WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan scores as the Hammers edge out Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat
Stadium
13.08.2011
DONCASTER ROVERS v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 13 AUGUST 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
Final score - Doncaster Rovers 0-1 West Ham United
94 mins - Taylor and O'Brien show great experience to head the ball back to
Green. He clears and the final whistle is blown! West Ham have won! Don't
forget, full post-match reaction and highlights will appear on whufc.com and
West Ham TV soon. West Ham are back in action at Watford on Tuesday evening.
Join us again then for what promises to be another exciting 90 minutes.
93 mins - I'm sure we'll have at least another minute. Tomkins is back on.
92 mins - 100 seconds to go... Brown catches Tomkins with an arm and the No5
is down on the turf. Referee Mr Mathieson suggests it was not an elbow by
pointing to his hand. Brown has been booked, but he won't see a red card.
Tomkins has the physio on.
91 mins - Into the first of three added minutes...
90 mins - Into the final minute of the 90 and West Ham have the ball inside
the Doncaster half until Parker loses it. Dumbuya's cross is too high.
Doncaster keep it but the ball inside Taylor is too strong and rolls behind
for a goal kick.
87 mins - Good play down the West Ham left involving Taylor and Nolan ends
with a diagonal cross for Cole. He looks to have got in behind Friend but
cannot make contact with the ball. Tentative penalty appeals are waved away
by Mr Mathieson.
86 mins - Cole gives away a foul, allowing Stanislas to come on for Ilunga.
Taylor goes to left-back.
84 mins - O'Brien does just enough to head away Coppinger's cross. Taylor
helps out and his long ball is helped on by Cole, who then forces Friend to
concede a throw inside the Rovers half. Good play.
83 mins - A third change from Rovers manager O'Driscoll, bringing on Hird
for Gillett. Stanislas will be on soon for West Ham.
83 mins - Doncaster right-back Dumbuya looks a good player. He does well
again there to lose Taylor and set up another attack. Thankfully, Reid makes
a strong challenge.
81 mins - Green clips the ball forward and Cole wins it. It looks for a
second as if Sears might be in, but Friend makes a good interception.
79 mins - Sears nearly benefits from a Cole knock-down, but he's forced
wide. He lays the ball back to O'Brien, who finds Noble. The No16 crosses,
but Cole can't get any power on his header.
78 mins - This is not good for the nerves. Coppinger crosses and Gillett has
time to control and shoot on the turn, but Green is there to beat the ball
aside. The corner is cleared.
77 mins - Taylor nicks possession outside the Doncaster box and finds Sears.
He takes a touch, but his cross lands on top of the goal.
76 mins - Barnes and Bennett are replaced by Keegan and Baxendale.
76 mins - The hosts will make two changes, but they might not need to as
Dumbuya curls a cross over and Coppinger's glancing header flies no more
than a yard wide of the far post with Green beaten.
75 mins - Doncaster are readying a substitute in Paul Keegan. Before then,
they have won a corner away to my right of O'Brien. Reid and Tomkins somehow
get the ball away.
72 mins - A second change from Big Sam as Sears replaces Collison.
70 mins - Cole does well there, winning a free-kick from Naylor. Noble's
delivery is mis-directed and Woods collects. Twenty minutes remaining...
69 mins - Golden chance for Cole. Reid curls a superb pass over the
Doncaster defence and the No9 is onside. He lets the ball bounce once, twice
and slams a rising shot into the net. Unfortunately, it's the side of the
net and not the back of it.
67 mins - Cripes! Parker loses possession inside the Doncaster half and it's
two-on-two. Ilunga and O'Brien hold position well and Coppinger makes a
right mess of his cross, allowing the DR Congo defender to get a toe in and
clear from inside his own penalty area. Rovers keep the ball but the attack
ends when Barnes slams a 25-yard effort high over the crossbar. Relief
all-round!
66 mins - Good stuff from Cole, who holds the ball up and spins away. West
Ham keep the ball and O'Brien is fouled. The free-kick drops to Nolan, who
controls and tries to lob Woods. Again, the goalkeeper is there to flick the
ball away.
