WHUFC.com
The manager has faced the press before Saturday's trip to Hull City and a
hoped-for return to winning ways
04.11.2011
Sam Allardyce was determined West Ham United would push for the points at
Hull City on Saturday after the midweek frustration at home. The Hammers
enjoyed one of their best performances of the season against Bristol City on
Tuesday but could not make their vast superiority count in front of goal.
Undeterred, Big Sam believed the team would enjoy better fortune at the KC
Stadium if they could match that level next time out.
The stats from the Bristol City game certainly backed the manager's words.
Technical statistics West Ham United Bristol City
Time in possession % 60% 40%
Passes in play (Success %) 513 (82%) 287 (73%)
Forward passes (Success %) 200 (69%) 103 (52%)
Final third entries 158 63
Penalty area entries 66 21
Shots (on target) 23 (8) 15 (5)
Crosses in play 34 4
Aerial challenges won % 51% 49%
Ground challenges won % 63% 37%
What surprised you most about Tuesday's game when you reviewed it?
SA: Not scoring three or four goals! That is the most disappointing and
frustrating thing for everybody. There is no one more frustrated than
ourselves. We know we dominated the game for such long periods of time and
created so many chances. We come off on a nil-nil basis rather than winning
comfortably. Sometimes that happens.
The league is very competitive isn't it?
SA: I sat and looked the results the day after we played and was shocked
when I saw Leeds 0 Blackpool 5. Then I saw Derby 0 Cardiff 3. That is how
amazing this
league is. It is very difficult to predict what results are going to be. All
I am pleased about after the frustration of only getting one point was the
performance of the team. The threat of the team was constant and I think
that the review certainly went along with my opinion that it was the most
sustained pressure we have put any team under this season, and the most
chances we have created in any one game. Unfortunately for us it wasn't to
be on the night. we were only left with a point. If we can emulate that
performance at Hull City, I am sure we will score.
The back to back games against Leicester City and Brighton mirrored each
other in terms of consistency of performance. Do you feel you are getting
there now?
SA: Based on the difficult position we find ourselves in with the constant
changing of the side because of the injuries that we have, the performances
have been excellent. Players are stepping up to the mark who haven't played
on a regular basis. They are going in the side and reproducing good
performances along with good results. We are second in the league and we are
wanting to not get too far away from Southampton.
How do you cope with the expectation on the team?
SA: We are under pressure constantly because we are expected to be where we
are and probably better. We will live with that. We don't want to disappoint
anyone on the season. That is what comes with being manager of West Ham
United.
Were you surprised that Hull lost at Barnsley on Tuesday after their good
run under Nigel Pearson?
SA: There are many surprises. It was a surprise that Nigel lost because they
have got as good an away record as home. I am looking forward to seeing
Nigel who I worked with closely for a short time at Newcastle. He has done a
really good job in difficult circumstances after the financial problems that
Hull City have had. We look forward to seeing him. If we can get to the
performance levels we showed on Tuesday and at Brighton, where we were
resilient and our tactics were superb. We took one of only three chances in
that game but couldn't take one of ten on Tuesday.
How is the squad looking?
SA: My real concern is still the injury problems. John Carew [knee] is
getting a little better, Winston [Reid] will be out for a while with his
dislocated shoulder. That leaves us short of numbers. Joey O'Brien was
feeling his hamstring on Tuesday but we'd made our three substitutions and
he couldn't come off. That is a little bit of a worry, the injury list. We
will finalise the team on Friday and get off to Hull and see if we can
continue our magnificent away results.
Do you think Hull will challenge this year?
SA: I don't' see why not. There will be this period where we are all finding
out about each other and then it will be the Christmas period and whose
squad can stand up the best. You come out the back end of the Christmas
period into January and can strengthen your squad in the short window that
we have got, then see where you go from there. A number of sides are going
to be there or thereabouts right to the very last game. Probably everything
won't get decided til then, both who is going to get promoted automatically
and who will get in the Play-Offs.
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Captain's Blog - Poppy pride
WHUFC.com
The skipper will lead the team's commemoration this weekend of those who
serve their country
04.11.2011
Our game at Hull City this weekend will see us wearing special shirts with
poppies on as part of our support for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Both myself and the Hull City captain will be walking our teams out on to
the pitch with a wreath from each side to show a mark of respect before
Remembrance Sunday. It is important we support such causes and initiatives
like this. We should not only remember those who fought in wars gone by but
also think of those men and women who are currently on active duty around
the world. It also helps raise money to enable the legion to do what they
can for the families of these soldiers who put their lives on the line for
all of us. For myself and all the lads, we are very proud to be wearing
poppies on our shirts and I am sure you, our fans, and those of Hull City,
will also be wearing their poppies with pride. Back to the pitch, we will be
looking to get three points on Saturday after the frustration we had against
Bristol City on Tuesday. It will be another hard fought match in which we
will have to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in if we want to boss the
game and get the right result. We will be doing our best to achieve that. It
goes without saying that the noise you make at away matches is fantastic and
once again, we will need that support behind us as we look to build on the
four points gained in the last two home matches. Let's hope we can also
follow up the great win we had at Brighton in our last match on the road.
Thanks for your support.
