WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background from Saturday's visit of Barnsley to
the Boleyn Ground
16.12.2011
WEST HAM UNITED v BARNSLEY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Introduction
• West Ham United entertain Barnsley in their 22nd npower Championship
fixture of 2011/12 seeking their sixth home league victory of the season in
eleven attempts. The Hammers have previously beaten Portsmouth (4-3),
Peterborough United (1-0), Blackpool (4-0), Leicester City (3-2) and Derby
County (3-1), drawn with Leeds United (2-2) and Bristol City (0-0) and lost
to Cardiff City, Ipswich Town (both 1-0) and Burnley (2-1).
• Barnsley arrive on the back of a 5-3 defeat at home to Ipswich Town,
having previously won four games in a row. They have won their last two
awaydays against Peterborough United (4-3) and Leeds United (2-1). The Tykes
are 12th on 30 points, five adrift of the Play-Off positions.
• Sam Allardyce's side sit second in the npower Championship table, two
points behind leaders Southampton and two points ahead of third-place
Middlesbrough.
• West Ham United's 36 league goals have been shared between 14 different
players. Carlton Cole leads the way with seven, Kevin Nolan has six while
Sam Baldock has five.
Team news
West Ham United
• West Ham United are still without Matt Taylor (calf), Winston Reid
(shoulder), Sam Baldock (hamstring).
• Guy Demel faces a spell on the sidelines after tearing a thigh muscle at
Reading.
• Joey O'Brien and Jack Collison are both suspended. O'Brien will return for
the Boxing Day match at Birmingham City while Collison cannot play again
until Coventry City visit on 2 January.
• Henri Lansbury will be hoping to be involved after travelling to Reading
last week but not making the matchday 16.
• Ruud Boffin is back in full training after recovering from a dislocated
finger.
• Gary O'Neil (ankle) has played two periods of 45 minutes for the
development squad during the previous fortnight but is still at least five
weeks away from a first-team return after eight months out.• Dan Potts could
be involved in the matchday 16 for the first time since Hull City on 5
November. George Moncur, Olly Lee and Brian Montenegro, fresh from a goal
for Paraguay U20s during a recent training camp back in South America, are
also possibles for inclusion.
Barnsley
• Barnsley will be without Manchester United loanee Danny Drinkwater, who
has a torn thigh muscle.
• Scotland left-back Jay McEveley should be fit for Saturday's game after
recovering from a thigh strain and could return to the starting line-up in
place of Scott Wiseman.
• Defenders Rob Edwards and Miles Addison are pushing for recalls after
Barnsley conceded five goals at home to Ipswich Town last weekend.
• On-loan Newcastle United forward Nile Ranger is expected to have to make
do with a place on the substitutes' bench due to the form of Craig Davies
and Ricardo Vaz Te.
Last time out
Saturday 10 December 2011
npower Championship
Reading 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Demel (O'Brien 4), Faye, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble,
Bouba Diop (Cole 57), Nolan, Faubert, Piquionne (Carew 72), Collison
Subs not used: Stech, Sears
Saturday 10 December 2011
npower Championship
Barnsley 3-5 Ipswich Town
Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Wiseman, McNulty, O'Brien (Ranger 71),
Perkins, Butterfield, Drinkwater (Done 17), Davies, Vaz Te (Haynes 66)
Subs not used: Preece, Addison
Goals: Davies 14 pen, 89, Vaz Te 39
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Barnsley
2010/11 Championship, 17th
2009/10 Championship, 18th
2008/09 Championship, 20th
2007/08 Championship, 18th
2006/07 Championship, 20th
2005/06 League One, 5th (promoted via Play-Offs)
2004/05 League One, 13th
2003/04 Division Two, 12th
2002/03 Division Two, 19th
2001/02 Division One, 23rd (relegated to Division Two)
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Scott Mathieson, who took charge of the
Hammers' 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers on 11 August
He had the honour of getting the 2011/12 npower Football League season up
and running when he took charge of Blackpool's 1-0 win at Hull City on
Friday 5 August.
• His only other West Ham United match to date came with the 1-1 draw at
Walsall on 20 December 2003.
Us and them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Barnsley - Anton Otulakowski, Joseph Jackson and Kyel Reid
• West Ham have not lost at home to Barnsley since the Yorkshire club's 5-2
win in the League Cup second round second leg on 6 October 1987. The Hammers
had taken a 2-0 lead through Kevin Keen and Stewart Robson, only for the
Tykes to hit back through two Steve Agnew goals and score three times more
in extra time.
• Barnsley have won just twice in 28 attempts against West Ham at the Boleyn
Ground. Aside from the aforementioned League Cup tie, the Tykes secured
their only other success in east London by way of a 2-0 victory on 8
September 1919.
• West Ham have won the last four meetings of the sides, and have not
conceded in the last three.
• West Ham's biggest home win against Barnsley came in the last league
meeting. The Hammers were 6-0 winners on 10 January 1998, with goals from
Frank Lampard, Samassi Abou (two), John Moncur, John Hartson and Stan
Lazaridis.
• Barnsley's best day at Upton Park was a 5-2 triumph in the League Cup on 6
October 1987.
• West Ham United's first-ever away Football League fixture saw the Hammers
travel to Barnsley on 1 September 1919. The Division Two fixture ended in a
7-0 victory for the Tykes in front of a 6,000-strong crowd at Oakwell.
• Sam Allardyce never lost to Barnsley in four matches as a manager. During
his time at Bolton Wanderers, Big Sam recorded two wins and a draw in
Division One, including a Division One 'double' in 2000/01. He also guided
Newcastle United to a 2-0 Carling Cup victory over the Tykes in August 2007.
• West Ham United first-team coach Wally Downes played under former Barnsley
manager Dave Bassett for three years at Wimbledon between 1984 and 1987.
• West Ham United have won each of their previous three meetings with
Barnsley in all competitions, scoring eleven goals without reply.
