Daily WHUFC News - 28th April 2012

Hull City match preview
WHUFC.com
Essential background information and team news ahead of the Tigers' visit
26.04.2012

WEST HAM UNITED v HULL CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2012
KICK-OFF: 12:30 PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
• West Ham United host Hull City in their final npower Championship match of
the 2011/12 season.
• Sam Allardyce's side start the day third in the npower Championship table.
The Hammers sit two points behind second-placed Southampton, who have a goal
difference three superior. So, West Ham will gain automatic promotion should
they win and the Saints be beaten at home by already-relegated Coventry
City.
• Should Southampton draw, West Ham United need to win by four clear goals
to overhaul the Saints. This is because Southampton have a better
head-to-head record against the Hammers this season.
• Hull City begin the afternoon in eighth position with 68 points from 45
matches. The Tigers are four points behind sixth-place Cardiff City and
therefore cannot qualify for the Play-Offs.
• The Tigers are on a good run of form, despite missing out on the
Play-Offs, having ended a run of five consecutive defeats to win three and
draw one of their previous four matches.
• West Ham United kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win at
Leicester City on Monday night. Hull City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in
their last home game of the season last Saturday to secure a top-ten finish.
• The reverse fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium in November
saw the Hammers run out 2-0 winners. Sam Baldock and Jack Collison scored
the goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Team News
West Ham United
• Nicky Maynard, Joey O'Brien and John Carew all look set to miss out
through injury.
• George McCartney is back in training having recovered from the concussion
he suffered during the Hammers home game with Birmingham.
• Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza), George Moncur
(AFC Wimbledon), Freddie Sears (Colchester United), Frederic Piquionne
(Doncaster Rovers), Frank Nouble (Barnsley), Cristian Montano (Oxford
United) and Rob Hall (MK Dons) are all out on loan.
Hull City
• Manager Nick Barmby is hopeful that influential midfielder Robert Koren
will be fit after the Slovenian limped out of last weekend's home win over
Nottingham Forest.
• Young left-sided midfielder Tom Cairney is also hoping to be available
after missing the victory over Forest with heavy bruising.
• Centre-back Jack Hobbs is out with a knee injury.
• Full-back Joe Dudgeon is out with a hamstring problem.
• Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), James Harper (Wycombe Wanderers), Jamie
Devitt (Accrington), Will Atkinson (Bradford City) and Dele Adebola (Notts
County) are out on loan
Last Time Out
Monday 23 April 2012
npower Championship
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Demel (Faubert 76), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Collison
(Lansbury 88), Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Cole, Vaz Te
Subs not used: Diop, Baldock
Goals: Reid (39), Collison (58)
Saturday 21 April 2012
npower Championship
Hull City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior, Dawson, Chester, Cooper, McKenna, Stewart
(Brady 56), Evans, Koren (King 34), Fryatt, Garcia
Subs not used: Oxley, Bradley, Olofinjana
Goals: Gunter (58 own-goal), Fryatt (81 pen)
Last Six Meetings
(Championship Unless Stated)
5 November 2011 Hull City 0-2 West Ham United
20 February 2010 West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
21 November 2009 Hull City 3-3 West Ham United (Premier League)
28 January 2009 West Ham United 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
19 October 2008 Hull City 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
23 March 1991 Hull City 0-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
