Boxing Day defeat floors Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce admitted a slow start left West Ham United on the canvas at Chelsea
26.12.2014
Sam Allardyce admitted a slow start left his West Ham United side unable to come off the ropes in their 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Chelsea.
The Hammers went on the defensive from the kick-off at Stamford Bridge, suffering a body blow when John Terry jabbed in from a corner on 21 minutes. West Ham attempted to bounce of the canvas after half-time, only for Diego Costa to breach their defences again to land the knockout blow just past the hour-mark. Big Sam's team staged a valiant late rally which saw substitute Morgan Amalfitano hit a post, but leaders Chelsea fought their way to a deserved Barclays Premier League victory. "The disappointing thing was the first-half performance," said the Hammers boss. "As good as Chelsea are, I did expect us to have done a little better in possession than we did. "In fairness to the lads, in the second half we started from the very first whistle to try and become more positive, get on the front foot and cause Chelsea a few more problems, but then we gifted them the second goal right when we were in our best spell in the game. We lost possession in our own half and Costa tucked it away extremely well. "What did please me was that we didn't let that get to us. We carried on and on and on doing what we should be doing, which was get better in possession, and created some extremely good chances just after 2-0 - Enner Valencia one on one with the 'keeper and Morgan late on having one free header that just went wide and a shot that could have gone in off the post after a brilliant bit of skill. "We didn't let our heads go down. We carried on right to the end and if one goal had gone in, we might have got them a little bit nervous, but I can't complain about the result too much in the end."
Big Sam's team selection raised some eyebrows among supporters and media alike, with Alex Song and Diafra Sakho left on the substitutes' bench and only entering the fray just before Costa's goal. When asked, the manager explained that both have recently returned from injury and could not be risked from the start both at Chelsea and in Sunday's home fixture with Arsenal. "We've got two games in 48 hours, so people have got to change and rotate their team because you have 22 players that you need to use during any particular period. You can't just use them when you've got an injury or suspension, that's not the done thing today. "Some of our players were, in our educated opinion, not capable of playing two games in 48 hours. We made only three changes, one (the injured James Tomkins being replaced by James Collins) was forced on us, while the other two I have explained before. "Alex has just got back from a problem with his knee and Sakho a problem with his back, so two games in that short space of time would have been very difficult. I'm sure they'd have played very well today, but come picking them on Sunday, it might have been very difficult when we considered how they felt."
When they did appear, Song and Sakho both made an impact, as did fellow replacement Amalfitano, whose trickery and clever runs created a number of chances from both open play and set pieces. With Enner Valencia also working hard, both wide on the left and later in a centre forward role, West Ham ended the game strongly and could easily have warranted a goal for their efforts. "We played more positive football in terms of passing the ball forward [after they came on]," the manager confirmed. "We got sucked into this negative play backwards and sideways stuff in the first half and Chelsea do their pressing game, which we know about and warned the players about, and we ended up getting deeper and deeper and couldn't get out of our own half. "We didn't play how I wanted us to play in the first half, but when we put that right at half-time and the players started doing what I wanted them to do, which was get at Chelsea, we got a lot, lot better."
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Cresswell - 'We never give up'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says the Hammers' second half performance at Chelsea once again showed their spirit
26.12.2014
Chelsea ended West Ham United's five-match unbeaten run with a show of their league leading power on Boxing Day, but Aaron Cresswell will not get downhearted ahead of Sunday's meeting with Arsenal. Goals from John Terry and Diego Costa sealed the points for Chelsea, who kept up their title charge with their 2-0 success. West Ham did improve after the break and went close to setting up a grandstand finish when Morgan Amalfitano hit the post late on and Cresswell will be looking to the closing stages as he prepares for the visit of the Gunners.
He said: "We knew it was going to be a difficult task here at Chelsea. Morgan had a chance in the last few minutes and maybe if that had gone in [it would have been interesting]. "We've shown this year that we'll never give up, no matter what score we go down. Maybe we gave them too much respect early on and then grew into the game in the second half. "We didn't really want it to end, but we knew it was going to be tough and we'll look forward to the Arsenal game now."
Cresswell has enjoyed a stellar start to his Hammers career, having moved up from Sky Bet Championship side Ipswich Town in the summer and he will learn from every experience of playing against the league's best.. He added: "Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe, they've shown that and it looks like they're going to have a good chance of winning the league this year. "They've got world class players, as everyone knows, and at times they showed that class. We're still full of confidence though as we look forward to the Arsenal game."
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February fixture changes
WHUFC.com
Four of West Ham United's February games have new dates or kick-off times
19.12.2014
All four of West Ham United's February fixtures have new dates or kick-off times. The home Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United has been moved to Sunday 8 February, with a 4.15pm kick-off. As a result, the trip to Southampton has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday 11 February, with a 7.45pm kick-off. The away game at Tottenham Hotspur will now be played on Sunday 22 February at 12pm. Finally, the home London derby against Crystal Palace stays on Saturday 28 February but will now kick-off at 12.45pm.
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Chelsea 2 West Ham 0
26 December 2014
Last updated at 15:06
By Mike Henson
BBC Sport
Leaders Chelsea tightened their grip on the Premier League's top spot with a commanding victory over West Ham. The Blues had already come close through Oscar and Gary Cahill when John Terry turned in Diego Costa's header from close range. After a tame first half, West Ham offered more in the second, but their hopes were snuffed out by Costa's drilled finish just after the hour. Morgan Amalfitano hit the post late on but Chelsea racked up 28 shots at goal. Chelsea look set to finish 2014 at the top of the table - and the quality of their performance suggested they may well still be there in May.
Their manager Jose Mourinho accused West Ham of playing "19th century football" after the teams' goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in January, but this Blues side, with the attacking threat Costa and Cesc Fabregas, never looked like being denied. The visitors' style has taken a quantum leap forward since - with 29 goals in their first 17 league games this season compared to 14 over the same period in 2013-14 - but it was clear as soon as the team sheets were published that Sam Allardyce intended a defensive performance similar to 11 months ago.
The West Ham manager dropped Alex Song and Diafra Sakho to the bench ahead of Sunday's meeting with Arsenal and told television before kick-off that "we have to stop Chelsea - it's as simple as that". His ambitions were almost undermined by Carl Jenkinson's lapse inside the first five minutes. The right-back, on loan from Arsenal, allowed Oscar to dart in behind him and was relieved to see the Brazilian blaze over from six yards out after latching onto Willian's floated ball in. But it was only a temporary reprieve. Gary Cahill thumped a shot straight at Adrian and the seemingly inevitable Chelsea opener arrived after Eden Hazard almost wriggled his way in on goal. James Collins' last-ditch tackle had denied the Belgian on that occasion, but from the resulting corner the defender lost Terry, who was free to poke in as Costa flicked on.
The Blues did not let up and Costa punted over when well placed before Branislav Ivanovic appealed in vain for a penalty as he went down under Andy Carroll's challenge. For West Ham, with only 27% of possession, Chelsea's slim scoreboard advantage was the only positive to take from the first half. The away side briefly flickered into life after the break and Terry had to be alert to cover across and block Valencia's route to goal. Sakho and Song were introduced for the Hammers but, just as a few concerns could be felt around Stamford Bridge, Costa's dead-eyed finish ensured the home fans could enjoy the final half hour in comfort. The Spain international's dummy took Tomkins, Winston Reid and Carl Jenkinson out of the game before his fierce low drive did likewise for goalkeeper Adrian. A late cameo for Didier Drogba was applauded warmly and West Ham were denied a late mood-killing consolation as Amalfitano's flick hit the woodwork after a neat run took him past Terry and Cahill.
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Chelsea 2-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Chelsea continued their relentless march towards the Premier League title with a comfortable win over the Hammers at Stamford Bridge - but will have made few friends in doing so.
In a week when the issue of diving and players cheating their fellow professionals has been a major topic of discussion, the Blues showed their contempt for the vast majority of football followers around the country by continuing their policy of attempting to hoodwink the officials by 'going to ground' at every available opportunity.
Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic were both guilty of feigning fouls inside the 18-yard box during the first half, although neither resulted in a penalty. Credit for that at least to rookie referee Michael Oliver, although his refusal to sanction either was little short of a dereliction of duty.
It said much of Oliver's performance today that the only players to be booked in the first half wore claret and blue - and the first of the two, James Collins, was penalised for making a perfectly legitimate and well-timed tackle on Costa, as he drove towards goal.
That Chelsea were superb to watch when doing what they are paid to do - ie. play football - made their predilection for cheating even more baffling. Hazard - when not falling over or appealing for non-existent penalties - excelled for the hosts and was a joy to watch when in full flow.
However it was a far more typically-British goal that saw Chelsea open the scoring on the half hour mark. Fabregas' corner was met by the head of Costa, whose parry was met by the incoming John Terry. Marker James Collins was nowhere to be seen as the former England defender applied the finish to give the home side a deserved lead.
West Ham had been battered before the goal and continued to face the flak for the rest of the half. Fortunately for Sam Allardyce's side, Chelsea found goalkeeper Adrian once again in sparkling form; the Spaniard made seven saves and claimed three crosses to prevent the Blues from recording an even larger winning margin.
However there was little he could do to prevent the championship front-runners from grabbing a second, with 62 minutes played. Cheik Kouyate lost possession on the half way line and the ball was swiftly moved to Costa, who bamboozled Collins with quick feet before firing across Adrian into the far corner.
Aaron cresswell ✔ @Aaron_Cresswell
Not the result we wanted today, we knew it was going to be tough but look forward to Sunday now.. #COYI
That goal put any notions of West Ham pulling off a major shock to bed and although United perhaps deserved a consolation for their (much improved) second half effort, it wasn't to be. Substitute Morgan Amalfitano thought he'd reduced the deficit three minutes from time when dancing through the Chelsea defence before failing to beat the woodwork.
Big Sam's decision to rest one or two key players for this weekend's clash with Arsenal saw some of his fiercest critics re-emerge from wherever it is they have been hiding in recent months, although only in 48 hours time will we know whether that policy proved to be the right one.
Clearly Arsenal at home is a far less formidable challenge than visiting the league leaders, whose Premier League record at Stamford Bridge this season now reads played nine, won nine. Should the Hammers prevail and take three points on Sunday, perhaps the decision not to throw the kitchen sink at Chelsea today will prove to be the right one.
Diego Poyet ✔ @diegopoyet7
Gutted for the boys today 👎 Always a tough ask when playing at Chelsea away. Looking forward to our home game against Arsenal on Sunday!
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John Terry and Diego Costa on target as dominant Chelsea beat West Ham
Last Updated: 26/12/14 7:58pm
SSN
Chelsea maintained their perfect home record in the Premier League after easing to a 2-0 Boxing Day victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge. John Terry opened the scoring for the dominant hosts in the 31st minute when he turned home from close range after Diego Costa headed a corner goalwards. Chelsea spurned a number of chances to extend their advantage, but Costa eventually made sure of the points on the hour mark when he fired a fine low shot past Adrian. The visitors, who started the day fourth in the table, failed to muster a shot on target and were perhaps fortunate to only lose 2-0, after being second best from start to finish. While the Hammers may well recover from this defeat to challenge for the top four this season, there is no doubt on this evidence that they are some way off the level of Chelsea, who were in irresistible form all afternoon. Jose Mourinho preferred Oscar over Jon Obi Mikel while the Hammers made three changes from their win over Leicester City, with James Collins, Mark Noble and Enner Valencia all starting. It was Oscar who had the best early opening as Carl Jenkinson let Willian's ball into the box bounce through for the Brazilian. Fortunately for Jenkinson, his mistake was not punished as Oscar fired over the bar from 10 yards out with just the keeper to beat. Chelsea went close again in the 10th minute as Terry clipped a ball into the box for his fellow centre-back Gary Cahill, who rose well above Jenkinson but could only head over the bar. The Blues were bossing possession and Cahill went close for a second time when he saw a fierce shot from inside the box blocked by Adrian. Willian then tested the Hammers keeper with an effort from 25 yards before Hazard almost got in after some sumptuous one-touch passing. Chelsea's dominance eventually told on the half-hour mark when Costa headed a corner towards goal and Terry turned it in from a few yards out. It was almost 2-0 minutes later as Adrian pulled off a fine fingertip save to turn Nemanja Matic's shot around the post.
Costa then went close on a couple of occasions - seeing a deflected effort spin wide and shooting over from Branislav Ivanovic's cross - as Chelsea continued to completely control the game. The Hammers didn't manage a shot on target in the first half and they soon found their goal under threat again after the interval as Hazard cut inside and drilled in a shot that Adrian had to palm away. Sam Allardyce sent on Alex Song and Diafra Sakho shortly before the hour mark in a bid to spark his side into life, but Chelsea responded by putting the game to bed in the 62nd minute.
After a West Ham attack was broken up on the halfway line, Hazard moved the ball forward for Costa, who twisted and turned on the edge of the box before firing an excellent low shot across goal and into the corner. Chelsea looked in the mood for more and came close as Costa volleyed over from Ivanovic's superb back-post cross and then Adrian tipped Oscar's free-kick over the bar. As the Blues made late changes, the Hammers almost snatched a consolation effort when Morgan Amalfitano chipped a shot over the dive of Thibaut Courtouis, but saw the ball bounce back off the post. That was to be the visitors' best chance of the match and Allardyce will hope for better from his side when they host Arsenal on Sunday.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Courtois (6), Ivanovic (7), Cahill (6), Terry (8), Azpilicueta (6), Fabregas (6), Matic (7), Willian (7), Oscar (7), Hazard (8), Costa (8).
Subs: Ramires (5), Drogba (5), Mikel (5).
West Ham: Adrian (7), Jenkinson (5), Collins (5), Reid (6), Cresswell (5), Noble (5), Nolan (6), Kouyate (5), Downing (5), Carroll (5), Valencia (6).
Subs: Sakho (6), Amalfitano (5), Song (5).
Man of the match: Eden Hazard.
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Sam Allardyce admits West Ham weren't on top of their game in Chelsea defeat
Last Updated: 26/12/14 4:47pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted his side were second best against Chelsea as they were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The Hammers didn't muster a shot on target throughout the Boxing Day match and conceded goals in either half from John Terry and Diego Costa.They did improve in the final stages as Chelsea took their foot off the gas but by then it was too little too late, as Allardyce acknowledged.
"Up to 2-0, we didn't really do anything to affect them enough because of the quality they have got and the fact we didn't play as well as we know we can," he told Sky Sports. "It was a bit of both, a top-quality team playing against us not on top of our game. I said if we were going to get anything against Chelsea, you have to play your best and even then that might not be good enough. Sam Allardyce says West Ham did not play as well as they can during their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea but will take positives from the game "The best chances for us came after we went 2-0 down which was really our fault and not due to great football from Chelsea." Particularly frustrating for Allardyce was Chelsea's first goal from Terry, which came after a corner was flicked on by Costa for the defender to finish from close range. "It kills me conceded from set pieces because we do markings every week," said Allardyce. "But to be fair we are one of the best at defending them this season, that's why we are where we are and we are pretty good at scoring them, but it's pretty disappointing.
"Against a team as good as this, you can't give them a goal from a set piece. You have so much to worry about in general." The Hammers' best moments came late in the match as Morgan Amalfitano headed wide and hit the post. And Allardyce said it was disappointing his side couldn't grab a goal and force a nervy finish. "I am not saying we deserved anything, Chelsea were the better team, but the last 20 minutes when we carved out those chances, you want one to go in and see if they got nervous or not," he commented. "It would have been a bit of a smash and grab job that might have upset Chelsea but because one didn't go in, it's pretty disappointing. At least we created some good chances late on and didn't give up."
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CHELSEA 2, WEST HAM 0. QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS.
By David Hautzig 26 Dec 2014 at 17:16
West Ham Till I Die
A few years ago I went to pick up the kids from school. It was the dead of winter, and the teacher had this incredibly bright light sitting on her desk. I asked her what it was, and she told me it was a special light used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD as it is referred to at times. According to Wikipedia, the U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that "some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and may also feel depressed. A large percentage of them also support West Ham United during the Christmas season".
OK. I added the last part.
I'm pretty cool when it comes to withholding judgment on people and their maladies, real or imagined. Life can be rough at times. As I drove around yesterday running a few errands I remembered my own version of SAD that clobbered me so many seasons during the Christmas fixture insanity. Basically, I wanted to hibernate and hope that when I woke up we had gathered just a couple of points to help in our relegation battle. Looking out of my car window at the grey sky, muddy roads, and bare trees it all looked familiar.
Except it didn't feel the same. I was looking forward to today. In fact, I was relishing it. You want a piece of us, Jose? You got it, homen.
Every rational bone I had in my body was not bothered by getting a result today. Or Sunday. All I wanted was for our team, our lads to go out there and show the world that win, lose or draw we have every intention of eventually crashing this party. In my mind I tried to stop questioning, perhaps only temporarily, every lineup or substitution decision made by Big Sam. And there were many lineup changes today that caused a Twitter stir. But the guy has been doing this for a long time and maybe I should have some faith that he wants to win at least as much as I do. I mean, if Sam walked into my house and told me I was choosing the wrong wines for my customers I'd tell him to go lay down in my driveway while I call for the plow. But after it was all said and done, I couldn't stop a bunch of questions from re-surfacing.
