WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon welcomed Gary O'Neil and Henri Lansbury back in a comfortable
victory over Brentford
06.12.2011
Ian Hendon had plenty of reasons to be pleased following Tuesday's 3-0
development squad victory over Brentford at the Boleyn Ground. Gary O'Neil
and Henri Lansbury both made successful returns from injury, while George
Moncur hit a fine goal to complete a comfortable success. The sight of
O'Neil was the real highlight of a cold afternoon in east London as the
midfielder made his first appearance since suffering a serious ankle in
injury in a Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 20 April -
seven-and-a-half months ago.
Hendon is hopeful both O'Neil and Lansbury will be available soon for
selection by manager Sam Allardyce, who watched on from the Alpari Stand
with assistant boss Neil McDonald, first-team coach Wally Downes and
goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson. "Henri has been training really well and
his quality is there for all to see," Hendon told West Ham TV. "As soon as
he is back ready and fit, which I think he is now, it will be a bonus for
the gaffer come Saturday afternoons. "Gary is a bit stiff and tired at the
moment but he's come through. He's worked his socks off to get back to
fitness and will continue to do so. It was a nice step for him to get out on
the pitch and one of the goals came from him hitting a shot and we followed
it in."
Aside from the returns of O'Neil and Lansbury, there were also welcome
appearances from Marek Stech and Freddie Sears, while Sergio Sanchez played
for the first time since August. "It was a good result and run out for the
lads. It was also nice to get out on the pitch at the Boleyn Ground, so that
was a little bonus for the boys who work hard in training every week. It was
a nice little reward for them. "They performed quite well against Brentford
and ran out comfortable victors in the end. I won't take anything away from
Brentford because they kept battling in the second half. They could have
quite easily dropped their heads but they kept going. "We also made a few
changes which probably unsettled us a little bit, but on the whole it was a
good performance. We had a couple of lads coming back from injury and it was
a good win."
While the festive season has traditionally been a quiet period for
reserve-team football, Hendon is eager to ensure his development squad
remain active over the Christmas period. That way, his players will be fit
should Big Sam call upon them for first-team duty. "We've got a couple of
games arranged against Crawley and Colchester, but it all depends on the
weather and things like that. "We need to get everyone playing, up to speed
and getting minutes. Gary will hopefully get some more minutes next week and
any of the other lads who haven't played in the first team lately. We still
have to arrange fixtures and keep people fit."
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Jack keen to bounce back
WHUFC.com
After a slow start to the season, Jack Collison is delighted to be a regular
part of Big Sam's team
06.12.2011
Jack Collison is feeling good and is relishing his role in the heart of the
West Ham United midfield. The Welsh international had to bide his time this
season but has recently established himself in the starting eleven alongside
Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble. He has made 14 appearances and just reached his
half-century of league starts for the Hammers. The box to box play and
driving runs that characterised the 23-year-old's game before the knee
injury that cost him most of last season has certainly come to the fore
again. But for better fortune - an open-goal miss against Coventry City last
month and hitting the post in the defeat by Burnley on Saturday spring to
mind - he could have doubled his two-goal tally as well. "My form is getting
better," said Collison. "After the long lay-off that I had, it was going to
be a bit of a task to get back but I am feeling fitter with each game. I
feel I am slowly getting there. "It is up to me to keep producing the goods,
hopefully chip in with some goals and help the team win games."
He will be aiming to do just that against Reading on Saturday, with the
whole squad eager to put right the hurt of last weekend. "Obviously it was
very disappointing to lose and it is an opportunity missed, especially with
Southampton losing, "The gaffer came in afterwards and spelt out how we have
been on a good run lately, we have to get over this one and go again,
starting with the game at Reading." "It is frustrating, but the match has
gone now. We get together again and go for it again, not just in the next
match but the next ten games we have coming up, starting with the games over
Christmas."
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Barnsley nearly sold-out
WHUFC.com
Ticket news has been confirmed for the club's Christmas and New Year
fixtures
04.12.2011
There are under 4,000 cut-price tickets left for the big festive football
date with Barnsley on Saturday week at the Boleyn. While Santa Claus is
preparing to do his rounds, the Hammers will also be on the road over the
holiday period - meaning the 17 December match is the last chance to see the
Hammers at home in 2011.
The Barnsley match has been designated as a Christmas Cracker match, with
all Adult and Over-65s tickets just £15 and all Under-16s tickets just £5.
Father Christmas will again be present while it will also be the
long-awaited debut of the club's new mascot - Hammerhead!
Sam Allardyce's side continue their npower Championship promotion bid by
traveling to Birmingham City on Boxing Day before heading to Derby County on
New Year's Eve. The Hammers return to the Boleyn on 2 January against
Coventry City. Further into 2012 and West Ham are on their travels again on
Saturday 14 January, when they head for Portsmouth - a week after the FA Cup
third-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday.
