WHUFC.com
Henri Lansbury will come up against some familiar faces when Watford visit
on Wednesday evening
06.03.2012
Henri Lansbury wants to upset his old Watford team-mates when the Hornets
visit West Ham United in the npower Championship on Wednesday evening. The
Hammers midfielder and some-time goalkeeper spent the 2009/10 season on loan
at Vicarage Road, scoring five goals in 39 appearances to help the Hornets
steer clear of relegation. Lansbury is still in contact with a number of his
old colleagues, most notably Watford captain and former midfield partner
John Eustace, and he is itching to get one over his friend. "There are a few
of them still there," said the No22. "I used to play in midfield with John
Eustace and I'm still good friends with him. He obviously named his son
Henry after me, which was nice. I talk to Eusty all the time, so I'm sure
we'll have a bit of banter before the game and if I'm playing I'll just run
past him! "Our strength and conditioning coach Monte [Mathew Monte-Colombo]
is very close to him too as he used to work at Watford and they go out for
dinner all the time, so I'm sure we'll both be on the phone and texting
him."
Henri Lansbury was a popular figure during his loan spell at Watford
Lansbury remembers his season with Watford fondly - particularly the early
part of the campaign that saw the Hornets lose just one of their opening
nine league matches to set the pace among the leaders at the top of the
Championship table. Two years on and Sean Dyche's side arrive in east London
on the back of a 3-2 win over Burnley at the weekend. The Hertfordshire-born
player knows West Ham will not have everything their own way against his
former club. "When I was there we started the season really well and were in
the top-six and I thought we were going to fight for promotion but within a
few games we were down at the bottom. Just like that season, the league is
very tight this year and anyone can beat anyone. They're a good team and I
hope they stay up. "We're going to have to be careful of Lloyd Doyley
cutting in and shooting! (Doyley has scored one goal in more than 350
appearances for Watford). Seriously, though, they are a well set-up team. As
manager, Malky Mackay sorted them out and Sean Dyche has carried on the good
work. We put one over Malky at Cardiff on Sunday and hopefully we can put on
over Dychey, who was the assistant manager when I was there, on Wednesday."
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George's nine-point plan
WHUFC.com
Goalscoring left-back George McCartney is determined to end the week with
nine points
06.03.2012
After helping West Ham United to victory against Cardiff City on Sunday with
his first goal of the season, Hammers full-back George McCartney is keen to
carry on winning. The 30-year-old-defender rounded off a superb 2-0 victory
by scoring the second goal of the game, while helping keep a clean sheet at
the other end. McCartney's strike was just his second goal for the Hammers
in 101 appearances and was certainly a moment to cherish. "It doesn't happen
too often, I think the last one was four years ago," McCartney said. "I got
a bit of luck after it bounced off of their right back but I managed to tuck
it away with my right foot. It doesn't matter how they go in as long they do
I'm happy!"
Although pleased with netting his first goal since returning to West Ham
after a three year hiatus, McCartney is still looking at the bigger picture.
While the win against promotion rivals Cardiff was vital in keeping the
pressure on Southampton, only two more wins in back-to-back home matches
will now do. "It's nice to score but the most important thing is the three
points. We all watched the results coming in on Saturday. Middlesbrough,
Reading and Southampton all won so a win for us against Cardiff was
important."
With three games in the space of just seven days, the Northern Ireland
defender is keen to take Sunday's form back to the Boleyn Ground. With games
against Watford on Wednesday night and Doncaster on Saturday afternoon,
McCartney is keen to pick up six more points. "When it's a three-game week,
we always seem to beat the toughest opposition and then when it comes to
game against a lesser team, no disrespect to anyone, we seem to struggle.
Take for example our great win against Blackpool we then struggled at home
to Crystal Palace, a team we feel that at home we should beat."
McCartney is determined not to let a similar fate occur this week and the
league standings suggest that if West Ham play to their potential then there
is every opportunity they can pick up vital points. "We know what we have
got to do now, it's getting to the business end of the season and we have
got to keep on picking up points; come Watford on Wednesday night, three
points is definitely what we are looking for."
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Piquionne joins Doncaster on loan
WHUFC.com
Frederic Piquionne has joined Doncaster Rovers on an initial one-month loan
06.03.2012
Frederic Piquionne has joined Doncaster Rovers on an initial one-month loan.
The 33-year-old will remain with the npower Championship club until Monday 9
April. Piquionne could make his Rovers debut in the league fixture at
Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening, but he will not be eligible for
Saturday's visit to the Boleyn Ground.
