WHUFC.com
Reality TV star Amy Childs was at the Boleyn Ground with her Hammers-supporting dad
01.12.2011
Reality TV star Amy Childs brought a touch of glamour to the Boleyn Ground. The former The Only Way Is Essex and Celebrity Big Brother participant attended the goalless npower Championship draw with Bristol City with her father Billy. The whole evening was captured on camera by a crew filming Childs' new Channel 5 reality show 'It's All About Amy', which starts on Thursday, including her exclusive interview with West Ham TV. It remans to be seen when the West Ham footage will be aired.
"I'm at the game filming my new TV show and my Dad is such a big supporter of West Ham and he said I had to come down with him," said Amy. Dad Billy explained that he had been a Hammers fan since the days of Bryan 'Pop' Robson and Jimmy Greaves in the early 1970s. Amy's supporting history is a bit shorter, but she was quick to point out that it it was not her first time at the Boleyn Ground. "I came about six years ago and I remember being really bored because I was a bit younger then! I'm really excited about it earlier before I came and have been on the pitch talking about West Ham, which was really exciting."
For her fans, Amy revealed that her West Ham visit would feature on her new TV show. "I'm not going to go back to The Only Way Is Essex because I've got my own TV show called 'It's All About Amy' which is on Channel 5 and is going to be really big. "I'm really excited because my new TV show will have plenty have West Ham and plenty of my Dad in it!"
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Experience key for Kev
WHUFC.com
Leading from the front, Kevin Nolan is thinking only of the Hammers rolling on at the top
01.12.2011
Kevin Nolan is experiencing déjà vu in the npower Championship after seeing firm echoes of his promotion-winning season at Newcastle United. The former Magpies midfielder skippered his old club to the title in 2009/10, winning 102 points on route to a Premier League return. Now very much a Hammer at heart, Nolan is confident his new club are on course to replicate that promotion achievement. "The way we started off it was like a team who was getting to know each other. We were a squad coming together and getting to know what the staff wanted. "We are starting to see a West Ham side which is full of confidence and doing the right things at the right times. It is very pleasing.We have got another home game to come on Saturday and we are looking forward to it."
It is no surprise that Nolan is looking forward to the Burnley game on Saturday, as the team are on a roll with six wins and a draw in their last seven outings. He will remind his team-mates that they have to keep rolling on and cannot ever think the job is done. "You have to use that experience of two years ago and a lot of the lads spoke to me when I first started in pre-season. They were just asking what it is all about, to be fair to them they all have the desire we had at Newcastle a couple of seasons ago. "They wanted to get this club back to where we feel it belongs. We are all singing from the same hymn sheet. We are looking forward to hopefully another win on Saturday. We have to keep plugging away, keep injury free and I am sure we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. "It is four wins in a row and seven unbeaten. We have to keep applying pressure on Southampton. We are not looking down, our aim is to look up and we are going to keep on Southampton's heels and hope they slip up. "There is a real positivity and it is similar to Newcastle. We are tough to beat now and no one is going to get an easy game against us."
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Matt glad to be back
WHUFC.com
There has been a welcome return to the matchday squad this week and he is raring to go
30.11.2011
Matt Taylor is delighted to be back playing again and has spoken of the confidence coursing through the team. He is hoping to keep his place for Saturday's big Boleyn showdown with Burnley - with tickets in demand among supporters keen to be a part of a memorable winning run. Click here to get your tickets today. Taylor has now made two appearances this week including a return to the starting lineup at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night after limping out of the Southampton defeat on 18 October with a calf problem. While away, the Hammers took four wins and a draw out of five and added to that with two more victories with Taylor in tow. The 30-year-old has been delighted to play his part, especially in the 2-0 success at Boro. "It was a good performance. I thought we started well in the first 20 to 25 minutes. It was much better than we have started in recent games away from home. "The Riverside is a very difficult place to come. This was the first game they have lost at home all season, so this is a fantastic result for us. It felt okay. I was quite happy to be back in amongst it and back in the side to get the chance to play.
