Daily WHUFC News - 11th May 2012

Cole stoked up for final
WHUFC.com
In-form Carlton Cole is desperate to make his first start at the Home of
Football
10.05.2012

Carlton Cole is eyeing his first Wembley start as West Ham United continue
their preparations for the npower Championship Play-Off final. The Hammers
No9, who has appeared four times as a substitute at the Home of Football for
England, has hit top form in recent weeks. Cole was at his brilliant best in
the 5-0 semi-final aggregate victory over Cardiff City, leading the line
superbly and playing a role in Kevin Nolan's vital opening goal in Monday's
second-leg success at the Boleyn Ground. Having spoken before the semi-final
about his desire to run out at Wembley in a claret and blue shirt, the
28-year-old now looks set to fulfil that dream, manager Sam Allardyce's team
selection permitting.

"It is brilliant that we've won through to Wembley," Cole told West Ham TV.
"We put in a great shift, a great performance and everybody is ecstatic.
"Obviously we would have liked to have got automatic promotion, but it
didn't really work out that way. We found our home form a little bit too
late but it has happened now and we just have to deal with what is put in
front of us. "Everyone's aim is the same. We know where we need to go and
that is to the Premier League at the first time of asking, so we are going
to give it our all."

West Ham's appearance in the Play-Off final will be the club's first trip to
Wembley since the 1981 League Cup final. Having been with the club for six
seasons himself, Cole knows how much the whole occasion means to everyone
connected with the Hammers. "It is going to be brilliant for West Ham. It is
31 years since the club has been there so it will be great to get there and
hopefully get a win. "Obviously this is only the second-best way of getting
up. It will be a nice day out for the family and everybody connected to the
club. As long as we make it a better day by winning, then there is nothing
wrong with doing it this way."

Having started six of West Ham's previous seven matches, Cole will be
hopeful of seeing his name on the teamsheet come Saturday 19 May. If he does
start, the striker and his colleagues will be doing everything possible to
finish the job of gaining promotion at the first attempt. The No9 said the
emotions he felt watching Reading and Southampton celebrate automatic
promotion have made him all the more determined. "Everybody needs to pull in
the same direction. We were all very, very upset about not going up
automatically, the drive is with everybody. The manager has told us what he
expects from us and basically everyone has just got to do it. "Every striker
goes through dry patches, but right now I am playing good football and the
main thing is to keep the team ticking over up front and keeping the
defences really busy. If I can do that it is half my job done and if I can
get a goal that is a bonus, but there are lots of players in this team who
can get goals and everyone is complementing each other. "To be honest that
really hurt me watching Reading and Southampton go up. I knew that was
supposed to be us, but it wasn't. I am not going to say what I was feeling
at the time, but I was really jealous and I just wanted that to be us." "It
wasn't to be and that was really down to our home form. We weren't winning
home games that we were supposed to be winning and we paid for it. We only
lost out by three points in the end to even win the league, it was so tight
at the top."

West Ham's players enjoyed a day off to recharge their batteries on
Thursday, but the squad will be back at Chadwell Heath at the weekend to
continue their preparations for the final. Cole conceded that he would much
rather get the big game over and done with, but pointed to the eight-day
break and trip to Dubai before the 2-0 win at Cardiff City in March as proof
that the squad can deal with long periods between fixtures. "We have got 12
days to recoup and focus on the game. I think 12 days is a bit too long from
my point of view. I really want to get it out of the way because we are in a
rich vein of form and put in another professional performance. "We had a
break this season and we went away and came back and beat Cardiff 2-0
earlier in the season, so it is not too bad. As long as everyone is in the
right frame of mind for the final, get their heads round it that we have to
win, then it should be good."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vaz Te delighted with double
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te had three reasons to celebrate on Monday
10.05.2012

West Ham United's official 'Signing of the Season' Ricardo Vaz Te was a
proud man after picking up his double Player of the Month awards for April
after impressing with six important goals for the Hammers. Vaz Te picked up
both the April npower Championship Player of the Month and the SBOBET Player
of the Month awards after scoring a hat-trick against Brighton plus two
further goals against Birmingham and one away Barnsley at the beginning of
the month. "I'm so happy to have won these awards and I have got my
team-mates to thank really for putting me in positions to score. I'm
delighted and hopefully I can keep it going into the Play-Off final."

