WHUFC.com
The club has clarified the situation with regard to press reports this
morning
19.09.2011
West Ham United would like to clarify the club has no plans to rename the
Olympic Stadium as the Ann Summers Stadium. A story reported in two
newspapers this morning [Monday 19 September] came about as a result of a
light-hearted comment made by a supporter at a fans forum held by
Joint-Chairman David Gold last week. There are no discussions taking place
in this regard as part of the club's proposals for the Olympic Stadium.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kids for a fiver on Saturday
WHUFC.com
Youngsters will be able to pay just five pounds if they want to see the
Hammers next home outing
19.09.2011
Peterborough United are the next visitors to the Boleyn Ground this coming
Saturday and kids can get in for just a fiver. The match is sure to be one
to savour, with the Hammers riding high and going well in the npower
Championship. Sam Allardyce's men will welcome Posh to east London on a high
after making it six games unbeaten at the weekend.
Big Sam is contemplating giving first home starts to the likes of Papa Bouba
Diop, David Bentley and Sam Baldock as he eyes the first of two home matches
in quick succession. Ipswich Town are the visitors the following Tuesday and
six points from six would be a major boost in the club's push for promotion.
The ticket office has already reported brisk trade for the 3pm kick-off
against Darren Ferguson's men. With a capacity crowd at the previous home
match against Portsmouth, bigger than that seen the same day at
Everton-Villa, fans wanting to come along are advised to move fast.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Frank off to dream start
WHUFC.com
One of several loanees out and about in the Football League, Frank Nouble
started well at Gillingham
19.09.2011
Frank Nouble is already relishing life at Gillingham after a powerhouse
performance and a goal in the biggest away win in their Football League
history. The West Ham United striker, still only 19, joined the Gills on
Friday and was thrown straight in to the deep end with their trip to
Hereford United on Saturday. It took Nouble just 18 minutes to fire in the
first goal of what would be a tremendous 6-1 triumph - showing good control
before beating a man and shooting past the keeper. "I'm happy with the
goal," Nouble told the Gills' official club website. "I would have taken a
goal with my nose or anything but that was a good one. I think the goal
illustrated a bit of what I can hopefully bring to the side in the month
that I'm here and whether that can be extended or not, we'll see. "I only
had one session with the team and to be honest I've settled in really well.
The boys have taken to me well so I'm happy. Hopefully I can add some more
goals because that what I'm paid to do."
Nouble has always impressed in loan spells away from the Boleyn Ground and
found the target previously for Swansea City and Charlton Athletic. The
teenager is still well regarded in east London and has been a regular in Ian
Hendon's development squad. His next Football League experience could come
in Saturday's visit of Burton Albion.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Having excited with his work off the bench, David Bentley may be in line for
his first start
19.09.2011
Sam Allardyce is banking on David Bentley to prove hugely influential to the
Hammers push for promotion after another encouraging cameo from the new No8.
The midfielder could have won a gritty London derby on Saturday after
finding himself barely ten yards from goal - only to put a rebounded Julien
Faubert drive just wide of the post. The 27-year-old had his head in his
hands after that as the Millwall match finished goalless but his manager was
in no doubt Bentley will become a driving force in the West Ham United
midfield in the months to come. "He has got quality and everyone is looking
for quality at any level of football of course," said the manager, who sent
Bentley on in a wide left role with half-an-hour to play and promptly saw
that allow George McCartney to push on down the flank and Millwall facing an
entirely different threat. "We got into some great positions but
unfortunately didn't finish them of but he made a difference when he came
on. "We bought him here to resurrect his career and produce the kind of form
I used to watch him produce at Blackburn Rovers which got him the big move
he was looking for. "He was a £15m player three years ago so you can't lose
your quality but what you can lose is your confidence and when you lose your
confidence, no one sees the quality any more. But it is still there. So we
will give him the confidence and give him some TLC and hopefully bring the
best out of him again. The best in this division should be outstanding."
Allardyce said he was relishing working with a model professional on the
practice pitches. "He is fitter than I expected him to be. He is naturally
fit. He hasn't played a lot of pre-season games but in training he looks up
for it. He doesn't look anything other than 100 per cent committed in
training."
