WHUFC.com
West Ham United have won the LMA's Performance of the Week Award for the 4-1
win at Blackpool
23.02.2012
West Ham United's win at Blackpool on Tuesday has been voted as the F&C
Thames River Performance of the Week Award. The League Managers Association
five-man Performance of the Week panel, comprising LMA Chairman Howard
Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royle, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry, were in
agreement that this week, the F&C Thames River Performance of the Week Award
should go to West Ham United following their excellent 4-1 away win against
Blackpool in the npower Championship. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will
receive a specially engraved crystal football in a presentation to be
screened on Sky Soccer Saturday on 25 February 2012. West Ham returned to
the top of the npower Championship after a convincing display at Bloomfield
Road. First half strikes from James Tomkins and Nicky Maynard gave the
visitors an early advantage before Kevin Phillips pulled a goal back before
the interval. After the break Robert Green was dismissed for a foul on Roman
Bednar which forced West Ham to field substitute Henri Lansbury who played
the remaining 35 minutes in goal for the Hammers. Despite their numerical
and personnel disadvantage, Gary O'Neill and Ricardo Vaz Te wrapped up the
victory. After the match, Allardyce was delighted with the performance and
result. He said: "The outstanding quality from my players was there in
abundance. That was a remarkable achievement, a remarkable performance and a
remarkable result. "From the very, very start we controlled the game. We
have come out with a huge amount of credit with our display."
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Big Sam on Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United continue their fine form when
Crystal Palace visit on Saturday
23.02.2012
Sam Allardyce was looking forward to another exciting afternoon at the
Boleyn Ground when he faced the assembled press on Thursday at the Boleyn
Ground.
Crystal Palace visit for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off that will draw a
sold-out crowd to east London. The West Ham United manager was pleased after
seeing Robert Green's red card overturned on appeal and his No1 get a
call-up to the England squad. Big Sam is now just hoping West Ham can
overcome the Eagles, with all eleven men staying on the pitch for the first
time in four games.
Is there any team news for the visit of Crystal Palace?
SA: We have slight concerns over a couple of players. Abdoulaye Faye and
James Tomkins both picked up knocks on Tuesday night against Blackpool,
mainly due to the short space of recovery time in between Tuesday night's
game and Saturday's. So we will wait until Saturday morning to make a
decision on those two but aside from them, apart from a bit of fatigue,
everybody else is feeling pretty good.
Are you pleased that Robert Green won his appeal today against his red card
against Blackpool?
SA: I'm extremely pleased; I know it was a very difficult decision for the
referee on the day because he's only got a split second to make his mind up
so I can understand why he did it. But when you look at the evidence we have
available after the game with replays and the position of Faye covering,
coupled with what the attacking player did with the ball, we felt we had a
strong case to put forward. We are all extremely pleased that when we sent
it in the FA were of the same opinion as ourselves. We suffered the loss of
Robert Green at the time and we are very happy that it is only for the 35
minutes against Blackpool. Thankfully the sending off cost us nothing and we
gained three points which is the main thing.
Isn't it a great day for Robert Green all round as he has been called back
into the England squad for the friendly against Netherlands?
SA: Yes, it is. The fact he has earned the right to be called back to the
England squad is there for all to see. We are top of the league and he has
performed consistently well for us, making major contributions consistently
throughout the season, some of which have won us games. He's an experienced
goalkeeper and England will need him as back-up to Joe Hart who's looking
world class at the moment, but Robert deserves his place in the squad as his
understudy.
So should Robert go to EUEO 2012?
SA: I think so yes. Picking players for major tournaments should be done on
current form. We as a team and Robert in particular are on top form at the
moment so I think it's right that he should be selected. They don't need to
be playing in the Premier League, if they are playing well and they're good
enough then they should be in the team.
Did you gain a certain satisfaction from beating Blackpool, a former side of
yours?
SA: No, the satisfaction for me came from the way we played. From the start
we were always comfortable, we always looked like we were going to win the
game and then all of sudden the red card opens up the possibility of undoing
all of the hard work in the first half.
But the players were clever enough, skilful enough and resilient enough to
not only overcome that disappointment but to take the game to Blackpool and
score even more goals. It's a historical victory. I'm sure if you went back
in West Ham's history you would not find a West Ham team that won a game 4-1
after being down to ten men.
