WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil is targeting a victory over former club Middlesbrough on Tuesday
19.03.2012
Gary O'Neil is looking forward to a date with an familiar friend when West
Ham United take on Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening. However, the No32
insists there will be no old pals act when the Hammers face his former club
at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham are eight games unbeaten, but need a victory
over Tony Mowbray's men if they are to reignite their promotion challenge
and heap the pressure on leaders Southampton and second-place Reading.
Speaking to West Ham TV, O'Neil said the Hammers would take confidence from
their 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Saturday, while the player himself is
feeling fit despite suffering two heavy challenges on his recently-injured
ankle at Elland Road. "I think it was a big goal for us. We didn't deserve
to lose the game. We had enough opportunities in and around their box to
have got a winner earlier, but it was a decent point in the end considering
they scored so late. "I had a chance to put in a decent cross for Kevin
Nolan right at the end, but I made a mess of it and that's probably down to
a lack of games. I'd back myself to put in a decent cross and under the
circumstances it was disappointing because it was the last minute and we
could have gone on and won it. "It was a tough game to come into because it
was quite physical and quite fast and they were being physical. I got a
couple of tackles on the ankle and it was good. I was pleased to get on."The
ankle is not bad. There was a little bit of panic getting caught on it that
badly after being out for so long. There were memories of Aston Villa at
home [when I was injured in April 2011] but it's good. I think I took quite
a big bang on it, so it was good to come through it because we have a big
game on Tuesday. I am ready if needed. "I am desperate to be involved and to
play against my old club. More importantly, we need league points at the
moment."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is seeking a positive evening for all when Middlesbrough visit
the Boleyn Ground
18.03.2012
Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can build on the last-minute
equaliser they snatched at Leeds United on Saturday. The Hammers players
were all back in training bright and early on Sunday morning with the visit
of Middlesbrough arriving on Tuesday night. The mood in the camp would
certainly have been buoyed by Danny Collins' 90th minute equaliser in the
1-1 draw at Elland Road. "We were always in the game and looked comfortable
and looked like we might create something and get a goal," Big Sam said.
"Leeds is not an easy place to go and no away game is easy. You've got to
earn the right to get the victory and to earn the right to play. "In the
second half we had more space and more opportunity to play but we didn't
find the finish to get one goal in front. I thought we might have nicked the
win when Gary O'Neil went down the right in the last minute with three men
in the box but when you need that bit of vital bit of quality we didn't
produce it to get the goal and win."
James Tomkins' calf injury from Saturday means he is a doubt for the Boro
game, with Ravel Morrison - who made his debut on Saturday - and Gary O'Neil
standing by to replace him. The strength of the squad will be tested with
games with four games scheduled for the next 12 days.
"We're having a little struggle with injuries again. James Tomkins had to
come off with a trapped nerve in the calf, Julien Faubert was at home with
Winston Reid, Guy Demel and Papa Bouba Diop. The earliest we can expect
Ricardo Vaz Te back is against Burnley on Saturday. "We'll need some fresh
legs over the next ten days so that was a disappointment. We coped with the
change well and Gary did a good job when he came on. Ravel got a good feel
for what football was all about. He didn't get much of a touch but at least
he's on the field."
Although the Hammers are unbeaten on home soil since early December, the
last four home matches have ended in draws. If they are to start following
their managers wishes and win against Tony Mowbray's men then Big Sam knows
there must be a positive atmosphere inside the Boleyn Ground.
"Hopefully we can keep the unbeaten run going and start turning the draws
into wins. We need to start doing better at home and we need the fans'
support. We all want the same thing so we need to pull in the same
direction. "We need to help the team across the finishing line. If we are
playing badly then I don't expect to be let off the hook but we aren't
playing badly we just aren't winning."
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Hammers united for Muamba
WHUFC.com
The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United are with Fabrice Muamba
19.03.2012
Kevin Nolan has spoken on behalf of everyone at West Ham United in support
of Fabrice Muamba. The Bolton Wanderers midfielder remains in a critical
condition in hospital after collapsing on the pitch at White Hart Lane
during the Trotters' FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham Hotspur on
Saturday. The news reached the West Ham squad as they travelled back from
Leeds. Hammers captain Nolan played alongside the 23-year-old at Bolton and
is one of a number of Hammers players and staff members to have worked with
the former England Under-21 international. Matt Taylor, Joey O'Brien and
Ricardo Vaz Te played with Muamba at the Reebok Stadium, while Mark Noble,
James Tomkins and Henri Lansbury have lined up with him for England U21s.
