WHUFC.com
Development Squad manager Ian Hendon was a happy man after his side's 2-0
win at Brentford
14.03.2012
West Ham United's Development Squad manager Ian Hendon is glad to see that
his young West Ham United Development Squad are continuing to work hard
right up until the end of the season. Ravel Morrison turned in an
eye-catching display as he grabbed his first two goals in claret and blue
during Tuesday's 2-0 win at Brentford. His manager for the day was
understandably pleased with how the 19-year-old applied himself during the
game. "Ravel did really well and it's not surprising. When you watch him in
training you see the potential that he has and he's showed that today on the
pitch. He scored two very good goals and Sam will be very pleased about
that." Hendon said. "If he keeps his head down and continues to progress
well maybe he will have a part to play with the first team before the end of
the season. He's got that spark and potential quality that makes him a
dangerous player. "He's settled in well having moved from the north and the
lads have taken to him too, things are moving along nicely with Ravel"
Morrison's promising performance came in a Development Squad victory that
featured a number of Academy players, many of whom, like Morrison, are
beginning to show their potential. Hendon is keen to use the final months of
the season to help prepare the youngsters for next season as first-year
professionals. "The main thing to do from now until the end of the season is
focus on those who are about to become first-year professionals next season
and make sure they are ready for the step up. "Games like these are great
experience for them and should prepare the lads for the challenges they will
face next year."
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Duo in top ten player list
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins and Kevin Nolan have been voted in the top ten Championship
players of the year
14.03.2012
James Tomkins and Kevin Nolan have been recognised for their outstanding
form this season by being voted into the top ten players in the npower
Championship.
The pair were selected in a poll of every npower Championship manager to
find the Championship Player of the Year. That award was picked up by
Southampton's Rickie Lambert at the weekend, but Tomkins' and Nolan's
performances saw them voted in at fifth and sixth in the poll respectively.
Tomkins has enjoyed a fine campaign this season and has formed formidable
defensive partnerships with both Winston Reid and Abdoulaye Faye. The
22-year-old was rewarded for his excellent form when he signed a new
long-term contract at the Boleyn Ground in January. West Ham United captain
Nolan has had a memorable first season for the Hammers since joining from
Newcastle United in the summer. The No4 has bagged an impressive nine goals
from midfield so far this season to make him the club's joint highest
goalscorer with Carlton Cole.
The full list of npower Championship players is as follows:
1. Rickie Lambert - Southampton
2. Peter Whittingham - Cardiff City
3. Adam Lallana - Southampton
4. Jay Rodriguez - Burnley
5. James Tomkins - West Ham United
6. Kevin Nolan - West Ham United
7. Kevin Phillips - Blackpool
8. Rhys Williams - Middlesbrough
9. Wilfried Zaha - Crystal Palace
10. Chris Burke - Birmingham City
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The Big Interview - Henri Lansbury
WHUFC.com
The No22 talks promotion, goalkeeping and going great guns with England U21s
13.03.2012
Henri Lansbury is targeting a third promotion in four seasons. The No22 has
had an eventful 2011/12 season, joining West Ham United before scoring on
his debut against Portsmouth in September and keeping goal in the 4-1 npower
Championship win at Blackpool last month. At international level, the
midfielder has scored four goals to lead England's charge towards the 2013
UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals. Lansbury spoke to whufc.com
about his hopes for club and country.
Henri, you have won promotions with Scunthorpe United and Norwich City in
the previous three seasons. How about making it three in four years?
"I think going out on loan has helped me massively. I got promoted with
Scunthorpe and obviously Watford was a different experience, going from the
top of League One to near the bottom of the Championship and fighting our
lives each week. "I then went to Norwich and we were at the top, which was
great for me because I was playing in a free role off the striker [Grant
Holt]. I was shining in there until I got injured and then I came back at
the end of the season and came on and scored a few vital goals as a
substitute. "Coming here and at the top of the table has been good because I
think things flow more easily than when you're at the bottom because teams
are scared of you. "If I can get three promotions in four seasons, then that
might be a little record? That's what I'm hoping for. Hopefully we can get
promoted and back into the Premier League."
After scoring on your debut, you were injured at Southampton in October and
forced out for two months. How did that affect your progress this season?
"My injury affected me and it took me a while to get back and then I
couldn't get back in team. I've just got to stay positive and when I get my
chance, take it.
"There is a massive amount of competition for places in midfield, but you've
got to take that competition as a positive and use it to get the best out of
yourself.