Three games in a row with ten men and seven points out of nine picked up
isn't bad going, is it?
SA: It's certainly an unusual period for West Ham United, having to play
three games in a row all with ten men and it is not a situation I want to
arise again! Thankfully we haven't lost during that time, the players are
quite fatigued and we can only hope the legacy of the previous games does
not rear its head on Saturday. Hopefully our momentum and mental resilience
will carry us through against Crystal Palace.
Do you see the number of red cards as a problem or are they just poor
decisions?
SA: It's a problem for the ones I can't excuse. Take the last three for
example; Matt Taylor putting his hands near Billy Sharp's face, in this day
and age will get you a red card. Kevin Nolan's against Millwall was a
debatable decision and of course Robert Green's was overturned today.
It's not a particular problem no, perhaps the judgement of these decisions
should be taken with more caution; everyone wants to keep a football match
11v11, nobody likes to see red cards.
With all the red cards are you worried about earning a reputation among the
referees?
SA: No not really, there has been nothing that sinister or dangerous
involved in the red cards, Robert's was a mis-timed challenge, Kevin Nolan
has made a tackle which the referee has deemed to be dangerous but I don't
see us earning a reputation. Our foul count has been generally single
figures in most of our games, our coaches teach our players to stay on their
feet these days. I think it's more the pressure placed upon officials
recently to come down hard on tackling, there should be a bit more common
sense and leniency.
So will the players be on their best behaviour against Crystal Palace on
Saturday?
SA: We won't be able to continue to have players sent-off and carry on
winning games. It's been a magnificent effort by the rest of the players to
recover from those dismissals and get something from all three games which
has kept us in touch with the top of the league. We could easily have lost
all three of those games having gone down to ten but the effort of the
players has overcome that problem which should leave nothing but praise for
them. We must learn a lesson though and make sure it doesn't happen again
from now until the end of the season; the players must not put themselves in
a position in which they could get sent off.
Ravel Morrison has been fined by the FA now for his actions on Twitter. What
is your reaction?
SA: I think he has learnt his lesson now and that should be the end of it.
We brought in Bobby Barnes and Paul Allen from the PFA to talk to all the
players and remind them how difficult it is as footballer to be on these
social network sites. Irrespective of the abuse they may receive, you cannot
respond in the wrong manner. If you do then you will be held accountable by
the FA. Ravel has been punished very severely but hopefully he has learnt
from it and a situation such as this will not occur again.
Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te both played very well on Tuesday night
against Blackpool. How happy are you with the way they are settling in?
SA: With all due respect to Bristol City and Barnsley, I think the two of
them have come to a bigger club now and they've looked at the squad we have
got and it's a big challenge for them to break in. They have both risen to
that challenge when given the opportunity and shown the abilities that we
knew they had, which is why we signed them.
What it has started to do is get us over the little glitch we had of not
scoring the amount of goals we should have been, given the amount of chances
we were creating. At the start of the season we were beating teams 4-0 and
4-1 and with the signing of these two players hopefully we can return to the
sort of goalscoring form we had in the first few weeks of the season.
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Green appeal upheld
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld by the FA
23.02.2012
Robert Green has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld by a Football
Association disciplinary panel. As a result, the one-match suspension handed
to the West Ham United goalkeeper has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
Green had originally received a red card for denying an obvious goal scoring
opportunity at Blackpool on Tuesday 21 February 2012. The decision means the
32-year-old stopper will now be available for Saturday's npower Championship
visit of Crystal Palace to the Boleyn Ground. Green has made 27 league
appearances for the Hammers this season, keeping ten clean sheets as Sam
Allardyce's side go into the weekend top of the table.