The skipper said the thoughts of everyone at the Boleyn Ground are with
Muamba and his family. "I played with Fab at Bolton and he's a great lad,"
Nolan confirmed. "He is a young lad with a young family and we're all just
hoping and praying that he pulls through and everything is fine. We're all
praying for him at the moment. "A lot of the boys here know him from playing
with Fab at Bolton and the England Under-21s, or from playing against him
with Arsenal, Birmingham or Bolton. "We just hope for his young family's
sake and for his little boy that he will pull through and everything will be
fine."
Joint Chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan signed Muamba for Birmingham
from Arsenal on loan in 2007 and on a permanent basis a year later. Mr Gold
tweeted: "Fabrice Muamba is one of the nicest and most respectful young men
I ever met in football. I'm thinking of you Fab, get well soon."
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Leicester game moved
WHUFC.com
The away game at Leicester City will now take place on Monday 23 April
19.03.2012
West Ham United's penultimate game away at Leicester City has been moved to
Monday 23 April for live television coverage. The npower Championship match
was originally scheduled for Saturday 21 April but has been moved back by
two days to allow for live Sky Sports coverage. The fixture, which could go
a long way to deciding the Hammers' promotion fate, will now kick-off at
7.45pm. whufc.com will have ticketing news as soon as it is available.
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Gillingham extend Oliver Lee loan from West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Gillingham have extended West Ham midfielder Oliver Lee's loan spell until
15 April. Lee's loan at Priestfield expired on Sunday but the Gills took up
an option in his contract. The 20-year-old has made six appearances for the
Gills since moving from West Ham at the end of February. With suspensions
and injuries hitting the Gillingham squad hard in recent weeks, Lee has been
given an extended run in the first team. But manager Andy Hessenthaler
believes that it took until their 3-0 win over Cheltenham on Saturday for
the midfielder to finally come good. "There was a slight question mark on
him and he'll tell you himself that he hasn't really got to level that he's
at. "Today he got to that level," Hessenthaler said.
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West Ham v Middlesbrough
KO 19:45
19 March 2012
Last updated at 14:04
BBC.co.uk
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday 20 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
TEAM NEWS
James Tomkins is West Ham's latest injury worry for the visit of
Middlesbrough after the defender injured his calf at the weekend. The
Hammers are already without Papa Bouba Diop, Ricardo Vaz Te (both
hamstring), Winston Reid (head), Julien Faubert (groin) and Guy Demel
(thigh).
Boro will be without captain Barry Robson who is still banned following his
red card against Leeds. Utility man Rhys Williams will also be missing with
an ankle ligament problem.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
. West Ham are looking for a 25th win from their 58th league match
against Middlesbrough, who've won 22 of the previous 57.
. The Hammers are unbeaten in six league clashes with Middlesbrough,
winning five of them including the last two. They are hoping to complete a
second double over Boro in five years.
. The Teesside club have lost on their last seven league visits to
Upton Park, scoring only two goals in the process. They last claimed maximum
points on the east London ground in April 2000, with a 1-0 Premier League
triumph.
West Ham United
. West Ham had a third successive 1-1 draw on Saturday, away to Leeds.
. It took their unbeaten league run to eight games, but only three of
those have been victories, leaving them in third spot, three points behind
second-placed Reading, but with a game in hand.
. Sam Allardyce has not seen his side lose in eight games at Upton
Park - since Burnley's visit on 3 December - but neither have they won in
the last four.
Middlesbrough
. Middlesbrough have lost three of their last five league games
without scoring, including the most recent two. It's seen them slip to sixth
place, eight points behind West Ham in third, 11 shy of the top two.
. Tony Mowbray is hoping his side can collect a third win in four
away, although they have not managed to keep a clean sheet in league games
on the road in 2012.
. They are also still seeking the one goal that will take their total
in Championship games under the current manager to 100.
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So what do you really want?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th March 2012
By: Paul Walker
Ok, so let's get things straight once and for all as we face the final ten
games of this relentlessly demanding season.
Two questions. Do we want to stay in the Championship a second longer than
is necessary? Secondly, are we happy to continue abusing our own manager and
players with so much at stake over the final weeks of the season?
If the answers to both question are not a resounding NO on both occasions,
then you should really take a hard look at yourself.
Whether you think it is right or not that manager and players have got the
hump with the Boleyn fans over booing, the reality is that they have. Big
Sam is even claiming (in his Evening Standard column) that our players are
actually "frightened" of playing at home.
The damage that is causing is obvious to anyone casting an eye over the
league table. We have given away 21 points at home. Reading have conceded 20
and Southampton 12. Such fine margins will dictate who goes up.