64 mins - Nolan hooks the ball over but Taylor's header flies wide. Cole
retrieves and plays in O'Brien. He stands up his cross and Naylor heads
behind. Taylor floats over the corner and Tomkins meets it, but his header
is straight into the hands of Woods. Good effort.
63 mins - Parker blocks a shot from Brown and the ball spins out for a
throw. Cole comes on for Piquionne. The ball is hurled in and Tomkins clears
with his head. Moments later, Parker is fouled and West Ham have a chance to
draw breath.
61 mins - Cole is called back and is being issued with instructions by Big
Sam and Neil McDonald. Cole has put the wrong shirt on! He has the No15 and
FAYE on his back! The mistake is spotted and Cole does a quick change!
60 mins - That's better. Piquionne gets down the right and wins a corner.
Taylor to take... Friend heads it clear. Ilunga tries to deliver again, but
slams his cross high into the stand.
59 mins - Big Sam is out on the edge of his technical area. He must be a
little bit concerned about the possession Doncaster are having here. He has
also sent Cole, Sears and Stanislas out for a run on the touchline.
58 mins - Reid is back on after a quick pit stop.
57 mins - We're going to see our first yellow card as Brown catches Reid
late. It wasn't deliberate, but the Kiwi goes down and the referee books the
Rovers No9.
56 mins - Doncaster cross deep to the far post and Gillett gets to the ball
and Green cannot prevent the corner. The ball comes over and O'Brien does
brilliantly to head clear under pressure from Friend.
55 mins - The crowd is 11,344, nearly a third of which are West Ham
supporters. Not bad going, that. In fact, there are exactly 3,296 Hammers
here.
54 mins - West Ham come forward through Nolan. He passes wide left for
Collison, who lets the ball run to Ilunga, but he's offside.
53 mins - The home side are getting a bit of a head of steam up here.
Bennett does well before O'Brien is penalised for handball. Oster curls the
free-kick over and Barnes glances his header well wide of the far post.
52 mins - A chance for Doncaster as a hopeful ball forward by Gillett is
poked behind by Tomkins. Coppinger's corner is cleared by Reid and then
O'Brien.
50 mins - Ironic cheers as Green slices his clearance, but Nolan and Taylor
combine to work the ball to Collison and Ilunga wins a throw. The referee
has a word with the DR Congo man about not stepping on the touchline as he
throws the ball in. He takes it short this time, but it comes to nothing.
49 mins - Green punts the ball long and Piquionne misses his header, but the
ball almost drops to Taylor. Doncaster scramble it away for a throw.
48 mins - It's a warm afternoon here in Doncaster and manager Allardyce has
taken off his jacket for the second half. Meanwhile, Gillett crosses and
Reid does well to head clear.
47 mins - Tomkins' long diagonal free-kick is headed out for a throw. Ilunga
hurls the ball into the six-yard box, but Woods claims well.
46 mins - Collison and Taylor get the game back underway. West Ham are
shooting right-to-left towards their own supporters. Seconds in, a long ball
forward is chased by Nolan, who goes down under a challenge from Naylor
inside the box. The skipper looks to the referee, but nothing is given.
Doncaster are first out of the tunnel, closely followed by Nolan and his
team-mates. No changes from either manager at the break.
Good news from Kingstonian, where the Under-18s have recorded a 4-0 victory
this afternoon. Elliot Lee and Jack Powell netted a brace apiece.
Half-time score - Doncaster Rovers 0-1 West Ham United
47 mins - That's half-time and a very acceptable 45 minutes from West Ham.
Nolan's first goal for the club has given them an advantage Doncaster rarely
looked like wiping out. Still, we're only half way through, so join us again
in about 15 minutes for the second half.
46 mins - We'll have a minimum of one minute of added time.
45 mins - A spell of possession ends with Green's pass being flicked-on by
Piquionne, but it's just too strong for Taylor. Woods collects.
42 mins - Spurr's cross bounces past Tomkins and Brown gets his toe to the
ball, but it rolls harmlessly wide.
41 mins - Another Doncaster attack comes to nothing as a free-kick is
conceded on the far side. A second goal would give West Ham a cushion I
really think would be enough to secure all three points. Can they find that
goal before half-time?
