WHUFC.com
The manager looks forward to Tuesday's npower Championship fixture at the
Riverside Stadium
28.11.2011
Sam Allardyce believes his West Ham United side have every chance of
inflicting Middlesbrough's first home npower Championship defeat of the
season on Tuesday.
The Hammers travelled to the North East on Monday afternoon ahead of a
fixture that, should they win, could see them go top of the table. Big Sam
revealed to West Ham TV that, despite the absence of the injured Sam Baldock
and John Carew, he and his squad are full of confidence as they look to make
it six league games unbeaten. "I think our form at the moment tells us that
we have a lot of confidence," said the manager, who revealed Baldock had
undergone a scan on his.injured hamstring on Monday. "The only couple of
small issues we have at the moment is the recovery of players and I think
that is a big question for myself - who to risk, when to risk them and
whether it be from the bench or from the start. "Unfortunately we picked up
the injury to Sam [against Derby County on Saturday] and an injury to John
in training on Sunday, sadly. That limits our numbers a little bit. We've
only travelled with 17 including young Dan Potts, so you can see how short
of numbers we are again. "We're generally full of confidence because our
away form has been brilliant, but we face a very tough game against
Middlesbrough. Saying that, they have conceded a lot of winning positions
where they have drawn. "Their problem is far too many draws at home, which
tells us that they're not quite as good at home as people think they are.
While they have played very well, they have left a few gaps for the
opposition to capitalise on. "On Saturday, they went ahead twice against
Blackpool but allowed them to pull it back to 2-2. From our point of view,
we know we've got a real good chance if we play to our best, which is what
you always have to do when you play away from home - especially at
Middlesbrough."
Looking back to Saturday's victory over the Rams, Allardyce pointed out that
suggestions of West Ham struggling for form and results at home were well
wide of the mark. The Hammers have the fourth-best home record in the npower
Championship, having won five and drawn two of their nine league matches at
the Boleyn Ground. "I think people are suggesting that all the time -
particularly the media lads - because our away form is better than our home
form. "After the early season slip-ups when we were all getting to know each
other - I was getting to know the players and we weren't so sure about
ourselves and one or two of results suffered - and we're over that now.
"We're in our best spell of form in the last six games and we want to
continue that on Tuesday and, at least, be undefeated when we come off the
field."
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Faye's midweek mission
WHUFC.com
Abdoulaye Faye has vowed to help the Hammers to end their Tuesday hoodoo at
Middlesbrough
28.11.2011
Whether it be improving a previously horrific away record, stopping a
troublesome run of conceding last-gasp goals or coming from behind to win,
West Ham United have overcome plenty of obstacles this season. The next
hurdle in the Hammers' way as they continue the race to gain promotion is a
Tuesday night date at fourth-place Middlesbrough - a night of the week on
which Big Sam's side have won just one of their four npower Championship
fixtures so far this season. Abdoulaye Faye, who has been outstanding in
West Ham's recent six-match unbeaten run, is confident that the Hammers can
improve that record at the Riverside Stadium. "It's very good because
everybody is now playing very well and playing with confidence," he told
West Ham TV immediately after Saturday's game. There were too many early
games where it was not easy and we used to have little problems every time
we played at home, but on Saturday we kept the ball and had confidence. "I
hope we'll play like that every home game from now on - we have to - and
everybody will be happy."The next game against Middlesbrough will be very
tough. "The next game against Middlesbrough will be very tough. They are
very close to us in the table and we have to be strong every time when we
play away. I have confidence we'll win this game and we can look forward.
"It's not easy physically to play Saturday and then again on Tuesday. In the
Premier League you play every Saturday and have time to get over it. I think
the Championship is harder than the Premier League. "There are lots of young
players who are very, very fit and run everywhere. You don't see so many
experienced players. I think it's hard, but we have to keep strong and win
this game. "When we are winning on a Saturday and a Tuesday night I think
we'll be flying. We have to be strong and look forward because the
Championship is not easy."
West Ham's fine away form this season - six wins and just one defeat in nine
matches and just five goals conceded - has been based on a fine defensive
record.
With Winston Reid sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, Faye and partner
James Tomkins have proved to be an outstanding tandem, and the Senegal
international has enjoyed playing alongside his much-younger colleague. "He
is a very good young English player. He is strong mentally and I think he is
a very good defender. I like both Tonks and Reidy. They are both good young
defenders. "I think Tonks can go to the top. He is 22-years-old and has more
time. "I'm very happy with my form and being here. I'm fit now and I don't
have the problem I had with my groin that I had before. I look fit and I'm
happy."
