Daily WHUFC News - 5th October 2012

Carroll leads international call-ups
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is one of a host of Hammers called-up for their respective
national sides
04.10.2012

Andy Carroll is one of a host of West Ham United players who have been
called-up for international duty for their respective countries. The striker
has been included in England's squad for two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
against San Marino and Poland. England play San Marino at Wembley on Friday
12 October and visit Poland on Tuesday 16 October, having collected four
points from their opening two Group F fixtures. Carroll, who returned from a
month out with a hamstring injury in Monday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League
victory at Queens Park Rangers, has earned eight senior caps, scoring in a
friendly draw with Ghana in March 2011 and the EURO 2012 win over Sweden
earlier this year.

Yossi Benayoun has been included by Israel for their home and away FIFA
World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg. The Israelis play in Luxembourg on
12 October before welcoming the minnows to Ramat Gan on 16 October. Benayoun
has also been included for a friendly international at home to Belarus on 14
November.

The Wales squad for the home FIFA World Cup qualifier against Scotland in
Cardiff on 12 October will be named on Friday, with James Collins expected
to be included.

Further afield, Guy Demel and Mohamed Diame could face one another when
Senegal host Ivory Coast in a vital CAN 2013 qualifier in Dakar on 13
October. Demel's Ivorians hold a 4-2 first-leg advantage going into the
second meeting in the Senegalese capital.

Modibo Maiga is in the Mali squad for their own CAN 2013 qualifier second
leg in Botswana on 12 October. The Malians hold a 3-0 advantage from the
first leg, with Maiga scoring one of the goals.

Of West Ham's age-group players, Kieran Sadlier has been selected for the
Republic of Ireland squad for their UEFA U19 Championsip Qualifying Round
mini-group in Luxembourg between 11-16 October. Ireland will face Luxembourg
in Hesperange on 11 Ocober, FYRO Macedonia in the same venue on 13 October
and Germany in Grevenmacher on 16 October.

Goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel has been included by Switzerland for their U20
friendly with Poland in Vevey on 10 October.
Academy midfielder Taylor Tombides recently appeared for Australia at the
AFC U-16 Championship in Iran. However, the Australians' hopes of reaching
the next FIFA U-17 World Cup were dashed by a 5-1 quarter-final defeat by
the host nation in Tehran.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Arsenal
WHUFC.com
Big Sam has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday's sold-out London derby
against Arsenal
04.10.2012

Sam Allardyce believes Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter with
London rivals Arsenal will be the biggest test of the season so far. With
all tickets for the match now sold out, a storming atmosphere is expected at
the Boleyn Ground come kick off at 5.30pm. Speaking in his weekly pre-match
press conference, Big Sam shared his thoughts on Arsenal, the international
break and the fitness of returning striker Andy Carroll.

Sam, what is the latest team news ahead of Saturday?

SA: "I think Winston Reid is going to be okay, I am not so sure about Joey
O'Brien, who was the other player who came off injured against Queens Park
Rangers. Everybody else apart Alou Diarra and Jack Collison, who have long
term injuries, seems to be okay. We have a good, strong squad to choose from
again and the players are on a high from the win on Monday night."

What is your reaction to Andy Carroll being named in the England squad?

SA: "I am glad, but I think that Andy needs to focus on the Arsenal game
first. I haven't decided what part he will play yet, that decision will be
made on Friday after we assess the squad in training. Because he is short on
match fitness, going to play for England will be good for him and good for
us. We will liaise with the England staff and I will speak to Roy Hodgson.
Andy is in a position to play but we want them to be careful with him.
Fatigue is what brings injuries and
Andy's match fitness, because of his recent injury, is behind what we would
like it to be. Helping England and improving his match fitness is an ideal
solution for all parties."

Is he fit enough to start the game against Arsenal on Saturday?

SA: "I will let you know that when I pick the team on Saturday! Like I said
I haven't made that decision yet, it will be made on Friday and we will take
it from there."

One player who didn't make it into the England squad was Mark Noble. Do you
think his chance will come?

SA: "I think it all depends on how Mark does this season, he has pressed the
buttons to alert Roy and his staff and I am sure they will come and have a
look at him if he continues to play well in the Premier League. If that
happens it gives him a chance and good luck to him. I think there is a
transition currently going on in the England set-up and Mark, other than
last season, is a very experienced Premier League player despite still only
being 25. If Mark keeps playing well and we keep picking up points he will
continue to put himself in the public eye and on Roy's radar."

