!! That good old fashion West
Ham fan mentality is creeping in. Inch by inch.
It was vital to bounce back after the disappointment at Goodison and try to
regain some momentum. After all, our performance had been worthy of a point
but I was concerned that after a 3 game winless run we might have lost some
of that verve and confidence we had been showing over the past few months.
We could have easily slipped up at home against a Newcastle team that had
been beating all-comers of late. We didn't.
No it wasn't always pretty. The goal was scruffy. It was spawny to say the
least but I'm not complaining. It's about time we started getting that
oh-so-precious rub of the green and when Kouyate fluffed his lines only for
it to it fall very nicely indeed for young Cresswell you kind of knew it
would be our day. It was a super cool finish too.
I was buoyed by how hard the team worked. They really grafted for each other
and remained resolute until the final whistle. Job done.
There was no letting up at the Hawthorns. Despite going behind early, the
determination and effort did not falter. It was a really gritty team
performance. We fought hard and won. And that was without Sakho, Song and
Noble.
Say what you like about Nolan but he does seem to pop up at the right time.
He may not be the player he was but he put a decent shift in and can still
play a key role in the team when needed. As for Tomkins, he powered his
header home in such a way you knew he was hoping we would forget his amateur
dramatics of the previous week. Dive? What dive?
It was a spirited performance that the 3000 travelling Hammers could be
proud of. Yet today I was incredulous to see some fans still spouting
negativity and nonsense on Facebook etc about Sam's tactics and the teams's
approach. Yes we 'defended the lead' (isn't that what you're supposed to
do?) and I read lots of complaints about shutting up shop on 65 minutes.
Listen I'd rather have the two wins in the bag thanks. Some fans seem to
think Sam is hellbent on playing mind-numbing hoofball but that is seriously
not the case. Ok, when Andy Carroll is in the team the tendency is to play
more direct. The big man is never going to run at defenders and dribble past
opponents into the box. We're not always going to be able to play pretty
football. You can't always press high and sometimes you have to defend
deeper. Sometimes you have to grind out results (especially when missing our
marquee players). Those moaning fans need to deal with it.
What impresses me now is we can do both. We're the fourth highest scorers in
the league but when we're not bang on our game we can still win without
playing well. It's what all good teams do. Did I really just say that?
So we head into the festive period comfortably placed in fifth position,
brimming with belief and rubbing our hands together at the prospect of
Swansea, Sunderland and Leicester to come.
You don't have to pinch yourselves. It's real. It's happening. So for all
you Grinches out there…brace yourselves for a very merry Christmas!!!
Come on you Irons!
B x
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James Tomkins: West Ham players staying grounded despite supporters'
European hopes
Dec 03, 2014 22:30 By David Anderson
Hammers fans have been chanting about potential meetings with Barcelona, but
Tomkins says the team are focused on their next game
The Mirror
James Tomkins claims West Ham's players will leave the Barcelona songs to
the fans. Jubilant Hammers supporters are dreaming of the Champions League,
chanting "Barcelona, we're coming for you" after beating West Brom to stay
fifth. Tomkins says the players know it was tongue in cheek and they are
looking no further than Swansea on Sunday. "That shows their sense of
humour," said the defender, who scored the winner against the Baggies. "I
don't think they will get carried away and I know the players are certainly
not singing it!
"It's just a bit of banter and we won't be getting carried away. We're in a
good position, but we'll be trying to get more points on the board. "The
fans are saying we're going to be top of the league, but we're just enjoying
how we're playing and we're getting a few players back, which makes the team
even stronger."
Tomkins insists the players are ambitious to finish high up the table and
said: "Who knows what we can achieve? Watch this space because we're on a
good run. "Look at our position last season and it wasn't as pretty as this.
It just shows after a bit of team spirit, good organisation and good players
we are getting the benefits. "The lads are excited about what we're doing
and it's all about keeping the run going."
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Time for us fans to think much BIGGER
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It maybe time for us fans to start adjusting our thinking to things West Ham
in as radical manner as the team has adjusted it's tactics and style. Truth
is, this new West Ham is taking a lot of getting used to and the ancient
debates on Twitter and the Claretandhugh Facebook page/web site are often
as irrelevant as last season's league position. Thankfully – although it
surfaces now and again – the pro/anti Sam Allardyce debate is all but dead
in the water until the next couple of bad results no doubt. Sure there's the
odd voice raised but it's not a serious issue right now. However, the Andy
Carroll thing is still running at full force and we too have asked the
question as to how he may respond if not a regular first team choice. Mauro
Zarate is another player seemingly with the same problem and the Winston
Reid "will he won't he stay" saga is still flickering in the background. But
very often all of us show the mentality which is seemingly attached to a
middle range club – we over analyse, over worry and then OVER REACT. Take
the Carroll issue…it's not a case of what West Ham will do but how Andy will
feel six or seven games down the line should he not be automatic first
choice. Personally if we are hanging around the top six I'd bet decent money
he will stay as we grow into a bigger club and rotate like the other big
boys. Zarate? Who knows but there's a lot of thought going into squad
building so I for one am not unduly concerned. Winston Reid? No point in
worrying about it is there? He will do what he has to do and like all other
big clubs we will hopefully get a better replacement – should he leave – as
we head towards Europe and the Olympic Stadium. We need to free ourselves of
this thinking too that the minute a player is in or out of form he is either
a regular or a discard. We've said many times this is a squad game and
different games need different approaches. Sam Allardyce and the Davids have
built a squad which is better than anyone could have expected. We are
adequately covered everywhere and we can all look forward with great
confidence. Let's look forward with a broader viewer view of how big we are
s gonna be – not how average it's been for too long. I believe the vast
majority of us are still having great trouble processing what's been going
on at our club but it's actually simple. We are bigger, better and going
places and can't quite get our heads around it. Let's all start trying a bit
harder…stop the feuding that too easily rises up and go forward united as
this club reaches for the stars.
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Carroll v Bony judgement day
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sunday afternoon against Swansea presents a fascinating sub plot within the
main event – Andy Carroll v Wilfried Bony! We don't need to have the longest
memories to recall that Bony was of course very much on his way to Upton
Park ahead of Carroll until Sam Allardyce decided that the Geordie was the
striker he wanted. It's now almost pat of West Ham folklore that Bony was
available at to us at around £8 million and eventually cost Swansea £13
million whilst Carroll finally got the nod for closer to £18 million. Andy
spiced up the clash and comparison himself when telling the official site
this week: ""I think he's a great player and has been fantastic for them.
bony-429217"He's big, strong and keeps the ball well and he can score goals
on the floor and in the air. He is going to be one to watch and keep a hold
of." Carroll – now into his third game proper – after a cameo appearance in
his first against Villa – is still awaiting his first goal of the season
after managing two in 16 starts last season. Bony, meanwhile, has managed
six from 16 this season and finished last term with 25 from 48n outings –
several in the Europa League.