Kevin Nolan
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'It's a great experience for the boys'
WHUFC.com
U18s coach Nick Haycock says the club's scholars are being given every
opportunity to develop
04.11.2011
West Ham United's Academy scholars are being given every opportunity to
become complete footballers, according to Under-18s coach Nick Haycock. The
club's youngsters not only train full-time at Little Heath, but are also
taking part in weekly sessions with Sam Allardyce's first-team squad. As
well as their regular FA Premier Academy League fixtures, a number of
scholars are also regulars in Ian Hendon's development squad, while Rob Hall
was included in the first-team squad for Tuesday's npower Championship visit
of Bristol City. Speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Premier Academy League
visit of Chelsea to Little Heath, Haycock is hopeful the positive
experiences his players are enjoying will help the Hammers to bounce back
from defeats by Charlton Athletic and Fulham in their previous two matches.
"With the last two results, from day one we didn't get carried away when we
made a flying start to the season when we won five in a row and equally
we're not too despondent now," said Haycock. "In terms of their progress at
the football club, the gaffer and Neil McDonald have been superb with the
boys. They have been training with the first team and some have been
selected for first-team games and helping in that way. "It's a great
experience for the boys to be promoted to being in the first-team squad and
is a great fillip for them. The relationship between myself, Hendo and Macca
is really good and that can only benefit the players. "In terms of Chelsea
on Saturday, the boys have trained well this week and are in good spirits
and I'm expecting a more intense performance than we produced against Fulham
and Charlton. "We dropped off a little bit in those games but I think that
is because one or two of the first-year scholars have got a bit tired of
late but with the week we've had this week, I'm expecting a good performance
against Chelsea."
Haycock said the club's supporters could also play a part in inspiring the
Under-18s to producing a positive performance and result on Saturday. With
admission and parking free at Little Heath and the first team away at Hull
City, the coach urged the fans to turn out in numbers for the 11am kick-off.
"The boys thrive when they are playing in front of a crowd and we tend to
get a good turnout against Chelsea with it being a London derby. "Like last
week against Fulham, I'm expecting a good game of football. The result
didn't go our way last week but it wasn't for the want of trying. If we'd
have scored at the right time, the scoreline would have been very different
and would have been a fairer reflection of the game. "This week, the two
teams will go out and play good football. Chelsea have a 4-3-3 formation
like us and I'm looking for us to control possession, regardless of the
result, because that will give me an indication that they are taking on
board what we have told them in the pre-season and are making strides
towards being complete players."
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Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the essential background information ahead of Saturday's trip to the KC
Stadium
04.11.2011
HULL CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 3PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Hull City for their 16th npower Championship
fixture of 2011/12 seeking their fifth away league victory in eight
attempts. The Hammers have previously beaten Doncaster Rovers (1-0), Watford
(4-0), Nottingham Forest (4-1) and Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0), drawn with
Millwall (0-0) and Crystal Palace (2-2) and lost at Southampton (0-1).
• West Ham United are supporting the 2011 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
A wreath will be presented during a pre-match ceremony on the pitch at the
KC Stadium. Also, the Hammers will be wearing special shirts embroidered
with a poppy motif which will be auctioned at a later date.
• Humberside Police have confirmed that no tickets will be available on the
day and anyone attending the match without a ticket will be refused entry to
the KC Stadium.
• Supporters are reminded that it is an offence to try and take fireworks
into a football match. To ensure no fireworks enter the ground stewards and
police will be be extra vigillant and will be searching fans prior to entry.
Anyone caught for trying to take fireworks into the stadium will be arrested
and prosecuted.
• The Hammers know a victory over the Tigers would keep them second in the
table and could reduce the gap between themselves and leaders Southampton to
two points. The Saints travel to 22nd-placed Coventry City on Saturday.
• Should the Hammers win at the KC Stadium, they would match the number of
league wins (nine) achieved in the whole of the 2010/11 season and surpass
the eight recorded in 2009/10.
• West Ham United have not won on any of their previous six visits to Hull
City dating back to a 1-0 Division Two victory at Boothferry Park on 13
September 1954. John Bond scored the Hammers' goal that afternoon.
• Hull City go into the weekend sixth in the npower Championship table,
having risen back into the Play-Off places on goal difference courtesy of
Derby County's 3-0 home defeat by Cardiff City on Wednesday.
• The Tigers' 2-1 defeat at Barnsley on Tuesday evening was their first
defeat in ten league matches.
• West Ham United and Hull City have both conceded 13 league goals in so far
this term, giving them the joint third-best defensive records in the npower
Championship behind Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, who have both conceded
12 times. Hull, however, have played 14 league matches to West Ham's 15.
Team news
West Ham United
• Jack Collison could be back in contention after being rested for Tuesday's
goalless draw with Bristol City.
• Winston Reid will be out of action for at least a month after dislocating
his shoulder during Tuesday's match. Abdoulaye Faye is set to replace the
New Zealand international.
• John Carew is struggling to be fit for the trip to the KC Stadium after
suffering a knee injury at the training ground last Sunday.
• Guy Demel is still being treated for a hamstring injury that has delayed
his debut.
• Matt Taylor (calf) is hoping to be back after the international break.
Henri Lansbury is definitely out for several weeks with a knee injury, while
Gary O'Neil (ankle) is out with long-term ankle injury.