Arsenal's third goal against Olympiacos came direct from a goal kick. Did
that bring a wry smile to your face?

SA: "You've brought a wry smile to my face with that question that's for
sure! I think goals are scored in a variety of ways, there is no one simple
way of scoring a goal especially in the Premier League. That is what makes
it so appealing across the world. We have to make the choice of what tactic
to use to score, if you have many options available you give yourself a much
better chance of catching your opponents off guard. If you play one way only
you become too predictable."

We are on the verge of the second international break of the season, how
does that affect your preparations?

SA: "It hasn't affected us at all, we have eleven points from six games so
we are delighted that our start has been as fruitful as it has been. I think
that this tends to happen every season, it is not unusual for us to have two
international breaks prior to us moving into the third month of the season.
We have all learnt to deal with it, we just have to keep our fingers crossed
that all our players return as fit as they were when they left. Injuries can
be critical, you only have to look at the extent to which it has affected
Manchester United. If we ran into that many injuries, God help us. But we
have all learnt to deal with international breaks and we are happy to let
our players travel the world with their nations."

Arsenal's defence seems vastly improved this season after the introduction
of Steve Bould, do you agree?

SA: "It certainly looks a lot harder or more difficult to break down. What
we need to think about is how many opportunities will we get to break it
down. People have said over the years that Arsenal have been weak at the
back but the problem you face is getting to their defence, they're so good
at keeping the ball that chances are few and far between. We will have a
game plan and hopefully it will help us to get a result on Saturday but a
game plan will only work if the players perform to the very best of their
ability. Even then it might not be good enough to beat Arsenal but if we can
perform like we did against Fulham and Sunderland we will give them a very
good game on Saturday."

It is fair to say that this is your biggest test of the season so far?

SA: "Yes it is a top four side. It is always a big test for everybody,
especially the players who need to try and match the quality of opposition
they're playing against. Can they understand what they have to do and can
they adapt their game to give themselves the best chance of getting a
positive result? Arsenal are very good at keeping the ball so there will be
times in the game when we need to concentrate out of possession to ensure
they don't get a chance to score. We won't see the ball as much as we have
done at Upton Park in previous games so we have to approach the game in a
different way and of course make sure we make the most of the ball when we
have it. All teams have weaknesses, what we need to do is make sure we find
them and exploit them to score a goal."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'It is no time to rest'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis has urged West Ham United to continue their fine start against
Arsenal on Saturday
03.10.2012

Matt Jarvis has urged his West Ham United team-mates to push on to even
greater heights as they prepare to welcome Arsenal to the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday. The Hammers have made a fine start to the Barclays Premier League
season, taking eleven points from their opening six games, but Jarvis
believes this is just the beginning. Speaking ahead of Saturday's 5.30pm
kick-off against the Gunners, the England international stated that absolute
focus is paramount ahead of a testing fixture. "It is not time to rest,"
said the No7, who scored his maiden Hammers goal in Monday's 2-1 win at
Queens Park Rangers. "We have had a very good start so far but we have some
very tough games ahead of us, not least when we play Arsenal at home on
Saturday. "There are no easy games in this division. We now need to recover
from the game at Loftus Road and then prepare for a battle at home on
Saturday."

West Ham are yet to be beaten at the Boleyn Ground in the league and Jarvis
believes home advantage cannot be underestimated. "We look like we could
give anyone a game at the moment. We are the home side and I am sure the
fans will give us their full support throughout the course of the match. "We
will have to work extremely hard to make sure we get something out of the
game but if we do that there is no reason why we can't come away with a
positive result."

Jarvis admitted to being surprised that his first goal in claret and blue
had come via a far-post header on Monday. "I must admit I don't often score
headers, but it is always good to get in at the back past and luckily for me
it paid off. I was half trying to score and half trying to put it back
across goal but I am delighted that it went in and even more pleased that we
won the game."

"I think I was one of only three West Ham players not to be booked, it was a
tough game and we had to work very hard for the result. Loftus Road is a
tough place to play and we worked very hard playing some good football, we
were delighted to get the three points."