My view is that a debate on whether players, who live in a financial bubble
with some being paid in one week what fans earn in a year, should feel this
way, is pointless.
Yes, they should be able to handle such pressure and do their job. But the
reality is different. There's also a valid discussion to be had over our
style of play, but not now.
The time has come for hostilities and booing to end. The greater objective
is too important. If we stay in this division one more season, the financial
implications are devastating, reading David Sullivan's interview with Iain
Dale recently over our financial situation should have left nobody in any
doubt.
Our debts, overall funding, quality of squad and ability to attract players
depends on us winning promotion this season. Sullivan's comments about
exactly where we are, made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. The debt
does not seem to being cut significantly, it's being managed and the owners
are funding the promotion chase.
This club could change forever more if we cannot get back into the Premier
League and take our share of the vast wealth being generated there.
So for a matter of about six weeks before the season ends, surely we should
give every ounce of support we can muster to this team. There's no point in
berating Sam over tactics at this stage, he isn't going to change and does
not have the creative ability in the squad to do so anyway, in my view.
And if the players are using the booing at home as an excuse, then we should
make sure that problem is no longer an issue. Fans maintain they have every
right to express a view, and they have, even if I wish people would think
first. But for six weeks, can we have a truce?
I am led to believe that the players were upset with the crowd reaction
after the Palace draw, and that they were not afforded greater credit for
their performances in three previous matches with ten men, in particular the
win at Blackpool.
I also understand that Big Sam has a group of fans who sit behind the home
dug-out area who are not slow to let him know what they feel. He's big
enough and ugly enough to handle that, it is not harming the performance on
the pitch.
It was evident during the Watford game that players were turning to the
crowd appealing for more noise and support, Abdoulaye Faye, Ricardo Vaz Te
and Mark Noble all turned to different areas of the ground urging more
support, in desperation at times.
I feel that the booing has been blown up out of all proportion anyway. But
it has become an issue because the players have made it so. And I don't take
kindly to a Spurs-supporting pal who asks me now if I'm booing my team.
Enough is enough.
So let's just give it a rest for the greater good of the club. People are
entitled to their opinions, we pay good money for tickets and are in an age
that demands for instant success, so patience is getting shorter from fans
who have still not really got over the disgrace of last season.
But I also believe players have pointed out that it is fine for the crowd to
bawl out Bubbles before the game, but that when the game starts the stadium
falls silent. Faye - and now Danny Collins - for example, have experienced
something very different at Stoke.
We have six weeks to put things right, to give the manager and players the
platform they want to perform, then there can be no excuses. Too many
players have left this club over recent years and complained about the fans
here, let's take away that final excuse this season.
The manager and players are quick to highlight the different atmosphere they
believe that emanates from the away support. Nearly 5,000 were at Leeds to
see an undistinguished game, but a vital point and a battling performance.
It was never going to be pretty, no game against a Neil Warnock side ever
is. But standing watching Leeds score with seven minutes left, I did wonder
what the reaction would have been had that happened at the Boleyn.
But the away fans just got on with things and kept pushing the players on,
to be rewarded with Collins' equaliser. In isolation, a point at Elland Road
is a good one, it's never been our happiest hunting ground.
I notice Warnock was complaining (not a surprise) about a perceived foul by
Carlton Cole in the build-up to Collins' equaliser. But he was strangely
quiet about Michael Brown's clear two-handed offence in the box in the first
half.
Warnock was given loud and deserved dogs' abuse by the visiting fans, who
found themselves conveniently placed almost behind the home dug-out. Carlos
Tevez's name hammered Warnock's ears.
The former Sheffield United boss turned and gave us a smile and a wiggle of
his bum at the end, at least he can take and give out stick. There's no
point is asking why our fragile players cannot do the same.
Sadly, away wins by Southampton and Reading left us that bit further away
from the top two places in the league.
But Sam and the players interviewed afterward were determinedly positive.
That has to be the only reaction, because negativity at this stage achieves
nothing when you are ten games from the end of the season.
What we have to do now is go on the sort of run that has taken Reading ahead
of us. Sam is still talking of 90 points to be sure, so maybe seven more
wins and a draw or two will reach that target.
That is not impossible. Reading have to visit us, Southampton and Birmingham
in their final nine games, plus matches against Blackpool, Leeds and
Brighton. If they win that lot, they deserve to go up.
Southampton play Hull, Blackpool, Reading and Middlesbrough. So there is
scope for them to slip up as well.
So negative talk of us blowing it should end. There is still almost a third
of the season left in six frantic weeks. As fans we should put all our
complaints to one side and give this great club the best possible chance to
win promotion. The alternative does not bear thinking about.
