Positive Guy
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel believes West Ham United were unfortunate to leave Old Trafford
with nothing on Wednesday night
29.11.2012
Guy Demel believes West Ham United can take plenty of heart from their
resilient performance in Wednesday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at
Manchester United. The Hammers fell behind to a deflected Robin van Persie
goal after just 32 seconds but, rather than wilt at Old Trafford, the
visitors got stronger as the game went on. On the back of a solid defensive
display, Demel and his team-mates set up a nervous second half for the Red
Devils, coming close to snatching a deserved draw on a number of occasions.
The right-back, who returned to the starting XI with a typically solid
all-round display, said Sam Allardyce's side would take the positives from
their performance into Saturday's home fixture with Chelsea. "It was not a
great start conceding the goal so early in the game because that gave us
problems then," admitted the No20. "After that, I think the reaction was
good and we were good defensively and we had some chances to put the ball in
the net, so are a little bit disappointed. "I think we can be proud of the
way we played and if we play like this at home against Chelsea and try to be
more clever with the ball in front of their goal, I think we may have a
chance to win the game. "We had some chances. The game was not that easy for
Man United as well. They are a great team and they were playing at home and
it was only because they scored their goal so early that they had the
opportunity to win the game."
Demel was also proud of the way the players responded to their early setback
just three days after producing arguably their worst performance of the
season in losing 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur. Now, the Ivory Coast
international says the next step is to build on their defensive solidity by
taking more chances to score goals at the other end of the pitch. "Every
game is different. Against Tottenham it was a derby game and we had a bad
day, but when you look back at the whole season we are doing well. It could
be better, as I said, but after the performance on Sunday to play like this
at Manchester United means we can look forward to the next game. "They were
worried and you couldn't hear their fans. I think that's good but we still
lost the game and we go back to London without any points which is
disappointing because when we had a possibility to maybe get a result. "We
have to take the positives and keep doing the things we are doing and
working as a team defensively and serve our forward players as well as we
can to score more goals."
After two difficult and physically-testing away fixtures, the Hammers return
to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, when Chelsea will be the lunch-time
visitors.
With Rafael Benitez having taken charge of the Blues less than a fortnight
ago and the visitors having failed to score in their previous two league
games, Demel believes West Ham have a perfectly good chance of extending
their fine home record and returning to winning ways. "Of course, we will
play at home after two away games. Chelsea is a similar team to Man United,
but we are going to play at home in front of our fans, so I think we'll push
forward more. We don't have to hide because we have the opportunity to win
the game. We're looking for that because we need the three points. "I will
wait to see until after the game before I say it is a good time to play
against Chelsea!"
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The Olympic Stadium: it's ours
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to be named as the preferred bidder for the Olympic
Statement next week, according to reports this morning. The London Legacy
Development Corporation board, which is meeting next Wednesday (5th
December), are expected to confirm West Ham United's approval as the chosen
candidate to take over use of the iconic stadium which hosted this summer's
Olympic games. Although a decision was initially expected to be made in
January, the LLDC are thought to have given West Ham the green light to
become anchor tenants after the club agreed to contribute a larger portion
of the redevelopment costs needed to convert the stadium for football use.
That conversion - the cost of which has been estimated at arond £200million
- includes the addition of a roof covering all seats plus retractable
seating in order to bring the supporters closer to pitch-side. Additionally,
considerable structutral amendments to the existing design are also
required. The club's improved offer is reported to include a £15million
advance lump sum, £2.5million annual rent plus £6million per year from
naming rights and match day revenue.
West Ham are one of four parties bidding to take control of the Stratford
stadium; the others being Formula One, Leyton Orient and a Preston-based
sports university. The stadium is not expected to re-open for at least three
years, with 2016 - the same year that the next Olympic games will be staged
in Rio, Brazil - a more likely date.
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Mud sticks
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th November 2012
By: Paul Turner
I have supported West Ham United all my life and can safely say I owe that
fact to my Granddad, Toby. Born to a Jewish father and Irish mother in
Whitechapel in 1916, he grew up in the east end for many years in what can
broadly be described as not the best living conditions.
Skipping forward a fair few years to the battle of Cable Street, Granddad
told me once that he had never seen so many people in one area before and
with the events of that day unfolding his heart was racing so much he though
he was going to have a heart attack.
In WWII, Granddad drove supply trucks onto the Normandy beaches during the
D-Day landings and served in France, Belgium and Holland. He never spoke at
length about what he saw and his experiences but there was one story my mum
told me that has stuck with me. She described how my granddad visited a
concentration camp after it had been liberated and he only ever told my mum
the story of what he saw once but she clearly recollects how his experiences
bought tears to his eyes.
He was as West Ham as they come, always following our fortunes (or lack of)
until his death a couple of years ago. It is out of respect for my granddad
that I do not join in "running round Tottenham" when it is sung. I would
sing that chant before but never the "F****** J**" part as even I could tell
when I was younger that was wrong.
If other people decide to sing that song then that is their own choice but
running round Tottenham (which as reported by those who attended White Hart
Lane on Sunday was not used) is just one song I feel should belong to a
bygone era. There is nothing wrong with seeing Tottenham as a rival but does
it really need to get to the stage where it allows some elements to think
they can do what they like and offend for the sake of offending? Football is
an emotive sport but it's safe to say a line was crossed by a few on Sunday
to the determinant of the majority.
The argument between the Society of Black Lawyers, Tottenham supporters
groups and Tottenham Hotspur itself over the use of particular words and
phrases has been well publicised, but no matter how much someone can try and
claim "ownership" of a word, it can still carry with it hurtful meanings and
intentions if used in the way it has been before by ourselves and other sets
of fans. There has been a familiar argument used to explain those who
indulged themselves in vile chanting on Sunday that every club suffers from
idiots. That is true and you get someone like that in every walk of life but
it only takes one idiot to tarnish the rest of us.
I have heard a number of what could be called unsavoury chants (at best)
both home and away following West Ham and at other games of football I have
attended. One example that sticks in my mind was in the BML when Yossi
Benayoun returned to the Boleyn for Liverpool to be greeted by a group of
people behind me chanting "you only scream in the showers". I also have
heard the exact same chant used at Tottenham away before.
What purpose does this chant or type of chanting really serve? To have
'banter' with rival sets of fans? To have a laugh with your mates? It's
nothing short of offensive and sad really. Nobody is asking for a soliloquy
on the rival team's shortcomings and suggestions as to what opposition fans
and players can do with inanimate objects through a short performance piece,
but resorting to base level crudeness is not the way to go. We are West Ham
United; I thought we were better then that?
The obvious argument that has been used time and time again on the KUMB
forums and elsewhere is that you can't tarnish a whole group of supporters
with the same brush because of the actions of a minority and that is true,
but what is also true is the saying "mud sticks". Those that attend matches
or follow West Ham closely without having to resort to borderline racist
comments (or indeed highly offensive and/or racist comments/chants) know the
score in general but the way in which those who are less connected to our
club are more easily influenced by media reports.
If you use any kind of search engine you can pull up several articles
relating to last Sunday's game from around the world from India to New
Zealand, America to Brazil. Many of these reports repeat themselves but the
key phrases remain: hissing, Adolf Hitler, anti-Semitic. These are just some
of the phrases I have seen over and over, amongst others. The truth of the
matter gets lost in the sensualisation of the issue by those reporting but
it can't be argued with and has been widely accepted that a minority of West
Ham United fans let themselves and everyone else down on Sunday.
The biggest issue facing West Ham United out of this whole situation is not
how the FA will find against our club - be that with a warning, a fine,
games behind closed doors/reduced attendances home or away - but a loss of
reputation home and abroad. Players of all walks of life or orientation
still decide to play for clubs or in countries that have a reputation
(fairly or not) of abuse or racism because money talks and opportunities
that present themselves to make a living dictate, in most cases, a player's
career - but a reputation can still leave a mark. It can also affect
potential supporters abroad and at home.
Fans deride in the whole those who chose a club because of its trophy hauls
or particular players and they had no previous affiliation, but to those who
own clubs they are a source of money. Cardiff City didn't change the kit to
red for the fun of it. The change was made to market the club to the Asian
market. Was Dong Fangzhuo really signed by Manchester United for his prowess
in front of goal? Truth is, clubs want to maximise revenue streams as much
as possible and that covers not just sponsorship but followers who would be
willing to buy merchandise, subscriptions and any other trinkets branded
with the club they now follow.
Incidents like that on Sunday only go to tarnish our reputation. Those who
already follow West Ham United in the overwhelming majority of cases will
stick with the club, but anyone not yet persuaded might chose to go
elsewhere.
As I said before, mud sticks.
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West Ham defender Guy Demel buoyed by efforts in 1-0 defeat at Manchester
United
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 12:52pm
SSN
West Ham defender Guy Demel remained in buoyant mood despite Wednesday's 1-0
defeat at Manchester United. The Hammers went down to an early Robin van
Persie strike but restricted the Premier League leaders and came close to
snatching a point with Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga going close. December's
fixture list is a little daunting with Chelsea, Liverpool,West Brom, Everton
and Arsenal awaiting and comes on the back of the team suffering
back-to-back losses for the first time this season. But Demel told the
club's official website: "If we play like that against Chelsea and are more
clever in front of goal, we have a chance to win the game. "Chelsea are a
similar team to Manchester United, but they were worried last night. You
couldn't hear their fans. At home this weekend I think we will push forward
more. "We don't need to hide because we have an opportunity to win the
game."
With half a dozen players missing the trip to Old Trafford,manager Sam
Allardyce was forced to call up members of his academy to the bench,
including three who had just one substitutes appearance between them. "We
have been stretched for a while," said Allardyce. "My players ran their
hearts out to stay in the game and we did put fresh legs on but after those
we used, we are into the kids. "At least Mark Noble is back for Saturday,
which is important because we are tired."
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Transfer News: West Ham make bid to sign Waterford United striker Sean
Maguire
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 11:20am
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham have made a bid to sign Waterford United
striker Sean Maguire. Maguire has caught the eye of the Hammers' coaching
staff after impressing on trial at Upton Park. The 18-year-old has been
attracting the interest of a host of clubs after his displays with Waterford
United over the past 12 months. Maguire scored 12 goals in 24 starts for
Waterford this term and he is regarded as one of the best young prospects to
emerge from Ireland in recent years. The likes of Blackpool, Brighton,
Peterborough and Derby have all been credited with an interest, but West Ham
are hoping to win the race to sign the Republic of Ireland Under-19
international. The Hammers have now made a firm offer which Waterford are
now considering with the Premier League club hoping to tie up a deal in time
for the January transfer window.
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Matt Jarvis Will Come Good, as the Darren Bent Rumours Circulate!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
We all welcomed the £10m record summer acquisition of Matt Jarvis as a
significant and very ambitious signing. Jarvis possesses pace, skill on the
ball, great accuracy in crossing the ball and the ability to finish. It was
recognised that he was exactly the type of player that we were missing last
season and would bring a new dimension to our attacking play. I think that
most Hammers fans remember his excellent performance in our 3 goal defeat to
Wolves back in 2009-10. In that match, Jarvis was lightening quick and was
absolutely instrumental in inflicting such an heavy defeat.