• Barnsley have only ever won one league match at the Boleyn Ground - a 2-0
Division Two victory on 8 September 1919. Since then, the Tykes have failed
to win any of their 21 league visits to east London.
• Burnley's biggest league win at the Boleyn Ground was also their only
success in 22 attempts - a 2-0 Division Two victory on 8 September 1919.
• The Tykes did record one other win at the Boleyn Ground - a 5-2 League Cup
second-round second leg victory on 6 October 1987. At the time, Barnsley
were a Division Two club, while John Lyall's Hammers were in Division One.
Kevin Keen and Stewart Robson were on target for West Ham United. At 12,403,
the game also attracted the smallest-ever gate for a West Ham United versus
Barnsley fixture.
• The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Barnsley fixture was
the 31,000 who witness both a goalless draw on 26 March 1937 and a 4-1
Hammers win on 16 October of the same year. Both matches took place in
Division Two.
• Ten players have made their West Ham United debuts against Barnsley -
Horace Biggin and Tommy Green (both 1 September 1919), George Kay (8
September 1919), Harry Hooper (February 1951), Ray Stewart (September 1979),
Jimmy Quinn (January 1990), Peter Butler and Mark Robson (both August 1992),
Eyal Berkovic and David Terrier (both August 1997).
• French defender David Terrier made his only West Ham United appearance as
a substitute for Paul Kitson in a 2-1 Premier League win at Barnsley on 9
August 1997.
• Kevin Nolan scored home and away for Newcastle United against Barnsley
during the 2009/10 Championship season. Nolan netted the opener in a 2-2
draw at Oakwell on 12 December 2009 and the final goal in a 6-1 victory at
St James' Park on 6 March 2010 - a game in which Barnsley goalkeeper Luke
Steele was sent-off.
• Freddie Piquionne's last goal at Upton Park came in the FA Cup meeting
between the clubs on 8 January this year. The Hammers were 2-0 winners to
progress to the fourth round, with Jonathan Spector scoring the opener on 29
minutes before Piquionne's added-time goal.
The lineups were:
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Reid, Tomkins, Boa Morte, Hines (Edgar 90),
Spector, Noble, Barrera, Obinna (Parker 76), Nouble (Piquionne 83)
Subs: Boffin, Spence, Upson, Sears
Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Shackell, Foster, Hill, Trippier (O'Brien 69),
Arismendi (Colace 77), Hammill, Doyle, Lovre (Butterfield 56), O'Connor
Subs: Preece, Neumann, Gray, Bennett
Head to head (last six meetings, league unless stated)
8 January 2011 - West Ham United 2-0 Barnsley (FA Cup third round)
3 January 2009 - West Ham United 3-0 Barnsley (FA Cup third round)
10 January 1998 - West Ham United 6-0 Barnsley
9 August 1997 - Barnsley 1-2 West Ham United
6 February 1993 - West Ham United 1-1 Barnsley
24 January 1993 - Barnsley 4-1 West Ham United (FA Cup fourth round)
Overall record v Barnsley (all competitions): W 30, D 14, L 9
Up next
• West Ham United travel to Birmingham City on Boxing Day with the 5.30pm
match to be televised on Sky Sports. Barnsley welcome Blackpool at 3pm on
the same day.
General information
• Saturday's weather forecast is for a bright but chilly day, with
temperatures peaking around the 5C mark.
• The match is sold out.
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Potts signs pro deal
WHUFC.com
U18s captain Dan Potts has signed a two-and-a-half year professional
contract
16.12.2011
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Under-18s captain Dan Potts
has signed a two-and-a-half year professional contract. Potts, who turned 17
in April, has enjoyed an outstanding season. As well as skippering the youth
team, the defender has played regularly for the development squad and was
named on the first-team bench at Hull City on 5 November. He also received
his first call-up from the United States at U20 level. Signing his first pro
deal marks the next step in the career of a player who, less than two years
ago, was given the all-clear following a successful battle with leukaemia.
The teenager, who is comfortable at either left-back or centre-back, is in
Sam Allardyce's 20-man matchday squad for Saturday's npower Championship
visit of Barnsley, was naturally delighted to put pen to paper.
"I'm overjoyed with it, to be honest," Potts told West Ham TV. "When I first
heard, I just wanted to get it done and sorted. It's a big weight off my
shoulders and now I can push on with that sorted and try to break into the
first team. That's now my main objective. "I think the length of the
contract at my age is important. You can get year-long contracts and the end
of your deal soon comes around and you're thinking 'Will I get the next
one'. Now I can concentrate on the football side of things.
"It's been a great experience being around the first team boys. They are a
great bunch of lads and the gaffer gives me tips too. It's good that they're
talking to me because I know that they want to make me a better player. It's
good to hear from experienced people. "Kevin Nolan is a great player to have
around the place because he's great with the young lads. It's pleasing."
While Potts has yet to make his first-team debut, he has been training with
Sam Allardyce's squad for the past few months and feels ready to take the
next step when the opportunity arises. "It's the level everybody wants to be
at. As much as I'm a young boy, when I'm in with the first team then age
doesn't come into it. You've got to be playing at the same level as them.
There are some great players there and it's great to train with them. "I'm a
young lad and I am going in there looking up to the older players. You have
to respect them because they've been there and done it and that's what has
got them there. You learn from them and take it in your stride."
For Potts, signing a professional contract so soon after overcoming his
illness is a testament to his character. Big Sam is known to admire the
youngster's determination and attitude and those traits, as well as his
ability on the football pitch, have been rewarded. "It's a bit longer than
18 months on from it. It was a big thing in my life but that's all in the
past and, fingers crossed, in terms of health issues I've got the all-clear.
"I'm looking on the positive side because I can concentrate on my football.
Whereas my health issues were my priority, now it can be my football. "Some
minutes on the pitch would be nice, now. Injuries and suspensions can happen
at any time - that's football - so I've always got to be prepared for when
that chance comes. I've got to take it opportunity, because your time on the
pitch is when you can show people what you're capable of."