"It does get you down if you know you're not going to play, but we've got a
lot of games coming up and you can't let your frustrations affect how you
perform in training or in matches. You've got to stay positive and keep your
head. "I definitely know I can do well in the Championship - I just need the
opportunity to play week-in, week-out and I can show my talent then."
You famously went in goal after Robert Green was sent-off at Blackpool in
February and kept a clean sheet as we won 4-1. How did you enjoy that
experience?
"I was excited to go in goal, to be honest! When I play football with my
mates, I love pulling the gloves on and diving in the puddles and all that.
I loved playing in the garden or down the park as a kid and getting really
muddy so I think it stems from that. "At training, if there is not a 'keeper
available, I'll take the gloves and face a few shots, but obviously doing it
a game was massively different. "When I did it for England [Under-21s
against Germany in November 2010] I didn't feel any pressure because I came
on and straight away faced a penalty and I knew I didn't have much chance of
saving it. "It was a great experience and, you never know, hopefully it'll
happen again!"
Seriously speaking, what 'type' of midfielder do you see yourself as being?
"I like getting forward into goalscoring areas, which I've shown I can do.
If I've got to defend, I've got to defend and that's something I need to add
in to my game.
"I'd rather be attacking and playing as the No10 behind the striker. I think
it brings the best out of me when I play there. "Obviously you cannot take
the captain out of the team, so I'll have to work on my game to try to find
a position in the team whether it's next to him, out wide or in a more
defensive position. I'll just keep working hard at my game to keep on top of
stuff."
Finally, you are going great guns with the England Under-21s and are seven
points clear at the top of your qualifying gruop. Are you confident of
qualifying for EURO 2013?
"It's definitely going well. I love going there and pulling on the No10
shirt and playing behind the striker. They are a great bunch of lads and
some great up-and-coming players. "Being part of the team and being given
the ball all the time is great and we've obviously got an outstanding chance
of going to the Championship finals next year."
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Going to the wire
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been edged out of the Championship's automatic promotion spots
after Reading grabbed a 1-1 draw against Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium
last night. A second half equaliser from defender Alex Pearce earned the
Royals a point against Rovers, who had held Sam Allardyce's side to a draw
at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. Pearce's goal - which cancelled out Kyle
Bennett's 27th-minute opener - was enough to send Brian McDermott's side a
point clear of the Hammers into second spot, two points behind current
leaders Southampton. And West Ham, who have a game in hand on both Reading
and the Saints have been relegated to third place for the first time in 2012
- and only the second occasion since 1st October. With all three teams in
good form of late - neither Southampton, Reading or West Ham have suffered
defeat in their last seven fixtures - the race for promotion promises to go
to the wire. Southampton, who like Reading have ten games left to play have
six of their remaining games away from home - as do the Royals. The two
teams are due to meet at St Mary's Stadium on Friday, 13th April. Reading
are also yet to visit the Boleyn Ground where the Hammers are hoping to gain
revenge for the 3-0 defeat on 10th December - a game that saw both Joey
OBrien and Jack Collison sent off.
Three-horse race: the remaining fixtures
West Ham Utd: Leeds Utd (a); Middlesbrough (h); Burnley (a); Peterborough
(a); Reading (h); Barnsley (a); Birmingham (h); Brighton (h); Bristol City
(a); Leicester (a); Hull (h).
Southampton: Millwall (a); Hull (a); Doncaster (h); Blackpool (a);
Portsmouth (h); Crystal Palace (a); Reading (h); Peterborough (a);
Middlesbrough (a); Coventry (h).
Reading: Barnsley (a); Peterborough (a); Blackpool (h); West Ham Utd (a);
Leeds Utd (h); Beighton (a); Southampton (a); Nottm Forest (h); Crystal
Palace (h); Birmingham (a).
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Season ticket price hike due
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 14th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are set to raise season ticket prices next season - although
much will depend upon which division the club are playing in. Whilst rumours
of a 30+ per cent rise are said to be well wide of the mark, the club are
set to raise prices ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, KUMB.com has learned.
Should Sam Allardyce's team achieve promotion to the Premier League this
season a higher rise can be expected than if the club spend a second
division outside the top flight. Meanwhile it is still to be decided if the
club will honour the pledge made by the previous administration to offer a
20 per cent reduction to those supporters who had held a season ticket for
the five years prior to the 2012/13 campaign. The issue was initially raised
by members of the Supporters' Advisory Board's Club Products & Ticketing
group in August 2011. Speaking at the time, Head of Marketing Tara Warren
told the group that the club's previous board did not have the remit to
sanction such offers.