Taylor provided the crucial assist for Freddie Piquionne's opener - "the cross was all right wasn't it?", he said with a smile. "It is what I am there for really and I enjoyed seeing the ball go in that's for sure. "It is a great result and it just shows you what a great squad we have got here. We have made three or four changes from Saturday and still managed a result like this one and we are going to need that squad if we are going to do things in the Championship."
Taylor said the whole squad were determined to push the leaders all the way, especially in the run-up to Christmas. "It is very important to keep up there and keep winning. Southampton are winning but we want to go into the next few fixtures in good shape and we are doing that. "There is still a long way to go though. I think the season is only just a third of the way through, but we want to make sure we get one of those two automatic places nailed down. It is going to be a long, hard season, but we don't want to have the play-off places to rely on. I think we are playing well enough to go into every game confident of winning."
Taylor has been particularly impressed by England duo Robert Green and Carlton Cole, and was delighted summer transfer rumours around the two proved unfounded. "Coley has done exceptionally well this season. There was a lot of press speculation when I arrived that he was going to leave in the summer, but his attitude has been first class and the club are now reaping the rewards of holding on to him. "Carlton loves West Ham, he always has done and I think he probably could have gone elsewhere, but he wanted to show his worth here and he has done. The lads are very grateful that he did. "Greeny is very important to this team. There were a few hairy moments but you never feel like you are under pressure when Greeny is there. He made some good saves and he will be extremely pleased with the clean sheet."
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Lomas banned - after first game
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 1st December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Steve Lomas has received a touchline ban from the Scottish FA - after his first game in charge of St Johnstone. Lomas - who was confirmed as the new Saints manager at the start of November - was censured by the SFA after he was accused of misconduct for an incident during the game. As a result, the 37-year-old former reserve team manager, who previously played for West Ham between 1997 and 2004 has had a one-match touchline ban imposed. The news was confirmed by Lomas' new club in statement this morning. "Steve Lomas will be missing from the dugout for Saturday's game against Hearts at Tynecastle," it read.
"The club was contacted by the SFA's Judicial Panel following our game against Rangers at Ibrox on 19th November regarding a report of alleged misconduct by the new Saints Manager which was brought to their attention by the Police Match Commander. "The Club was offered the opportunity for the manager to attend a hearing or accept a one match ban. Although the Club is disappointed that this incident has reached the Judicial Panel, it has chosen to accept the ban."
Lomas' two games in charge of the Saints thus far have resulted in one win (3-1 Hibs) and a draw (0-0 at Rangers).
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£3m up the Swanee
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 1st December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Information relating to the cost of football agents for the 2010-11 season has been released. As a result of the recently-introduced FA Football Agents Regulations, all clubs must now declare the amount they pay players' representatives on an annual basis. West Ham have declared a figure of £3,207,872, which covers the period from October 2010 to September 2011. This period accounts for the January 2011 transfer window - when West Ham purchased players such as Demba Ba, Robbie Keane and Gary O'Neil - plus the recent summer transfer window, during which players such as Kevin Nolan, Matthew Taylor and Sam Baldock were signed.
The rest of the current Premier League teams fees were as follows:
1. Man City £9.7m
2. Tottenham £7.6m
3. Liverpool £7m
4. Chelsea £6.5m
5. Newcastle £6.3m
6. Arsenal £4.6m
7. Man Utd £4.5m
8. Blackburn £4.2m
9. Sunderland £3.7m
10. West Ham Utd £3.2m
10. Aston Villa £3.2m
12. Everton £2.9m
13. QPR £2.5m
14. Stoke £2.2m
15. Bolton £1.9m
16. West Brom £1.3m
17. Wolves £1.1m
18. Fulham £0.9m
19. Norwich £0.7m
20. Wigan £0.66m
21. Swansea £0.24m
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The answer is... 42
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 1st December 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have been given the number 42 for this weekend's FA Cup third round draw. The draw for the third round of the oldest Cup competition in the world, where minnows regularly meet giants (and occasionally even beat them) will be made this coming weekend. Widely recognised as one of the highlights of the football season, the third round of the FA Cup is the first stage at which Championship and Premier League teams enter the competition. This year the draw will be conducted by ex-Everton midfielder Li Tie and former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola. It is scheduled to take place following the culmination of the second round tie between AFC Totton and Bristol Rovers, which is being broadcast live by ITV1.