Finally, Potts had a message for another Academy prospect who has signed his
first professional contract and who has made the first-team bench in the
past - Dylan Tombides. The Australia U17 striker is currently undergoing
treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this year.
Tombides was back at Chadwell Heath on Friday and Potts said all of his
team-mates were backing him to get well soon. "Dylan is a great lad is great
to have around the place. He did so well last year and took everyone by
surprise by making that step up. "He's got great character and I'm sure
he'll come out of it stronger. I've spoken to Dylan a few times and I know
he just wants to get back to playing football, but for the moment his health
is the main priority so we wish him all the best."
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Seagulls up next in FA Youth Cup
WHUFC.com
The U18s will host Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Youth Cup fourth round
16.12.2011
West Ham have been drawn at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Youth
Cup fourth round. The Hammers' won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in round
three, with Elliot Lee scoring twice and Kenzer Lee bagging a late winner.
The Seagulls advanced courtesy of a surprise 1-0 home win over Aston Villa,
with Carl Forster-Caskey bagging the only goal of the game with a 30-yard
free-kick. Brighton are going great guns this season as they also sit top of
the Football League Youth Alliance South East table, having lost just one of
their eleven league fixtures played so far. Under-18s coach Nick Haycock
joked that he had a premonition that West Ham would draw Brighton in the
last-32 after scouting the south coast club in their victory over Villa
earlier this week. "It's funny because I knew we'd draw Brighton after what
happened when we went to watch them play against Villa!" he said. "We had a
nightmare journey down there - it took us three hours - and we got to the
ground right on kick-off. "We watched the game and I said to one of the
physios that we'd draw the winners in the fourth round. He just laughed, but
it looks like I had a premonition because we've pulled them out in the draw.
"It's a home game and one we are all really looking forward to. It will be
played at Upton Park and will give the boys an opportunity to show what they
can do in front of what will hopefully be a big crowd."
West Ham have won the FA Youth Cup three times and finished as runners-up on
four occasions. Brighton have never reached the final. The fourth round tie
must be played by Saturday, January 21. Before then, the Hammers complete
their 2011 schedule by hosting Fulham at Little Heath in the FA Premier
Academy League on Saturday, kick-off 11am. Admission and parking are both
free of charge.
Full FA Youth Cup fourth-round draw
1 Bolton Wanderers v Southampton
2 Charlton Athletic v Leicester City
3 Cardiff City v Stevenage or Tottenham Hotspur
4 Queens Park Rangers v Everton
5 Reading v West Bromwich Albion
6 Stoke City v Brentford
7 Burnley v Ipswich Town
8 Blackburn Rovers v Bristol Rovers or Coventry City
9 Swindon Town v Manchester City
10 Nottingham Forest v Wigan Athletic
11 Norwich City v Chelsea
12 Portsmouth v Swansea City
13 Manchester United v Derby County
14 Newcastle United v Watford
15 West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
16 Peterborough United v Fulham
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce shortlists 25 players for January
Page last updated at 17:09 GMT, Friday, 16 December 2011
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has targeted 25 players in the January
transfer window who could help revitalise his injury-hit squad. Allardyce is
currently without eight first-team players, while Jack Collison and Joey
O'Brien are suspended. "There are about 25 names on my pad already at the
minute," Allardyce told BBC London 94.9. "It is important to sift through
the information we have and try to make the right choices as quickly as we
can." The 57-year-old added: "Hopefully we will deliver a player into the
squad as quickly as possible in January."
The Hammers boss is currently without David Bentley who is ruled out with a
long-term injury, while Winston Reid, Sam Baldock, Matt Taylor, Guy Demel,
Henri Lansbury, Ruud Boffin and Gary O'Neil are all battling other injuries.
Allardyce will also be without Collison and O'Brien for the visit of
Barnsley to Upton Park on Saturday, after the pair were sent of during last
weekend's defeat against Reading. "That is 50% of our team if they're all
playing," said Allardyce. "We have very few players available to be
selected. I have to fit a system around what's available, rather than
dropping players into a system that is good for us. "It is very difficult to
cope with at the moment, but we have to. If we are going to get where we
want in this situation then we have to make sure we dig a result out."
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Sicknote ruled out for season
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Kieron Dyer has been ruled out for the rest of the season
through injury. The former Ipswich and England midfielder, 33 later this
month has been ruled out of the remainder of the current campaign having
played for his new club Queens Park Rangers for just SEVEN minutes. Dyer's
sole appearance for the Hoops came against Bolton on the opening day of the
2011/12 Premier League campaign, when he started in a side that went on to
lose 4-0. However his debut was to end after just seven minutes - and he has
failed to make a single first team appearance since. He had hoped to make a
comeback prior to the end of the year but having limped out of his comeback
game for the reserves earlier this week, Dyer was told that he would need an
operation to fix damaged ligaments. That op - and its subsequent recovery
period - will keep Dyer sidelined until his one-year contract with Rangers
expires.
Meanwhile Sam Allardyce has a number of crocks and withdrawals of his own to
contend with ahead of tomorrow's clash with Barnsley. Joey O'Brien and Jack
Collison are both suspended having been sent off against Reading last
weekend, whilst Guy Demel - whose injury record at West Ham is currently
mirroring that of Dyer's - is once again out. Demel joins the likes of Sam
Baldock, Winston Reid and Matthew Taylor on the injury list.