• Pablo Barrera and Jordan Spence are on season-long loans at Real Zaragoza
and Bristol City respectively. Ahmed Abdulla and Cristian Montano (Swindon
Town), Herita Ilunga (Doncaster Rovers), Olly Lee (Dagenham & Redbridge),
Callum McNaughton (AFC Wimbledon), Frank Nouble (Gillingham), and Dominic
Vose (Braintree) are all out on temporary loans.
Hull City
• Goalkeeper Adriano Basso has been struggling with tendonitis in his knee
and was replaced during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Barnsley by on-loan
Liverpool stopper Peter Gulacsi.
• On-loan Leicester City forward Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Austria
Under-20 winger Martin Pusic (groin) and veteran former England attacker
Nick Barmby (calf) are all struggling to be fit for Saturday's game.
• England Under-20 winger Cameron Stewart (knee) has definitely been ruled
out.
• Tigers manager Nigel Pearson has allowed a number of fringe and younger
players to go out on loan, including Jay Simpson (Millwall), Jamie Devitt
(Bradford City), Kevin Kilbane (Derby County), Will Atkinson (Plymouth
Argyle), Liam Cooper (Huddersfield Town), Mark Cullen (Bury), Kamel Ghilas
(Stade de Reims) and Conor Townsend (Grimsby Town).
Last time out
Tuesday 1 November 2011
npower Championship
West Ham United 0-0 Bristol City
West Ham United: Green, Reid (Faye 7), McCartney, Tomkins, O'Brien, Faubert,
Nolan, Noble, Baldock (Cole 68), Sears (Diop 76), Piquionne
Subs not used: Kurucz, Hall
Tuesday 1 November 2011
npower Championship
Barnsley 2-1 Hull City
Hull City: Basso (Gulacsi 66), Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, McKenna,
Evans (Cairney 76), Koren, Mclean, Fryatt, Brady (Adebola 57)
Subs not used: McShane, Harper
Goals: Fryatt 79
Last six meetings
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
6 October 1990 West Ham United 7-1 Hull City (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 15 D 14 L 10
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 Football League and Carling Cup
fixtures this season, showing 46 yellow cards and two red cards.
• Miller has yet to officiate at a West Ham United or Hull City fixture this
season. However, he has refereed six previous Tigers matches, the most
recent being a 1-1 Championship draw at Leicester City on 16 October 2010.
He has never taken charge of a Hammers game.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Barry Gordon and Michael Salisbury, while the
fourth official will be Alf Greenwood.
Us and them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Bristol City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy
Carroll, Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart
Pearson, Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• The largest crowd to witness a Hull City versus West Ham United fixture is
the 35,964 who turned out at Boothferry Park to watch the Tigers defeat the
Hammers 1-0 in Division Two on 25 August 1952.
• West Ham United have recorded four victories in 20 visits to Hull City in
all competitions and have never won by more than a one-goal margin on Tigers
territory. The Hammers have won 3-2 twice at Hull - in the FA Cup first
round in January 1923 and in Division Two in March 1936.
• Hull City's biggest-ever home win over West Ham United took place on 17
September 1934, when the Tigers ran out 4-0 Division Two winners at Anlaby
Road in front of a crowd of just 5,000.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.
Up next
• West Ham United will be on the road again after the international break,
travelling to Coventry City for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 19 November. Hull
City go to Derby County on the same day.
General information
• Humberside Police have confirmed that no tickets will be available on the
day and anyone attending the match without a ticket will be refused entry to
the KC Stadium.
• Saturday's weather forecast is for light rain and a daytime high
temperature of 12C (54F).
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Joey targets Hull clean sheet
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien is hoping for another strong defensive display when the Hammers
visit the KC Stadium
04.11.2011
A third clean sheet in four npower Championship matches is the order of the
day when West Ham United travel to Hull City on Saturday. Right-back Joey
O'Brien has helped the Hammers to blank both Brighton & Hove Albion and
Bristol City in recent weeks, while the Irishman was also part of the back
four that kept leaders Southampton at bay at St Mary's, bar one set-play.
The Republic of Ireland international knows Sam Allardyce's side will have
to remain strong and retain concentration if they are to continue their
impressive defensive record at the KC Stadium, where Hull are on a
four-match winning run. "It was a disappointing night on Tuesday," O'Brien
told West Ham TV. "We had plenty of chances, plenty of crosses and corners
and all we did was not score. It was disappointing in that way, but we did
keep a clean sheet so we move on to Saturday. "On a night like Tuesday, if
we'd got one we'd have gone on and got another couple because we had plenty
of chances to get the win. Hopefully we can go to Hull on Saturday and put
in a performance away from home and get the three points. "We can definitely
win at Hull because they're a good team and their manager has had them for a
while and they're playing good stuff. It'll be a hard place for us to go,
but hopefully we can get the win."
Looking forward to future home matches, O'Brien said the Hammers would have
to find a way to break down teams - like Bristol City - determined to defend
for the whole 90 minutes at the Boleyn Ground. "A lot of teams have started
to do it when we're at home, especially after we've scored plenty of goals
in the last few games. We've just got to find a way to get in behind them,
carve them up and put the ball in the net."