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Gaz and Vaz
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te spoke to West Ham TV about scoring their
first goals for the Hammers
23.02.2012
For different reasons, Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te both had reason to be
delighted after scoring their maiden West Ham United goals this week. O'Neil
bagged the third and Vaz Te the fourth in Tuesday's memorable 4-1 npower
Championship win at Blackpool - a result achieved despite the sending-off of
Robert Green which forced Henri Lansbury to play in goal for 40 minutes. For
O'Neil, the strike was another step in his comeback after eight months out
with a serious ankle injury. For Vaz Te, the goal capped an oustanding first
full 90 minutes in a claret and blue shirt following his January arrival
from Barnsley. The duo - christened Gaz and Vaz - spoke to West Ham TV after
an unforgettable night at Bloomfield Road. "It's been a long wait, about ten
months, and a long road back so I'm just glad to be back and involved and
helping the lads," said O'Neil. "That was a big result, especially the way
the game panned out. "I caught it not bad. The gaffer goes mad if I smash it
over the bar, so I was just concentrating on hitting it into the ground - I
didn't want to get a telling off when I came in and it paid off! "At 3-1
we're still worrying that if they get one the momentum might swing, so Vaz's
goal made it safe and we could all relax."
Vaz Te's goal was his 13th in 27 appearances this season but his first for
the Hammers following his deadline-day arrival from Barnsley. "I'm
delighted. The lads have made it very easy for me to settle here so I have
to thank them, really. Plus I know the manager pretty well so I know what he
is all about. It's just a pleasure to be here. "I'm comfortable off the
pitch and on it I am doing my best to keep my place because I feel I have to
work for it. That's what I am going to keep on doing.
"The team has got a great unity and I'm really glad to be here. I think I
made the right choice and I'm just going to keep working hard to keep my
place and earn the shirt."
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Pair receive England call
WHUFC.com
Robert Green and Henri Lansbury have both been called-up by their country
23.02.2012
Robert Green's outstanding form has been rewarded with a call-up into the
England squad for next Wednesday's friendly with Netherlands at Wembley.
Meanwhile, his emergency stand-in Henri Lansbury is in the England Under-21
squad for a 2013 UEFA Under-21 Championships qualifier with Belgium at the
Riverside stadium in Middlesbrough earlier the same evening. The West Ham
United No1 has been a consistent figure between the sticks for Sam
Allardyce's side this term, keeping ten clean sheets in 27 npower
Championship appearances to help the Hammers to top the table. The
32-year-old has enjoyed a rollercoaster week, helping West Ham to gain a
creditable 1-1 home draw with Southampton before being sent-off in Tuesday's
4-1 victory at Blackpool. Green, who has eleven senior caps, has not played
for England since appearing against the United States at the 2010 FIFA World
Cup in South Africa. However, he was called into the squad for the 2012 UEFA
European Championship qualifier with Montenegro in October 2011.
Lansbury, who pulled on the gloves after Green's red card at Bloomfield
Road, will take up his regular midfield position for the Under-21s against
the Belgians.
Capped eleven times at that level, scoring four goals, the 21-year-old has
been a regular for the age-group side in recent months. Lansbury scored
twice in an 2013 UEFA Under-21 Championships qualifier against Azerbaijan on
1 September 2011.
*Jack Collison (Wales) and Winston Reid (New Zealand) have also been
called-up for friendly internationals against Costa Rica and Jamaica
respectively next week.
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Jonjo: from Wembley to the Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Jonjo Heuerman wants Hammers fans to join him on latest charity walk
22.02.2012
Young West Ham United fan Jonjo Heuerman is embarking on a second walk for
charity. Having already raised over £40,000 for The Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK in memory of his Nan Lyn and Hammers legend Moore, who
both lost their battle with Bowl Cancer, the courageous ten-year old is
gearing up to repeat the 23 mile walk he did last February. Jonjo will once
again be starting at the Bobby Moore statue outside Wembley Stadium on
Thursday 23 of February before finishing his 23-mile walk at the Boleyn
Ground in the Centre Circle before kick-off against Crystal Palace on
Saturday. Heuerman is urging all football fans, espically those of his
beloved West Ham, to don their strips, put aside on-pitch rivalries and join
him on his trek across the capital. In a message to supporters across the UK
Jonjo said: "I really want lots of people to walk with me, there are lots of
supporters travelling to walk with me from around Europe. I hope you can
walk with me a little bit too, it will be really kind."
The Hammers-mad was accompanied at the start of his walk by Sir Trevor
Brooking at 9:00am on Thursday morning and is expecting this year's to be
bigger and better than last. Stephanie Moore MBE, founder of the Bobby Moore
Fund is overwhelmed with the work Jonjo is doing for the charity. Stephanie
said, "I'm so impressed by Jonjo and his dedication to raising money for the
charity in memory of his nanny. Last year's walk was a fantastic occasion
and I'm delighted that he continues to support the Fund".