We had gone into the game expecting Eden Hazard to be on the sideline. I guess Kouyate thought so as well, and early on decided maybe he could make that dream a reality with a nice little hip check on the Belgian. Unfortunately for us, he was fine.
Carl Jenkinson has not taken many bad steps this season, but in the fifth minute he stepped off the edge of a cliff. Willian drove down the right side and sent a cross into the box towards Oscar. It was, in essence, a nothing ball. By letting it go past him, Jenkinson turned it into quite a something ball that Oscar should have buried for an early 1-0 lead. Instead his shot went over the bar, and Jenkinson was pulled off the edge. Chelsea continued to attack, led in large part by how far up the pitch Willian and Ivanovic pressed. In the 9th minute, Willian ran up the right and passed to Matic, who crossed to Cahill but the Chelsea defender's header went wide.
Chelsea's ball movement was so strong and so fluid right from the opening whistle, as compared to West Ham where Carroll looked totally isolated. The Hammers were pressed back to such a degree that the midfield, such as it was, couldn't do a thing and any attempt to build from the back ended in a long ball. Stoke tried to do that with Crouch on Monday and it didn't work. Would Sam realize that before it was too late?
The best hope West Ham had to get something from the game was to use it's pace, and in the 18th minute we finally gave it a try. Valencia made a run and fed the ball to Downing who won a corner from Azpilicueta. His low corner, however, was poor but Noble intercepted the Chelsea clearance and won a free kick. Valencia stepped over the ball, and I dreamt of a repeat of his blast at Hull. I woke up as it sailed out for a goal kick.
For most teams, creating opportunities in and around the penalty area takes a lot of work as well as a lot of skill. For Chelsea, it looked so easy and they continued their attack in the 20th minute. Hazard beat Downing before Reid cleared it out for a corner. Moments later, Fabregas fed Cahill who slammed a volley towards the top corner that Adrian got a hand on for a terrific save.
Before the season started, Mourinho knew exactly who he wanted and why. Costa to score goals, and Fabregas to create the chances that would lead to those goals. Along with West Ham's superb series of signings, that "bit" of business has had the biggest effect on the Premier League so far this season. The mantra of Fabregas to Costa was repeated so many times today it sounded like a vine. In the 31st minute, that combination created Chelsea's opening goal when Fabregas put a corner into the box for Costa to head to the back post. There it was met by the one guy we really didn't want to see on the list of goal scorers, John Terry. But there he was, and he easily guided the ball into the net.
Chelsea 1, West Ham 0.
The Hammers tried to respond when Valencia ran down the left and tried to earn a free kick. Michael Oliver didn't agree with our Ecuadorian speedster, and when Cresswell tried to regain the ball from Oscar the young referee showed the young defender a yellow card. A minute later Hazard gave the ball to Matic and the big Serbian attempted to curl a 25 yard strike past Adrian but it was pushed wide by the keeper for a corner. Five minutes later Costa made the West Ham back line look like pylons, dicing and slicing his way through before his shot was deflected out for another Chelsea corner.
The 42nd minute was a microcosm of the first half and summed up the difference between the two sides. Noble won the ball around the center circle and wanted to build something that would at least resemble an attack. But there was little to no movement from any other West Ham player, and Noble even raised his arms as if to say "help me for gods sake". Instead, he was forced to pass back to Collins who lost the ball for a Chelsea throw and yet another attack by the Men In Blue.
In the final minute of the first half, Ivanovic tried to win a penalty when Carroll brushed him in the box. It was a dive for sure, and a number of West Ham players voiced their fury. Adrian appeared to raise his hand near Ivanovic's neck, which could have been a disaster on another day. I'm not saying our keeper should have seen red. I'm saying he could have seen red, right or wrong, and halftime could not have come soon enough.
The second half started better for West Ham, with Valencia trying to take advantage of Ivanovic pressing so high up the pitch. In the first few minutes Valencia got behind his counterpart twice but on neither occasion it led to anything. The 48th minute saw Kouyate join in on the act by pressing higher up. West Ham were trying to get into the game, but that was easier said than done. Despite having some possession and stringing a few passes together, West Ham hadn't tested Courtois at all.
That couldn't be said of Adrian, who was called upon yet again in the 52nd minute when Willian gathered the ball at midfield. As he ran at the West Ham defense, all that separated him from Moses parting the Red Sea was a big stick. He slipped a pass down the left to Hazard who cut to his right before slamming a shot at Adrian. Another quality stop by our keeper who had been our only real bright spot.
When watching footballers at this level, there are some skills that make it very easy to see what separates the very good from the sublime. One such skill is the ability to control the ball in very tight spaces, with opposition players seemingly on top of you. Chelsea have many players who can do that, most notably Eden Hazard. In the 54th minute, Hazard won a free kick when Reid had no other choice but to foul him or else a waltz on goal was destined to happen. Willian's free kick went over the bar, but the class that created it was notable.
West Ham only have one player with that ability, Alex Song, and Sam decided it was time to put him on as part of a double substitution. Carroll and Noble gave way for Sakho and Song. The former I understood and agreed with, but Noble instead of Nolan? I know, I know. I said I would try to stop questioning Sam so much. At least the Sakho-Valencia tandem was back in action.
We all hoped for a quick goal after the substitution. So did Chelsea, apparently, and that is what they got three minutes later when Kouyate lost the ball in midfield to Hazard. One pass to Costa, and the rest looked all too easy for the Blue's star hitman as he directed the ball past Adrian and into the far corner.
Chelsea 2, West Ham 0.
West Ham tried to respond quickly a minute later when Song put a through ball into the box for Valencia. A race to the ball commenced between the West Ham striker and Courtois, and the keeper got there a split second earlier to smother the ball and West Ham's hopes of getting right back into the game.
There is a famous announcer over here named Marv Albert. He used to be the play by play guy for The New York Rangers ice hockey team, and one of his signature lines was "kick save and a beauty" when the goalie (as they are called in ice hockey) stopped a shot via a quick reaction with his leg. I heard those words in my head in the 67th minute. Oscar forced a save from Adrian from a set piece that resulted in a corner, which came to Matic. He deflected the ball with the outside of his right leg towards Adrian, who reacted like he had a nervous tick with his leg and kept the ball out.
Despite being down 2-0, and likely out of the game, one thing was more than just a little obvious since the substitutions. When Song is in the game, the midfield actually exists. And when the midfield exists, everything changes.
Last year, or should I say in the 19th century, West Ham came away from Stamford Bridge with that valuable point in no small part because of the number of times defenders threw themselves in front of cannon like shots on goal. That fact wasn't lost on Winston Reid in the 72nd minute when Costa tried to play the role of provider instead of scorer when he fed Oscar in the box. His running shot slammed off of Reid, and that block likely prevented the score from being 3-0.
Two minutes later Sam made his final substitution when Amalfitano came on for Nol…..What?!?! Downing? My attempt to stay quiet on the issue of player selection ended less than two hours after it began. Downing had not been at his best, but he also was once again played in a wider position. Nolan, on the other hand, hadn't shown he was able to offer much of anything in any position.
At least Sam got half of that final move correct, because the three finest attacking moments of the game from West Ham's point of view all came from Morgan Amalfitano. In the 79th minute he and Song worked together to create a chance for Song but his shot went wide. In the 86th minute the roles reversed and Song crossed to Amalfitano whose header went just wide. Then, in added time, Amalfitano beat Cahill in the box and dinked a shot over Courtois that hit the post. I have no illusions that had that shot went in we would have gone on to find the equalizer. But had Amalfitano played a whole half? I just wonder.
Final Score. Chelsea 2, West Ham 0.
When my kids get their grades from school, there are two sets. One is the mark for the actual work, their knowledge of the subject matter. The other is for the effort they put in, regardless of how many questions they got right or wrong. I didn't expect to win today. I would have like a draw, but didn't expect that either. What I did expect was for West Ham to show Chelsea and the world watching the only EPL game available what has gotten them off to such a fine start. I don't think we did that today, and even within the context of rotating the squad during this challenging period I think we could have done more. We had players in Amalfitano, Poyet, and Zarate that could at least try to create in the midfield and link up with the strikers. The final 15 minutes proved that. Which is why in many ways, apart from the result, this year's visit to Chelsea was disappointing. We are a very solid team this year, and Sam is doing a terrific job. We could have had a go at them today. We had players available to ask them some questions.
Instead, the only questions I have are for Sam.
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West Ham fans react on Twitter to Kevin Nolan's display against Chelsea
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham fans were bemused by Sam Allardyce's loyalty to Kevin Nolan in the Hammers' 2-0 defeat to Chelsea today. West Ham United couldn't get a result at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, losing 2-0 to an impressive Chelsea side. Sam Allardyce has guided the Hammers to the top four this season, but today's defeat and Southampton's win over Crystal Palace means they now drop out of the Champions League places. Goals from John Terry and Diego Costa handed Jose Mourinho's side all three points, with West Ham unable to continue their fine recent form. West Ham fans were naturally disappointed on Twitter after the game, urging manager Allardyce to make changes to the line-up - particularly concerning Kevin Nolan. The Hammers skipper struggled throughout, and West Ham fans were calling for the 32-year-old to be dropped from the starting line-up in favour of other, more mobile players. Nolan was one of Allardyce's key players during their time together at Bolton, and has also been productive at Upton Park under 'Big Sam'. Yet now, West Ham's squad means that there are better players available than Nolan, and it may be time for Nolan to be taken out of the side if Allardyce is to lead West Ham to European qualification. Here are some of the reactions from West Ham fans on Twitter after Nolan's poor display against Chelsea.
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Irons without Song is so scary
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 26, 2014 in Whispers
By Rich Sprent
Claret & Hugh
Watching Alex Song's impact when introduced from the bench this afternoon against Chelsea showed everybody the true reality of West Ham 2014/15! Forget the dreamlike belief that this is a Champions League squad. Song is head and shoulders above anyone else in the team and without him and his ability to make the team tick we would be half a dozen places further down the league.
Yes, we have signed some very good players which has helped enormously but it's Song who elevates them as a group. It is Song who bonds them into a unit that can compete with top sides. It is Song for whom we have no adequate replacement…and that is more than a little scary. Reading some of the knee jerk post-game comments after losing 2-0 to the probable champions shows how far we have come; and how so many fans still do not get it. Without Song the diamond formation is simply not sustainable with this squad against top sides.. He is the only player on the staff who lets the ball do the work; who is comfortable on the ball when facing Champions League winners.
He alone can bring a smooth transition from defence to attack and force the Premier League contenders to sit back. He ain't perfect. Arguably there are better passers about. But there is no denying his class. He enables the very good players alongside him to play their game. He makes us dangerous as a unit. He helps the team play upto the standards that our league position requires and demands.
The real scary thing is twofold:
O Without him, West Ham we are an improved team on previous years but with a need to fall back on reactive football.
O With him, we are real contenders for a European place. A difference of 4th-6th to our pre-season target of 10th.
To sustain the heady heights however, Alex Song needs an understudy or one of those vey good players in the squad needs to upgrading to his level. The second scary part is that we actually achieve a coveted European placing and then fail to keep or replace Song. That would be like invading Russia with winter coming.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Saturday, December 27
Friday, December 26
Daily WHUFC News - 26th December 2014
Preview - Chelsea
WHUFc.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of West Ham United's trip to Chelsea
25.12.2014
CHELSEA v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
STAMFORD BRIDGE
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MICHAEL OLIVER
In brief
The Hammers make the short journey to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day as they
look to extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Sam Allardyce's men have kept themselves in the Barclays Premier League top
four with an impressive run of form, which has seen them take 13 points from
the last possible 15.
Table topping Chelsea will provide them with their toughest test of the
season so far, with Jose Mourinho's men sweeping aside virtually everyone
they have faced this season.
Only Newcastle United have defeated the Blues in league action this term,
and the west Londoners are currently sitting pretty with 42 points from
their 17 games.
Football Remembers
To mark the Christmas Truce, a minute's applause will be held at Friday's
game for the players of both West Ham and Chelsea who served in the First
World War.
Who are they?
Chelsea were formed in 1905 and have been in the top flight for the majority
of their history.
Their first major success came with the league title in 1955. Cup victories
followed in the 1960s and 1970s, but it is in the last two decades that
their greatest period of success has come, with 15 major trophies to their
name since 1997.
They are the only London club to have won the UEFA Champions League and one
of only four in Europe to win all three major UEFA club competitions.
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers welcome back Mark Noble to their squad after the midfielder
returned to training this week following an Achilles injury.
However, James Tomkins is a doubt after coming off in last weekend's victory
over Leicester City with a hamstring complaint.
Chelsea
For Chelsea, Eden Hazard could miss out after injuring his ankle in Monday's
victory over Stoke City.
Oscar could be recalled to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench
at the Britannia Stadium.
Referee
Friday's referee is Michael Oliver.
Oliver was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of 14.
He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to the National List of
referees in 2007.
In 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley Stadium when
he took charge of the 2007 Conference play-off final. He also went on to
become the youngest fourth official for a Barclays Premier League match.
In August 2010 he was promoted to the Select Group of referees and soon
became the youngest-ever Barclays Premier League referee when he took charge
of Birmingham City versus Blackburn Rovers on 21 August 2010.
Oliver took charge of the Hammers on three occasions last season - a 3-1
defeat at the Boleyn Ground against Manchester City in October and a 4-1
defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in December 2013, before overseeing
February's 2-0 victory over Norwich City.
One to watch
West Ham United
Andy Carroll is back and in fine form for the Hammers after shaking off the
ankle injury which sidelined him for the opening months of the campaign.
Three goals in his last two home games has helped the Hammers to maximum
points and he will be hoping to add to his tally at Stamford Bridge.
Carroll has showed promising signs of developing a dangerous partnership
with Diafra Sakho and Chelsea will need to be on their guard against those
two.
Chelsea
Chelsea forward Diego Costa has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge
following his summer move from Atletico Madrid.
The Spain frontman won the La Liga title with Atleti last season and his
goals are propelling another title charge with his new club,
In just 14 league games for the Blues, the 26-year-old has already notched
12 goals and already looks to be one of the signings of the season.
Television
Cick here for a full list of TV broadcasters.
Tickets
All tickets have sold out for this fixture.
Travel
The District line is closed west of Embankment on Boxing Day, so the closest
open stations to Stamford Bridge are Victoria, South Kensington, Earls Court
and Hammersmith.
Walking routes from these stations to the stadium can be seen here.
For the very latest news on the London Underground, please visit the TfL
website here.
Weather
A cloudy day is expected, with temperature at kick-off of 4C (39F)
Last meeting
Chelsea 0-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
29 January 2014
West Ham kick-started their climb to safety last season with a priceless
point at Chelsea in January.
The Blues had 39 attempts on goal to West Ham's one, but they came up
against Adrian in inspired form as the Hammers dug deep to claim their
point.
The goalkeeper's heroics won him the Best Individual Performance award at
last season's Player Awards, while Big Sam's men followed this draw with
four straight wins to take themselves into mid-table.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta (Lampard 63), Ramires,
Oscar (Ba 80), Mikel (Matic 63), Hazard, Willian, Eto'o
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Schurrle
West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins, O'Brien, Collins, Demel, Nolan (Nocerino
80), Taylor, Noble, Diame (Jarvis 30), Downing, Carroll (Cole 64)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Morrison, Borriello
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OPPOSITION Q&A CHELSEA
By Sean Whetstone 25 Dec 2014 at 17:00
West Ham till I Die
Merry Christmas Everyone! Who in their wildest dreams would imagine the
Hammers in fourth place in the Premier League on Christmas Day?
This Christmas period I spoke Chelsea fan, journalist and Editor of Chelsea
Mad Paul Lagan who writes for London24.com
Has West Ham's champions league place on Christmas Day surprised you? What
is your view on Sam Allardyce as a manager? Would you ever have him at
Chelsea?
Not a surprise as such, there is always a side the bookies fail to spot. But
the results have come and others like Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd have
had sluggish starts. You have taken advantage of that as well as
Southampton's recent slump.I've liked Sam ever since his Notts County days,
all the sterotypes one expects from a gruff northerner seem to fit him like
a glove. Like Ronseal, he does what it says on the tin.I can see him at
Chelsea, why not? The boardroom are now experienced enough to know what they
want from a manager, minimum Champions League qualification place and final
stages of the cups - is Sam up for it?
What positions do you think Chelsea and West Ham will finish in the Premier
League this season?
The Blue should finish top on current form and performances. A lot will
defend on how Man City fare against other top-four sides including your mob.
The Happy 'Ammers can continue on their merry way for longer. They are no
longer a one-trick pony and can mix it with the very best. So, I'll go for
5th
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Leicester City have next to no hope.. I'd be happy with QPR and Crystal
Palace following them through the trapdoor
How are West Ham fans perceived by Chelsea fans, does a rivalry still exist?
Proper Chelsea fans, not these one-game wonders are very similar to West Ham
fans. We all have the same mentality, same upbringing, that's why we clash -
sometimes literally - like a magnet, opposites attract, same polarity
oppose.