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Sam remembers Gary Speed
WHUFc.com
With many at Chadwell Heath mourning the loss of Gary Speed, the manager has
given his tribute
28.11.2011
The manager has given his personal tribute to close friend Gary Speed after
he passed away on Sunday
I would first like to start with a word for Louise and the boys, his
parents, family, close friends. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with
them at this moment in time. They are the ones left behind. It is a very
difficult time for them and they will need support to cope with this huge
shock. Gary Speed, the footballer, was someone held in the highest regard
because of his outstanding career over many, many years holding the record
number of Premier League outfieldappearances until it was broken by his good
friend Ryan Giggs.
For me to talk about him is as a man and a human being. That is the most
important thing. He joined me at Bolton Wanderers in what some would say was
the twilight of his career but he gave the club so much in what was a hugely
successful period. Often when you sign an older professional, they might
question new methods such as taking on fluids, nutrition, ice baths,
cryotherapy, recovery periods and yoga. Gary would have a go and take it all
on board. He became the icon for all the other players at the club for new
techniques. They saw if it was good enough for Gary, it was good enough for
them.
As a leader on and off the pitch, he would always want to learn and
question. He had an aura that when he came into a room people always
instantly wanted to listen to what he might have to say. I kept in touch
with him when he moved on to the coaching and management side. We would talk
about the structure and philosophies that we both believed in. As he
developed as a coach and manager, his strong beliefs and abilities was just
beginning to shine through for Wales until his life sadly came to an abrupt
end.
Many, many people have rang in the last day or two and we are all trying to
understand what has happened but of course we can't. Here at my club, lots
of people had great affection for him, including my goalkeeping coach Martyn
Margetson who was recommended to me by Gary last summer. Jack Collison had
great support from Gary after the death of his father and as he coped with
his injury. Kevin Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye, Joey O'Brien and my assistant
manager Neil McDonald were all very close to him in those good times at
Bolton. We will all miss him immensely.
Rest in peace Gary.
Sam Allardyce
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Middlesbrough v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:38 GMT, Monday, 28 November 2011
Npower Championship
Venue: The Riverside Stadium Date: Tuesday 29 November Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on
the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
Middlesbrough will make a late decision on midfielder Barry Robson, who has
experienced tightness in his thigh. Marvin Emmes (calf) and Scott McDonald
(illness) are also doubts, while Kevin Thomson (hamstring) will miss out.
West Ham midfielder Matt Taylor is likely to settle for a place on the bench
after returning from a calf injury in the weekend win over Derby. Winston
Reid (shoulder), Gary O'Neil (ankle), Henri Lansbury and David Bentley (both
knee) are all still out.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
. West Ham have won 23 and Middlesbrough 22 of 56 previous league
matches against each other.
. The Hammers have claimed 13 of the last available 15 Premier League
points against the Teesside club, since 'Boro's 1-0 home victory on 11
November 2006.
. Their most recent meeting at the Riverside was in the FA Cup in
February 2009, when 'Boro prevailed 2-0 in a replay, to gain a place in the
quarter-finals.
Middlesbrough
. Middlesbrough are the draw specialists of the Championship (eight),
have lost fewer games than any other club (two), and with West Ham, boast
the tightest defence in the division.
. Five points outside the automatic promotion spots, the fourth-placed
Teesside club are defending one of three remaining unbeaten home records in
the second tier.
. Tony Mowbray's side are undefeated in four home and away (W2, D2),
but have not lost in 16 games at the Riverside, having won seven and drawn
nine since QPR's victorious visit on 26 February.
West Ham United
. West Ham could find themselves at the top of the table, if they
complete a fourth successive league win and fourth in a row on the road.
. They are yet to take a point off a fellow top-four club, but hold
the best away record in the division.
. Kevin Nolan is poised to make his 400th career league appearance.
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Middlesbrough v West Ham United - Match Preview
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th November 2011
By: Preview Percy
We've finally thought of a way to get rid of Preview Percy. After his last
effort in which he predicted the Derby result, named their scorer as "danger
man" and threw in a Bristol City victory over Southampton for good measure,
we reported him for witchcraft. Unfortunately the council told us that they
didn't have a department that issued permits for burning people at the
stake. When we asked exactly what we pay our council tax for they hung up.