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Hammers to remember
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will rightly recognise the Royal British Legion's campaign
at Hull on Saturday
04.11.2011
West Ham United will continue their recognition of the 2011 Poppy Appeal
with Saturday's match at Hull City. A special wreath was presented by the
East Ham branch of the Royal British Legion at Tuesday night's game with
Bristol City and that will travel with the squad to the weekend fixture at
the KC Stadium. Hull are expecting their biggest home crowd of the season
and have invited crew members from HMS Iron Duke to the 3pm kick-off. They
will form a guard of honour, along with cadets from the Air Training Corps
152 (City of Hull) Squadron, as the players enter the pitch before
delivering the matchball to the centre-circle. Both sides will be wearing
shirts featuring a poppy motif, and these will be signed and auctioned at a
later date. Hammer striker Carlton Cole said the Poppy Appeal was close to
the hearts of everyone at West Ham United. "It is important to remember
those who are fighting for our country right now and for those who fought in
past wars. "Wearing a poppy at this time of year is something we can all do
to show we are thinking of them and are thankful for what they have done for
us. The Royal British Legion does a lot of valuable work and need our
support."
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Hull v West Ham
Page last updated at 11:45 GMT, Friday, 4 November 2011
BBC.co.uk
Npower Championship
Venue: KC Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage:
Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and
BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
Hull are still without Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) and will assess striker
Aaron Mclean (calf) and goalkeeper Adriano Basso (knee) ahead of the game.
Basso was taken off during the midweek defeat against Barnsley and his
injury could mean a first start since August for Peter Gulacsi.
West Ham are still without a number of key players. Winston Reid, John
Carew, Matt Taylor, David Bentley and Henri Lansbury are among those
currently sidelined.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Hull have a 25% winning return against West Ham, having prevailed in
nine of their 36 league meetings. The Hammers have won 13, with 14 drawn.
• This is their first clash since both were in the Premier League in
2009/10. West Ham scored three goals in each of the last two meetings.
• The London club have only recorded three league wins on Hull turf.
The most recent of those was 1-0 in September 1954, at this same level.
Hull City
• Hull's 2-1 defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday ended their nine-match
unbeaten sequence.
• Nigel Pearson's side are challenging for a fifth successive home
league win, which was last achieved on New Year's Day 2005.
• The Tigers have scored 14 league goals, fewer than any Championship
club outside of the relegation zone.
West Ham United
• West Ham retained their top two placing, despite being held to a
goalless draw on Tuesday by a lowly Bristol City side under new management.
• Sam Allardyce's side are yet to beat a top seven club.
• The Hammers need to score three times to total 2,000 league goals
away from home.
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Montano on the rocks
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th November 2011
By: Staff Writer
Cristian Montano could be on his way back to West Ham after falling foul of
Paolo Di Canio. Montano, currently on loan at Swindon has been told by Town
manager Di Canio that he will not be considered for this weekend's match
with Port Vale due to a lack of application in training. And with the young
Columbian's loan spell set to expire next weekend, it looks almost certain
that Montano - who celebrates his 20th birthday next month - will be
returning to West Ham. Speaking to BBC Wiltshire, Di Canio said: "I don't
know if he feels part of Swindon Town. He didn't prove this to me in the
past week. "Since the first day I saw quality and I was very happy. I said
this is the player that I want because I want quality. But I want to be sure
about many other things. [Other players] showed me straight away that after
one week that they wanted to stay. "By example, in training sessions, every
moment they are asking me something - it's even in their body language. His
[Montano's] body language proved to me that he didn't want to stay. So I
don't know. "I have to tell you now that Saturday I won't play him - this is
for sure, " added the former Hammers striker. "But you never know; if he
came to me and said 'this is my way to train I want to stay' then maybe I
can understand. I'm happy he was here and in 10 days time it will be a
decision we will make."
Meanwhile Montano has responded to the furore by posting the following
message on Twitter. "People have tried put me down b4, but I'm still
standing...#stayingpositive .. Hope y'all have a good day!! Never let any1
put u down."
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Lomas back in work
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd November 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Steve Lomas had been appointed as manager of Scottish club St
Johnstone. Lomas, who played for West Ham for eight years between 1997 and
2005 and briefly managed the reserve team earlier this year was named as
replacement for Derek McInnes (whose new club, Bristol City, held West Ham
to a goalless draw earlier this week) by the SPL side this morning. It is an
appointment - his first full mangerial role - the likeable Irishman believes
is the ideal way to begin his new career. Speaking in an interview with St
Johnstone's website, he said: "I had a couple of opportunities in the summer
but I just didn't think they were right for me. But the St Johnstone job
just feels like the right fit. "I like the passion, honesty and commitment
of Scottish players – all values I feel I have myself and that were part of
my game when I played. Those are some of the values I want to instill in my
team. "I've chatted to [former managers] Owen Coyle and Derek McInnes about
the club and they have spoken highly of the whole set up. They have told me
it has the same values as I have. Loyalty is important [to me]; I gave eight
and a half years to Manchester City and West Ham United. "Even when I was
playing I was thinking about going into management but I haven't just waited
for something to land in my lap. I've done my coaching badges and enjoyed my
time at St Neots, with the youths at Norwich City and as reserve team
manager at West Ham."
Lomas' spell as manager of West Ham's reserve team came to an abrupt end
after just four months when the club were relegated from the Premier League
in May of this year. The reserve team was subsequently disbanded (as a
result of having no league to play in this season) and replaced by the
development squad, which is currently overseen by Ian Hendon who arrived at
West Ham a month after Lomas' departure. KUMB.com would like to wish Steve
all the very best in his new role.