Overall record v Hull City (all competitions) W 16 D 14 L 10
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th
2008/09 Premier League 9th
2007/08 Premier League 10th
2006/07 Premier League 15th
2005/06 Premier League 9th
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th
2002/03 Premier League 18th (relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th
Hull City
2010/11 Championship 11th
2009/10 Premier League 19th (relegated to Championship)
2008/09 Premier League 17th
2007/08 Championship 3rd (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2006/07 Championship 21st
2005/06 Championship 18th
2004/05 League One 2nd (promoted to Championship)
2003/04 Division Three 2nd (promoted to League One)
2002/03 Division Three 13th
2001/02 Division Three 11th
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be Nigel Miller.
• The 51-year-old has taken charge of 14 npower Championship games this
season showing 33 yellow cards, one red card and awarding six penalties.
• Miller took charge of the fixture between the two sides at the KC Stadium
where the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners. It was his first ever game in charge
of West Ham having been the man in black for Hull on six previous occasions.
• A former striker himself, Miller retired from playing football at the age
of 31 and immediately took up officiating. After eleven seasons in the
Wearside and UniBond leagues, he was appointed to the Football League List
of assistant referees in 1999. Miller was promoted to the Football League
List of referees in 2003.
• Miller ran the line for the 2003 FA Cup final and FA Community Shield and
also at the 2005 Championship Play-Off final between West Ham United and
Preston North End - a match which saw the Hammers promoted to the Premier
League.
• In his spare time, retired police officer and firearms and physical
training instructor Miller breeds birds including goldfinches, bullfinches,
blackbirds and thrushes.
• Miller will be assisted by Ross Joyce and Adrian Sannerude and the fourth
official will be James Adcock
.
Us and Them
• The following players have worn the colours of both West Ham United and
Hull City during their careers - Tommy Brandon, Jimmy Bullard, Roy Carroll,
Alf Fenwick, Richard Garcia, Cliff Hubbard, Mark Noble, Stuart Pearson, and
Tony Weldon.
• Mark Noble spent three months on loan at Hull City between February and
May 2006, making five Championship appearances.
• Hull City full-back Liam Rosenior is the son of former West Ham United
striker Leroy Rosenior.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Hull City took place at
Anlaby Road on 17 April 1920. Dan Bailey scored the Hammers' goal in a 1-1
Division Two draw played out in front of 8,000 spectators.
• West Ham United's biggest home win over Hull City came on 6 October 1990
in a Division Two match. The Hammers ran out 7-1 winners with the goals
coming courtesy of Steve Potts, George Parris, Trevor Morley and two each
for Jimmy Quinn and Julian Dicks.
• The Biggest crowd to ever witness a game between West Ham and the Tigers
at the Boleyn ground was for a Premier League match on 28 January 2009.
34,340 packed into the Boleyn Ground and saw Carlton Cole and David Di
Michele score a goal each as the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners.
• Hull City have only ever won twice at the Boleyn Ground in 19 visits.
Their victories came 56 years apart with the first in December 1934 and the
second in January 1990. Both of the Tigers victories were by the same score
line, 2-1.
• Eleven players have made their West Ham United debuts against Hull City -
Jim Simmons (August 1920), Albert Foan and Eric Betts (both August 1950),
George Wright, Doug Bing and Bert Hawkins (all September 1951), George
Petchey (September 1952), Paul Kelly (January 1990), Matthew Rush (October
1990), Iain Dowie (March 1991) and Savio Nsereko (January 2009). Danny Shea
also made his second Hammers 'debut' alongside Simmons in August 1920.

