WHUFC.com
The manager is relishing the prospect of a managerial duel with Ian Holloway
this weekend
13.10.2011
Sam Allardyce had better news to report on the injury front as he looked
ahead to Blackpool after the recent blows of losing Robert Green and David
Bentley. While Green is due back in around a month and Bentley is out for
the season, the manager said Matt Taylor and Mark Noble could be in
contention to face Ian Holloway's men in the Kids for a Quid fixture on
Saturday. Naturally, questioning also centred on the Olympic Stadium and
Carlos Tevez, while there was also the chance to look ahead to a busy run of
games. After this weekend, the Hammers go to Southampton on Tuesday and then
Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday week. With all three opponents having made
solid starts, Allardyce knows that the coming days will tell him a lot about
his team's prospects.
What's the team news for Saturday?
SA: The international players John Carew and Henri Lansbury are back OK with
no injuries. We have to look at the fatigue levels. Henri played both games,
John only one but it was nice to see he scored as well. The rest of the
injuries are still very much recovering. Joey O'Brien has not joined in full
training yet, Matt Taylor and Mark Noble have and are ready to come back
into the squad. We have got a big week ahead of us. It is three games in
nine days with the Monday match so the bigger the squad availability, the
more flexibility we will have. I think we will have to use the squad in its
entirety over that period.
How is Robert Green progressing?
SA: He's doing well. The disappointment was David [Bentley]. That was a
massive disappointment for him and for us. We started to get him back into
the fold and enjoying his football and starting to get better and better
each time he appeared in the first team. That is a blow for us. We have
covered Robert's absence with Manny [Almunia] but we don't feel it
necessarily important to rush straight out and look for someone else to come
into the squad at the moment. I am happy with the squad as it is and I want
to use that squad to its full potential. Hopefully we can continue to win
football matches.
Is it likely to be six months for David?
SA: I think that is probably the minimum period. The only cure for it is
time and the itme being obviously considerable. It is unlikely he will play
for us again this season.
What is your view on the Olympic Stadium?
SA: For what little I know, we are still in the bidding and the essential
need for me and for West Ham Is a new stadium. I think it only enhances the
club's future and projects the club in a bigger and better light to become
bigger and better that it has been in its past history. It would give it an
opportunity to create a modern-day history. My comparison is in terms of
look at Arsenal in terms of their stadium. It is the thing to attract better
players to come and play for your club. The benefits are there of a great
arena. There is no doubting the history and tradition of Upton Park. At the
end of the day to progress we have to find a new arena and create a new way
forward for West Ham and hopefully a brighter future.
Are you looking forward to seeing Ian Holloway?
SA: I am looking forward to seeing Ian again. Obviously he has managed to
recover himself and his team from the disappointment they suffered last
year. Realistically they must have been disappointed that they went down
from the position they were in. They seemed to manage the situation well and
recover, bearing in mind that results they have got and the position in the
league as we have ourselves. The only difference between West Ham and
Blackpool as that we have a change of manager. I am sure he will be
determined to get back to the Premier League as he has had a taste of it.
That is certainly my ambition.
They have lots of experience including Kevin Phillips and new signing Lomana
LuaLua, don't they?
SA: Ian's experience over many years is not just about coaching but about
his knowledge on players that fall into his budget and then fit into his
team, and him getting the best out of them. He has certainly proved that
over his time at Blackpool. He has had many players leave and many players
come in and so it will be a very interesting game. I am looking forward to
it.
It is a big week, with Southampton and Brighton coming up away from home?
SA: All three games are. All three teams are in the top reaches of the gable
like ourselves, it is one where the players should relish it and look
forward to it. We can test ourselves in the space of nine days against teams
who are all in similar positions to where we are. So we are all very good
teams and proven to be so in the first ten games, we have to go out and try
to make sure we get the results we are looking for.
You expressed an interest in Carlos Tevez. Is there any possibility you
could get him?
SA: The answer is 'I don't know'. I suppose the situation from my point of
view is just if and when the decision is finaly made regarding what's
happening with Carlos at Manchester City, then perhaps the co-chairman David
Sullivan might want to pursue it. That would be with my blessing obviously.
