WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted after seeing his side defeat Millwall 2-1 in the npower Championship
04.02.2012
Sam Allardyce has hailed West Ham United's 2-1 victory over Millwall as 'the best win' he has ever had in his managerial career. The Hammers shrugged off the disappointment of losing captain Kevin Nolan to a ninth-minute red card to beat their local rivals through goals from Carlton Cole and Winston Reid. Nolan was sent-off after what referee Mick Jones deemed to be a two-footed tackle on Jack Smith before Cole put his team in front on the stroke of half-time. Liam Trotter equalised on 66 minutes, only for Reid to cap a memorable afternoon with a rasping winner just three minutes later. "I that is probably the best win I've ever had as a manager, wherever I have been" Big Sam told West Ham TV. "We went down to ten men after nine minutes on what I thought was a very harsh decision by the referee. It was not endangering the opposing player and it was not out of control or with any great force or velocity and there was no intent because that has been taken out [of the rulebook]. "The character of the players at this club and the will to bounce back after a very disappointing defeat on Tuesday [at Ipswich Town] was there for all to see. With ten men, we began to control the game, to probe and put Millwall under pressure rather than sitting back and waiting to play on the break and catch them out. "We took the game to them, we got the ball into their box and were producing quality balls. We got another outstanding set play and Carlton scored for us. We could have scored more. "In the second half, we came out and went on the front foot. Julien Faubert produced a great header and I was up because I thought it was in but it hit the bar and came out. Then we had the disappointment of their goal and then Matt Taylor put a great corner and we only had to head it in from a yard out but we missed it. "Then we got Reidy producing what you'd like your centre forward to do with a stunning volley from the edge of the box. We even had some chances after that and out-chanced Millwall with ten men and thoroughly deserved the win."
While his ten men continually created chances against the Lions, Big Sam was equally pleased with the organisation, tenacity and discipline shown to keep the visitors' chances to a minimum. "The discipline of the side to nullify the 11v10 situation, we made life extremely difficult for them. They scored a great goal, but that was the only way they were going to score."
Big Sam also hailed the performance of Man of the Match Mark Noble and fellow Academy graduate James Tomkins, who played in a new defensive midfield role for the first time. Cole, Julien Faubert and half-time substitute Matt Taylor also drew praise from the manager. "Everybody did their job In and out of possession, we were superb. As a manager, when you see your team go down to ten men and you see that spirit and desire to commit everything that you've got for themselves and the fans it is absolutely magnificent."
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Noble wins SBOBET player poll
WHUFC.com
West Ham fans have voted Mark Noble as their SBOBET Player of the Month for January
04.02.2012
Mark Noble was the overwhelming winner of January's SBOBET Player of the Month poll on whufc.com. The club's longest-serving player polled 46% of the vote after an impressive month where he netted three crucial penalties against Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest, which helped earn the Hammers a valuable six points. James Tomkins marked the signing of his new long-term deal with some eye-catching performances which secured him second spot with 24% while goalkeeper Robert Green finished third with 15%.
Noble joins previous winners Tomkins (August), Henri Lansbury (September), Sam Baldock (October), Carlton Cole (November) and Dan Potts (December).
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West Ham 2 Cole 45′ Reid 69′
Millwall 1 Trotter 66′
4 February 2012
Last updated at 14:26
BBC.co.uk
Ten-man West Ham moved four points clear at the top of the Championship table with a narrow derby win over London rivals Millwall at Upton Park. The home side had captain Kevin Nolan sent off early on before taking the lead through Carlton Cole's header. Liam Trotter equalised for Millwall with a stunning effort but Winston Reid put the Hammers back in front with a 20-yard strike into an unguarded net. Alan Dunne came close for the Lions but Sam Allardyce's men held on. The league leaders looked set for a stern test when Nolan was given a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Jack Smith with only nine minutes gone. Millwall looked to press home their advantage, home goalkeeper Robert Green diving bravely to deny Darius Henderson. But, just before half-time, Reid headed Mark Noble's free-kick back across goal for Cole to nod home easily. The home side were nearly 2-0 up shortly after half-time, Juilen Faubert's header coming back off the bar. The Lions then drew level on 65 minutes, Henderson outmuscling Abdoulaye Faye and playing in Trotter, who volleyed into the roof of the net. But three minutes later, West Ham were back in front with what proved the winner. Under a heavy challenge from Faubert, Millwall goalkeeper David Forde could only punch the ball into the path of the on-rushing Reid, who finished first time from outside the area. Forde claimed a foul, but referee Mick Jones awarded the goal, condemning Millwall to their fifth defeat in six games.