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Gold's warning
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham co-owner David Gold has issued a thinly-veiled warning to Sam
Allardyce after the Hammers fell further behind in the promotion race at the
weekend.
Despite pulling off a creditable draw at Leeds thanks to Danny Collins'
90th-minute equaliser on Saturday afternoon, West Ham found themselves three
points behind second-placed Reading and five behind leaders Southampton
after both won at Barnsley and Millwall respectively. And Gold, who faced
the fury of disappointed Hammers fans via Twitter on Saturday night admitted
that the situation would have to improve soon. Despite stating that, "We are
7 [matches] unbeaten" (it's actually eight) Gold, when questioned whether he
would be content with a top-six finish, added: "No, I will not be satisfied
with a play-off place. We have to start winning and I think we will."
Despite remaining unbeaten since the 5-1 defeat at Ipswich on 31st January,
West Ham have managed to win just two of their last seven matches, with only
the difficult away matches at Blackpool and Cardiff resulting in three
points gained. Meanwhile draws again Southampton, Crystal Palace, Watford
and Doncaster at the Boleyn Ground - plus Saturday's stalemate at Elland
Road - have left Allardyce's team playing catch-up with just ten games of
the season to play. The first of which comes against Middlesbrough at the BG
tomorrow evening; a good crowd is expected for a match from which anything
less than a win is likely to leave the Hammers facing an uphill task to
achieve automatic promotion.
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Spoil Sports
KUMB,.com
Filed: Monday, 19th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's final away game of the season has been moved from a
Saturday afternoon to a Monday night at the behest of Sky TV. Once again
another weekend away has been spoiled for travelling fans in order that Sky
Sports fill their Monday night slot. Initially planned for Saturday, 21st
April at 3pm, the match will now take place on Monday, 23rd April at 7:45pm.
Many of those supporters hoping to attend the match will now have to book at
least half-a-day off work in order to make the game - West Ham's penultimate
fixture of the Championship season.
West Ham's remaining fixtures
Middlesbrough (h); Burnley (a); Peterborough (a); Reading (h); Barnsley (a);
Birmingham (h); Brighton (h); Bristol City (a); Leicester (a); Hull (h).
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Tomkins to miss 'Boro test
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
James Tomkins will miss tomorrow night's visit of Middlesbrough - but should
be back for Saturday's trip to Burnley. That's according to the latest
missive via Twitter from co-chairman David Gold who was questioned about the
central defender by Hammers fans. "James Tomkins' injury isn't as bad as
first thought," tweeted Gold, adding: "[He] should be back for Saturday".
Tomkins failed to appear for the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw with
Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday after sustaining an injury as the first
half drew to a close.
The 22-year-old central defender, who was once again playing in the holding
role just ahead of the back four fell awkwardly after attempting to win the
ball on the edge of West Ham's penalty area. Up until that point, the former
England under 21 - who celebrates his 23rd birthday in ten days time - had
been an effective force in nullifying the Leeds threat, going some way to
justifying his inclusion in the Championship managers' top ten players of
the season which was announced last week.
Fortunately for Sam Allaryce - who is also without the injured Winston Reid
(the New Zealander likely to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder
injury) - having signed Danny Collins from Stoke on an emergency loan last
week, he has cover for the central defensive position. Collins will be keen
to repeat his exploits of Saturday when he marked his full debut for West
Ham with the last-gasp equaliser that earned United what could yet prove to
be a vital point in the race for promotion.
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West Ham v Middlesbrough preview
Last updated: 19th March 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of the Championship clash between West Ham and Middlesbrough
at Upton Park on Tuesday. James Tomkins is West Ham's latest injury worry.
The England Under-21 international had to come off during Saturday's 1-1
draw at Leeds due to a calf problem and is set to miss out. Tomkins, usually
a centre-half, has been playing in midfield as Papa Bouba Diop remains
sidelined with a hamstring injury. Winger Ricardo Vaz Te will be out for at
least another week with his hamstring problem while Winston Reid (head),
Julien Faubert (groin) and Guy Demel (thigh) are still carrying knocks.
Ravel Morrison, who made his first Hammers appearance as a late substitute
at Elland Road, could therefore be in line for a full debut while Gary
O'Neil is also on standby.
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will be without influential midfielder Barry
Robson once again. The Scotland international will sit out the second
instalment of the three-match ban be picked up for his sending-off in the
2-0 home defeat by Leeds. Utility man Rhys Williams will also be missing as
he recovers from the ankle ligament problem he suffered during the same
game. Faris Haroun's hamstring injury continues to be assessed, but he
remains a doubt for the game at Upton Park.