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Hull City v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th November 2011
By: Preview Percy
When we popped over to see Preview Percy he was in the gardens of his rest
home putting the finishing touches to an effigy of Mike Dean to throw on a
bonfire. The strange thing is he didn't actually realise it was Guy Fawkes'
Night this weekend. Here's the mad one's look at this weekend's visit to
Hull City. As ever John Northcutt pops in at the end with some statistics...
Our next jaunt sees us traipse up the A1(M) and M62 to visit Kingston Upon
Hull where, unsurprisingly, our hosts will be Hull City. 3pm kick-off which
is, of course, just as it should be.
Our opponents are nicely tucked in at the moment in 6th place with 24 points
from their 14 matches thus far this season. That's 4 points and places
behind us, though they do have a game in hand. Their latest outing saw them
surprisingly go down 2-1 at Barnsley, missing a penalty in a defeat that was
their first reverse in the league since 20 August. It's not a bad position
to be in considering that they lost three of their first four league matches
and also went down 2-0 at home to Macclesfield in the League Cup. In the
League, at home their six matches this season have produced four wins
(against Reading, Portsmouth, Cardiff & Watford) and two defeats (to
Blackpool and Palace).
Nigel Pearson is the man at the helm. He's been there for just under 18
months, taking over from ex-Hammer Iain Dowie, who was in charge for the
last few months of 2009/10 after Phil Brown had been placed on "gardening
leave". Pearson came in from Leicester City so may have dodged a bullet if
recent weeks there are anything to go by.
The big pre-season news on the personnel front was the departure of
ex-Hammer Jimmy Bullard who was, not to put too fine a point on it, sacked.
It was no secret that the Tigers had been concerned about the player's
salary, based as it was on levels of largesse that may have looked good in
the Premiership but were less appealing to the club after relegation.
Alleged events during and following a pre-season trip to Slovenia saw the
club seize the opportunity to lighten the burden and off Bullard went to
Ipswich.
In goal their first choice this season has been Adriano Basso, a Brazilian
who spent most of his time in England at Bristol City. After 5 years at
Ashton Gate he signed a short-term deal at Wolves that kept him there from
January until the end of the season though he failed to make a league
appearance. After the expiry of his Molineux contract in May he decided that
he liked the colours so much he would sign for Hull. He is there on a one
year deal with the club having the option to extend if all goes well. It's a
strange thing with Brazil and goalkeepers. For all the great players they've
produced over the years, they've never been that great between the sticks.
Those of us old enough to remember the 1970 Brazil World Cup side will go
all misty-eyed at the thought of Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho and the like, but
will cough embarrassedly and look at our feet at the mention of Felix the
'keeper.
Sorry off on one of my senior moments there for a bit. Basso was replaced in
midweek after just over an hour by the Hungarian-born Peter Gulacsi, who is
on loan from Liverpool. Basso has a knee problem according to the Hull Daily
Mail, a paper that regularly carries a series of front page headlines
complaining about the influx of jobseekers from the West Riding of Yorkshire
and the effect that they have on house prices. I expect.
There's a Hammer's connection in defence where Liam Rosenior plies his trade
at right back. Liam is, of course the son of Leroy who spent four years with
us in the late 80's/early 90's and wore boots made of gold if the song is to
be believed. Rosenior junior has had spells at Bristol City, Fulham, Torquay
(loan), Reading and Ipswich (loan) before signing a short term deal with the
Tigers just over a year ago. The change in club ownership in January enabled
Hull to offer a more conventional two and a half year deal. He managed to
pick up a few England U21 caps whilst he was of age and played in the 2007
European U21 Championships in which England lost a penalty shootout 13-12 to
the Dutch. Rosenior scored his, for the record.
Andy Dawson is the club skipper. He's the brother of Spurs' Michael but he
would probably not thank us for bringing that up. So we won't. Another
brother, Kevin, plays for Chesterfield which is infinitely less embarrassing
for him. Dawson (A) is one of the players that had played in all four
divisions for the club. He's another one to have successfully done the
Soccer AM Crossbar Challenge, which, nice as it is, is scant consolation for
seeing a sibling depart for N17. He's not played a major part in proceedings
this term, managing just three league starts before a knee injury in
training put paid to any thoughts of an extended run in the side.
Also in defence they have Jack Hobbs who, for you youngsters out there, was
one of the greatest opening batsmen in history. Hobbs was the second
cricketer (after Sir Don Bradman) to receive a knighthood but had a quiet
time of it after passing away in 1963. He resurfaced in 2004/05 at Lincoln
City, impressing Liverpool enough while he was there for them to shell out
£750,000 for the player. He spent some time on loan at Scunthorpe and then
Leicester, with whom he won promotion from the 3rd Division in 2008/08. His
loan deal was made permanent soon after and he remained with the Foxes until
this February. However, the player found it difficult to break into the
first team with Sven preferring to splash the Thai owners' cash on new
defenders rather than select long-deceased cricketing legends in his back
four. Hobbs moved to the KC Stadium on loan in search of first team action
and the deal was made permanent in the summer. Though Hobbs' defensive
partnership with former Man Utd youngster James Chester is well regarded by
the Hull faithful, I'm afraid that it'll have to go some to beat the one he
had during 1924-30 with Herbert Sutcliffe, a pairing which most of us regard
as the greatest opening partnership of all time.