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Nicky Maynard's Bristol City exit influenced by fans
BBC.co.uk
Former Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard says abuse from fans influenced his decision to move to West Ham. The 25-year-old signed for the Hammers on Tuesday after failing to agree a new deal at Ashton Gate. "I was ready to move because it was hard for my family to come to games," he told BBC Radio Bristol. "The fans were giving me a hard time, which I could take, but for them to be how they were with my family was more or less the turning point for me." He continued: "I trained as much as I could and played as well as I could. The staff and the players were behind me but I think the fans were getting a bit agitated. "There were times when my parents and my family had come to away games and they were getting stick, they had bottles thrown at them which wasn't very pleasing and I found it disrespectful. "In the long run it was best that I get out the way now, concentrate on playing football and make sure my family are happy and secure as well."
Maynard had been with Bristol City since July 2008, arriving from Crewe for £2.25m, and scored 46 goals in 131 games for the Championship side. His contract was due to expire at the end of the season and, after failing to commit to a new deal at the club after nine months of discussions, the forward was placed on the transfer list. Wigan, Blackburn and Swansea enquired about signing Maynard, but he opted to join West Ham on a two-and-a-half-year deal, thought to be worth around £2m.
"I felt this was my best opportunity to play Premier League football without any worries of having to be a yo-yo club," he added. "They're a massive club with a massive fanbase and everything to go up. "I'm going to concentrate on playing for West Ham and hopefully I can do well for myself and my career."
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A perfect day
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 4th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
It was a wonderful day for West Ham in the Championship being as they were one of only two teams in the top eight to secure a victory. Following ten-men West Ham's 2-1 victory over old enemy Millwall at the Boleyn Ground in the day's early kick-off, only Blackpool managed to emulate United's win with a 3-1 victory against Cardiff in Wales. Elsewhere Middlesbrough could only manage a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace, whilst the evening game between in-form Birmingham City and former league leaders Southampton produced the same result. With Hull and Reading not playing due to the adverse weather conditions, those results ensured that West Ham extended their lead at the top of the table to four points over nearest rivals Southampton. Defeat for Malky Mackay's Cardiff leaves them six points behind the Hammers, whilst Ian Holloway's Seasiders are now up to fourth with 48 points - eight behind West Ham. The only sour note for West Ham was the dismissal of Kevin Nolan, meaning that he will sit out United's next three fixtures against Peterborough, Southampton and Blackpool - although given his recent below-par performances that could yet prove to be a blessing in disguise.
nPower Championship: current standings
1. West Ham United 29 56 +16
2. Southampton 29 52 +20
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3. Cardiff City 29 50 +13
4. Blackpool 29 48 +12
5. Birmingham City 28 47 +19
6. Middlesbrough 29 47 +3
-----------------------------------------------
7. Hull City 28 46 +3
8. Reading 28 45 +8
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Duo's delight
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 4th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble and Carlton Cole both had plenty of reasons to be satisfied with their part in West Ham's fightback against Millwall this lunchtime. Kevin Nolan's rash challenge just eight minutes in saw referee Mike Jones produce an instant red card that left Sam Allardyce's team reduced to ten men and up against it for the remainder of the game. But his team responded magnificently to earn all three points at the Boleyn Ground through goals from Carlton Cole and Winston Reid.