Those hoping for a potential local derby need look no further than Millwall (27), Chelmsford City (49), Dagenham & Redbridge (57), Leyton Orient (50) and Southend Utd (62). Premier League big guns include Arsenal (1), Chelsea (12) and the two Manchester clubs, City (24) and United (25). Meanwhile the last remaining non-league clubs include Salisbury City (45), Stourbridge (46), Redbridge (51) , Gateshead (59) and Sutton Utd (61).
West Ham were knocked out of the competition at the quarter final stage last season, going down 2-1 in controversial circumstances to a physical Stoke side.
The full list of draw numbers are as follows:
1 Arsenal
2 Aston Villa
3 Barnsley
4 Birmingham City
5 Blackburn Rovers
6 Blackpool
7 Bolton Wanderers
8 Brighton & Hove Albion
9 Bristol City
10 Burnley
11 Cardiff City
12 Chelsea
13 Coventry City
14 Crystal Palace
15 Derby County
16 Doncaster Rovers
17 Everton
18 Fulham
19 Hull City
20 Ipswich Town
21 Leeds United
22 Leicester City
23 Liverpool
24 Manchester City
25 Manchester United
26 Middlesbrough
27 Millwall
28 Newcastle United
29 Norwich City
30 Nottingham Forest
31 Peterborough United
32 Portsmouth
33 Queens Park Rangers
34 Reading
35 Southampton
36 Stoke City
37 Sunderland
38 Swansea City
39 Tottenham Hotspur
40 Watford
41 West Bromwich Albion
42 West Ham United
43 Wigan Athletic
44 Wolverhampton Wanderers
45 Salisbury City or Grimsby Town
46 Stourbridge or Stevenage
47 Sheffield United or Torquay United
48 Colchester United or Swindon Town
49 Chelmsford City or Macclesfield Town
50 Leyton Orient or Gillingham
51 Crawley Town or Redbridge
52 Luton Town or Cheltenham Town
53 Fleetwood Town or Yeovil Town
54 Brentford or Wrexham
55 Bradford City or AFC Wimbledon
56 Shrewsbury Town or Rotherham United
57 Dagenham & Redbridge or Walsall
58 Barnet or Milton Keynes Dons
59 Gateshead or Tamworth
60 Sheffield Wednesday or Aldershot Town
61 Sutton United or Notts County
62 Southend United or Oldham Athletic
63 AFC Totton or Bristol Rovers
64 Charlton Athletic or Carlisle United
All ties to be played on the weekend of 7/8 January 2012. The draw will be streamed live on www.thefa.com.
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Wonders Never Cease!
December 1st, 2011 - 11:56 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
A 0-2 Hammers victory away at the Riverside, now that's progress! This has long been one of West Ham's 'bogey' fixtures, but Allardyce's team really put the record straight on Tuesday evening. It was a a performance of mastery, power and some considerable skill, in which we set out with purpose from the kick off and dominated virtually the whole 90 minutes. Significantly, this was a marked departure from the 45 minute performances that we have seen lately, in which we have had the proverbial game of two halves. It was massively encouraging, particularly in the sense that we carried on the excellent passing football that we saw in the 2nd half of the Derby County match. However, the fluent passing play was executed within a framework of organisation, defensive competence, hard graft and, a much welcomed, ruthlessness in the final third.