Vaz Te was also keen to show his appreciation for the West Ham fans who have
given him a great reception since his January move from Barnsley. Vaz Te
arrived having scored 12 goals for the Tykes already this season and has
carried on where he left off with eleven goals in 15 starts for his new
side. "Since day one the fans have been great; they have accepted me and
given me the opportunity to show what I can do which I am very grateful for.
It's a nice way to repay them with my performances. Vaz Te said, "When I
came here the pressure was on me to perform. I had to hit the ground running
and I made sure I did my homework and adapted quickly and it paid off which
is fantastic. I just have to make sure I'm ready for all the challenges
ahead."

With the Play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley just nine days, Vaz Te
is looking to use the favourites tag as a springboard for Wembley success.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it (playing at Wembley). Since day one
there has been a huge amount of pressure on the club to get promotion. The
club are used to this pressure so I think we should use it to our advantage.
We have the experience needed to win this game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blackpool's lack of rock is the key
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2012
By: Richard Williams

With the final whistle ringing in the ears at St. Andrews, the Twitter
consensus is that it was the result to suit West Ham in our quest for
Premier League promotion. I have to say that I am in full agreement.

Here's why...

Over the season West Ham and Allardyce have shown that our resolve and
tactics away from home have been instrumental in our push to Wembley. In
addition to breaking the 'away wins' record, we have installed a steely
confidence within the team not been seen away from Upton Park in recent
history.

The obvious reason for this is the 'home mentality' adopted by teams fearful
of sitting back and defending on their turf. Allardyce has a proven track
record in pressing home teams high, getting people behind the ball and
picking them off as they attack. His tactics ensure strength at the back and
in midfield with an intensive work rate, pressuring mistakes in the
opposition.

Where we have failed to spark is at home. Why? Simply because we have failed
to adopt a Barcelona style patience and speed of passing to break down teams
who have banks of players behind the ball intent on the destruction of play.
The proverbial 'Cup Final' at Upton Park has frustrated the faithful and
inevitably ruined our automatic promotion following a run of draws where a
single goal in any game MAY have been enough.

What this tells us about our play off Final opponents is that we suit the
playing style of a team set out to attack us and take risk. Birmingham have
shown in recent years that they are extremely hard to break down and very
well set up.

Last year's Carling Cup and twice this season, we have struggled to overcome
the defensive nature of a strong Birmingham team. Contrast that with the 11
goals scored against Blackpool in our last three encounters (including a 4-0
and 4-1 this season) and only the most negative of Hammer would doubt our
'favourite' status.

I'm a firm believer in confidence and a positive mindset. The very
positivity our boys will have with the hindsight of results this season
should prove fruitful at Wembley.

Ian Holloway has been continuously praised for his attacking, risk taking
playing style but we must remember that he was relegated with one of the
highest 'goals conceded' totals in recent years and his Blackpool side
finished this season conceding more goals than anyone in the top ten (they
finished fifth!)

If Allardyce wants to set out his stall for Wembley he must continue with
the work rate in midfield, the high pressing and picking off a very
attacking Blackpool side. If all else fails, it will simply be a case of
scoring one more than them!

Whatever happens, I'll be there with the claret and blue army... I predict
goals!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Howard's way
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Howard Webb has been confirmed as the referee for next weekend's
Championship play-off Final between West Ham United and Blackpool. The
40-yeard-old official has been selected to officiate the richest game in
English football and will be assisted by linesmen Peter Kirkup and Mike
Mullarkey. The fourth official on the day has been named as Kevin Friend,
whoilst poineering female referee Sian Massey has been selected as the
reserve assistant referee. Webb, who usually takes control of Premier League
fixtures has overseen just one of West Ham's matches this season - one of
only two in the Championship during 2011/12. That was the opening day 0-1
home defeat againt Cardiff City, on whom revenge was gained in the play-off
semi finals. Of 37 games he has taken control of this season, Webb has shown
107 yellow cards (an average of just 2.9 cards per game) and four red -
although three of those dismissals were distributed in the opening six weeks
of the season.
The season before, West Ham's most recent in the Premier League, he oversaw
four league games played by Avram Grant's side - the home games against
Stoke (3-1) and Everton (1-1) plus the trips to Sunderland (2-1) and
Manchester City (1-2).

Webb was also in charge of West Ham's ill-fated Carling Cup semi final
second leg at Birmingham when United threw away a 3-1 aggregate lead to go
out 4-3 after extra time - a game in which six players were cautioned, four
of which (Green, Tomkins, Cole and Dyer) were Hammers.