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Irons ready to stuff Turks for Song
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham remain confident they can clinch the permanent signature of Alex
Song despite likely competition from Galatasaray and others at the end of
the season. The Turkish outfit have long fancied the Hammers "enforcer" but
will be unable to snatch him away in January after it was confirmed by co
chairman David Gold on Twitter Song's spell at Upton Park was an 'until end
of season ' deal. That, however, will not stop the Turks making a bid in the
summer when the player has made it clear he will make up his mind on "what
next?"
But the Hammers – with the rest of the squad nicely settled – will have
money to outbid the Turkish outfit given they need the £15 million rated
Song and possibly another central defender should Winston Reid move on. A
source told ClaretandHugh: "The whole key to the summer market for us is
that we have such a decent strike force and these are the boys who always
cost the big money. "It means for the first time in a long time that we will
have a majority of cash to spend elsewhere and obviously the Song signing
will become a priority.
"We can throw some money at that knowing too that Alex and his wife in
particular love life in London – it's a deal we want to do."
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Gold looks for winning return after illness
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold is hoping the Irons welcome him back to the director's box with a
Sunday afternoon victory. The joint chairman has been laid up with a mid
winter bug and has missed the Everton, Newcastle and West Brom games on
doctor's orders. But all being well the boss will be back in his position
for the clash with the Welsh outfit and a victory would be a very welcome
tonic. He told ClaretandHugh "We have players on the way back and the
victory at West Brom showed the sort of stuff this team is made of. It's
also brilliant to hear the fans discussing the different options we may have
available. "It's a long long time since the club has been in this position
and with players on the way back we can look forward to this game and keep
things going. "It's the oldest cliche in the game that if you can win when
not playing at anywhere near your best things look good. That was us on
Tuesday night. "Hopefully we'll have our players back and the manager will
have plenty of options and that makes me hopeful I'll be making a return
to"duty" with a victory. "Garry Monk has done a fine job at Swansea and they
will come with confidence on the back of a decent run but we are a very good
team this season aren't we?"
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Carroll out to bury Flores memories
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll – in wanting to bury memories of last season's clash with
Swansea – has a far better than even money chance of doing so …given Chico
Flores is now thousands of miles away in some Qatar footballing outpost. The
big centre forward referred to the matter briefly when declaring that last
season's clash "wasn't a very good ending" for him. You can say that again!
The sight of Flores crashing to the ground and writhing in agony as a
trailing Carroll arm brushed his hair was one of the worst sights many of us
have ever witnessed in the game. Flores is now out of sight having teamed up
with his former boss Michael Laudrup at Lekwhiya and Carroll said that
hopefully he will get a couple of goals this time around and no red card –
which would "be even better." Hopefully too, there will be no repeats of the
official dramas that followed as the Hammers management and board considered
their plans to fight the issues involved before eventually having to accept
the outcome.
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Valencia/Carroll in line for Swansea
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll are set to line up alongside each other for
the clash with Swansea on Sunday. And although there remains a slight doubt
it looks likely that Diafra Sakho will be on the bench for the match against
the seventh placed outfit. Swansea disposed of Queens Park Rangers on
Tuesday evening and who have been beaten once in the last five games. And
ClaretandHugh has learned that both Mark Noble and Alex Song are set to play
a part in what looks a very tasty match-up between two highly in-form sides.
We were told: "Swansea are a dangerous team and we are very hopeful that the
three injured players from Tuesday night will be in the squad. "We are
encouraged by Diafra's progress and he could be back whilst Enner got useful
minutes under his belt against West Brom. At this stage it would seem that
he and Andy are the likely front line."
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WHUFC.com
James Tomkins ended a goal drought when he scored the winner at West Brom
04.12.2014
James Tomkins ended a two-year wait for a goal when he popped up with the
winner at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. Having last scored in a 2-1
defeat at Wigan Athletic in the 2012/13 season, the No5 was delighted to
help his team maintain their fine form with victory at the Hawthorns. He
said: "I hadn't scored for two years, so I don't think the fans were
expecting me to score. I think they thought it was AC! "It was nice to score
- a winner as well - and the three points is always the most important
thing. "Getting on the scoresheet is a bonus. It was a hard-fought game, we
started sloppily but did well towards the end of the first half to go in 2-1
up.
"We kept it tight at the back and held out."
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Matthew Etherington: Winger retires with back injury
BBC.co.uk
Former Stoke and West Ham winger Matthew Etherington has retired from
football after failing to overcome a back injury. The 33-year-old left Stoke
in the summer, although he was recently training with Millwall. He started
his career with Peterborough and also played for Tottenham, Bradford on loan
and West Ham before moving to the Potters in 2009. In total, Etherington
made 493 club appearances, scoring 43 goals. He tweeted: "Due to an
ongoing back problem, the day has come for me to retire from professional
football. I have some amazing memories since the day I made my debut at just
15 years old. "Thank you to all the great clubs I have played for and to the
supporters. I have made some mistakes along the way but it has made me who I
am today. I look at the past with pride and to the future with optimism.
"Thanks to everyone for the kind messages. Really overwhelming reading them
all. Nice to know I left a few good memories during my career."
A few of his former team-mates tweeted that Etherington would be missed.
Potters keeper Asmir Begovic said: "Big congrats to @mattyethers on his
fantastic career! One of the best wingers I have played with so far.
#topman" Stoke striker Peter Crouch said: "@mattyethers is retiring! Great
player, great career and best of all a great lad! Can see that golf handicap
coming right down now." Middlesbrough midfielder Dean Whitehead, another
former Stoke team-mate said: "@mattyethers, what a player you've been lad,
pleasure to have played with you!! proper winger. #class act."
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Zarate decision angers team mates
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
The decision to allow West Ham United's Mauro Zarate to represent Chile has
angered some of the country's established stars. Queens Park Rangers forward
Eduardo Vargas claims he spoke for many of his international team mates when
he argued that Zarate, who has previously appeared for Argentina in youth
competitions shouldn't be allowed to change allegiance. That he is being
given the opportunity to do so is as the result of having a father born in
Chile. However Vargas still maintains that Zarate will not be generally
welcomed if selected to represent La Roja. "The truth is that it is
something that does not seem right," he argued. "The squad has very good
Chilean players and we don't need to nationalise others to come and perform
in our place. It is up to the coach, but the players are not happy with it.
"It's not a decision very well received by the dressing room but if the
coach [Jorge Sampaoli] decides he is important and brings him to the team,
welcome."
Zarate has never represented Argentina at full international level but made
five appearances in a sky blue and white shirt in the Under 20 championships
back in 2007. He spent the first 20 years of his life in Argentina before
securing a move to Qutari side Al-Sadd in 2007, since when he has largely
lived in Europe.
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Cole joins fight against Ebola
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole is one of the stars of a new campaign helping to fight the
spread of the deadly Ebola disease. West Ham United's number 24 is one of
six footballers to feature in a video (see below) commissioned by UNICEF
that aims to provide information and support - both financial and otherwise
- to the people of West Africa who are fighting Ebola on a daily basis.
Entitled 'Africa United We've Got Your Back', the video highlights the
workers involved at 'ground zero' - the doctors, nurses and other aid
workers who provide support on the ground to those afflicted with the virus.