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New role for Brown
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Kenny Brown has been named as the new manager of Ryman Premier
League club Tooting & Mitcham. Brown, who played for West Ham between 1991
and 1996, has been named as manager of the Terrors until the end of the
season. The former full back's playing career spanned some 17 years and in
addition to playing for the Hammers, he featured for the likes of Norwich -
where he began his career in 1986 - and Spanish club FC Torrevieja, his
final club. Brown landed his first managerial role at Barry Town in 2000 and
spent three years in South Wales in a player/coach capacity. After briefly
returning as a player for Tilbury, he went to Spain for his second
management role - at CD Javea, a Spanish regional league side. Having spent
three years in the sun, Brown decided it was time for a return to the UK and
became assistant manager to fellow former Hammer Julian Dicks at Grays
Athletic in 2009. However the two former Hammers parted company with the
Essex-based club earlier this year. Brown's first challenge comes tomorrow
at Lewes in a Ryman Premier League clash; the game kicks off at 3pm.
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Hammers linked with Barca striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Barcelona 'B' striker Jonathan
Soriano. The 26-year-old striker - whose sole appearance for Barca's first
team came in 2009 - scored 32 goals in Spain's second flight last season as
he fired Barca's B team into the play-off zone. And according to Mundo
Deportivo the Hammers are just one of up to ten clubs to express their
interest in signing the player, a list that includes Germany's Borussia
Moenchengladbach and Portugal's Benfica. With Sam Allardyce looking to
reinforce his attacking options for the second half of the season, Soriano -
whose existing contract expires next June - would represent a fairly
risk-free investment.
Jonathan Soriano: career stats
Espanyol B (2001-2005): 69 appearances, 32 goals
Espanyol (2002-2009): 57 appearances, 6 goals
Almeria - loan (2005): 17 appearances, 6 goals
Poli Ejido - loan (2006): 12 appearances, 2 goals
Albacete (2008): 11 appearances, 1 goal
Barcelona 'B' (2009-2011) 81 appearances, 57 goals
Barcelona (2009) 1 appearance, 0 goals
Totals: 248 appearances, 104 goals
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Kebe 'does it all the time' - McDermott
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 15th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Reading manager Brian McDermott has claimed that Jimmy Kebe is innocent of
charges of bad sportsmanship. The 27-year-old Malian enraged Jack Collison -
and most of the footballing nation - when he paused briefly during last
weekend's Reading v West Ham clash to pull his socks up - an act that led to
Collison receiving a first red card of his professional career. However
McDermott insisted that his player had done nothing wrong - whilst bizarrely
suggesting that Collison's tackle was so bad it could have ended Kebe's
career.
Speaking with the local Chronicle, McDermott whined: "I listened to what was
said on TV and radio and I couldn't get my head around it. People were
justifying a tackle like that when some hadn't even seen the incident. It
was ridiculous, he could have put Jimmy in hospital. "No way would we take
the mickey out of another player. Jimmy Kebe does that to his socks from
time to time, I have video evidence to prove it. He did it with the ball at
his feet at the weekend which some may have construed as taking the mickey.
But he hasn't meant it that way, it was just something he does."
And with regards to the foul that saw Collison issued with a stright red
card, McDermott added: "I saw the tackle and that could have ended Jimmy's
career. How anybody can justify that is beyond me. "Credit to Sam Allardyce
because he didn't defend it and said it came out of frustration. But that
doesn't hide the fact one of my players could have suffered serious injury."
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West Ham United v Barnsley
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th December 2011
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy is full of his usual festive joy. His recent review of
Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" for "Grumpy Old Git" magazine read "A story
that started well but was completely spoilt by the ending", whilst his
petition to reintroduce the death penalty for carol singers will soon have
as many as one signature on it once he's remembered where he has left his
biro. He's taken time out from shouting "Father Christmas doesn't exist" at
the local kids to write a few words about this week's visit of Barnsley. As
ever John Northcutt will be providing a welcome respite at the end with a
fresh air dose of facts and figures....
And the Championship season trundles merrily along as we welcome Barnsley
for what (with regular FA Cup 3rd round visits) seems to be a traditional
festive season visit to the Boleyn, albeit a few weeks earlier than usual.
The tubes will be running a "normal" service – which may or may not be a
good thing.
Our opponents this weekend were formed back in 1887 (when I were a lad). I
don't normally delve too far back into the origins of our opponents in these
pages but, as regular readers will be aware, we do love a good name in these
parts. The fact that the Tykes were founded by a clergyman with the
marvellous title Reverend Tiverton Preedy who, but for the 120 year gap,
sounds like he would surely have been good pals with our own Archdeacon
Elwin Crockett.
Barnsley are one of those select band of clubs that have spent but a single
season in the top flight. I believe I also read somewhere once that they
hold the record for the most number of seasons in Division 2 (or whatever),
though I'm damned if I can remember where I read it. It might have been oh
so different had they not suffered at the hands of the bribery and
corruption that saw Arsenal (with the assistance of Liverpool & Man Utd who
were in danger of losing their places following a spot of match fixing) get
mysteriously promoted to Division 1 despite about six hundred clubs being
better placed when football resumed after the First World War. One of those
clubs was a lesser mob from North London apparently. But they don't like to
mention it much.
Our opponents currently lie in 12th spot with 30 points from their 21
matches. This is five points off Leeds who are the team with their grubby
little mitts on the last play-off place at present. They had been on a
relatively decent run of form in recent weeks having won four on the trot
since losing at Brighton on 6 November, after which they won 2-0 at home to
Doncaster, 2-1 away at Leeds, 4-3 away at Peterboro' and 2-1 at home to
Palace. However the wheels on that run fell off in rather spectacular style
last weekend as they let slip a 2-0 half time lead to lose 5-3 at home to
Ipswich.
The manager is Keith Hill. Hill arrived in the summer following the
resignation of former boss Mark Robins. Hill had enjoyed some success at
former club Rochdale, taking them to consecutive play-off finals before
finally getting them promoted automatically to the third division in
2009/10. They finished a respectable 9th in the third tier last season
prompting the Barnsley to come knocking at the door once Robins had fallen
on his sword. Hill originally announced he was staying put at Spotland, but
he had a change of heart and was installed at Oakwell at the start of June
alongside half his former Rochdale backroom staff.