General Information
• The weather for the Hammers final Championship game of the season is set
for a mixture of sunshine and showers with a maximum temperature of 15C.
There are just 250 tickets left for the Hammers final game to book your seat
click on the link below.

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Play-Off semi-final ticket update
WHUFC.com
Important ticket information about the possible Play-Off semi-finals
26.04.2012

Should West Ham United have to make do with a place in the npower
Championship Play-Offs, supporters should take note of the following
important ticket information. If the Hammers finish third, tickets for a
possible Play-Off home semi-final second leg will go on sale to Season
Ticket Holders and Bondholders immediately after Saturday's visit of Hull
City.

The Club is now accepting Priority Point Applications from Season Ticket
Holders and Bondholders for the second leg, priced at just £15 Adult tickets
and £5 Under-16s - part of the Board's commitment to make football
affordable for all.

Remaining tickets will initially go on sale to Academy members on Tuesday 1
May, priced £25 Adults and £15 Youth Academy members.

Depending on Saturday's results, West Ham could face one of four teams in
the semi-finals - Blackpool/Birmingham City/Cardiff City/Middlesbrough.
Possible Play-Off semi-final second leg - Boleyn Ground, Monday 7 May 2012,
4.30pm
Prices and selling dates will be as follows:

Prices -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - £15 Adults - Over-65s/Young Adults - £5
Under-16s
Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults - £15 Youth Academy
Non-Academy Members - £25 Adults/Over-65s - £15 Under-16s
Disabled ticket prices - £5 Adults/Over-65s/Young Adults/Under-16s including
complimentary carer

Selling dates -
Season Ticket Holders/Bondholders - from the final whistle on Saturday 28
April
Academy Members - 9am Tuesday 1 May
General Sale Priority Period (for those supporters who purchased a match
ticket for the Hull City fixture) - 9am Wednesday 2 May
General Sale - 9am Thursday 3 May

For full details of the methods available for the purchase of tickets for
this fixture, click here.
Possible Play-Off semi-final first leg - Away ground, Thursday 3 May 2012,
7.45pm
For allocation and price details, methods available for the purchase of
tickets for this fixture and Coach Travel prices and departure timesclick
here.

Selling dates -
Bondholder Priority Point Post Applications - 5pm Friday 27 April*
Season Ticket Holder Priority Point Post Applications - 4pm Saturday 28
April*
Academy Members - 9am Monday 30 April (should any tickets remain)
General Sale - 9am Tuesday 1 May (should any tickets remain)

Downloadable Forms**
For details of how to download Season Ticket Holders and Disabled Season
Ticket Holders Priority Point Application Forms, click here.

*Should West Ham United clinch automatic promotion, all received forms will
be destroyed. If required, all Priority Point Forms will be processed on
Sunday 29 April.
Forms can be downloaded from whufc.com
**Please state clearly on the application form which potential
opponents/fixture you wish to attend.

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Saturday's match sold out
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the Hull City match on Saturday have completely sold out
25.04.2012

Tickets for West Ham United's Season Finale with Hull City have sold out.
There were just a few hundred left at the start of Friday and these were
quickly snapped up by Hammers fans hungry to see if the club can snatch a
dramatic last-day promotion to the Premier League. The Hammers' last game at
the Boleyn Ground saw them record their biggest win since January 1998 with
a 6-0 demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion. Ricardo Vaz Te was unstoppable
that day, scoring West Ham's first hat-trick for seven years.

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West Ham v Hull
KO 12:30
27 April 2012
By Dan O'Hagan
BBC football commentator
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 28 April
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce welcomes back on-loan defender George
McCartney (concussion) for the visit of Hull. But the Hammers will be
without Nicky Maynard (knee), John Carew (knee) and Joey O'Brien for the
must-win clash.

Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to include midfielders Robert Koren and
Tom Cairney (leg) to his squad. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both
hoping for recalls but captain Jack Hobbs (knee) and fellow defender Joe
Dudgeon remain sidelined.

For the promotion and relegation news as it happens in the Championship this
Saturday - follow our new text commentary service Football League Live. It
has fixtures, results, as-it-happens tables and regular reports from across
the Football League. Saturday, 1100 BST, bbc.co.uk/sport
MATCH PREVIEW


"Fortune's always hiding" as the familiar Hammers refrain goes, but if luck
remains elusive on Saturday then it will be the play-offs for West Ham after
a season that has been testing and testy in equal measure. The visit of
out-of-contention Hull City is a game West Ham must win, and then hope
relegated Coventry can deny Southampton victory at St Mary's. The
permutations are complex, but in essence, Sam Allardyce's side almost
certainly need to win big to stand any realistic chance of automatic
promotion.

HOW WEST HAM CAN GO UP
West Ham are promoted if they win and Southampton lose to Coventry.
The Hammers go up if they win by at least four clear goals and Southampton
draw.
If West Ham win by three clear goals and Southampton draw, it goes to goals
scored (currently Southampton 81, West Ham 79).

I commentated for Match of the Day on Hull's last visit to West Ham, in the
Premier League two years ago - what the Hammers wouldn't give for a repeat
of that 3-0 victory, or better still the 7-1 win at this level back in
October 1990. Hull's youthful team travel with nothing tangible to play for.
Theirs has been a season of yo-yo inconsistency. Nick Barmby knows his first
summer's reshaping must be done on a tight budget, and Tigers fans will be
bidding some favourites farewell, among them former Hammer Richard Garcia.
It'll be one of those fantastic radios-pressed-to-ears days, the kind of
match we commentators love to be involved with. I for one, can't wait.
And yes, I've packed my abacus.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• West Ham lead Hull by 16 wins to 10 in their 40 competitive matches.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in four games against Hull and are chasing
a third successive win to complete their first double over the Tigers in 76
years.
• Hull's only victory in 12 league visits to Upton Park was 2-1 in
January 1990.
West Ham
• They are unbeaten in five (W3, D2), scoring a total of 16 goals in
the process.
• Sam Allardyce's side, who boast the biggest average attendance in
the division, have lost eight games - fewer than any other club in the
Championship.
Hull City
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus

• Hull are unbeaten in four games, but without an away win in five.
• They last won the final game of a regular league season in 2004.
• Championship games involving Hull have generated 88 goals - fewer
than any other club.