The other five players to feature alongside Cole in the short film are Yaya
Touré, Andros Townsend, Patrick Vieira, Kei Kamara and Fabrice Muamba. For
further information, visit the campaign website at
www.weareafricaunited.org.
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AND NOW THEY'RE GONNA BELIEVE US!!!
By Bianca Westwood 4 Dec 2014 at 08:23
West Ham till I Die
I know I've said this before but this time I mean it. Today's column is
going to be short and sweet. And a teeny bit rushed. Needs must at the
moment with the busy football schedule and to be totally honest I'm running
out of ways of praising our team!
Another 6 points in the bag. First a really important win against one of the
in-form teams in the Premier League followed by an away day at the
Hawthorns, coming back from a goal down to seal a valuable victory. Mustn't
grumble hey? Although unbelievably people are!! That good old fashion West
Ham fan mentality is creeping in. Inch by inch.
It was vital to bounce back after the disappointment at Goodison and try to
regain some momentum. After all, our performance had been worthy of a point
but I was concerned that after a 3 game winless run we might have lost some
of that verve and confidence we had been showing over the past few months.
We could have easily slipped up at home against a Newcastle team that had
been beating all-comers of late. We didn't.
No it wasn't always pretty. The goal was scruffy. It was spawny to say the
least but I'm not complaining. It's about time we started getting that
oh-so-precious rub of the green and when Kouyate fluffed his lines only for
it to it fall very nicely indeed for young Cresswell you kind of knew it
would be our day. It was a super cool finish too.
I was buoyed by how hard the team worked. They really grafted for each other
and remained resolute until the final whistle. Job done.
There was no letting up at the Hawthorns. Despite going behind early, the
determination and effort did not falter. It was a really gritty team
performance. We fought hard and won. And that was without Sakho, Song and
Noble.
Say what you like about Nolan but he does seem to pop up at the right time.
He may not be the player he was but he put a decent shift in and can still
play a key role in the team when needed. As for Tomkins, he powered his
header home in such a way you knew he was hoping we would forget his amateur
dramatics of the previous week. Dive? What dive?
It was a spirited performance that the 3000 travelling Hammers could be
proud of. Yet today I was incredulous to see some fans still spouting
negativity and nonsense on Facebook etc about Sam's tactics and the teams's
approach. Yes we 'defended the lead' (isn't that what you're supposed to
do?) and I read lots of complaints about shutting up shop on 65 minutes.
Listen I'd rather have the two wins in the bag thanks. Some fans seem to
think Sam is hellbent on playing mind-numbing hoofball but that is seriously
not the case. Ok, when Andy Carroll is in the team the tendency is to play
more direct. The big man is never going to run at defenders and dribble past
opponents into the box. We're not always going to be able to play pretty
football. You can't always press high and sometimes you have to defend
deeper. Sometimes you have to grind out results (especially when missing our
marquee players). Those moaning fans need to deal with it.
What impresses me now is we can do both. We're the fourth highest scorers in
the league but when we're not bang on our game we can still win without
playing well. It's what all good teams do. Did I really just say that?
So we head into the festive period comfortably placed in fifth position,
brimming with belief and rubbing our hands together at the prospect of
Swansea, Sunderland and Leicester to come.
You don't have to pinch yourselves. It's real. It's happening. So for all
you Grinches out there…brace yourselves for a very merry Christmas!!!
Come on you Irons!
B x
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James Tomkins: West Ham players staying grounded despite supporters'
European hopes
Dec 03, 2014 22:30 By David Anderson
Hammers fans have been chanting about potential meetings with Barcelona, but
Tomkins says the team are focused on their next game
The Mirror
James Tomkins claims West Ham's players will leave the Barcelona songs to
the fans. Jubilant Hammers supporters are dreaming of the Champions League,
chanting "Barcelona, we're coming for you" after beating West Brom to stay
fifth. Tomkins says the players know it was tongue in cheek and they are
looking no further than Swansea on Sunday. "That shows their sense of
humour," said the defender, who scored the winner against the Baggies. "I
don't think they will get carried away and I know the players are certainly
not singing it!
"It's just a bit of banter and we won't be getting carried away. We're in a
good position, but we'll be trying to get more points on the board. "The
fans are saying we're going to be top of the league, but we're just enjoying
how we're playing and we're getting a few players back, which makes the team
even stronger."
Tomkins insists the players are ambitious to finish high up the table and
said: "Who knows what we can achieve? Watch this space because we're on a
good run. "Look at our position last season and it wasn't as pretty as this.
It just shows after a bit of team spirit, good organisation and good players
we are getting the benefits. "The lads are excited about what we're doing
and it's all about keeping the run going."
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Time for us fans to think much BIGGER
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It maybe time for us fans to start adjusting our thinking to things West Ham
in as radical manner as the team has adjusted it's tactics and style. Truth
is, this new West Ham is taking a lot of getting used to and the ancient
debates on Twitter and the Claretandhugh Facebook page/web site are often
as irrelevant as last season's league position. Thankfully – although it
surfaces now and again – the pro/anti Sam Allardyce debate is all but dead
in the water until the next couple of bad results no doubt. Sure there's the
odd voice raised but it's not a serious issue right now. However, the Andy
Carroll thing is still running at full force and we too have asked the
question as to how he may respond if not a regular first team choice. Mauro
Zarate is another player seemingly with the same problem and the Winston
Reid "will he won't he stay" saga is still flickering in the background. But
very often all of us show the mentality which is seemingly attached to a
middle range club – we over analyse, over worry and then OVER REACT. Take
the Carroll issue…it's not a case of what West Ham will do but how Andy will
feel six or seven games down the line should he not be automatic first
choice. Personally if we are hanging around the top six I'd bet decent money
he will stay as we grow into a bigger club and rotate like the other big
boys. Zarate? Who knows but there's a lot of thought going into squad
building so I for one am not unduly concerned. Winston Reid? No point in
worrying about it is there? He will do what he has to do and like all other
big clubs we will hopefully get a better replacement – should he leave – as
we head towards Europe and the Olympic Stadium. We need to free ourselves of
this thinking too that the minute a player is in or out of form he is either
a regular or a discard. We've said many times this is a squad game and
different games need different approaches. Sam Allardyce and the Davids have
built a squad which is better than anyone could have expected. We are
adequately covered everywhere and we can all look forward with great
confidence. Let's look forward with a broader viewer view of how big we are
s gonna be – not how average it's been for too long. I believe the vast
majority of us are still having great trouble processing what's been going
on at our club but it's actually simple. We are bigger, better and going
places and can't quite get our heads around it. Let's all start trying a bit
harder…stop the feuding that too easily rises up and go forward united as
this club reaches for the stars.