Man of the Match Noble, who produced a whole-hearted midfield performance that echoed that of the legendary Billy Bonds was the lynchpin at the heart of United's win - a victory that lifts the Hammers five points clear at the top of the Championship. But he felt it was the performance of team mate Cole, playing as a lone striker that gave West Ham the impetus to produce their first league win against the old foe at the BG since 1991. "I've been here with Coley for many years now and I know what he's capable of," Noble told SkySports. "No defence in any league can handle him when he's on form and I think he showed that today up there on his own. "He worked for the team and some of his hold up play - when he had two defenders around him - was fantastic. Credit to him and I hope he can keep it up for the rest of the season. "Obviously Kevin Nolan getting sent off so early made it difficult, but the lads ran their nuts off. We needed that one."
Cole - unlike most West Ham fans inside the BG this afternoon - insisted that he had little doubt that the Irons would go on to claim all three points - even when Millwall equalised midway through the second period. "When it came back to 1-1 we said we'll just go and get another goal, so it wasn't a big problem," said the affable striker. "We knew our work rate was going to allow us to do this. "Hopefully that will put us in good stead for the rest of the season and [help us] forget that 5-1 defeat we had at Ipswich. The boys' work rate today was second to none. "I know Southampton will put us under pressure but we've just got to concentrate on ourselves, get the results and tick off the wins."
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West Ham Utd 2 Millwall 1
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 4th February 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have moved five points clear at the top of the Championship thanks to a 2-1 win against neighbours Millwall in a scintillating derby at the Boleyn Ground this lunchtime. Winston Reid's 69th minute strike - which followed an opener by Carlton Cole that was nullified by Liam Trotter's equaliser - was enough to win United all three points and give them their first home win over their bitter rivals in the league for 21 years. However Sam Allardyce's men had to do it the hard way after losing Kevin Nolan with just eight minutes played. The West Ham captain was shown a straight red card by controversial referee Mike Jones for what he deemed to be a challenge worthy of an instant dismissal.
Jones - who went on to book six more, fail to issue second cautions to at least two Millwall players already carded for blatant fouls and play six minutes of added on time when there were no stoppages in the second half - is no stranger to controversy where United are concerned. For he was the man in charge at the Britannia Stadium last March when West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Stoke thanks to two hugely controversial goals, neither of which should have been allowed due to blatant fouls in the build up to each. The inept Jones left the Boleyn Ground also feeling the ire of the away fans for allowing Winston Reid's winner to stand, despite a clear foul by Julian Faubert on goalkeeper David Forde in the build-up to the goal.
West Ham - who went into the game with what most considered to be an unnecessarily defensive formation against a side struggling at the foot of the table - looked at sixes and sevens in the opening exchanges. And when the card-happy Jones pulled out a red for Nolan's late challenge on the Lions' Jack Smith after just eight minutes, West Ham's chances of producing their first home win over Millwall in the league since 1991 looked bleak. But the Hammers, looking a far better side with ten men than they had prior to Nolan's early dismissal struck a killer blow at the perfect time to give themselves a massive psychological advantage to take into the second period.
Mark Noble's free kick - awarded two minutes into added-on time after the eventual goalscorer was felled whilst challenging for a long clearance by Rob Green - was aimed towards the far post where Winston Reid nodded it back towards goal. Cole - showing the natural goalscoring instinct that often evades him - pounced to send his header firmly over the head of goalkeeper Forde and into the back of the net, seconds before the half time whistle was blown.
The second half was a far more cagey affair but the Hammers still looked good value for the lead until Liam Trotter - who else? - took advantage of indecision by Abdoulaye Faye to level the scores on 66 minutes. The veteran centre half, restored to the starting line-up for the first time since the 3-0 defeat at Reading six weeks ago tried to usher the ball out for a goal kick. However Faye's indecision allowed Millwall's Marcus Henderson to poke the ball back into the box where Trotter found the only area of the goal in which he could feasibly aim to make it one-apiece.
The joy of the travelling 1,500 supporters - situated neatly out of harms' way in the upper tier of the Trevor Brooking Stand - was to last for just three minutes before centre-half Reid struck the killer blow.
