The Big Interview: Robert Hall
WHUFC.com
18-year-old Robert Hall has spoken to whufc.com about his journey with West
Ham United so far
09.10.2012
The 2012/13 season has already been a memorable one for 18-year-old Robert
Hall. After making his Barclays Premier League debut he has gone on to
impress in the new Under-21 format of the competition. The Aylesbury-born
forward spent the majority of last season on loan but has returned to east
London with a vengeance this campaign, with five goals to his name for Ian
Hendon's young side already this season. Speaking exclusively to whufc.com,
Hall talks about the past, the present and his hopes for a bright future
with West Ham United.
What was it like making your Barclays Premier League debut during the 3-0
win against Fulham?
RH: "It was simply amazing because it is what I have wanted to do my entire
life. The game was already won and we were 3-0 up so I just wanted to get on
and show everybody what I could do. It was an amazing day and a very nice
one for my family and friends, it is pretty indescribable. I only had around
20 minutes on the field but I will take that and hopefully I can keep
getting in the squad, on to the bench and on to the pitch because even if it
is just for a cameo appearance I will love every minute."
You have also played in the Capital One Cup against Crewe Alexandra and
Wigan Athletic. Did you notice an excitement around the Boleyn Ground when
you entered the fray?
RH: "I think so. The crowd always give me a nice cheer when I come on and
they are fantastic at Upton Park and they have been great when I have
travelled away with the first-team. Now I want to keep working hard and
learn from the older members of the squad and get all the advice I can from
them."
You spent much of last season out on loan with Oxford United and MK Dons. Do
you feel you benefitted from those spells playing first-team football every
week?
RH: "Definitely. It not only helps me when I am with the first team but also
when I am playing in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League with the
Development Squad. Our last game against Blackburn Rovers was a very
physical encounter and it reminded me of my time playing in the lower
leagues. We had to grind out the result and couldn't perhaps play in the
free flowing way we would have liked, but we dug deep and got the three
points. A number of the lads have also played in the Football League and
that experience definitely helps."
You seem to mention Oxford United a lot on twitter. Are you a supporter or
is your affiliation with the club simply due to growing up in nearby
Aylesbury?
RH: "I wouldn't say I was a supporter but I grew up in the area and grew up
knowing about the club and watching it from a very young age. It was nice to
go there and have an impact because they showed a lot of faith in me by
selecting me in the starting line-up for my first game. I learnt a lot
during my time there and now I am using that to make myself a better player
for West Ham United."
If you could pick one moment that perfectly encapsulates your time at the
Kassam Stadium what would it be?
RH: "The whole experience I had there was great. Chris Wilder, Mickey Lewis
and Andy Melville all helped me every day and even if we were not training
they would be there if I needed advice. It was nice to be able to repay them
for the confidence they showed in me and for all they taught me but there
was one game that stood out for me and that was the win over Plymouth
Argyle. I scored two goals and the game was played at home at the Kassam so
that was very special because I personally had a very good game but the team
also played really well that day."
You mentioned the coaching staff at Oxford United and all that they have
done for you. From a West Ham United perspective does it help being coached
by people like Sam Allardyce and Ian Hendon, who have been there and done it
as players?
RH: "For sure, the experience we have at West Ham United is unbelievable.
The players and staff at the club have seen it all and as young players we
can only learn from that. It doesn't matter if you are gifted or talented
because attitude and working hard is what will get you to where you want to
be. We need to keep working hard and take in what they are teaching us
because it will only improve upon the skills and attributes we already
have."
You have been playing with Blair Turgott for over a decade; do you feel your
development has been aided by playing with the same team from a very young
age?
RH: "Of course. There are a lot of players within the Development Squad and
the Academy that have been at the club for a long time. Matthias Fanimo,
Danny Potts, Jack Powell and Blair have all come through the ranks with me
and we have played with each other since we were around seven years old. We
are the same as we were then and we will keep learning and progressing as a
team and helping each other to get better. Off the pitch me and Blair are
like brothers so it is nice to play in the same team and be here together
after spending most of last season apart. I think it has showed too because
we have started the season incredibly well, scored a lot of goals and we are
top of the league. Our long-lasting relationships will only bring positives
to our performances."
It is very hard to look too far into the future as an 18-year-old playing in
the Barclays Under-21 Premier League but what are your hopes for the coming
years?
RH: "I don't want to predict too much because I am still very young but my
only dream is the same as it has been since I was even younger and that is
to play regularly for West Ham United. I am keeping my feet on the ground
and hopefully I can take that next step over the next few years. Young
players always talk about cementing their place in the first team but I just
want to be a part of the first team even if it is on the bench. Little
cameos will allow me to learn and even if I do not perform to the best of my
ability it will benefit me and only make me more determined to succeed."
Finally, do you enjoy mixing up your training with the first team and
Development Squad?
RH: "The staff we have got involve everyone, whether it is defenders,
midfielders or attackers, everybody is treated equal and everybody gets a
fair crack at the whip. There is a very positive atmosphere around the club
at the moment and it is helping the younger players because we are getting
the chance on the training pitch to show what we can do."