38 mins - I must confess I hadn't seen much of Joey O'Brien before he joined
the Hammers, but he certainly gives his all. The Irishman has thundered into
challenge after challenge during the opening 38 minutes.
36 mins - West Ham are winning all the second balls and the home fans are
getting a bit frustrated. Parker is fouled inside the Doncaster half. Taylor
wastes the free-kick, unfortunately.
33 mins - Taylor crosses from the left but Tomkins cannot direct his header
back into the six-yard box. Goal kick. Woods kicks the ball straight into
touch. West Ham work the ball from left to right before Collison beats Spurr
and crosses. Taylor gets his head to the ball, but it flies high and over
the crossbar.
32 mins - Nolan calls for the ball to be hit long over his head. Tomkins
obliges and picks out Piquionne, but Dumbuya is quick and stabs the ball
behind for a corner. Tomkins gets to the corner at the far post, but it's
deflected into the side-netting. Corner again.
31 mins - A Doncaster player is down clutching his face after an accidental
collision with O'Brien. It's Spurr. The players use the break in play to
take a quick drink. After a quick check-up, Spurr rejoins the fray.
30 mins - To be fair to Doncaster, they do like to knock the ball about. The
pitch here is very good, especially considering a big rugby league match was
played here last weekend. The only bare patch is where the stage was set up
for a recent Westlife concert...
25 mins - Green's long clearance is headed behind for a corner by Naylor.
Taylor curls the ball over and Tomkins heads too high.
24 mins - Faye and Cole replace Sears and Stanislas on the touchline. They
get a warm reception from the away fans bathed in sunshine away to my left.
On the pitch, Collison gives the ball away and Bennett gets away from
Tomkins. O'Brien covers and gets in a fine challenge. The ball loops through
to Green.
22 mins - Sears and Stanislas are out warming-up as a long pass falls at the
feet of Piquionne, but he's challenged before he can get the shot away.
20 mins - Ilunga comes forward and feeds Collison, whose shot is blocked by
Friend. Doncaster break and Brown is one-on-one with Tomkins. The defender
shows him inside and the shot is weak and easy for Green.
19 mins - That was outstanding skill from Nolan. Unfortunately, it was also
an outstanding save from the Doncaster No33.
18 mins - Oooh! Brilliant again from Nolan. Piquionne slides a ball through
and Nolan tries to chip Woods from 25 yards. He looks to have got it
inch-perfect, only for Woods to get a fingertip to the ball and divert it on
to the crossbar. Doncaster get the ball clear.
17 mins - Tomkins looks so composed in possession. Every time he gets the
ball at his feet he looks to bring it forward and use it by passing to feet.
16 mins - More good news! England have won the Third Test match against
India at Edgbaston by an innings and 242 runs and are now officially the
world's best team. Good work.
14 mins - Reid does well to hold off Chris Brown. Referee Mathieson gives a
foul against the Doncaster striker. Good defending by the No2.
13 mins - West Ham are working really hard to pen Doncaster inside their own
half. So far, Rovers are keeping possession well, but one loose pass could
cost them dear.
11 mins - Doncaster have another corner courtesy of Reid's header. He was
stretching and had to deal with a long ball. The corner is cleared to Oster,
whose shot is charged down by Piquionne.
10 mins - Robert Green is getting some acclaim from the fans behind his
goal. The goalkeeper responds by applauding the fans.
8 mins - Ilunga slides a neat pass in for Nolan who crosses deep. It's too
high for Collison, but Friend can only head behind for a corner. Collison
takes it quick, but the ball is volleyed clear.
7 mins - The second corner from Dumbuya is far too strong and bounces out
for a throw on the far side.
6 mins - Doncaster come back immediately. Nolan commits a foul but the
referee waves play-on. The cross comes in and O'Brien helps it behind. The
corner comes over and Tomkins and O'Brien scramble it behind for another
corner.
5 mins - GOAL! What a goal! Tomkins brings the ball out from the back and
finds Collison. He drops his shoulder, beats a man and clips an inch-perfect
ball over the Doncaster defence for Nolan, who stabs in the volley from no
more than eight yards. The ball billows into the roof of the net and the
away supporters explode into a barrage of noise.