While he has impressed in recent outings, Jarvis knows he will have to
continue to produce the goods if he wants to keep his place in a strong
Hammers squad.
"I am delighted to be back fit and in the team. I now want to continue to
play well and show the fans what I can do, so hopefully I can keep myself in
the team.
"You need to train with everyone, get to know them and allow them to get you
know you, that is starting to come together more and more now and we got a
great result last time out."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll in
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th October 2012
By: Staff Writer

Andy Carroll has been named in the England squad to face San Marino and
Poland. The West Ham striker, who made his comeback from injury as a late
substitute in the 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on
Monday has been recalled to Roy Hodgson's squad for the forthcoming World
Cup Group H qualifiers. England are due to face minnows San Marino at
Wembley on Friday, 12th October before tackling the Poles in Warsaw four
days later on Tuesday, 16th October. There is no place in the squad for
former Hammer Rob Green, who was captured on camera grinning as West Ham
scored their second goal against his current club on Monday night. West Ham
face Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground this Saturday ahead of the international
break with their next fixture set for Saturday, 20th October when they face
strugglers Southampton - again at the Boleyn.

England squad: Forster, Hart, Ruddy; Baines, Cahill, A Cole, Gibbs,
Jagielka, G Johnson, Lescott, Walker, Shawcross; Carrick, Cleverley,
Gerrard, A Johnson, Lennon, Lampard, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott;
Defoe, Rooney, Welbeck, Carroll.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins: I should have stayed at West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th October 2012
By: Staff Writer

James Tomkins has admitted that his inclusion in Great Britain's Olympic
squad this summer was a waste of time. The 23-year-old central defender was
barely used during the tournament which saw Stuart Pearce's side crash out
at the first knockout stage. And Tomkins, who has lost his place in the
first team at West Ham as a result of failing to take part in a full
pre-season believes in retrospect that he would have been better served
remaining with West Ham during the summer. "I wanted to represent Great
Britain and the manager gave me the chance," he told a tabloid newspaper. "I
went there expecting to play more than I did in the end. "Obviously I
wasted a lot of time and then Ginge and Reidy played a lot together in
pre-season. It was disappointing for me, but I suppose that is what football
is like. "You just have to keep your head down and keep working hard in
training - which I have. It is frustrating to watch, but if we keep getting
the results there is not much I can do."

Since returning to West Ham, the Basildon-born defender has made just one
start in West Ham's five Premier League fixtures - the 3-0 defeat at Swansea
in which he was replaced at half time by Ricardo Vaz Te. Eleven months ago
Tomkins signed a lucrative new five-year contract that keeps him tied to
West Ham until 2016. In May on this year he was named as the KUMB.com Player
of the Year for 2011/12 and the runner-up Most Improved Player.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Julian Dicks Column: 4th October
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th October 2012
By: Julian Dicks

It's with great pleasure that we welcome West Ham United FC legend Julian
Dicks to KUMB.com. Julian shares his thoughts with the readers of Knees up
Mother Brown on a regular basis via his weekly column, the latest of which
begins a review of Monday night's encouraging win at Loftus Road...

Winning ways

Any result away from home in the Premier League is a fantastic result,
whether the opposition are at the bottom or not. After all, you can only
play what's in front of you. QPR have got some good players and even though
they're struggling so far this season, you still have to go there and get a
result.

Getting that first away win takes the pressure off the team but West Ham
have started the season well, they've had some good results, they're half
way up the table and things are good. They should be full of confidence as
they've had a great start. They might not have played any of the big boys
yet but I'd rather be where they are than where QPR are.

This weekend West Ham face Arsenal who are a good side with some great
players. It'll be a massive game on Saturday, especially at home, but if Mo
Diame, Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble are on their game then I think they've got
a great chance. I've got a feeling they'll turn them over.

Of course, Sam Allardyce had a great record against Arsenal at Bolton. If
West Ham get in their faces, put pressure on them and get amongst them then
they've got a great chance. We all know Arsenal like to play football and
they can pass the ball about better than most teams if they're allowed to,
but I've just got a feeling West Ham will get a result.