He was the man who talked about it with me first and if we could get him
back here, based on what he did here last time and if he did love the club
as much as he did and if there was a possibility, then I think it is an
outside chance. We will wait and see.
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Montano switches to Swindon
WHUFC.com
In-form attacker Cristian Montano will further his development with a spell
at Swindon Town
13.10.2011
Cristian Montano is to spend the next month playing under Paolo Di Canio at
Swindon Town. The Colombia-born forward has just returned from a successful
spell at Notts County, scoring four goals in eleven appearances - just four
of them starts - for the Magpies. He earned rave reviews from manager Martin
Allen and helped the club climb into the League One Play-Off places. The
19-year-old returned to Chadwell Heath this week before going out on loan
again to League Two side Swindon on Thursday morning until 9 November. He
will link up with Hammers club-mate Ahmed Abdulla under Hammers great Di
Canio. Speaking to whufc.com, Montano said: "I'm very happy with what I've
achieved so far and obviously want to continue and get more first-team
games. It's first-team football that I want to be playing now because I've
tasted it. It's what I want to be doing and I want to carry on doing it.
"[The loan at County is] probably the best thing I've done in football. I
made my debut, played first-team football and scored some goals in League
One, which is obviously a good standard of football and only one division
below West Ham. Montano may have been with Notts County for just eight
weeks, but the teenager will always have fond memories of the opportunities
afforded him by the club. "I made my first-team debut against a Championship
team in Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup in front of 17,000 fans, which
was the highlight of my loan. "I told myself that I needed to forget about
my nerves and just get on the pitch and prove myself. I did well, but
unfortunately we lost on penalties."
The forward ended his loan spell with a last-minute goal in Sunday's 3-0
home win over Hartlepool United - a victory that lifted Notts County into
sixth place. Having impressed 'Mad Dog' and eager to do the same for Di
Canio, Montano is ultimately setting his sights on catching the eye of Sam
Allardyce. "Everything started in pre-season because I had a good pre-season
and the manager [Allardyce] gave me some minutes in the first team. "That
gave me confidence to go out at Notts County and do well. Getting goals was
a good thing and I helped the team climbed up the table as well. They have a
lot of talent in that team and could go on and get promotion. "Playing under
Martin Allen was crazy because he is mad! I enjoyed my experience - I'd have
obviously liked to have got more starts, but now I'm aiming to get them in
the future either at West Ham or somewhere else."
Callum McNaughton and Robert Hall have extended their respective loan stays
with League Two sides AFC Wimbledon and Oxford United until 9 November,
while Frank Nouble is to extend his stay at Gillingham after the weekend.
Dominic Vose has joined non-league side Braintree Town. Hall has scored
three goals in six games, while Lee and Nouble have both been on target
twice and McNaughton has helped the Dons - who joined the Football League
just this season - climb into the League Two promotion places. Three other
Academy graduates - Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Olly Lee (Dagenham &
Redbridge) and Jordan Brown (Aldershot Town) - are also out on loan.
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Hammers back Kick It Out
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce and West Ham United players at all levels support the latest
week of action
13.10.2011
West Ham United have marked the launch of Kick It Out's latest annual
anti-racism initiative across English football. The One Game, One Community
drive continues to go from strength to strength, and a special event took
place at Ford's Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME)
motor plant in Dagenham. Kevin Nolan is the latest Hammers ambassador,
following on from Kieron Dyer, Jack Collison and Carlton Cole in the
previous three seasons. The club have designated this Saturday's home match
with Blackpool as an official Kick It Out game, and the players will be
warming up in special T-Shirts promoting the cause. Other community
activities have been taking place this week, with Julien Faubert attending
an event at the club's Beckton training centre. West Ham manager Sam
Allardyce also led the way at a special photo-shoot held this week at the
club's Chadwell Heath training ground, with Academy players joining
first-team squad members to show their support. Big Sam said: "We are proud
to back Kick It Out at West Ham United. I know the players have been doing
their bit this week. "We talk about 'Kick It Out' in terms of racism and
prejudice in sport, but my message is to make sure we don't let it in to
begin with. Education is crucial and is always the way to counteract
ignorance. "With the high profile the game has, we can set the right example
for young and old but everyone in society must play their part. It is
important to spread positive messages in all we do."