It is in first-team action where Bentley has to prove his worth and the
manager could well hand him a first start in the Kids for a Fiver contest
with Peterborough United this Saturday. He is prepared to give the England
international the licence to join the strikers and do his best to cause
havoc in opposing penalty areas.
"If anything sometimes he needs to play forward more. When he goes forward
he opens a lot of things up for us that perhaps other players can't do. I am
going to encourage him to get at that man, beat him and continue to drive
forward rather than maybe check back and check inside or go sideways. I want
to keep him as far up the field as I can."
Bentley has already said he would be open to a permanent switch after his
year-long stay from Tottenham Hotspur is up, provided he is wanted, and his
manager will give him every help to impress. "David wasn't playing and
needed to take an opportunity with us to get back into first-team football.
We have introduced him a couple of times from the bench and when he gets the
chance to start he has got to keep the shirt when he gets the chance."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Legends special on Saturday
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold and old friend Barry Fry will meet supporters this
Saturday
19.09.2011
Legends Lounge guests will get an exclusive treat as this Saturday's visit
of Peterborough United will feature a special audience with David Gold and
Barry Fry. The Joint-Chairman will be joined by his friend and Peterborough
director of football Fry in the atmospheric corporate hospitality lounge
within the heart of the main Alpari Stand ahead of the 3pm kick-off. They
will regale fans with a few stories as well as be bidding for bragging
rights as both teams look for three points in a major npower Championship
encounter. The Hammers are on a roll after going six games unbeaten and the
likes of David Bentley and Sam Baldock are pushing hard for their first
starts in West Ham shirts in what looks a entertaining match in prospect
against the Posh. As well as the entertainment laid on, Legends Lounge
guests will also get to savour Shepherd's pie and enjoy great seating for
just £49 plus VAT.
The Legends Lounge is proving the place to be on a matchday at the Boleyn,
with skipper Kevin Nolan having been a star guest at the last home match
against Portsmouth. With ex-players also regularly on hand and always
something going on, why not try it for yourself this coming weekend and make
matchday that extra bit special.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'You have got to enjoy games like that'
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan relished Saturday's match at Millwall but believes the Hammers
should have won
19.09.2011
Kevin Nolan wore a broad smile on his face as he was welcomed to The Den by
Millwall's supporters on Saturday morning. That smile was still there
following West Ham United's goalless npower Championship draw with the
Lions, but the captain admitted it would have been even broader had the
Hammers taken all three points back across the River Thames. Nolan was among
a number of West Ham players to miss good chances to win the game for their
side, planting a diving header straight at home goalkeeper David Forde.
Henri Lansbury, Julien Faubert, Carlton Cole and, most notably, David
Bentley also went close to beating the former West Ham trainee as Sam
Allardyce's team were forced to settle for a point. However, given the
challenging atmosphere and a determined display from the home side, the No4
conceded that a draw and a clean sheet were far from being a disastrous
return.
"I think you have got to enjoy games like that," he told West Ham TV. "The
boys did all their preparation and as players, you want to be coming to
places like this and play in games like that. "The only disappointment was
that we didn't win the game and get the three points, but we got a point. We
probably bossed it throughout the game and I thought they rarely troubled
us. "We gave 110 per cent all the way through the game and it was just a
shame we couldn't collect the three points by putting away one of the
glorious chances we created and won it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dear John...
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th September 2011
By: Staff Writer
KUMB.com are delighted to welcome reknowned Hammers historian John Northcutt
to the team. Northcutt, who has been following West Ham United since his
first visit to the Boleyn Ground in 1959 joins KUMB.com to answer any
questions our readers may have relating to the club's history. John's
knowledge of West Ham United is extensive, having written an incredible
eleven books on the club. He penned his first book - 'West Ham United: A
Complete Record' - almost 25 years ago, back in 1987. Subsequent works
included 'The Definitive West Ham United FC' (2003), 'Hammers Trivia,
History, Facts & Stats' (2007) and most recently, 'West Ham United in the
League Cup' (2011), which is available in club shops now.