In midfield they have Paul McKenna. A former DJ, he spends now spends his
time giving seminars on neuro-linguistic programming and, of course
hypnosis. He played against us for Preston in the 2005 play-off final, you
may remember it was his free-kick that Stephen Bywater had to save after
Jimmy Walker had gone off injured and the little "near spill" was followed
by a collective sigh of relief matched only by the one we all gave out last
week when we found out El Haj Diouf was on his way to Doncaster. McKenna
signed for Hull in the summer having had a couple of years at Forest and,
should he play on Saturday it's probable that none of us will remember a
thing about it. Those of you who smoke however will probably have given up
by ten to five.
Of course no look at the Hull midfield could pass without mention of Nicky
Barmby, and this is it.
Up front is another Leicester asylum seeker (the Hull Daily Mail must be set
to explode) in the form of Matt "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt arrived during the
January transfer window, the negotiations conveniently being completed just
after the two clubs met each other on New Year's Day. His was the penalty
miss that contributed to the defeat to Barnsley in midweek.
Fryatt was partnered by Aaron McLean in midweek. McLean is a Dagenham boy
who has a spell with Grays Athletic on his CV, as well as 5 caps for the
England C team that surprised us by existing a few weeks ago when we were
looking at Brighton. He's the brother of some popular singer whose songs can
probably be heard spewing out from some youth's mobile telephone on a bus
near you, unless you clump the offender over the head with your walking
stick. Apparently. McLean picked up a calf injury in the Barnsley match and
faces a late fitness test.
They could also have Martyn Waghorn, currently on loan from Leicester,
available up front depending on how a hamstring problem reacts, as well as
Dele Adebola, the veteran Nigerian who seems to have played for everyone in
the league, except Leicester.
So what about us? The loss of Winston Reid is a definite blow. The
combination of the step down a level plus a manager willing to give him a
run in the side has done wonders for his form and confidence and he's
definitely been on the "most improved" list this season. Central defence is
one area where we were short of cover to begin with – even before the
current spate of injuries. We're now down to Tomkins and Faye as recognised
first team centre-halves – and Faye has been nursing a hamstring for a
couple of weeks now. All of which means that the manager has been
desperately scouring the "loan" pages of football's version of Exchange &
Mart.
Elsewhere, as Carlton Cole returns to fitness he has passed his knee problem
on to John Carew, though the Norwegian has apparently been fit enough to
train. Lansbury is out for weeks yet, Taylor is a couple of weeks away,
Demel? Who knows? Throw in Bentley – who we may never see again – and this
is an injury list of major proportions. I note from Tuesday's programme that
the players have been using cryotherapy chambers to recover from matches.
Sitting in a cold room at minus 184 (fahrenheit – none of your metric here
thank you) for three minutes is supposed to aid post-match recovery.
However, knowing our luck the door will stick and we'll become the first
team to lose players through indoor hypothermia or frostbite.
Tuesday was majorly disappointing for a number of reasons. It was
depressingly reminiscent of those days of 2003/04 and 2004/05 teams came to
the Boleyn with eleven behind the ball and we lacked the nous and
intelligence to break them down. We lacked the width which might have helped
– too often Sears and Faubert were to be found inside just at the point when
Nolan or Noble might have wanted to play the ball out into the space on the
wings.
Also disappointing (in my opinion) was the manager's reaction to the result
which, with his habitual use of statistics, sought to prove that we had
played Bristol City off the park and that only desperate defending had kept
us from running up a cricket score of Hobbsian proportions. In fact Mr
Allardyce went as far as to use the word "outstanding" to describe the
performance. It was anything but and, to be honest, I found the implication
that anyone who thought we'd struggled didn't have a clue what they were
talking about slightly patronising – and I get enough of that here at the
Avram Grant Home For The Bewildered without having to read that sort of
thing in my morning paper thank you. Since stats seem to be in vogue at
present here's a number to chew on: 1 – the number of real saves that David
James had to make on Tuesday night.
Things will, of course, be different this weekend. As the home side Hull
will obviously be on the front foot which, if the manager's comments this
week are to be a guide, will lead to us sitting back and defending in depth.
Anyone see the irony here?
Prediction? Well "respect the point" has been the buzz-phrase all week,
though the manager did think a win wouldn't be out of the question. That may
be the case but my gut feeling is that we'll pick up a draw from this one –
2-2 then for me, which, as ever, means that that is the one score it cannot
possibly be.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: The last time we visited the KC Stadium in November 2009
the result was a bizarre 3-3 draw,inspired in part by the usual dire
performance from ref Mark Clattenburg. Franco and Collison gave us a 2-0
lead before two from Bullard – with assists from Clattenburg – and one from
Zayatte saw them go into the interval with a 3-2 lead. Da Costa restored
parity in the second half. We won the return in February 2010 as an inspired
performance from Julien Faubert gave us a 3-0 win. Behrami and Cole were
also on the scoresheet.
Referee: Nigel Miller – another first time for us ref. None too popular
about the Championship if you happen to google his name.
Danger Man: Matt Fryatt – top scorer with 4 goals and will be wanting to put
the costly midweek penalty miss behind him.
Daft fact of the week: The Ye Olde White Harte pub in Hull is said to be the
place where the English Civil War started, when officials meeting there
banned King Charles I from the City. It seemed a rather pointless exercise –
a bit like banning someone from Chernobyl – especially since professional
football in the city was nearly 300 years away leaving little reason to go
there in the first place. However, umbrage was taken by Charles and it all
ended in tears, having a spaniel named after him being little consolation
for having his head removed from his body.