4 mins - Doncaster put together their first passing move of the day as Spurr
gets forward down the left, but O'Brien makes a fine challenge and Nolan
brings the ball clear.
2 mins - Neil McDonald is already out on the edge of his technical area
urging his players forward. West Ham need to start fast here. They nearly do
as Taylor gets in behind his full-back. He pokes the ball towards Collison,
but the Welshman is offside.
1 min - West Ham threaten first, forcing goalkeeper Woods into a short
clearance. Piquionne tries to lob the ball over for Collison to chase, but
Friend ushers it back to Woods.
3pm - The two captains are tossing the coin in the centre circle and...
Doncaster will kick-off! There might not be 50,000 here, but the atmosphere
is jumping!
2.58pm - Here they come...
2.55pm - I don't know about, but I'm full of nervous excitement ahead of
today's game! This is a real chance for West Ham to pick up their first away
victory since winning at Blackpool in February. The sprinklers are on and
the PA announcer has read out the two teams. It won't be long until we
welcome the two teams on to the pitch...
2.50pm - The Hammers have jogged back to their dressing room, while
Doncaster are going through some last-minute shuttle runs. The Keepmoat
Stadium is far from full, which is a shame. It is a very tidy, modern ground
and the facilities are top-class.
2.35pm - Twenty-five minutes until kick-off and both squads are out on the
pitch for their pre-match warm-ups. West Ham have got a very strong side on
paper today and will be going for the three points that will get the season
well and truly up and running.
2.20pm - I should also mention that Pablo Barrera only arrived back from
international duty with Mexico on Friday and was therefore not considered
for selection today. West Ham, of course, travel to Watford on Tuesday
evening and he could well be involved at Vicarage Road.
2.15pm - So, just the one change to the starting lineup for the Hammers.
Doncaster, meanwhile, are in the midst of an early-season injury crisis
which has robbed manager Sean O'Driscoll of star striker Billy Sharp and
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Ryan Mason. It remains to be seen whether Rovers
can deal with the loss of two key attackers. For West Ham, Julien Faubert is
not yet ready to return from a hamstring injury suffered against Real
Zaragoza a fortnight ago, while John Carew and George McCartney are not yet
being considered for selection.
2.05pm - Sam Allardyce makes one change from the team that started last
Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Cardiff City, bringing Jack Collison in for Freddie
Sears.
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Ilunga (Stanislas 86),
Nolan, Parker, Noble, Collison (Sears 72), Taylor, Piquionne (Cole 63)
Subs not used: Boffin, Faye
Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Spurr, Oster, Friend, Bennett (Baxendale 76),
Brown, Coppinger, Gillett (Hird 83), Naylor, Dumbuya, Barnes (Keegan 76)
Subs not used: Sullivan, Radford
2pm - Mr Gold is down at the away end meeting the visiting fans. There are
more than 3,200 away supporters here today, which is quite a large
proportion of the total crowd. The atmosphere should certainly be good. Team
news should be in shortly...
1.35pm - Manager Sam Allardyce and his players have arrived safe and well at
the Keepmoat, happily signing autographs and posing for pictures on their
way into the ground.
1.15pm - The kit has been laid out and it is just a question of waiting for
the players to arrive at the Keepmoat Stadium. Chairman David Gold has been
into the Away Dresssing Room to talk to kit manager Pete Williams and
members of the backroom staff before the team arrive at approximately
1.30pm. The stage is set for what we all hope will be a successful afternoon
in Yorkshire.
Good afternoon and welcome to the Keepmoat Stadium for this afternoon's
first away npower Championship fixture of the 2011/12 season.
West Ham United will be eager to bounce back to winning ways after losing
1-0 to Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground six days ago. Doncaster will also
be keen to register their first league points of the season after going down
2-1 at newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Sean O'Driscoll's side did defeat Tranmere Rovers 3-0 in the Carling Cup
first round in mid-week, while of course West Ham's home tie against
Aldershot Town was postponed due to civil unrest in London. To purchase
tickets to the re-arranged tie on Wednesday 24 August, click here.