Luke Steele is in charge of onion-bag incursion prevention. In reviewing
past previews I noted that the 'keeper has one of the more unusual FA
disciplinary black marks against his name for the scandalous crime of
wearing a polo-neck undershirt bearing a visible sponsor's logo under his
goalkeeper's shirt, a sin that cost him £1,000 in fines. One trusts that
messrs Suarez and Terry will receive suitably commensurate sanction in the
event that they are found guilty in their respective hearings.
The skipper is the long-serving (well 7 years is long-serving these days)
Bobby Hassell. Hassell took over the armband at the start of this season on
the arrival of Hill and can operate either on the right or in the middle of
defence. Quite apart from anything else he is to be applauded for eschewing
the modern trend for footballers christened "Robert" to swan about the place
referring to themselves as "Rob" (sorry Mr Green) or even (shudder) "Robbie"
electing instead for the more traditional soubriquet.
I was cheered at the possible thought of our attack coming up against
defender Steve Foster, given that the headband-sporting defender must be in
his 50's by now. However, I was disappointed to discover that it will not be
the former Brighton, Villa, Luton and (depressingly) England player that
Barnsley have on their books but a 31 year old player who was a contemporary
of Dean Ashton at the start of his career at Crewe Alexandra. Foster (Tyke
version) has been with Barnsley for four years having spent nine years at
Grestey Road and just over a year at Burnley. Finding opportunities with the
Clarets limited he joined Barnsley in 2007 for £100,000 – a sum which, back
in my day, was a lot of money for a top flight player. Foster will forever
dine out on his headed goal which helped Barnsley to a 2-1 win at Anfield in
the cup a few years back. Meanwhile I was most amused to see that the Foster
of Brighton fame looks as if he is highly unlikely to be requiring the
services of a headband these days.
Up front they have Portuguese U21 cap Ricardo Vaz Te. Vaz Te will be
familiar to our manager having signed on youth terms for Bolton during Mr
Allardyce's tenure at the Horwich Reebok (as it ought to be called).
Injuries limited his appearances in the Bolton first XI and after a loan
spell at Hull he was released by the Trotters in 2010. Barnsley is the
player's third club since the end of 2009/10. He had a six month spell
which, for football reasons, appears to have been a pretty dispiriting
experience with the player getting less than 10 starts in that time. He next
pitched up at Hibs in February which must also have been pretty dispiriting,
if only for the fact that it's in Scotland. Despite a crowd-pleasing goal
against local rivals Hearts, Hibs did not renew his deal at the end of the
season. He signed a one season deal with Barnsley in the close season and
seems to have been the form striker in recent weeks .
In keeping with our tradition of honouring splendid names I next give you
the one and only Rueben Courtney Noble-Lazarus. Noble-Lazarus is a quite
superb name in its own right. Add Rueben & Courtney into the equation and it
becomes quite brilliant. I have absolutely no idea if he's any good as, at
18, the winger/striker is not what you would call a first team regular,
presumably because of the prohibitive cost of shirt lettering.
Of course splendid names are not the only tradition of this column. One also
likes to highlight the various brushes with the law that opposition players
may have had over the years. Happily, in the form of Nile Ranger, we are
able to combine both Namewatch and Crimewatch. Ranger is currently on loan
from Newcastle. Unlike many players, whose criminal behaviour often appears
to develop from a strange belief that being professional footballers allows
them to do damn well what they like, Ranger's visits to the wrong side of
the law commenced before his football career. He started off by doing 11
weeks in a Young Offenders Institute (a bit like this rest home only when
someone around here asks "who's the daddy" it's because they can't remember)
for an armed street robbery in Muswell Hill. Nevertheless he managed to get
himself into Southampton's youth system before they tired of his attitude. I
suppose that with his background it was no surprise that he managed to get
snapped up by Dennis Wise who was at Newcastle at the time. However, despite
winning the Jackie Milburn trophy for young player of the year in 2009
controversy has never been far away. Back in August he was arrested and
charged with assault in Newcastle City Centre, an event that saw him left
out of the Magpies first team set up for three months. No sooner had he
returned to the squad than he was charged with being drunk and disorderly,
again in the middle of "Toon". The full hearing into both sets of charges is
due to take place in January (two days before his loan spell officially
ends) and, whilst Alan Pardew has supported the player publicly, few would
be surprised if Ranger were shown the door at Cheap Trainers Stadium (or
whatever it's called these days) should the verdicts go against the player.
As I said to Nurse Rita only the other day: such a shame to see talent go to
waste. Should he go on to have a long and fruitful career in the game I'd
suggest that he takes Hill out for a beer by way of thanks. If that's not
too dangerous a thought.
Ok our turn. Well if Burnley was an understandable "blip" Reading was
nothing short of a full blown ten slices of Stilton nightmare. The annoying
thing is that, though we weren't exactly firing on all cylinders, we'd
probably have ended up going home with a point from a dull goalless draw but
for our new-found ability to shoot ourselves in the foot. Joey was just
silly to get involved with Hunt and was always just one mistimed challenge
away from the disaster that befell him. Collison's sending off was also daft
– though Reading boss Brian McDermott is clearly lying through his teeth by
suggesting that Kebe wasn't on a wind-up. The comment to the effect that
Collison could have "ended Kebe's career" was simply laughable – unless Kebe
was considering a career change into acting. There again the Madejski is
traditionally a truth-free zone so I suppose we shouldn't be surprised if
the chairman's dubious morals filter their way through to the team and
management. All in all I reckon that Kebe's first five minutes or so at the
Boleyn in the return match may well see him on the receiving end of
infinitely more treatment than he required last weekend.
Demel came, he saw, he was carried off which leaves us a bit short on that
side. Though it's not my preferred position for the lad, I would have
thought that Julien Faubert might be taking a step back into the right back
slot. We might see the return of Henri "Angela" Lansbury to the fold. He
apparently travelled to Reading last weekend but was not included in the 16.