Since joining West Ham, Jarvis has shown flashes of his ability, but has not
hit top form. In particular, the potent link up between Jarvis' pin point
crossing and Carroll's ariel power has not materialised as yet. But there is
no doubting Jarvis' ability and he will come good for the club. It just
needs a commodity that is increasng rare in football, and indeed live, today
a bit of patience. Fans are so quick to write players off when their
performance levels are not perceived to be at the anticipated levels. Yes,
the modern footballer is paid a king's ransom to perform, but they are also
human beings, who need to get the psychological and physical aspects right
to achieve optium performance. Plus, no doubt, Jarvis is also currently
adapting to a new club and and a new formation, in which he is being asked
to play a different role. We fans need to give Jarvis a bit of slack and get
behind him in the forthcoming matches. I am certain that he will repay that
faith and support with some top class performances before too much longer.
News reports are suggesting that Andy Carroll is struggling with a leg
injury and may miss the Chelsea match. I sincerely hope not, as this is
excactly the type of match where he can make a real difference. Carroll's
height and power can disrupt and punish the Chelsea defence. But my
perception, over the last couple of games, is that Carroll is too isolated
in matches and gets neither the right service and sufficient support.
Playing a 4-3-3, you need players wide of the centre-forward who can give
support and provide a attacking threat. I think it is a great pity that Vaz
Te picked up his shoulder injury, because I was looking forward to seeing
him and Jarvis playing either side of Carroll. Similiarly, to Jarvis, some
fans have been critical of Vaz Te this season. A few have even suggested
that he might be out of his depth a PL level. I do not agree, my perception
is that Vaz Te has great ability and should easily make the transition to
the PL. My feelings is, it's more a case of, we do not yet know just how
good a striker/forward Vaz Te could become?
We will unfortunately have to wait until the New Year to test that last
proposition? It would, however, probably be good policy to secure another
forward in the the January transfer window. We obviously need more strength
in-depth, but probably more important is to add a striker/forward who adds
further quality of the squad. There are current rumours that we are looking
to bring in promising young Waterford striker, Sean MacGuire to the club. If
true, then he is probably one for the future. Another story in circulation
is that there may be a West Ham bid for out of Favour Villa striker, Darren
Bent. I certainly hope that is true, because Bent is exactly the type of
natural goal scorer that we need. Bent has an excellent PL goal scoring
record and at 28 years of age is arguably at his peak. He is likely to be
expensive, but quality and proven PL ability invariably is! Another option
is the Bosman signing of Miralem Sulejmani from Ajax, a signing that has
been mooted over the last 2 or 3 seasons. The question is how close Robert
Hall is to challenging for a regular first team spot? The ability of this
lad is such that the club might prefer to give him the chance to step up.
In terms of the January window, in addition to another forward, we arguably
need to bring in a couple of defenders. Probably, a full-back and central
defender, but if we are happy to continue with Reid-Tomkins-Collins-Spence,
then perhaps two full-backs. Or if the right player is available, perhaps
one that can play full-back and also cover at centre half. Again, we
obviously need additions to the numbers at the back, but surely the emphasis
must be on adding greater quality. Sam Allardyce has built a solid defensive
unit and the objective must be to build upon and strengthen that foundation
in January. Who knows what is happening with Henderson, currently on loan at
Ipswich Town? If he leaves then expect a another keeper to be signed. We are
probably ok in midfield, it largely depends on whether anyone leaves in the
January window and if Collison can get back in to the first frame in the New
Year? Again, the variable factor in all this, is the first team progress of
the likes of Moncur, Turgott and Fanino?
West Ham did themselves a great deal of credit up at Old Trafford. It was a
very good performance and, with a bit better finishing, we could easily have
taken a point. That is a very good indicator for the future and helped allay
some of the concerns after the Display against Spurs. Now we need to go out
and put in a aother really good home performance against Chelsea. Like all
of the top 4 sides, Chelsea have genuine quality, but they have not been in
good form and will be adapting to a new manager. If we get the tactics right
and play with passion and commitment it is possible that we can get a
result. If we lose, we just need to regroup and battle for the points
against Liverpool and WBA. Both Liverpool and WBA are beatable and we should
be looking to take 4 points from those two matches. We are still on course
to achieve my minimum target of 10-12 points in the 2nd phase period up to
the New Year. And I believe that we will enter 2013 in a very healthy
position.
As for Saturday's early kick-off against Chelsea, I fancy us to take a
point, with a 1-1 score draw. If we can go the next mile and win, then so
much the better! COYI !
SJ. Chandos.
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Are West Ham About to be Named Preferred Bidder for the OS Tenancy?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
There are reports this morning that, next week, West Ham will be named as
the preferred bidder for the OS tenancy. If so, it appears that the revised
offer by the club and Newham ouncil has been accepted, meaning that the bill
for converting the Stadium is now down to approximately £20m. Reports
suggest hat the club has increased its up front financial contribution to
£15m (up £5m) and will pay £2m a year rent and allocate the LLDC regular
income from the naming rights and other commerical activities. Newham are
also believed to have increased the amount that they are contributing from
the original figure of £40m.
Now the LDCC will turn to the Mayor of London and the Treasury to help
bridge the £20m gap. As I have stated previously, there is no really viable
alternative. The Mayor and the Government must bite the bullet and invest in
order to ensure the venue's long-term viability. Whether they like it or
not, PL football is a must and essential to achieving that objective. Yes,
it is rectifying some terrible past strategic mistakes in Stadium design and
planning, but we need to learn from it and look forward and not back.
Ensuring the OS has a viable future comes with a sizeable price tag, but it
will have enormous benefits as well. Not least its status as a first class
sports venue and its contribution to the London (and especially East London)
economy and jobs market; plus the community and sporting legacy outcomes
that can be delivered.
If true, this is excellent news and provides a land mark moment in the
future development of West Ham Utd FC. Upton Park is part of the club's
glorious past, the OS can be part of a golden future. The fact is we need
this move to take the club to a place where we all wish it to be - competing
for honours domestically and in Europe. In addition, the delivery of the
various community and sporting legacy programmes from the new OS base can
give us a club in which we can have even greater pride. I know many fans are
still cautious about the spectator experience, but lets hold fire until the
conversion plans are made public. The club are obviously aware of the
reservations amongst the fan base about moving and they must respond by
providing assurances and unveiling the detailed conversion plans as soon as
it is possible to do so.
SJ. Chandos.
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EDUCATE WEST HAM 'ANTISEMITES'
http://www.jewishtelegraph.co.uk
BY MIKE COHEN
Deputy editor
IN the early 1990s, I was at Maine Road to see Manchester City take on
Tottenham Hotspur. At some point in the match Spurs coach Ray Clemence stood
up to remonstrate with a refereeing decision. A City fan behind me screamed
at him: "Sit down Clemence, you big-nosed Jewish ****." It was the first
time I had heard antisemitism at a City match. I can't recall City fans
singing 'Spurs are on their way to Auschwitz', like other teams' fans did,
but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. It's incredible how almost 20 years
later it has become such an issue again. While not particularly liking
Spurs, I have felt pride over their fans calling themselves Yid Army and
Yiddoes. It is the perfect antidote to those who use the words in a
demeaning manner. What better way to react when someone calls you a Yid than
to say, 'Yes. I'm a Yid and proud of it'. All the trouble in recent weeks
with Tottenham fans has nothing to do with the Y word, but more to do with
the myth that Spurs are a Jewish club. I doubt anyone was surprised by the
trouble in Rome last week when they faced Lazio in the Europa League -
although the extent of the violence was shocking. We expect racism and
antisemitism from European countries because UEFA has been so soft in
clamping down on it. But when it happens closer to home, it is so much more
a shock to the system.
And to hear antisemitism from the supporters of a club like West Ham United,
with so many Jewish connections, took my breath away. I doubt 99 per cent of
those singing the 'Hitler is coming' chant at Spurs fans on Sunday are
racist. At football matches, someone starts a chant, others think 'that
sounds good' and join in without thinking about it. At the time they might
consider it amusing, but when it actually sinks in, some of those chanting
it will have been horrified. That's why I don't believe West Ham should ban
these fans. Education is the way forward.
At the moment for them, 'Holocaust' is just a word and 'six million' just a
number. Let them hear the truth behind it. Give them the option of a
lifetime ban or they can listen to former West Ham manager Avram Grant's
radio programme Avram's Journey about his visit to Auschwitz. Last November
when Gary Speed died and then in March when Fabrice Muamba suffered a heart
attack at Spurs, the football community came together as one. We grieved
Speed's death and all willed Muamba better. We became a big family,
rivalries were forgotten - but that seems a million miles away now. Football
is all about banter. Nothing feels better than coming up with witty ways to
verbally mock your rivals. But songs about the Holocaust, mimicking the
sound of the gas chambers, making monkey noises and throwing bananas at
black players have nothing to do with football and need to be eliminated
from the game immediately. But let Spurs fans continue to call themselves
Yid Army. And if anyone attacks them for their Jewish connections, they are
attacking the football family.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, November 30
Thursday, November 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th November 2012
Big Sam proud of Hammers' effort
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce believes there are many positives to be taken after the narrow
defeat to Manchester United
29.11.2012
Sam Allardyce was proud of his players' performances after the quickest goal
of the Barclays Premier League season so far was all that separated them
from Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Robin van
Persie's deflected effort in just the 32nd second of the match gave the
hosts the lead. But while some teams may have been overawed and crumbled in
the face of the talent boasted by the home side, Big Sam's team played some
fine football and created several notable chances.. "It was obviously a
problem to concede a goal inside the first minute but after that our
response was really very good.
"I know that we didn't create very much - you never do here at Old Trafford
- but we continued to try and grow into the game and we went looking for the
equaliser towards the finish, too. "We worked hard right to the very end and
got better as an attacking force as the game went on. We tried to see if we
could get the equaliser but we couldn't quite manage it. "We created some
chances - albeit not too many - but they weren't taken like the top boys,
say, Manchester United or Chelsea. After conceding three goals at Tottenham
Hotspur on Saturday, Big Sam had said before the game that he expected to
see more from his defensive unit and he certainly got that as the hosts were
limited to just a handful of chances. When they did manage to break through,
Jussi Jaaskelainen was on hand to make to pull off two stunning saves from
Javier Hernandez and Anderson. "They scored that early goal but after that I
felt that our defensive structure was outstanding. "What chances did
Manchester United create tonight? The answer is not many apart from one or
two Jussi Jaaskelainen saves and for 92 minutes - apart from a deflected
goal - we were outstanding from a defensive viewpoint.. "We know that it's
defensive solidarity in this league that will win you points and I think
that the disappointing thing is that this is the first time for a while when
Fergie has got a 'nil' against his side. They've been letting a few in
lately but tonight they've got a clean sheet and won 1-0. "Building on the
base of a solid defensive unit is how we've got to pick up points because we
haven't got the strikeforce that Manchester United have."
With the Hammers now well and truly into their testing run of fixtures, Big
Sam's side will have undoubtedly drawn confidence from their performance as
their thoughts turn to Saturday's London derby with Chelsea. Less than 200
tickets remain for that fixture, so any fan hoping to still come to the
Boleyn Ground is advised to move fast to avoid missing out. "We're
disappointed. You could argue that if we'd got a drubbing it could destroy
the players' confidence but if you defend well as we have done, it maintains
confidence. We played against the champions, Manchester City, had a good
goal disallowed and drew 0-0 and on Wednesday we lost to a deflected goal.
"We've now played the top two teams in the country and you could arguably
say that we were unfortunate not to get another 0-0 against United."
After a week of where there has been much focus on the club, the travelling
fans demonstrated why West Ham United supporters are famous the world over.
From the first minute to last they outsung their hosts with 'We are West
Ham's claret and blue army' reverberating around Old Trafford for a large
proportion of the second half. "They came out with some great songs and they
were tremendous. They would be disappointed as we are but we've come to give
it our best shot."