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Carroll v Bony judgement day
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sunday afternoon against Swansea presents a fascinating sub plot within the
main event – Andy Carroll v Wilfried Bony! We don't need to have the longest
memories to recall that Bony was of course very much on his way to Upton
Park ahead of Carroll until Sam Allardyce decided that the Geordie was the
striker he wanted. It's now almost pat of West Ham folklore that Bony was
available at to us at around £8 million and eventually cost Swansea £13
million whilst Carroll finally got the nod for closer to £18 million. Andy
spiced up the clash and comparison himself when telling the official site
this week: ""I think he's a great player and has been fantastic for them.
bony-429217"He's big, strong and keeps the ball well and he can score goals
on the floor and in the air. He is going to be one to watch and keep a hold
of." Carroll – now into his third game proper – after a cameo appearance in
his first against Villa – is still awaiting his first goal of the season
after managing two in 16 starts last season. Bony, meanwhile, has managed
six from 16 this season and finished last term with 25 from 48n outings –
several in the Europa League.
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Irons ready to stuff Turks for Song
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham remain confident they can clinch the permanent signature of Alex
Song despite likely competition from Galatasaray and others at the end of
the season. The Turkish outfit have long fancied the Hammers "enforcer" but
will be unable to snatch him away in January after it was confirmed by co
chairman David Gold on Twitter Song's spell at Upton Park was an 'until end
of season ' deal. That, however, will not stop the Turks making a bid in the
summer when the player has made it clear he will make up his mind on "what
next?"
But the Hammers – with the rest of the squad nicely settled – will have
money to outbid the Turkish outfit given they need the £15 million rated
Song and possibly another central defender should Winston Reid move on. A
source told ClaretandHugh: "The whole key to the summer market for us is
that we have such a decent strike force and these are the boys who always
cost the big money. "It means for the first time in a long time that we will
have a majority of cash to spend elsewhere and obviously the Song signing
will become a priority.
"We can throw some money at that knowing too that Alex and his wife in
particular love life in London – it's a deal we want to do."
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Gold looks for winning return after illness
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold is hoping the Irons welcome him back to the director's box with a
Sunday afternoon victory. The joint chairman has been laid up with a mid
winter bug and has missed the Everton, Newcastle and West Brom games on
doctor's orders. But all being well the boss will be back in his position
for the clash with the Welsh outfit and a victory would be a very welcome
tonic. He told ClaretandHugh "We have players on the way back and the
victory at West Brom showed the sort of stuff this team is made of. It's
also brilliant to hear the fans discussing the different options we may have
available. "It's a long long time since the club has been in this position
and with players on the way back we can look forward to this game and keep
things going. "It's the oldest cliche in the game that if you can win when
not playing at anywhere near your best things look good. That was us on
Tuesday night. "Hopefully we'll have our players back and the manager will
have plenty of options and that makes me hopeful I'll be making a return
to"duty" with a victory. "Garry Monk has done a fine job at Swansea and they
will come with confidence on the back of a decent run but we are a very good
team this season aren't we?"
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Carroll out to bury Flores memories
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Andy Carroll – in wanting to bury memories of last season's clash with
Swansea – has a far better than even money chance of doing so …given Chico
Flores is now thousands of miles away in some Qatar footballing outpost. The
big centre forward referred to the matter briefly when declaring that last
season's clash "wasn't a very good ending" for him. You can say that again!
The sight of Flores crashing to the ground and writhing in agony as a
trailing Carroll arm brushed his hair was one of the worst sights many of us
have ever witnessed in the game. Flores is now out of sight having teamed up
with his former boss Michael Laudrup at Lekwhiya and Carroll said that
hopefully he will get a couple of goals this time around and no red card –
which would "be even better." Hopefully too, there will be no repeats of the
official dramas that followed as the Hammers management and board considered
their plans to fight the issues involved before eventually having to accept
the outcome.
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Valencia/Carroll in line for Swansea
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll are set to line up alongside each other for
the clash with Swansea on Sunday. And although there remains a slight doubt
it looks likely that Diafra Sakho will be on the bench for the match against
the seventh placed outfit. Swansea disposed of Queens Park Rangers on
Tuesday evening and who have been beaten once in the last five games. And
ClaretandHugh has learned that both Mark Noble and Alex Song are set to play
a part in what looks a very tasty match-up between two highly in-form sides.
We were told: "Swansea are a dangerous team and we are very hopeful that the
three injured players from Tuesday night will be in the squad. "We are
encouraged by Diafra's progress and he could be back whilst Enner got useful
minutes under his belt against West Brom. At this stage it would seem that
he and Andy are the likely front line."
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Thursday, December 4
Daily WHUFC News - 4th December 2014
Nolan delighted to open account
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was thrilled to play his part in West Ham United's 2-1 win at West Brom on Tuesday
03.12.2014
Kevin Nolan returned to the West Ham United starting line-up with a bang on Tuesday night, nodding home the equaliser as Sam Allardyce's men came from behind to defeat West Bromwich Albion 2-1. The skipper reacted well to the disappointment of missing out on selection for Saturday's victory over his former side Newcastle United, by playing a full role from the start as the Hammers made it six points from six. He was thrilled to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season and hopes to repeat the feat when the Hammers take on Swansea City at home on Sunday afternoon. "I'm delighted to be in a team that's won," he smiled. "In my third start I got there in the end! Saying that, I thought we deserved something at Everton and we definitely deserved to beat Tottenham on the first day of the season. "It's nice [to win] and I'm delighted to get another goal. It's my first of the season and hopefully the first of many. I felt good before the game, I've been training hard and just waiting for my chance. "Obviously it was just dropping for me nicely. I'm disappointed I didn't put the one away with the overhead - it's a great save and I probably hit it too well. But I'll take one goal for the night."
West Brom came back strongly at the Hammers after the break and Victor Anichebe was only denied a late equaliser by a fine save from Adrian, but Nolan felt his team showed good resilience to repel the Baggies' threat. "You expect their response," he explained. "They're struggling for points and we're 2-1 up away from home. The Gaffer's decided to go with five at the back, soak up the pressure and see if we can hit them on the break with Enner's pace. "I thought we did pretty well. It was fantastic to make sure they didn't score and we had to rely on Adrian on a couple of occasions, but all in all I thought the lads were brilliant. We've had a fantastic start, and [it's great] to get another win after three points on Saturday. We didn't play too well against Newcastle, but still getting the win shows you're a good side."
Looking ahead to Sunday and the prospect of recording a third straight Barclays Premier League win, Nolan says he hopes to add to his goal tally as soon as possible, especially as he is now just one away from the milestone of 100 league goals. He added: "I've got a goal and I'm looking forward to another game against Swansea. I've got quite a good record against them from last season and I'm feeling good so hopefully I'll get my chance and score another couple."
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Etherington hangs up his boots
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Etherington has retired from football following a long battle with injury, it has been announced. The former Hammers winger has hung up his boots at the age of only 33, having failed to beat a persistent back problem. Etherington, who spent six seasons at West Ham between 2003 and 2009 was released by Stoke City at the end of the 2013/14 campaign. Having failed to secure a deal elsewhere - including Millwall, with whom he spent a week on trial during the summer - he decided to call it a day after 17 years as a pro. West Ham signed the Truro-born winger from Tottenham in 2003 as a makeweight in the deal that saw Freddie Kanoute go the other way. A key member of Alan Pardew's Championship side, Etherington remained with the club for four seasons following promotion back to the top flight before joining the Potters.