It was good to finally see Demel make his debut at right-back. I predicted that West Ham fans would like this fella, with his powerful and committed style of play. He could very easily now be playing his football in the PL and it was somewhat of a coup to sign him whilst in the Championship. Defensively, he was very solid, but Demel also contributed much with his surging runs forward. Indeed, there were early indications that he and Faubert could form an excellent partnership down the right flank. It also has to be said that Faye has been a revelation in central defence. When we signed him I welcomed his experience, but feared that he may prove to be injury prone. Yet, Faye seems to have overcome last season's injury problems and he has been an absolute tower of strength at the back. To be honest, when he signed, I did not fully appreciate just how good he is, but I can now appreciate why he was a bit of a cult figure amongst the Stoke City fans. He has helped stiffen our defence and, almost equally important, he is imparting his knowledge and experience to James Tomkins. That will only help Tomkins' development and make sure that his game keeps progressing along the right lines.
I really cannot over-state the importance of Matt Taylor to our promotion campaign. He gives us balance and varied attacking options, both in term of long range strikes and set peices. Lets hope and pray that he now stays fit for the remainder of the season. Carlton Cole has recently emerged from a fairly long injury absence to really make a positive impact. Cole possesses strength and significant ability on the ball, this enables him to terrorise defenders when running at them. And it looks that Piquionne may finally be emerging from the hangover from the 'car crash' of last season's relegation. I have always maintained that Piquionne is a good striker. Indeed, he is probably better in the air than either Cole or Carew, as well as being good on the ground. His form last season and earlier in this campaign was disappointing, but he always possessed the ability to excel in this league. He has a bit of a 'laid back' style on the pitch and this often gets misinterpreted as lack of industry and application. Lets hope that that freaky goal against Coventry City proves to be the turning point in his fortunes this season.
We can also see the true value of having a class keeper. As much as we dominated against Boro, they still had a couple of good chances. On both occasions, Rob Green was on hand, once again, to make vital saves. We should not under-estimate the confidence that a quality keeper gives the defenders in front of him and, arguably, that is an important factor in our new found defensive solidity. Some fans have expressed disappointment in Kevin Nolan's overall performances in midfield. Well, I feel that is a bit harsh. Nolan gives leadership and direction to this team. He is at the centre of everything and is a massive, positive influence. In addition, he is a key player for us in the final third, where he has demonstrated his ability to get forward and grab important goals. That fanastic strike against Derby County illustrated what a good goal scoring midfielder Nolan is. As a player, and the club captain, I think that we will only fully appreciate the full extent of his contribution when/if he is absent from the team. Lets hope that we do not have to put that proposition to the test!
Even Allardyce's biggest critics, amongst the Hammers support, must surely now conceed that he is getting our promotion campaign right. We know that he was apprehensive about getting the team to gel in the initial stages of the season, as new players were embedded and the squad have adapted to his methods. But we sailed smoothly through that transition period and now, hopefully, things are starting to come together on a number of levels. I anticipate that Sam Allardyce has established systems and disciplines this season that will take root and bear fruit for the future. I have always thought that there has been something of the 'old corinithians' spirit in West Ham's make up. It contributed to the romanticism traditionally associated with the club, but I would gladly trade that for discipline, organisation and ruthlessness. I want to see these professional traits established at the club, to provide a framework within which we can pursue our passing football in future. Shock-horror, I know, but I do not think that it is a bad thing that we are able to adopt different tactics according to the opposition, mix up our style of play and establish a winning mentality at every level of the club!
Not only do I believe that we currently have the basis of a squad to perform well on returning to the PL, but I believe that the tactical and organisational lessons learnt will also stand us in good stead. Yes, there will need to be signings next season, but in Green, Demel, Tomkins, McCartney, O'Brien, Noble, Nolan, Collison, Cole, Baldock, Taylor, Faubert, et al, we undoubtedly have firm foundations upon which to build the squad. I am also very hopeful that one or two of the youngsters such as Hall, Montano, Montenegro-Martinez, Moncur, Potts and Lee will fulfill their promise, and break through, at first team level. In doing so, they will lay the ground for the introduction of other outstanding talents 'bubbling under' at U-17 and U-18 levels.
