WHUFC.com
Winston Reid has been called up by New Zealand for a friendly meeting with
Jamaica
09.02.2012
Winston Reid has been called up by New Zealand for a friendly meeting with
Jamaica in Auckland on 29 February. Reid, who has earned nine caps for the
All Whites, was one of the stars of the Kiwis' impressive showing at the
2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. There, he scored a last-gasp equaliser
against Slovakia as New Zealand drew all three group-stage fixtures. The
in-form West Ham United defender is one of four English-based players in
Ricki Herbert's squad alongside captain Ryan Nelsen of Tottenham Hotspur,
Ipswich Town's Tommy Smith and Bristol City forward Chris Wood. The fixture,
which will take place at Mt Smart Stadium, is the All Whites' last match
before the long road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup begins in June with the OFC
Nations Cup. If New Zealand progresses through the eleven qualifiers in
Stage 2 and 3 of the Oceania region, a home and away play-off in November
2013 against the fourth-best CONCACAF nation awaits, with the winner
qualifying for Brazil 2014. Reid will not be the only Hammer in action later
this month, as Rob Hall has been included in England's Under-19 squad for a
friendly meeting with Czech Republic at Leyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium on
28 February.
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Big Sam prepared for Peterborough
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to push forward from last weekend's win
against Millwall
09.02.2012
Sam Allardyce was in a cheery mood following as he faced the assembled media
before Saturday's npower Championship trip to Peterborough. The West Ham
United manager has a near fully-fit squad to choose from with just George
McCartney and John Carew the only minor injury doubts ahead of the London
Road fixture. The Hammers will be hoping to make it four wins from five
while completing their fourth 'double' of the season following the 1-0 win
against the Posh at the Boleyn Ground back in September. Big Sam was clearly
still proud of the achievements of his side from last Saturday, when they
beat neighbours Millwall 2-1 despite playing for over 80 minutes with ten
men. "We're going to have enough pressure trying to win the Southampton game
without putting extra pressure on ourselves to bounce back from
Peterborough," Allardyce said. "We exceeded all expectations from me last
Saturday. "Firstly, because we'd just been beaten by Ipswich and secondly
because we went down to ten men after nine minutes. "To produce a
performance of such quality and high endeavour and high belief was a
fantastic effort by all the players who took part. In some cases it didn't
get the praise it deserved as anyone who wins with ten men should be
delighted. "Just look at what Millwall did to Southampton on Tuesday when
they won 3-2. We managed to beat them with just ten men for 80 minutes so
that just shows the size of the job we completed."
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U18s earn Southampton draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s were held to a goalless FA Premier Academy League draw
on Thursday
09.02.2012
West Ham United Under-18s were held to a 0-0 FA Premier Academy League draw
at Southampton on Thursday. The Saints agreed to bring the match forward 48
hours to help West Ham to prepare for next week's FA Youth Cup fifth-round
trip to Chelsea. The visitors were also grateful to the Southampton
groundstaff who worked hard to make the pitch playable at St Mary's Training
Centre. The Hammers were unfortunate to not come away with a victory from
their trip to the south coast, with a host of goalscoring opportunities
being spurned during a dominant second-half performance. Academy Director
Tony Carr said: "It was an open game and a good game featuring two
attack-minded teams, but we were a little bit disappointed that we didn't
win it. Elliot Lee (pictured) has missed two opportunities he would take on
another day, while Pelly Ruddock and Kieran Sadlier have also missed chances
late on. "We had two good chances early on and then three more in the
closing stages, but we couldn't put the ball into the net. We were the
better team, particularly in the second half, but we were not clinical
enough inside their penalty box. Their goalkeeper made a couple of good
saves and we have missed the target with a couple of shots. We had the
chances to win the game, so we can have no excuses.
"With the weather conditions the way they have been this week, we were lucky
to get a game on. It had been a bit frosty down there overnight, but the
pitch had softened out sufficiently for us to play the game. We are grateful
to Southampton for agreeing to switch the game and then for working to make
sure it could be played."
Carr said the Academy's focus would now switch to Wednesday's visit to
Staines Town FC, where the Hammers will take on the Blues for a place in the
last-eight of the FA Youth Cup. "We came through largely unscathed at
Southampton, bar a few minor knocks and bruises - nothing that will keep the
boys out of Wednesday's game. "We'd obviously be grateful if as many
supporters as possible could make it to the match because the atmosphere
could give our lads that extra five or ten per cent they need to get
through. That said, we should have enough incentive to progress as it is."
West Ham will take on Chelsea at Staines Town FC in the FA Youth Cup fifth
round on Wednesday 15 February, with kick-off at 7pm. Admission is £3 for
Adults and £1 for Under-16s.