We have no such trouble here in South Yorkshire on what is West Ham's first
visit to Doncaster since 1 March 1958, when the Hammers won 2-1 on their way
to winning the Division Two title.
Team news-wise, West Ham are definitely without Gary O'Neil (ankle), while
recent arrivals John Carew and George McCartney are not yet considered fit
enough for selection. Julien Faubert (hamstring) missed the Cardiff defeat
but could return today.
For Doncaster, strikers Billy Sharp (ankle) and James Hayter (knee) could
both miss out, while the home side have a host of other injury concerns.
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Sam satisfied
WHUFC.com
The manager was delighted to see the team register their first three points
of the season
13.08.2011
Sam Allardyce hailed his players' professionalism in getting the npower
Championship campaign up and running with a 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers. A
sublime close-range volley from Kevin Nolan on just five minutes settled the
contest at the Keepmoat Stadium, although the win owed much to a dogged
defensive display. The home side were limited to one shot on goal, with
Winston Reid and the outstanding James Tomkins providing a strong shield in
front of Robert Green. Allardyce was delighted with the win but admitted his
team could have made it more comfortable, particularly if a second Nolan
effort had gone in before half-time. "We missed too many chances again to
just make it more comfortable for us but that aside everything else was very
good today," he said. "It was a lot like last Sunday [against Cardiff City].
Lots of good play, lots of chances but this time we got the result. We got
the all important clean-sheet and the goal early on. Of course it was a very
professional performance. "It was one we can build on and it will give the
lads a lot of confidence. We have talked all summer about the poor away form
at West Ham and we've started in a very positive manner away. Hopefully we
can continue to do that because we have got Watford away on Tuesday."
The manager was quick to hail the contribution of the terrific travelling
support that provided a third of the crowd on Saturday afternoon. "It was a
terrific result for the fans. There were more than 3,000 behind the goal and
they saw a very professional performance. They were superb."
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U18s win at Kingstonian
WHUFC.com
The Academy continue to score at will this summer with a fine away win in
Surrey on Saturday
13.08.2011
West Ham United continued their preparations for the start of the FA Premier
Academy League with a 4-0 win at Kingstonian on Saturday. Elliott Lee made
it four goals in two games and seven overall this summer with another double
while the other two goals came from Jack Powell. Lee had also scored twice
in the 5-1 win at Great Wakering Rovers last Wednesday. It was the perfect
warm-up for the Academy side before they get the season started properly
with the visit of Sheffield United to Little Heath next Saturday. Check out
next Sunday's matchday programme against Leeds United for a full report and
the thoughts of Tony Carr. Click here to subscribe today.
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Doncaster 0 - 1 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Kevin Nolan scored as West Ham United beat Doncaster to bounce back from
their opening-day defeat. Nolan's first goal for the club came in the form
of a back-post volley from Jack Collison's lofted diagonal pass. The
Hammers, with influential midfielder Scott Parker excelling at the heart of
a 4-5-1 formation, dominated in the first half. But they had to withstand
several nervous moments as they dug in for victory against an injury-hit
Rovers. Former Newcastle midfielder Nolan came close to doubling his tally
after 17 minutes when his first-time shot from 30 yards almost caught out
home goalkeeper Gary Woods. After their passing game was stifled in the
first half, Doncaster found more joy attacking down the wings after the
break but they could not breach the Hammers' defence. With time ticking down
the visitors thought they had won a penalty when George Friend challenged
Carlton Cole in the air. But referee Scott Mathieson's whistle was for
full-time.
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Doncaster Rovers 0 West Ham Utd 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are off the mark in this year's Championship campaign thanks to
Kevin Nolan's first goal for the club. Nolan struck after just five minutes
to score the only goal of the game at the Keepmoat Stadium and give Sam
Allardyce his first competitive win as Hammers boss. The goal came from what
was virtually West Ham's first attack of the game. A probing James Tomkins
run deep into Rovers territory ended with the ball played wide to Jack
Collison, making his first start since signing a new contract. The Welsh
international's drifted cross was perfect for captain Nolan, who despatched
the ball expertly on the volley to put the Hammers ahead. Although they
created a number of chances to extend their lead West Ham failed to make the
most of their brief periods of dominance. However Nolan couldn't have been
any closer to scoring his second of the day when his audacious 25-yard lob
caught 'keeper Woods off-guard but rebounded off the crossbar. Despite the
home side throwing everything but the kitchen sink at West Ham in the final
20 minutes Allardyce's side managed to hold on for that all-important win.