If you want to become part of this worthiest of causes and join Jonjo on any
part of his walk visit his website at
http://www.fornannyandbobby.moonfruit.com.
All at West Ham United Football Club would like to wish Jonjo the best of
luck on his inspiring walk and hope to see many Hammers shirts walking with
him over the course of the three days.
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Green light for Palace
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Rob Green is set to return for Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace after his
red card against Blackpool was overturned upon appeal. The FA confirmed this
afternoon that the Hammers 'keeper - who found out earlier in the day that
he had been recalled to the England squad - is free to play again this
weekend after his impending suspension was cancelled. Having reviewed the
incident, the FA decided to rescind the red card issued by match referee
Oliver Langford during Tuesday's night 4-1 thumping of the Seasiders. West
Ham appealed against the decision after video replays confirmed that
Blackpool striker Roman Bednar was heading away from goal and that a
covering defender was in place to prevent what may have otherwise been am
obvious goalscoring opportunity. Green, who would have faced a one-match
suspension is therefore available to return this weekend for the live early
kick off. Sam Allardyce will however be without suspended duo Kevin Nolan
and Matt Taylor.
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Pearce: why I recalled Rob
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Temporary England boss Stuart Pearce has handed West Ham's Robert Green an
international lifeline after naming him in the squad to face Holland at
Wembley next week. The United number one was called up for the first time
this year following some tremendous form between the sticks for the Hammers
this term. Pearce, who played under Harry Redknapp at the Boleyn Ground
between 1999 and 2001 admitted that it was Green's rich vein of form that
prompted him to recall the 32-year-old Hammer. And when asked whether he
believed Green still had a future at international level, Peace replied:
"100 per cent. "His form at West Ham has been outstanding. I make it my
business to speak to players and managers and see something in excess of 200
matches. His form is outstanding at the moment. "He's playing well in a
side that is playing well."
Chertsey-born Green currently has 11 full England caps to his name, but
hasn't featured for his country since making a high-profile gaffe against
the United States in the 2010 World Cup Finals. Manchester City's Joe Hart
is likely to start against Holland, with Green vying for a substitute spot
with Scott Carson.
* On-loan midfielder Henri Lansbury, who replaced Green in goal at Blackpool
on Tuesday night has been named in the England under-21 squad for their
forthcoming fixture with Belgium.
Full English/Dutch squads
England
Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham United), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), Joe
Hart (Manchester City).
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines
(Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Micah
Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker
(Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Tom Cleverley (Manchester
United), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Steven
Gerrard (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham
Hotspur), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).
Forwards: Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Fraizer Campbell (Sunderland), Daniel
Sturridge (Chelsea), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck
(Manchester United).
Holland
Goalkeepers: Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma),
Michel Vorm (Swansea City).
Defenders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Jeffrey
Bruma (HSV), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Málaga), Erik Pieters
(PSV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord).
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan), Nigel
de Jong (Manchester City), Adam Maher (AZ), Stijn Schaars (Sporting), Wesley
Sneijder (Inter), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham
Hotspur), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV).
Forwards: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Ola John (FC Twente), Luuk de
Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (PSV), Luciano
Narsingh (sc Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern
München).
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Miracles do happen... In triplicate
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 23rd February 2012
By: Paul Walker
Never have I been a pint half full sort, it comes from following West Ham
all my life. So I'm always the one urging folk not to get carried away.
But over the last three games I've witnessed something frankly I never
thought possible. Three times down to ten men, no defeats and seven points.
Oh, and back on top of the Championship.
I can never recall seeing a West Ham side win with ten men, and maybe West
Ham historians will be able discover whether any side has won after being
down to ten men for 82 minutes, like we did against Millwall.
I have seen sides hang on for draws with ten men, but to win twice from such
a position - added to the draw with Southampton with a man short - well that
all sounds like three miracles all at once.
Being at Blackpool this week with my son and 2,000 or so delirious West Ham
fans was a privilege. And we may just have reached a pivotal point of this
relentless season.
There comes a point when if you want to win promotion you have to frighten
the chasing pack, to make teams believe that they should be bothered about
staying in the play-off zone rather than weaken their resources by chasing
you.