West Ham United U18s: Wootton, Young, Shaw, K.Lee, Chambers, Turgott
(Sadlier 70), Fanimo (Vose 46), Miles (Hurley 80), Powell, Ruddock, E.Lee
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Gary geared up for big week
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil is eager to be involved as the Hammers face two big matches in
the space of four days
08.02.2012
Gary O'Neil is looking forward to renewing old rivalries when West Ham
United entertain Southampton next Tuesday evening - but not before the
Hammers have first dealt with a trip to Peterborough United. The 29-year-old
has made an impressive return from a long-term ankle injury in December,
making three appearances as Sam Allardyce's side have taken over top spot in
the npower Championship table. With captain Kevin Nolan now suspended for
three matches, O'Neil is targeting a starting place against both the Posh
and the Saints after being named on the bench for three of the previous four
matches. That said, he knows the Hammers are a stronger side when their
skipper is available. "I'm not sure what the gaffer will do - whether he
will change the formation or whatever - but it is a shame to lose Nobby as
he has been an integral part of what we have done this year," said O'Neil.
"He has played every game, so it is disappointing to lose him. Hopefully we
will get him back as soon as possible and we can carry on and not miss him
too much while he is away."
For O'Neil, his early return from injury - he was initially expected to be
out of action until April - has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand,
he is delighted to be playing again, but on the other it has been slightly
frustrating knowing he is not quite yet at 100 per cent fitness. "It's tough
because you feel like you're in no-man's land a little bit when you've
worked as hard as I've had to to get back into the game and get thrown in at
Sheffield Wednesday and Derby when I wasn't 100 per cent really. "It was
good to get the games, but then you have to come back again as everyone gets
back fit and it is difficult to get into a team that is doing as well as
ours is. With the strength we have got in there and me having a long time
out through injury, it is hard to force your way back in, but I am happy to
just be in and around it."
With two important fixtures in the space of four days, the former Portsmouth
midfielder is itching to be involved when the Saints visit the Boleyn Ground
on Valentine's Day "Every time I have played Southampton in the past was
with Portsmouth and it was a bit like the Millwall game in terms of
atmosphere. It would be nice to get one over on them and it is a big game, a
top of the table clash. "As we have seen, if you can win against Millwall
and Peterborough and teams like, that then it takes a little bit of pressure
off you when you are playing the teams around you."
O'Neil's most-recent appearance was an effective cameo off the bench in
Saturday's 2-1 win over Millwall - a game he thoroughly enjoyed being
involved in. The No32 also hailed the discipline and organisation Big Sam
has instilled in a side that shipped goal after goal in being relegated from
the Premier League last term. "It was a really good win. When you go down to
ten men so early you start to think it will be a difficult day, but all the
lads were fantastic and they worked really hard. "When you go down to ten
men there is always a chance that the gaffer will have to change a couple of
people as the legs begin to tire, but the subs were ready and they managed
to come on and do a job, so it is a big win."
"The thing that has kept us going all season is the organisation and how
solid we have been defensively. Barring the game in the week [at Ipswich
Town], we haven't conceded many goals at all. If we go 1-0 up, I fancy us to
go and win the game and keep a clean sheet and it didn't used to be like
that, especially last season.
"We are really well-drilled and everybody knows what they are doing and we
know that we don't have to score too many goals to win games which is a nice
feeling."
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Ex-Hammer lands England role
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer Stuart Pearce has been named as temporary manager of the
English national team. The tough-tackling full-back, who represented West
Ham between 1999 and 2001 was appointed as caretaker boss following last
night's surprise resignation of Fabio Capello. Now, 49, Pearce was signed by
Harry Redknapp - the firm favourite to succeed Capello on a permanent basis
- from Newcastle on a free transfer in August 1999 at the age of 37.
Hammersmith-born Pearce, who is also the full-time manager of the England
under-21 squad made 52 appearances for the Hammers during his two seasons at
the Boleyn Ground during which he scored three goals. He becomes the second
former Hammer to manage the national side following Ron Greenwood, who was
employed in the role between 1977 and 1982.
Stuart Pearce: West Ham stats
1999/2000 Pld 10, Gls 0, Bkd 4.
2000/2001 Pld 42, Gls 3, Bkd 10, Sent Off 1.
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Allardyce - It has to be Harry
Hammers chief joins support for Redknapp
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
February 9, 2012 5:58pm
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running for the
England job and backed Harry Redknapp for the role. Allardyce believes
Redknapp is the "number one choice" to take over from Fabio Capello as
England manager. Tottenham boss Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to
succeed Capello following the Italian's surprise departure on Wednesday.
Obvious choice
"It's obvious," said Allardyce. "He hasn't just been talked about now, he's
been talked about since he started to be successful at Tottenham. "It's not
unusual that Harry is the number one choice in the country at the moment.
"It's not unusual that Harry is the number one choice in the country at the
moment. He's taken Tottenham from the depths of the Premier League and
moulded a team to challenge the top four. " "He's taken Tottenham from the
depths of the Premier League and moulded a team to challenge the top
four."He broke the top-four hoodoo and looks like doing it again this
season, it makes him the obvious choice."
Allardyce has never hidden his ambition to be England manager and was a
candidate for the top job while in charge at Bolton in 2006 before the
Football Association made their decision to appoint Steve McClaren. The
57-year-old is further down the pecking order this time around despite
guiding West Ham to the top of the Championship. And while Bolton said at
the time they would allow Allardyce to speak to the FA, he has had no such
conversation with the Upton Park hierarchy.