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West Ham United v Hull City
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Preview Percy

And so the regular season comes to a close. Let's pray for automatic
promotion or we'll have to put up with at least another two – hopefully
three – more previews from the quill of Preview Percy. Surely, nobody wants
that. John Northcutt and his stats are always more welcome hereabouts
though…..

And so the 46-game season comes to a close with our final match coming
against Hull City. Kick-off is 12.30pm so those of you planning a pre-match
gargle will probably find the taste of your favoured tipple altered by the
recent proximity of toothpaste to your tastebuds. (This will obviously be
something of an improvement for those of you who drink lager).

Like our last opponents, Hull were, until fairly recently, in with a shout
of a playoff spot. They're currently in 8th spot on 68 points which is a
tantalising four points shy of Cardiff in 6th. They've won three of their
last six 2-1 (2-1 at home to both Forest & Boro' and 3-1 at home to
Barnsley), lost two (2-0 away at Millwall and at home to Coventry) and drawn
just the once (1-1 at Watford).

When we last met the Tigers up at the Sunshine Band Arena (I think that's
what it's called) their then manager Nigel Pearson was in the process of
winding up his tenure on Humberside, with former club Leicester giving his
office an airing in advance of his return. In need of a boss they turned to
Nick Barmby who, at that point, was still on the playing staff, though
Pearson did have the player doubling up on his workload as a coach.

Barmby took over from Pearson in a caretaker capacity in mid-November
(something that I always imagine involves the wearing of one of those long
brown coats). Results were favourable and Barmby hung up his boots on 6
January, with the long brown coat joining the boots in the bin four days
later on the announcement that his managerial role had been made
"permanent".

The club's board's delight at Barmby's appointment didn't extend to
providing him with much in the way of cash to spend at the January sales and
it was to the loan market to which Barmby turned to freshen up the squad.

In goal came Arsenal back-up stopper Vito Mannone, who sounds as if he ought
to be one of the minor characters in "The Godfather". It's Mannone's second
spell on loan with the club with him having spent a spell at the Sunshine
Arena last season. Mannone has So-Called Champions League experience this
season, having been in the Arsenal XI that went down 3-1 to Olympiakos.

At the same time Hull brought in another keeper on loan, Sunderland's Trevor
Carson. He hung around for a month before returning to parent club
Sunderland and is mentioned only because his name sounds like one of those
oh so hilarious local radio DJ's who "lidderally" talk in that mid-Atlantic
accent that is peculiar to those who make their living from talking twaddle
on the wireless.

The third loan arrival in the window was Man Utd striker Joshua King who,
despite the "Louisiana Bluesman" type name actually hails from Oslo, a venue
not exactly noted for being the source of 12 bar-based music with lyrics
that always start with the compulsory phrase "Well I woke up this morning".
King was discovered by former Man Utd paper-boy cum striker Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, or at least by the coaching school that bears his name.

He started the season on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach
was once memorably described in an episode of "Whatever Happened To The
Likely Lads" as being "The West Hartlepool of West Germany". Whether this
had any bearing on matters is not known but the player returned to Blighty
only a few months into a season-long loan and ended up joining the Tigers
until the end of term.

The well-regarded skipper Jack Hobbs will be hors de combat for this one
having picked up an injury during the 2-0 home defeat that holed their
playoff bid beneath the waterline. Ruptured knee ligaments that have an
expected recovery time of between 6-8 months will also put a mocker on his
cricket season though he's never been the same since he stopped partnering
Herbert Sutcliffe.