What we said: from the KUMB.com archives

August 2011 vs Cardiff (0-1)
"One of the better things about relegation was going to be avoiding some of
the poorer select group officials. Unfortunately since the Premier League
doesn't start for another week it means this week we get Mr Webb whose
career was already showing signs of inconsistency well before his disastrous
World Cup."

February 2011 vs Birmingham (1-3)
"So once again the Hammers are denied a trip to Wembley. Some will point to
Victor Obinna's needless and stupid red card in the first leg as the main
cause; others to Howard Webb's failure to spot Ferguson's equally nasty kick
tonight."

December 2010 vs Everton (1-1)
"It was a scrappy start and within the first minute we discovered that we
were in for one of those inconsistent performances from Howard Webb that
makes you long for the days of a couple of years ago when he used to base
his decisions on whether they were right or wrong."

October 2010 vs Stoke (3-1)
"Webb added three minutes of stoppage – a rather baffling period given the
amount of theatrical watch-tapping, a couple of appearances by the physios
and the full complement of substitutions."

May 2010 vs Man City (1-1)
"City's first effort on goal came from a free kick for a non-existent foul
given by Howard Webb whose season has been s poor as ours."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to wear claret and blue
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

It has been confirmed that West Ham will wear their home strip at next
weekend's play-off Final against Blackpool. According to Football League
rules, the team who finsihes higher in the division wear their home kit
whilst the lower placed team wears a change strip. All of which means that
Blackpool will wear white shirts and tangering shorts at Wembley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He floats like a butterfly...
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

...and stings like one too. So said Brian Clough of Trevor Brooking - just
before the former West Ham and England legend stooped to head the goal that
won the FA Cup for John Lyall's West Ham United 32 years ago to the day.

10th May, 1980 saw a second division West Ham meet Arsenal at Wembley as
massive underdogs. Yet despite most pundits - including former Nottingham
Forest boss Clough - predicting an easy win for the Gunners, it was the east
Londers who went home victorious.

Lauded for his tactical masterstroke, John Lyall outfoxed Arsenal boss Terry
Neill by sending his team out in a 4-5-1 formation with David Cross left to
play as a sole striker - in effect, sacrificing himself for the greater
cause.

Frustrated and rendered ineffective by United's five-man midfield, the
favourites barely threatened Phil Parkes' goal. Meanwhile Pat Jennings' was
breached just the once - when Brooking headed home Stuart Pearson's
cross-cum-shot with 13 minutes on the clock - but it was enough for West ham
to win the Cup for the third time in 15 years.

West Ham would have almost certainly doubled their lead in the closing
stages but for one of the most cynical fouls ever committed during an FA Cup
Final. Paul Allen, at just 17 the youngest player to feature in a Final was
clean through on goal before Willie Young clipped his ankle with no
intention of taking the ball.

West Ham's win was recently voted as the second greatest moment in the
club's 112-year history, just behind the 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup
triumph over 1860 Munich. To browse the top 100 West Ham moments as voted
for by readers of KUMB, click here.

Highlights from the 1980 Final may be seen below. West Ham return to Wembley
for the first time since 1981 in nine days' time when Sam Allardyce's side
face Blackpool in the Championship play-off Final.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Was Barnsley Away or Brum at Home the Turning Point in Our Form?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

In many ways this as been a strange season. One marked by a defining home
and away dichotomy. Our away form has been truly oustanding, with a record
number of away wins. However, at home we dropped far too many silly points
and that, ultimately, is why we are now in the play-offs. In terms of
general form, for the majority of the season, the best performances were on
our travels. While, in contrast, at home we often struggled to break down
well drilled opponents, with packed midfields and teams playing well above
themselves..

For most of the season, it was frequently observed that West Ham were
playing well within themselves. Sure, we were getting good results, but
without hitting the heights that the talent in our squad merited. The motor
car anology was often used that the team were still in 'first gear and
surely we must surely soon move up the gears and start blowing the
opposition away, a la Newcastle Utd two seasons previously. However, it
never seemed to happen and then we suffered the fatal sequence of home draws
in March that 'did for us' in terms of our automatic promotion aspirations.
Then followed the body blow of the 2-4 home defeat to Reading FC that was
pivotal in our opponents cementing their place in the top two, at our
expense, and moving on to clinch the Championship title.