The former France international has made 21 appearances for the Hammers this
season, scoring twice, but has found his first-team opportunities limited
since the January transfer window arrivals of Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz
Te.
Piquionne becomes the eighth West Ham player out on loan at present, joining
Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Freddie Sears
(Colchester United), Peter Kurucz (Rochdale), Marek Stech (Leyton Orient),
Cristian Montano (Notts County), Olly Lee (Gillingham) and George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon)
As well as Piquionne, Spence, Kurucz, Stech, Sears, Montano, Lee and Moncur
could all be in action for their respective loan clubs on Tuesday evening.
Full-back Callum Driver and forward Paul McCallum have returned to Chadwell
Heath after their respective loan spells at Burton Albion and Rochdale ended
on Monday. Meanwhile, Academy graduates Matt Fry, Jordan Brown and Ahmed
Abdulla have joined npower League Two clubs Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra
and Dagenham and Redbridge following their release by West Ham in January
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad head for Colchester
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's young squad will take on Colchester United in Essex on
Wednesday afternoon
06.03.2012
Ian Hendon's West Ham United Development Squad will travel to Essex to take
on Colchester United on Wednesday afternoon. The young Hammers will travel
to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a 3pm kick-off against the npower
League One side, with the match being open to members of the public. Tickets
for the match will be available through cash turnstiles priced at £5 for
Adults, £2 for Under-16s and Over-65s and free for West Ham season ticket
holders. With the first team in npower Championship action against Watford
on Wednesday evening, Hendon will have an inexperienced squad at his
disposal, with the likes of United States Under-23 midfielder Sebastian
Lletget, Republic of Ireland Under-19 international Eoin Wearen and
first-year professional Callum Driver among those expected to be on duty.
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West Ham v Watford
KO 19:45
6 March 2012
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Wednesday, 7 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio
5 live and BBC local radio
TEAM NEWS
Matt Taylor returns to the West Ham squad for the visit of Watford after
serving a three-game ban. Julien Faubert (virus) is doubtful while John
Carew is struggling with a knee problem. Defender Winston Reid could miss
out after he was knocked unconscious on international duty.
Watford are without long-term absentees Martin Taylor (shoulder) and Stephen
McGinn (knee). Ross Jenkins (groin) and Gavin Massey (tooth infection) both
miss out.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham lead 21-5 in the overall head-to-head, with five of their
31 league meetings drawn.
• Watford were trounced 4-0 when they faced West Ham at Vicarage Road
seven months ago, but they recorded a 1-0 win on their last visit to Upton
Park, in the Premier League in February 2007. It was their only victory over
these opponents in 21 league fixtures since November 1985.
• The Hammers need to score twice to total 50 league goals against
Watford.
West Ham United
• The second-placed Hammers resume the race with Southampton for top
spot in the Championship, looking to stretch their unbeaten league run to
six games.
• Sam Allardyce has masterminded three wins and two draws since a
shock 5-1 away loss to Ipswich; their only reverse in nine league games this
calendar year.
• The East London club, who are aiming for an immediate return to the
Premier League, are also a seventh home league game without defeat. They
have drawn the last two at Upton Park, but have not been beaten before the
home faithful since the visit of Burnley on 3 December.
Watford
• On Saturday they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at home against
Burnley. It was the fourth time the Hornets have come from behind to win in
the league this season.
• Sean Dyche's men have managed just three away victories in the
Championship and their total of 12 goals scored is the second lowest away
return in the division. Only Coventry (seven) have a worse record.
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West Ham's Frederic Piquionne joins Doncaster Rovers on loan
BBC.co.uk
Doncaster Rovers have signed striker Frederic Piqiuionne from West Ham on an
initial one-month loan. Rovers boss Dean Saunders has been interested in the
former France international since last autumn. And the deal was agreed
during talks between the pair on Monday evening. Piquionne, 33, has been
with West Ham since July 2010, when he joined them from Lyon for an
undisclosed fee, but has been unable to command a regular starting role this
season. He has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring
twice, but a dozen of them have come from the substitutes' bench. However,
Saunders hopes his arrival at the Keepmoat Stadium will give a boost to a
Rovers side that has only scored 28 goals in 32 Championship games this
season and is currently bottom of the table. Piquionne, who will be in the
Doncaster squad for Tuesday's game at Nottingham Forest, first came to
England in 2009 when he joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan . His spell
on the south coast proved successful and he scored one of the goals in a 2-0
FA Cup win over Tottenham which put Pompey into the final for the second
time in three seasons. He played against Chelsea at Wembley, but it was the
Londoners who lifted the trophy following a 1-0 victory .