West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Ilunga (Stanislas 86),
Nolan, Parker, Noble, Collison (Sears 72), Taylor, Piquionne (Cole 63).
Subs not used: Boffin, Faye.
Goals: Nolan (5).
Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Spurr, Oster, Friend, Bennett (Baxendale 76),
Brown, Coppinger, Gillett (Hird 83), Naylor, Dumbuya, Barnes (Keegan 76).
Subs not used: Sullivan, Radford.
Referee: Mathieson.
Attendance: 11,344.
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Brady: Spurs discredited football
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 13th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady has hit out at Tottenham in the wake of the phone records
hacking scandal. Brady - whose weekly column in the Sun returned this week -
criticised the north London club who hired private investigators to obtain
personal details and phone records belonging to employees of West Ham United
and the OPLC. Speaking in here column, Brady stormed: "There have been
stories that the delay in confirming West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium
threatens to thwart the nation's bid to host the world athletics champions
there in 2017. "Spurs have taken their baton home on this. And I don't like
the way they are behaving. When a club reportedly stoops to employ private
detectives to dig dirt on another, they're discrediting the game and
themselves. "I've told police my phone has either been hacked or private
records acquired in what I'm sure will be a frustrated attempt to blacken my
name and West Ham's."
West Ham's vice chair also hit back at former Hammers striker Benni
McCarthy, who recently described Brady as 'the devil with tits'. "Nice of
him," retorted Brady, adding: "But Benni, I'm meant to have tits, you
aren't!"
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Allardyce hails Nolan heroics
Manager delighted with skipper; O'Driscoll slams Rovers display
Last Updated: August 13, 2011 7:19pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was full of praise for summer signing Kevin
Nolan after the midfielder's early goal decided a 1-0 win at Doncaster.
Nolan, who arrived at Upton Park from Newcastle last month, opened his
Hammers goalscoring account after just five minutes to clinch Allardyce's
first win in charge. The 56-year-old, who saw his side fall to a late 1-0
opening-day defeat against Cardiff last weekend, was left thanking the
captain after the Hammers had to hold on in the face of a late Rovers
onslaught.
Invaluable
Nolan guided Newcastle back to the top-flight at the first time of asking
two years ago, when he was a prolific goalscorer from midfield, and after
also hitting the crossbar Allardyce expects the 29-year-old's know-how will
prove invaluable many more times before the season's end. "He could have had
two goals today. He's got a good mentality Kevin and he knows what it takes
to get out of this division," said Allardyce. "We know it's got to be
quality with team spirit and he builds that in the dressing room. He talks
to players and demands things from players which helps me with my job."
Allardyce also found reason for cheer in his side's defensive display, after
they withstood Doncaster's second-half revival. The hosts enjoyed plenty of
possession and territory after the break but goalkeeper Robert Green only
had to make one save, from Simon Gillett, to preserve his clean sheet.
"Perhaps by that time we should have been more comfortable in terms of goals
scored - it makes you a little uncomfortable," said Allardyce, who cut an
increasingly agitated figure as the game wore on. "But I like the resilience
and determination of the players in that period."
Despite Doncaster's second-half rally manager Sean O'Driscoll blasted his
team, claiming he was "gobsmacked" by their performance. O'Driscoll fielded
an injury-depleted side without the likes of Billy Sharp, but he offered
that as no excuse for a defeat that extends their winless league run to 14
games stretching into last season.
Basics
"Too many people who think they can play in this division didn't do the
basics well," he said. "We said before the game it doesn't matter if you're
playing West Ham, Real Madrid or Barcelona we know the things we need to do
well and which are important. Today they weren't important to us. I'm
gobsmacked." He added: "We value things that had nothing to do with
resources, injuries. It's just can we do these things well. We didn't do
them. We did in the second half. "I'm not disappointed in playing poorly - I
can handle that. I am disappointed in not doing things they need to do."