Men in black

Mark Clattenburg booked eight West Ham players in Monday night's game with
QPR. It was so different when I played as most referees used to give you the
benefit of the doubt. We all make mistakes; we all mis-time tackles but now,
because they're under so much pressure from FIFA, one bad tackle and a
player is booked or sent off. Nobody gives players the benefit of the doubt
any more.

It's a lot harder for referees these days because they're under a lot of
pressure - not just from FIFA but from the managers. You also get players
brandishing imaginary cards and that's not right; for me, those players
should be sent off. I'm not a lover of referees as you all know(!) but
they're under a lot of pressure and the more we can use modern technology -
such as goal line cameras - the easier it will be for them.

Lazy journalism

I think Sam Allardyce is always going to be associated with a certain style
of football. He could go and manage Barcelona and they'd still say the same.
That's going to stick with him forever; that's just the way it is.

Last season I wasn't a lover of West Ham's football but this year they're
playing some really good football. At the end of the day, most of the media
haven't got a clue what they're looking at anyway but I was still surprised
how much good football West Ham played at the Sunderland game. It wasn't the
season before, but that was about results.

They've got the ball down, they've played it on the floor. With Andy Carroll
back I think there'll be a lot more football played because he takes two or
three players away and that allows other players more time and space to get
the ball down and play.

There will be a tendency at times to play directly to Carroll; we had the
same with Johnny Hartson. We liked to play football too but when you've got
a big striker up there if you can put a quality ball into him it's sometimes
better to play one ball than playing seven or eight balls before getting it
to him.

It's not about route one, direct football - that's not the case. Andy
Carroll's a very good player and if the defenders can get the ball to him -
and it's not about smashing it over his head but playing it onto his head or
into his chest - it allows him to bring midfield players into play.

Mark my words

I think Mark Noble will be an England player one day - but he's not ready
just yet. He's had a great start to the season but you only have to look at
the players in his position and ask: "Is he better than them currently?" -
and the answer is no, not at the moment. But I can certainly see him as a
future England midfielder. He's got some improving to do but he's still
relatively young and I think he's got a great future in front of him.

Some Hammers fans have also suggested that James Tomkins should be in the
England squad. In midfield you can have holding players, attacking players,
ball players and ball winners whereas at centre back there are not many
variations. Essentially you've got to be able to head the ball, you've got
to be a good tackler and, for me, you've got to be able to play a bit of
football. It obviously depends who you're up against but at the moment I
think he'd struggle to make the England squad.

Rio and Frank

I read this week that my old team mate Rio Ferdinand is unlikely to be
selected for England in the near future. At 33 he's probably too old now
plus you've got younger players like Gary Cahill and Ryan Shawcross coming
through - though I'm not so keen on the latter. Rio's had a great career and
been a fantastic player but sometimes you have to say, "hang on a minute,
perhaps I'm getting a little bit old". Of course he still wants to play, but
Roy Hodgson is obviously looking to the future.

It was absolutely fantastic to see Rio, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael
Carrick come through at West Ham because you could see they were all going
to be fantastic players. They were young lads at the time and they were
cocky with it but it was great to play with them. I played quite a few times
with Rio, Frank and Joe and it was nice to see them progress - especially
Frank and Rio - into world-class players.

Although he got a bit of stick, Frank was always a good player. Yes he was
carrying a bit of weight as a youngster and it didn't help having his dad
there but he was always going to be a good player. What he's achieved is
exceptional.

I used to spend time with Frank after training at Chadwell Heath and he
worked hard at it. He always had ability and he's always had an eye for goal
but it doesn't matter how good you are, you've still got to practise and put
the hours in - and he did that.

I take my hat off to him; he's still doing it now because he loves football.

Julian Dicks was talking to Graeme Howlett.

* Julian is currently available to coach both junior and senior football
teams. For more details, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JULIAN3DICKS.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
World Cup: England boss Roy Hodgson confident Andy Carroll will be fully fit
Last Updated: October 4, 2012 3:36pm
SSN

England boss Roy Hodgson insists he has no worries about the fitness of
striker Andy Carroll after he was recalled to the squad. The Liverpool
striker, on loan at West Ham, played a big part at the European Championship
this summer under Hodgson - but he missed the World Cup qualifiers with
Moldova and Ukraine due to a hamstring injury. Carroll only returned to
action this week, playing the last 23 minutes of the Hammers' win at Queens
Park Rangers - but that has been enough to convince Hodgson to bring him
back. "Andy played 23 minutes including injury-time on Monday and I am
expecting him to play more minutes on Saturday against Arsenal, either from
the start or coming on," said Hodgson. "He has another week after that so I
don't think there is any reason for me to
question his fitness."