Unbelievable. Here's Percy's look at Tuesday night's visit to the North
East, with added history from John Northcutt to arrive by carrier pigeon
shortly.
Our second match in four days sees us make the long trip up to the North
East where we visit the Riverside Stadium for a 7.45pm kick off against
Middlesbrough. Thanks fixtures guy. You spoil us again. Not.
Our hosts currently lie in 4th spot, one place lower than when they went
into Saturday's fixture at Peterborough, thanks to an 81st minute equaliser
from the home side. Boro' currently have 32 points from their 18 matches.
Five points behind ourselves, and two points behind Cardiff in 3rd place,
over whom they (like us) have a game in hand.
Their current form has seen them win and lose three of their last eight, the
other two drawn matches coming in their last two matches at home to
Blackpool and away to Peterborough. At home, although unbeaten this season
they've drawn six of the nine played, their last victory coming on Guy
Fawkes day courtesy of a 1-0 win over Watford. The other two home victories
came back in August against Birmingham (2-1) and Derby (2-0) whilst they've
drawn with Portsmouth (2-2), Coventry (1-1), Ipswich & Leicester (both 0-0),
Millwall (1-1) and Blackpool (2-2).
The boss is Tony Mowbray, who has recently celebrated his second anniversary
in the job following the resignation of Gordon Strachan in October 2010. The
former Celtic boss (Mowbray not Strachan)is credited , when a Celtic player,
with coming up with the pre-match "huddle" that Celtic players still perform
before matches, something that I recall Paolo Di Canio trying to get off the
ground at the Boleyn years ago.
In goal is likely to be Jason Steele. Steele has been first choice in recent
weeks following the return to Wolves of loan signing Carl Ikeme at the end
of October. Ikeme was with the club for three months as cover at the start
of the season for the injured Steele who, in a nice coincidence of timing,
returned to fitness just as Ikeme picked up a knock of his own. Steele
played for England U19 in the 2009 European U19 championships, captaining
the team in one match.
At right back they have ex-Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte, a player who, from
time to time we've been linked with. Hoyte's transfer to the Riverside in
2008 represented a return to the North East for the player, a season in
2005-06 with Sunderland not putting him off the weather and the grub up
there.
In the middle of defence is the skipper Matthew Bates. Part of Boro's
2003/04 Youth Cup winning side, last season saw the player finally managing
to put a proper run of games together, his earlier career being blighted by
number of knee injuries that saw him have no fewer than four operations in
three years. Until recently he may have been better known for his, er,
photographic skills. A number of what you might refer to as "self-portraits"
somehow made their way onto the internet a few years ago, the Sun, with
their usual subtlety, coming up with the side-splitting headline "what a
tackle".
A former holder of the armband (for a few matches back in 2008 anyway) is
Julio Arca who signed from Sunderland back in 2006. Where does the time go?
Arca signed a new two-year deal at the start of the season though he has
been on the bench in recent weeks - six of his twelve appearances thus far
have been as substitute. Surprisingly he never made the full Argentina side,
though he did skipper the U20 side to World Cup victory at that age group.
Top scorer at the moment is Marvin Emnes. In the league he has 7 from his 18
appearances thus far this term. Although he has been with Boro' since 2008
it is only fairly recently that he has been in favour at the Riverside. The
Strachan reign saw him employed largely as a heating device for the
substitutes' bench. A trial with Fortuna Dusseldorf ensued but nothing came
of it. A one month loan at Swansea in 2010 saw him earn himself free beer
for life in that particular city, the Dutchman netting the only goal in a
1-0 win over Cardiff. He'd probably best be careful about where he drinks in
the Welsh capital though. Mowbray clearly thinks more of the player than his
predecessor - Strachan though him a waste of a squad number - and he signed
a new three-year contract at the start of this season.
Arca's usual strike partner is Scott McDonald. The diminutive (5'7") striker
was born in Melbourne and has been capped by the Aussies, though his lack of
goals at international level saw him omitted from the 2010 World Cup squad.
His bio helpfully points out that he is of Scottish extraction - like we
wouldn't have worked that one out. After an early career down under he came
to the UK and, following an uninspiring career at Southampton, Huddersfield
(loan), Bournemouth (loan) and Wimbledon he finally ended up in the country
of his ancestors. He made a name for himself with both Motherwell and Celtic
in the six years in the land of the deep-fried Mars bar, netting over a
century of goals in the SPL. McDonald was just one of a number of ex-Celtic
players that made the trip across the border at the behest of Gordon
Strachan, though the culture shock of a move from the third to the first
world was tempered by the fact that the move was only to Middlesbrough.