Hobbs' injury has left them a bit short on experience at the back where the
likes of 20 year old Liam Cooper have been pressed into service. Cooper is
another who didn't quite see out a season-long loan, this one with
Huddersfield (which is probably referred to as "The Monchengladbach of
England" in a German sitcom. If such a thing actually exists). A lack of
opportunity with the Terriers saw Cooper ask to be released by Huddersfield
in December in order to try his luck under the new management.

The skipper's armband was taken from Hobbs by Andy Dawson who, as brother of
Michael, must be having as big a chuckle over the way the wheels have come
off Spurs' campaign as we are.

Top scorer is Matthew "Matty" Fryatt. Fryatt has appeared in every league
match this season, starting in 38 of the 45 matches which have brought him
16 goals. He's in a little run of form at the moment having bagged a
hat-trick a couple of weeks ago against Barnsley and added a spot-kick to
his total in last weekend's 2-1 defeat of Forest. Early promise hinted at by
international recognition at England U19 level failed to materialise, his
progress in his early 20's being hampered by injury.

The ex-Hammer connection in the squad comes in the form of Aussie Richard
Garcia. Garcia – best mates with Michael Carrick apparently, was offered a
one year extension to his contract but this offer was withdrawn when it
became apparent that he would miss much of this season with knee ligament
problems, an issue which has blighted his recent career. He returned to
action last November and was in the side that faced Forest last weekend.

Slovenian skipper Robert Koren is second in the goalscoring charts and
picked up the player of the year award for this season. He's picked up ten
goals this season, all of which have come in the league. There is a slight
doubt over his involvement this weekend with him coming off after half an
hour of the Forest match with a damaged hip.

Our turn now. It's rather out of our hands really, though if a side as poor
as Chelsea can beat Barcelona I suppose anything is possible at Southampton,
though expect a Lambert dive to get them out of trouble again in the
unlikely event that they're struggling. It's what they've done all season
after all.
Monday's win was well-deserved, though the failure to convert one or two of
the further chances that came our way will be nagging at the back of my head
until the final whistle goes on Saturday.

Having persuaded Matron that Leicester was a suitable place for a day trip
(what with Thomas Cook having started out there) I was slightly put out by
some of the comments put about by the less-informed youngsters amongst the
travelling support concerning Carlton Cole. Carlton can be accused of many
things but on Monday night laziness was definitely not amongst the
accusations that could sensibly be levelled at the player who definitely
"put in a shift" as I believe pundits refer to it.

Team news is that the squad from Monday may be boosted by the return to
availability of George McCartney, though Messrs Maynard, O'Brien and Carew
are all bigger doubts. We'll need a decent win here irrespective of what
goes on elsewhere. The word "momentum" has been bandied about lately. Though
that sounds like the name of the sort of lager that would have its taste
improved by the addition of toothpaste (i.e. lager), a decent win in this
match would go some way to easing the psychological downside of not getting
automatic promotion – not to mention the defiant message that such a result
would send out to those currently scrabbling about beneath us.

My prediction for this one (on which I will be putting all £2.50 that
remains of the Rest Home's beer kitty from Monday night) will be a 3-0 win.
As George Michael said "you gotta have faith" (though something tells me
that he probably wasn't referring to the rather pneumatic nurse of that name
that used to work in these parts). Sky Blues, it's over to you.

Enjoy the game!


When last we met: Won 2-0. Not quite as comfortable as the score suggests -
in the first half Rob Green was responsible for several decent saves to keep
the scores level. Baldock's volley early in the second half and Collison's
composed finish from a decent flowing move were enough to bring home the
points.

Referee: Nigel Miller. Only the second time we've had him - the other match,
unusually, being the reverse fixture at the Sunshine Stadium.

Danger man: Matty Fryatt. Four goals in his last two tells its own story.

Daft fact of the week: Hull is not a place overly-represented in the world
of song (unless you start counting amusing plays on the word "Hell").
However, we do have, of course, the legendary Barry Wom's track and album
"When You Find The Girl Of Your Dreams In The Arms Of Some Scotsmen From
Hull". The song is a haunting ballad inspired by the events that took place
at Wom's wedding at which, amongst some confusion, he ended up married to
the wrong person. The album was the first solo album by a Rutle to get to
number 1.


Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Head to Head
Pld 36; West Ham Utd 16, Hull City 10, Draws 10.