Focus
"My focus is West Ham, we are top of the league and want to clinch promotion
so my thoughts are not on the England job," added Allardyce. "Last time a
decision was taken by the football club as a whole as well as me, in terms
of me being allowed to make myself a candidate to be England manager. "That
is not the case at the moment."
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Piquionne not heading to Rovers
West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne will not be joining Doncaster, despite
being one of nine forwards in the first-team squad at Upton Park.
Football365
Last Updated: 09/02/12 at 20:51 Post Comment Peterborough v West Ham.
Click here to bet.
Agent Willie McKay, who has overseen a number of high-profile signings at
the Keepmoat Stadium, said this week Rovers were in talks with West Ham over
a loan deal. The 33-year-old Frenchman is currently one of nine forwards in
the first-team squad at Upton Park and did not make the bench against
Millwall on Saturday.
He has two goals to his name from 21 appearances this season but has not
started a match since the 2-1 defeat at Derby on New Year's Eve. However,
when asked if Piquionne was moving to Rovers, boss Sam Allardyce replied :
"No! At the moment we've had one or two enquiries about one or two of our
players on loan but nothing has been okayed up until now."
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Ravel Morrison: Drinking In The Last Chance Saloon?
Date: 9th February 2012 at 4:11 pm
Written by Will Taylor
FootballFancast.com
Talented, yet troubled. The stark and resounding opinion of Ravel Morrison,
a player labelled "too good to fail" by MUTV co-commentator Paddy Crerand.
The new man at West Ham has begun this new chapter in an all too familiar
and controversial fashion. A recent homophobic outburst on Twitter means he
joins an ever-expanding list of professional sportsmen who have fallen foul
of the social networking site.
The advent of Twitter has created a platform for direct communication with
leading sports stars across the globe. The growing popularity and social
significance of the site has enabled users to gain an unprecedented insight
into the daily routine of the Premier League's elite. Whilst this appears
beneficial, there is an undeniable truth that these players will inevitably
fail to meet our high expectations.
The problem with Twitter, for footballers at least, is that there's no
filter guarding the content they choose to reveal. There's no PR guru
standing beside them handing out carefully crafted scripts of 140
characters, which is evident from the woeful level of spelling and grammar
on display. Twitter essentially creates a face-to-face confrontation, which
is what makes it so dangerous.
Sarcastic comments, tongue in cheek remarks or full-blown rants on mediums
like Twitter are often instantly regretted. The words are permanently etched
into the fabric of the Internet, serving as a constant reminder of past
indiscretions, like an ex-girlfriend with a photographic memory.
Although Morrison quickly deleted his derogatory tweet, issued in response
to an insult he'd received, the damage was already done and the FA have
given him until Monday to explain his behaviour. What seems all to clear is
that drastic action is needed, both by the player and the respective
authorities.
On the surface, Morrison appeared to be revelling in a modern day rags to
riches tale. Having grown up on a council estate in Wythenshawe, Manchester
he was spotted by former United coach Phil Brogan and signed a professional
deal on his 17th birthday. He was quickly earmarked as a gifted individual
and was said to be one of the best players to come through the ranks since
Ferguson's 'golden generation'.
Despite only featuring for United during three individual League Cup
appearances, Morrison showcased his limitless potential during their
impressive FA Youth Cup triumph in 2011. A quick glance on YouTube will
reveal the lightning feet and deft touches that have seen him hailed as the
next Paul Scholes but perhaps Paul Gascoigne is a more fitting comparison,
given their similar unsettled social life.
Morrison's career has been blighted by a series of off-the-field problems,
an upon Morrison's exit from Old Trafford, Ferguson revealed:
"…he's better out of Manchester. He's got a great talent but how to deal
with that is important." (Telegraph)
Perhaps the relocation to the bright lights of London will provide a
humbling experience for the youngster and allow him to leave his troubled
past behind him.
At West Ham he has a boss famed for his no-nonsense attitude to management,
which will make it difficult for him to step out of line. Sam Allardyce is
often credited with the revival of Joey Barton's career after signing the
fellow prominent Twitter user whilst at Newcastle. If Morrison has left
United seeking guidance then it does raise the question why didn't he look
for it closer to home? Ferguson's substantial influence on the careers of
Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney are well documented.
Allardyce might see Morrison as the key to convincing Hammers fans that
beautiful, attacking football is once again returning to Upton Park. Despite
enjoying a successful start to his Championship campaign, there is an
underlining concern that his direct style of play isn't suited to a club of
West Ham's traditions. Nevertheless, should Morrison get the chance to
showcase his creative flair then those murmurs of discontent will soon
disappear.
Morrison can learn a lot from the likes of Mario Balotelli and Adel Taarabt,
proof that there is room in football for eccentric and often controversial
characters. There is also evidence here of what lies in store for him should
he refuse to change his ways, with both players repeatedly falling out of
favour at their respective clubs. It remains vital that he continues to grow
as a person as well as a footballer.
At just nineteen years of age, journalists should be touting his potential
on the back pages rather than condemning him into the football abyss. It's
time for Ravel Morrison to put his head down, keep his mouth shut and let
his feet do the talking.
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