Sam Allardyce has been astute this season in his transfer dealings, but I hope that a return to the PL will see him attract some exciting signings. We all remember him signing some good players while at Bolton and wondering just how he managed it? No doubt he will be able to repeat that next season at West Ham. However, that does not mean that we should fear for our Academy products, Allardyce will give them the nod when they prove that they are good and ready. In that sense, there is a major challenge to the youngsters to train hard, produce the goods and force their way in to the first team set up.
Finally, we have Burnley, next up, at home this Saturday. Burnley could possibly give us a tougher match than we might imagine. Nevertheless, I still think that we will have to much for them and that we will capture another three points. Sticking my neck out, once again, I am going for a 4-1 victory to the Irons. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham pair to be offered big-money China moves
Published 22:30 01/12/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Ambitious Chinese club Guangzhou R&F want to sign John Carew and Carlton Cole from West Ham. The club have just clinched promotion to the Chinese Super League, ironically helped by the goals of another ex-Hammer striker, Marlon Harewood. However, Harewood is now back in the UK and Guangzhou want to replace him with fresh English-based talent. They have sent an agent to offer lucrative tax-free salaries to Carew and Cole, but sources at Upton Park insist a deal is unlikely.
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West Ham's high class Taylor returns with first-class delivery
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, December 1, 2011
12:00 PM
West Ham winger Matt Taylor returned with a bang at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night with the sort of performance that has already made him a crowd favourite.
The 29-year-old former Bolton star took just nine minutes to leave an indelible mark on West Ham's latest Championship clash and it was with one of his trademark pinpoint crosses. Taylor had already stung the fingers of goalkeeper Jason Steele and then delivered a ball inches over the head of striker Freddie Piquionne, when he got it spot on. The ball came in from the left almost on a silver salver and the French striker rose highest to head the ball home and put the Hammers in front. "The cross was all right," laughed the modest Taylor after Tuesday's
2-0 win, "It is what I am there for really and I enjoyed seeing the ball go in, that's for sure."
Piquionne was slightly more animated about the pass. "I had two chances from Matt," said the striker. "He is very good at crossing and he said to me before the game to go and get in the box and when I saw him the second time, I moved into position so he could give me the ball. "I jumped and scored the goal. I was very happy to do that."
It was Taylor's sixth assist of the season to put him well clear of his team-mates, despite twice being hit by calf injuries so far this term. "The calf felt okay," said Taylor after the Boro clash. "I was quite happy to be back in amongst it and back in the side to get the chance to play." West Ham's strikers must be pleased he is there too. You can't really say that Taylor has been sorely missed, because the results have kept on coming for the Hammers. But when he is in the West Ham side, you can see his class and his set-piece delivery is second to none. The winger helped his team end Middlesbrough's unbeaten home record and he was quick to extol the virtues of the team's performance. "It is a great result and it just shows you what a great squad we have got here," said Taylor. "We have made three or four changes from Saturday and still managed a result like this one and we are going to need that squad if we are going to do things in the Championship."
West Ham sit second in the table, but Taylor is not counting his assists, or his chickens concerning their fate this season. "It is very important to keep up there and keep winning," he said. "Southampton are winning, but we want to go into the next few fixtures in good shape and we are doing that. "There is still a long way to go though. I think the season is only just a third of the way through, but we want to make sure we get one of those two automatic places nailed down."
After Taylor set up Piquionne for the first, Carlton Cole's clincher in injury time was all his own work and the West Ham winger was full of praise for the England international striker. "Coley has done exceptionally well this season," said Taylor. "There was a lot of press speculation when I arrived that he was going to leave in the summer, but his attitude has been first class and the club are now reaping the rewards of holding on to him. "Carlton loves West Ham, he always has done and I think he probably could have gone elsewhere, but he wanted to show his worth here and he has done. "The lads are very grateful that he did."