Another possible partner for Emnes is Estonian Tarmo Kink. Kink has mainly
been on the bench this season and has but one appearance to his name. Why
mention him? Well despite the lack of entertainment here at the Avram Grant
Rest Home for The Bewildered I have manfully resisted all temptation to
comment on a squad containing the surnames Arca and Bates. However, once we
added Kink into the mix I'm afraid we were overcome by the giggles which got
even more uncontrollable when someone pointed out that they have a Smallwood
in the squad - something I understand Pele can help with. As I say we don't
get out much around here.
Having calmed down a little I suppose I ought to turn my attention to us.
Team news suggests that Sam Baldock won't be available having limped off
with a hamstring problem in the first half of Saturday's match. Even if, as
hoped, it's only minor damage it'll be a while before it's sensible to even
think about a return to action. Other than that it's a case of round up the
usual (fit) suspects. Taylor's run out from the bench sees him available for
a start.
This being an away fixture - and one of the tougher ones at that on paper -
I'd expect us to go with just the one (or three) up front as is the
manager's wont on these occasions. If so Carlton Cole can expect to get
through a few more miles to add to the hard work he's put in in recent
matches. Diop might come in to provide a bit of sturdiness to the midfield
whilst Demel, having finally made the bench on Saturday, can probably expect
some more of the same on Tuesday night.
The second half on Saturday included some decent passing spells, albeit
against a pretty out of sorts Derby. That makes three on the trot for the
first time since I started getting my pension at the higher rate and it has
to be said our results on the road have been jolly impressive of late - even
if we've had to win the matches one half at a time. We were much better in
the second halves at both Hull and Coventry but Boro' might be a different
proposition so we'll to see a better first 45 from this one.
Which brings us on to my prediction. I'd like to apologise for Saturday's
prediction which, in terms of the score, the opposition danger man and the
side comment on Bristol City v Southampton was 100% correct. I really don't
know what came over me and I'm sure it won't happen again. For this one we,
who tend to play things tight on the road, will be up against what is
(alongside ours) statistically the joint meanest defence in the division.
This says "draw" to me - and probably not a high scoring one. I'll plump for
a 1-1 as we learn to love the point once more.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met: We met on four occasions in the 2008/09 season. In
November '08 we drew 1-1 up there, Hayden Mullins getting ours, their late
equaliser coming from a dubiously-awarded free-kick from some bloke called
Mido.
On Valentine's day 2009 we then drew 1-1 in the 5th round of the Cup.
Ilunga's late header cancelled out Downing's first half effort to give a
replay nobody really wanted. Savio played.
Ten days later Downing's free-kick and an effort from Sanli were enough to
see Boro' to the quarters.
The series concluded at the Boleyn in the final match of the season. The
visitors arrived in need of a big win and a hideously complex series of
other results to go their way to avoid relegation. In the end we turned them
over 2-1. Cole and Stanislas were our scorers whilst Gary O'Neill (bless
him) was on the score sheet for the visitors.
Danger man: Scott McDonald Missed out against Peterborough but picked up a
brace against Blackpool as well as the winner against Watford that ended a
dry spell for the player. A possible absentee through illness though. Top
scorer Emnes is also one to keep an eye on, though he too is an injury
doubt.
Referee: Tony Bates Oh come on I was struggling enough to get through the
Boro' squad list without resorting to schoolboy humour. Then they send this
guy along. Refereed our home match against the other Boro' (of Peter) and
awarded the penalty from which Noble scored the only goal of the game. Did
their 0-0 draw over Leicester a few days later and has yet to issue a red
card this season.
Daft fact of the week: I honestly research these and, when there is nothing
interesting of note to share, I may (occasionally) make stuff up. However,
sometimes one discovers something that really defies description. I am
therefore indebted to a website called the bestofbritish.tribe.net from
which the following is genuinely taken:
Fact: Middlesbrough is located in the North East of England. More
interesting facts about Middlesbrough next week.
I can hardly wait!
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Best: no trouble with fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th November 2011
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady's claims that former West Ham player Clyde Best was regularly
greeted with 'a rain of bananas' have been refuted - by the player himself.