After helping to set record-breaking crowds at Southampton and Brighton &
Hove Albion earlier this season, more than 4,200 will head to Reading on 10
December, the Hammers continue to sell out their away allocations wherever
they go.
Looking forward to the Christmas and New Year fixtures, the club has been
initially allocated a total of 10,000 tickets for the trips to Birmingham
(2,800), Derby (4,200) and Portsmouth (3,000). For those who cannot make it
to away matches, tickets are available for the next three fixtures against
Barnsley, Coventry and Nottingham Forest.
Finally, half-season tickets for the final 12 home npower Championship
matches of the season are selling fast. Half-season tickets, which will run
from the visit of Coventry on Monday 2 January right to the end of what
promises to be a thrilling season, are available until close of business
Friday 23 December. Half-season ticket holders will also be given priority
for all home FA Cup fixtures, with tickets available at discounted prices.
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West Ham sign midfield prospect from non-league
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:24 GMT, Tuesday, 6 December 2011
West Ham have signed midfielder Pelly Ruddock from non-league Boreham Wood
following a successful trial. Ruddock, 17, had been watched by scouts from
several clubs but opted for The Hammers because of their commitment to
giving youngsters a chance. He told the club's official website: "It is good
at West Ham because a lot of young players have come through and gone on to
do good things. "I just want to train and give 100% every time I play."
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It's Anelka, say the Mail
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
The Daily Mail have claimed that West Ham are looking to sign Chelsea's
Nicolas Anelka. The first of what promises to be a long series of spurious
links to appear over the course of the next few weeks has the Mail's Matt
Lawton suggesting that Sam Allardyce wants to sign the 32-year-old striker,
who has been at Chelsea since 2008. The former French international - whose
current contract at Stamford Bridge expires next summer - previously worked
under Allardyce at Bolton between 2006 and 2008 when he was sold to Chelsea.
Allardyce performed one of the transfer coups of the 2006/07 season when
landing Anelka in an £8million deal from Turkish club Fenerbahce. The winter
transfer window opens for business on 1st January, just three weeks from
now. Sam Allardyce has gone on record to say that he is actively looking to
boost his squad for the second half of the season but even though they have
history, the chances of him persuading the former Arsenal, Liverpool and
Real Madrid player to drop to the Championship would appear slim, at best.
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Double boost for Big Sam
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Gary O'Neil and Henri Lansbury are on the road to recovery after both
featured for the development squad at the Boleyn Ground earlier today. The
two midfielders moved closer to a first team recall when they appeared for
Ian Hendon's squad in a behind-closed-doors 3-0 win against Brentford - a
game watched by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who is keen to boost his squad
ahead of the busy forthcoming Christmas period. O'Neil, who was playing his
first game since sustaining an ankle injury in a Premier League fixture
against Aston Villa back in April was expected to be out of action until
January 2012 at the earliest, so news of his rapid recovery comes as a huge
boost to Allardyce who has seen his squad thinned by a succession of recent
injuries. Meanwhile Lansbury is also a week or so ahead of schedule; the
midfielder, who is on a season-long loan from Arsenal hasn't played since
being part of the side that lost 1-0 at Southampton in mid-October. "Henri
has been training really well and his quality is there for all to see,"
Hendon told WHUTV. "As soon as he is back ready and fit, which I think he is
now, it will be a bonus for the gaffer come Saturday afternoons. "Gary is a
bit stiff and tired at the moment but he's come through. He's worked his
socks off to get back to fitness and will continue to do so. It was a nice
step for him to get out on the pitch."
Today's game was won through goals from George Moncur and a brace by an
unnamed triallist. The Hammers led 2-0 at the break before adding a third
shortly after the half time interval.
West Ham Utd XI: Stech, Driver, Brown, Moncur, Warren, Sanchez, Lansbury,
Lletget, Sears, Trialist I, Trialist II.
Subs: O'Neil, Cowler, Trialist III, Ruddock, Seidu, Alexander.
Brentford XI: Gounet, Griffiths, Pierre, Mawson, Blake, Forester (Kamau 65),
Ekim, Oyeleke, Bellamy (Clarke 85); Ameobi (Adams 30), Dobson.
Subs not used: Warren.
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Duo return to boost Hammers
O'Neil & Lansbury return in reserves
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
December 6, 2011 9:17pm
SSN
West Ham duo Gary O'Neil and Henri Lansbury made successful returns from
injury in the reserves' win over Brentford. O'Neil enjoyed his first action
for seven-and-a-half months after suffering a serious ankle injury against
Aston Villa in April. Lansbury, on loan from Arsenal, has not featured since
sustaining a knee injury in October's 1-0 loss at Southampton, but lined up
alongside fellow midfielder O'Neil before watching boss Sam Allardyce.