Do you think West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium will help them push on
to be a regular top six club?
Sure, 60,000 every game will generate massive revenue - if it's used wisely
there should be a bright future ahead.
West Ham sing a song that Chelsea have no history and ask where the fans
were when you weren't successful, Is this fair?
Well it's an irrelevence really isn't it. Progressive clubs don't rest on
their laurels, just look what's happened to Liverpool when all their fans
can bleat about is their past. Just check out the average attendances from
the start of the game and the Blues position might just suprise you.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you
choose?
I like the look of Cresswell. Not a steller name now, but one with a bright
future. I'm not sure Chelsea's current crop of left-backs are quite up to
the role.
Favourite West Ham player of all time?
Scott Minto - but then, he's a mate of mine
How do you expect the Special One to setup Chelsea against West Ham on
Boxing Day?
Not much will change from the past couple of games. extra firepower on the
bench will probably be the only difference - Drogba and Remy. Jose will go
for a win, no doubt about that.
Where is a a good place for West Ham fans to eat and drink close to Stadium
bridge before the match?
Not really my area of expertise to be honest. Just behave yourselves, show
respect wherever you end up and you will be fine. Don't forget its an early
kick-off, so McDonald's might be your only option.
Score and prediction for Boxing day?
2-0 to the West Londoners, sorry. But do pop along to www.london24.com for a
top-quality match report and excellent post-match comments from both
managers - all courtesy of yours truly. If you are into twitter, follow me
on twitter @cfcjourno
Note from Sean: My thanks to Paul for taking the trouble in answering my
questions. My prediction is a hard fought draw and ready to respect the
point COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons still anxious over Song and Cameroon
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Members of the the West Ham hierachy are refusing to celebrate too much over
the omission of Alex Song from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of
Nations tournament next month. A wave of relief washed across the club after
yesterday's announcement of a Song-less squad on the official Cameroon
twitter account. Led by co-chairman David Gold on Twitter there was an air
of celebration inside the club that the inspirational midfielder would
remain at the club after being snubbed. But today a highly placed insider
told ClaretandHugh: "Some of us are keeping a lid on our emotions because
there is still time for things to happen within the squad. "We are all
keeping our fingers firmly crossed until it gets underway although it is of
course great news as things stand. It wasn't a total surprise because of
the recent history between Alex and the Cameroon bosses following his World
Cup sending-off and suspension that followed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll gets fiance Billi Mucklow a secret beauty salon for Christmas
West Ham striker Andy Carroll gets fiance Billi Mucklow unique present
Carroll surprised the former TOWIE star with her very own beauty parlor
Mucklow appeared to have no idea about the 'secret room' in her new home
'Biggest shock of my life. Secret key, lead to a secret room to my new
house! My very own salon,' she writes on Instagram
By KIERAN GILL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:49, 25 December 2014 | UPDATED: 18:19, 25 December 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham striker Andy Carroll surprised fiance Billi Mucklow with her very
own secret beauty salon on Christmas Day. Former TOWIE star Mucklow took to
Instagram to show off the parlour called 'Billutifuls', which she apparently
had no idea was in her new home. 'Biggest shock of my life. With a snap of
the pair sat on their pink sofa, she added: 'Our first Christmas in our new
home.' It is the latest hair-raising experience for Mucklow, after Carroll
showed off his flowing locks by striking a pose with his fiance underneath
the pair's mirrored ceiling. The 25-year-old centre forward captioned that
snap: 'Good morning from our new home!! #crazyhair #dirtymirror.'
The pair started dating in the summer of 2013 but managed to keep their
relationship under wraps until February 2014.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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WHUFc.com
All the need-to-know information ahead of West Ham United's trip to Chelsea
25.12.2014
CHELSEA v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
STAMFORD BRIDGE
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: MICHAEL OLIVER
In brief
The Hammers make the short journey to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day as they
look to extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Sam Allardyce's men have kept themselves in the Barclays Premier League top
four with an impressive run of form, which has seen them take 13 points from
the last possible 15.
Table topping Chelsea will provide them with their toughest test of the
season so far, with Jose Mourinho's men sweeping aside virtually everyone
they have faced this season.
Only Newcastle United have defeated the Blues in league action this term,
and the west Londoners are currently sitting pretty with 42 points from
their 17 games.
Football Remembers
To mark the Christmas Truce, a minute's applause will be held at Friday's
game for the players of both West Ham and Chelsea who served in the First
World War.
Who are they?
Chelsea were formed in 1905 and have been in the top flight for the majority
of their history.
Their first major success came with the league title in 1955. Cup victories
followed in the 1960s and 1970s, but it is in the last two decades that
their greatest period of success has come, with 15 major trophies to their
name since 1997.
They are the only London club to have won the UEFA Champions League and one
of only four in Europe to win all three major UEFA club competitions.
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers welcome back Mark Noble to their squad after the midfielder
returned to training this week following an Achilles injury.
However, James Tomkins is a doubt after coming off in last weekend's victory
over Leicester City with a hamstring complaint.
Chelsea
For Chelsea, Eden Hazard could miss out after injuring his ankle in Monday's
victory over Stoke City.
Oscar could be recalled to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench
at the Britannia Stadium.
Referee
Friday's referee is Michael Oliver.
Oliver was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of 14.
He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to the National List of
referees in 2007.
In 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley Stadium when
he took charge of the 2007 Conference play-off final. He also went on to
become the youngest fourth official for a Barclays Premier League match.
In August 2010 he was promoted to the Select Group of referees and soon
became the youngest-ever Barclays Premier League referee when he took charge
of Birmingham City versus Blackburn Rovers on 21 August 2010.
Oliver took charge of the Hammers on three occasions last season - a 3-1
defeat at the Boleyn Ground against Manchester City in October and a 4-1
defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in December 2013, before overseeing
February's 2-0 victory over Norwich City.
One to watch
West Ham United
Andy Carroll is back and in fine form for the Hammers after shaking off the
ankle injury which sidelined him for the opening months of the campaign.
Three goals in his last two home games has helped the Hammers to maximum
points and he will be hoping to add to his tally at Stamford Bridge.
Carroll has showed promising signs of developing a dangerous partnership
with Diafra Sakho and Chelsea will need to be on their guard against those
two.
Chelsea
Chelsea forward Diego Costa has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge
following his summer move from Atletico Madrid.
The Spain frontman won the La Liga title with Atleti last season and his
goals are propelling another title charge with his new club,
In just 14 league games for the Blues, the 26-year-old has already notched
12 goals and already looks to be one of the signings of the season.
Television
Cick here for a full list of TV broadcasters.
Tickets
All tickets have sold out for this fixture.
Travel
The District line is closed west of Embankment on Boxing Day, so the closest
open stations to Stamford Bridge are Victoria, South Kensington, Earls Court
and Hammersmith.
Walking routes from these stations to the stadium can be seen here.
For the very latest news on the London Underground, please visit the TfL
website here.
Weather
A cloudy day is expected, with temperature at kick-off of 4C (39F)
Last meeting
Chelsea 0-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
29 January 2014
West Ham kick-started their climb to safety last season with a priceless
point at Chelsea in January.
The Blues had 39 attempts on goal to West Ham's one, but they came up
against Adrian in inspired form as the Hammers dug deep to claim their
point.
The goalkeeper's heroics won him the Best Individual Performance award at
last season's Player Awards, while Big Sam's men followed this draw with
four straight wins to take themselves into mid-table.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta (Lampard 63), Ramires,
Oscar (Ba 80), Mikel (Matic 63), Hazard, Willian, Eto'o
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Schurrle
West Ham United: Adrian, Tomkins, O'Brien, Collins, Demel, Nolan (Nocerino
80), Taylor, Noble, Diame (Jarvis 30), Downing, Carroll (Cole 64)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Morrison, Borriello
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OPPOSITION Q&A CHELSEA
By Sean Whetstone 25 Dec 2014 at 17:00
West Ham till I Die
Merry Christmas Everyone! Who in their wildest dreams would imagine the
Hammers in fourth place in the Premier League on Christmas Day?
This Christmas period I spoke Chelsea fan, journalist and Editor of Chelsea
Mad Paul Lagan who writes for London24.com
Has West Ham's champions league place on Christmas Day surprised you? What
is your view on Sam Allardyce as a manager? Would you ever have him at
Chelsea?
Not a surprise as such, there is always a side the bookies fail to spot. But
the results have come and others like Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd have
had sluggish starts. You have taken advantage of that as well as
Southampton's recent slump.I've liked Sam ever since his Notts County days,
all the sterotypes one expects from a gruff northerner seem to fit him like
a glove. Like Ronseal, he does what it says on the tin.I can see him at
Chelsea, why not? The boardroom are now experienced enough to know what they
want from a manager, minimum Champions League qualification place and final
stages of the cups - is Sam up for it?
What positions do you think Chelsea and West Ham will finish in the Premier
League this season?
The Blue should finish top on current form and performances. A lot will
defend on how Man City fare against other top-four sides including your mob.
The Happy 'Ammers can continue on their merry way for longer. They are no
longer a one-trick pony and can mix it with the very best. So, I'll go for
5th
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Leicester City have next to no hope.. I'd be happy with QPR and Crystal
Palace following them through the trapdoor
How are West Ham fans perceived by Chelsea fans, does a rivalry still exist?
Proper Chelsea fans, not these one-game wonders are very similar to West Ham
fans. We all have the same mentality, same upbringing, that's why we clash -
sometimes literally - like a magnet, opposites attract, same polarity
oppose.
Do you think West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium will help them push on
to be a regular top six club?
Sure, 60,000 every game will generate massive revenue - if it's used wisely
there should be a bright future ahead.
West Ham sing a song that Chelsea have no history and ask where the fans
were when you weren't successful, Is this fair?
Well it's an irrelevence really isn't it. Progressive clubs don't rest on
their laurels, just look what's happened to Liverpool when all their fans
can bleat about is their past. Just check out the average attendances from
the start of the game and the Blues position might just suprise you.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you
choose?
I like the look of Cresswell. Not a steller name now, but one with a bright
future. I'm not sure Chelsea's current crop of left-backs are quite up to
the role.
Favourite West Ham player of all time?
Scott Minto - but then, he's a mate of mine
How do you expect the Special One to setup Chelsea against West Ham on
Boxing Day?
Not much will change from the past couple of games. extra firepower on the
bench will probably be the only difference - Drogba and Remy. Jose will go
for a win, no doubt about that.
Where is a a good place for West Ham fans to eat and drink close to Stadium
bridge before the match?
Not really my area of expertise to be honest. Just behave yourselves, show
respect wherever you end up and you will be fine. Don't forget its an early
kick-off, so McDonald's might be your only option.
Score and prediction for Boxing day?
2-0 to the West Londoners, sorry. But do pop along to www.london24.com for a
top-quality match report and excellent post-match comments from both
managers - all courtesy of yours truly. If you are into twitter, follow me
on twitter @cfcjourno
Note from Sean: My thanks to Paul for taking the trouble in answering my
questions. My prediction is a hard fought draw and ready to respect the
point COYI
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons still anxious over Song and Cameroon
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 25, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Members of the the West Ham hierachy are refusing to celebrate too much over
the omission of Alex Song from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of
Nations tournament next month. A wave of relief washed across the club after
yesterday's announcement of a Song-less squad on the official Cameroon
twitter account. Led by co-chairman David Gold on Twitter there was an air
of celebration inside the club that the inspirational midfielder would
remain at the club after being snubbed. But today a highly placed insider
told ClaretandHugh: "Some of us are keeping a lid on our emotions because
there is still time for things to happen within the squad. "We are all
keeping our fingers firmly crossed until it gets underway although it is of
course great news as things stand. It wasn't a total surprise because of
the recent history between Alex and the Cameroon bosses following his World
Cup sending-off and suspension that followed."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll gets fiance Billi Mucklow a secret beauty salon for Christmas
West Ham striker Andy Carroll gets fiance Billi Mucklow unique present
Carroll surprised the former TOWIE star with her very own beauty parlor
Mucklow appeared to have no idea about the 'secret room' in her new home
'Biggest shock of my life. Secret key, lead to a secret room to my new
house! My very own salon,' she writes on Instagram
By KIERAN GILL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:49, 25 December 2014 | UPDATED: 18:19, 25 December 2014
Daily Mail
West Ham striker Andy Carroll surprised fiance Billi Mucklow with her very
own secret beauty salon on Christmas Day. Former TOWIE star Mucklow took to
Instagram to show off the parlour called 'Billutifuls', which she apparently
had no idea was in her new home. 'Biggest shock of my life. With a snap of
the pair sat on their pink sofa, she added: 'Our first Christmas in our new
home.' It is the latest hair-raising experience for Mucklow, after Carroll
showed off his flowing locks by striking a pose with his fiance underneath
the pair's mirrored ceiling. The 25-year-old centre forward captioned that
snap: 'Good morning from our new home!! #crazyhair #dirtymirror.'
The pair started dating in the summer of 2013 but managed to keep their
relationship under wraps until February 2014.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
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Thursday, December 25
Daily WHUFC News - 25th December 2014
Big Sam on: Chelsea
WHUFC.com
Big Sam wants to earn another compliment from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on
Boxing Day
24.12.2014
Sam Allardyce is hoping to earn another compliment from the 'world's best
club manager' when West Ham United head to Chelsea on Boxing Day. A
frustrated Jose Mourinho accused the Hammers of playing '19th century
football' following a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at Stamford
Bridge in January - a result that served as a catalyst for West Ham to begin
their climb from the relegation zone to mid-table safety by the season's
end. As he prepares his fourth-placed team to return to the home of the
current leaders, Big Sam paid tribute to Mourinho's achievements and said he
is looking forward to locking horns with the two-times UEFA Champions
League, Serie A, La Liga and Premier League title-winning manager.
Sam, can you please start with team news ahead of the trip to Chelsea?
SA: "James Tomkins is our only concern. Mark Noble is back in the squad, so
James came off with a hamstring in the last game against Leicester and we'll
know later on Christmas Day evening if he is available or not. The rest of
the squad are all together over this very strenuous period and are available
for selection."
Your last visit to Stamford Bridge was memorable for Jose Mourinho accusing
you of playing '19th century football'…
SA: "It was memorable for how well we played! I think it was a compliment by
the fact a frustrated manager vented his frustration about the fact that he
couldn't break down the team he was playing against. "That frustration
spilled over into his press conference, because he felt he should have
beaten us, obviously because of the position (19th) that we were in at the
time, and the position they were in (third). "It's always a compliment for
me when a manager has a little pop at you about the way you played or what
tactics you might have used, which means tactically you have been very good,
you've done your job well and made sure the opposition have found it very
difficult to break you down and beat you when all expected us to lose, and
we didn't. "It was part of our recovery at the time, when we'd had such a
bad Christmas and New Year. The confidence we gained from such a result was
part of us moving forward and getting out of the relegation zone. "This one
is totally different. We're fourth in the league this time and we've got
better, younger players and hopefully we will go and give a good account of
ourselves - and a good account of ourselves is getting a result, not playing
well and a loss."
This time around Jose has been praising you and your team...
SA: "I think our position speaks for itself that we have got better players
and that Chelsea have also got better players than last season - that's why
they have gone one step closer to the title, it looks like, than they did
last year. "We have obviously improved tremendously from where we were, but
that doesn;t make it any easier for us playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
because of the force that they are, and because of the manager that he is -
he is probably the best working club manager in the world at the minute on
his track record. I don't think there is any doubt about that. "There is
probably only Carlo Ancelotti that perhaps matches him, but certainly what
he has done in his time across many different countries has been outstanding
and that's why I was glad to have him back. I want to pit my wits against
the best and obviously he is proving that again here in England with Chelsea
this season."
You might not be here now had you not drawn at Chelsea last season?
SA: "Chelsea can beat you five or six-nil on their ground and I think, on
the back of our results before we went there it would have made life for the
owners even more difficult to get behind me - but that's not water under the
bridge, it's water in the sea, water in the Atlantic Ocean it is that far
gone. "We're a completely different unit, team and squad now and we're
enjoying out football this year and enjoying our Christmas a lot more than
we enjoyed Christmas last year. "We've got the two hardest games over 48
hours over Christmas - Chelsea away and Arsenal at home in the space of 48
hours is a big demand for us, even though we're on top of our game at the
moment. Getting through these two games is going to be a tremendous effort
for all the players selected, and hopefully they'll come through for us as
they have done for most of this season."
Alex Song has not been selected by Cameroon for the AFCON 2015 finals in
January, but you will likely lose Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho to
Senegal. How does that affect your transfer dealings in January?
SA: "I remember Jose punching the air at Soccer Aid while we were training
before we played that game. I didn't know what it was until after, when he
told me he had just clinched it [the signing of Fabregas]. That's how
excited he was and what a big signing had finally come off. "Jose had
obviously met him before that and Cesc was pondering his decision as to
whether to join Chelsea, so I could see how delighted he was to clinch that
signing. They obviously had to do a lot of work, when you consider the
affection he said he had for Arsenal, and they managed to overcome that.