A long-ball aimed down the throat of Millwall's defence should have been meat and drink for 'keeper Forde, formerly of West Ham, but he bizarrely opted to punch the ball instead of catch it. As he did so, flying Frenchman Faubert - who enjoyed one of his best ever games in claret and blue - clearly impeded him, leaving Forde in a crumpled heap on the floor. However referee Jones amazingly allowed play to continue and Reid, positioned some 25 yards from goal hit a superb volley that flew into the back of the empty net. So annoyed was Forde that he was booked a good six minutes later for his persistent complaints.
Millwall proceeded to throw everything at the Hammers in a desperate bid for an equaliser but their lack of craft and class was clearly evident as Rob Green was tested just the once in the ensuing 25 minutes - that being when sub Ryan Mason blew a gilt-edged chance from just eight yards out after the ball had been worked wide of West Ham's defensive line.
Other than that, the visitors' only chance in the second half came on 77 minutes when a beautifully-struck 30-yard drive from Alan Dunne narrowly evaded Green's far post, with the England 'keeper scrambling to his right.
West Ham could have put the game to bed well before then had either of Julien Faubert's (a glancing header that clipped the bar and rebounded to safety) or James Tomkins' (a goal bound header from a corner cleared off the line shortly after the Lions' equaliser) second half efforts found the net. As it was, United clung on to take all three points - even though they had to fend off their opponents for six additional minutes; quite why they came from, no-one but referee Jones will know.
You have to go back to 26th November to find the last time Sam Allardyce's side won by more than a single goal (3-1 against Derby) - although that will be of little concern tonight after a fantastic performance, against the odds, by ten brave men - a performance that leaves West Ham five points clear at the top of the Championship.
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Allardyce hails Hammers
West Ham boss thrilled as Hammers go top with win
Last Updated: February 4, 2012 4:12pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce said West Ham's 2-1 home win is one of the best of his management career after his ten men beat Millwall to stay top of the Championship. West Ham went five points ahead of Southampton after the win despite losing captain Kevin Nolan to a straight red after just nine minutes for a two-footed tackle. "This is by far one of the best wins I've ever had in my entire management career," Allardyce said. "To play in a local derby and to go down to ten men after nine minutes and then to perform the way we performed was absolutely outstanding.
Fantastic
"The whole group of players did a fantastic job today and it wasn't anything other than they deserved. "When Millwall got back into it I thought it'd be tough and a draw would be a good result under the circumstances but never say die, there's a lot of character and belief and that came through in the end." Allardyce defended his captain Nolan's dismissal, saying: "The situation as I have looked at it is Kevin is not going through the man with two feet, he's only going with one foot, he's not off the floor or out of control. "For me that's a poor decision, I think that's harsh.
Intent
"He's a Premier League referee and he's probably been told to do it but from my point of view there's no way there's any intent by Kevin to injure the opposing player." Millwall keeper David Forde was booked for arguing with the referee after he appeared to be fouled by Julien Faubert to allow Winston Reid to hit the West Ham winner into an open net. "I haven't had a look at that," added Allardyce. "Sometimes they're given and sometimes they're not. "That one was a stroke of fortune but for me the taking of the chance when the foul isn't given is the ultimate quality we've been missing."
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Derby win keeps Hammers top
Last updated: 4th February 2012
SSN
West Ham secured three vital Championship points with a 2-1 home win over Millwall despite playing with 10 men for more than 80 minutes. Winston Reid was the Hammers' unlikely hero on Saturday as the league leaders sank their derby rivals Millwall. The New Zealand defender hit only his second goal for the club moments after Liam Trotter had cancelled out Carlton Cole's first-half header. The drama came after Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan was shown a straight red card for a nasty two-footed lunge on Jack Smith with just nine minutes on the clock. Happily there was no repeat of the crowd trouble which marred the last meeting between these old foes at Upton Park, in the Carling Cup in August 2009. Nevertheless, the derby-day atmosphere clearly got to Nolan as his rush of blood left his team-mates to play more than 80 minutes a man down.
The Hammers shipped five goals in a shock defeat at Ipswich on Tuesday night and were desperate to get back to winning ways to cement their place at the top.