During that time he represented the club at Cardiff in two play off Finals and an FA Cup Final. He was also part of the squad that took part in the club's most recent European campaign - a short-lived run in the 2007 UEFA Cup which began - and ended - in Palermo. In all, he featured 195 times for West Ham during his spell at the Boleyn scoring 18 goals, out of a career total of 493 appearances.
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West Ham's Mark Noble says he is happy to train on Christmas Day
Last Updated: 01/12/14 11:53pm
SSN
Mark Noble accepts that training on Christmas Day is part and parcel of being a professional footballer and the West Ham midfielder would not have it any other way. Yet again, at this time of year, many managers - including Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal - are expressing their dismay at the hectic festive schedule but Noble accepts 'it is a privilege' to be a Premier League player. The 27-year-old has made more than 200 league appearances for the Hammers and regarding the forthcoming series of fixtures later this month, Noble said: "It is hard if you have got family and kids and you have to leave them on Christmas Day to go and train but listen, we are a small minority of lucky players. "We have a good life and playing football over Christmas is not the worst thing in the world." Mark Noble
"We have obviously worked hard for this but we are lucky enough to have the ability to play in the Premier League, so you have to take the good with the bad and if you have to play over Christmas, then you have to. "We have a good life and playing football over Christmas is not the worst thing in the world. "You think about soldiers out in Afghanistan or Iraq, and they are not with their families and they are getting bullets fired at them whereas we are playing in the Premier League, so you have got to put it in perspective really."
However, he understands that clubs need large squads to cope with the fixture list, by adding: "The Christmas period is so demanding and you need a big squad for that because people do pick up injuries. "We have four games in eight days and you need the squad to be able to deal with that. I think we have that this year." And his manager Sam Allardyce believes Noble is happy with his current form by saying: "Now he is coming into the peak of his career and we are moving forward pretty well at the moment, so I think he's enjoying himself better than ever before. "Mark has seen a lot of turmoil (at West Ham), a lot of change, with a lot of players coming in and out, lots of change of ownership and change of managers - but he has still always been there."
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THREE INTO TWO WON'T GO
By Iain Dale 3 Dec 2014 at 13:01
West Ham till I Die
Rumour is that Diafra Sakho will be fit and available for selection on Sunday for the home match against Swansea City. I'd imagine he will be on the bench and given fifteen or twenty minutes at the end of the game. However, if Sam thinks he is ready, he could go straight into the first eleven. But what happens then to Andy Carroll or Enner Valencia? Three into two doesn't go. Or does it? Is it possible to play all three in the same team, with Carroll playing through the middle and the other two either side? I doubt it very much, unless Stewart Downing is injured or rested. So assuming that doesn't happen, which two of the three do you play?
Our record so far would suggest that Sakho and Valencia have proved themselves and should be starting whenever they are available, but things are never quite that simple. Andy Carroll hasn't scored in the three games he has played, but he has been hugely influential, and looks sharper with every minute he plays. He's someone who needs minutes on the pitch to regain his match fitness.
Personally, I'd love to see him and Valencia playing together, with Enner cottoning on to his knockdowns. I think they could be a really powerful partnership, and that's what I'd expect to see against Swansea, with Sakho coming off the bench.
In the longer term, I'd imagine that Valencia will be the automatic start with Carroll or Sakho coming on as an impact substitute relatively early in the second half.
There's still no word on how far Alex Song is away from fitness. When he's back, we have an incredibly strong automatic first eleven…
Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Kouyate, Song, Noble, Downing, Valencia, Sakho/Carroll.
Anyone disagree with that as a starting first eleven ?
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est Ham keep moving with West Brom win - but can the bubble stop itself bursting?
Dec 03, 2014 11:59
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
Sam Allardyce's men marched into fifth with a come-from-behind win against West Brom on Tuesday night as their revival continues
The Mirror
There is something about the area for away fans at The Hawthorns that attracts the disaffected. Last Saturday, a huge banner was unfurled suggesting it was time for Arsene Wenger to go. Arsenal won 1-0. Rewind to last season and from almost the same spot, up went a message to Sam Allardyce accusing him of killing West Ham. Allardyce is still at the club, West Ham won there 2-1 last night and are now fifth – yes fifth – in the Premier League. So Wenger need not be too alarmed at Saturday's message. It is becoming an encouraging omen rather than one of impending doom. A season on and it is evident there is a steel about West Ham. There was a time when, if the Hammers went a goal down away from home in December, it was a prompt to look at the watch and make plans for an early exit to beat the traffic. Not now. Call it what you will but there is a resolve about West Ham these days. The win last night was a perfect example of the tough streak in the squad these days.
Time was when a team struggling and desperate for a result would view the visit of West Ham as a match to revive their season. Times change. Without the talismanic Mark Noble and leading scorer Diafra Sahko, West Ham secured three points to stay among the pacesetters without reaching the heights that saw off Liverpool and Manchester City earlier in the campaign. And enormous credit must go to the board of Davids Gold and Sullivan and Karren Brady. It would have been easy to point an Apprentice-like finger at Allardyce at the end of last season and say: "You're Fired !" But they stuck by him, launched an impressive summer recruitment campaign that brought the likes of Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and the ever-improving Aaron Cresswell to Upton Park. Now they are reaping the rewards. Of course West Ham would not be West Ham if there was not the occasional drama and disappointment. The club's anthem says it all – dreams fade and die.
So the next battle concerns Winston Reid. His contract is up at the end of the season and despite the offer of a lucrative four-year extension, the versatile New Zealander has yet to commit himself to the club. A free transfer in June or a bargain £7million move next month are on the horizon. Arsenal are monitoring the scenario closely. Then there is the future of Allardyce. From an East End hate figure, he has become a man who has won over the vast majority of a once sceptical support. His contract ends at the end of the season and those who once could not wait to direct him to the A13 and all points North would be more than happy for him to extend his stay. A change – and a dramatic one – from last season and THAT banner at The Hawthorns. Arsene Wenger, for one, will take heart.
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WEST HAM THE NEXT CLUB IN THE FRAME FOR DAVID ACCAM TRANSFER
News.ladbrokes.com
Reports are gathering pace that West Ham have become the latest Premier League club to join the race for Helsingborg's highly-rated winger David Accam. Despite the fact that the Hammers have had no trouble in giving opposition defences something to think about, it is rumoured that Sam Allardyce is still in the market for another attacking player to boost his squad's depth. If he is to capture this signing though, he may have to move quickly. Leicester City and West Brom are also looking into the possibility of signing the Ghana international, and would probably be in a better position to offer the 24-year-old first team football. The Swedish outfit are seeking at least £2.5m for the player they paid Ostersunds €235k for back in 2012. Since arriving at the club, Accam has taken the Allsvenskan by storm, netting 38 goals in 68 appearances for Henrik Larsson's side, including 17 in 23 this season, and has established himself as a vital member of their squad.