Just how many clubs have finished third after a long, demanding race for a
top two spot, and then failed to win the play-offs? Too many.
We are not at that stage yet, but a ten point gap between us and third spot
would likely be the point when such thoughts can be considered.
So many times this season we have thrown away opportunities to take command
of the situation after getting ourselves into a really promising position.
Let's not see it happen again.
We have 60 points and 15 games to go. Big Sam claimed at the beginning of
the season that around 90 points would secure automatic promotion, so we
need 30 more points, or ten wins from our last 15 games. And that is a
reasonable target now.
The performance at Blackpool was a joy to behold. James Tomkins was again
outstanding, as was Mark Noble, with Nicky Maynard a nightmare opponent for
Blackpool's dreadful central defenders. They were not good enough for the
Premier League, and they are letting in far too many goals for the
Championship.
And Henri Lansbury was as cool as you like in goal after Rob Green was
sent-off, the lad has written his name into the club's folklore now.
And it is now clear these last three results have not been flukes. This team
is organised to such a point that it understands how to play with ten men,
yes, they are getting far too much practice! They maintain their shape,
hound the opponent in possession and concentrate on marking, keeping the
game tight, and covering.
And they know how to hit teams on the break. Virtually every clearance was
hit down the left channel for Ricardo Vaz Te, who is quick and strong and
can hold the ball to ease pressure on the defence.
It was a memorable night. Last season, when it was obvious players were
going through the motions, we would have crumbled. Just remember how many
two goals leads we squandered. David Sullivan, in this week's excellent Iain
Dale interviews, made it pretty clear what he thought of last season's
shambles. But more of that later.
We at last are seeing a team prepared to battle for the club, themselves and
us! Maybe the thought of vastly increased wages in the Premier League is
having an effect. No matter, this team cares just as much as we all do about
this club.
But, back to the half-empty concerns. We must beat Crystal Palace, avoid
defeat at Cardiff and then win two games in a week against Watford and
Doncaster in our next four matches. Then we can really start thinking about
the top flight.
Because the games that follow against Leeds, Middlesbrough, Burnley,
Peterborough and Reading - in 15 days in March - will be killers. Only after
that little lot will I start to really believe.
It's been an interesting week to be a Hammer, considering the Blackpool
success and the enthralling serialised interview with Sullivan on the West
Ham Till I Die website. Credit where credit is due, Dale has produced a
quality interview.
He's an adaptable, top journalist who knows a good story when he sees one,
and no, I was not surprised one bit that his stuff was lifted by nationals
newspapers without him being credited. It happens all the time.
A journalist will tell his sports editor that he has spoken to, say,
Sullivan, and has a good story and take the credit. He is not likely to tell
his boss he's picked up material from a fans' website. There's no glory
there.
And the fact that the material is in the public domain makes it's use by
other media outlets largely expected.
But Dale deserves credit for some really excellent lines. The best one was
revealing that Demba Ba's agent got £2m from Newcastle to engineer the
player's departure from Upton Park.
He then all but confirmed that Martin O'Neill - although not formally named
- strung us along for several weeks and had appointed two agents to do his
negotiations .
And then there was the suggestion that last season there were rival English
and foreign player groups in the squad, with the English plotting to get
Avram Grant out.
And who was surprised to hear that Matthew Upson felt he was "too good to go
to Sunderland" but ended up at Stoke with half the wages the Wearside club
had offered. And that he had begged Sullivan to release him from Birmingham
to join West Ham on big, big money when our co-owner was running the
Midlands club.
And many fans watching Scott Parker at the beginning of this season would
agree that he was trying his hardest not to get injured, which would have
scuppered his move to Spurs.
All in all, Dale has enlivened a great week even further with a succession
of very readable pieces. He unfortunately seems to have had some abuse from
fans on other sites, but he has been brave enough to take on a fans' website
in the first place and handle the flak. And I thought we were all in this
together.
I may not agree with his political views - I'm sure he can live with that -
but when it comes to the Hammers, we are all singing from the same song
sheet.
And yes, I have been made aware of the away fans at Blackpool singing,
"Let's go f***ing mental" boomed out over BBC Five Live to an unprepared
nation on Tuesday. Eh, sorry about that, but it was that sort of mental
night!