Biggest Win
6th October 1990: West Ham Utd 7-1 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Division Two)

Heaviest Defeat
17th September 1934: Hull City 4-0 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)

First Meeting
17th April 1920: Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Anlaby Road, Division Two)

Last Five Meetings
5th November 2011: Hull City 0-2 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Championship)
20th February 2010: West Ham Utd 3-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
21st November 2009: Hull City 3-3 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)
28th January 2009: West Ham Utd 2-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, Premier
League)
19th October 2008: Hull City 1-0 West Ham Utd (KC Stadium, Premier League)

Memorable Match
9th September 1970: West Ham Utd 1-0 Hull City (Boleyn Ground, League Cup
2nd Round)

There was a right royal tear-up towards the end of this League Cup tie back
in 1970 which ended with West Ham's Billy Bonds receiving the first of two
red cards in a wonderful career. Many people remember the dust-up with
Birmingham's Colin Todd prior to the FA Cup Final in 1980 - but few recall
the rather less salubrious circumstances that led to King Billy's first ever
dismissal. With West Ham having taken an 85th minute lead against their
Division Two opponents though Peter Eustace, Bonds, just 23 at the time
became embroiled in an row with City's Chris Simpkin before spitting at his
opponent - a regrettable action that led to referee Norman Burtenshaw
producing an instant red card. Arsenal fan Burtenshaw - whose controversial
career saw him knocked unconscious by angry Millwall fans and chased off the
pitch by Benfica players - needed a Police escort after the game; Chris
Simpkin was jailed in 2009 for running a brothel and money laundering.

They Played For Both
Jimmy Bullard; Stuart Pearson; Dennis Burnett; John Dowen; Robbie Stockdale;
Steve Bywater; Richard Garcia; Cliff Hubbard; Matt Smailes; Nobby Solano;
Alf Fenwick; Tony Weldon; Mark Noble; Alan Taylor; Roy Carroll; Tommy
Brandon.

You're off! Red cards received
1970/71: Billy Bonds (h); 1989-90: David Kelly (a).

Previous Friendlies

March 1967 : Hull City 1-1 West Ham Utd (Hurst 3, Sissons).
May 1973: Hull City 5-3 West Ham Utd (MacDougall 3).

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Allardyce: you never know
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th April 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has told his players to concentrate on their own game as the
Hammers seek to steal the second Championship promotion place from
Southampton.
West Ham face Hull City at the Boleyn tomorrow lunchtime knowing that even a
win is unlikely to be enough to secure an automatic promotion spot, with
Southampton considered overwhelming favourites to do so due to what is
widely considered to be a home banker against relegated Coventry City. But
despite the odds being massively against West Ham, Allardyce has told his
team to go out and do all they can to affect the situation - namely beat a
decent Hull side - and by as many goals as possible. "I don't think we are
too nervous because we only have a slim chance," he told the pre-match press
conference. "Most of the pressure lies with Southampton on the day because
they have more to lose than we do. We have to rely on Coventry doing a big
favour for us at St Marys which is going to be difficult. "But you never
know do you? Anything can happen under the pressures of a final game of the
season when so much is at stake. There can be a twist and a turn along the
way and if there is and it's in our favour we must make sure we are in a
position to take advantage. "We need to focus on getting a result against
Hull by 3-0 or more. So from the very start it's a difficult task for us but
it's a task we must try and meet. Only after we have done that can we look
to see how Southampton have faired against Coventry."

Even if West Ham fail to upset th odds tomorrow Allardyce insisted that a
win was vital in terms of the ensuing play-offs. "Our momentum is fantastic
at the moment," he added. "We have only lost one game in 17 so hopefully we
can take that forward into the play-offs if needs be. What we don't want to
happen on Saturday is to come off the field having not taken advantage of a
slip up by Southampton. That would be my biggest concern; we need to win the
game and then we can look towards the Southampton result."