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Swindon Town sign West Ham forward Montano on loan
Page last updated at 16:53 GMT, Thursday, 13 October 2011 17:53 UK
BBC.co.uk
Swindon Town have brought in West Ham forward Cristian Montano on a
one-month loan deal. The Colombian, 19, has recently had a successful spell
with Notts County, where he scored four goals in 11 games. He was recalled
by the Hammers last week to cover for injuries but has been sent out for a
second time in order to gain more first team experience. "I'm here now and I
want to show the fans what I'm capable of doing," Montano told BBC
Wiltshire. He continued: "On Friday I was told I was going to go back to
West Ham and see how it goes, but after training on Tuesday I got told that
Paolo [Di Canio, Swindon manager] had come in so I said I wanted to go there
and play football. "I'm grateful to them [Notts County], Martin Allen and
the fans - everyone made me feel so welcome. I made my competitive debut
against Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup which was the highlight of my
career so far. "I also scored my first league goal against Charlton as well
so I must say I'm really happy with what I've done so far. "I just want to
keep working hard and hopefully I can show the same here and bring something
different to the team."
Montano will be available to face Accrington on Saturday.
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Gillingham extend Frank Nouble's loan spell for a month
BBC.co.uk
Gillingham have extended West Ham striker Frank Nouble's loan spell for
another month. The 20-year-old was scheduled to return to Upton Park after
Saturday's game at Torquay, but he will now remain at Priestfield until 19
November. Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent: "Frank's deal
will be extended. We've agreed all that for another month - so that's good
news. "He expressed to everybody that he'd like to stay for another month."
Nouble has scored twice in five games for Gillingham, and has recently
switched from striker to play on the right wing. He will be available for
the next six League Two games - up to and including the trip to Aldershot.
The Hammers have not however given permission for him to play in the Gills'
FA Cup first round fixture. "He's enjoying it and that's great for us," said
Hessenthaler. "We've got options, whether we play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, we'll have
to wait and see. "But all of a sudden the squad's been decimated really, but
whatever team we put out on Saturday - it's still going to be a strong
team." Hessenthaler confirmed that top scorer Danny Kedwell will miss the
game at Torquay with a toe injury and Charlie Lee is also unlikely to
feature.
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Allardyce in the dark over Tevez
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is unaware of the situation regarding
Carlos Tevez's purported loan switch to West Ham. Big Sam takes his side
into this weekend's Championship encounter with Blackpool having suffered a
major blow this week having lost the services of David Bentley, who returned
to Tottenham after been diagnosed with a knee problem that will keep him out
of action for most of the season. However when questioned as to the
possibility of bringing Tevez in to fill the loan spot vacated by Bentley,
Allardyce revealed that the matter was entirely in the hands of the club's
board who have been negotiating with Manchester City.
"I suppose the situation from my point of view is just if and when the
decision is finaly made regarding what's happening with Carlos at Manchester
City," said the Hammers boss, when questioned about the possibility of
signing Tevez at today's pre-match press conference, "Then perhaps my
co-chairman David Sullivan might want to pursue it. "That would be with my
blessing, obviously. He [Sullivan] was the man who talked about it with me
first and if we could get him back here, based on what he did here last time
- and if he did love the club as much as he did, and if there was a
possibility - then I think it's an outside chance. "We will wait and see.''
Allardyce, who will be looking to his team to bounce back after a string of
disappointing results is set to welcome back Matt Taylor and Mark Noble to
his squad for Saturday's game. Definitely out however are Joey O'Brien and
Robert Green, meaning Manuel Almunia is set to make his home debut after
arriving from Arsenal last month on a short-term loan.
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Monty on the run
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
Cristian Montano could be set to join former Hammer Paolo Di Canio at
Swindon - less than a week after being recalled from a loan spell at Notts
County. The 19-year-old winger had proved to be a huge success under Martin
Allen - another former Hammer - at Meadow Lane prior to being recalled last
weekend, following County's 3-0 win over Hartlepool in which the Columbian
scored. It was generally accepted that Montano had returned to the Boleyn
Ground as cover for the injured David Bentley, who has returned to Tottenham
after learning that a knee injury will keep him out of action for around six
months. However that would appear not to be the case with news that Di Canio
is poised to take the in-form midfielder to the County Ground - and to a
division a tier below that in which Montano has so far impressed this
season, by scoring four goals in 11 outings. Speaking about Montano's input
during his short spell with Notts County, manager Allen said: "He has been a
model professional. Down to earth, humble and hard working. He's very
popular with the staff and players."