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Hammers win Green appeal
Goalkeeper available for Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace
Last Updated: February 23, 2012 3:26pm
SSN
The red card issued to West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green at Blackpool has
been rescinded after the Football Association upheld his claim for wrongful
dismissal.
Green was given his marching orders in Tuesday's game at Bloomfield Road
following a foul on Roman Bednar when the Hammers were leading 2-1.
Midfielder Henri Lansbury was forced to play the remainder of the game in
goal but West Ham still managed to build on their advantage and win 4-1.
Manager Sam Allardyce criticised the decision to dismiss Green, accusing
referee Oliver Langford of bowing to pressure from Blackpool's players.
Live on Sky Sports
West Ham v C Palace
February 25, 2012 12:30pm
And West Ham's appeal against the sending-off has now been successful,
allowing Green to come back into immediate contention for Saturday's
Championship clash at home to Crystal Palace. An FA statement read: "West
Ham United's goalkeeper Robert Green has had his claim for wrongful
dismissal upheld. "As a result, the one-match suspension handed to him has
been withdrawn with immediate effect." The news caps a good day for Green
after he was included in Stuart Pearce's England squad for the friendly
against Holland next Wednesday.
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Hammers risk losing Nouble
Striker keen on regular first-team action
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
February 23, 2012 5:02pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham risk losing striker Frank Nouble on a free
transfer as he yet to be offered a new deal. Nouble's current contract
expires at the end of the season and club have so far failed to offer him
fresh terms. The 20-year-old was a target for Championship rivals
Blackpoolon transfer deadline day, but the move failed to materialise.
Nouble, who scored and impressed in his only start in the Championship
against Derby in December, has seen himself pushed further down the pecking
order by the recent arrivals of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te with Sam
Allardyce having nine strikers on the books at Upton Park. The England Under
19 international impressed during a loan spell at Gillingham earlier this
season, scoring six goals in 14 appearances and a number of clubs are
monitoring his situation at West Ham. Nouble's adviser, Saif Rubie, has
admitted the striker is keen for more first-team action and that a number of
clubs are keeping tabs on his situation.
"Frank is very keen to get back playing week-in, week-out," Rubie told
skysports.com. "Frank is out of contract in the summer and has yet to be
offered new terms and a lot of clubs are aware of the situation. "However,
if West Ham don't offer Frank a new deal he is confident in his ability to
get himself playing at the highest level possible as he has shown before."
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West Ham midfielder ecstatic after cameo appearance between the sticks
London 24
Nathaniel John, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, February 23, 2012
6:00 PM
The Hammers' new-found goalkeeping hero Henri Lansbury was all smiles after
his brief 35-minute cameo spell between the sticks on Tuesday night in West
Ham's 4-1 win at Blackpool. Just 10 minutes into the second half at
Bloomfield Road, Rob Green rushed out of his area and took out Blackpool
striker Roman Bednar. Referee Oliver Langford showed little hesitation in
reaching for his back pocket and the England keeper was sent off. With the
Hammers having not named a substitute keeper on the bench, up stepped
Lansbury to fill in in goal. And the on-loan Arsenal midfielder stepped up
to the plate, managing to keep a clean sheet for the rest of the game. "I
was a bit shocked when Rob Green was sent off but then the gaffer turned
around and said 'You're going in' so I couldn't wait to get on, it was
enjoyable," said Lansbury. "I enjoy playing in goal, I did it quite a bit
when I was with my mates and in five-a-side tournaments I go in goal."
Lansbury did have previous professional experience of playing in goal, as he
once appeared there for the England under-21s in November, 2010. "I let a
penalty in playing for the England under-21s, but I suppose you don't have
to count that, so it's two clean sheets," he said. "Maybe I could go in goal
again sometime?" The midfielder also revealed that he had done very little
goalkeeper training before being called on on Tuesday night. "I had a little
muck-about with Martyn Margetson the other day and he was telling me to
watch the ball all the way into my hands and stuff," he said. "I sometimes
go in goal and let the lads take shots, but that's about it really. I just
enjoy going in goal and diving about because I'm a bit crazy!"