Speaking in an interview with Bernie Friend of the Evening Echo back in
2009, the former Hammer talked openly about the racism he encountered during
his career. However he categorically denied that, contrary to Brady's claims
in her weekend newspaper column, West Ham supporters had ever targeted him.
Speaking about the racism that was rife in both football and wider society
during the 1960s, Best said: "It was a different culture altogether. You
must also remember, this was 40 years ago and England was a different place
to what it is now, with very different attitudes. "The supporters pay their
money and are entitled to their opinions, but sometimes people crossed the
line. You will always come up against nutters in your life, but you can't
let these people see they are getting under your skin. "All you can do is
just get on with your job - in my case, scoring goals - and do all your
talking on the pitch. I just ignored it and concentrated on playing the game
for West Ham. "I never had any trouble with the West Ham fans. All I felt
from them was love. East End people are good people and they will always
love somebody who gives their all. I always tried my best for them."
Best - who ironically made his debut for West Ham in a 1-1 draw against
Arsenal in August 1969, the club supported by Karren Brady - became the
second black player to represent West Ham, following trailblazer John
Charles who made his debut six years earlier in May 1963. The Bermudian was
also one of a trio of black players - along with John Charles' younger
brother Clive and Ade Coker - to feature for West Ham against Tottenham in
April 1972. It was the first occasion on which an English league team had
featured three black players - some six years before Ron Atkinson was lauded
for employing his 'Three Degrees' - Laurie Cunningham, Brendan Batson and
Cyrille Regis - to great success. "They were fantastic days I will never
forget as long as I live," added Best, who turned 60 earlier this year. "I
was playing with so many great players during what I consider to be West
Ham's golden age. "It feels really good to say I was was part of that."
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Dicks returns to the dug out
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 28th November 2011
By: Staff Writer
Julian Dicks is set to return to management with Blue Square Bet South
outfit Dorchester Town. The former Hammer, who spent two spells at the club
in the 1990s looks set to succeed the recently-departed Ashley Vickers at
the Avenue Stadium after being confirmed as Town's 'preferred candidate' for
the position. Darren Lewis, speaking on behalf of the former West Ham
captain told the Dorset Echo: "We have been asked what sort of package
Julian would like, we have put one forward and we are just waiting to hear
back. So we are in negotiations. "Julian is very keen and I guess the club
are as well. He feels he can take the club forward so hopefully we are not
too far away from getting something sorted."
Dicks - who heads a short list that also contains former Portsmouth
goalkeeper Alan Knight, Frome Town boss Darren Perrin and current caretaker
Phil Simkin - has previously managed twice although both spells proved to be
short-lived. His first foray in management came at Wivenhoe Town in 2009,
although that role was to last for just five months after Dicks left the
Eastern Counties League side by mutual consent. Three months later he was
named as the manager of Grays Athletic, where he remained for almost two
years before parting company with the Isthmian League Division One North in
May of this year. Prior to leaving Grays, Dicks was linked with a return to
West Ham in a coaching capacity although that particular move failed to
materialise.
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Middlesbrough v W Ham preview
Last updated: 28th November 2011
SSN
Team news ahead of Tuesday evening's Championship clash between
Middlesbrough and West Ham at the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough will make
a late decision on Barry Robson. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes
in the 1-1 draw at Peterborough but has since experienced tightness in his
thigh. Marvin Emnes was substituted at London Road with the striker
complaining of a calf injury and he too will be assessed before boss Tony
Mowbray names his starting XI. Scott McDonald is hoping to recover from
illness to resume his place up front but midfielder Kevin Thomson is
unlikely to return from the hamstring injury which has sidelined him for the
last six matches. Full-back Justin Hoyte (hamstring) was fit enough for a
place on the bench on Saturday and looks set to be named among the
substitutes again for the visit of the Hammers. Mowbray's men are five
points behind the east London outfit following a four-match unbeaten run.
West Ham are looking to secure their fourth win in a row but boss Sam
Allardyce has some injury problems to deal with. Midfielder Matt Taylor
returned from a calf injury to play the last eight minutes of the 3-1 win
over Derby at the weekend but he is likely to have to settle for a place on
the bench again. Carlton Cole was handed a start in attack against the Rams
and responded by scoring the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, ensuring
he will be at the forefront of the manager's mind for the trip to the
Riverside. The Hammers were boosted by the return of right-back Joey O'Brien
on Saturday and he completed 90 minutes for the first time since recovering
from a hamstring injury. Winston Reid (shoulder), Gary O'Neil (ankle), Henri
Lansbury and David Bentley (both knee) are still out. Following
Southampton's loss against Bristol City, Allardyce's side are just two
points off the Championship summit.