"It's paid off for both. There are only a few players of that high a quality
and calibre available on the market today and that was one they clinched, so
he has done very, very well in assists and scored a couple of vital goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing targeting festive cheer
WHUFC.com
In form Stewart Downing says the Hammers can get a result at Stamford Bridge
24.12.2014
West Ham United's in form midfielder Stewart Downing is relishing the
prospect of playing Jose Mourinho's table topping Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
on Boxing Day. The 30-year-old midfielder has been in superb form for the
Hammers this season, netting four goals so far, most recently a sublime
curling effort from the edge of the box against Leicester City to double the
lead after Andy Carroll's calm finish had given the Hammers a deserved lead.
Talking through his fourth goal of the season, Downing said: "It was
certainly one of the best goals of my career. It was good timing in the game
as well to kill Leicester off. I was very pleased to get the goal, I got one
the week before at Sunderland so I was very happy. "As soon as I hit it I
thought it was in. Most players will tell you that once you get a connection
you know. I knew what I wanted to do before I got the ball, we practise
these situations in training, bending it round defenders so I was happy to
see it go in."
Given the Hammers' fantastic run of results, which has taken them to fourth
in Premier League with 31 points from 17 games, Downing said his side are
approaching the match with confidence. "Chelsea are in the in-form team, the
team to beat. I watched their game against Stoke and they've got a bit of
everything about them. It's a big test for us but we've proved we can beat
the big boys. We need to play our usual game and see where that takes us.
It's a good test for us. "Last season, I think Jose was just frustrated, the
league was in his sights and he probably had that game down as a three
pointer. He knows he's in for a tough day on Friday, he's aware of us and so
he should be."
Having scored against Leicester last weekend, as well as the equaliser away
at Sunderland, Downing is looking to score for the third successive game.
His form has been widely recognised across the media, as well as by England
manager Roy Hodgson who recalled him to the England side that beat Scotland
3-1 in November. When asked about his form, Downing said: "In terms of end
product I'd say I'm playing the best football of my career. "The goals are
coming, I've had a few assists and created some chances. My new role now
gives me freedom, I'm seeing more of the ball, I can be more expressive and
that's helped me massively."
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Adrian - The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
The Hammers goalkeeper talks clean sheets, Leicester and Chelsea
23.12.2014
Last season Adrian produced an heroic performance to help the Hammers gain a
point at Chelsea. Now, the No13 is preparing to head back to Stamford Bridge
with maintaining a top four position at the top of his agenda.
We caught up with the goalkeeper for our Big Interview...
A clean sheet on Saturday, you must have been really pleased?
ADRIAN: "It's my job, no? To help the team get the three points and the
clean sheet is really important for us."
At 2-0, going into the latter stages of the game they were still coming and
you had to make two really good saves. Talk us through them.
ADRIAN: "It was a good moment for us because it was important that they
didn't score in the last few minutes. If they had done, it would have made
it difficult for us. I try every game to help the team and this time I can
help."
Which save did you like the most?
ADRIAN: "The first in the second half, because I didn't have time, it was
just a reaction. I think that was the best for me, but all saves are
difficult and all saves are good."
Fourth place in the table. Can you believe it?
ADRIAN: "Yes, you can believe it, because in two games we would have played
half the season. We need to keep going like this and when we finish the
season we hope we stay in this position."
Chelsea next, a place where you played pretty well last year and made plenty
of saves....
ADRIAN: "I have good memories of Chelsea last year. It was a different game,
because last season we were in the relegation zone and now this season we're
at the top of the league. It will be a good game for us and the fans."
Do you think we can attack a bit more this time?
ADRIAN: "Of course. This season the team has a lot of options in attack and
we play different football to last season."
Do you think we can stay around the top five or six?
ADRIAN: "We take it game-by-game, but this is the level we need to stay at.
We have a good moment right now and we need to enjoy it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nations Cup 2015: Alex Song misses out on Cameroon squad
BBC.co.uk
Cameroon coach Volke Finke has named a preliminary 24-man squad for
January's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea. The German has
stuck mainly to the players he used in the qualifiers, but there is no place
for Alex Song. The midfielder has not played for Cameroon since being sent
off in the 4-0 World Cup loss to Croatia. His impressive form this season at
West Ham on loan from Barcelona had lead to speculation he would earn a
recall. After losing all their matches at the World Cup in Brazil, Cameroon
will be hoping to build on an unbeaten qualifying campaign at the Cup of
Nations finals. Strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton N'Jie scored seven of
the nine goals the Indomitable Lions netted in a qualifying campaign that
included a 4-1 win over Ivory Coast. The two will meet again in Group D at
the finals. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is also enjoying a good season with
German side Schalke 04, with nine Bundesliga goals to his name so far.
Cameroon will begin their preparation at home and will host
Congo-Brazzaville for a friendly on 7 January before travelling to Gabon the
next day for a training camp. While in Gabon, the Indomitable Lions will
play a friendly against South Africa on 11 January and another one against
an opponent to be decided three days later. They will fly to Malabo for the
Nations Cup finals on 16 January, a day before the tournament is due to
kick-off.
Provisional Cameroon squad:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Ondoua (Barcelona, Spain), Guy Ndy Assembe (Nancy,
France), Pierre Sylvain Abogo (Tonnerre Yaoundé)
Defenders: Cédric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Jérôme Guihi Ata (Valenciennes,
France), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (New
York Red Bulls, USA), Brice Nlate Ekongolo (Marseille, France), Franck
Bagnack (Barcelona, Spain), Henri Bedimo (Lyon, France),
Midfielders: Stéphane Mbia (Seville, Spain), Enoh Eyong (Standard Liège,
Belgium), Raoul Cedric Loe (CA Osasuna, Spain), Edgard Salli (Academica de
Coimbra. Portugal), Georges Mandjeck (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey), Franck
Kom (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Patrick Ekeng (FC Cordoba, Spain)
Forwards: Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (Schalke 04, Germany), Benjamin Moukandjo
(Reims, France), Jacques Zoua (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey), Vincent
Aboubakar (Porto, Portugal), Léonard Kwekeu (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey),
Clinton N'Jie (Lyon, France), Franck Etoundi (Zurich, Switzerland)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea v West Ham
KO 12:45
24 December 2014
Last updated at 11:36
By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Friday, 26 December
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard is doubtful after injuring his ankle during
the victory at Stoke. Oscar could be recalled to the starting line-up after
only being named as an unused substitute on Monday.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble returns to the squad after recovering from an
Achilles problem. Defender James Tomkins is the Hammers' only injury doubt
after he was substituted against Leicester with a hamstring problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
In fourth place at Christmas, Sam Allardyce says his team are breaking
barriers, and the timing couldn't be better - West Ham have begun the
process of offering corporate packages in the Olympic Stadium where they
will kick off the 2016-17 season. "Chelsea being top of the table at
Christmas does not mean they are going to win the league, but they are in
very good shape with tight bunch of players who are strong ability-wise and
mentally." Not so long ago, this would have required a leap of faith from
would-be purchasers wondering if they'd be watching Championship football in
their plush padded seats; now it's not such a ludicrous stretch of the
imagination to dream of Champions League games being digested along with the
prawn sandwiches.
No disrespect intended to the Hammers' London rivals, but I'm sure that
Karren Brady and her team are finding that selling the dream of matches
against Real Madrid and Barcelona is rather easier than flogging the
possibility of matches with Millwall and Brentford.
Breaking barriers is one thing - beating Chelsea, especially at the Bridge,
is something else completely. West Ham did manage to get a point at Chelsea
last season when, you may recall, Jose Mourinho accused them of playing
19th-century football and of parking the hackney carriage. That was the
first of 10 points earned by West Ham in a four-game run last season which
took them from the relegation zone to mid-table in a fortnight. Looking
back, Allardyce thinks it was the turning point for what has followed.
Chelsea's win at Stoke on Monday was the perfect riposte to Manchester
City's recent surge - it was a controlled, strong and disciplined
performance, typical of Chelsea under Mourinho. They must still be
considered strong title favourites and I don't see their run of 13-games
unbeaten at Stamford Bridge ending any time soon.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have not won on any of their last eight league visits to Stamford
Bridge (D2, L6).
The Hammers' last win at Chelsea was in September 2002, when Paolo Di Canio
scored twice to propel West Ham to a 3-2 win.
Their only previous Boxing Day meeting came in 1973 when Ron Greenwood's
Hammers won 4-2 at Stamford Bridge despite being 2-0 down at half-time - the
scorers included Frank Lampard Sr.
Chelsea
Chelsea have won all eight of their Premier League home matches this season.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Boxing Day games (W5, D4).
Diego Costa has scored eight goals in his seven Premier League appearances
at Stamford Bridge this season.
This is the eighth time that a club managed by Jose Mourinho has been top of
the league at Christmas. On the previous seven occasions (with Porto,
Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid), he has gone on to win the title.
West Ham
West Ham have won four of their last five Premier League matches.
The last time the Hammers were in the top four of the top-flight on
Christmas Day was back in 1985. They finished that season in third.
West Ham have already won nine matches this season - they only won 11 in
total in the whole of the 2013-14 campaign.
The Hammers have scored in their last eight Premier League away games. The
last time they scored in nine away games in a row was back in December
1999-May 2000 (nine matches).
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The (ex) Rev's Christmas message
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Elwin Cockett
'Happy Christmas' from our own Archdeacon of West Ham, Elwin Cockett...
The world-wide family of West Ham fans is celebrating in style this
Christmas. We're in the top four – until Boxing Day, at least – and we're
watching the best football we've seen in years, which isn't necessarily
something that many of us would have said at the start of the year.
That we are a world-wide family is obvious to anyone who has dipped into the
KUMB Forum, a melting-pot of miscellany that only Irons fans could create.
But I will never forget how the astonishing reach of Hammer-dom was brought
home to me a few years ago on a hot, dusty road in, of all places, Ghana.
I was there to visit friends in a town called Akosombo, where I lived for a
year as a child when my father was working as a doctor there. We were stuck
in a traffic jam, going nowhere, in the intense heat of an African Summer.
The only movement was of traders strolling up and down the queue, selling
everything from bread to umbrellas. Suddenly, one caught my eye, not because
of what she was selling or shouting out, but because of what she was
wearing: A West Ham shirt.
We had no language in common, but at the words 'West Ham' she beamed at me.
We were thousands of miles from Upton Park but for a fleeting moment we were
two people united by the claret-and-blue.
But there's a far more important story that can be told about Ghana and the
generosity of one particular West Ham fan. Last year, on another visit to
Akosombo, I watched an amazing Ghanaian teacher, Grace, using books that had
been sent to her from East London to teach local children to read. Those
children were flocking to her, and she had a book for every one of them, and
yet she had nowhere to keep her books except a lock-up shed.
In a rash moment, and remembering the girl in the West Ham shirt, I told
Grace that I thought I knew a few kind people in East London who might be
willing to contribute something if she ever decided to build a place for her
books – a place where children could come and read in safety and where the
books would be kept clean and dry. "We could call it 'Grace's Place'", I
said, getting a bit carried away.
To be honest, when I got home to England, I began to have second thoughts.
But as I shared the idea with a few people it started to take off. It was
then that a KUMB reader and fellow Irons fan, Gary Stewart – known to some
of us as 'Norf' because he lives 'up North'- sent me an astonishing gift
that changed everything. It was the sort of sum that, in Ghana, makes things
happen.
Now 'Grace's Place' could move from being a dream to becoming a reality.
Within months, Grace had acquired the land needed for 'Grace's Place' in
Akosombo. Local workers cleared it and made it ready and then, as further
donations came in, the foundations were laid. As other people in East London
and elsewhere caught the vision, the walls were built and the roof went on.
Now, incredibly, just 18 months or so since the idea was first raised,
'Grace's Place' is preparing to open its doors, thanks to the generosity of
people in East London and Essex, a good many of them West Ham fans, and
especially people like Gary Stewart and his colleagues at CMC Schoolfood, in
Manchester, who have just made a further donation of £500 as a Christmas
present to the children of Akosombo.
'Grace's Place' is not quite finished yet. There's some plastering and
wiring to be done, and a few doors and windows to be installed.
Nevertheless, for those children, as one person told me, 'it feels like
Christmas has come'. In fact, because 'Grace's Place' is going to be open
all year round, it feels like Christmas every day (to quote Roy Wood!).
This is all down to people like you. Whether you're celebrating Christmas,
or have been marking Hanukkah, or whatever else, this time of year is about
giving. It's about bringing light where there's darkness, and hope where
there's despair. And that's just what is happening at 'Grace's Place'.
West Ham fans are having a great season, and we have plenty to be thankful
for, so let's see how generous we can be. You don't have to look far to find
people who will be grateful for a bit of kindness, whether we're talking
about kids in Africa or the people we live among and call our friends. All
it takes from you is a decision to give something, whether it's your time or
your money or your skills. Your generosity can make a difference – and is
already doing so.
So, with a thank-you to generous Irons fans everywhere, it's 'Merry
Christmas' to every member of the world-wide West Ham family, whether you're
in Green Street or Ghana, and here's to the happiest of happy New Years in
2015.
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Happy Christmas! Song stays
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will not lose Alex Song for the African Cup of Nations, after he
was omitted from Cameroon's squad for the tournament. It had been feared
that Song, who had previously fallen out with head coach Volker Finke, would
be part of the travelling party for the competition, which takes place in
Equatorial Guinea between January 17th and February 8th. However the
47-times capped midfielder was the most glaring omission from the squad when
it was named last night. West Ham are still likely to lose Diafra Sakho and
Cheik Kouyate (both Senegal, squad announced on Boxing Day) for the
tournament, but the news on Song's is a huge boost to the Hammers
nonetheless.
Cameroon AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers: Abogo, Ndy, Ondua; Defenders: Djeugoue, Nkoulou, Bedimo,
Bagnack, Oyongo, Ekongolo; Midfielders: Enoh, Mbia, Loe, SalIi, Mandjeck,
Kom, Ekeng; Attackers: Choupo -Moting, Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Kweuke, N'jie,
Etoundi, Zoua.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Sullivan rules out January sale of Winston Reid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that no first team players will be sold in the
forthcoming January transfer window. And that automatically rules out the
possibility of contract rebel Winston Reid leaving until the end of his
current contract next June. West Ham's co-owner told the Mirror: "There is
not any price we would sell any players for. First team players will not be
sold. "We are happy where we are, we don't want to unsettle the team, we are
short of numbers with the Africa Cup of Nations and I can't imagine any
circumstances where we would sell a player in January. "We'd sell a squad
player because we are looking at bringing players in in Janaury. But we've
got the luxury of buying for the future. Normally we are buying through
panic but not on this occasion."
Sam Allardyce revealed earlier in the week that he and Sullivan are looking
to sign at least one player of sufficient quality to slot straight in to the
first team, if required. The club are also set to confirm the arrival of
21-year-old central defender Doneil Henry - who is understood to have
received a work permit - from Candian side Toronto.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Jose Mourinho as 'best in the world'
Last Updated: 24/12/14 8:15pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is taking on "probably the best
manager in the world" in Jose Mourinho in Boxing Day's London derby. The
Hammers have climbed to fourth spot in the league after going undefeated in
December, winning three of their last four games.
And Allardyce, who masterminded a crucial 0-0 draw away to Chelsea in their
last meeting nearly a year ago, believes West Ham are a better team this
season and underlined the importance of winning points against Mourinho's
side. "This one is totally different," he said. "We are fourth in the league
this time we've got better players. We've got younger players and hopefully
we will come and give a good account of ourselves and a good account of
ourselves is a result not a good performance and a loss."
After the 0-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, the Chelsea manager was quick
to vent his anger over West Ham playing "football from the 19th century",
but Allardyce believes Mourinho's frustration proves the Hammers are a good
side. He said: "I think that it's a compliment that a frustrated manager
vents his frustration over the fact that he can't break the team he's
playing against down and I think that frustration spilled over into his
press conference. "He felt he should have beaten us [in their last meeting]
obviously because of the position we were in at the time and the position
they were in. "So it's always a compliment for me when a manager has a
little pop at you about the way you played or what tactics you might have
used because it means tactically you have been very good. "We will come and
give a good account of ourselves and a good account of ourselves is a result
not a good performance and a loss."
After surviving relegation by only seven points last season, Allardyce
singled out the draw against Chelsea last year as a pivotal point in their
survival from relegation and wants a repeat performance. The game – which
will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12:30pm on Friday – could prove
vital in the race to secure a spot amongst Europe's elite for West Ham.
Allardyce remained wary of the threat Chelsea might pose in Friday's clash,
and was high in praise for their manager Mourinho, who has never lost to the
Hammers while in charge at Stamford Bridge. "We have obviously improved
tremendously from where we were," he said. "But that doesn't make it any
easier for us playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge because of the force that
they are, and because of the manager that he is - he is probably the best
working club manager in the world at the minute on his track record. I don't
think there is any doubt about that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Alex Song not included in Cameroon squad
Last Updated: 24/12/14 1:00pm
SSN
Alex Song has not been included in Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup of
Nations. Alex Song is hoping he can help West Ham to more victories in their
festive games against Chelsea and his former club Arsenal The West Ham
midfielder, on loan from Barcelona, was not among the 22-man party named on
Wednesday for next month's event in Equatorial Guinea. Song, who had made it
clear he was available for the January 17 to February 8 showpiece, is now
free to play against Swansea, Hull, Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, West Ham will be without Senegalese duo Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou
Kouyate after they confirmed their participation in the tournament.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea aiming to retain top spot against in-form West Ham
Last Updated: 24/12/14 12:14pm
SSN
Chelsea entertain high-flying West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Boxing
Day looking to maintain their three-point advantage over Manchester City at
the top of the Premier League. However, the Blues will be well aware of the
tough challenge awaiting them in Friday's early kick-off given the form Sam
Allardyce's side have displayed so far this season, with the fourth-placed
Hammers having lost just once in the league since September. Chelsea manager
Jose Mourinho has never tasted defeat in six top-flight London derbies
against West Ham and, with his team also unbeaten at home in the league this
campaign, he will be expecting to maintain those impressive records.