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Piq off to a flyer as Saints falter
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
It was a good night for Freddie Piquionne as he scored on his Doncaster
debut - and not a bad one for West Ham either as Championship leaders
Southampton dropped two points at home to Ipswich. Piquionne, who made his
debut for new club Doncaster at Nottingham Forest tonight scored the first
of Rovers' two goals in a 2-1 win that lifts Dean Saunders' side off the
bottom of the Championship. Meanwhile Southampton blew the chance to go four
points clear of West Ham - who face Watford at the Boleyn Ground tomorrow
night - after conceding a late goal at home to Ipswich at St Mary's. Ricky
Lambert's 74th minute goal - his 25th goal of the season and his fifth in
the last three appearances - looked like it would be enough to earn the
Saints a fourth successive Championship win. However the Tractor Boys - who
have already beaten Sam Allardyce's West Ham both home and away this season
- salvaged a point courtesy of an 85th minute equalise from Jason Scotland.
The point extends Southampton's lead at the top of the table to two points -
but crucially, the Hammers now have two games in hand over Nigel Adkins'
side. Elsewhere Reading continued their charge up the table with a SEVENTH
successive Championship win after grabbing a narrow 1-0 win over bottom club
Portsmouth. The Royals are now just one point behind West Ham, albeit having
played a game more. Fourth-placed Middlesbrough maintained their outside
hopes of automatic promotion with a 2-0 win over Barnsley but Ian Holloway's
Blackpool suffered a setback going down 2-1 at Derby.
The other club in the top six, Birmingham, were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea in an
FA Cup fifth round replay.
Squeaky bum time? The top of the Championship tonight
1. Southampton 35-66 +30
2. West Ham Utd 33-64 +21
----------------------------------------
3. Reading 34-63 +16
4. Middlesbrough 34-59 +8
5. Blackpool 35-56 +12
6. Birmingham 33-55 +21
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I'm a warrior
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Piquionne has completed a move to Doncaster on a month's loan -
although West Ham will continue to bear the brunt of the player's salary.
The French striker has moved to the Keepmoat Stadium until the beginning of
April with an option to extend the loan for the remainder of the season.
Speaking on doncasterroversfc.co.uk this morning, Piquionne said: "I have
been in involved in scraps like that before at some of my previous clubs and
I'm ready. "I hope to score goals and do my best for the club. In my head
I'm a warrior and I will fight to keep Doncaster in the Championship."
A warrior in his head he may be although his feet appeared to have other
ideas in a season during which he has managed to find the back of the net on
just two occasions. Not that that appears to be a major concern for Donny
boss Dean Saunders, who expressed his delight at landing the 33-year-old.
"He's a player we've been after for a while and it's a big signing for us,"
he said. "Obviously Willie McKay has been involved and it's helped that he
[Piquionne] is good friends with Lamine Diatta. "I want to thank West Ham as
well for helping us with the wages otherwise we would never have been able
to afford to sign him." Piquione is set to make his debut for his new club
against Nottingham Forest tonight. A condition of the deal is that he will
not be available to face the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground this weekend.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carr pleased with progress
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Academy Director Tony Carr has told the club's website that he expects to
discover "by the beginning of the summer" whether West Ham United have been
granted Category One status in the controversial Elite Player Performance
Plan. Carr, who has worked with the clubs youth players since 1973 told
whufc.com that he and his team are working hard towards gaining the highest
possible rank which will guarantee the club additional funding for the
Academy - and prevent the nation's richest clubs from cherry-picking his
most promising youngsters. "Once we have told the Premier League we have got
all of our ducks in line, they will come and audit the Academy," he said.
"There are ten Key Performance Indicators and each has a points system. We
need to get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised as a
Category One. "We are working hard to make sure all of our departments are
up to speed and hopefully, by the beginning of the summer, we'll know what
category we have attained."
Carr also thanked the club's owners for offering the necessary financial
backing to bring the club's facilities up to standard. "The Board have been
fantastically supportive right from the word go which means a lot more
investment," he added. "We are putting that investment in place by providing
classrooms and employing more full and part-time staff, so we're getting
ready for next season. "
The Premier League-driven scheme, which begins next season (2012/13) will
introduce a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the power
of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs receive
just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising
youngsters. Category One clubs - aka 'Super Academies' - will be able to
offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas those clubs at
the bottom of the scale - Category Four Academies - will only be able to
take on players released by other teams. Meanwhile selling clubs will now
only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a player has trained
with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the existing '90-minute
rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an hour-and-a-half of
the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished. The EPPP was ratified
- reluctantly - by the 72 Football League clubs last October after the
Premier League threatened to withhold a £5million annual youth development
payment should its plans be rejected.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Watford preview
Last updated: 6th March 2012
SSN
Team news ahead of West Ham's Championship clash with Watford at Upton Park
on Wednesday. Matt Taylor returns to the West Ham squad for the visit of
Watford.