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Dev Squad march on
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad were winners again as they beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0
on Monday evening
09.10.2012
The Development Squad continued their rich vein of form with a 2-0 win over
Blackburn Rovers at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night. Goals from Paul
McCallum and Matthias Fanimo either side of half time were enough to secure
the points as the Hammers maintained their position at the summit of the
Barclays U21 Premier League Group 1 table with their second straight clean
sheet. The hosts were the first to threaten, as a quick break saw a
dangerous cross well cleared by the energetic George Moncur. Moments later
it was the away side that nearly took the lead as Rob Hall's free-kick
caused bedlam in the Rovers' box. Daniel Potts did well to find McCallum
from Hall's delivery, but his shot was narrowly deflected over. From the
resulting corner, the Hammers took the lead as Hall once again supplied a
perfect delivery and this time McCallum made no mistake, stooping low to
head home. Shortly after, the Hammers felt they should have had a second
when Callum Driver burst down the right and crossed to McCallum, who once
again found the net. The celebrations did not last long though as the
referee's assistant on the far side judged that McCallum was in an offside
position when he scored. That would be the last part the striker would play
after a head injury saw Freddie Piquionne replace him at half time. Rovers
came out fighting in the second half but despite their best efforts they
were unable to cause Ian Hendon's youn gsters any real problems. With 20
minutes remaining the points were sealed as the home side once again failed
to deal with a Hall set-piece, allowing the innovative Fanimo to backheel
the ball into the corner of the net. The Hammers face an extended period
between now and their next fixture, with the international break bringing a
halt to the Barclays Under-21 Premier League. Next up for Hendon's
league-leaders is another trip north to face Bolton Wanderers on 22 October.
The Hammers will be looking to even the score after suffering their only
defeat of the season to the Trotters back in September.
West Ham United: Henderson, Driver, Potts, Moncur (Ruddock 81), Chambers,
Spence, Turgott, Lleget, McCallum (Piquionne 45), Fanimo, Hall (Lee 84)
Subs: Baxter, Hunt.
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Morrison denies allegations
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 9th October 2012
By: Staff Writer
On-loan teenager Ravel Morrison has claimed stories insisting Birmingham
City want to send him back to West Ham are untrue. A tabloid newspaper
reported this morning that the Championship club are trying to cancel
Morrison's season-long loan spell after it was claimed that his "attitude in
training and around the club has been unacceptable".
Further, the story suggests that City manager Lee Clark - who has not
included Morrison in a first team squad since the opening day of the season
- has "run out of patience" with Morrison, who moved to West Ham from
Manchester United back in January. However the youngster used his Twitter
account to deny the paper's reports earlier today. "Good morning everyone,
hope you all have a good day today ," he wrote, adding: "Ignore the stuff in
the paper about me, it's NOT one bit true. They must have better stuff to
tell everyone than lie about me all the time."
Just yesterday the midfielder, who made just one substitute appearance for
West Ham before being shipped out to Birmingham on loan asked: "Why do
papers chat so much s**t? "I'm having a good time at BCFC so before anyone
wants to ask me is it's true, no it's NOT."
Morrison joined West Ham in January having been let go by Manchester United
after Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson reportedly lost his patience with the
player, whose short career has thus far been dogged by controversy. Further
rumours suggest that the youngster was told his days at West Ham were
numbered having fallen out with assistant manager Neil McDonald; that
followed earlier reports of a bust-up with club captain Kevin Nolan.
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Alou Diarra was frustrated to get injured so early into his West Ham career
By Patrick Haond. Last Updated: October 9, 2012 3:39pm
SSN
West Ham midfielder Alou Diarra has spoken of his frustration at picking up
an injury so soon after his summer move to Upton Park from Marseille. The
France international made just two appearances for his new club in August
before suffering a thigh strain during training last month. Diarra admits
having injury hinder his start to life in East London is annoying but is
focused on regaining fitness. He told France Football: "In my mind I am
fine, but physically I am not so well.
"I picked up a serious right thigh strain about a fortnight ago. The
examinations revealed quite a big hematoma. "The club doctor stated I will
need two months to recover, but I hope it will be a little less. "You just
have to put up with it, get good treatment, and let it heal to avoid
relapse. But after starting for a new club it is quite annoying."
Determined
Diarra spent time on Liverpool's books after joining in 2002 but was sent
out on three loan deals before eventually departing for Lens without
appearing for the Reds. Since then the 31-year-old has been determined to
play Premier League football and says the decision to join the Hammers was a
no-brainer, despite the fact Marseille wanted to keep him. "West Ham is not
a promoted side like any other," said Diarra. "We have achieved a very good
start to Premier League. "It is not by chance if I made the decision to join
West Ham. It is perfect club at which to adapt to England." He added:
"(During my time at Liverpool) I passed like a mirage. I immediately asked
to be loaned to France. I didn't have time to become immersed with the
English culture. "I've wanted to come back to England for a while."
Regarding his departure from Marseille, the midfielder said: "Marseille
didn't kick me out. "I had a talk with new coach Elie Baup. He told me he
wanted to keep me, and rely on my experience. We were both honest and
sincere. "If I wanted I could have stayed at Marseille. I was fine. I still
had two years remaining on my contract."
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Ravel Returns to West Ham
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Well, it looks as if young Ravel Morrison is on his way back to Upton Park
after yet another falling out. He made on appearance for Birmingham City,
right at the start of the season, and hasn't appeared since. It was an
impressive debut too, for the ex Manchester United midfielder, so there must
have been some real problems for him to have been ignored since. I was quite
surprised to see West Ham let him go out on loan, but one has to suspect
that it was for similar reasons. You have to hope that at some point he will
realise that he can't continue to blame other people for his own obvious
failings.
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