Speaking back in 2009, CEO Scott Duxbury, announcing the impending 20 per
cent discount said: "The current economic climate is a challenge for us all.
It's important we acknowledge this and adjust our prices accordingly. "Our
fans are central to this club and everything we do. Their support has been,
and continues to be, invaluable."
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Halford - Losing Hendo a blow
Portsmouth defender ponders on imminent exit of team-mate
Last Updated: March 14, 2012 3:19pm
SSN
Portsmouth defender Greg Halford has admitted that the imminent departure of
Stephen Henderson "is a blow" for his team. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is on
the verge of joining West Ham United on loan until the end of the season
with a view to a permanent move. The deal is designed to decrease the cost
of running Portsmouth,who are currently under administration, as Henderson
has been one of the best players for Pompey since his summer arrival from
Bristol City. Halford is saddened by the expected exit of the Irishman and
confessed that "it is hard to take".
A blow
"We knew about Hendo on Friday and it is hard to take, to be honest," he is
quoted as saying in The News. "He has been brilliant for us this season.
Jamie (Ashdown) came in against Brighton and, to be honest, did really well.
"But it is a blow to lose Hendo. "I would probably put him in the category
of our player of the season, so to lose a player of that calibre and lose
his consistency throughout the season is tough to take. "You have to get on
with it. We have had to deal with a number of players going. Losing your
captain (Liam Lawrence) is massive also.
Carry on
"Before Hendo left, two influential players on the pitch and off the pitch
had gone, but that is football and you do have to get on with it," he added.
"Hayden (Mullins) could be going also, although I don't know the full
details of that at the minute. We will have to wait and see. "Now there is
the chance to bring in another couple of players. But Hendo would definitely
be up there as my player of the season."
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Morrison closes in on Hammers bow
Ravel Morrison could soon be pitched in to help West Ham's promotion bid
after impressing with his early development at the club.
Football365
Last Updated: 14/03/12 at 17:45 Post Comment
Manager Sam Allardyce has yet to hand the January signing from Manchester
United his debut, saying it would take time before he is ready for the first
team. But the 19-year-old attacker gave Allardyce a nudge with two
well-taken goals as the Hammers' development squad beat Brentford 2-0 on
Tuesday. And coach Ian Hendon told the club's official website: "Ravel did
really well and it's not surprising. When you watch him in training you see
the potential he has and he showed that on the pitch. "He scored two very
good goals and Sam will be very pleased about that. If he keeps his head
down and continues to progress well, maybe he will have a part to play with
the first team before the end of the season. "He's got that spark and
potential quality that makes him a dangerous player. He's settled in well
having moved from the north and the lads have taken to him too. Things are
moving along nicely with Ravel."
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Tony Cottee Column: Now is the time for West Ham to stand up and be counted
London24
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
4:30 PM
When I was writing my column last week, I was confident last week that the
Hammers would take six points which would have taken them top of the
Championship and provided Sam Allardyce's men with a real chance to push on
for the title. However, once again West Ham fans were left frustrated with
their team's performance.
I managed to watch both games and they both had a really similar feel to
them and it is starting to look like we have a slight problem with our home
form. No disrespect to Watford or Doncaster, but they are the teams that we
should be beating at Upton Park. However, to look on the positive side, we
didn't lose either match and we remain just three points off top spot, with
a game in hand on both Southampton and Reading, who sneaked above us with
their draw at Doncaster on Tuesday night. We started really well on
Saturday, but we couldn't keep the intensity after we got that first goal,
which often happens to teams. I don't know why, but the longer that a team
doesn't score a second goal, the more confidence the opposition gets, which
is what we saw on Saturday. I think that the Hammers fans have been
brilliant this season and they have been very patient, but they want to see
West Ham win their home games and rightly so. Yes, teams will come to Upton
Park and put 10 men behind the ball as it is their biggest away game of the
season, it is like a cup final to them. Because of this, their players will
give that extra 10 per cent, and the Hammers don't seem to be able to break
teams down at the moment, which is a concern. I don't know why, but it seems
as though we don't have a Plan B for when things aren't going our way at
Upton Park. If West Ham want to gain automatic promotion, then their home
form needs to be sorted.