The midfielder has missed the last three matches through suspension after he
was sent off in the 1-1 draw with Southampton last month. Defender Winston
Reid could miss out again after he was knocked unconscious playing for New
Zealand last week and winger Julien Faubert will be checked over having sat
out Sunday's win at Cardiff with a virus. Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is
still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, John Carewis struggling with
a knee problem and fellow striker Freddie Piquionne has moved to Doncaster
on loan. Carlton Cole could be handed a start up front after coming off the
bench at Cardiff. Watford will continue to be without long-term injury
victims Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn for their Championship clash with
West Ham.
Defender Taylor has a shoulder problem which is preventing him from being a
part of manager Sean Dyche's matchday squad, while midfielder McGinn is
still not ready for a first-team return from a knee problem despite playing
45 minutes of a reserve team match last week - his first outing for a year.
Dyche hopes both players will feature for the second string next week as
they step up their recoveries. Midfielder Ross Jenkins, who has been on the
periphery of the squad of late, has been ruled out with a groin strain,
while Dyche will not be able to call on winger Gavin Massey because of a
tooth infection. Dyche may consider a starting role for on-loan Fulham man
Alex Kacaniklic, who impressed off the bench during the 3-2 victory over
Burnley on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rovers pounce for Piquionne
Championship strugglers land French striker on loan
Last Updated: March 6, 2012 2:43pm
SSN
Doncaster have taken Frederic Piquionne on loan from Championship rivals
West Ham, with the deal initially set to run for one month. The French
forward will definitely remain with Rovers until early April, but could see
his stay extended past that point if the two clubs reach an agreement. The
33-year-old has been a prominent figure for the Hammers in their promotion
chase this season, making 21 appearances. He has, however, slipped out of
favour in recent weeks and Sam Allardyce is prepared to let him go in search
of regular football elsewhere. Doncaster are prepared to offer him those
opportunities, with the club desperately trying to scramble clear of
relegation trouble. Piquionne is hoping to help Rovers edge in the right
direction, with it possible that he could make his debut in Tuesday's trip
to Nottingham Forest.
Scraps
He told the club's official website: "I have been involved in scraps like
this before at some of my previous clubs and I'm ready. "In my head I'm a
warrior and I will fight to keep Doncaster in the Championship." Doncaster
boss Dean Saunders is delighted to have got another experienced body on
board, with Rovers doing all they can to piece together a strong finish to
the campaign. He said: "He's a player we've been after for a while and it's
a big signing for us. "I want to thank West Ham as well for helping us with
the wages otherwise we would never have been able to afford to sign him."
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Match Preview: West Ham v Watford
March 7th, 2012 - 12:02 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
The matches last night were a mixed blessing for us. Yes, Southampton
dropped two points after only managing a draw with Ipswich, but Reading win
yet again to move within a point of us. They really are on fire at the
moment and our game with them at the end of the month could have a huge
bearing on our promotion prospects. I still think Southampton will falter in
the end.
And so to the Watford game. Three points and the odd goal in several
wouldn't go amiss. I suspect that a few changes will be rung, with Matt
Taylor returning on the left, replacing Ricardo Vaz Te. I think Taylor is a
key player for us and really provides some danger from set pieces. I'd also
play two up front, with Cole coming in for Jack Collison. But I have been
wrong before and I will be wrong again. Acualy, what I would really like to
see is Maynard and Baldock starting together. Echoes of McAvennie and
Cottee? We can but dream.
On their day, Watford are a good side. They've won four and lost five of
their last ten games. They're safe from the drop but are too far behind (on
43 points) to challenge for a play-off place. But they are no mugs and are
well organised.
We can't afford another hitch at home. Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole, do your
stuff.