Team news
The home side look like being without key playmaker Eden Hazard for this
London derby after the Belgium international picked up a foot injury in
Monday night's 2-0 win at Stoke City. However, other than that, Mourinho has
a fully-fit squad from which to pick from. Oscar will hope for a recall
after being left on the bench at the Britannia Stadium. West Ham, meanwhile,
hope to have midfielder Mark Noble available while centre-back James Tomkins
is a doubt due to a hamstring problem and will be assessed before the match.
Opta facts
Jose Mourinho credited his Chelsea side with a fantastic performance against
Stoke
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League games played
on Boxing Day (W5 D4).
Chelsea's last five Boxing Day matches have seen a total of just six goals
scored, since their famous 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in 2007.
Defeat to Arsenal last season ended a run of three consecutive Premier
League wins on Boxing Day for the Hammers.
Allardyce has managed just two wins in 21 Premier League games against
Chelsea (W2 D6 L13.
Allardyce has no wins against Mourinho in the competition (D3 L5), but his
three draws have all come in away games (in four visits to Stamford Bridge).
Chelsea have won 12 and lost just one of the last 16 Premier League games
against the Hammers (D3).
Merson's prediction
Speaking on Goals on Sunday, Allardyce claimed a top-four finish for West
Ham is unlikely "West Ham always seem to go to Chelsea and sit 10 men behind
the ball, but this time they are in form and if they go there to have a free
swing and have a go, you never know. But I think they'll set up the way they
normally do when they go the Stamford Bridge and there's no way Chelsea
won't break them down before the end."
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Betting
Chelsea are odds-on with Sky Bet to add another three points to their tally
with victory over West Ham. However, the Hammers have certainly made great
strides since holding their London rivals to a goalless draw in their last
meeting and their odds of 8/1 are certain to attract plenty of backers. The
Blues have won six of their last eight at home without conceding and another
clean sheet for Jose Mourinho's men is 10/11, with another win to nil 6/5.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ex-Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola named as new head coach of Serie A side
Cagliari
Dec 24, 2014 22:06 By Rob Burnett
The former West Ham and Watford manager was born in Sardinia and finished
his playing career at Cagliari after leaving Stamford Bridge in 2003
The Mirror
Former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been appointed as the new head
coach of Serie A side Cagliari. The Sardinian side announced the appointment
of the former Chelsea striker, who finished his playing career at Cagliari
in 2005, in a statement on their official website.
Former boss Zdenek Zeman was sacked after a run of eight games without a win
saw them fall into the relegation zone. The club said the 48-year-old would
take his first training session when the team returned from the Christmas
break on Sunday. Zola was born in Sardinia and finished his playing career
at Cagliari after leaving Chelsea in 2003. Now 48, the former West Ham and
Watford manager has not worked as a coach since leaving Vicarage Road in
December last year. Zola started his coaching career as a coach for Italy
Under 21s at the 2008 Olympics but he has never worked in his homeland at
club level. Walter Zenga, Delio Rossi and former Cagliari coach David
Ballardini are also candidates for the job.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce reveals: I could have been SACKED had we lost to Chelsea in
January
Dec 24, 2014 15:36 By Darren Lewis
"I might not have been here had we lost... On the back of our recent results
it would have made life for the owners even more difficult to get behind
me," says Big Sam
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce returns to Chelsea on Boxing Day bidding to cement their
position in the top four - 11 months after saving his Upton Park bacon
against the Blues. Back in January the Hammers had been humiliated in both
the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup. They were also fighting for the Premier
League lives. They looked lambs to the slaughter when they travelled to
Stamford Bridge on January 29 - only for Big Sam to frustrate Jose Mourinho
by parking the bus for a goalless draw. Allardyce admits he would have been
staring down the barrel had Mourinho's side stuffed West Ham on that day.
Watch Jose Mourinho on West Ham's "19th century" football - and Sam
Allardyce's hilarious reaction: He said: "I might not have been here had we
lost. Chelsea can beat you five or six on their ground. On the back of our
recent results it would have made life for the owners even more difficult to
get behind me. "Everyone expected us to lose and we didn't. It was a part of
our recovery at at time when we had had such a bad Christmas and New Year
period. "The confidence we gained from that big result was part of us
getting out of the relegation zone. "This one is totally different. We are
fourth in the league, we've got better, younger players and hopefully we
will give a good account of ourselves - which is a result not a good
performance and a loss."
West Ham have received a massive boost with the news that star midfielder
Alex Song has been left out of the Cameroon squad for next month's Africa
Cup of Nations. It means the 27-year-old will be free to spearhead the
club's bid to maintain their shock Champions League bid. Allardyce
maintained he is unlikely to dip into the transfer market, despite the
potential loss of striker Diafra Sakho to the Nations Cup. "I don't think we
need to go into the transfer window because I'm not sure the players
available will be sufficiently good enough to get into the team." he said,
"And if there is a player good enough can we afford him? "The rest of the
squad are more than capable of coping for that short period of time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham owner David Sullivan daring to dream with Hammers Champions League
charge - and his new Krays movie
Dec 23, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Hammers' joint-chairman is targeting a top four finish with the club as
well as mainstream movie success with The Rise of the Krays
The Mirror
David Sullivan admits he is daring to dream. The West Ham supremo has
already struck gold with summer signings Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia,
Cheikhou Kouyate and Alex Song – who have helped to lift the club into the
top four. Now Sullivan is moving into mainstream cinema and has targeted a
double reason to celebrate even further in May. Not only is he hopeful that
West Ham will cause a shock by finishing in the Champions League places, he
is also excited about the release of the film he is part-financing – The
Rise of the Krays – also due to be released that month. "I think we are all
daring to dream," he said. "Sam Allardyce has got the team playing superbly.
"We know – as the song goes – that dreams fade and die. But we hope that
will not be the case for us. "After 19 games you've completed half the
season, so we have two tough matches – against Chelsea on Boxing Day and
Arsenal two days later – to finish those 19 games. "We will maybe have a
clearer idea of our chances of finishing in the top four after that. As for
the film? Well, all my life I've loved gangster movies. "I can go back to
The Long Good Friday, Gangster No.1 and my favourite, Get Carter. Well this
movie is in that mould and I hope every bit as good. "Ronnie and Reggie are
East End legends, but we wanted to tell the real story. Not just the myths.
It's a challenge, but it's an exciting challenge. "It's a full-length
feature film. Eight-week shoot, £3million budget and comes out in May. It is
a lot of money, but we haven't spent a fortune on artists. "We've got two
young guys, Simon Cotton and Kevin Leslie, to play Ronnie and Reggie, and
they are just sensational. "My Dad, every lunchtime, used to drink with the
Krays' mum. I've got my own experience as well. When I started in business,
I was in the adult entertainment business and we used to sell mail order.
We used to get a percentage of cheques that bounced. So I used to write them
a letter saying: 'I'm very sorry, your cheque has bounced sir. I'm sure this
is a terrible mistake. We don't want any grief. Could you send us a new
cheque or a postal order?'"
"And I signed it – Sidney Kray. They were banged up at the time and I
thought it would just give me a little bit of an extra edge.
"Well surprise, surprise, Reggie writes to me from Leicester prison saying:
'How dare you use our family name! There is only one Kray family.'
"Fortunately, I went on to have a long correspondence with him. But I did
think at the time: 'I'd better be careful otherwise when he comes out he
might want half the business!'" Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold were
vilified during the summer for spelling out their blueprint for the way to
improve the poor football that had Hammers fans calling for Allardyce's head
last term.
The pair have been rewarded, however, and there is real optimism going into
the second half of the season. "This is the best side since we've been
here," Sullivan said. "We've only been here five years granted, but it's the
best by a million miles. "I think we have all been vindicated. It was Sam
who agreed to an attacking coach. It was Sam's idea to play Stewart Downing
centrally – where he has been a different player. "It was Sam who spoke to
Mr Song when he had reservations about coming after last season. Then I
spoke to him.
"On one occasion, it was Mr Song in Barcelona and me outside Smith's
restaurant in Ongar. I was in the street on my mobile telling him: 'No, no,
no... forget what you've heard. We're a different team now! "Then we played
Southampton and it was our worst performance of the season. He must have
thought: 'I've been conned! How have I signed for this lot?' "But then Sam
changed everything and you've got to take your hat off to him. He went with
two forwards, he went with a diamond and we've never looked back." Defender
Winston Reid's contract remains an issue, but Sullivan is confident of
holding on to the centre-back. He added: "I know Arsenal and Chelsea have
not expressed an interest. I think he wants a Champions League club. But
you never know, he might just get it here with West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Andy Carroll warns Jose Mourinho: Sam Allardyce has ALREADY
worked out how to beat Chelsea
Dec 23, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
"He knows how to beat managers, their tactics," Carroll said. "He knows what
they are going to do against us. It's just a game of chess, really, looking
a move ahead"
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has claimed West Ham's Boxing Day clash with Chelsea will be
like a game of chess - and Sam Allardyce has all the right moves to keep
Jose Mourinho in check. Back in January the Chelsea boss accused the Hammers
of playing "football from the 19th century" in a goalless draw at Upton
Park. But this season is a whole new ball game with the inspired Irons up to
fourth place in the Premier League. And the England striker has credited his
manager for the club's change in fortunes - and backed Allardyce to again
upset Mourinho with his tactics this time. "He knows how to beat managers,
their tactics," Carroll said. "He knows what they are going to do against
us. It's just a game of chess, really, looking a move ahead.
Matthew LewisGrand master: Sam Allardyce thinks about football "like a game
of chess" It is different tactics, different teams. He's not the same every
week. Different things. Obviously he wants a win, but you've got to watch
the teams, how they're playing, how we're going to break them down and win
the game. "He's got loads of different ways of attacking, we've got loads of
dimensions to go forward. We can do anything. That's what our qualities are
at the minute."
From fighting relegation last winter and getting booed after a home win
against Hull, West Ham have been transformed by a summer of transfer
activity, especially striker Diafra Sakho. The Hammers have reached 31
points after 17 games and netted 29 goals. Only the top three and Arsenal
have scored more. "All this great football coming from the manager," Carroll
insisted. "He's brought in some great players. He's changed the team around
a lot, and the players he's brought in have settled in nicely, and all the
lads are buzzing about at the minute, and it comes from that really: the
manager's choice of players and how he wants to play now."
West Ham have beaten Manchester City and Liverpool at home this season but
the next two games will give a true indication of their potential this
season when they travel to Chelsea and then host the Gunners. Carroll, who
scored his fourth goal of the season against Leicester, said: "They're tough
games coming up, but we have a good team as well, and I'm sure they're going
to be just as worried about us as we are about them.
"We're playing great football, and I think any team that we play against is
going to be worried about us. We've got more than one attacking option. Play
it on the floor, play it in the air, down the sides. Obviously we're in the
position that we are in the league, and that's well deserved."
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WHUFC.com
Big Sam wants to earn another compliment from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on
Boxing Day
24.12.2014
Sam Allardyce is hoping to earn another compliment from the 'world's best
club manager' when West Ham United head to Chelsea on Boxing Day. A
frustrated Jose Mourinho accused the Hammers of playing '19th century
football' following a goalless Barclays Premier League draw at Stamford
Bridge in January - a result that served as a catalyst for West Ham to begin
their climb from the relegation zone to mid-table safety by the season's
end. As he prepares his fourth-placed team to return to the home of the
current leaders, Big Sam paid tribute to Mourinho's achievements and said he
is looking forward to locking horns with the two-times UEFA Champions
League, Serie A, La Liga and Premier League title-winning manager.
Sam, can you please start with team news ahead of the trip to Chelsea?
SA: "James Tomkins is our only concern. Mark Noble is back in the squad, so
James came off with a hamstring in the last game against Leicester and we'll
know later on Christmas Day evening if he is available or not. The rest of
the squad are all together over this very strenuous period and are available
for selection."
Your last visit to Stamford Bridge was memorable for Jose Mourinho accusing
you of playing '19th century football'…
SA: "It was memorable for how well we played! I think it was a compliment by
the fact a frustrated manager vented his frustration about the fact that he
couldn't break down the team he was playing against. "That frustration
spilled over into his press conference, because he felt he should have
beaten us, obviously because of the position (19th) that we were in at the
time, and the position they were in (third). "It's always a compliment for
me when a manager has a little pop at you about the way you played or what
tactics you might have used, which means tactically you have been very good,
you've done your job well and made sure the opposition have found it very
difficult to break you down and beat you when all expected us to lose, and
we didn't. "It was part of our recovery at the time, when we'd had such a
bad Christmas and New Year. The confidence we gained from such a result was
part of us moving forward and getting out of the relegation zone. "This one
is totally different. We're fourth in the league this time and we've got
better, younger players and hopefully we will go and give a good account of
ourselves - and a good account of ourselves is getting a result, not playing
well and a loss."
This time around Jose has been praising you and your team...
SA: "I think our position speaks for itself that we have got better players
and that Chelsea have also got better players than last season - that's why
they have gone one step closer to the title, it looks like, than they did
last year. "We have obviously improved tremendously from where we were, but
that doesn;t make it any easier for us playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
because of the force that they are, and because of the manager that he is -
he is probably the best working club manager in the world at the minute on
his track record. I don't think there is any doubt about that. "There is
probably only Carlo Ancelotti that perhaps matches him, but certainly what
he has done in his time across many different countries has been outstanding
and that's why I was glad to have him back. I want to pit my wits against
the best and obviously he is proving that again here in England with Chelsea
this season."
You might not be here now had you not drawn at Chelsea last season?
SA: "Chelsea can beat you five or six-nil on their ground and I think, on
the back of our results before we went there it would have made life for the
owners even more difficult to get behind me - but that's not water under the
bridge, it's water in the sea, water in the Atlantic Ocean it is that far
gone. "We're a completely different unit, team and squad now and we're
enjoying out football this year and enjoying our Christmas a lot more than
we enjoyed Christmas last year. "We've got the two hardest games over 48
hours over Christmas - Chelsea away and Arsenal at home in the space of 48
hours is a big demand for us, even though we're on top of our game at the
moment. Getting through these two games is going to be a tremendous effort
for all the players selected, and hopefully they'll come through for us as
they have done for most of this season."
Alex Song has not been selected by Cameroon for the AFCON 2015 finals in
January, but you will likely lose Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho to
Senegal. How does that affect your transfer dealings in January?
SA: "I remember Jose punching the air at Soccer Aid while we were training
before we played that game. I didn't know what it was until after, when he
told me he had just clinched it [the signing of Fabregas]. That's how
excited he was and what a big signing had finally come off. "Jose had
obviously met him before that and Cesc was pondering his decision as to
whether to join Chelsea, so I could see how delighted he was to clinch that
signing. They obviously had to do a lot of work, when you consider the
affection he said he had for Arsenal, and they managed to overcome that.
"It's paid off for both. There are only a few players of that high a quality
and calibre available on the market today and that was one they clinched, so
he has done very, very well in assists and scored a couple of vital goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing targeting festive cheer
WHUFC.com
In form Stewart Downing says the Hammers can get a result at Stamford Bridge
24.12.2014
West Ham United's in form midfielder Stewart Downing is relishing the
prospect of playing Jose Mourinho's table topping Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
on Boxing Day. The 30-year-old midfielder has been in superb form for the
Hammers this season, netting four goals so far, most recently a sublime
curling effort from the edge of the box against Leicester City to double the
lead after Andy Carroll's calm finish had given the Hammers a deserved lead.
Talking through his fourth goal of the season, Downing said: "It was
certainly one of the best goals of my career. It was good timing in the game
as well to kill Leicester off. I was very pleased to get the goal, I got one
the week before at Sunderland so I was very happy. "As soon as I hit it I
thought it was in. Most players will tell you that once you get a connection
you know. I knew what I wanted to do before I got the ball, we practise
these situations in training, bending it round defenders so I was happy to
see it go in."
Given the Hammers' fantastic run of results, which has taken them to fourth
in Premier League with 31 points from 17 games, Downing said his side are
approaching the match with confidence. "Chelsea are in the in-form team, the
team to beat. I watched their game against Stoke and they've got a bit of
everything about them. It's a big test for us but we've proved we can beat
the big boys. We need to play our usual game and see where that takes us.
It's a good test for us. "Last season, I think Jose was just frustrated, the
league was in his sights and he probably had that game down as a three
pointer. He knows he's in for a tough day on Friday, he's aware of us and so
he should be."