It was a bitter blow to suffer, but little were we to know that it was also
to prove to be a pivotal result in our season as well. It probably put the
seal on our inclusion in the play-offs, yet it also provided the back drop
to a positive transformation in our form. It all seemed to 'come together'
away at Barnsley.That was the first game this season in which we saw West
Ham play with quite that degree confidence, openess and fludity. They played
an expansive, attractive passing game where we passed an outclassed
opposition to death and clinically converted the opportunities that we
carved out. Suddenly, the passing was there, the creativity was there and we
were scoiring goals for fun. And it all came to wonderful fruitation with
that fanastic, ruthless, attacking display against an hapless Brighton &
Hove Albion. We dominated the game against Bristol City, but strangely let
them off the hook; we also easily outplayed Leicester City away, in beating
them 1-2, and effoirtlessly despatched Hull City in the final fixture of the
2011-12 Championship programme.

Yet, inbetween the superb display at Barnsley and the clinical destruction
of Brighton, we also had the ultra-exciting match with Brum at Upton Park.
The first half saw West Ham revert to the suicidal defending of the Reading
match. We went in at half-time 1-3 down to a team who punished us three
times on the counter-attack. Yet, the 2nd half saw a massive rally by the
Hammers that earned a 3-3 draw. That fight back was not achieved so much
with flowing, passing football, as intense pressure and constant diagonal
balls in to the box, which put Brum under the cosh and saw them forced in to
submission. Two things emerged from that match, firstly Hammers fans seemed
to realise that pressure play, with high balls in to a packed penalty
box,could be both exciting and entertaining. Secondly, West Ham displayed a
surprising passion, determination and iron will to fight back. If Barnsley
saw West Ham find their artistry, the Brum match saw them find their heart
and soul.

So, I guess the answer to the question in the title is that both fixtures
were important, but in very different ways. And it was this ew combination
of 'artistry and heart' that saw us blow away a decent Cardiff City outfit
in the play-off semi-final. Gone was the wastfulness in front of goal,
stuttering passing movements and defensive calamity. Instead, we saw
sweeping passing movements, clinical finishing and powerful physicality and
combativeness. And with the supersession of former failings went the
nervousness at home, the disatisfaction amongst suporters and disappointment
at our under-performance at the former fortress Upton Park. Why the change?
Well, part of it was the return to fitness and/or form of Demel, Reid,
Taylor, Collison and Cole; plus the increasing impact of the tireless,
influential and under-rated Gary O'Neill.

However, this return and/or improvement of individual players must be placed
within a wider, team context. Within that context, arguably it co-incided
with a embedding of players in to an effective unit, a growth in
understanding and a gelling of Allardyce's 4-3-3 formation. Tomkins and Reid
re-formed their solid central defensive partnership, Demel and Taylor
provided the width hitherto missing; the midfield combination suddenly
achieved balance; and Cole was no longer isolated and lacking support.
Moreover, we suddenly had a settled side and a mix that worked. Both Reading
FC and Southampton had that advantage over us this season, they had
continuity and settled teams; while we struggled with dislocation,
assimiliating new players in to the squad and psychologicaly dispelling the
lingering demons from our relegation in 2010-11.

In short, it took time, but we have belatedly, this season, seen a coming
together and the creation of a cohesive, effective unit, in which at long
last, to quote Hegel, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.' And
perhaps that gets to the very heart of what makes a good team, when
individual talent combines to create something bigger and better.

It came too late for automatic promotion, but hopefully it will see us win
through at Wembley and return to the PL. And if it does, hopefully those
same qualities will also underwrite a successful return to the top flight. A
nice speculation, but first things first, there is another test and a job to
be done on 19th May, where we need to prevail in the ultimate test in
English club football, a play-off Final.

Did a new West Ham emerged from that Barnsley victory and barn storming
fight back against Brum? I sincerely hope so. Time and our trip to Wembley,
Saturday week, may tell us more! COYI!

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Robinson Acquisition?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

There is speculation today that Robert Green's possible exit in the summer
could result in a bid for Blackburn Rovers keeper, Paul Robinson. The press
are speculating on the fact that Green is in the last year of his current
contract. Yet, prior information indicates that there is not an
unwillingness to sign a new contract on Green's part, but rather a need to
negotiate and agree mutually acceptable terms. Indeed, previous reports
seemed to suggest that negotiations were put on hold until the end of the
season, but I suppose there is a view that the club would not do that if
they were 100% intent on retaining his services.