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SWINDON TOWN: Di Canio factor key for loan signing Montano
7:00am Friday 14th October 2011
By Gary Rose >
Gazette&Herald.co.uk
Cristian Montano has revealed that the chance to learn from childhood hero
Paolo Di Canio proved too good to turn down after the exciting forward
completed a one-month loan move from West Ham yesterday. The 19-year-old is
highly regarded at the Hammers and also received glowing reports from Notts
County boss Martin Allen following a successful loan spell at the League One
side earlier this season. Montano scored a fine goal in his final game for
the Magpies against Hartlepool on Sunday before returning to West Ham at the
request of Sam Allardyce, and he was expected to then challenge for a place
in the first team at Upton Park. But Di Canio, alerted by his potential
availability, contacted his former club on Tuesday and a deal was quickly
agreed for Montano to join the Robins, initially for one month And Montano,
who can play on either the left wing or as a second striker, feels he can
only become a better player by working with Di Canio. "I grew up watching
him and I knew of him before I joined West Ham when I was 12. "He is
obviously a legend there and hopefully I can learn from him here," he said.
"His career was really good and hopefully I can use what I know of him to
help me as well. "He was an attacking player, like me, so obviously I can
learn a lot from him and go back to West Ham and become a better player."
Montano scored four goals in 11 appearances at Notts County, with an
instinctive shot on the turn in a 3-1 win over the Bournemouth a personal
highlight. "Professionally that was the best goal I have scored so far and
hopefully there are more to come here at Swindon," he continued. "The one I
scored against Hartlepool at the weekend I would say was a good goal as
well. I just have to keep working hard and score some more good goals." Di
Canio was understandably delighted to have signed a player he had been
trailing since the start of the season - not least because he had managed to
keep news of his pursuit of the player largely under the radar. The Town
boss joked: "I am happy because for the first time you didn't write before
that I signed him! "I was watching his game for Notts County against
Hartlepool on Sunday and I saw him score a goal and I remembered why I
wanted to sign him two months ago, because he is a modern footballer that I
like. "He is left-footed, talented and has good physical presence and when I
saw him score the goal I said 'Mamma Mia why could I not get him before' and
that was not because my attackers are not good enough but because he is a
different option. "I heard the commentator say that it was his last game
there and that he was due to go back to West Ham. "I thought they wanted him
back because they wanted to keep him but I said to someone at the club on
Tuesday that we should try to sign him. "We did that and everything happened
in a short moment and I am very happy."
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Allardyce still wants Tevez
October 13, 2011
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels he still has an "outside chance'' of
bringing Carlos Tevez back to Upton Park.
ESPN
Tevez returned to training at Manchester City on Thursday following his
suspension for apparently refusing to go on as a substitute against Bayern
Munich a fortnight ago. The controversial striker's future at Eastlands
remains uncertain, while West Ham have already had an initial enquiry about
a possible loan move knocked back.
But Allardyce is monitoring the situation and has not given up hope of Tevez
returning to the club he originally joined in 2006 along with fellow
Argentinian Javier Mascherano. When asked if their was any possibility of
landing Tevez, Allardyce said: "The answer is I don't know. I suppose the
situation, from my point of view, is just if and when the decision is
finally made regarding what's happening with Carlos at Manchester City, then
perhaps my co-chairman David Sullivan might want to pursue it. "That would
be with my blessing, obviously. [Sullivan] was the man who talked about it
with me first and if we could get him back here, based on what he did here
last time and if he did love the club as much as he did, and if it was a
possibility, then I think it's an outside chance. We'll wait and see.''
Tevez was a huge favourite during his one season at West Ham, scoring seven
goals including the strike which kept them up at Manchester United on the
final day of the campaign.
He was named the club's player of the year and the first time he returned to
Upton Park as a United player, he saluted the crowd by crossing his arms in
a 'Hammers' gesture. Allardyce has also confirmed Tottenham loanee David
Bentley is unlikely to play for West Ham again this season after he
underwent knee surgery.
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