One of a select few who can legitimately claim to have seen every game, both
home and away, of the successful 1963/64 FA Cup and the 1964/65 Cup Winners
Cup campaigns - both of which culminated in legendary triumphs under
Wembley's twin towers - Northcutt's knowledge of the club is second-to-none.
Want to know the club's best sequence of wins? Ask John. Details of specific
line-ups from any time in the last 100 years? Ask John. Want to know who's
been sent off more times than any other player? You get the hint.
All you have to do is complete the enquiry form - which may be found either
here or via 'WHUFC'-'Ask The Expert' from our main menu at the top of the
page - and John will reply to you personally by email.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Bentley lets 'em have it, but Allardyce wants to see more
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, September 19, 2011
1:12 PM
Despite missing a sitter, David Bentley impressed Hammers boss Sam Allardyce
on Saturday at Millwall. David Bentley has never been a prolific scorer
despite being an attacking player who was the first to score a Premier
League hat-trick against mighty Manchester United. His tally of 30 goals in
nearly 250 appearances means he hits the target every eight or so matches,
but when the ball fell to his feet barely eight yards out on Saturday at
Millwall, most would have expected the ball to hit the net.
There were just 14 minutes to go in this absorbing London derby showdown
when Julien Faubert blasted a low shot goalwards and keeper David Forde
could only parry it into the path of the man on loan from Spurs. He was
under pressure from a defender and he had only been on for 15 minutes, but
when Bentley's moment of glory arrived, he fluffed his lines and could only
send his shot wide of the post. Bentley had surprisingly replaced Matt
Taylor on the left side of midfield, but he had given West Ham some fresh
attacking impetus and manager Sam Allardyce was delighted with his
contribution, despite that miss. "I think his confidence has picked up,"
said the manager after Saturday's 0-0 draw. "He is looking for the ball all
the time and he started to give us more attacking options down the left hand
side when he came on, freeing up some space for George McCartney. "He
delivered a great cross into the box for Kevin Nolan where there was a
brilliant piece of defending and then obviously he got into the box for the
chance to score a goal, so I am very pleased."
It was Allardyce when he was Blackburn manager who helped Bentley to the
heights of performance that earned him a big-money move to Tottenham in the
summer of 2008 and the boss is hoping that he can inspire the player to the
same sort of performances in his time at Upton Park. "We are hoping to
resurrect his career and produce the sort of form I used to him watch him do
at Blackburn Rovers which got him the big move that he was looking for – he
was a £15million player three years ago," said Allardyce. Things have gone
rapidly downhill since that move to White Hart Lane. He started just 50
games in three years in north London and was even shipped out to Birmingham
City for an unsuccessful loan spell last term. "You can't lose your quality,
but what you can lose is your confidence and when you do that, nobody sees
the quality anymore," explained Allardyce, who is clearly a big fan of the
winger. "It is still there, so we will give him the confidence, some tlc and
hopefully we will bring the best out of him again, because his best in this
division should and will be outstanding."
Bentley certainly had his moments in the half hour he played on Saturday. If
you ignore that miss, he did get into the box, beat his man and one pull
back for Nolan would surely have resulted in a goal had the Millwall defence
not tracked back superbly to deny the West Ham captain. Allardyce wants to
see more of that attacking from Bentley. "I'm encouraging him to get at his
man, beat him and continue to drive forward rather than check back, cut
inside and go sideways," said the boss. "I want to keep him as far up the
field as possible because when we get him in the final third as we saw
today, he can be dangerous."
Bentley arrived at Upton Park without having played for Spurs this term, but
the manager is pleased with what he has seen from it. "He's fitter than I
expected him to be, naturally fit I think," said Allardyce. "He hasn't
played a lot of pre-season games, but in training he looks up for it, he's
not anything other than 100 per cent committed in training."
Allardyce is a man manager. He knows that Bentley is low on confidence and
it is his job to inspire the player back to his former heights. If anyone
can do it then the West Ham manager can. "When you are forgotten at a
football club then you can become depressed as a footballer and you forget
what it is like to experience the joys of waking up on a Saturday morning
and being selected to play," he said. "Life for footballers is about being
excited about picked for the first team, irrespective of what some people
say that they are just happy to pick their money up, they're not, they want
to play. "David wasn't playing and needed to take an opportunity with us to
get back into first team football. We've introduced him a couple of times
from the bench now and when he gets his chance to start then he has got to
keep his shirt when he gets that chance."