Lansbury has been a regular name on the bench in recent weeks for the
Hammers, so the 21-year-old was just happy to get some much-needed pitch
time, even if it was in goal. "It's hard to get back into a winning team,"
he said. "The lads have shown at Blackpool that we can play extremely well
with 10 men." The game at Bloomfield Road was the third successive match
that Sam Allardyce's side had seen a man dismissed, but Lansbury says the
mood in camp is strong. "It's great," he said. "I think we've started to
play well now and even with 10 men we look like we're going to score every
time we attack. "We've just got to try and keep this run going until the end
of the season."
With Green suspended for at least one game and a keeper's spot up for grabs
this weekend when Crystal Palace come to Upton Park, does Lansbury fancy it?
"I'm going to take my gloves into training," he joked. "Hopefully I can make
the squad as a goalkeeper!"
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Brown Continues To Impress
Posted on: Thu 23 Feb 2012
www.crewealex. Net
Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis has told the club's official web-site
that his trialist full-back Jordan Brown continues to impress. The former
West Ham youngster has been training with us over the last couple of weeks
and was one of our top performers against Macclesfield Town in a recent
'reserve' friendly.
Davis has been pursuing a left-back since taking over as manager in November
and has been forced to play Harry Davis, Carl Martin and Matt Tootle out of
position to cover the problem position. Brown, 20, spent a period on loan at
Aldershot from his previous club West Ham and Davis has been impressed by
his application as he tries to win himself a deal.
Steve told the club's official web-site: "Jordan has done well. He is a good
footballer and good athlete. He is a left-footer, so it is something we
haven't got and although his defending can be raw at times, he is decent.
"We are short of left-backs and Jordan is someone we are assessing with a
view to maybe offering him something.
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Tony Cottee Column: Finally West Ham play good football and score four fun
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Thursday, February 23, 2012
12:19 PM
What a fantastic result it was on Tuesday night up in Blackpool for the
Hammers. I was in the studio working while the game was on, but my colleague
was watching the game next to me and every time I looked at his screen it
seemed as though we were on the attack. What pleased me more than the result
was the way in which West Ham played. Wrongly, a lot of opposing fans think
we are a long-ball and direct side, which at times we have been this season,
but we are also more than capable of playing some entertaining, passing
football, which is what we showed on Tuesday. I thought that it was an
outstanding achievement to beat Blackpool with only 10 men on the pitch for
the final half an hour or so, especially as it was Rob Green that was sent
off. It was the third time in a row that a player has been sent off for West
Ham, although all three have come in different circumstances. Kevin Nolan's
was a silly tackle, Matty Taylor's was in retaliation and now Green's was a
professional foul.
You can't accuse players of being too passionate, but they need to stop
getting sent off! I saw the incident happen and on reflection I don't think
it was a sending off as I don't think it was a clear goalscoring
opportunity, the ball was going towards the corner flag. In addition,
Abdoulaye Faye and Winston Reid were close to the challenge and wouldve got
easily got back to the goal. However, in our time of need up stepped Henri
Lansbury, and I thought that he did really well. I know he has played in
goal for the England under-21s before, but coming off the bench in a game
for West Ham against promotion rivals is a whole new kettle of fish and he
handled the pressure really well. Another highlight for me was the four
goals that we scored away from home. I have been waiting for us to find our
shooting boots and hopefully the floodgates will open now. I like the look
of Maynard and he knows where the goal is and kept the Blackpool defence
busy all night. It is a different role to what he is used to but he looked
sharp and quick and if he can keep banging in the goals then that is all
that matters. It was also nice to see Ricardo Vaz Te get his first goal for
the club. Vaz Te offers us pace and width, two components that I feel we
have been lacking all season. I have also been impressed with James Tomkins'
performances in midfield and the other two home-grown players, Mark Noble
and Jack Collison are working well together. This weekend, we return to
Upton Park to take on Crystal Palace in a tough London derby. Palace have a
very good, young manager in Dougie Freedman and it will not be an easy game.
Of course, confidence is high in the West Ham camp following the last three
results and all home games between now and the end of the season will be
crucial.
Personally, I would like to see us continue to play the good football that
we saw at Bloomfield Road this Saturday, but at this stage of the season it
is all about getting results and getting those three vital points. With
Southampton not playing until later in the day, the game gives the Hammers a
perfect chance to send a message out to the rest of the league and go four
points clear at the top.
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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