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West Ham v Hull preview
Last updated: 27th April 2012
SSN

Team news ahead of Saturday's final Championship clash of the season between
West Ham and Hull at Upton Park (kick-off 12.30pm). West Ham welcome back
George McCartneyfor the game but will be without Nicky Maynard, John Carew
and Joey O'Brien. McCartney is set to come straight back in at left-back
having missed the last three matches after suffering concussion against
Birmingham earlier this month. Strikers Maynard and Carew are struggling
with knee injuries while right-back O'Brien is still missing with a thigh
problem. Carlton Cole should keep his place in attack in Maynard's absence,
although Sam Baldockcould also come into the reckoning. Sam Allardyce's side
need a victory to stand any chance of overtaking Southampton and snatching
the second automatic promotion spot.

Hull manager Nick Barmby is hoping to add midfield pair Robert Koren and Tom
Cairney to his squad. Koren, voted player of the year by Hull fans this
week, was forced out of last weekend's win over Nottingham Forest after
taking a knock, but is expected to return to full training in time. Cairney
missed out against Forest with heavy bruising to his leg, but will also be
back in contention.

Skipper Jack Hobbs (knee), fellow defender Joe Dudgeon and striker Aaron
McLean (both hamstring) remain sidelined, but Barmby has no other new injury
or suspension worries. Wingers Josh King and Robbie Brady are both hoping
for recalls after stepping off the bench last week, while midfielder Seyi
Olofinjana, who last appeared as a late substitute in the win over
Middlesbrough earlier this month, will be hoping for a rare run out in the
Tigers' last match of the season.

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Match Preview: West Ham v Hull City - Attack From the Start?
By Iain Dale About 19 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die

Sam Allardyce's tactics tomorrow will be interesting. Will he order his
starting eleven to bombard Hull from the start on the basis there's nothing
to lose, or play the patient game. The key thing is to win and get three
points, but if we were a couple of goals up after twenty minutes, wouldn't
that put a huge amount of pressure on Southampton? Strange things happen to
teams on the final day of the season. I think it's imperative to put out a
very attacking side tomorrow. I reckon Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole are the
pivotal players. Taylor needs to rain in the crosses like he has never done
before and whoever plays on the right needs to do the same. With Vaz Te
playing a free role, I think we could batter Hull if we play it right.

However, Hull are no mugs and and they are unlikely to lay down and
capitulate. They have won three of their last six and have only just missed
out on the pllayoffs.They have a prolific striker in Matt Fryatt and it will
be good to see Ricchard Garcia back at Upton Park.

George McCartney is likely to return at left back, or at least make the subs
bench, but Joey O'Brien and Nicky Maynard are injured.

So, here's the team I'd like to see - Green, Demel, Reid, Tomkins,
McCartney, Taylor, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te, Collison, Cole. My fear is that
O'Neil will play instead of Taylor.

And a final thought. This could be the last time we see Robert Green play at
Upton Park in a league game. Terrible thought, eh? Another reason for us to
shout ourselves horse tomorrow and ensure that the team gets every
encouragement.

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West Ham v Hull: Hammers win may not be enough for promotion
Southampton sit two points clear of Allardyce's men who must win to stand a
chance

West Ham are priced at 2/5 to beat Hull as they head into a game they have
to win to stand any chance of gaining automatic promotion. The Hammers are
two points behind second-placed Southampton going into this final game, with
a goal difference Inferior by three and will be hoping their rivals slip up.
The Irons have only lost one of their last 17 games and had a 2-0 victory
earlier in the season over the Yorkshire club. Hull, who are 13/2 to come
out on top, had been on a poor run that saw them pick up on one win in 11
but their last four games has seen a complete turnaround as they have gone
on to win three and draw one. The draw is available at 10/3 and may see some
action as the hosts main problem this season has been their inability to
convert one point into three as they have gone on to share the spoils in
eight matches at home. Ricardo Vaz Te has eight in his last seven outings
and has flourished since he was reunited with Sam Allardyce, the Portuguese
is 7/2 to get the scoring started at Upton Park. Matt Fryatt is the
visitor's biggest threat, the ex-Leicester striker is in form and has four
in his last two games and looks good value to be the man to break the
deadlock at 8/1. The Tigers have been level at the break in 22 fixtures this
term whilst the hosts have been all-square 18 times, so getting behind it to
be a draw at half-time with a home win at 7/2 may be the way to go here. The
London club have notched two fours and a six in their last six matches and
they are 7/2 to score four or more again in this fixture.

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