But with the allure of the Premier League sure to be telling, the man who began his career in the English non-league with Ledbury Town and Evesham could be vocal in his wish to push through a move. The winger is known for his electric pace that is sure to trouble all but the quickest of defenders, an attribute that would be very helpful at the Boelyn. Where he would fit in, in terms of breaking into the starting XI, remains to be seen, with the east Londoners already possessing a number of attacking midfielders and front men. His arrival in the East End could spell the end for fringe players such as Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison, but time will tell on that. Following their come-from-behind win at the Hawthorns, Allardyce's side sit fifth in the table, and will be looking for maximum points when Swansea visit the capital on Sunday, with a win for the hosts priced up at 11/8.
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Teenage West Ham talent says he 'wants to be like' Arsenal legend
HITC
Mathew Nash
Jahmal Hector-Ingram has high hopes for his future, hoping to follow in the footsteps of idol Thierry Henry. England under-17s have been in action this week, taking part in the Nike International Tournament in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Yesterday they defeated Australia 2-1, thanks to a goal from a promising member of the West Ham academy. Jahmal Hector-Ingram came off the bench to score the winner and cause a buzz among followers of West Ham's infamous youth scheme. He shined for the under-16s at the Montaigu Tournament in the summer and there is every hope he can go on to become a regular in the West Ham team an international set-ups going forward. But speaking after the game he made it clear that his hero is in fact an Arsenal great. Thierry Henry is currently in the news himself. His contract at the New York Red Bulls is up and he has been linked with a return to Arsenal this winter. Henry, Arsenal's record goal-scorer, certainly inspires a certain generation. Hector-Ingram is part of that.
Speaking to the FA.com the West Ham talent said: "I want to be like Thierry Henry. I study him, and before every game I play I watch a good 15 minute clip of him. "I try some of the things he does out on the pitch, and try to add a bit of my own style as well. Why not?
"That finish was my own style – but it did remind me a bit of Henry." West Ham fans he goes on to become their very own Thierry Henry in years to come.
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Irons await as FA Cup fever builds
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce may have a better chance of keeping his squad happier after the weekend when the FA Cup excitement will kick up a level.
The second round proper matches get underway on Friday night when Harlepool take on Blyth Spartans whilst among the teams fighting for a chance of meeting the big boys on Saturday and Sunday are Cambridge United, Maidstone, Warrington, Worcester City, Dartford, Telford and Southport. The third round match will give the Irons boss an opportunity of introducing one or two players who are in need of match time.
However, he can't relax too much in his selection with David Sullivan and David Gold making a decent cup run a priority. Gold said: "We have a powerful squad and we are looking forward to the competition very much. The FA cup remains a fantastic competition and it could be an exciting year for us."
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DG on mend and back in the box
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh was delighted to learn this afternoon that DG is very much on the mend after a suffering from a nasty midwinter bug. After a couple of absences from the director's box over recent weeks we caught up with our co-chairman a few minutes ago and gave him "get well soon" messages from the site and all our followers. And the boss was in great form saying: "Yes, I've been a little poorly with a midwinter bug but I spoke to my consultant this morning and all things being equal I'll be back in the box for Swansea. I'll try to remember to give you all a wave. He caught the match last night at home and after those last 2o minutes decided that he had better have his blood pressure checked at the same time on his morning appointment with the doc. And he said: "Amazingly he told me it was normal. Incredible because like most I really struggled through that West Brom blitz."
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Irons get major boost for Swans clash
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Alex Song and Mark Noble are 80 per cent certain to make their return to the Hammers side on Sunday against Swansea. The club hierachy left the Hawthorns last night very relieved men and good sources told us this morning that both the key players should be back for the match against the men from Wales. Song, in particular, was badly missed last night at West Brom as the players showed dreadful nerves throughout the second half and notably towards the end. A top source told ClaretandHugh: "That wouldn't have been the case with Alex around – he is the leader and knows how to close games out in front of the defence. He and Noble are 80 per cent certain to be back.
"With both of them we'll look different again although the Swans will represent a real test. No one is taking that much lightly.and there are some tired legs. "We are still hopeful that Sakho will be back. There are some very tired legs around – that West Brom match really was as tense as it gets or the players and the rest of us."
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The Big Question: Will Carroll remain happy?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Slowly it's becoming clearer why Brendan Rodgers had problems fitting Andy Carroll into his Liverpool team. And as mentioned by a correspondent to the ClaretandHugh forum, that represents a hell of a compliment to Sam Allardyce. Had you told me this time last year I would have written these words I would have been looking for the blokes in white coats to come and take you away. But – and I'm aware he's still not 100 per cent and was clearly tiring – when the manager hauled Andy off for Enner Valencia when all the smart money would have been on Mauro Zarate walking to the dug-out, I remained very surprised indeed. Ok, Zarate came off shortly afterwards as the team lost its way, but that AC was the first to feel the 'hook' made it clear a megashift has taken place in West Ham thinking. It now seems a given from manager down to the lowliest fan that one-up is not the West Ham way these days if you will allow me to use that sensitive expression..
Getting in behind defences and making things happen through the middle is what we have been screaming out for and that now looks to be Plan A. Andy's role will be as an impact sub but for how long he will find that acceptable is now the big question, just as it was under Rodgers. Ok, it's all gone more than a bit wrong for Liverpool in the early stages this season but the manager will not desert his system – the same system as it appears Sam is now adopting. So with Diafra Sakho apparently ready to return and Valencia with valuable minutes under his belt, Sunday's team selection will be interesting although given neither of the front two fully fit, maybe AC will start. But from then on – all the while the duo are fit – AC may well have a problem. Yes we want to keep him but how will he react when discovering that he is no longer the main man. Mauro Zarate has faced a test of character and still is doing – AC may be about to find himself in the same situation.
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WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was thrilled to play his part in West Ham United's 2-1 win at West Brom on Tuesday
03.12.2014
Kevin Nolan returned to the West Ham United starting line-up with a bang on Tuesday night, nodding home the equaliser as Sam Allardyce's men came from behind to defeat West Bromwich Albion 2-1. The skipper reacted well to the disappointment of missing out on selection for Saturday's victory over his former side Newcastle United, by playing a full role from the start as the Hammers made it six points from six. He was thrilled to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season and hopes to repeat the feat when the Hammers take on Swansea City at home on Sunday afternoon. "I'm delighted to be in a team that's won," he smiled. "In my third start I got there in the end! Saying that, I thought we deserved something at Everton and we definitely deserved to beat Tottenham on the first day of the season. "It's nice [to win] and I'm delighted to get another goal. It's my first of the season and hopefully the first of many. I felt good before the game, I've been training hard and just waiting for my chance. "Obviously it was just dropping for me nicely. I'm disappointed I didn't put the one away with the overhead - it's a great save and I probably hit it too well. But I'll take one goal for the night."