So the last thing they needed was to see their captain and most experienced player given his marching orders after just nine minutes.. Nolan may have got some of the ball, but he also got a lot of Smith and both his feet were off the ground as he slid in, giving referee Mick Jones no choice but to brandish the red card. The home side had looked jittery even before Nolan trudged off, with Rob Green fumbling a deflected shot for a corner which Alan Dunne headed narrowly wide in the opening 25 seconds.
Green also had to save bravely at the feet of Darius Henderson, but the 10 men improved as the first half wore on and took the lead in stoppage time with Cole's ninth goal of the season. Mark Noble floated in a free-kick, Reid's back-header looped high into the air and Cole rose above his marker to nod past David Forde.
They were inches away from going 2-0 up four minutes into the second half when Julien Faubert's header from George McCartney's cross beat Forde but came back off the crossbar.
Instead, they were pegged back in the 65th minute when Abdoulaye Faye tried to let the ball roll out for a goal-kick and was robbed by Henderson, who chipped it back for Trotter to lash home a fine volley from 15 yards. But Millwall were level for just two minutes before Reid popped up to grab the winner. Forde felt he was fouled by Faubert as he punched Joey O'Brien's up and under, but play continued and when the ball fell to Reid 20 yards out, the centre-half finished like a striker with a superb first-time shot past the floored Lions keeper and into the net.
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Ten Things to Emerge From the Millwall Game
February 4th, 2012 - 4:51 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
1. While the team selection seemed bizarre at the time, it actually played to our benefit when Nolan got sent off.
2. This team has a great team spirit. The Nolan sending off upped their game by 10% and the celebrations at the end showed how much it meant.
3. Mark Noble should be team captain. It was he who inspired the whole team to victory.
4. Winston Reid has a shot on him. We've seen it before, and this time it resulted in a goal.
5. James Tomkins is not a midfielder. Play him in his proper position. Always.
6. Julien Faubert was man of the match. Again. He nearly scored with a peach of a header.
7. George McCartney make look shaky in retreat, but he certainly seems to have discovered how to cross.
8. Carlton Cole took his goal well and had a good game.
9. Ricardo Vaz Te looked sharp in the few minutes he had on the pitch. But what on earth is that hair cut all about. Not very aerodynamic!
10. With Blackpool winning at Cardiff, it's a very good day indeed.
My player ratings: Green 6, Faye 5, Reid 7, Tomkins 6, McCartney 6, O'Brien 6, Noble 8, Nolan 2, Taylor 6, Collison 6, Faubert 8, Cole 7
UPDATE: I'm taking a bit of a beating in the comments about number 5. Fair enough, but I suppose it just shows we all see things rather differently. I marked him at 6. I didn't think he had a bad game, particularly, but I enjoy seeing him in defence, where more often than not he plays a blinder.
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West Ham v Millwall: Two arrests as huge police operation keeps the peace
London 24
Colin Grainger , Editor
Saturday, February 4, 2012
5:50 PM
A massive police operation at the West Ham - Millwall game kept the peace on Newham's streets today. Mounted police officers and lines of colleagues in Green Street and surrounding areas kept things mainly quiet. There were just two major arrests at the game. Scotland Yard said one man was arrested for affray before the game and taken into custody and after the game an other was arrested for assault on a police officer. He is understood to have thrown a missile. All local pubs were asked to shut to prevent any problems. The normally busy Boleyn was boarded up before the game kicked off at 12.30pm. Some shops also decided to avoid damage and problems by closing for the day. Most pubs are being allowed to re-open this evening.
Before the game, fans of both football clubs were warned by police to behave for a match marred by violence in the past. Scotland Yard said it had liaised closely with both clubs to ensure the match was safe and trouble-free. While there is no information around disorder being organised, the Met, British Transport Police and other agencies put in a pan-London operation in place for match day. Police officers were at Upton Park and throughout London for the duration of the game. They also employed a range of tactics to identify and target potential troublemakers. Borough Acting Commander Chief Supt Sean Vickers, match commander for the event, said before the game that the Met has a great deal of experience in policing high-profile football matches in London and would not tolerate any troublemakers. After the match Chief Supt Vickers said: "I would like to thank fans for their behaviour for what has been a largely succcesful operation."