Given that, one would expect his next step to be up to the bench but the
injuries and suspensions might push him into a return a bit sooner than
anticipated.
Taylor's calf, despite encouraging noises to the effect that they'd
discovered the source of the problem last week, still looks like keeping him
out of contention and we're a while away from seeing Reid, Baldock and
O'Neil (though in the latter case it is nice to be even able to mention him
seriously in a preview).
Ok, Barnsley were on a good run which came to an end last week. There have
been a lot of goals in their matches of late – in addition to their 5-3
defeat to Ipswich they also were on the right end of a 4-3 win in the
Peterborough match. This – and a -1 goal difference in 12th place - suggests
that defensive organisation might not be their strong suit and that a
bus-parking exercise at the Boleyn might not be their best option.
Although we are stretched in terms of numbers we should still have enough in
the first choice players that are available to win this one (though how many
times have we (ok-" I") said that over the years). This week's totally
unreliable prediction therefore is for a high scoring win – possibly a not
as close as it sounds 3-2 to us. Off to the bookies with you and bet on any
other result you like!
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: : Considering we have rarely been in the same division in
recent years we seem to play them a lot in the Cup. Back in January we
prevailed 2-0 in the 3rd round with a goal on the half hour from Jonathon
Spector (who couldn't stop scoring for those few weeks) and a late late one
from Freddie Piquionne, which, I am informed, was his last goal at the
Boleyn Ground.
Danger man: Ricardo Vaz Te – Currently their in form striker of choice.
Referee: Scott Mathieson Last seen by us handling our win up at Doncaster. I
can't recall anything about him from that match, which is, of course, a good
thing.
Daft fact of the week: Former tv chatshow host Michael Parkinson is,
apparently, a Barnsley fan. He rarely brings the matter up in conversation
though, preferring to reminisce about his encounter with Rod Hull & Emu. New
Wave Of British Heavy Metal outfit Saxon also hail from Barnsley. Their
version of the Christopher Cross AOR hit "Ride Like The Wind" is surely one
of the strangest choices of cover version since Val Doonican's decision to
release his version of the Dead Kennedys' "Too Drunk To ****". Or did I
dream that after those ten slices of stilton?
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West Ham v Barnsley preview
Last updated: 16th December 2011
SSN
Team news ahead of Saturday's Championship clash between West Ham United and
Barnsley at Upton Park.
West Ham are without a host of key players. Jack Collison and Joey O'Brien
are suspended after they were sent off during last week's 3-0 defeat at
Reading while Guy Demel is out after being stretchered off with a thigh
injury. Midfielder Matt Taylor remains a doubt with a calf problem and
defender Winston Reid (shoulder), widemen David Bentley (knee) and Gary
O'Neil (ankle) and striker Sam Baldock(hamstring) are still on the
sidelines. But Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury is fit again after eight weeks
out with a knee injury and could come in for Collison in midfield. Winger
Julien Faubert is likely to drop to right-back in the absence of O'Brien and
Demel.
Barnsley defender Jay McEveley has only an outside chance of returning.
McEveley has missed the last two matches due to a thigh strain and is in a
race against the clock. Manager Keith Hill has no new injury or suspension
problems and is not expected to make many unforced changes. Defenders Rob
Edwards and Miles Addison are pushing for recalls as Hill looks to stabilise
a defence which conceded five goals in last week's 5-3 home defeat to
Ipswich. Hill will find it difficult to break up the partnership of Ricardo
Vaz Te and Craig Davies up front as they have shared nine goals in the last
four matches and that could mean a place on the substitutes' bench for
on-loan Newcastle striker Nile Ranger and Danny Haynes. Barnsley have won
five of their last seven league matches and sit five points adrift of the
top six.
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Allardyce - Injuries no excuse
West Ham manager wary of expectation level
Last Updated: December 15, 2011 8:39pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce knows a full house at Upton Park against
Barnsley on Saturday will demand victory, despite the club's injury
problems. The Hammers are missing a host of players including Winston Reid,
Matt Taylor and Sam Baldock through injury, while Jack Collison and Joey
O'Brien are suspended. But they desperately need to bounce back from defeats
by Burnley and Reading if they are to keep the pressure on leaders
Southampton. Nobody will give us any leeway - certainly not a full house of
home fans - if we don't win, irrespective of how many injuries we have got,"
said Allardyce. "They won't see that come Saturday if we don't perform how
we can and get the result. "I'm not saying it is their responsibilty to take
that into consideration, but it is my responsibility to point out where we
are at the minute. "We'll be going all guns blazing to relieve the situation
in January."
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Zaha sticks with his Pals
Published: Today
The Sun
WILFRIED ZAHA yesterday signed a new 5½-year deal at Crystal Palace. Yet the
Selhurst Park ace, 19, is still a £5million January target for Manchester
City, Liverpool and West Ham. Striker Zaha, one of the rising English stars,
has penned a lucrative two-year extension to his contract.
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Allardyce canes West Ham over schoolboy errors
Published 08:44 17/12/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has ordered his West Ham players to cut out the schoolboy
defending or blow any chance of winning automatic promotion. The Irons
manager has been left fuming by his second-placed side's 3-0 defeat at
Reading, which came on the back of a 3-2 home loss to Burnley. Ahead of
today's home game against Barnsley, Big Sam growled: "The only reason we are
losing games is because we can't defend set-plays. It really gets under my
skin when players allow the opposition to score from set-pieces which are
avoidable. "They have cost us and it has been devastating. I think everyone
is a bit nervous and we have been trying to relieve the situation in
training. "We would be above leaders Southampton if we could defend
set-plays. None of them have been world beaters."