Goalkeeper Danny Coyne is back in training after a calf problem, but striker
Scott McDonald, while making good progress, continues his rehabilitation for
medial ligament damage.
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Lee extends stay with Gills
Last Updated: March 19, 2012 5:35pm
SSN
Olly Lee has extended his loan stay with Gillingham by a further month. The
midfielder, 20, arrived at Priestfield on a youth loan from West Ham last
month and has made five appearances to date, his most impressive coming in
Saturday's 3-0 victory at Cheltenham. Speaking of Lee's performance, boss
Andy Hessenthaler told the club's official website: "We saw the best bits of
Olly and to be honest we haven't seen that yet, we know what he can do.
"I've seen him at West Ham and I think he produced what we have all been
waiting for and he will tell you that himself." Lee, who is not expected to
be handed a new deal by the Hammers in the summer, will now remain with
Gillingham until at least April 15.
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Purge Your Negative Thoughts & Get Behind the Team!
March 19th, 2012 - 6:39 pm by Iain Dale
Paul Walker has written a superb rally call on Kumb today. Read his article
- above...
I feel like writing something similar myself, but with only 20 minutes to go
before I go on air with my LBC show I had better resist temptation.
OK, I wasn't at the Leeds game, but the negativity from people commenting
during the game and since has to be seen to be believed. Yes, it's
disappointing not to get a win, but people seem to forget we're unbeaten in
8. Yes, Reading and Southampton are on great runs and we need to start
winning rather than drawing to ensure a top two finish. But are we going to
do that by wallowing in our own negativity? It's a simple question with a
simple answer. No.
I can't be at the Middlesbrough game tomorrow, but if I were, I'd be
shouting myself horse. I wouldn't boo a player having an off day either. We
will get promotion by sticking together, backing the team, backing the
manager and trying not to react to setbacks by jerking our knees.
COME. ON. YOU. IRONS!
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Fan flak doesn't bother me - Allardyce
Published 22:30 19/03/12 By Alex Shaw
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists he is tough enough to deal with Upton
Park's boo-boys. Big Sam has come under fire from some fans in recent weeks,
following disappointing home draws with Crystal Palace, Watford and
Doncaster. But Allardyce, whose third-placed side host promotion rivals
Middlesbrough- on Tuesday, says he can cope with the detractor-s - while
also targeting 23 more points from their final 10 games to avoid the
play-offs. He said: "I have got two skins on top of my own. "I could put my
rhino skin on if it gets half bad, and if it gets really bad I can put my
elephant skin on top of that. "That's life. It's what you have to deal with
no matter where you go. At one stage, you're going to get abused. "With
playing or managing, things are going to get a bit sticky as nobody has
patience now. But if you excite the fans, they'll get behind you. "I think
23 points will be enough, that is the realistic target if you want automatic
promotion. "It is quite simple, 90 points has been good enough these past
few years. It's a big target, but one we are capable of."
Allardyce has urged his men to keep calm tonight and pick up a 10th home win
of the season. He added: "We have been anxious in front of our own fans
recently.
"It has been difficult for them to feel comfortable in their own
environment. But if we don't stay calm, it could cause the nerve endings to
jangle. "Players want to win more than the fans, whatever- the fans think.
"That's why we do this job. We enjoy pressure - we want to win and send the
fans home happy."
Boro have lost three of their last five matches and boss Tony Mowbray is
using his special wall chart for inspiration. He said: "I break down the
whole season and colour code it. "There are red games for losses, but there
are plenty of yellow and green games. Maybe too many yellows, draws.
"There's positivity there. We must keep believing."
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Muamba's 'best friend in football' Hoyte may miss West Ham clash over heart
attack horror
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:32, 19 March 2012 | UPDATED: 22:32, 19 March 2012
Daily Mail
Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte will decide late on Tuesday whether he
is in the right mental state to play at West Ham. The former Arsenal full
back is a close friend of Fabrice Muamba and on Saturday, as he headed back
from his side's game at Birmingham, he was one of the first footballers to
tweet his support for the Bolton midfielder. Hoyte wrote: 'I hope my best
friend in football is ok. Stay strong bro. God is with u.' Hoyte travelled
to London with the rest of the squad after training on Monday but manager
Tony Mowbray said the defender will decide whether he plays. Mowbray, who
watched the horror at White Hart Lane unfold with his players on the team
bus, said: 'I have every respect for Justin. I will gauge his frame of mind
and what he is thinking but ultimately it will be down to him.'
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