After Saturday's display, despite that miss, his first start is not likely
to be far away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hessenthaler lauds Nouble debut
Monday 19th September 2011 12:48
TeamTalk
Manager Andy Hessenthaler praised Frank Nouble after the striker bagged a
debut goal in Gillingham's 6-1 rout of Hereford. The 19-year-old frontman
only completed a one-month switch on Thursday afternoon but wasted little
time making a name for himself, scoring Gills' 19th-minute opener at Edgar
Street. Nouble received plenty of plaudits from Hessenthaler, who is looking
forward to a bright strike partnership between him and Danny Kedwell.
"People have been saying we should be signing a proven goalscorer but that
would cost an absolute fortune," said the Gills boss. "Frank is young and
has come in and done fantastically well so I'm delighted for the lad. He has
given us another option up front with Danny Kedwell and they hit it off
straight away. "He's strong, quick and is fantastic with the ball at his
feet and is a great addition to the squad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham defender could be out for three matches
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, September 19, 2011
1:04 PM
Hammers centre half James Tomkins is likely to have to spend some time on
the treatment table after limping off during Saturday's 0-0 draw at
Millwall. West Ham's James Tomkins looks like facing a couple of weeks on
the sidelines after limping out of Saturday's clash with Millwall after just
30 minutes. The central defender has arguably been the best Hammers player
this season, but he was clearly struggling almost from the start on Saturday
at the Den, before being forced off on the half hour to be replaced by
Winston Reid. "He has got a groin strain," said manager Sam Allardyce
afterwards. "We've got a big week coming up next week with three games and
he could miss all three."
That could mean that Tomkins will have to sit out the home games with
Peterborough United and Ipswich Town as well as the trip to Crystal Palace
on October 1.
Allardyce had already rung the changes in defence by replacing Reid with
Abdoulaye Faye and he was delighted with the way he played. "It was great to
see Abdoulaye Faye start his first game and complete it," he said. "he is a
very experienced, calming influence. "He was one of the reasons we got a
clean sheet because James Tomkins and Winston Reid can get a bit caught up
in the atmosphere of a derby and get a little bit anxious whereas nothing
fazes Abdoulaye."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bentley needs TLC - Allardyce
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce says David Bentley needs a bit of TLC
to get his career back on track.
Football365
Last Updated: 19/09/11 at 12:11 Post Comment
West Ham's on-loan Tottenham winger has made two lively appearances from the
bench since arriving on transfer deadline day, and could have made himself
an instant hero on Saturday but missed a gilt-edged chance to snatch victory
at fierce London rivals Millwall when he fired wide from six yards. But
Hammers boss Allardyce has seen enough to convince him the 27-year-old
former England international can be a hit at Upton Park. "We brought him
here to resurrect his career and produce the kind of form I used to watch
him produce for Blackburn which got him the big move he was looking for,"
said Allardyce. "He was a £15million player three years ago so you can't
lose your quality but what you can lose is your confidence and when you lose
that, no-one sees your quality anymore. But it is still there. "So we will
give him the confidence and give him some TLC and hopefully bring the best
out of him again. His best in this division should be outstanding."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Content Allardyce not planning loan move for Manchester City reject Bridge
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:49 AM on 19th September 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has ruled out making a loan move for Manchester
City's out-of-favour defender Wayne Bridge. Roberto Mancini is not averse to
the idea of sending the 31-year-old down to the Championship until the end
of the season, having already left the former England international out of
his 25-man Premier League squad. But Allardyce insisted he is happy with his
current squad and will be making no moves to sign Bridge, who spent time on
loan at Upton Park last season. Allardyce said: 'We are full up now. 'We
have filled our squad with all the players we need for the time being and we
have a squad that is good and has strength in depth.' Bridge was linked with
moves to Newcastle and Celtic before the transfer window closed. 'I think
that it is better for him if we can find a good solution in the
Championship,' said Mancini earlier this month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