West Brom came back strongly at the Hammers after the break and Victor Anichebe was only denied a late equaliser by a fine save from Adrian, but Nolan felt his team showed good resilience to repel the Baggies' threat. "You expect their response," he explained. "They're struggling for points and we're 2-1 up away from home. The Gaffer's decided to go with five at the back, soak up the pressure and see if we can hit them on the break with Enner's pace. "I thought we did pretty well. It was fantastic to make sure they didn't score and we had to rely on Adrian on a couple of occasions, but all in all I thought the lads were brilliant. We've had a fantastic start, and [it's great] to get another win after three points on Saturday. We didn't play too well against Newcastle, but still getting the win shows you're a good side."
Looking ahead to Sunday and the prospect of recording a third straight Barclays Premier League win, Nolan says he hopes to add to his goal tally as soon as possible, especially as he is now just one away from the milestone of 100 league goals. He added: "I've got a goal and I'm looking forward to another game against Swansea. I've got quite a good record against them from last season and I'm feeling good so hopefully I'll get my chance and score another couple."
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Etherington hangs up his boots
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Etherington has retired from football following a long battle with injury, it has been announced. The former Hammers winger has hung up his boots at the age of only 33, having failed to beat a persistent back problem. Etherington, who spent six seasons at West Ham between 2003 and 2009 was released by Stoke City at the end of the 2013/14 campaign. Having failed to secure a deal elsewhere - including Millwall, with whom he spent a week on trial during the summer - he decided to call it a day after 17 years as a pro. West Ham signed the Truro-born winger from Tottenham in 2003 as a makeweight in the deal that saw Freddie Kanoute go the other way. A key member of Alan Pardew's Championship side, Etherington remained with the club for four seasons following promotion back to the top flight before joining the Potters.
During that time he represented the club at Cardiff in two play off Finals and an FA Cup Final. He was also part of the squad that took part in the club's most recent European campaign - a short-lived run in the 2007 UEFA Cup which began - and ended - in Palermo. In all, he featured 195 times for West Ham during his spell at the Boleyn scoring 18 goals, out of a career total of 493 appearances.
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West Ham's Mark Noble says he is happy to train on Christmas Day
Last Updated: 01/12/14 11:53pm
SSN
Mark Noble accepts that training on Christmas Day is part and parcel of being a professional footballer and the West Ham midfielder would not have it any other way. Yet again, at this time of year, many managers - including Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal - are expressing their dismay at the hectic festive schedule but Noble accepts 'it is a privilege' to be a Premier League player. The 27-year-old has made more than 200 league appearances for the Hammers and regarding the forthcoming series of fixtures later this month, Noble said: "It is hard if you have got family and kids and you have to leave them on Christmas Day to go and train but listen, we are a small minority of lucky players. "We have a good life and playing football over Christmas is not the worst thing in the world." Mark Noble
"We have obviously worked hard for this but we are lucky enough to have the ability to play in the Premier League, so you have to take the good with the bad and if you have to play over Christmas, then you have to. "We have a good life and playing football over Christmas is not the worst thing in the world. "You think about soldiers out in Afghanistan or Iraq, and they are not with their families and they are getting bullets fired at them whereas we are playing in the Premier League, so you have got to put it in perspective really."
However, he understands that clubs need large squads to cope with the fixture list, by adding: "The Christmas period is so demanding and you need a big squad for that because people do pick up injuries. "We have four games in eight days and you need the squad to be able to deal with that. I think we have that this year." And his manager Sam Allardyce believes Noble is happy with his current form by saying: "Now he is coming into the peak of his career and we are moving forward pretty well at the moment, so I think he's enjoying himself better than ever before. "Mark has seen a lot of turmoil (at West Ham), a lot of change, with a lot of players coming in and out, lots of change of ownership and change of managers - but he has still always been there."
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THREE INTO TWO WON'T GO
By Iain Dale 3 Dec 2014 at 13:01
West Ham till I Die
Rumour is that Diafra Sakho will be fit and available for selection on Sunday for the home match against Swansea City. I'd imagine he will be on the bench and given fifteen or twenty minutes at the end of the game. However, if Sam thinks he is ready, he could go straight into the first eleven. But what happens then to Andy Carroll or Enner Valencia? Three into two doesn't go. Or does it? Is it possible to play all three in the same team, with Carroll playing through the middle and the other two either side? I doubt it very much, unless Stewart Downing is injured or rested. So assuming that doesn't happen, which two of the three do you play?
Our record so far would suggest that Sakho and Valencia have proved themselves and should be starting whenever they are available, but things are never quite that simple. Andy Carroll hasn't scored in the three games he has played, but he has been hugely influential, and looks sharper with every minute he plays. He's someone who needs minutes on the pitch to regain his match fitness.
Personally, I'd love to see him and Valencia playing together, with Enner cottoning on to his knockdowns. I think they could be a really powerful partnership, and that's what I'd expect to see against Swansea, with Sakho coming off the bench.
In the longer term, I'd imagine that Valencia will be the automatic start with Carroll or Sakho coming on as an impact substitute relatively early in the second half.
There's still no word on how far Alex Song is away from fitness. When he's back, we have an incredibly strong automatic first eleven…
Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Kouyate, Song, Noble, Downing, Valencia, Sakho/Carroll.
Anyone disagree with that as a starting first eleven ?
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est Ham keep moving with West Brom win - but can the bubble stop itself bursting?
Dec 03, 2014 11:59
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
Sam Allardyce's men marched into fifth with a come-from-behind win against West Brom on Tuesday night as their revival continues
The Mirror
There is something about the area for away fans at The Hawthorns that attracts the disaffected. Last Saturday, a huge banner was unfurled suggesting it was time for Arsene Wenger to go. Arsenal won 1-0. Rewind to last season and from almost the same spot, up went a message to Sam Allardyce accusing him of killing West Ham. Allardyce is still at the club, West Ham won there 2-1 last night and are now fifth – yes fifth – in the Premier League. So Wenger need not be too alarmed at Saturday's message. It is becoming an encouraging omen rather than one of impending doom. A season on and it is evident there is a steel about West Ham. There was a time when, if the Hammers went a goal down away from home in December, it was a prompt to look at the watch and make plans for an early exit to beat the traffic. Not now. Call it what you will but there is a resolve about West Ham these days. The win last night was a perfect example of the tough streak in the squad these days.
Time was when a team struggling and desperate for a result would view the visit of West Ham as a match to revive their season. Times change. Without the talismanic Mark Noble and leading scorer Diafra Sahko, West Ham secured three points to stay among the pacesetters without reaching the heights that saw off Liverpool and Manchester City earlier in the campaign. And enormous credit must go to the board of Davids Gold and Sullivan and Karren Brady. It would have been easy to point an Apprentice-like finger at Allardyce at the end of last season and say: "You're Fired !" But they stuck by him, launched an impressive summer recruitment campaign that brought the likes of Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and the ever-improving Aaron Cresswell to Upton Park. Now they are reaping the rewards. Of course West Ham would not be West Ham if there was not the occasional drama and disappointment. The club's anthem says it all – dreams fade and die.