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Man Utd 1 West Ham 0
28 November 2012
Last updated at 21:51
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport
Robin van Persie scored the fastest Premier League goal this season as
Manchester United beat West Ham to remain top of the table. The Dutchman
struck his 12th goal in all competitions with an effort that deflected in
after just 32 seconds. Andy Carroll volleyed off target as the visitors
tried to respond, while goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen denied Javier
Hernandez and Wayne Rooney. Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga went close, but
the hosts held out. The result maintains Manchester United's one-point
advantage over Manchester City and takes them seven points clear of Chelsea
and West Brom in third and fourth.
West Ham, meanwhile, drop to 10th and the season does not get any easier,
with December featuring matches against Chelsea, Liverpool, West Brom,
Everton, Arsenal and Reading. While the Hammers arrived as firm underdogs,
they could take heart from an impressive start to life back in the top
flight.
They may also have been pleased to learn that the last promoted club to
leave Old Trafford with a league victory - Bolton in 2001 - were managed by
Sam Allardyce, with Kevin Nolan on the scoresheet.
But Allardyce and Nolan knew their current side faced a daunting assignment
against a team who had won six of their previous seven top-flight games and
each of their past seven against West Ham. Indeed, West Ham's task became
far tougher when Van Persie opened the scoring with some spectators still
taking their seats. Michael Carrick found his team-mate on the edge of the
box and the striker lifted the ball over Winston Reid before beating
Jaaskelainen with the help of a heavy deflection off James Collins. Given
that Manchester United had conceded the first goal in nine of their 13
league matches coming into this one, Van Persie's opener should have helped
to settle any early nerves. However, a line-up including five changes from
the weekend failed to maintain the momentum and that gave West Ham
confidence.
Despite making four alterations of their own, the Hammers worked hard to
restore parity and after Nolan put Matt Taylor's free-kick into the
side-netting Carroll fired narrowly over the bar. They lacked a cutting edge
up front, though, and Jaaskelainen made a fine low save from Hernandez to
keep West Ham within touching distance of their opponents going into the
break. West Ham made a positive start to the second half but, again,
struggled to mount a sustained challenge. The hosts responded by pushing
forward themselves and Jaaskelainen tipped Rooney's curling strike round the
post before repelling a Carrick header from Van Persie's corner. Allardyce
replaced Carroll with Cole and the substitute made an immediate impact -
setting up Matt Taylor for a chance that was wasted and drawing a crucial
close-range stop from Anders Lindegaard. As the crowd grew restless another
replacement, Maiga, hit an angled drive over the bar, but West Ham could not
force an equaliser.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd 1 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United managed to keep a clean sheet for 92 minutes at Old Trafford
tonight - yet still came away with nothing.
Robin Van Persie's effort after just 31 seconds - the fastest goal scored in
the Premier League so far this season - was enough to win all three points
for the home side and condemn the Hammers to consecutive league defeats for
the first time in 2012/13.
With much of Old Trafford's 75,00-odd crowd yet to settle into their seats,
tonight's hosts scored the only goal of a tightly-fought contest with a
total fluke.
The former Arsenal man received the ball on the edge of the box and aimed to
his left - before a huge deflection off James Collins changed the path of
the ball which looped over Jussi Jaaskelainen into the back of the net.
However early fears of a potential cricket score failed to materialise and
if anything, West Ham enjoyed the better chances for the remainder of the
first half.
The best two opportunities of the opening 45 minutes fell to Kevin Nolan -
whose 11th minute flick found the side netting - and Andy Carroll, who
pounced on a deflection from Johnny Evans to fire inches over on the volley
just ahead of the half-hour mark.
The home side, who went into the game top of the Premier League had plenty
of possession - as is to be expected - but 'keeper Jaaskelainen was only
stretched on one occasion, that being when Javier Hernández's 29th minute
strike required a tip round the post.
Having recovered fully from that early setback, West Ham started the second
period with intent and had their hosts on the backfoot until Man U created
four chances within the space of five minutes.
A Rooney shot that was high and wide was followed by a free kick from the
edge of the area that Jaaskelainen dealt with comfortably. Another Rooney
effort - this one curled towards the far post - required a good save from
the Icelandic stopper and finally, a chance from a corner required the
intervention of captain Kevin Nolan on the line.
That was as good as it got for the home side in the second half, whilst West
Ham continued to enjoy lots of possession without ever really seriously
threatening their opponent's goal - much to the annoyance of an expectant
home crowd whose chants of "attack, attack, attack" fell upon deaf ears.
Indeed, if anyone was likely to score in the final third of the game it was
Sam Allardyce's side who had three great chances to take what would have
been a deserved point from the game.
With 20 minutes left on the clock Matt Taylor miscued horribly after some
good work from substitute Carlton Cole, who had replaced the ineffective
Carroll on the hour mark (no doubt with view to Saturday's early kick off
against Chelsea).
Ten minutes later a free kick found Winston Reid in the box and his downward
header was thrashed towards goal by Cole, but blocked. Then with just four
minutes of normal time remaining fellow sub Modibo Maiga - who had replaced
the disappointing Matt Jarvis - cut inside leaving Johnny Evans for dead,
but his dipping drive was just too high.
Unusually at Old Trafford it was Manchester United who were forced to
time-waste for the three added-on minutes, which ran over by just two
seconds; no 'Ferguson-time' tonight unfortunately.
So whilst United suffered their customary defeat at Old Trafford, it was a
far better performance than in recent seasons. However Allardyce and his
squad will no doubt feel slightly disappointed to return south with nothing
to show for their efforts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce: Manchester United's goal was fluke
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 12:08am
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has lamented the "fluke" goal his side
conceded against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Robin van
Persie's strike after just 33 seconds condemned the Hammers to a 1-0 away
defeat in the Premier League. Allardyce believes that his side did not
deserve to lose and hailed his players for the energy they showed against
the Red Devils. "We come to Old Trafford and in 30 seconds they score," he
told Sky Sports. "It was a fluke goal, to say the least. "It was a test of
character for my players. We are all disappointed that we lost the match,
but we kept our shape and our tactics. "We couldn't help the fluke goal
fortunately for Man United. You never know what could have happened if that
had not gone in. It is disappointing that after all that we did not get
anything from the game. "I was pleased with the energy we had, especially in
the latter end of the game. The energy that we showed today was
outstanding."
Meanwhile, Allardyce thinks Van Persie could be a decisive factor in the
title race, adding: "Manchester United have lots of players who will have
good spells and can come up trumps when they need them to. "Robin van Persie
is a quality player and we have largely kept him quiet. "But he will score
20 goals for Manchester United, maybe 30. In the end that is normally the
difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Robin van Persie scored the fastest goal of season as Man Utd beat West Ham
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 12:09am
SSN
Robin van Persie scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season as
Manchester United held on for a nervy 1-0 win over West Ham United at Old
Trafford. The Netherlands international's deflected effort maintained
United's advantage at the top of the table, but West Ham's lively
second-half performance almost brought what would have been a deserved
equaliser.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: No great candidate but Wayne Rooney looked a threat every
time he was allowed to get his head up and have a sight of goal.
Save of the Match: Anders Lindegaard produced a tremendous stop low to his
left to deny Carlton Cole the equaliser.
Shot of the Match: A lovely curling attempt from Wayne Rooney from the left
edge of the West Ham area brought a good save out of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Talking point: Although they lost, this was a good display from the Hammers
and the hosts were never entirely comfortable with just a one-goal
advantage.
It took just 33 seconds for the hosts to take the lead as Van Persie's
control from Michael Carrick's pass took out Winston Reid and the Dutchman's
attempted lob deflected off James Collins before looping over the helpless
Jussi Jaaskelainen. Kevin Nolan was booked for scything down Tom Cleverley
before the West Ham captain's near-post flick from Matt Taylor's free-kick
rippled the side-netting. Nolan then failed to apply a finishing touch to
Taylor's teasing low cross from the right before Andy Carroll, who had been
limping in the early stages, saw a first-time volley fly over Anders
Lindegaard's goal. For all their possession, the Red Devils struggled to
create chances for the rest of the first half, although Javier Hernandez's
curling shot from outside the box forced a smart save out of Jaaskelainen.
West Ham enjoyed a spell of pressure at the start of the second half and
almost replicated the luck United had received when Mohamed Diame's
deflected shot soared into the air before dropping off target. The leaders
responded with Cleverley's first-time drive appearing to brush
Jaaskelainen's fingertips on its way over before the West Ham keeper made a
comfortable save from Van Persie's free-kick. Jaaskelainen was properly
extended on the hour mark, though, as the veteran Finn was forced to dive
full length to tip Wayne Rooney's superb curling effort beyond the post. The
Hammers had a good chance with 20 minutes to go when substitute Carlton Cole
nodded down Nolan's clever pass, but Taylor mistimed his shot from just
inside the penalty area.
Anderson pressed Jaaskelainen into an unconventional save and Hernandez shot
tamely at the West Ham keeper before the visitors had their best chance with
seven minutes left. A deep free-kick into the penalty area was flicked on
for Cole to control and his shot on the turn from six yards out was parried
away by Anders Lindegaard, with Modibo Maiga in an offside position when
fluffing the rebound. Maiga then curled over and Nolan saw a shot blocked
before Patrice Evra's under-hit backpass almost presented West Ham with a
late chance before his blushes were spared by Jonny Evans as United hung on
for another three points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gone in 33 seconds: Van Persie papers over cracks with fastest goal this
season
The Mirror
28 Nov 2012 22:29
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Sir Alex Ferguson values the importance of 1-0 wins, despite Manchester
United's propensity for dramatic, high-scoring encounters. Ferguson spoke
wistfully of the 1-0 win at Newcastle in March 1996, claiming it was the
defining moment in United overhauling their title rivals' nine-point lead.
This particular 1-0 was memorable only for Robin van Persie's winning goal
after 33 seconds, the fastest of the season and one which served to keep
United top, a point clear of Manchester City. Perhaps more importantly,
United and City's wins last night have opened up a sizeable gap between
themselves and third-placed Chelsea.
Rafa Benitez's side trail United by seven points and City by six, in what is
already shaping up to be another title tussle between the two Manchester
clubs.
For United, the true significance of this victory may not be known until the
end of the season, when there is every chance of them looking back on it as
a key result in what they hope will be the capture of a 20th league title.
Yet it was another far from convincing from United, who could at least
console themselves with three points and a rare clean sheet, only their
fourth in 21 matches in all competitions this season.
Van Persie's 12th goal in 18 games saw the Red Devils maintain their lead at
the summit of the table, but it proved a long night for the home side
thereafter as they failed to add to their early lead. United have failed to
hit top gear this season, despite heading the table, and Ferguson will want
to see a huge improvement with the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium 10
days away. Ferguson's men were abject for the first hour against QPR last
Saturday, going a goal behind before rallying late on in the game to win
3-1., albeit in unconvincing fashion. It was a similar story last night, van
Persie's early strike failing to spark the anticipated goal rush from
United, who managed to hold on to their slender lead and see out the game.
Ferguson's intentions were clear from his attacking line-up, which included
three strikers in Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.
Having conceded the first goal in nine of their 13 Premier League games this
season, Ferguson clearly adopted the policy of attack being the best form of
defence with his team selection. Van Persie plundered his goal, scored as
many fans were still taking their seats inside Old Trafford, with a
wonderful piece of ingenuity. Michael Carrick played the ball forward and
van Persie's exquisite first touch took the ball over the head of Winston
Reid. The United striker moved instinctively to meet the ball, his lob
taking a deflection off James Collins and looping over keeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen into the net. Despite taking such an early lead, United almost
found themselves pegged back after 10 minutes, Kevin Nolan's near-post
effort from a Matt Taylor free-kick, finding the side-netting.