Having scored against Leicester last weekend, as well as the equaliser away
at Sunderland, Downing is looking to score for the third successive game.
His form has been widely recognised across the media, as well as by England
manager Roy Hodgson who recalled him to the England side that beat Scotland
3-1 in November. When asked about his form, Downing said: "In terms of end
product I'd say I'm playing the best football of my career. "The goals are
coming, I've had a few assists and created some chances. My new role now
gives me freedom, I'm seeing more of the ball, I can be more expressive and
that's helped me massively."
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Adrian - The Big Interview
WHUFC.com
The Hammers goalkeeper talks clean sheets, Leicester and Chelsea
23.12.2014
Last season Adrian produced an heroic performance to help the Hammers gain a
point at Chelsea. Now, the No13 is preparing to head back to Stamford Bridge
with maintaining a top four position at the top of his agenda.
We caught up with the goalkeeper for our Big Interview...
A clean sheet on Saturday, you must have been really pleased?
ADRIAN: "It's my job, no? To help the team get the three points and the
clean sheet is really important for us."
At 2-0, going into the latter stages of the game they were still coming and
you had to make two really good saves. Talk us through them.
ADRIAN: "It was a good moment for us because it was important that they
didn't score in the last few minutes. If they had done, it would have made
it difficult for us. I try every game to help the team and this time I can
help."
Which save did you like the most?
ADRIAN: "The first in the second half, because I didn't have time, it was
just a reaction. I think that was the best for me, but all saves are
difficult and all saves are good."
Fourth place in the table. Can you believe it?
ADRIAN: "Yes, you can believe it, because in two games we would have played
half the season. We need to keep going like this and when we finish the
season we hope we stay in this position."
Chelsea next, a place where you played pretty well last year and made plenty
of saves....
ADRIAN: "I have good memories of Chelsea last year. It was a different game,
because last season we were in the relegation zone and now this season we're
at the top of the league. It will be a good game for us and the fans."
Do you think we can attack a bit more this time?
ADRIAN: "Of course. This season the team has a lot of options in attack and
we play different football to last season."
Do you think we can stay around the top five or six?
ADRIAN: "We take it game-by-game, but this is the level we need to stay at.
We have a good moment right now and we need to enjoy it."
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Nations Cup 2015: Alex Song misses out on Cameroon squad
BBC.co.uk
Cameroon coach Volke Finke has named a preliminary 24-man squad for
January's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea. The German has
stuck mainly to the players he used in the qualifiers, but there is no place
for Alex Song. The midfielder has not played for Cameroon since being sent
off in the 4-0 World Cup loss to Croatia. His impressive form this season at
West Ham on loan from Barcelona had lead to speculation he would earn a
recall. After losing all their matches at the World Cup in Brazil, Cameroon
will be hoping to build on an unbeaten qualifying campaign at the Cup of
Nations finals. Strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton N'Jie scored seven of
the nine goals the Indomitable Lions netted in a qualifying campaign that
included a 4-1 win over Ivory Coast. The two will meet again in Group D at
the finals. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is also enjoying a good season with
German side Schalke 04, with nine Bundesliga goals to his name so far.
Cameroon will begin their preparation at home and will host
Congo-Brazzaville for a friendly on 7 January before travelling to Gabon the
next day for a training camp. While in Gabon, the Indomitable Lions will
play a friendly against South Africa on 11 January and another one against
an opponent to be decided three days later. They will fly to Malabo for the
Nations Cup finals on 16 January, a day before the tournament is due to
kick-off.
Provisional Cameroon squad:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Ondoua (Barcelona, Spain), Guy Ndy Assembe (Nancy,
France), Pierre Sylvain Abogo (Tonnerre Yaoundé)
Defenders: Cédric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Jérôme Guihi Ata (Valenciennes,
France), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (New
York Red Bulls, USA), Brice Nlate Ekongolo (Marseille, France), Franck
Bagnack (Barcelona, Spain), Henri Bedimo (Lyon, France),
Midfielders: Stéphane Mbia (Seville, Spain), Enoh Eyong (Standard Liège,
Belgium), Raoul Cedric Loe (CA Osasuna, Spain), Edgard Salli (Academica de
Coimbra. Portugal), Georges Mandjeck (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey), Franck
Kom (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Patrick Ekeng (FC Cordoba, Spain)
Forwards: Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (Schalke 04, Germany), Benjamin Moukandjo
(Reims, France), Jacques Zoua (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey), Vincent
Aboubakar (Porto, Portugal), Léonard Kwekeu (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey),
Clinton N'Jie (Lyon, France), Franck Etoundi (Zurich, Switzerland)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea v West Ham
KO 12:45
24 December 2014
Last updated at 11:36
By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Friday, 26 December
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard is doubtful after injuring his ankle during
the victory at Stoke. Oscar could be recalled to the starting line-up after
only being named as an unused substitute on Monday.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble returns to the squad after recovering from an
Achilles problem. Defender James Tomkins is the Hammers' only injury doubt
after he was substituted against Leicester with a hamstring problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
In fourth place at Christmas, Sam Allardyce says his team are breaking
barriers, and the timing couldn't be better - West Ham have begun the
process of offering corporate packages in the Olympic Stadium where they
will kick off the 2016-17 season. "Chelsea being top of the table at
Christmas does not mean they are going to win the league, but they are in
very good shape with tight bunch of players who are strong ability-wise and
mentally." Not so long ago, this would have required a leap of faith from
would-be purchasers wondering if they'd be watching Championship football in
their plush padded seats; now it's not such a ludicrous stretch of the
imagination to dream of Champions League games being digested along with the
prawn sandwiches.
No disrespect intended to the Hammers' London rivals, but I'm sure that
Karren Brady and her team are finding that selling the dream of matches
against Real Madrid and Barcelona is rather easier than flogging the
possibility of matches with Millwall and Brentford.
Breaking barriers is one thing - beating Chelsea, especially at the Bridge,
is something else completely. West Ham did manage to get a point at Chelsea
last season when, you may recall, Jose Mourinho accused them of playing
19th-century football and of parking the hackney carriage. That was the
first of 10 points earned by West Ham in a four-game run last season which
took them from the relegation zone to mid-table in a fortnight. Looking
back, Allardyce thinks it was the turning point for what has followed.
Chelsea's win at Stoke on Monday was the perfect riposte to Manchester
City's recent surge - it was a controlled, strong and disciplined
performance, typical of Chelsea under Mourinho. They must still be
considered strong title favourites and I don't see their run of 13-games
unbeaten at Stamford Bridge ending any time soon.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have not won on any of their last eight league visits to Stamford
Bridge (D2, L6).
The Hammers' last win at Chelsea was in September 2002, when Paolo Di Canio
scored twice to propel West Ham to a 3-2 win.
Their only previous Boxing Day meeting came in 1973 when Ron Greenwood's
Hammers won 4-2 at Stamford Bridge despite being 2-0 down at half-time - the
scorers included Frank Lampard Sr.
Chelsea
Chelsea have won all eight of their Premier League home matches this season.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Boxing Day games (W5, D4).
Diego Costa has scored eight goals in his seven Premier League appearances
at Stamford Bridge this season.
This is the eighth time that a club managed by Jose Mourinho has been top of
the league at Christmas. On the previous seven occasions (with Porto,
Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid), he has gone on to win the title.
West Ham
West Ham have won four of their last five Premier League matches.
The last time the Hammers were in the top four of the top-flight on
Christmas Day was back in 1985. They finished that season in third.
West Ham have already won nine matches this season - they only won 11 in
total in the whole of the 2013-14 campaign.
The Hammers have scored in their last eight Premier League away games. The
last time they scored in nine away games in a row was back in December
1999-May 2000 (nine matches).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The (ex) Rev's Christmas message
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Elwin Cockett
'Happy Christmas' from our own Archdeacon of West Ham, Elwin Cockett...
The world-wide family of West Ham fans is celebrating in style this
Christmas. We're in the top four – until Boxing Day, at least – and we're
watching the best football we've seen in years, which isn't necessarily
something that many of us would have said at the start of the year.
That we are a world-wide family is obvious to anyone who has dipped into the
KUMB Forum, a melting-pot of miscellany that only Irons fans could create.
But I will never forget how the astonishing reach of Hammer-dom was brought
home to me a few years ago on a hot, dusty road in, of all places, Ghana.
I was there to visit friends in a town called Akosombo, where I lived for a
year as a child when my father was working as a doctor there. We were stuck
in a traffic jam, going nowhere, in the intense heat of an African Summer.
The only movement was of traders strolling up and down the queue, selling
everything from bread to umbrellas. Suddenly, one caught my eye, not because
of what she was selling or shouting out, but because of what she was
wearing: A West Ham shirt.
We had no language in common, but at the words 'West Ham' she beamed at me.
We were thousands of miles from Upton Park but for a fleeting moment we were
two people united by the claret-and-blue.
But there's a far more important story that can be told about Ghana and the
generosity of one particular West Ham fan. Last year, on another visit to
Akosombo, I watched an amazing Ghanaian teacher, Grace, using books that had
been sent to her from East London to teach local children to read. Those
children were flocking to her, and she had a book for every one of them, and
yet she had nowhere to keep her books except a lock-up shed.
In a rash moment, and remembering the girl in the West Ham shirt, I told
Grace that I thought I knew a few kind people in East London who might be
willing to contribute something if she ever decided to build a place for her
books – a place where children could come and read in safety and where the
books would be kept clean and dry. "We could call it 'Grace's Place'", I
said, getting a bit carried away.
To be honest, when I got home to England, I began to have second thoughts.
But as I shared the idea with a few people it started to take off. It was
then that a KUMB reader and fellow Irons fan, Gary Stewart – known to some
of us as 'Norf' because he lives 'up North'- sent me an astonishing gift
that changed everything. It was the sort of sum that, in Ghana, makes things
happen.
Now 'Grace's Place' could move from being a dream to becoming a reality.
Within months, Grace had acquired the land needed for 'Grace's Place' in
Akosombo. Local workers cleared it and made it ready and then, as further
donations came in, the foundations were laid. As other people in East London
and elsewhere caught the vision, the walls were built and the roof went on.
Now, incredibly, just 18 months or so since the idea was first raised,
'Grace's Place' is preparing to open its doors, thanks to the generosity of
people in East London and Essex, a good many of them West Ham fans, and
especially people like Gary Stewart and his colleagues at CMC Schoolfood, in
Manchester, who have just made a further donation of £500 as a Christmas
present to the children of Akosombo.
'Grace's Place' is not quite finished yet. There's some plastering and
wiring to be done, and a few doors and windows to be installed.
Nevertheless, for those children, as one person told me, 'it feels like
Christmas has come'. In fact, because 'Grace's Place' is going to be open
all year round, it feels like Christmas every day (to quote Roy Wood!).
This is all down to people like you. Whether you're celebrating Christmas,
or have been marking Hanukkah, or whatever else, this time of year is about
giving. It's about bringing light where there's darkness, and hope where
there's despair. And that's just what is happening at 'Grace's Place'.
West Ham fans are having a great season, and we have plenty to be thankful
for, so let's see how generous we can be. You don't have to look far to find
people who will be grateful for a bit of kindness, whether we're talking
about kids in Africa or the people we live among and call our friends. All
it takes from you is a decision to give something, whether it's your time or
your money or your skills. Your generosity can make a difference – and is
already doing so.
So, with a thank-you to generous Irons fans everywhere, it's 'Merry
Christmas' to every member of the world-wide West Ham family, whether you're
in Green Street or Ghana, and here's to the happiest of happy New Years in
2015.
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Happy Christmas! Song stays
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will not lose Alex Song for the African Cup of Nations, after he
was omitted from Cameroon's squad for the tournament. It had been feared
that Song, who had previously fallen out with head coach Volker Finke, would
be part of the travelling party for the competition, which takes place in
Equatorial Guinea between January 17th and February 8th. However the
47-times capped midfielder was the most glaring omission from the squad when
it was named last night. West Ham are still likely to lose Diafra Sakho and
Cheik Kouyate (both Senegal, squad announced on Boxing Day) for the
tournament, but the news on Song's is a huge boost to the Hammers
nonetheless.
Cameroon AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers: Abogo, Ndy, Ondua; Defenders: Djeugoue, Nkoulou, Bedimo,
Bagnack, Oyongo, Ekongolo; Midfielders: Enoh, Mbia, Loe, SalIi, Mandjeck,
Kom, Ekeng; Attackers: Choupo -Moting, Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Kweuke, N'jie,
Etoundi, Zoua.
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David Sullivan rules out January sale of Winston Reid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th December 2014
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has revealed that no first team players will be sold in the
forthcoming January transfer window. And that automatically rules out the
possibility of contract rebel Winston Reid leaving until the end of his
current contract next June. West Ham's co-owner told the Mirror: "There is
not any price we would sell any players for. First team players will not be
sold. "We are happy where we are, we don't want to unsettle the team, we are
short of numbers with the Africa Cup of Nations and I can't imagine any
circumstances where we would sell a player in January. "We'd sell a squad
player because we are looking at bringing players in in Janaury. But we've
got the luxury of buying for the future. Normally we are buying through
panic but not on this occasion."
Sam Allardyce revealed earlier in the week that he and Sullivan are looking
to sign at least one player of sufficient quality to slot straight in to the
first team, if required. The club are also set to confirm the arrival of
21-year-old central defender Doneil Henry - who is understood to have
received a work permit - from Candian side Toronto.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hails Jose Mourinho as 'best in the world'
Last Updated: 24/12/14 8:15pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he is taking on "probably the best
manager in the world" in Jose Mourinho in Boxing Day's London derby. The
Hammers have climbed to fourth spot in the league after going undefeated in
December, winning three of their last four games.
And Allardyce, who masterminded a crucial 0-0 draw away to Chelsea in their
last meeting nearly a year ago, believes West Ham are a better team this
season and underlined the importance of winning points against Mourinho's
side. "This one is totally different," he said. "We are fourth in the league
this time we've got better players. We've got younger players and hopefully
we will come and give a good account of ourselves and a good account of
ourselves is a result not a good performance and a loss."
After the 0-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, the Chelsea manager was quick
to vent his anger over West Ham playing "football from the 19th century",
but Allardyce believes Mourinho's frustration proves the Hammers are a good
side. He said: "I think that it's a compliment that a frustrated manager
vents his frustration over the fact that he can't break the team he's
playing against down and I think that frustration spilled over into his
press conference. "He felt he should have beaten us [in their last meeting]
obviously because of the position we were in at the time and the position
they were in. "So it's always a compliment for me when a manager has a
little pop at you about the way you played or what tactics you might have
used because it means tactically you have been very good. "We will come and
give a good account of ourselves and a good account of ourselves is a result
not a good performance and a loss."
After surviving relegation by only seven points last season, Allardyce
singled out the draw against Chelsea last year as a pivotal point in their
survival from relegation and wants a repeat performance. The game – which
will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12:30pm on Friday – could prove
vital in the race to secure a spot amongst Europe's elite for West Ham.
Allardyce remained wary of the threat Chelsea might pose in Friday's clash,
and was high in praise for their manager Mourinho, who has never lost to the
Hammers while in charge at Stamford Bridge. "We have obviously improved
tremendously from where we were," he said. "But that doesn't make it any
easier for us playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge because of the force that
they are, and because of the manager that he is - he is probably the best
working club manager in the world at the minute on his track record. I don't
think there is any doubt about that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Alex Song not included in Cameroon squad
Last Updated: 24/12/14 1:00pm
SSN
Alex Song has not been included in Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup of
Nations. Alex Song is hoping he can help West Ham to more victories in their
festive games against Chelsea and his former club Arsenal The West Ham
midfielder, on loan from Barcelona, was not among the 22-man party named on
Wednesday for next month's event in Equatorial Guinea. Song, who had made it
clear he was available for the January 17 to February 8 showpiece, is now
free to play against Swansea, Hull, Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, West Ham will be without Senegalese duo Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou
Kouyate after they confirmed their participation in the tournament.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea aiming to retain top spot against in-form West Ham
Last Updated: 24/12/14 12:14pm
SSN
Chelsea entertain high-flying West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Boxing
Day looking to maintain their three-point advantage over Manchester City at
the top of the Premier League. However, the Blues will be well aware of the
tough challenge awaiting them in Friday's early kick-off given the form Sam
Allardyce's side have displayed so far this season, with the fourth-placed
Hammers having lost just once in the league since September. Chelsea manager
Jose Mourinho has never tasted defeat in six top-flight London derbies
against West Ham and, with his team also unbeaten at home in the league this
campaign, he will be expecting to maintain those impressive records.
Team news
The home side look like being without key playmaker Eden Hazard for this
London derby after the Belgium international picked up a foot injury in
Monday night's 2-0 win at Stoke City. However, other than that, Mourinho has
a fully-fit squad from which to pick from. Oscar will hope for a recall
after being left on the bench at the Britannia Stadium. West Ham, meanwhile,
hope to have midfielder Mark Noble available while centre-back James Tomkins
is a doubt due to a hamstring problem and will be assessed before the match.
Opta facts
Jose Mourinho credited his Chelsea side with a fantastic performance against
Stoke
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League games played
on Boxing Day (W5 D4).