The January loan signing, with a view to a permanent deal, of Henderson from
Portsmouth could be seen as a clear indicator of how the land lies on
Green's future. He is a very promising Republic of Ireland International
keeper, who could be a natural successor. As for the proposed Robinson
signing, it could be a case of the press putting 2 + 2 togther and coming up
with 5! However, there is no doubt that he is experienced at PL level and he
and Henderson would provide us with good quality keeping cover, if Rob Green
does decide to cash in on a Bosman move to Spurs, Malaga or elsewhere.
Financially, at 32 years of age, that must be a temptation, although it is
not just about money, but also playing regularly and enjoying your football.

Robert Green seens a loyal and decent chap. But there are rumours that he is
on one of the lower wages amongst the experienced professionals at the club
and, if true, that is unfair considering his importance as a player. West
Ham might just as well do themselves a favour, and avoid necessary
disruption, by offering him appropriate terms. Of course, it could just be
that a deal is on the table, but Green is stalling to see whether we are
promoted back to the PL? We shall see.

We really do not need these type of negative distractions in the run up to
the play-off Final. The club should just get the deal done now or state
categorically that the matter will be dealt with immediately after the
Final, to limit the damaging speculation. I suppose It is just one of those
issues where we will just have to wait and see?

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I'll suffer for Dad's 'sins', claims Blackpool star Ince ahead of Hammers
showdown
By NEIL MOXLEY
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 10 May 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 10 May 2012
Daily Mail

Thomas Ince, son of Paul, has booked his first trip to Wembley as part of
Ian Holloway's unfancied Blackpool side, who face West Ham for a place in
the Barclays Premier League on May 19. But the name 'Ince' still sends
shudders through Hammers fans. It may be 23 years ago but some supporters
have not forgotten Ince Snr was photographed wearing a Manchester United
shirt before a £1.75million move to Old Trafford - when he was still
contracted to West Ham. Ince Snr has suffered fearful abuse at Upton Park
ever since and his son, 20, is expecting more of the same. 'I got stick off
the Birmingham fans in the semi-final,' said the former Liverpool trainee.
'I've had it at five or six places. I went to West Ham and was slaughtered.
'It happens because of my name but I'll deal with it. They are on at me
either because they are jealous or because they feel it will affect me. 'I
played (against West Ham) and we were beaten 4-0. I got enough that day. It
will be even worse at Wembley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Newcastle winger Solano hangs up his boots at 37
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
UPDATED: 22:19, 10 May 2012
Daily Mail

Former Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano has announced his retirement. The
first Peruvian to play in the Barclays Premier League, 37-year-old Solano
spent the last season with League One Hartlepool United, although he has not
played since January. Solano, who also played for West Ham and Aston Villa,
will now fly back to Peru for his testimonial on June 15.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham form can see them past play-off specialists Blackpool
News.ladbrokes.com

Blackpool's aggregate success at Birmingham last night set up their second
Championship playoff final in three years, but they will travel to Wembley
as 5/4 underdogs for promotion. They will meet West Ham at the national
stadium, who are 3/5 favourites to make an immediate return to the Premier
League, after an emphatic 5-0 aggregate triumph over Cardiff in the playoff
semi-final. The Hammers must fancy their chances to beat Blackpool, in light
of two emphatic victories over the Tangerines during the regular league
season, where they racked up eight goals and conceded just once. Sam
Allardyce's men have also won three of the past four meetings between the
sides, and are unbeaten in each of these matches, averaging close to three
goals per game. Four back-to-back wins, and five successes in their last six
outings also appear to stand the Iron in good stead to bring Premier League
football back to Upton Park next season. Those who do fancy Ian Holloway's
men to achieve a second playoff success in three years though, will be
buoyed from the fact that his side have not lost in their last nine matches
heading to Wembley. Cardiff stood in Blackpool's way in their last
appearance in the Championship showpiece, and the Tangerines won that game
despite not beating the Welsh side during the league season. Also, their
superb recent record in playoff matches should not be discounted, as a 2-2
draw at St. Andrew's last night represented the first time they have failed
to win a game of that format in ten. Both sides have been free-scoring this
season, racking up a total of 160 goals between them, though four 1-0
results in the last seven playoff finals suggests that a cagier affair could
be in store on neutral ground. Indeed, West Ham's last playoff final
appearance resulted in a 1-0 Hammers victory, ironically against fierce
Blackpool rivals Preston.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com