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Bad boys: sent off
Billy Bonds H 1970-71 (LC)
David Kelly A 1989-90
They played for both
Jimmy Bullard, Stuart Pearson, Dennis Burnett
John Dowen, Robbie Stockdale, Stephen Bywater,
Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Matt Smailes, Nobby Solano,Alf Fenwick, Tony
Weldon, Mark Noble, Alan Taylor.
Away Friendlies
March 1967 4-1 Hurst 3 Sissons
May 1973 3-5 MacDougall 3
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Hull v West Ham preview
Last updated: 4th November 2011
SSN
Team news for Saturday afternoon's Championship clash between Hull and West
Ham at the KC Stadium. Hull goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi could make his first
appearance since August against the Hammers. Current number one Adriano
Basso was forced out of the midweek defeat at Barnsleydue to tendonitis in
his knee and is a major doubt for the weekend, so Gulacsi, on loan from
Liverpool, could start his first game since the defeat at Leeds on August
16. Manager Nigel Pearson has no other new injury or suspension worries,
while injured trio Martyn Waghorn, Martin Pusic and Nick Barmby are battling
to prove their fitness. Striker Waghorn (hamstring), winger Pusic (groin)
and player/coach Barmby (calf) have not been ruled out of playing some part
and will be monitored. Another winger, long-term absentee Cameron Stewart
(knee ligaments), will not be included in Pearson's squad, but is closing in
on his first appearance of the season after completing 40 minutes for the
reserves this week. The Tigers will be looking to bounce back after losing
their first game in 10 at Barnsley on Tuesday night. West Ham will be
without Winston Reid when they head to Hull. The New Zealand defender
suffered a dislocated shoulder during the early stages of Tuesday night's
goalless draw against Bristol City and will be out for at least a month, so
Abdoulaye Faye will partner James Tomkins at centre-half. Striker John Carew
also looks set to miss out, having visited a specialist this week to assess
a knee problem. The duo join David Bentley, Henri Lansbury (both knee), Gary
O'Neil (ankle), Matt Taylor (calf) and Guy Demel (hamstring) on the casualty
list. Midfielder Taylor and right-back Demel are on the mend but are more
likely to be held back until after the international break.
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Livermore stay cost Spurs
Redknapp paid more for Parker in order to keep promising midfielder
By Chris Burton. Last Updated: November 2, 2011 4:15pm
SSN
Harry Redknapp has revealed that Tottenham paid an inflated fee for Scott
Parker in order to keep Jake Livermore at White Hart Lane. Spurs snapped up
England international Parker over the summer following a protracted chase.
It was expected that Livermore would head in the opposite direction, with
the Hammers keen to cover the loss of an influential midfielder. Redknapp
was reluctant to part with the 21-year-old though, even on loan, and admits
Tottenham upped their offer for Parker in order to push a deal through. "I
like Jake. He's a fantastic boy and he's an established player now,"
Redknapp told London 24 of a player who has already made 12 appearances this
season. "West Ham wanted to take him and, in the end, he didn't want to go
anyway. It didn't happen and I'm pleased to have him here because he's
important for us.
Future
"He'll play in midfield and do a job anywhere for you. I think he has a good
future. "We paid more money for Scott in the end rather than throw Jake in
as part of the deal." Livermore is expected to line up for Spurs in
Thursday's Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan with Redknapp - who will be
absent from the game after undergoing a minor heart operation - confirming
that a number of youngsters will be given another opportunity to impress.
"We've played some of the younger kids in Europe and they've come in and
done well - people like young Tom Carroll, Andros Townsend, Jake Livermore
and Harry Kane," he said. "They've all had a go at it and they've all
acquitted themselves well. "We'll keep doing the same thing. I'll play those
lads and one or two who are coming back to fitness, so they'll come out and
play for us in Russia on Thursday."
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Karren Brady's football diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
The Sun
Saturday, Oct 29
REF Chris Sarginson wins the Spoilsport of the Week Award. His worship of
the rulebook overcame any generous instincts when he booked 15-year-old
Jordan Ibe for celebrating with his family seconds after scoring on his full
debut for Wycombe. If I'd been Jordan's mum, I'd have whacked the ref with
my handbag. The ref then booked Chairboys skipper Gareth Ainsworth for
coming out in Ibe's favour and again to make it red after the break.
Sarginson could start World War Three.
Sunday, Oct 30
PROTESTS coming thick and fast from the Black Country after Liverpool's Luis
Suarez fell in the area to win a penalty against West Brom. Word in the
Premier League is that the Uruguayan would tumble spectacularly at a kiss on
the cheek. I'm making no judgment. Some players go down more competently
than others but there are few who don't try it on at some time or another.
One who didn't, I'm pretty sure, was Andy Johnson, who at Birmingham
unjustly gained a reputation as a 'diver', so we should be careful with
labels.
Monday, Oct 31
NOT a great day. A lunch date with Lord Sugar and his eight-year-old
grandson rebounds with a thunk. His grandson tells me how great he is at
football, so I invite him along for a trial at the West Ham academy. "Hmm,
West Ham," he says, "No thanks." I presume this is because he's a Spurs
supporter. "No," he replies. "It's because West Ham are nothing without
Scott Parker." Lord Sugar looks satisfied. Things get even more depressing.