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Manager's money on Reds upset as they face £4m Nolan and co
The Star
Published on Saturday 17 December 2011 08:30
BARNSLEY boss Keith Hill has issued an "it can be done" challenge to his
ambitious side as they look to upset Championship high-fliers West Ham
today. Both sides are looking to bounce back from defeats: the Reds lost 5-3
to Ipswich, and Sam Allardyce's team have been surprised by Burnley and
Reading in their last two matches. Barnsley are also seeking their first
league win at Upton Park for 92 years. "Their away form is a lot better than
their home form, but they're a massive, high-calibre team who pose a
physical threat as well," said Hill. "They're recruiting players like the
calibre of John Carew. It's an enormous task, and if I was a betting man and
I wasn't the Barnsley manager, I'd be putting my money on a home win. "But I
am the Barnsley manager and we're preparing and planning to take points from
West Ham this weekend. It can be done."
"If you look at the players that they've got - Carew, Carlton Cole, Frederic
Piquionee and Kevin Nolan - they've got quality, and Nolan's transfer fee is
my playing budget for the season; in fact it's probably more - and that's
the enormity of the task." Nolan is believed to have cost the Hammers around
£4 million when he joined them from Newcastle in the summer. But Hill added:
"It's a great task that we're looking forward to. Where isn't there a danger
[in West Ham's side]? We're talking about a Premier League side that's
playing Championship football."
The Reds have won five of their last seven games and are well on course for
the target of 50 points that Hill believes will "definitely" keep them in
the Championship.
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Reds chief aims to turn the crowd on Hammers
Published on Saturday 17 December 2011 06:00
Yorkshire Post
BARNSLEY manager Keith Hill says West Ham United paid more for Kevin Nolan
than he has spent on an entire squad. Hill cites Nolan's £4m move from
Newcastle United as one of the best illustrations of the Championship's
financial divide. The Tykes travel to East London today to face the Hammers
who are second in the table.
"Look at the players that they've got – John Carew, Carlton Cole, Frederic
Piquionne, Kevin Nolan," said Hill. "Nolan's transfer fee is my playing
budget for the season. In fact it's probably more and that's the enormity of
the task!" Despite the limited resources at his disposal, Hill has still
managed to steer Barnsley to a comfortable mid-table position only five
points adrift of the top six. He believes his side, who suffered a 5-3 loss
to Ipswich Town last weekend, can play under no pressure today as they seek
to inflict a third consecutive defeat on the Hammers. "The West Ham
supporters won't be patient," he said. "They don't accept that losing to
Burnley is just part of a course of the season. That full house could turn
against them and that is our plan.
"We don't want to create a good atmosphere, we want to create a hostile
atmosphere because the West Ham fans, like me, think that West Ham belong in
the Premier League. "It's an enormous task and – if I was a betting man and
I wasn't Barnsley manager – I'd be putting my money on a home win! But I am
the Barnsley manager and we're preparing and planning to take as many points
as possible from West Ham this weekend. It can be done."
Hill is a personal friend of Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, whom he has
known for many years living in Bolton. "He's somebody that I've followed
with keen interest," admitted Hill. "It's not about Sam Allardyce the
football coach, the football manager – it's more about Sam Allardyce the
organiser who has got a vision. He's obviously done a lot of homework with
respect to preparation, rehabilitation, organisation and he's accountable
for a lot of off-the-field developments within football.
"When there's a newspaper article, or he's on TV, he's somebody I will
listen to with a keen ear and, if there's any advice I can take, I will."
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Fulham move for £4m West Ham man Noble as Jol eyes Murphy replacement
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:28 AM on 17th December 2011
Daily Mail
Fulham have opened talks with West Ham over a £4million move for Mark Noble.
The Cottagers are keen to find a long-term successor for veteran midfielder
Danny Murphy and the former England Under 21 man is their top target. Fulham
have watched Noble on several occasions this season and have been suitably
impressed with his performances, and the Craven Cottage club have made
official contact with West Ham over their interest in the 24-year-old
midfielder. Whether Hammers manager Sam Allardyce would allow a key
component of his squad to leave Upton Park in the middle of a promotion
charge back towards the Barclays Premier League remains to be seen. But more
discussions between the two London clubs are planned ahead of the reopening
of next month's transfer window.
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WEST HAM vs BARNSLEY: 'LANSBURY AVAILABLE AND RARING TO GO'
Posted on December 16, 2011
Idontknowjack.co.uk
The last two weeks have been a bit grim. I can deal with the disappointing
results, but the mounting injuries are starting to be a real concern!
The loss of Baldock has been a real kicker. Despite the eventual 3-1 win
over Derby, Baldock's premature departure noticeably altered how dangerous
our side looked. I'm perhaps guilty of getting on Piquionne's back a bit but
the difference in our overall potency when he plays is remarkable. We all
know Baldock offers our side a real goal-scoring threat but his work off the
ball is fantastic. He runs the channels and creates space for his teammates
in a way I haven't seen since we had Craig Bellamy.
Our defence is also at the limit and we're one injury away from a headache.
Guy Demel has gone and torn a muscle and joins Winston Reid in the physio's
room. It's deeply disappointing to lose either of these players for a length
of time so to be without them both is a real blow to our backline.
But luckily we still have Tomkins and Faye at the centre of defence; a
possibly deeper blow is the loss of Matty Taylor who, like Baldock, is
almost vital to our team's attacking strength. We really have no one else
who can step in and replace Taylor's wingplay, despite the exemplary efforts
of Julien Faubert this season.
One piece of good news is the return of Henri Lansbury. David Gold has
confirmed on Twitter that Lansbury is available and raring to go, and having
been out for so long I think he will be looking to come in and put his stamp
on the game. He might not have match fitness tomorrow but I think he'll work
his socks off and add some much-needed movement to our football.
There is a bit of negativity still surrounding Kevin Nolan. I'm still
thrilled to have a captain that actually resembles a leader but I agree too
much of the game seems to pass him by – I'd love to see him grab this match
by the scruff of its neck and start to resemble a more-complete package.