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster is included for the first time, while
Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs,Stoke's Ryan Shawcross and Tottenham's Aaron
Lennon were recalled, plus Hodgson confirmed Carl Jenkinson is being looked
at very closely. "Gibbs and Jenkinson have done exceptionally well for
Arsenal," said Hodgson.
"Jenkinson was a player we thought a lot about but decided we didn't have
quite that many places. He is certainly a player we will think about for the
future.
"Gibbs, Lennon and Shawcross are players we need to see at closer hand. I
have seen them from the stands but it will be nice to have a chance to work
with them and see how they could contribute to the team we are trying to
build up. "There has to be some sort of rejuvenation process with the
England team when a new coach comes in. I am very much aware that Brazil is
two years down the road if we are good enough to get there and in two years
maybe these lads will be real stars in the Premier League."

Experience

Hodgson has retained a core of experience though. With Steven Gerrard
suspended, Frank Lampardseems certain to skipper England against San Marino
next Friday, and there are plenty of others Hodgson feels are capable of
shouldering the burden of responsibility. Little wonder he wants to get away
from the twin subjects of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. "We have enough
leaders," he said. "Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are the captain and
vice-captain. "We also have people like Phil Jagielka, Michael Carrick,
Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson. Who knows which of these
younger players emerge as leaders.
"One can only hope there will be one or two who at the moment are in the
early stages of their careers, who will emerge and show the same leadership
qualities as John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is fully behind Andy Carroll's England
call-up
Last Updated: October 4, 2012 6:39pm
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce believes Andy Carroll's England call-up
will prove beneficial to club and country. Carroll has been drafted into Roy
Hodgson's squad for a 2014 World Cup qualifying double-header against San
Marino and Poland despite only recently shaking off a hamstring injury. An
untimely knock picked up shortly after moving to Upton Park on a season-long
loan from Liverpool has limited his involvement for the Hammers, but
Allardyce is happy for the striker to go and get important minutes under his
belt in international competition. "I am glad (he has been called up)," he
said. "Going off to England because he is short on match fitness would be a
good thing for us and a good thing for him. "I will liaise with Roy. Andy is
in a position to play for him but (I want them to) just be careful about
fatigue because fatigue is what brings injuries. "Andy's match fitness is a
little behind where we would like it to be.
"Helping him to perform for England and catch up on match fitness would be
an ideal solution for the pair of us." While Carroll has made the cut for
England, club colleagues such as Mark Noble continue to be overlooked.
Allardyce has, however, revealed that the midfielder is among those being
closely monitored by Hodgson and his coaching team. "I think it depends how
Mark plays this season," he added. "I don't think it is about Mark Noble
playing for England after three or four good games. "He has pressed the
buttons to alert Roy and his staff to come and have a look at him and see if
he continues the good form he has shown in the Premier League up to now.
"There is a transition going on in the England set-up and Mark at 24 is an
experienced Premier League player now. "If he is the public eye and doing
well then I think England will continue to monitor him and see how it goes."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Tomkins disappointed to lose West Ham spot after 'wasting time' at
Olympics
Last Updated: October 4, 2012 1:38pm
SSN

James Tomkins has admitted the time he spent at the Olympics contributed to
him losing his place in the West Ham side. Tomkins insists it was an honour
to be selected by Stuart Pearce for the Team GB squad in the summer, but the
experience did not turn out as he would have liked. He made just a couple of
appearances at the Olympics, and has since started just one game for the
Hammers this season. Sam Allardyce has preferred to partner James Collins
and Winston Reid together at centre-back, which Tomkins concedes has been a
bitter pill to swallow. "It is always hard of course. I wanted to represent
Great Britain and the manager gave me the chance," he said in the Daily
Star. "I went there expecting to play more than I did in the end. Obviously
I wasted a lot of time and then Ginge (Collins) and Reidy played a lot
together in pre-season. "It was disappointing for me but I suppose that is
what football is like."

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com