Javier Hernandez wasted an opportunity to double United's lead in the 16th
minute when Anderson set him clear on the counter-attack down the right, but
he only sky his angled shot high and wide when a cross would have been the
better option. It would have been easy for West Ham to crumble after going
behind so early on, but Allardyce's side showed courage after their shaky
start to keep United at bay. Andy Carroll, who scored his first goal of the
season at the weekend following his loan move from Liverpool, came close to
scoring in the 27th minute but flashed a volley wide of the target. And
Hernandez, who came into the game on a run of eight goals in as many games,
forced a superb save from Jaaskelainen in the 29th minute, the Hammers'
keeper diving low to his left to keep out the goal-bound shot. Jaaskelainen
came to West Ham's rescue again five minute after the restart, making an
instinctive to deny Tom Cleverley, although ref Michael Jones inexplicably
failed to award United a corner. Van Persie won a free-kick in the 56th
minute when Joey O'Brien fouled him 20 yards out, but United flying Dutchman
saw his dipping effort gathered with ease by Jaaskelainen. United kept
Jaaskelainen busy, Rooney denied by the Finnish keeper, who turned his
curling effort away. From the resulting corner, Hernandez managed to get in
the way of Michael Carrick's goalbound header, diverting it away from the
target.
Carroll's miserable night got worse in the 62nd minute when he was hauled
off and replaced by Carlton Cole, United's fans jeering the £35million
Liverpool striker as he made his way to the touchline. United keeper Anders
Lindegaard, who had not had a save to make all night, was finally called
into action in the 82nd minute, producing a crucial save down to his left
from substitute Carlton Cole. But United ultimately held on for a 1-0 win
that, while it will not linger in the memory of anyone who was there, may
yet prove hugely significant come May.
Ferguson is steeling himself for another title race slog after Manchester's
two rival clubs pulled clear of the pack last night. "We've won, we've got
the three points and we're still ahead in the league," said Ferguson. "With
Chelsea drawing, it draws us away from them a bit further. "Of course, City
are right on our tails, so it's going to be a long season." United managed
only their fourth clean sheet in 21 games in all competitions this season
and Ferguson joked: "A clean sheet - that's for Christmas! "The importance
of winning 1-0 in certain games is that your opponents know the resilience
is there. "If you look at some of the really important 1-0 wins we've had,
you can go back to beating Newcastle when they were nine points clear of us.
"Our 1-0 win that night won us the league. There are important, 1-0
victories, and we've had many of them. "If we can keep clean sheets from now
until January more often than we have, then it will give us a good
foundation to go for the title." Ferguson praised West Ham's resilience and
said: "They're a very dogged team to break down, but we got a great start
and I thought from there we could have kicked on. "Some of our football was
very good at times, but we never finished them off."
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce paid tribute to van Persie and said: "He's going
to score 20-odd, maybe 30 goals. "In the end, that's normally the
difference, if you sort your defensive side out. "It's not so long ago, a
couple of seasons, that Man United went 14 games without conceding a goal
and that won them the league. "Van Persie is a quality player, no doubt
about that, though we kept him quiet tonight. "United have got lots of
players who will have good spells, lot of players who will come up trumps,
and that's what makes them so good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce believes there are many positives to be taken after the narrow
defeat to Manchester United
29.11.2012
Sam Allardyce was proud of his players' performances after the quickest goal
of the Barclays Premier League season so far was all that separated them
from Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Robin van
Persie's deflected effort in just the 32nd second of the match gave the
hosts the lead. But while some teams may have been overawed and crumbled in
the face of the talent boasted by the home side, Big Sam's team played some
fine football and created several notable chances.. "It was obviously a
problem to concede a goal inside the first minute but after that our
response was really very good.
"I know that we didn't create very much - you never do here at Old Trafford
- but we continued to try and grow into the game and we went looking for the
equaliser towards the finish, too. "We worked hard right to the very end and
got better as an attacking force as the game went on. We tried to see if we
could get the equaliser but we couldn't quite manage it. "We created some
chances - albeit not too many - but they weren't taken like the top boys,
say, Manchester United or Chelsea. After conceding three goals at Tottenham
Hotspur on Saturday, Big Sam had said before the game that he expected to
see more from his defensive unit and he certainly got that as the hosts were
limited to just a handful of chances. When they did manage to break through,
Jussi Jaaskelainen was on hand to make to pull off two stunning saves from
Javier Hernandez and Anderson. "They scored that early goal but after that I
felt that our defensive structure was outstanding. "What chances did
Manchester United create tonight? The answer is not many apart from one or
two Jussi Jaaskelainen saves and for 92 minutes - apart from a deflected
goal - we were outstanding from a defensive viewpoint.. "We know that it's
defensive solidarity in this league that will win you points and I think
that the disappointing thing is that this is the first time for a while when
Fergie has got a 'nil' against his side. They've been letting a few in
lately but tonight they've got a clean sheet and won 1-0. "Building on the
base of a solid defensive unit is how we've got to pick up points because we
haven't got the strikeforce that Manchester United have."
With the Hammers now well and truly into their testing run of fixtures, Big
Sam's side will have undoubtedly drawn confidence from their performance as
their thoughts turn to Saturday's London derby with Chelsea. Less than 200
tickets remain for that fixture, so any fan hoping to still come to the
Boleyn Ground is advised to move fast to avoid missing out. "We're
disappointed. You could argue that if we'd got a drubbing it could destroy
the players' confidence but if you defend well as we have done, it maintains
confidence. We played against the champions, Manchester City, had a good
goal disallowed and drew 0-0 and on Wednesday we lost to a deflected goal.
"We've now played the top two teams in the country and you could arguably
say that we were unfortunate not to get another 0-0 against United."
After a week of where there has been much focus on the club, the travelling
fans demonstrated why West Ham United supporters are famous the world over.
From the first minute to last they outsung their hosts with 'We are West
Ham's claret and blue army' reverberating around Old Trafford for a large
proportion of the second half. "They came out with some great songs and they
were tremendous. They would be disappointed as we are but we've come to give
it our best shot."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd 1 West Ham 0
28 November 2012
Last updated at 21:51
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport
Robin van Persie scored the fastest Premier League goal this season as
Manchester United beat West Ham to remain top of the table. The Dutchman
struck his 12th goal in all competitions with an effort that deflected in
after just 32 seconds. Andy Carroll volleyed off target as the visitors
tried to respond, while goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen denied Javier
Hernandez and Wayne Rooney. Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga went close, but
the hosts held out. The result maintains Manchester United's one-point
advantage over Manchester City and takes them seven points clear of Chelsea
and West Brom in third and fourth.
West Ham, meanwhile, drop to 10th and the season does not get any easier,
with December featuring matches against Chelsea, Liverpool, West Brom,
Everton, Arsenal and Reading. While the Hammers arrived as firm underdogs,
they could take heart from an impressive start to life back in the top
flight.
They may also have been pleased to learn that the last promoted club to
leave Old Trafford with a league victory - Bolton in 2001 - were managed by
Sam Allardyce, with Kevin Nolan on the scoresheet.
But Allardyce and Nolan knew their current side faced a daunting assignment
against a team who had won six of their previous seven top-flight games and
each of their past seven against West Ham. Indeed, West Ham's task became
far tougher when Van Persie opened the scoring with some spectators still
taking their seats. Michael Carrick found his team-mate on the edge of the
box and the striker lifted the ball over Winston Reid before beating
Jaaskelainen with the help of a heavy deflection off James Collins. Given
that Manchester United had conceded the first goal in nine of their 13
league matches coming into this one, Van Persie's opener should have helped
to settle any early nerves. However, a line-up including five changes from
the weekend failed to maintain the momentum and that gave West Ham
confidence.
Despite making four alterations of their own, the Hammers worked hard to
restore parity and after Nolan put Matt Taylor's free-kick into the
side-netting Carroll fired narrowly over the bar. They lacked a cutting edge
up front, though, and Jaaskelainen made a fine low save from Hernandez to
keep West Ham within touching distance of their opponents going into the
break. West Ham made a positive start to the second half but, again,
struggled to mount a sustained challenge. The hosts responded by pushing
forward themselves and Jaaskelainen tipped Rooney's curling strike round the
post before repelling a Carrick header from Van Persie's corner. Allardyce
replaced Carroll with Cole and the substitute made an immediate impact -
setting up Matt Taylor for a chance that was wasted and drawing a crucial
close-range stop from Anders Lindegaard. As the crowd grew restless another
replacement, Maiga, hit an angled drive over the bar, but West Ham could not
force an equaliser.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd 1 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United managed to keep a clean sheet for 92 minutes at Old Trafford
tonight - yet still came away with nothing.
Robin Van Persie's effort after just 31 seconds - the fastest goal scored in
the Premier League so far this season - was enough to win all three points
for the home side and condemn the Hammers to consecutive league defeats for
the first time in 2012/13.
With much of Old Trafford's 75,00-odd crowd yet to settle into their seats,
tonight's hosts scored the only goal of a tightly-fought contest with a
total fluke.
The former Arsenal man received the ball on the edge of the box and aimed to
his left - before a huge deflection off James Collins changed the path of
the ball which looped over Jussi Jaaskelainen into the back of the net.
However early fears of a potential cricket score failed to materialise and
if anything, West Ham enjoyed the better chances for the remainder of the
first half.
The best two opportunities of the opening 45 minutes fell to Kevin Nolan -
whose 11th minute flick found the side netting - and Andy Carroll, who
pounced on a deflection from Johnny Evans to fire inches over on the volley
just ahead of the half-hour mark.
The home side, who went into the game top of the Premier League had plenty
of possession - as is to be expected - but 'keeper Jaaskelainen was only
stretched on one occasion, that being when Javier Hernández's 29th minute
strike required a tip round the post.
Having recovered fully from that early setback, West Ham started the second
period with intent and had their hosts on the backfoot until Man U created
four chances within the space of five minutes.
A Rooney shot that was high and wide was followed by a free kick from the
edge of the area that Jaaskelainen dealt with comfortably. Another Rooney
effort - this one curled towards the far post - required a good save from
the Icelandic stopper and finally, a chance from a corner required the
intervention of captain Kevin Nolan on the line.
That was as good as it got for the home side in the second half, whilst West
Ham continued to enjoy lots of possession without ever really seriously
threatening their opponent's goal - much to the annoyance of an expectant
home crowd whose chants of "attack, attack, attack" fell upon deaf ears.
Indeed, if anyone was likely to score in the final third of the game it was
Sam Allardyce's side who had three great chances to take what would have
been a deserved point from the game.
With 20 minutes left on the clock Matt Taylor miscued horribly after some
good work from substitute Carlton Cole, who had replaced the ineffective
Carroll on the hour mark (no doubt with view to Saturday's early kick off
against Chelsea).
Ten minutes later a free kick found Winston Reid in the box and his downward
header was thrashed towards goal by Cole, but blocked. Then with just four
minutes of normal time remaining fellow sub Modibo Maiga - who had replaced
the disappointing Matt Jarvis - cut inside leaving Johnny Evans for dead,
but his dipping drive was just too high.
Unusually at Old Trafford it was Manchester United who were forced to
time-waste for the three added-on minutes, which ran over by just two
seconds; no 'Ferguson-time' tonight unfortunately.