The Met said they worked closely with Millwall and West Ham for several months to deliver an event that legitimate football fans would enjoy. There were no arrests inside the ground. The Hammers won the game 2-1 to remain top of the Championship.
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West Ham United 2 Millwall 1: match report
Telegraph.co.uk
By Alex Shaw at Upton Park3:58PM GMT 04 Feb 2012
Ravel Morrison was meant to escape those who set a bad example when he sought refuge in east London, away from the trying lights of Manchester. No luck. He saw new captain Kevin Nolan sent off eight minutes into West Ham's boisterous win over Millwall for a two-footed lunge on Jack Smith, an indiscretion that was lucky not to cost his side. Winston Reid's powerful volley saw to that, after Liam Trotter's similarly impressive effort cancelled out Carlton Cole's first half opener. Sam Allardyce, who claimed Nolan's dismissal was harsh, said: "I think this may be a defining moment. It was a result we deserved and we managed the disappointment of Kevin going off the field. "I am upset because it could have spoiled the game. It's not the worst tackle in the game and if they are going to keep doing that, we will see 10 versus 11 and nobody wants that. Morrison, a precocious talent taken from the fringes of Manchester United's first team, did not make the squad for this victory that continues his new side's charge back to where he and they came from; the Premier League. His time will come. Millwall's time in the Championship is running out. They just lacked the requisite fight behind enemy lines to make the numerical advantage in their ranks count and thankfully, Green Street and the surrounding battlegrounds also lacked fight before Cole and co. made the difference between these two foes. 'Welcomed' is stretching it. The Boleyn Ground opened its doors to Millwall for the first time since that desperate night in August 2009 when events were disfigured by disorder. But no riots this time. No punctured lungs. No blood or broken bottles. For Kenny Jackett's Millwall, just broken hearts. Reid's winner leaves Jackett's men immediately above the bottom three. Nolan lunged at Smith and rightly saw red, Jack Collison collided with Andy Keogh and Scott Barron clashed with Joey O'Brien - and that was just the first half. Cole's neat header from Mark Noble's free-kick signalled home joy at the end of it. Darius Henderson received a warning early in the second half, while Shane Lowry thudded into Matt Taylor before Julian Faubert thudded the bar with a header. Trotter's wonderful volley on 66 minutes levelled it but just two minutes of parity ensued before Reid thundered home a volley after David Forde could only punch to the edge of the area. Forde protested that Faubert clattered him and he had a point. Millwall, much to Kenny Jackett's dismay, did not have theirs. "I have seen the replay of the major incidents and I thought the second goal was a foul on David Forde," he said. "He wiped out his legs and that is a foul. "Having viewed it again, I think it was a mistake. "It was tight - West Ham are very capable. I am disappointed with the first goal and Cole wanted it more than us. "We had a lot of the ball but results are the bottom line. We need 21 points from the remaining games to get 50 points and that is our aim."
WEST HAM Green; McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, O'Brien; Noble, Collison (Taylor 46), Faye, Nolan, Faubert (O'Neil 80); Cole (Vaz Te 88) Subs not used: Baldock, Maynard, O'Neil
MILLWALL: Forde; Barron (Kane 57), Lowry, Ward, Dunne; Feeney (Mason 80), Trotter, Smith, Abdou, Keogh; Henderson Subs not used: Allsop, N'Guessan, Mason, Wright
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IGNORE MAYNARD,MORRISON AND VAZ TE…THIS WAS WEST HAM'S BIGGEST SIGNING!
Posted on Saturday, 4th February 2012 by Patrick Temperilli
ForeverWestHam.com
We've made it through to the other side of the transfer window and it must be said that West Ham have come out much stronger. We have purchased three players, two of which (Nicky Maynard and Vaz Te) are proven goal scorers at this level and one of whom (Ravel Morrison) is a midfield wonderkid who could offer us some much needed creativity going forward. But as important as the players we brought in (potentially, at least) is the players we managed to keep, none more so than homegrown talent James Tomkins.