Chelsea's last five Boxing Day matches have seen a total of just six goals
scored, since their famous 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in 2007.
Defeat to Arsenal last season ended a run of three consecutive Premier
League wins on Boxing Day for the Hammers.
Allardyce has managed just two wins in 21 Premier League games against
Chelsea (W2 D6 L13.
Allardyce has no wins against Mourinho in the competition (D3 L5), but his
three draws have all come in away games (in four visits to Stamford Bridge).
Chelsea have won 12 and lost just one of the last 16 Premier League games
against the Hammers (D3).
Merson's prediction
Speaking on Goals on Sunday, Allardyce claimed a top-four finish for West
Ham is unlikely "West Ham always seem to go to Chelsea and sit 10 men behind
the ball, but this time they are in form and if they go there to have a free
swing and have a go, you never know. But I think they'll set up the way they
normally do when they go the Stamford Bridge and there's no way Chelsea
won't break them down before the end."
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Betting
Chelsea are odds-on with Sky Bet to add another three points to their tally
with victory over West Ham. However, the Hammers have certainly made great
strides since holding their London rivals to a goalless draw in their last
meeting and their odds of 8/1 are certain to attract plenty of backers. The
Blues have won six of their last eight at home without conceding and another
clean sheet for Jose Mourinho's men is 10/11, with another win to nil 6/5.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ex-Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola named as new head coach of Serie A side
Cagliari
Dec 24, 2014 22:06 By Rob Burnett
The former West Ham and Watford manager was born in Sardinia and finished
his playing career at Cagliari after leaving Stamford Bridge in 2003
The Mirror
Former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been appointed as the new head
coach of Serie A side Cagliari. The Sardinian side announced the appointment
of the former Chelsea striker, who finished his playing career at Cagliari
in 2005, in a statement on their official website.
Former boss Zdenek Zeman was sacked after a run of eight games without a win
saw them fall into the relegation zone. The club said the 48-year-old would
take his first training session when the team returned from the Christmas
break on Sunday. Zola was born in Sardinia and finished his playing career
at Cagliari after leaving Chelsea in 2003. Now 48, the former West Ham and
Watford manager has not worked as a coach since leaving Vicarage Road in
December last year. Zola started his coaching career as a coach for Italy
Under 21s at the 2008 Olympics but he has never worked in his homeland at
club level. Walter Zenga, Delio Rossi and former Cagliari coach David
Ballardini are also candidates for the job.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce reveals: I could have been SACKED had we lost to Chelsea in
January
Dec 24, 2014 15:36 By Darren Lewis
"I might not have been here had we lost... On the back of our recent results
it would have made life for the owners even more difficult to get behind
me," says Big Sam
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce returns to Chelsea on Boxing Day bidding to cement their
position in the top four - 11 months after saving his Upton Park bacon
against the Blues. Back in January the Hammers had been humiliated in both
the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup. They were also fighting for the Premier
League lives. They looked lambs to the slaughter when they travelled to
Stamford Bridge on January 29 - only for Big Sam to frustrate Jose Mourinho
by parking the bus for a goalless draw. Allardyce admits he would have been
staring down the barrel had Mourinho's side stuffed West Ham on that day.
Watch Jose Mourinho on West Ham's "19th century" football - and Sam
Allardyce's hilarious reaction: He said: "I might not have been here had we
lost. Chelsea can beat you five or six on their ground. On the back of our
recent results it would have made life for the owners even more difficult to
get behind me. "Everyone expected us to lose and we didn't. It was a part of
our recovery at at time when we had had such a bad Christmas and New Year
period. "The confidence we gained from that big result was part of us
getting out of the relegation zone. "This one is totally different. We are
fourth in the league, we've got better, younger players and hopefully we
will give a good account of ourselves - which is a result not a good
performance and a loss."
West Ham have received a massive boost with the news that star midfielder
Alex Song has been left out of the Cameroon squad for next month's Africa
Cup of Nations. It means the 27-year-old will be free to spearhead the
club's bid to maintain their shock Champions League bid. Allardyce
maintained he is unlikely to dip into the transfer market, despite the
potential loss of striker Diafra Sakho to the Nations Cup. "I don't think we
need to go into the transfer window because I'm not sure the players
available will be sufficiently good enough to get into the team." he said,
"And if there is a player good enough can we afford him? "The rest of the
squad are more than capable of coping for that short period of time."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham owner David Sullivan daring to dream with Hammers Champions League
charge - and his new Krays movie
Dec 23, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Hammers' joint-chairman is targeting a top four finish with the club as
well as mainstream movie success with The Rise of the Krays
The Mirror
David Sullivan admits he is daring to dream. The West Ham supremo has
already struck gold with summer signings Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia,
Cheikhou Kouyate and Alex Song – who have helped to lift the club into the
top four. Now Sullivan is moving into mainstream cinema and has targeted a
double reason to celebrate even further in May. Not only is he hopeful that
West Ham will cause a shock by finishing in the Champions League places, he
is also excited about the release of the film he is part-financing – The
Rise of the Krays – also due to be released that month. "I think we are all
daring to dream," he said. "Sam Allardyce has got the team playing superbly.
"We know – as the song goes – that dreams fade and die. But we hope that
will not be the case for us. "After 19 games you've completed half the
season, so we have two tough matches – against Chelsea on Boxing Day and
Arsenal two days later – to finish those 19 games. "We will maybe have a
clearer idea of our chances of finishing in the top four after that. As for
the film? Well, all my life I've loved gangster movies. "I can go back to
The Long Good Friday, Gangster No.1 and my favourite, Get Carter. Well this
movie is in that mould and I hope every bit as good. "Ronnie and Reggie are
East End legends, but we wanted to tell the real story. Not just the myths.
It's a challenge, but it's an exciting challenge. "It's a full-length
feature film. Eight-week shoot, £3million budget and comes out in May. It is
a lot of money, but we haven't spent a fortune on artists. "We've got two
young guys, Simon Cotton and Kevin Leslie, to play Ronnie and Reggie, and
they are just sensational. "My Dad, every lunchtime, used to drink with the
Krays' mum. I've got my own experience as well. When I started in business,
I was in the adult entertainment business and we used to sell mail order.
We used to get a percentage of cheques that bounced. So I used to write them
a letter saying: 'I'm very sorry, your cheque has bounced sir. I'm sure this
is a terrible mistake. We don't want any grief. Could you send us a new
cheque or a postal order?'"
"And I signed it – Sidney Kray. They were banged up at the time and I
thought it would just give me a little bit of an extra edge.
"Well surprise, surprise, Reggie writes to me from Leicester prison saying:
'How dare you use our family name! There is only one Kray family.'
"Fortunately, I went on to have a long correspondence with him. But I did
think at the time: 'I'd better be careful otherwise when he comes out he
might want half the business!'" Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold were
vilified during the summer for spelling out their blueprint for the way to
improve the poor football that had Hammers fans calling for Allardyce's head
last term.
The pair have been rewarded, however, and there is real optimism going into
the second half of the season. "This is the best side since we've been
here," Sullivan said. "We've only been here five years granted, but it's the
best by a million miles. "I think we have all been vindicated. It was Sam
who agreed to an attacking coach. It was Sam's idea to play Stewart Downing
centrally – where he has been a different player. "It was Sam who spoke to
Mr Song when he had reservations about coming after last season. Then I
spoke to him.
"On one occasion, it was Mr Song in Barcelona and me outside Smith's
restaurant in Ongar. I was in the street on my mobile telling him: 'No, no,
no... forget what you've heard. We're a different team now! "Then we played
Southampton and it was our worst performance of the season. He must have
thought: 'I've been conned! How have I signed for this lot?' "But then Sam
changed everything and you've got to take your hat off to him. He went with
two forwards, he went with a diamond and we've never looked back." Defender
Winston Reid's contract remains an issue, but Sullivan is confident of
holding on to the centre-back. He added: "I know Arsenal and Chelsea have
not expressed an interest. I think he wants a Champions League club. But
you never know, he might just get it here with West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Andy Carroll warns Jose Mourinho: Sam Allardyce has ALREADY
worked out how to beat Chelsea
Dec 23, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
"He knows how to beat managers, their tactics," Carroll said. "He knows what
they are going to do against us. It's just a game of chess, really, looking
a move ahead"
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has claimed West Ham's Boxing Day clash with Chelsea will be
like a game of chess - and Sam Allardyce has all the right moves to keep
Jose Mourinho in check. Back in January the Chelsea boss accused the Hammers
of playing "football from the 19th century" in a goalless draw at Upton
Park. But this season is a whole new ball game with the inspired Irons up to
fourth place in the Premier League. And the England striker has credited his
manager for the club's change in fortunes - and backed Allardyce to again
upset Mourinho with his tactics this time. "He knows how to beat managers,
their tactics," Carroll said. "He knows what they are going to do against
us. It's just a game of chess, really, looking a move ahead.
Matthew LewisGrand master: Sam Allardyce thinks about football "like a game
of chess" It is different tactics, different teams. He's not the same every
week. Different things. Obviously he wants a win, but you've got to watch
the teams, how they're playing, how we're going to break them down and win
the game. "He's got loads of different ways of attacking, we've got loads of
dimensions to go forward. We can do anything. That's what our qualities are
at the minute."
From fighting relegation last winter and getting booed after a home win
against Hull, West Ham have been transformed by a summer of transfer
activity, especially striker Diafra Sakho. The Hammers have reached 31
points after 17 games and netted 29 goals. Only the top three and Arsenal
have scored more. "All this great football coming from the manager," Carroll
insisted. "He's brought in some great players. He's changed the team around
a lot, and the players he's brought in have settled in nicely, and all the
lads are buzzing about at the minute, and it comes from that really: the
manager's choice of players and how he wants to play now."
West Ham have beaten Manchester City and Liverpool at home this season but
the next two games will give a true indication of their potential this
season when they travel to Chelsea and then host the Gunners. Carroll, who
scored his fourth goal of the season against Leicester, said: "They're tough
games coming up, but we have a good team as well, and I'm sure they're going
to be just as worried about us as we are about them.
"We're playing great football, and I think any team that we play against is
going to be worried about us. We've got more than one attacking option. Play
it on the floor, play it in the air, down the sides. Obviously we're in the
position that we are in the league, and that's well deserved."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, December 24
Daily WHUFC News - 24th December 2014
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year - PeterR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reid ready for Chelsea test
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid says West Ham are in good shape to take on Premier League
heavyweights this Christmas
22.12.2014
Winston Reid believes West Ham United have already proven that they can mix
it with the Barclays Premier League's heavyweights this season and so is
expecting more of the same against Chelsea and Arsenal. Champions Manchester
City and last season's runners-up Liverpool have both come unstuck at the
Boleyn Ground this term, while the Hammers came within a whisker of
snatching a point at Old Trafford back in September. And so while the New
Zealander is naturally expecting the toughest of examinations at leaders
Chelsea on Boxing Day, he is still hopeful of extending his side's
outstanding run of form. "When we've played the bigger teams this year we've
always given it a good go and I'm sure the next couple won't be any
different," he confirmed. "It's always going to be tough playing against
those two teams, there's no doubt about it. But we've done ever so well up
until now and so we're going to try our best to make sure it continues."
As for the extent of West Ham's attacking intent at Stamford Bridge, Reid
insists the Hammers will have to be flexible in their approach.
"It depends how the game pans out really. Obviously it's going to be a tough
game. We'll set up a foundation and adopt a tactic for the game. It's not
going to be easy but we're not going to go there and be afraid. We'll do our
best and see how far it can take us."
Last season's corresponding fixture famously saw Sam Allardyce's men slog
out a gutsy goalless draw, one that prompted a crucial four-match winning
streak. Ironically, clean sheets have proven harder to come by this season,
with Saturday's shutout against Leicester City only the Hammers' fourth to
date. While the subject is never far from Reid's thoughts, he is quite
content so long as the goals continue to flow at the other end.
He continued: "I think we're always working on clean sheets to a certain
degree. Obviously, as a defender, you always like to keep a clean sheet.
Fortunately, this year we're scoring goals left, right and centre. "To be
fair, Saturday wasn't the best we've played, but we've got goalscorers up
top. That's probably the difference between this season and last. It's a
sign that we're good a team and we've got the clean sheet as well."
Further sign of West Ham's resurgence comes in the shape of consistency, so
says Reid, with the 3-1 home defeat by Southampton the only real blot on
their copybook. That consistency owes much to a strong squad, with players
ready and able to step in when called upon.
"If you look at the games we've played, barring one against Southampton at
home, I think we've shown consistency over the 17 games," he said. "I think
I can get better and it helps when you've got teammates performing at a high
level as well. The team's chopped and changed and yet everyone who's come in
has done a job. That's been the key to us this season."
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Potts delighted to be back
WHUFC.com
Development Squad defender Dan Potts was delighted to be back after a
lengthy injury
23.12.2014
West Ham United Development Squad defender Dan Potts played his first 45
minutes following three months out through injury against Newcastle United
on Monday. The Hammers slipped to a 4-1 away defeat to the Magpies which
knocked them out of the U21 Premier League Cup.
Despite Paul McCallum's third goal in two games, the Magpies proved to be
too strong and defender Potts played the first half before being replaced by
Josh Pask. The Hammers created a number of chances, but the Magpies proved
to more clinical as goals from Gael Bigirimana, Adam Campbell, Callum
Roberts and Liam Gibson secured the victory. Speaking after the game, the
20-year-old defender said: "I felt good, I felt strong. I didn't have any
problems which was encouraging. I was pleasing to get back out on the pitch.
It's been a tough couple of months and it was a shame about the result but
it was a good feeling to be back out there. "Anyone looking at it will think
we took a battering but that wasn't quite the case. They caught us on the
break for their first goal apart from that there wasn't anything else in it.
Watching it in the second half when it was 2-1 you would put your house on
us scoring and then going on to win.
"The dressing room is deflated right now. Result wise not what we wanted,
not when he came here for. It's a cup tie and everyone wanted to get through
to the next round."
The Development Squad's not game is against Leicester City of 5 January 2015
at Rush Green Stadium, kick off is 7pm,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Westley: 'We had the chances'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said his side had the chances
to beat Newcastle
22.12.2014
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said the Development Squad
had the chances to beat Newcastle United in their 4-1 defeat to the Magpies
on Monday afternoon. The hosts progressed to the quarter finals after slick
finishing proved to be the difference as goals from Gael Bigirimana, Adam
Campbell, Callum Roberts and Liam Gibson sealed the victory. Speaking after
the game, Westley said: "When it was 2-1, we controlled the game and looked
the more likely to win. We had more shots than them, we hit the woodwork two
or three times. We've put the balls in the box and but not got anyone on the
end of them. "On the other hand, we can't give teams a 2-0 head start and
then start playing, not at this level. We are not at the level we want to be
yet."
The defeat knocks the Dev Squad out of the U21 Premier League Cup after they
had beaten rivals Millwall on penalties in the previous round. Despite the
defeat, Westley pointed to several positives for the Development Squad.
"Pottsy played his first 45 minutes for a while and it's nice to see him
back fit. He played and didn't have any ill effects or problems. He probably
could have played for a bit longer but we didn't want to risk him. The rehab
team have done well and he'll ready for the New Year. "Paul McCallum played
45 minutes against Fulham and scored twice. He played 75 today and got his
goal. He's now ready to move forward and push on. So those are two big
positives for us. "We knew we had to come out quick and we knew the next
goal had to be ours. I thought if we increased everything we did by five per
cent it would have been enough to get something from the game. I just felt
we weren't doing quite enough in attacking areas.
"But I think we're fragile, if something goes against us they go under too
quick, They need to be tougher because we are talking about their careers.
The mental toughness of being a footballer is greater than anything else."
The Development Squad's next game is against Leicester City on 5 January
2015 at Rush Green Stadium, kick off is at 7pm.
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Gordon makes Clarets switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Academy youngster Jaanai Gordon has joined Chelmsford City on a short term
loan. A year to the day since he moved to West Ham from Peterborough United
for a nominal fee, the 19-year-old forward has joined The Clarets for the
next month. Born in Northampton in 1995, Gordon signed his first contract
with Peterborough in 2009 at the age of just 14, before turning pro in 2012.
He made his first team debut for the Posh in September 2012 as a second half
substitute in their 2-0 home defeat against Wolves. Gordon went on to make
three more appearances for Peterborough in 2012/13 including his first start
against Hull in January 2013 - a 1-1 draw in which he played for 82 minutes.
Last season (2013/14) he made three brief first team substitute appearances
for the Posh before joining West Ham on trial last November.
In other news, Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp says he would be
interested in taking Ravel Morrison from West Ham. "I like Ravel. He came
last year and I didn't have any problems with him," he told Talksport.