So whilst United suffered their customary defeat at Old Trafford, it was a
far better performance than in recent seasons. However Allardyce and his
squad will no doubt feel slightly disappointed to return south with nothing
to show for their efforts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce: Manchester United's goal was fluke
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 12:08am
SSN
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has lamented the "fluke" goal his side
conceded against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Robin van
Persie's strike after just 33 seconds condemned the Hammers to a 1-0 away
defeat in the Premier League. Allardyce believes that his side did not
deserve to lose and hailed his players for the energy they showed against
the Red Devils. "We come to Old Trafford and in 30 seconds they score," he
told Sky Sports. "It was a fluke goal, to say the least. "It was a test of
character for my players. We are all disappointed that we lost the match,
but we kept our shape and our tactics. "We couldn't help the fluke goal
fortunately for Man United. You never know what could have happened if that
had not gone in. It is disappointing that after all that we did not get
anything from the game. "I was pleased with the energy we had, especially in
the latter end of the game. The energy that we showed today was
outstanding."
Meanwhile, Allardyce thinks Van Persie could be a decisive factor in the
title race, adding: "Manchester United have lots of players who will have
good spells and can come up trumps when they need them to. "Robin van Persie
is a quality player and we have largely kept him quiet. "But he will score
20 goals for Manchester United, maybe 30. In the end that is normally the
difference."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Robin van Persie scored the fastest goal of season as Man Utd beat West Ham
Last Updated: November 29, 2012 12:09am
SSN
Robin van Persie scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season as
Manchester United held on for a nervy 1-0 win over West Ham United at Old
Trafford. The Netherlands international's deflected effort maintained
United's advantage at the top of the table, but West Ham's lively
second-half performance almost brought what would have been a deserved
equaliser.
Best of the Match
Man of the Match: No great candidate but Wayne Rooney looked a threat every
time he was allowed to get his head up and have a sight of goal.
Save of the Match: Anders Lindegaard produced a tremendous stop low to his
left to deny Carlton Cole the equaliser.
Shot of the Match: A lovely curling attempt from Wayne Rooney from the left
edge of the West Ham area brought a good save out of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Talking point: Although they lost, this was a good display from the Hammers
and the hosts were never entirely comfortable with just a one-goal
advantage.
It took just 33 seconds for the hosts to take the lead as Van Persie's
control from Michael Carrick's pass took out Winston Reid and the Dutchman's
attempted lob deflected off James Collins before looping over the helpless
Jussi Jaaskelainen. Kevin Nolan was booked for scything down Tom Cleverley
before the West Ham captain's near-post flick from Matt Taylor's free-kick
rippled the side-netting. Nolan then failed to apply a finishing touch to
Taylor's teasing low cross from the right before Andy Carroll, who had been
limping in the early stages, saw a first-time volley fly over Anders
Lindegaard's goal. For all their possession, the Red Devils struggled to
create chances for the rest of the first half, although Javier Hernandez's
curling shot from outside the box forced a smart save out of Jaaskelainen.
West Ham enjoyed a spell of pressure at the start of the second half and
almost replicated the luck United had received when Mohamed Diame's
deflected shot soared into the air before dropping off target. The leaders
responded with Cleverley's first-time drive appearing to brush
Jaaskelainen's fingertips on its way over before the West Ham keeper made a
comfortable save from Van Persie's free-kick. Jaaskelainen was properly
extended on the hour mark, though, as the veteran Finn was forced to dive
full length to tip Wayne Rooney's superb curling effort beyond the post. The
Hammers had a good chance with 20 minutes to go when substitute Carlton Cole
nodded down Nolan's clever pass, but Taylor mistimed his shot from just
inside the penalty area.
Anderson pressed Jaaskelainen into an unconventional save and Hernandez shot
tamely at the West Ham keeper before the visitors had their best chance with
seven minutes left. A deep free-kick into the penalty area was flicked on
for Cole to control and his shot on the turn from six yards out was parried
away by Anders Lindegaard, with Modibo Maiga in an offside position when
fluffing the rebound. Maiga then curled over and Nolan saw a shot blocked
before Patrice Evra's under-hit backpass almost presented West Ham with a
late chance before his blushes were spared by Jonny Evans as United hung on
for another three points.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gone in 33 seconds: Van Persie papers over cracks with fastest goal this
season
The Mirror
28 Nov 2012 22:29
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Sir Alex Ferguson values the importance of 1-0 wins, despite Manchester
United's propensity for dramatic, high-scoring encounters. Ferguson spoke
wistfully of the 1-0 win at Newcastle in March 1996, claiming it was the
defining moment in United overhauling their title rivals' nine-point lead.
This particular 1-0 was memorable only for Robin van Persie's winning goal
after 33 seconds, the fastest of the season and one which served to keep
United top, a point clear of Manchester City. Perhaps more importantly,
United and City's wins last night have opened up a sizeable gap between
themselves and third-placed Chelsea.
Rafa Benitez's side trail United by seven points and City by six, in what is
already shaping up to be another title tussle between the two Manchester
clubs.
For United, the true significance of this victory may not be known until the
end of the season, when there is every chance of them looking back on it as
a key result in what they hope will be the capture of a 20th league title.
Yet it was another far from convincing from United, who could at least
console themselves with three points and a rare clean sheet, only their
fourth in 21 matches in all competitions this season.
Van Persie's 12th goal in 18 games saw the Red Devils maintain their lead at
the summit of the table, but it proved a long night for the home side
thereafter as they failed to add to their early lead. United have failed to
hit top gear this season, despite heading the table, and Ferguson will want
to see a huge improvement with the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium 10
days away. Ferguson's men were abject for the first hour against QPR last
Saturday, going a goal behind before rallying late on in the game to win
3-1., albeit in unconvincing fashion. It was a similar story last night, van
Persie's early strike failing to spark the anticipated goal rush from
United, who managed to hold on to their slender lead and see out the game.
Ferguson's intentions were clear from his attacking line-up, which included
three strikers in Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.
Having conceded the first goal in nine of their 13 Premier League games this
season, Ferguson clearly adopted the policy of attack being the best form of
defence with his team selection. Van Persie plundered his goal, scored as
many fans were still taking their seats inside Old Trafford, with a
wonderful piece of ingenuity. Michael Carrick played the ball forward and
van Persie's exquisite first touch took the ball over the head of Winston
Reid. The United striker moved instinctively to meet the ball, his lob
taking a deflection off James Collins and looping over keeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen into the net. Despite taking such an early lead, United almost
found themselves pegged back after 10 minutes, Kevin Nolan's near-post
effort from a Matt Taylor free-kick, finding the side-netting.
Javier Hernandez wasted an opportunity to double United's lead in the 16th
minute when Anderson set him clear on the counter-attack down the right, but
he only sky his angled shot high and wide when a cross would have been the
better option. It would have been easy for West Ham to crumble after going
behind so early on, but Allardyce's side showed courage after their shaky
start to keep United at bay. Andy Carroll, who scored his first goal of the
season at the weekend following his loan move from Liverpool, came close to
scoring in the 27th minute but flashed a volley wide of the target. And
Hernandez, who came into the game on a run of eight goals in as many games,
forced a superb save from Jaaskelainen in the 29th minute, the Hammers'
keeper diving low to his left to keep out the goal-bound shot. Jaaskelainen
came to West Ham's rescue again five minute after the restart, making an
instinctive to deny Tom Cleverley, although ref Michael Jones inexplicably
failed to award United a corner. Van Persie won a free-kick in the 56th
minute when Joey O'Brien fouled him 20 yards out, but United flying Dutchman
saw his dipping effort gathered with ease by Jaaskelainen. United kept
Jaaskelainen busy, Rooney denied by the Finnish keeper, who turned his
curling effort away. From the resulting corner, Hernandez managed to get in
the way of Michael Carrick's goalbound header, diverting it away from the
target.
Carroll's miserable night got worse in the 62nd minute when he was hauled
off and replaced by Carlton Cole, United's fans jeering the £35million
Liverpool striker as he made his way to the touchline. United keeper Anders
Lindegaard, who had not had a save to make all night, was finally called
into action in the 82nd minute, producing a crucial save down to his left
from substitute Carlton Cole. But United ultimately held on for a 1-0 win
that, while it will not linger in the memory of anyone who was there, may
yet prove hugely significant come May.
Ferguson is steeling himself for another title race slog after Manchester's
two rival clubs pulled clear of the pack last night. "We've won, we've got
the three points and we're still ahead in the league," said Ferguson. "With
Chelsea drawing, it draws us away from them a bit further. "Of course, City
are right on our tails, so it's going to be a long season." United managed
only their fourth clean sheet in 21 games in all competitions this season
and Ferguson joked: "A clean sheet - that's for Christmas! "The importance
of winning 1-0 in certain games is that your opponents know the resilience
is there. "If you look at some of the really important 1-0 wins we've had,
you can go back to beating Newcastle when they were nine points clear of us.
"Our 1-0 win that night won us the league. There are important, 1-0
victories, and we've had many of them. "If we can keep clean sheets from now
until January more often than we have, then it will give us a good
foundation to go for the title." Ferguson praised West Ham's resilience and
said: "They're a very dogged team to break down, but we got a great start
and I thought from there we could have kicked on. "Some of our football was
very good at times, but we never finished them off."
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce paid tribute to van Persie and said: "He's going
to score 20-odd, maybe 30 goals. "In the end, that's normally the
difference, if you sort your defensive side out. "It's not so long ago, a
couple of seasons, that Man United went 14 games without conceding a goal
and that won them the league. "Van Persie is a quality player, no doubt
about that, though we kept him quiet tonight. "United have got lots of
players who will have good spells, lot of players who will come up trumps,
and that's what makes them so good."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, November 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th November 2012
Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has shared his veiws ahead of Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford
27.11.2012
Sam Allardyce addressed the media ahead of Wednesday night's Barclays
Premier League clash with Manchester United. Big Sam and his side travel to
Old Trafford looking to bounce back from Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Tottenham
Hotspur ahead of another big game at home to Chelsea on Saturday.
Firstly, do you have any comment on the reports of unacceptable behaviour
from a small section of West Ham fans during Sunday's match at White Hart
Lane?
SA: "Since the game it is very disappointing to have read about what has
been said by and what has been done by a small minority of fans. Nobody
condones that sort of behaviour and there is a zero tolerance attitude
within the club. I am sure Tottenham and the authorities will deal with it
accordingly. Now I know what has gone on like everybody else I do not
condone it or wish to hear any of that kind of chanting in football
especially in this country."
Now onto the football, Wednesday is obviously a very difficult game to try
and bounce back to winning ways after Sunday's defeat at White Hart Lane?
SA: "Yes it is a very difficult week and we knew it was going to be tough
playing three very good teams in just six days. It was especially
disappointing because we underperformed on the day but we have to give
Tottenham some credit however because they have some very good players and
deserved to win the game. We have got to try and bounce back and we have
been very good at doing that this season.
"We are very short on players at the moment, Mark Noble is missing through
suspension and George McCartney will have a late fitness test so our squad
is being pushed to the limit. I think that when you are going into a week
like this you always want everybody available but we have to go with what we
have got and give a good account of ourselves. We need to play the best we
can and see where that takes us but like I have said before about Old
Trafford you can
play your best and still come away on the losing side."
You chart your season on points from each individual game so in a way is
anything at Old Trafford a bonus for you?