So the next battle concerns Winston Reid. His contract is up at the end of the season and despite the offer of a lucrative four-year extension, the versatile New Zealander has yet to commit himself to the club. A free transfer in June or a bargain £7million move next month are on the horizon. Arsenal are monitoring the scenario closely. Then there is the future of Allardyce. From an East End hate figure, he has become a man who has won over the vast majority of a once sceptical support. His contract ends at the end of the season and those who once could not wait to direct him to the A13 and all points North would be more than happy for him to extend his stay. A change – and a dramatic one – from last season and THAT banner at The Hawthorns. Arsene Wenger, for one, will take heart.
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WEST HAM THE NEXT CLUB IN THE FRAME FOR DAVID ACCAM TRANSFER
News.ladbrokes.com
Reports are gathering pace that West Ham have become the latest Premier League club to join the race for Helsingborg's highly-rated winger David Accam. Despite the fact that the Hammers have had no trouble in giving opposition defences something to think about, it is rumoured that Sam Allardyce is still in the market for another attacking player to boost his squad's depth. If he is to capture this signing though, he may have to move quickly. Leicester City and West Brom are also looking into the possibility of signing the Ghana international, and would probably be in a better position to offer the 24-year-old first team football. The Swedish outfit are seeking at least £2.5m for the player they paid Ostersunds €235k for back in 2012. Since arriving at the club, Accam has taken the Allsvenskan by storm, netting 38 goals in 68 appearances for Henrik Larsson's side, including 17 in 23 this season, and has established himself as a vital member of their squad.
But with the allure of the Premier League sure to be telling, the man who began his career in the English non-league with Ledbury Town and Evesham could be vocal in his wish to push through a move. The winger is known for his electric pace that is sure to trouble all but the quickest of defenders, an attribute that would be very helpful at the Boelyn. Where he would fit in, in terms of breaking into the starting XI, remains to be seen, with the east Londoners already possessing a number of attacking midfielders and front men. His arrival in the East End could spell the end for fringe players such as Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison, but time will tell on that. Following their come-from-behind win at the Hawthorns, Allardyce's side sit fifth in the table, and will be looking for maximum points when Swansea visit the capital on Sunday, with a win for the hosts priced up at 11/8.
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Teenage West Ham talent says he 'wants to be like' Arsenal legend
HITC
Mathew Nash
Jahmal Hector-Ingram has high hopes for his future, hoping to follow in the footsteps of idol Thierry Henry. England under-17s have been in action this week, taking part in the Nike International Tournament in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Yesterday they defeated Australia 2-1, thanks to a goal from a promising member of the West Ham academy. Jahmal Hector-Ingram came off the bench to score the winner and cause a buzz among followers of West Ham's infamous youth scheme. He shined for the under-16s at the Montaigu Tournament in the summer and there is every hope he can go on to become a regular in the West Ham team an international set-ups going forward. But speaking after the game he made it clear that his hero is in fact an Arsenal great. Thierry Henry is currently in the news himself. His contract at the New York Red Bulls is up and he has been linked with a return to Arsenal this winter. Henry, Arsenal's record goal-scorer, certainly inspires a certain generation. Hector-Ingram is part of that.
Speaking to the FA.com the West Ham talent said: "I want to be like Thierry Henry. I study him, and before every game I play I watch a good 15 minute clip of him. "I try some of the things he does out on the pitch, and try to add a bit of my own style as well. Why not?
"That finish was my own style – but it did remind me a bit of Henry." West Ham fans he goes on to become their very own Thierry Henry in years to come.
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Irons await as FA Cup fever builds
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce may have a better chance of keeping his squad happier after the weekend when the FA Cup excitement will kick up a level.
The second round proper matches get underway on Friday night when Harlepool take on Blyth Spartans whilst among the teams fighting for a chance of meeting the big boys on Saturday and Sunday are Cambridge United, Maidstone, Warrington, Worcester City, Dartford, Telford and Southport. The third round match will give the Irons boss an opportunity of introducing one or two players who are in need of match time.
However, he can't relax too much in his selection with David Sullivan and David Gold making a decent cup run a priority. Gold said: "We have a powerful squad and we are looking forward to the competition very much. The FA cup remains a fantastic competition and it could be an exciting year for us."
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DG on mend and back in the box
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh was delighted to learn this afternoon that DG is very much on the mend after a suffering from a nasty midwinter bug. After a couple of absences from the director's box over recent weeks we caught up with our co-chairman a few minutes ago and gave him "get well soon" messages from the site and all our followers. And the boss was in great form saying: "Yes, I've been a little poorly with a midwinter bug but I spoke to my consultant this morning and all things being equal I'll be back in the box for Swansea. I'll try to remember to give you all a wave. He caught the match last night at home and after those last 2o minutes decided that he had better have his blood pressure checked at the same time on his morning appointment with the doc. And he said: "Amazingly he told me it was normal. Incredible because like most I really struggled through that West Brom blitz."
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Irons get major boost for Swans clash
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Alex Song and Mark Noble are 80 per cent certain to make their return to the Hammers side on Sunday against Swansea. The club hierachy left the Hawthorns last night very relieved men and good sources told us this morning that both the key players should be back for the match against the men from Wales. Song, in particular, was badly missed last night at West Brom as the players showed dreadful nerves throughout the second half and notably towards the end. A top source told ClaretandHugh: "That wouldn't have been the case with Alex around – he is the leader and knows how to close games out in front of the defence. He and Noble are 80 per cent certain to be back.
"With both of them we'll look different again although the Swans will represent a real test. No one is taking that much lightly.and there are some tired legs. "We are still hopeful that Sakho will be back. There are some very tired legs around – that West Brom match really was as tense as it gets or the players and the rest of us."
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The Big Question: Will Carroll remain happy?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 3, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Slowly it's becoming clearer why Brendan Rodgers had problems fitting Andy Carroll into his Liverpool team. And as mentioned by a correspondent to the ClaretandHugh forum, that represents a hell of a compliment to Sam Allardyce. Had you told me this time last year I would have written these words I would have been looking for the blokes in white coats to come and take you away. But – and I'm aware he's still not 100 per cent and was clearly tiring – when the manager hauled Andy off for Enner Valencia when all the smart money would have been on Mauro Zarate walking to the dug-out, I remained very surprised indeed. Ok, Zarate came off shortly afterwards as the team lost its way, but that AC was the first to feel the 'hook' made it clear a megashift has taken place in West Ham thinking. It now seems a given from manager down to the lowliest fan that one-up is not the West Ham way these days if you will allow me to use that sensitive expression..
Getting in behind defences and making things happen through the middle is what we have been screaming out for and that now looks to be Plan A. Andy's role will be as an impact sub but for how long he will find that acceptable is now the big question, just as it was under Rodgers. Ok, it's all gone more than a bit wrong for Liverpool in the early stages this season but the manager will not desert his system – the same system as it appears Sam is now adopting. So with Diafra Sakho apparently ready to return and Valencia with valuable minutes under his belt, Sunday's team selection will be interesting although given neither of the front two fully fit, maybe AC will start. But from then on – all the while the duo are fit – AC may well have a problem. Yes we want to keep him but how will he react when discovering that he is no longer the main man. Mauro Zarate has faced a test of character and still is doing – AC may be about to find himself in the same situation.
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