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Middlesbrough v West Ham preview: We don't like Tuesdays admits Allardyce
Published 22:00 28/11/11 By The Mirror
Sam Allardyce fears his West Ham side have a midweek mental block that
threatens to derail their Championship promotion bid, writes Nick Ive . West
Ham's weekend form is excellent, but they now take on fellow high-fliers
Middlesbrough at the Riverside having failed to win any of their last three
games on a Tuesday night. Hammers boss Allardyce said: "There is some
fatigue left in the lads from playing and we have a long journey there, so
we are trying to recover the lads as quickly as we can. You have to keep
going on at them and if they do it 100 per cent then we will start to win
games on a Tuesday - if we keep believing that what we are doing is the
right thing. "If you are slightly fatigued physically then mentally you have
to be stronger and say, 'No. It is not going to make any difference. I don't
care, I am going to play my normal game.'"
West Ham are now just two points behind leaders Southampton after clocking
up three wins on the bounce. Allardyce added: "It is the first time we have
won three games on the trot this season. We are churning out the wins, so we
have to be very confident in going to Middlesbrough and getting a result.
"Whether that is a win or not, we don't know. It is a difficult place to go.
Not many people win there but not many people lose. "It is about keeping the
undefeated run going. With a division that is so difficult and one that
everyone can beat everyone else, it is hard to get an undefeated run going."
***
Tony Mowbray reckons his Middlesbrough side's clash with West Ham is a
promotion crunch, writes Simon Bird . A win would take Boro within two
points of Sam Allardyce's high-flying Hammers, a loss would open a
tough-to-close eight point gap between the two. "Any team that finishes
above West Ham will go up this season," predicted Mowbray. "Any club who can
take Carlton Cole off and put John Carew on, and with Nolan, Noble,
Collison, will be up there for promotion. "It is not a league you expect
their team to be in. Sam is making a good fist of taking them back there.
"I've watched them a lot lately and they find a way to win. "They didn't get
much of a kick against Brighton and won 1-0 - West Ham couldn't get the ball
and won. Against Coventry last week the goals were off the striker's
shoulder. "It has been a while since we lost at home and we aim to give them
an uncomfortable night. We are in a confident mood. "We want to close the
gap to a manageable two points. We are frustrated by two draws when we could
have taken maximum points. We fell short in both games by not seeing it over
the line.
"The fine detail and margins of football make the difference and the fine
margins of missed chances, hitting the woodwork." "Because it is West Ham, I
hope it stirs the sinews of a few Boro fans who are at home debating on
whether or not to come to the match. "It will only be a victory if we can
cope with their physicality and, at times, their directness. "Sam has found
he can get results by putting the ball in the opposition's box and keeping
it there. Once it is in there, it doesn't come out too easily."
Middlesbrough are likely to be without Marvin Emnes, and fellow striker
Scott McDonald is a doubt with a virus. Boro defender Matthew Bates says
Mowbray's squad are aware of the significance of this encounter. He said:
"If we have any aspirations of promotion - and we do - then we need to be
getting something. "They are a strong side and we know it will be a real
test for us, but it's important that we don't let the top two get away.
"We're unbeaten at home for a long run of games now and have to keep that
going and make the Riverside a fortress. "West Ham will come and fear us.
Well, if not fear us, certainly respect us. We have that unbeaten record and
teams will know that when they come here it will be tough. They won't be
looking forward to it."
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Hammers hope over Tomkins
Allardyce keen to tie down youngster
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
November 29, 2011 8:45am
SSN
Sam Allardyce is hopeful that defensive ace James Tomkins will sign a new
contract at West Ham. The 22-year-old has two-and-a-half years left on his
current deal, but West Ham are looking to extend this to ward off potential
interest. Queens Park Rangers are reported to be one of a number of Premier
League clubs checking on the Under-21 international. But Allardyce is keen
to see Tomkins stay at Upton Park. "James is not one of those running short
of a contract term. It still has about two-and-a-half years to run. "We've
been negotiating with him and will continue that in January. I am
optimistic. We can ill afford to lose any players at this stage of the
season."
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