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West Ham v Watford preview: Big Sam - Stop playing like Angela Lansbury
Published 22:28 06/03/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has challenged Henri Lansbury to rediscover his
England Under-21 form and show why he is rated one of the best youngsters in
the country. Lansbury has struggled to nail a first-team place at Upton Park
this season, and has only scored one goal following his season-long loan
move from Arsenal last summer. It's a different story when it comes to
playing for England U21s, where he has been one of the star performers,
scoring five goals - including a stunning strike during the 4-0 win over
Belgium last week. Lansbury made a rare start in the Hammers' 2-0 win over
Cardiff on Sunday and Allardyce is now hoping he can start to fulfil his
potential against Watford on Wednesday and become a big hit for the club in
the final two months of the season. Allardyce said: "Under-21 football is a
lot easier than Championship football and you get a lot more opportunities
to score. The Championship is a lot tougher, both mentally and physically.
"The disappointment is that we know the good form he can show. "One good
performance is fine but it sets the standard. He has got to be more
consistent. We know what he can do."
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Hammers must nail promotion, says McCartney
ANDY HAMPSON WEDNESDAY 07 MARCH 2012
The Independent
The West Ham United defender George McCartney has warned his team-mates
against complacency as they look to keep up the pressure at the top of the
Championship. The Hammers secured a vital victory in their push for
automatic promotion with a 2-0 defeat of play-off hopefuls Cardiff City last
weekend. The second-placed Londoners now have two easier-looking fixtures
against bottom-half sides in Watford tonight and relegation-threatened
Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, but McCartney insists they cannot afford to
ease up. McCartney said yesterday: "When it's a three-game week, we always
seem to beat the toughest opposition and then when it comes to a game
against a lesser team, no disrespect to anyone, we seem to struggle. Take,
for example, our great win against Blackpool, we then struggled at home to
Crystal Palace, a team we feel that at home we should beat. "We know what we
have got to do now, it's getting to the business end of the season and we
have got to keep on picking up points. Come Watford on Wednesday, three
points is definitely what we are looking for."
McCartney is in particularly good spirits after getting on the scoresheet
against Cardiff, his first goal since returning to the club from Sunderland
last summer. The Northern Irishman said: "It doesn't happen too often, I
think the last one was four years ago. I got a bit of luck after it bounced
off of their right-back but I managed to tuck it away with my right foot.
"It doesn't matter how they go in, as long they do I'm happy! It's nice to
score but the most important thing is the three points."
West Ham are unbeaten in five games but will be hosting a Watford side at
Upton Park buoyed by their recovery from 2-0 down to defeat Burnley 3-2 last
Saturday.
Also tonight, Cardiff face another tough test as they return to action
against play-off rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Both
sides ended the weekend outside the play-off positions after the Seagulls
were held to a frustrating draw at bottom side Doncaster. Cardiff have hit a
slump since reaching the Carling Cup final, winning just one of their last
six league games. Their midfielder Liam Lawrence, who joined the club on
loan from Portsmouth last week, is poised to make his debut and hoping to
give the side a lift. Lawrence, fit again after a recent calf injury, said:
"The move all came about quite quickly really. I learnt about it late
Thursday, early Friday and when I knew there was interest from Cardiff City
I was quite happy to come here and try to help the club secure its goal of
promotion. "Hopefully, I can play some part against Brighton. Sunday against
West Ham was a little bit too early for me but, hopefully, I'll be ready to
go midweek."
Despite their weekend frustration, spirits remain high at Brighton, where
the assistant manager, Mauricio Taricco, says competition for places is
intense. "Results have not been bad recently so the manager has got
decisions to make because he has a big squad now," Taricco explained. "Every
player that starts knows that he has got to perform to his best because
there are other players fighting to get into the team. "The basics are not
enough any more, there needs to be something else for the players to keep
their place."
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Nottingham Forest 1 Doncaster 2: Rovers off the bottom after Piquionne
screamer
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:29 PM on 6th March 2012
Daily Mail
Doncaster claimed all three points against a well below-par Nottingham
Forest to triumph in a proverbial relegation six-pointer at the City Ground.
The crucial victory takes Rovers off the foot of the npower Championship
table and within three points of Forest, with a game in hand over their
relegation rivals who occupy the final position of safety. It was a
deserved victory for the visitors, for whom loan signing Frederic Piquionne,
a month-long arrival from West Ham this morning, capped the dullest possible
first half with a screaming 30-yard strike on the stroke of half-time.
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Hammers enter race to capture Leicester defender Mills
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 6th March 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have joined the chase for Leicester defender Matt Mills. Manager
Sam Allardyce is keen to sign the 25-year-old centre-back on loan. Leeds
United have also made an enquiry for Mills and on Tuesday agreed the
month-long loan signing of Bolton left-back Paul Robinson, 33. Leeds
goalkeeper Paul Rachubka has joined Orient on loan.
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