SA: "This is a game for the lads to enjoy because there is no real pressure
on them other than the pressure they put on themselves to perform well on
one of the biggest stages in world football. It is important for players to
go out on that stage and produce what they know they can because even if we
lose you can still return home satisfied you have done your absolute best.
We will still be disappointed of course but hopefully our best will see us
pick up a positive result. Manchester United have leaked more goals than
usual this season and their defence has not shown the quality it has in the
past. The trouble is that at the other end they cannot stop scoring goals.
We need to get our defensive unit on song and play as a team in and out of
possession and if we do that you never know."
After an excellent start to the season will you not worry if you fail to
pick up any points from this tough run of games?
SA: "I always worry, it does not matter where I am in the league I always
wake up in the morning and worry. Certainly on a matchday I worry about what
kind of performance the team will deliver and on a constant basis I worry
about what is round the corner. If we are in a run of fixtures like this you
do have to accept that even if you play your best you may not pick up any
points. I say that to the players who have done brilliantly against
Manchester City and Newcastle United so let's see if we can pick up some
points in the next four games. It does not matter where those points come
from if we pick them up we will be happy and we will be in a reasonably good
position in the league."
It must have been a long time since you looked at the fixture list and saw
West Bromwich Albion as a tougher game than Liverpool?
SA: "Yes I think that the form they are in at the moment is particularly
good and I think that Steve has probably surprised himself with what they
have achieved already. Two points a game after 13 games is Champions League
and top three form so it is a brilliant start to his first managerial job.
Our focus currently lies with Manchester United and Chelsea on Saturday.
These are the games that all the players want to be playing in, every game
in the Barclays Premier League is special but playing in the Theatre of
Dreams in front of 75,000 people is what you dream of as a kid."
Andy Carroll ended his goal scoring drought on Sunday which must be a
massive positive for you; do you hope he can now push on find the net on a
regular
basis?
SA: "Well I hope so. We have got to continue to provide the service for our
players in the final third and give them the chance to score. I think that
one of the things we have been really good at is providing the service and
providing opportunities for our players to score. What our problem has been
is failing to convert the chances we have created but I do not think we
created as much against Tottenham as we have in previous games. I hope we
continue to create a lot of chances like we did against Stoke City when we
could have had six or seven goals. That is a slight concern for me because
we obviously only scored one goal but hopefully we get better and more
clinical in front of goal."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'The aim is to get some points'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis says West Ham United are targeting a positive result at
Manchester United
27.11.2012
Matt Jarvis says West Ham United possess a steely determination to bounce
back from defeat at Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester United on Wednesday.
The Hammers travel to Old Trafford determined to deliver a good performance
and pick up a point at least from their clash with Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Although there were disappointed faces emerging from the Away dressing room
at White Hart Lane, that has now turned into a strong interntion to get back
on track. "We go to Manchester United and it is another tough game," said
the No7, "but these are the games that we as players and as a team want to
play in and one of the reasons why you want to get promoted back into the
Premier League. "We have had a good start to the season and we need to make
sure we get some points again in the next few games coming up. We can do
that. It was disappointing to lose against Spurs, but we go again now. "We
were obviously disappointed with the result on Sunday. We did create some
chances and, for me, when it was 1-0 I thought we had a good chance of
getting back into the game and it might have been a different story if we
had got the next goal. "I think maybe we didn't get into their faces as much
as we hoped to. The plan was to go at them early doors and shut them down."
On a more positive note, Jarvis said the Hammers did not give up at White
Hart Lane and could even have snatched something from the game if they had
scored earlier or added quickly to Andy Carroll's 82nd-minute header. "We
still created chances for ourselves. We kept working at it to try and get
behind their defence to get shots on goal, but it just didn't happen for us.
"Once we got our goal with Andy scoring, we started to get a few more
chances and more crosses in, but as the manager said afterwards it was just
a bit too late for it to count. If we had stuck one in a little earlier, the
score might have been closer, if not somewhat different."
While defeat in north London was disappointing, the England winger alluded
to the 19 points West Ham already have on the board and has high hopes of
turning that into 20 or even 22 at Old Trafford. "We have started really
well and we want to keep this going. Unfortunately, you lose games. These
things happen and it was against a very good Spurs side. For us, we just
need to make sure we bounce back from this and go to Manchester United and
try our best to do that. "Points we already have in the bag will prove vital
in these circumstances but we are determined to go to places like Old
Trafford, put in a good performance and hopefully get something out of the
game. That is the aim, to get some points, so we would be delighted with
that."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd v West Ham
KO 20:00
27 November 2012
Last updated at 12:57
By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 28 November
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is suspended for this match so
Anderson is likely to start. Antonio Valencia has a hip problem but has an
outside chance of being fit.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is banned, while left-back George McCartney
is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury against Tottenham. Yossi Benayoun
remains out of action with a thigh problem. Midfielder Jack Collison (knee)
and forward Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) are also ruled out.
MATCH PREVIEW
When I think of West Ham games at Old Trafford, two things immediately come
to mind: One - their 1-0 win on the final day of the 2006-07 season, when
Carlos Tevez's winner kept the team up at Sheffield United's expense (with a
long-running legal battle to follow); Two - Fabien Barthez with his arm in
the air, fruitlessly claiming offside as Paolo Di Canio's goal knocked
Manchester United out of the FA Cup in January 2001.
Of course, the reason they stand out in the memory is because United not
beating West Ham at home is as rare as a day without rain this month. In 21
visits since 1986, the Hammers have lost 18 games and won three - Jermain
Defoe scoring the only goal 11 years ago to bring about the other success.
With their team currently eighth in the Premier League, West Ham fans must
surely be happy with the way their top-flight return has gone so far - but
it might be a case of having to be happy with whatever they can get in the
run of games before Christmas.
After defeat at Spurs on Sunday, this is the second in a run of seven
fixtures in which they play six of the seven sides currently above them in
the table. Liverpool at home is the odd one out - hardly a "gimme". United
are just where they want to be - on top - but they've done it the hard way.
Incredibly they've conceded the first goal in nine of their 13 league games
this season, but - even more remarkably - they've come back to win six of
them. You can add three comeback wins in the Champions League to that, too,
as the players do their best to age their 70-year's-young manager! A home
win? Probably. West Ham to score first? It might not be wise.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester United have won their last seven league matches against West Ham
and scored 21 goals in those games to the Hammers' three.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have gone unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League
home matches against promoted clubs, stretching back over 11 years since a
2-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers in October, 2001. Bolton were then managed by
current West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, while Kevin Nolan was on the
scoresheet.
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in the last four league meetings,
including a hat-trick as United overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to win
4-2 in the most recent meeting in April 2011 at Upton Park. There have been
four penalties scored in those two games - two by each side.
West Ham have made 16 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League, but have
won there just twice, in December 2001 and May 2007. The latter victory
ensured their Premier League survival.
The Hammers knocked out holders United in the League Cup quarter-finals in
2010-11.
Manchester United
United have won six of their last seven Premier League matches.
They have trailed in nine league fixtures this season but come back to win
on six of those occasions.
Ten of United's league goals this season have been headers, more than any
other club in the division.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have scored in each of their last 55 Premier League
home matches since the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa in December 2009. It is the
longest home-scoring streak in the top flight since a 75-match run by Wolves
from 1956 to 1959.
This match is being staged on the eve of Ryan Giggs's 39th birthday.
West Ham
West Ham have won just one of their five matches against clubs in the top
half this season.
The Hammers have won five of the six league games in which they have scored
first this season.
Only two West Ham players have scored more than one league goal this season:
Kevin Nolan (five) and Mark Noble (two).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble out
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble is set to miss West Ham's trip to Old Trafford tomorrow night
having accrued five bookings already this season. The combatative United
midfielder picked up his latest booking of the campaign at White Hart Lane
on Sunday afternoon and therefore received an automatic one-match ban as a
result. That is further bad news for Sam Allardyce who has already seen his
small squad stretched to its limits by a string of recent injuries. "We are
very short on players at the moment," he admitted. "Mark Noble is missing
through suspension and George McCartney will have a late fitness test, so
our squad is being pushed to the limit. "I think that when you are going
into a week like this you always want everybody available but we have to go
with what we have got and give a good account of ourselves. "We need to
play the best we can and see where that takes us, but like I have said
before about Old Trafford, you can play your best and still come away on the
losing side."
Speaking this morning, the West Ham boss also condemned the small group of
fans who sullied the club's name at Tottenham by chanting anti-semitic
abuse.
"Since the game it is very disappointing to have read about what has been
said by and what has been done by a small minority of fans," he added.
Nobody condones that sort of behaviour and there is a zero tolerance
attitude within the club. "Now I know what has gone on like everybody else,
I do not condone it or wish to hear any of that kind of chanting in football
- especially in this country." Manchester United vs West Ham United kicks
off at 8.00pm.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Safe standing: the business case
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th November 2012
By: Michael Brunskill
It's football's open secret, isn't it?
Every week thousands upon thousands of fans stand in seated areas supporting
the team that they love. Here at the Football Supporters' Federation we
recognise that persistent standing in areas designed for sitting is
problematic. Those who prefer or have to sit often find their view blocked.
Standing for prolonged periods in seated areas isn't as safe as the
alternative options.
There's a cost efficient, modern, and practical solution to this – safe
standing.
The recent Hillsborough Independent Panel report confirmed the findings of
the late Lord Justice Taylor's first report into the 1989 disaster. Standing
did not kill any of the 96 who lost their lives on that horrible day. The
cause of their deaths was appalling policing, bad design, neglected
maintenance, fencing, and crowd management failings. Hillsborough was a
stadium without a valid safety certificate.
Of course the final Taylor Report is now remembered for one thing – the
recommendation that football grounds become all-seater which sprung from
Taylor's shock at the abysmal treatment of fans by clubs. Taylor believed
all fans would get used to sitting and that standing would fade away as fans
adapted. He believed they would end up preferring to sit - Taylor was wrong.
Clubs are now waking up to the lost business opportunities resulting from
not permitting safe standing areas. The Scottish Premier League has agreed
to allow its clubs to pilot safe standing areas (the all-seater law never
applied in Scotland) while Aston Villa and Peterborough United have been
longtime backers of the FSF's Safe Standing Campaign. Brentford, Bristol
City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City,
Watford and AFC Wimbledon have all been welcomed aboard recently too.
So what's the positive business case? Firstly, it saves a lot of money on
ground maintenance. "Rail seats" which are common in the German Bundesliga
cost about 30 per cent more than a top quality conventional seat (like those
in the Emirates or the AMEX) but are virtually indestructible when compared
to plastic.
Many stadium managers bemoan the maintenance and replacement costs of
"normal" plastic seats. However, metal rail seats don't need replacing
because the colour's faded, or because of general wear and tear or
(occasionally) criminal damage. Hannover's seats have been in place since
2005 and they've had no breakages at all, even in the away section. The FSF
estimate pay-back on investment within ten years from the cut in maintenance
costs alone
International requirements and ticket pricing
By FIFA and UEFA's rules any ground wishing to stage competitive European
fixtures or international games must be all-seater. Rail seats are a modern
solution for clubs who would like to introduce safe standing areas but who
also have ambitions of competing in Europe or hosting international matches.
Rail seats can be quickly converted from standing to seated configuration
with minimum fuss. A club can have all-seater for their big European night
and standing areas for domestic games. Watch the video on the FSF's Safe
Standing Campaign page for more.
Where space and configurations allow more fans can be admitted to safe
standing areas too. Exact numbers will vary from club to club because of
different stadium dimensions but the Government's Green Guide allows for one
sitting fan for every 1.8 standing fans (i.e. 1:1.8). The ratio in Germany
varies from 1:1.2 to 1:1.8 but let's take 1.4 as a working average.