The West Ham lads will be very grateful that Taylor is fit and back in the starting line-up, because when he is on song and delivering those telling crosses and set-pieces, the chances are that the Hammers will be winning.
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West Ham's Sam is on cloud nine
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, December 1, 2011
1:00 PM
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is looking to complete a perfect week on Saturday by making it nine points out of nine with victory over Burnley at Upton Park.
The happy Hammers followed up last weekend's 3-1 win over Derby County with a clinical 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and now he is hoping to make it three out of three. "The win against Middlesbrough sets us up nicely for the weekend," said a delighted Allardyce following their fully deserved victory at the Riverside, where Boro had been unbeaten in their last 16 games. "It could be a nine-point week for us now, as long as we don't slip up against Burnley."
The manager is certainly not taking Saturday's game for granted though, after the Clarets won their last two fixtures. "I've been warning the lads that Burnley have, all of a sudden, sparked into form with two very good results," he said. "Coming back from 2-0 down at Hull City is no mean feat. We had a tough, tough job to win there, and they came back from 2-0 down. "Against Ipswich on Tuesday they won 4-0 so they will be on top of their game."
Allardyce also warned of the potential problem of two former players returning to Upton Park on Saturday. "There are a couple of players that I sold to them – in Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines – that will want to prove me wrong when they come back, so I will be telling the lads to make sure that they don't."
Allardyce must be confident that the Hammers will grab another three points on Saturday, and they are likely to have striker John Carew back and fit after he missed the trip to the Riverside. "Sam Baldock will be out for about three weeks," confirmed the manager. "But John Carew has only tweaked his knee and I expect him to be back at the weekend. "Freddie Piquionne and Carlton Cole came up with the goods against Boro and both have played their parts – particularly Freddie, so all around the team we are outstanding."
The manager seems to have a wealth of riches in his squad at the moment with Matt Taylor and Guy Demel both starting on Tuesday night, while Joey O'Brien and Jack Collison were on the bench. The only other doubt is centre back James Tomkins who left the ground hobbling at Middlesbrough after injuring his foot, but Allardyce is hopeful that he will recover too. Everything seems to be coming together for the Hammers as they continue their pursuit of leaders Southampton. "We are a very happy bunch at the minute," said the boss. "We will all just keep our feet on the ground. We are enjoying our training and enjoying our time together," he concluded.
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Grant targets Hammers scalp
Clarets stopper targets three points at Upton Park
By Chris Galea. Last Updated: December 1, 2011 9:30pm
SSN
Goalkeeper Lee Grant has set his sights on extending Burnley's unbeaten run as they look to overcome Championship high fliers West Ham this weekend. The Clarets travel to Upton Park on the back of impressive wins over Hull and Ipswich, but face a title-chasing Hammers side that have not lost in seven games. But, the 28-year-old stopper believes Eddie Howe's side will be full of confidence as they head to East London. He told skysports.com: "Ipswich are a great side on paper, with a lot of experience throughout the side and a lot of big hitters, so we were very pleased with that result and it was a much-needed one for us. "Hull was a huge win for us because it came on the back of a few poor results and we needed to make sure that we put that right. "Thankfully, we managed to do that and salvaged something from what was a very tough position. "It is never easy to string results together in this division, so two in a row is massive for us and hopefully we can extend that run even further. "It is never going to be easy going down there, but obviously on the back of a few wins it is just nice to go down to West Ham with a bit of belief.
"We will go down there confident and believing in ourselves, but obviously it will be a tough game and they are undoubtedly the strongest outfit in this division, especially financially. "They've got a really strong squad of players with players that should be playing in the Premier League, so we are well aware how tough the game will be, but it is one which we look forward to at the same time."
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