Reserve team manager Ian Hendon told West Ham TV: "Henri has been training
really well and his quality is there for all to see. As soon as he is back
ready and fit, which I think is now, it will be a bonus for the gaffer come
Saturday afternoons. "Gary is a bit stiff and tired at the moment, but he's
come through. He's worked his socks off to get back to fitness and will
continue to do so. "It was a nice step for him to get out on the pitch and
one of the goals came from him hitting a shot and we followed it in."
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Is Anelka the Missing Piece in the Allardyce Jigsaw?
December 6th, 2011 - 11:28 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
So Sam Allardyce is planning a loan swoop for Nicholas Anelka, who has been
told he is no longer part of Chelsea's plans. He is wanted by a club in
China but the inteeresting thing is that he has a past with Sam Allardyce,
who he is said to have a lot of respect for. I've never been a huge fan of
Anelka as a man, but as a player you cant argue with his record. Does anyone
seriously doubt that his signing would be a real coup for West Ham?
Meanwhile, Henri Lansbury and Gary O'Neil have returned to action, according
to Sky Sports. They both played in a 3-0 reerve team win against Brentford.
UPDATE: David Gold has just tweeted that Matt Taylor is out for at least 3
weeks.
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O'Neil return defies medics
By MATT PARKER
Published: Today
The Sun
GARY O'NEIL made a shock comeback for West Ham yesterday — eight months
after suffering a career-threatening injury. The midfielder was told he had
a 50-50 chance of playing again following a challenge from Nigel Reo-Coker
against Aston Villa in April. O'Neil was expected to be out for a year after
complications during surgery. But the former Middlesbrough star has made
superb progress and played 45 minutes for the development squad in their 3-0
win over Brentford. West Ham coach Ian Hendon said: "Gary is a bit stiff and
tired at the moment but he's come through. He's worked his socks off to get
back to fitness and will continue to do so.
"It was a nice step for him to get out on the pitch. "Gary will hopefully
get some more minutes next week and any of the other lads who haven't played
in the first team lately. We still have to arrange fixtures and keep people
fit."
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Hammer time! Ruddock makes step up from non-league Bromley to West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 7:18 PM on 6th December 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham have completed the signing of midfielder Pelly Ruddock from Blue
Square Bet South side Boreham Wood. The 17-year-old midfielder agreed
undisclosed terms at Upton Park after impressing during a trial period.
Ruddock admitted the Hammers' reputation for nurturing young talent was a
key factor in his decision to sign. 'I am really excited to be here,' he
said. I feel happy inside and I am just hoping for the best for the future.
The club's commitment to young players did attract me. It is good at West
Ham because a lot of young players have come through and gone on to do good
things.'
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EXCLUSIVE: West Ham keen on January swoop for Chelsea outcast Anelka
By MATT BARLOW
Last updated at 12:01 AM on 7th December 2011
Daily Mail
Nicolas Anelka is wanted by Sam Allardyce, who believes the Chelsea outcast
can secure West Ham a quick return to the Premier League. Allardyce worked
with Anelka at Bolton and will try to tempt the 32-year-old French striker
to spend the rest of the season on loan at Upton Park. Anelka's Chelsea deal
expires at the end of the season and he will be free to sign a pre-contract
agreement with a foreign club next month. Shanghai Shenhua, expected to
confirm former Fulham boss Jean Tigana as manager next week, have made a
bold bid to lure Anelka to China on a salary of £6.4million ahead of the
Chinese Super League season, which starts in February. Chelsea have accepted
transfer requests from Anelka and Brazilian defender Alex, and manager Andre
Villas-Boas has frozen them out of the first team squad, making it clear
they can leave immediately. West Ham boss Allardyce knows it will be
difficult to compete with the riches on offer from the Shanghai club but
will appeal to Anelka to rekindle their working relationship. Allardyce was
in charge at Bolton when they paid £8m to Turkish side Fenerbahce for the
striker in 2006.
'I am grateful to Sam Allardyce,' said Anelka after joining Chelsea in
January 2008. 'I had a good relationship with him and Bolton improved my
game. It taught me to be stronger in the head and adapt.'
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West Ham set to welcome back loan star
By talkSPORT
Tuesday, December 6
West Ham midfielder Henri Lansbury is set to give the club a major boost and
return to action in the next two weeks. Lansbury made an immediate impact at
Upton Park following his season-long loan move from Arsenal during the
summer. But he picked up a knee injury back in October and was expected to
be ruled out until the New Year. However, the England Under-21 midfielder
has been making a rapid recovery and is hoping to be back in action in the
near future. The news will come as a major boost to manager Sam Allardyce
who is determined to see his side maintain their position in the top two as
they prepare for a number of games over the busy festive period
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