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Spurs set to make final bid for West Ham star
Published 22:55 13/08/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will make one last bid for West Ham and
England star Scott Parker - and try to buy him this week. Redknapp has
looked around at options after being snubbed by the Hammers because of the
cost of the move and the bad blood between the clubs. However, the Spurs
chief keeps coming back to Parker and will make a final attempt to land him.
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Doncaster Rovers 0 West Ham 1: O'Driscoll 'gobsmacked' by Rovers defeat
Yorkshire Post
Published on Saturday 13 August 2011 19:24
KEVIN Nolan's early goal for West Ham United condemned Doncaster Rovers to a
second successive defeat, writes Ian Appleyard. Hammers captain Nolan
volleyed in after just five minutes when meeting a cross to the far post by
Jack Collinson. Nolan nearly scored again in the 18th minute but his chip
was tipped onto the crossbar by Rovers goalkeeper Gary Woods. Although
Rovers enjoyed considerable possession, they rarely threatened an equaliser
before halftime. Rovers improved after the break with James Coppinger
heading just inches wide during a lengthy spell of pressure. However, it was
a rare scare for the Hammers whose defensive organistaion and solidity
proved the key to victory. Sean O'Driscoll blasted his team, claiming he was
"gobsmacked" by their performance. O'Driscoll fielded an injury-depleted
side without the likes of Billy Sharp, but he offered that as no excuse for
a defeat that extends their winless league run to 14 games stretching into
last season. "Too many people who think they can play in this division
didn't do the basics well," he said. "We said before the game it doesn't
matter if you're playing West Ham, Real Madrid or Barcelona we know the
things we need to do well and which are important. Today they weren't
important to us. "I'm gobsmacked."
Doncaster Rovers: Woods; Dumbuya, Naylor, Friend, Spurr; Gillett; Coppinger,
Oster, Barnes, Bennett; Brown. Substitutes: Sullivan, Keegan, Baxendale,
Hird, Radford.
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Ilunga, O'Brien, Collison,
Noble, Parker, Nolan, Piquionne. Substitutes: Cole, Faye, Sears, Stanislas,
Boffin.
Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire)
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Doncaster 0 West Ham 1: New boy Nolan on target as Allardyce breaks out the
bubbly
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:21 PM on 13th August 2011
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce was blowing bubbles of joy as he celebrated his first victory
as West Ham boss. But there was a sense of relief at the final whistle after
the Hammers survived a late onslaught from the home side. Allardyce said:
'Doncaster threw everything at us towards the finish but I was well pleased
with the resilience of our defence. 'We did the good stuff in the first
half, and could have scored more, but the result showed we can dig in and
win games.' The West Ham manager could take a large slice of the credit for
the way his team outplayed the home side before the interval. Doncaster
might be one of the more unfashionable clubs in the Championship but they
play some of the best football in the division - when they are allowed. But
Allardyce's side ensured Rovers never had a chance to settle into their
slick passing style. They hassled and harried, with midfield stars Kevin
Nolan and Scott Parker rolling up their sleeves to lead the way. Last
season's Footballer of the Year played well but was outshone by former
Newcastle captain Nolan, who capped a fine performance with the
all-important goal. West Ham's harrying led to Rovers being forced into an
error at the back in the fifth minute and Jack Collison seized on the ball
to send over a deep cross which Nolan volleyed home superbly.
It proved enough for victory despite a spirited second half fightback that
almost earned Doncaster a point. James Coppinger was inches away from
scoring with a glancing header in the 76th minute after running on to a
splendid cross from roving full-back Mustapha Dumbuya.
Allardyce became more and more agitated in the closing stages but was
delighted to see his side hold on although goalkeeper Robert Green had to
make a fine save from Simon Gillett 12 minutes from time. Rovers did well in
the second half despite an horrendous list of injuries which meant nine
first-team players were ruled out. Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll was
disappointed with his team's first-half performance and said: 'We didn't do
the things we practice right and maybe showed them too much respect. 'We had
a lot of injuries but we can't make than an excuse. You can't afford to
switch off like that in this division.'
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