This fixture is my first match for a few weeks so I'm looking forward to
getting back and enjoying a game. Standard practice is a few beers in the
Boleyn Arms before the game, but I'm hoping to nip across to Iain Dale's and
Jeremy Nicholas's book signing in the Newham Bookshop. I have a £10 club
store voucher too, so might buy myself a new bit of merchandise for
Christmas.
Enjoy the match if you're going and let's hope we see a good performance as
we bounce back from the Reading horror show. A win tomorrow, and again in
the televised Boxing Day match against Birmingham (I love watching football
on Boxing Day), could see us start the new year at the top of the
Championship table.
Let's hope so – COYI!
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West Ham consider retractable seating for Olympic Stadium
MARTYN ZIEGLER FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 2011
The Independent
The Olympic Stadium could have retractable seating installed over the
running track after the London 2012 Games to make it more attractive to
football fans, it can be disclosed. West Ham, who are favourites to be
chosen as the tenants, are looking at having the retractable seating as part
of their new bid for the stadium. The new tender process for the stadium is
due to be announced next week and West Ham are the favourites to be chosen
as the tenants. The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) are expected to
stipulate that any bids must guarantee that the running track remains in
place to allow athletics events to take place - including the 2017 world
athletics championships which is being hosted at the stadium. That has led
to some opposition from football fans who fear they will be too far away
from the pitch. West Ham have asked designers to come up with a plan for
seats that cover the track so that fans are closer to the action. The seats
could then be removed from the track when athletics events are to be staged.
The cost of retractable seating could be as little as £10million. West Ham
did consider retractable seating after they beat Tottenham back in February
to be named as the preferred bidders to take over the stadium and sources
say the idea is figuring strongly in their plans for a new bid - especially
now conversion costs would be covered from the public purse.
Their original deal to take over the stadium collapsed in October when the
Government scrapped the agreement following a legal challenge by Tottenham
and Leyton Orient which threatened London's bid for the 2017 world athletics
championships. Under that deal, West Ham and Newham Council would have taken
on a 250-year lease and contributed to the conversion costs. The new tender
process is expected to stipulate that stadium will be kept in public
ownership and rented out.
PA
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Big Sam demands a 'response'
Football365
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is looking to follow Sir Alex Ferguson's lead
when he takes his side into battle with Barnsley on Saturday. Two successive
defeats - at home to Burnley and away to Reading last weekend - have
hamstrung the Hammers' promotion charge, but a pre-Christmas meeting with
Keith Hill's men gives them the chance to pull level with leaders
Southampton, who do not play until Sunday. And Allardyce has cited
Ferguson's Manchester United side as the perfect role models for his players
as they look to bounce back from their recent setbacks. "Sir Alex Ferguson
says a good team, when things go wrong, responds immediately," he told the
club's website. "Manchester United responded by winning 4-1 (against Wolves
after being knocked out of the Champions League). "I'm not saying we'll win
4-0 against Barnsley, but if we win it puts doubts in everyone's minds and
we can move forward. "If we don't win, the pressure gets even greater."
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IS IT TIME TO RECALL THESE HAMMERS?
Posted on Friday, 16th December 2011 by Kwame Boakye
Foreverwestham.com
We've reached a crucial stage of the season, the injuries and suspensions
are starting to pile up, we've lost back to back games for the first time
this campaign…is it now time to recall our promising prodigies to help us
down this rocky road? The injury to Matt Taylor coupled with Jack Collison's
upcoming suspension leaves us desperately short of creativity and vision,
having watched Cristiano Montano through his various loan spells this season
up and down the Football League I must say I've questioned why Sam hasn't
unleashed him on the Championship. His skill, creativity, verve, vision and
goal threat would be an excellent asset as we strive to conquer this league.
It's obvious that Sam would rather go with experienced players to get the
job done; but with Taylor and Collison unavailable for such a crucial period
wouldn't a recall and a cameo for Montano make sense? Surely the spark that
Montano would bring could only help fill the void left by the lack of
Collison's vision and Taylor's delivery.
It's a similar situation up front…thanks to Sammy Baldock's injury we once
again have only a plethora of target men to lead the line. Robert Hall in
his first spell at Oxford literally couldn't stop scoring. His time with
them reminded me as I'm sure it did many other Hammers fans of the time
Defoe spent at Bournemouth all those years ago when everything he touched
turned to goals. So at this moment in time we're without the quick, nippy
and sharp Baldock but we have a like for like replacement at Oxford?
Take a look at our other strikers (with the exception of Cole) Carew 2
goals, Piqiuonne 2 goals can we really pin our hopes on these fella's if
Cole or Nolan is miss-firing? Surely we should recall Hall as at least a
bench option through this tricky period? I mean if we're chasing a game as
were against Burnley the other week we literally had no-one to throw on whom
we could be confident was going to nick us a goal. The unknown entity, pace
and sharpness of Hall could've come in handy in that particular situation.
During the history of our great club we've always relied on the talent that
have risen through our ranks; and whilst we are in a high-pressure situation
of promotion or bust perhaps a return to old ethos is needed at such a
crucial time of the campaign…after all it is the West Ham way.
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West Ham rule out Tomkins departure
December 16, 2011
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
West Ham have informed ESPNsoccernet on Friday that they not interested in
selling highly-rated defender James Tomkins. Newcastle and QPR are chasing
Tomkins in the January transfer window, but it would take a huge bid to even
tempt the Hammers to consider letting him go. The Magpies reportedly had a
£2.5 million offer rejected this week, while QPR are ready to go as high as
£3 million for the ex-England Under-21 defender. But West Ham manager Sam
Allardyce said: "There is no intention to sell James Tomkins, as far as I am
concerned. We would be committing suicide if we sold him at this moment."
Newcastle are determined to come back with an improved offer in January, but
the Hammers are keen to focus on arrivals rather than departures and
26-year-old Barcelona striker Jonathan Soriano - who scored 32 goals in 37
games for Barcelona B last year - is one of Allardyce's top targets as his
priority is a goalscorer.
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