Now, say a standard ticket is £25, the club receives £20.84 once VAT is
deducted for an area of 2,000 seats. That's gate receipts totalling £41,680
for the club. In standing configuration the capacity increases to 2,800
which means you could reduce the ticket price to £20 (the club receives
£16.67 once VAT is deducted) and still bring in £46,676 (2,800 x 16.67) –
that's an increase of £4,996 or nearly 12% from gate receipts alone.
Then there's the additional sales of merchandise, programmes and catering
from the increased footfall. Yes, there maybe some extra costs from
stewarding and policing but the club will still be coming out ahead very
quickly. Clubs could expect to break even in less than two seasons based on
those figures and generate £100,000 extra every season after that.
So tickets are cheaper, the atmosphere is better and the club increases
revenue. What's not to love? Most significantly of all, the clubs will be
giving the 'customers' what they want – choice.
Fans want choice
Every opinion survey the FSF has seen shows a large majority support for
safe standing areas, including those who prefer to sit. Our own surveys
regularly show nine out of ten back the choice. This is supported by polls
from the BBC, Daily Star Sunday, The Guardian and Talksport (see #2 of the
FSF's Safe Standing Facts page).
It would remove the current conflict between stewards and people who don't
want to sit down. It would improve customer care. Too many fans who prefer
to sit have their views blocked by those who would rather stand. Safe
standing areas could end that as those who prefer to stand have that option.
Contrary to the Premier League's assertions the FSF believes that safe
standing areas also promote, rather than reduce, social inclusion. Increased
capacity means ticket prices can be reduced without sacrificing income. The
FSF's 2012 Annual Survey indicated that one in three women preferred to
stand while another third said they might, dependent upon the game.
The removal of the current law would not force any fan to stand as seated
areas would still exist. Neither would it require any club to have safe
standing areas against their will. But it would put the decision back where
it should be – with the clubs and their supporters.
The FSF believes that it should be up to individual clubs to consult their
own supporter base and gauge the appetite for safe standing areas. The
Government acknowledges standing is not inherently unsafe – so why not
remove the red tape that stops clubs implementing it safely in the top two
tiers?
Clubs have spent years trying to 'manage' fans standing in seated areas with
new stewarding policies or euphemistically titled 'singing sections'. It's
an understandable approach but it's a sticking plaster rather than a
solution. Every week thousands of fans will continue to stand in stadiums
that are supposedly all-seater.
Match-going fans and professionals at clubs know better than anyone that
this is a problem and the FSF firmly believes that safe standing is the
solution.
* Agree? Then support the FSF's Safe Standing Campaign here...
The FSF is the national supporters' organisation for all football fans from
England and Wales comprising more than 200,000 individual fans and members
of local supporters' organisations from every club in the professional
structure and beyond.
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Sir Alex Ferguson calls West Ham boss Sam Allardyce 'underrated'
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 10:36am
SSN
Sir Alex Ferguson says Sam Allardyce is 'underrated' ahead of Manchester
United's visit of West Ham on Wednesday night. Allardyce's men have enjoyed
a confident start to life in the top flight, currently sitting eighth in the
table after picking up 19 points from 13 matches. And Ferguson expressed his
delight that the former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers boss has
managed to prove the doubters wrong. "Big Sam went to Upton Park a year and
a bit ago and the cynics said he's not a West Ham manager as he doesn't play
football," Ferguson told the club's official website. "He's very underrated,
it's as simple as that. There's a sort of impression about him being a
certain type of manager. It's not really fair and I'm pleased he's back in
the Premier League." "He's also had to rebuild the team and get two or
three players out because of their salaries. "He's very underrated, it's as
simple as that. There's a sort of impression about him being a certain type
of manager. It's not really fair and I'm pleased he's back in the Premier
League. "The Blackburn situation was one of the craziest things I've ever
seen but I think Sam was more disappointed with what happened at Newcastle.
He was unlucky that a new owner came in and wanted a certain type. "He
didn't get a chance in his first really big job with the expectation and fan
base up there - he didn't get a chance to do the job right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Tomkins says West Ham must be confident against Manchester United
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 5:19pm
SSN
James Tomkins insists West Ham must bounce back from their weekend defeat
with a more confident display when they tackle Manchester United. The
Hammers travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday still smarting from their 3-1
defeat at the hands of London rivals Tottenham at the weekend. However, a
solid start to their Premier League campaign has seen the East End outfit
climb to an impressive eighth position under manager Sam Allardyce. And the
23-year-old centre-half believes the club must put the loss against Spurs
quickly behind them with games against United and then Chelsea and Liverpool
at home to come.
"We didn't play to our best against Spurs, but we need to put it behind us
quite quickly because we have another hard game against United and they come
thick and fast and tougher as well," said Tomkins. "But we have to go to Old
Trafford full of confidence because we have got the points on the board and
we can only get better after the Tottenham game. "They have got a lot of
pace with their wingers, but we can still go there with a lot of confidence.
"We will sit down with the gaffer and see what he says about how to deal
with them. "Against Manchester City at times, we were sitting back and
letting them play in front of us and that day we were hard to break down. It
might be a case of doing that again at times in the game, but we will just
have to see."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce has zero tolerance for racist or anti-semitic chants
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 10:50pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has said any fans caught making racist or
anti-Semitic chants should be banned for life. Allardyce was reluctant to
condemn supporters after Sunday's game at Tottenham as he had not heard the
chants himself but, having seen the footage, he has backed his club's zero
tolerance stance. "I did not agree or disagree with what went on on Sunday,
let me make that clear," he told Sky Sports News. "I was doing a press
conference after the game and I had no idea what had happened at the time
because I had not heard or seen it as I was concentrating on the game.
"Since the game, it is obviously very disappointing to hear what has been
said and done by a very small minority of fans. "The good thing is with
security cameras and CCTV cameras, it's difficult for them to get away with
it. Hopefully we can pick out those people and punish them in the right way.
"Nobody can condone that sort of behaviour and there is zero tolerance of it
at this club. The club, Tottenham and the authorities will deal with it
accordingly."
Police arrested two fans during the match for making Nazi-style salutes,
which officers described as a 'racially aggravated public order offence'.
One of those individuals has been identified by West Ham as a season
ticket-holder and has been banned by the club. "Any other individuals
identified can expect a similar swift and robust response," a West Ham
spokesman added.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney wary of threat posed by West Ham's Andy
Carroll
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 3:36pm
SSN
Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to pay special attention to Andy
Carroll on Wednesday night. Having working alongside the 23-year-old during
Euro 2012, Rooney knows Carroll could provide a defensive headache to his
United team-mates at Old Trafford. "Andy Carroll is a handful," said Rooney.
"I am sure if you ask any defender, they find it difficult to play against
someone like that who is good in the air and on the floor. "He is physical
and makes it hard for opponents. That type of player doesn't always get all
the goals but they can cause trouble up front and create problems." United
are top of the Premier League despite managing just a single clean sheet and
Rooney acknowledges that is a situation that will have to change. "Clean
sheets are the foundation we try and achieve because we have plenty of
players who can score goals and win games," he added. "As a team we are
playing some good stuff at times but we are having to grind out results as
well. Losing three games already is something we need to put right. "We have
been lucky that we haven't drawn any matches and we need to kick on from
here and go on a good run. "We know City and Chelsea will be looking out for
our results as we look out for theirs. "It is tough period and I am sure the
manager will use his squad. We just have to make sure we come through for
him."
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We Must All Put Our Own Houses in Order, Including Spurs!
By S J Chandos 1
West Ham Till I Die
About three year ago I posted, on this site, my disquiet at a particular
spectacle that I witnessed after a home match. I was walking along the
Barking Road and a adult male (presumably the father) was teaching a child
(presumably his son of about 8 years of age) an appalling song about Spurs,
Jewish people and gas chambers. One can only wonder at the mentality some
people and their irresponsibility in passing on such offensive views to a
child. It's not clever, it's not banter, it's deeply wrong. But that
incident is illustrative of a constant undertone amongst sections of the
Hammers support. Namely, the use of anti-semitic language and abuse towards
Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club, probably the club's greatest local rivals
in football terms (Millwall is just an historical grudge and the clubs
rarely compete against each other).
It's been there as long as I can remember and there have always a sections
of our support that use that vile discriminatory language and draw upon the
holocaust (or Shoa as Jewish people call it) and Nazism to score points over
their opponents. No doubt a tiny section of the club's support have a
conscious and ideological commitment to far-right ideas, but the others are
arguably just ill-educated about historical events and the offence that it
causes. For the latter group, Spurs identify as a Jewish club and reference
to Nazism and gas chambers is the ultimate insult and provocation. The logic
being, Spurs = Jews, Nazism/holocaust = negation of Jews and therefore
Nazism/holocaust = negation of Spurs. It is noticeable that regardless of
the huge progress made, in recent years, in supporter attitudes on race
issues, anti-semitism has been left behind in the process. So, whereas a fan
might never dream of racially abusing a black footballer, to express
anti-semitism is somehow considered acceptable. Travellers and gypsies are
very much in a similiar position, how many times do contributors on football
websites of all affiliations refer to opposiion support as 'pikeys' and
'trailer trash' ?
On the other controversy arising from Sunday's match, I think that the
'Lazio' and 'stabbing' chants probably need to be separated from the
Nazi/holocaust ones. They are offensive and in deeply bad taste, but then so
is much else that is chanted in football grounds. For instance, mocking West
Ham fans about the pre-mature death of Bobby Moore or Man Utd fans about the
Munich air disaster. I am not sure how you tackle that and whether you can
address that in the same way as racism/homophobia/anti-semiticism, etc. We
shall see how the club/authorities react to it?
Let me state clearly that this issue of anti-semitic statements towards
Spurs should have been sorted out years ago. It was not and now in this very
politically sensitive climate, it has come back to bite the club. In such a
climate there will be people and institutions eager to condemn the incident,
hence the rapid respones of Kick it Out, The Society of Black Lawyers and
the UK Jewish Board of Deputies. It is both understandable and right that
these organisations should express their opposition. But the most insidious
response has been from the UK press. They have a perfect right to raise the
issue, as an issue of public concern, but they are also obliged to report it
accurately. I am concerned that Journalists of various papers, including one
or two of the 'quality' papers, have gone out of their way to state that the
offensive and anti-semitic chanting was from more than a minority of West
Ham fans. It quite clearly was not and we can only question their motives in
portraying it in this way.
West Ham have started the process of responding to the incident, issuing a
statement of intent and this morning banning a season ticket holder for his
behaviour at White Hart Lane. The club are to be praised for not
capitulating to the atmosphere of total condemination created by the press
and by defending the innocent majority of Hammers fans and stating that they
will give full co-operation in any investigation, taking any necessary
action against proven perpetrators amongst the away support at WHL. That is
the right and measured position to take. Otherwise, the rest of the Hammers
support will be condemned 'by association' and that is equally wrong and
manifestly unfair.
West Ham must co-operate with the FA and Metropolitan Police to identify and
deal with the fans responsible. And lets be clear here, the emphasis must be
upon the behaviour of the gulity individuals, not West Ham Utd FC per say.