That evening, my father breaks off from watching Spurs win at Stoke to catch
me on Young Apprentice. "You're looking very fat in the face," he says. I
console myself with a cream cake!
Tuesday, Nov 1
SORRY being the hardest word, Carlos Tevez may have trouble expressing it in
Spanish, never mind broken English. It is generally accepted now that the
Man City striker didn't refuse to come on as a substitute against Bayern
Munich but to warm up again. This sounds like something the diplomatic corps
have dreamt up.
However, it seems that an apology from Tevez will satisfy his manager
Roberto Mancini and the Argentinian will regain his status as a player
rather than a training-ground untouchable. Cynical, I know, but he will also
recover his resale value. Yes, it appears the owners buckled after all.
Saints fly again tonight at St Mary's while West Ham draw and the
top-of-the-Championship gap is five points.
Wednesday, Nov 2
WHEN Stoke want players, the name of the game is that 'only real men should
apply'. Today, 36 hours after being run over by Newcastle's Demba Ba, they
fly out to Tel Aviv for their Europa Cup match tomorrow. The current playing
schedule isn't fair on Stoke — nor on clubs who are looking for them to be
100 per cent fresh for every Premier League match, what with relegation
strugglers Bolton coming next on Sunday. OK, Potters manager Tony Pulis may
pull off the trick this time but I'll predict heavy winter pitches will be a
challenge for his real men and I don't care if they are all strong enough to
throw a cannonball over the crossbar. As for Birmingham City's programme of
fixtures, I tremble. Blues boss Chris Hughton should be handed all the gold
in the Jewellery Quarter if his team is promoted.
Thursday, Nov 4
WE'RE less than three months into the season and already the strain is
telling — on knees, calves, hamstrings, quads, shoulders, groins, even a
fractured finger. You name the usual suspect injury areas and West Ham have
got the full set, many of them medium or long-term. I'm looking down the
list and feel slightly depressed. I suspect that more than any other
division, the grind takes its toll in the Championship. It's at times like
these that a manager earns his salary. For Saturday at Hull, Sam has to mix
and fix and keep the team competitive. I know he will.
Friday, Nov 4
A PREMIER LEAGUE director calls me. He says he has been dating a beautiful
girl who lives in a luxury flat fairly near his home. She likes his chats
about famous footballers' love lives and has been forthcoming on everything
— apart from what she does for a living. You can imagine what he was
thinking: Escort? Porn star?
This week she confessed. She's an accountant with a big City company. "Why
didn't you tell me that from the start?" he asked. She replied: "I didn't
want you to be going out with me just for my status." She should be more
concerned about his status. He's married.
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Green ready for England return - Allardyce
Published 22:00 04/11/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham keeper Robert Green is ready to win back
his place for England in the forthcoming friendlies against Spain and
Sweden. Green is still dogged by his blunder against USA at the World Cup in
South Africa, when he somehow allowed a tame Clint Dempsey shot to slip
through his hands and into the net. But the Hammers keeper has refused to
buckle under pressure and has maintained good form at club level. Green is
now fit again after knee surgery and Allardyce, whose side face Hull on
Saturday, insists he is still one of the best keepers in the country.
"England will see a different Robert Green," he said. "The mental side of
recovering from the injury is that he feels so much better. "Instead of
coming back wary, he's come back better than he went in. He's right back at
his highest level." Allardyce also has no doubts Tottenham boss Harry
Redknapp will bounce back from his heart operation after undergoing similar
surgery himself two years ago. He added: "It's good to see he's up walking
about back at home and I'm sure he will have a quick recovery."
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The Paolo Di Canio Column: Fond memories of the FA Cup
7:00am Saturday 5th November 2011
Swindonadvertiser.co.uk
By Paolo Di Canio »
As a player I had a few good memories with West Ham in the FA Cup. We beat
Manchester United, winning 1-0 and I scored the goal to send us through in
front of thousands of our fans who had travelled there. That same season we
went through and defeated Sunderland and got through to the quarter-finals,
where we lost 3-2 to Tottenham. It was a strange game, full of passion but
we did not play well. To lose a London derby at home was obviously a bad
result but it was good to get through to the quarter-finals for West Ham. I
never regret that I never played for a team that did reach the final of the
FA Cup because I decided to play in a team for who it would be difficult to
get to the final easily, but it was for that reason that the hope to reach
the final with this team (West Ham) would feel even more special if we did
it. There are no regrets but obviously I am disappointed that as a
footballer I did not have the chance to play in a final. The tradition,
expectation and the chance to play at Wembley is the dream of every player
who plays in England. The tournament is famous around the world and everyone
knows what it means for English fans.
Obviously as a manager I hope I can do something special. Huddersfield are
one of the top two sides in League One and I am happy for this, even though
lots of people will say we were unlucky to draw this team. I will say we are
lucky though because it does not mean anything to go through to the next
round beating Cirencester away – with all respect to Cirencester. You have
to play against one of the top sides eventually and the fact we can play
Huddersfield at home, in front of our fans, is a big opportunity to improve
and do something special. To think about this in an intelligent way, if you
play Swindon Supermarine away and lose then you do not have an opportunity
to play against a top side. Therefore playing against a strong side is the
best way for us to do something special. Huddersfield play good football,
they are unbeaten in 41 games and maybe we will be the first to beat them,
so I am very happy.
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