"There has got to be a problem with Ravel if Sir Alex Ferguson can't deal
with him and Big Sam can't deal with him, so he needs to sort himself out,
but he is a real talent and when he was with me he was as good as gold. "He
is one that someone has mentioned to me and he is one we could be interested
in - if West Ham want to release him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HENRY POISED TO BE FIRST SIGNING OF THE NEW YEAR
By Sean Whetstone 23 Dec 2014 at 17:19
West Ham Till I Die
Canadian defender Doneil Henry has been granted a work permit and will join
West Ham on 1st January for a fee set by a tribunal which could rise to
£1.5m. The 21-year-old centre back has been on loan at Toronto FC from
Cypriot side Apollon Limassol, Henry joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2008,
and captained the team through two seasons in the Canadian Soccer League in
2009 and 2010. He has made over 70 appearances in a Toronto shirt but he was
sold to Apollon Limassol in October 2014 before being loaned back to Toronto
this season. It is understood that Toronto have retained a sell on fee
clause.
Sam Allardyce has revealed his former Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen tipped
him off about the promising youngster. 'He's recommended to me by my captain
at Blackburn Rovers, who managed him at Toronto, When you get the
recommendation of somebody you respect like Ryan Nelsen, who shows when you
come from the lower reaches of football and last so long in the Premier
League as he did, it shows that he's capable of playing at this level after
a period of time settling in. You don't ignore that advice.' said Allardyce
. Henry had previously had two training stints with West Ham. He earns a
basic salary of $75,000 per year with MLS side FC Toronto or $87,033.33 with
bonuses. That's around £56,000 per year so just over £1,000 per week. His
team mate and former Hammer Jermain Defoe earned $6,180,000 for the same
season at Toronto.
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Impatient Irons await Cameroon Song decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are waiting impatiently for the African Nations Cup squad to be
announced given Alex Song's exclusion from the national team in October. The
club fully expects to lose both Diafra Sakho and Cheik Kouyate to Senegal
when the squads are announced over the next week.
However, they can be forgiven for hoping Song finds himself still out in the
Cameroon cold! A source told ClaretandHugh: "We aren't exactly sure which
day the announcement will be made but it will before the end of the month
and Alex's exclusion for those games against Sierra Leone Group D back in
October may be significant! Song was sent off and hit with a three match
suspension following the elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic in the 4-0 World
Cup defeat. The 28-year-old missed the final Group A match in Brazil, a 4-1
loss to the hosts, and then Cameroon's opening two Nations Cup qualifiers.
He was then excluded from the 25 man squad which met Sierra Leone on
October 10 and 15 and our source said: "It's an interesting one which it's
fair to say is being awaited with more than a little interest."
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13th minute applause plea for Irons fallen Pals
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Author of "Up The Hammers!" Elliott Taylor is calling on all West Ham fans
to mark the 100 year anniversary of the formation of the West Ham Pals
Battalion by a minute of applause on the 13th minute of the West Ham v
Arsenal home game at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 28th December.
Elliot was responsible for getting the West Ham pals memorial plaque
outside the club shop produced and unveiled. And he believes a round of
applause on the 13th minute would be a fitting memorial to fallen West Ham
fans in the first world war one hundred years on.
One of the reasons why the First World War was so traumatic an event to
British society was that so many of the new infantry Battalions formed to
fight in the trenches were the so called "Pals Battalions" where men could
serve with local friends, neighbours or workers.
The West Ham Pals were officially called the 13th Battalion of the Essex
Regiment and were formed on the 29th December 1914. Unofficially they were
West Ham supporters who joined en masse with their mates and whose battle
cry (and bayonet charge) was "Up the Irons". The Battalion fought in some of
the worse battles in the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Cambrai during the War and
suffered causalities with many killed, wounded or missing. The impact of all
these deaths and casualties in battle on the local community was therefore
immense. About one quarter of the original battalion volunteers were killed
and nearly half were returned to UK with severe injuries. In 2009 Sir Trevor
Brooking unveiled a plaque at the Boleyn ground to remember the West Ham
Pals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho/Valencia pace can undo Chelsea
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Irons fans are looking ahead to the Boxing Day clash at Stamford Bridge with
more optimism than they have done for several years – and justifiably so.
But this is a game which should throw up a big dilemma for manager Sam
Allardyce according to several leaving messages on the ClaretandHugh forum.
It's difficult to disagree with one – SillyolDuffer – who wrote this morning
"Just watched the Stoke/Chelsea game. Peter Crouch was ineffective against
the Chelski centre-backs. I think we should play Valencia and Sakho for
pace. If Carroll does get a start it should be with Zarate who can feed off
him. Can see a few yellow cards in this one!! Such has been the chorus of
applause for Carroll's last couple of performances that it's all too easy to
overlook the fact that our very best performances came earlier in the season
when Diafra was partnered by Enner Valencia. The pairing produced pace and
power – stretching defenders and taking them where they really didn't want
to go whereas of late we have tended to go longer at times which may not be
the best option against the former England captain and partner Gary Cahill.
As another forum contributor – West Ham Fan No 32 – comments, in agreeing
with the first that Carroll should remain on the bench: " I think Sam will
still play Carroll. "Lets hope Noble is fit and we can put our first team
out. He has been missed around that midfield area and this will be a tough
match, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar… no room for passengers to keep them
contained."
The major point though is whether AC starts or we go with the Senegal and
Ecuador internationals which is my personal preference having noted the
slowing John Terry point and remembering that aerial balls are meat and
drink to him. We'd be interested to see your teams…here's mine assuming Mark
Noble is fit: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Song, Downing,
Noble, Kouyate, Sakho, Valencia.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
---
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Reid ready for Chelsea test
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid says West Ham are in good shape to take on Premier League
heavyweights this Christmas
22.12.2014
Winston Reid believes West Ham United have already proven that they can mix
it with the Barclays Premier League's heavyweights this season and so is
expecting more of the same against Chelsea and Arsenal. Champions Manchester
City and last season's runners-up Liverpool have both come unstuck at the
Boleyn Ground this term, while the Hammers came within a whisker of
snatching a point at Old Trafford back in September. And so while the New
Zealander is naturally expecting the toughest of examinations at leaders
Chelsea on Boxing Day, he is still hopeful of extending his side's
outstanding run of form. "When we've played the bigger teams this year we've
always given it a good go and I'm sure the next couple won't be any
different," he confirmed. "It's always going to be tough playing against
those two teams, there's no doubt about it. But we've done ever so well up
until now and so we're going to try our best to make sure it continues."
As for the extent of West Ham's attacking intent at Stamford Bridge, Reid
insists the Hammers will have to be flexible in their approach.
"It depends how the game pans out really. Obviously it's going to be a tough
game. We'll set up a foundation and adopt a tactic for the game. It's not
going to be easy but we're not going to go there and be afraid. We'll do our
best and see how far it can take us."
Last season's corresponding fixture famously saw Sam Allardyce's men slog
out a gutsy goalless draw, one that prompted a crucial four-match winning
streak. Ironically, clean sheets have proven harder to come by this season,
with Saturday's shutout against Leicester City only the Hammers' fourth to
date. While the subject is never far from Reid's thoughts, he is quite
content so long as the goals continue to flow at the other end.
He continued: "I think we're always working on clean sheets to a certain
degree. Obviously, as a defender, you always like to keep a clean sheet.
Fortunately, this year we're scoring goals left, right and centre. "To be
fair, Saturday wasn't the best we've played, but we've got goalscorers up
top. That's probably the difference between this season and last. It's a
sign that we're good a team and we've got the clean sheet as well."
Further sign of West Ham's resurgence comes in the shape of consistency, so
says Reid, with the 3-1 home defeat by Southampton the only real blot on
their copybook. That consistency owes much to a strong squad, with players
ready and able to step in when called upon.
"If you look at the games we've played, barring one against Southampton at
home, I think we've shown consistency over the 17 games," he said. "I think
I can get better and it helps when you've got teammates performing at a high
level as well. The team's chopped and changed and yet everyone who's come in
has done a job. That's been the key to us this season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Potts delighted to be back
WHUFC.com
Development Squad defender Dan Potts was delighted to be back after a
lengthy injury
23.12.2014
West Ham United Development Squad defender Dan Potts played his first 45
minutes following three months out through injury against Newcastle United
on Monday. The Hammers slipped to a 4-1 away defeat to the Magpies which
knocked them out of the U21 Premier League Cup.
Despite Paul McCallum's third goal in two games, the Magpies proved to be
too strong and defender Potts played the first half before being replaced by
Josh Pask. The Hammers created a number of chances, but the Magpies proved
to more clinical as goals from Gael Bigirimana, Adam Campbell, Callum
Roberts and Liam Gibson secured the victory. Speaking after the game, the
20-year-old defender said: "I felt good, I felt strong. I didn't have any
problems which was encouraging. I was pleasing to get back out on the pitch.
It's been a tough couple of months and it was a shame about the result but
it was a good feeling to be back out there. "Anyone looking at it will think
we took a battering but that wasn't quite the case. They caught us on the
break for their first goal apart from that there wasn't anything else in it.
Watching it in the second half when it was 2-1 you would put your house on
us scoring and then going on to win.
"The dressing room is deflated right now. Result wise not what we wanted,
not when he came here for. It's a cup tie and everyone wanted to get through
to the next round."
The Development Squad's not game is against Leicester City of 5 January 2015
at Rush Green Stadium, kick off is 7pm,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Westley: 'We had the chances'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said his side had the chances
to beat Newcastle
22.12.2014
West Ham United Academy Director Terry Westley said the Development Squad
had the chances to beat Newcastle United in their 4-1 defeat to the Magpies
on Monday afternoon. The hosts progressed to the quarter finals after slick
finishing proved to be the difference as goals from Gael Bigirimana, Adam
Campbell, Callum Roberts and Liam Gibson sealed the victory. Speaking after
the game, Westley said: "When it was 2-1, we controlled the game and looked
the more likely to win. We had more shots than them, we hit the woodwork two
or three times. We've put the balls in the box and but not got anyone on the
end of them. "On the other hand, we can't give teams a 2-0 head start and
then start playing, not at this level. We are not at the level we want to be
yet."
The defeat knocks the Dev Squad out of the U21 Premier League Cup after they
had beaten rivals Millwall on penalties in the previous round. Despite the
defeat, Westley pointed to several positives for the Development Squad.
"Pottsy played his first 45 minutes for a while and it's nice to see him
back fit. He played and didn't have any ill effects or problems. He probably
could have played for a bit longer but we didn't want to risk him. The rehab
team have done well and he'll ready for the New Year. "Paul McCallum played
45 minutes against Fulham and scored twice. He played 75 today and got his
goal. He's now ready to move forward and push on. So those are two big
positives for us. "We knew we had to come out quick and we knew the next
goal had to be ours. I thought if we increased everything we did by five per
cent it would have been enough to get something from the game. I just felt
we weren't doing quite enough in attacking areas.
"But I think we're fragile, if something goes against us they go under too
quick, They need to be tougher because we are talking about their careers.
The mental toughness of being a footballer is greater than anything else."
The Development Squad's next game is against Leicester City on 5 January
2015 at Rush Green Stadium, kick off is at 7pm.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gordon makes Clarets switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd December 2014
By: Staff Writer
Academy youngster Jaanai Gordon has joined Chelmsford City on a short term
loan. A year to the day since he moved to West Ham from Peterborough United
for a nominal fee, the 19-year-old forward has joined The Clarets for the
next month. Born in Northampton in 1995, Gordon signed his first contract
with Peterborough in 2009 at the age of just 14, before turning pro in 2012.
He made his first team debut for the Posh in September 2012 as a second half
substitute in their 2-0 home defeat against Wolves. Gordon went on to make
three more appearances for Peterborough in 2012/13 including his first start
against Hull in January 2013 - a 1-1 draw in which he played for 82 minutes.
Last season (2013/14) he made three brief first team substitute appearances
for the Posh before joining West Ham on trial last November.
In other news, Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp says he would be
interested in taking Ravel Morrison from West Ham. "I like Ravel. He came
last year and I didn't have any problems with him," he told Talksport.
"There has got to be a problem with Ravel if Sir Alex Ferguson can't deal
with him and Big Sam can't deal with him, so he needs to sort himself out,
but he is a real talent and when he was with me he was as good as gold. "He
is one that someone has mentioned to me and he is one we could be interested
in - if West Ham want to release him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HENRY POISED TO BE FIRST SIGNING OF THE NEW YEAR
By Sean Whetstone 23 Dec 2014 at 17:19
West Ham Till I Die
Canadian defender Doneil Henry has been granted a work permit and will join
West Ham on 1st January for a fee set by a tribunal which could rise to
£1.5m. The 21-year-old centre back has been on loan at Toronto FC from
Cypriot side Apollon Limassol, Henry joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2008,
and captained the team through two seasons in the Canadian Soccer League in
2009 and 2010. He has made over 70 appearances in a Toronto shirt but he was
sold to Apollon Limassol in October 2014 before being loaned back to Toronto
this season. It is understood that Toronto have retained a sell on fee
clause.
Sam Allardyce has revealed his former Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen tipped
him off about the promising youngster. 'He's recommended to me by my captain
at Blackburn Rovers, who managed him at Toronto, When you get the
recommendation of somebody you respect like Ryan Nelsen, who shows when you
come from the lower reaches of football and last so long in the Premier
League as he did, it shows that he's capable of playing at this level after
a period of time settling in. You don't ignore that advice.' said Allardyce
. Henry had previously had two training stints with West Ham. He earns a
basic salary of $75,000 per year with MLS side FC Toronto or $87,033.33 with
bonuses. That's around £56,000 per year so just over £1,000 per week. His
team mate and former Hammer Jermain Defoe earned $6,180,000 for the same
season at Toronto.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Impatient Irons await Cameroon Song decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are waiting impatiently for the African Nations Cup squad to be
announced given Alex Song's exclusion from the national team in October. The
club fully expects to lose both Diafra Sakho and Cheik Kouyate to Senegal
when the squads are announced over the next week.
However, they can be forgiven for hoping Song finds himself still out in the
Cameroon cold! A source told ClaretandHugh: "We aren't exactly sure which
day the announcement will be made but it will before the end of the month
and Alex's exclusion for those games against Sierra Leone Group D back in
October may be significant! Song was sent off and hit with a three match
suspension following the elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic in the 4-0 World
Cup defeat. The 28-year-old missed the final Group A match in Brazil, a 4-1
loss to the hosts, and then Cameroon's opening two Nations Cup qualifiers.
He was then excluded from the 25 man squad which met Sierra Leone on
October 10 and 15 and our source said: "It's an interesting one which it's
fair to say is being awaited with more than a little interest."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
13th minute applause plea for Irons fallen Pals
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Author of "Up The Hammers!" Elliott Taylor is calling on all West Ham fans
to mark the 100 year anniversary of the formation of the West Ham Pals
Battalion by a minute of applause on the 13th minute of the West Ham v
Arsenal home game at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 28th December.
Elliot was responsible for getting the West Ham pals memorial plaque
outside the club shop produced and unveiled. And he believes a round of
applause on the 13th minute would be a fitting memorial to fallen West Ham
fans in the first world war one hundred years on.
One of the reasons why the First World War was so traumatic an event to
British society was that so many of the new infantry Battalions formed to
fight in the trenches were the so called "Pals Battalions" where men could
serve with local friends, neighbours or workers.
The West Ham Pals were officially called the 13th Battalion of the Essex
Regiment and were formed on the 29th December 1914. Unofficially they were
West Ham supporters who joined en masse with their mates and whose battle
cry (and bayonet charge) was "Up the Irons". The Battalion fought in some of
the worse battles in the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Cambrai during the War and
suffered causalities with many killed, wounded or missing. The impact of all
these deaths and casualties in battle on the local community was therefore
immense. About one quarter of the original battalion volunteers were killed
and nearly half were returned to UK with severe injuries. In 2009 Sir Trevor
Brooking unveiled a plaque at the Boleyn ground to remember the West Ham
Pals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho/Valencia pace can undo Chelsea
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 23, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Irons fans are looking ahead to the Boxing Day clash at Stamford Bridge with
more optimism than they have done for several years – and justifiably so.
But this is a game which should throw up a big dilemma for manager Sam
Allardyce according to several leaving messages on the ClaretandHugh forum.
It's difficult to disagree with one – SillyolDuffer – who wrote this morning
"Just watched the Stoke/Chelsea game. Peter Crouch was ineffective against
the Chelski centre-backs. I think we should play Valencia and Sakho for
pace. If Carroll does get a start it should be with Zarate who can feed off
him. Can see a few yellow cards in this one!! Such has been the chorus of
applause for Carroll's last couple of performances that it's all too easy to
overlook the fact that our very best performances came earlier in the season
when Diafra was partnered by Enner Valencia. The pairing produced pace and
power – stretching defenders and taking them where they really didn't want
to go whereas of late we have tended to go longer at times which may not be
the best option against the former England captain and partner Gary Cahill.
As another forum contributor – West Ham Fan No 32 – comments, in agreeing
with the first that Carroll should remain on the bench: " I think Sam will
still play Carroll. "Lets hope Noble is fit and we can put our first team
out. He has been missed around that midfield area and this will be a tough
match, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar… no room for passengers to keep them
contained."
The major point though is whether AC starts or we go with the Senegal and
Ecuador internationals which is my personal preference having noted the
slowing John Terry point and remembering that aerial balls are meat and
drink to him. We'd be interested to see your teams…here's mine assuming Mark
Noble is fit: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Song, Downing,
Noble, Kouyate, Sakho, Valencia.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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