The 22 year old centre back has really impressed so far this term and, after showing his potential for a couple of years now, seems to finally be growing into his potential. He's solid in defence, good in the air (both in defence and while attacking corner kicks), and is by far our best passer of the ball in the back line. While the team under Allardyce seems more concerned with lumping the ball forward, Tomkins does it most accurately and when the situation calls for it he can play a great pass along the ground. His poise on the ball and technique are hallmarks of his training in the Academy, and his defensive skillsets really mark him as a promising centre back of the future. Comparing him with the other defenders currently in claret and blue, Tomkins is the most complete defender by far and has formed a good partnership with Winston Reid. With Tomkins's history at the club and his leadership abilities I feel like he may even be a future captain. Only time will tell, given that he has now signed a new five year deal at the club, Hammers fans can be confident of watching the steady growth of a potential England regular leading the defence at the Boleyn Ground.
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Reid hammers home 'defining' victory
West Ham United 2 Millwall 1
JACK PITT-BROOKE SUNDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2012
The Independent
It was a win which Sam Allardyce described as "one of the best" of his career. Despite playing for 82 minutes with 10 men, West Ham outplayed Millwall and while some fans have been underwhelmed with the style of football this season, this was a demonstration of the very best of Allardyce. West Ham played with discipline, nerve, efficiency and unquestionable commitment to overcome the early dismissal of Kevin Nolan.
Carlton Cole, who headed the first goal, and Winston Reid, who volleyed the second, were both very good, but Mark Noble and James Tomkins, outnumbered but never outfought in midfield, were exceptional.
Allardyce agreed it could be a "defining moment" in the push for promotion, coming four days after a 5-1 defeat at Ipswich. "It was a win we thoroughly deserved and a fantastic performance," he said. "After the disappointment on Tuesday it makes it a very, very satisfying performance and result for all the players."
The reason it was so impressive was because only nine minutes in Nolan launched himself like a long-jumper towards Jack Smith's shins. This was a clear example of excessive force and Nolan was rightly dismissed.
Millwall had the extra man, but lacked the skill and ambition to make him count. The longer the first half went on the less disadvantaged West Ham looked. Noble, who took on Nolan's armband, took on his playing duties too, making so many tackles, passes and runs that he made up for his absent captain.
It was Noble who supplied the ball for the opening goal. His long free-kick was headed on by Reid and Cole outmuscled Darren Ward to head the ball past David Forde.
Early in the second half Millwall finally started to stretch West Ham and, thanks to an exceptional piece of skill, equalised. Darius Henderson hooked the ball from the by-line back to the edge of the box, where Liam Trotter adjusted his body to volley into the far top corner. This is a West Ham team of remarkable resilience, though. Avram Grant's relegation side of last year would surely have folded having lost the lead, but Allardyce's did not: within three minutes they were in front.
Forde chose to punch a cross, and Julien Faubert ran into him. The referee, surprisingly, did not whistle and Reid volleyed into the empty net. "You won't see a better volley than that in the game this weekend," Allardyce said. Millwall's manager, Kenny Jackett, thought it was a foul, and probably had a case.
But a team that creates so little in 82 minutes of 11 against 10 football does not warrant too much sympathy. The gleeful celebrations at the final whistle, Cole embracing Allardyce, told of a job exceptionally well done.
West Ham (4-1-4-1): Green; O'Brien, Reid, Faye, McCartney; Tomkins; Faubert (O'Neil, 80), Noble, Nolan, Collison (Taylor, h-t); Cole (Vaz Te, 89).
Millwall (4-1-4-1): Forde; Dunne, Ward, Lowry, Barron (Kane, 56); Smith; Keogh, Trotter, Abdou, Feeney (Mason, 81); Henderson.
Referee: Mike Jones
Man of the match: Noble (West Ham)
Match rating: 8/10
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