No excuse
There is no excuse for it, and there is no place for players to hide when it
comes to this time in the season. Now is the time for West Ham's players to
really stand up and be counted and push on to get back into the top two, and
ultimately win promotion back to the Premier League. I know that a lot of
people have been blasting the forwards for not taking their chances, but I
would question the quality of those chances. A lot of the time they are not
clear-cut chances, but opportunities the forwards have had to create by
themselves. I personally think that the quality of service has been lacking
for the strikers this season, so it is harsh to lay the blame completely on
the forwards. This weekend, the Hammers travel to Leeds in what will be a
clash between arguably the two biggest clubs in the Championship. It will be
a tough game against Neil Warnock's side, who we know will be well-organised
and willing to fight and scrap for 90 minutes. In front of 30,000 fans at
Elland Road, I would be happy if West Ham managed to get a point to stay in
touch with the teams at the top of the league. If the Hammers play like they
did in their last away game at Cardiff, then Allardyce's men should push
Leeds all the way.
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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West Ham boss is a worried man as Reading go second
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
8:35 AM
To many he looks like a confident, some would say brash manager, but make no
mistake, Sam Allardyce is a worried man at the moment. He knows his team
have what it takes, not only to gain automatic promotion, but to win the
Championship outright, but missed chances and spluttering home form is
making the job a tough one and Reading's 1-1 draw at Doncaster on Tuesday
night, leapfrogged them into the automatic promotion places at West Ham's
expense. "There has never not been a worry," admitted the West Ham manager
after their own 1-1 home draw with Doncaster made it four on the trot at
Upton Park. "There is a confidence to say we are good enough, but there has
always been a worry. "Every time I wake up at six o'clock on a Saturday
morning I worry before a game - it is the worst time of the week for me."
So are his team feeling the pressure too as Reading continue on their
remarkable run of results? "Maybe slightly and we had a bit of a discussion
about it, but I think we are all big enough and professional enough to
handle what's thrown at us," said Allardyce. "We are on an undefeated run
even though we are not as fluent as we want to be at home. "I think the old
problem that we do have is that we want someone to score goals when we get
chances more often and if we do that in the last 11 games then we won't have
a problem. "If we don't do that then we are going to keep our nerve ends
jangling to the very end. "We didn't have a problem at Blackpool when we
went down to 10 men, we didn't have a problem at Cardiff, but we did have a
bit of a problem when we lost a goal against Doncaster because we got edgy,
panicky and we can't allow ourselves to do that."
Of course the level of expectation for Allardyce and his squad is immense.
Southampton have been up there all season, but they were not expected to be
so prominent, while other big hopes at the start of the season like
Leicester City and Leeds United have found it tough to keep pace with the
leaders. So is it two from three for automatic promotion now? Allardyce is
still wary of others too. "I still see the others can go on an amazing run
like Reading have," he said with a worried frown. "But what we have got to
do is win football matches and not worry about anybody else. "I think at the
end of the day we are second in the league on 66 points, the same as
Reading, one game in hand on Southampton which catches us up on points if we
win it, though not on goal difference. "Our game in hand is Peterborough
away on the 27th of this month and my main concern is about having players
fit and available. "We have got to get some of them fit because it falls
Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and at the end of those it is
going to decide whether we have given ourselves a bit of breathing space or
whether we are going to have to fight right to the very end."
West Ham fans may be worried, but it seems that the manager feels it every
bit as much as they do.
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Vaz Te was so close to the fastest ever West Ham goal
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
8:15 AM
Hammers striker Ricardo Vaz Te hit the net in the opening 10 secconds
against Doncaster last Saturday, only to be denied the fastest ever West Ham
goal. Back in December, Ricardo Vaz Te sent Crystal Palace reeling after
just 10 seconds of their clash with Barnsley at Oakwell when he thumped the
Yorkshire side into the lead.
And the speedy 25-year-old Portuguese striker almost eclipsed that feat on
Saturday for West Ham as he hit the net in just 8.7 seconds against
Doncaster Rovers.
Vaz Te collected a brilliant pass from Kevin Nolan, outmuscled Pascal
Chimbonda and poked the ball past keeper Carl Ikeme, only for referee Andy
D'Urso to rule he had fouled the Rovers full back. Left back Matt Taylor
thought the goal should have been given. "I thought from where I was
directly behind it, that it was a fairish challenge," said Taylor.
"Obviously the referee deemed otherwise so it was just one of those things,
but it would have been a brilliant start." It would. In fact it would have
been the best ever start by a West Ham team. The previous best was Ken
Bainbridge's strike against Barnsley in August 1949 which was timed at 11
seconds, while against the Hammers, Charlton's Jim Melrose scored in nine
seconds at Upton Park back in 1986. This would have been better, but maybe
Vaz Te has got something else up his sleeve for the future. After all, it
seems he is making a habit of it!
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