Having done that, any residual anti-semitic views must addressed within the
club's support. And it must be made clear that anti-semitic and pro-Nazi
chants/comments will not be tolerated at this football club. Moreover, the
use of these chants/comments towards Spurs must be eradicated and the keen
rivalry with the north London club expressed in an acceptable way. At the
same time, Kick it Out and the FA should actively campaign to tackle and
defeat anti-semitism and other forms of discriminatory views/actions in
football, whether that be offensive references to 'pikeys' or other minority
groups such as gay men. Because lets not fool ourselves that West Ham are
the only set of supporters where elements still use discriminatory language
and concepts against opposing supporters. Of course not, so address the much
wider and more serious issues, not just those at one particular football
club. We will soon see via the official FA response whether they just want a
scapegoat club or they are going to address these issues in a more
meaningful way.
And of course, it is possible that the rise of crowd problems in football
could very well be linked to the wider economic climate.Some people are
nervously stating that they are noticing an increase in trouble at football
grounds and they fear a return to the bad old days of the 1970s and 1980s.
Football is not isolated from wider developments in society, rather it
provides a unique 'space' in which these wider issues are often expressed.
We all remember Margaret Thatcher's question, in the 1980s, to the FA's Ted
Croker about what he was doing about his hooligans and his retort that,
'they are not our hooligans, Prime Minster, they are yours!' One does wonder
if all the desperation, worry and hardship associated with this economic
down turn, and the deepening crisis caused by the Coalition's austerity
policies, are being channelled in to football, much as the socio-economic
problems of the late 1970s and 1980s were? Could this feed a growth of
violence and hatred and intolerance to certain groups in the game?
The general response of Spurs fans sites has been to react with extreme
indigation and engage in an orgy of offensive generalisations about all West
Ham supporters. For instance, one Spurs site entitled its match report 'The
Trailer Trash Analysis' and included a number of pointed, offensive
references in the peice. Others are calling for he club to be docked points
and made to play behind closed doors as a punishment! This does nothing but
reveal their partisan and axe grinding agendas towards West Ham. Two wrongs
do not make a right and those sites have lost the moral high ground by
responding in such a way. Similiarly, it should be noted that Spurs sites
frequently make references to 'pikeys' and such like. Finally, the Spurs
support are certanly no angels and they are known to provoke opposition
supporters with their own chants, particularly Man Utd and Arsenal. So they
need to accept their own responsibility and obligation to take action to
improve the situation.
The truth is that football fans, regardless of club affiliation, are not
that very different and they often share a great deal in common. I live in
West Ham and I worked in Wood Green for a number of years and I met many
friendly, informed and open minded Spurs supporters; as well the nasty
peices of work. At the same time I know that West Ham have elements that I
would prefer was not affiliated to the club. The supporters of both clubs
are not an homogeneous bloc, they are made up of a range of people of
different backgrounds, preferences and views, each of the two sets of fans
only being united by their geographically based support for a football team.
In my view, Spurs must also now act upon the recommendation of Peter Herbert
and the Black Sociey of Lawyers and ensure that they drop the 'Yid Army'
identity that sections of their fan base have adopted. It entails the use of
offensive language and effectively means that they are complicit in any
anti-semitism. It is not a case of taking a discriminatory word, subverting
it and reclaiming ownership, as is often claimed, because the majority of
Spurs fans who use it are not Jewish. Indeed, the alleged Jewish identity of
Spurs is largely a powerful urban myth that serves to explain why Spurs fans
have adopted this identity. Like everyone else, they must also put their own
house in order and drop this false and diversive identity once and for all.
This was not intended as an inflammatory and partisan contribution to the
debate on Sunday's events.There is more than enough of that flying around at
present. I am sure a lot of West Ham fans will not like it and neither would
the Spurs supporters (if they had access to it). But sometimes, people need
to be told things that they do not like and this is one of those instances.
Accept it, critique it or reject it, but do it with reasoned argument, not
indignation and partisanship. Because it is reasoned argument that we need
now, at this juncture and this situation, more than anything.
At the same time, we will just have to keep a watching brief on the actions
of the club, the FA and the Police and see what transpires? One can only
hope that the club are not made a scapegoat for the actions of a minority of
its travelling support. And that any action is proportionate, targeted at
the actual transgressors and is accompanied by a wider campaign to refocus
on and address anti-semiticism and discriminatory issues in the game.
SJ. Chandos.
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Help us shop the morons
The Sun
By STEVE PAGE
Last Updated: 28th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE wants West Ham fans to report any supporters they witnessed
hurling racist chants at Tottenham. The Hammers boss says he did not hear
the abuse during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane. But he has called
on the club's real fans to do their bit to stop it. Allardyce said: "I don't
want any type of chanting of that nature to be allowed or accepted in the
game of football today. "The best thing we can do is find this small
minority. "The West Ham fans are absolutely fantastic in terms of the
support and the amount of support that they give us. And then you've got
this small minority that are creating this sort of ill-feeling towards the
vast majority of West Ham fans. "I think that fans who are next to these
people should deal with them first and foremost if possible. We can't
condone it. Fortunately we've got CCTV in football today that can pick out
these individuals. "I don't know why they're doing it or why they're trying
to create this kind of thing because it's only destructive towards this
beautiful game we've got." One Hammers season-ticket holder has already
received a lifetime ban from the club and Allardyce wants more to follow.
Jewish midfielder Yossi Benayoun, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, said
he was "disappointed" by the chanting and labelled the actions of the guilty
fans "embarrassing".
But Allardyce does not believe that Benayoun or Muslim transfer target
Nicolas Anelka would be put off joining the club permanently. Big Sam
insisted: "In my experience, all over Europe, we're better than everybody
else in terms of the way we try to move forward in racism situations. "I
haven't spoken to Yossi. He's being treated by Chelsea in their medical
area. When we get the opportunity to see him I will talk to him." Meanwhile
Allardyce is looking forward to sharing a glass of red wine with Manchester
United boss Alex Ferguson after tonight's game at Old Trafford. Allardyce
said: "I'd expect because of his knowledge of wine it will be a good bottle.
"How it will taste depends on the result."
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Beware Carroll
The Sun
Published: 27th November 2012
WAYNE ROONEY has warned his Manchester United team-mates: Beware Andy
Carroll. Burly striker Carroll is expected to line up for West Ham as the
East Londoners head to Old Trafford for tomorrow night's league clash.
Rooney knows the pony-tailed powerhouse well from England duty and says his
defensive colleagues must be mindful of the £35million man's capabilities.
The United ace said: "Andy Carroll is a handful. "I am sure if you ask any
defender, they find it difficult to play against someone like that who is
good in the air and on the floor. "He is physical and makes it hard for
opponents. "That type of player doesn't always get all the goals but they
can cause trouble up front and create problems. "I am sure that is what Sam
Allardyce wants him to do." Carroll is an obvious threat given United's
Achilles heel of conceding the first goal. It has happened on an incredible
13 occasions this season, including in their last five games.
United have somehow managed to clamber to the top of the table despite
managing just a single clean sheet, against Wigan at Old Trafford in
September.
It is a record Rooney accepts must be rectified if United are going to
maintain their present status. He explained: "Clean sheets are the
foundation we try and achieve because we have plenty of players who can
score goals and win games. "As a team we are playing some good stuff at
times but we are having to grind out results as well. "Losing three games
already is something we need to put right. "We have been lucky that we
haven't drawn any matches and we need to kick on from here and go on a good
run."
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Big Sam eyes big upset
Published: 27th November 2012
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE reckons West Ham can stun Manchester United at Old Trafford
tomorrow night. The Hammers boss believes his side can make the most of
United's uncharacteristically leaky back-line. And with West Ham boasting
one of the best defensive records in the Premier League, he is confident of
keeping their strikers at bay too. Allardyce said: "Manchester United have
leaked a few more goals than normal. "Their defensive qualities haven't been
as good as they have been over the past few years. "The problem is, at the
other end they never stop scoring goals. "But if we can get our defensive
unit on song and if we play as a team in and out of possession then you
never know what will happen."
HAMMERS manager hopes lack of pressure on his players can deliver three
points at Old Trafford Allardyce's men climbed to joint sixth in the table
after making a surprisingly good start to the season. But against Tottenham
on Sunday they lacked pace, ideas and concentration, who ripped them apart
with ease.
However, he is confident they can bounce back, adding: "There is no real
pressure on the lads. "It's a match they will enjoy. It's a game they will
have reamed about since they were kids. "If we give a good account of
ourselves then hopefully it will be good enough to get us something from the
game."
Another disappointing factor of Sunday's defeat was that Mark Noble picked
up his fifth booking of the season and is suspended tomorrow. Allardyce also
has doubts over left-back George McCartney, who suffered an ankle injury
against Tottenham. Yossi Benayoun's persistent thigh problem means he will
once again be missing tomorrow.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has shared his veiws ahead of Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford
27.11.2012
Sam Allardyce addressed the media ahead of Wednesday night's Barclays
Premier League clash with Manchester United. Big Sam and his side travel to
Old Trafford looking to bounce back from Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Tottenham
Hotspur ahead of another big game at home to Chelsea on Saturday.
Firstly, do you have any comment on the reports of unacceptable behaviour
from a small section of West Ham fans during Sunday's match at White Hart
Lane?
SA: "Since the game it is very disappointing to have read about what has
been said by and what has been done by a small minority of fans. Nobody
condones that sort of behaviour and there is a zero tolerance attitude
within the club. I am sure Tottenham and the authorities will deal with it
accordingly. Now I know what has gone on like everybody else I do not
condone it or wish to hear any of that kind of chanting in football
especially in this country."
Now onto the football, Wednesday is obviously a very difficult game to try
and bounce back to winning ways after Sunday's defeat at White Hart Lane?
SA: "Yes it is a very difficult week and we knew it was going to be tough
playing three very good teams in just six days. It was especially
disappointing because we underperformed on the day but we have to give
Tottenham some credit however because they have some very good players and
deserved to win the game. We have got to try and bounce back and we have
been very good at doing that this season.
"We are very short on players at the moment, Mark Noble is missing through
suspension and George McCartney will have a late fitness test so our squad
is being pushed to the limit. I think that when you are going into a week
like this you always want everybody available but we have to go with what we
have got and give a good account of ourselves. We need to play the best we
can and see where that takes us but like I have said before about Old
Trafford you can
play your best and still come away on the losing side."
You chart your season on points from each individual game so in a way is
anything at Old Trafford a bonus for you?
SA: "This is a game for the lads to enjoy because there is no real pressure
on them other than the pressure they put on themselves to perform well on
one of the biggest stages in world football. It is important for players to
go out on that stage and produce what they know they can because even if we
lose you can still return home satisfied you have done your absolute best.
We will still be disappointed of course but hopefully our best will see us
pick up a positive result. Manchester United have leaked more goals than
usual this season and their defence has not shown the quality it has in the
past. The trouble is that at the other end they cannot stop scoring goals.
We need to get our defensive unit on song and play as a team in and out of
possession and if we do that you never know."
After an excellent start to the season will you not worry if you fail to
pick up any points from this tough run of games?
SA: "I always worry, it does not matter where I am in the league I always
wake up in the morning and worry. Certainly on a matchday I worry about what
kind of performance the team will deliver and on a constant basis I worry
about what is round the corner. If we are in a run of fixtures like this you
do have to accept that even if you play your best you may not pick up any
points. I say that to the players who have done brilliantly against
Manchester City and Newcastle United so let's see if we can pick up some
points in the next four games. It does not matter where those points come
from if we pick them up we will be happy and we will be in a reasonably good
position in the league."
It must have been a long time since you looked at the fixture list and saw
West Bromwich Albion as a tougher game than Liverpool?
SA: "Yes I think that the form they are in at the moment is particularly
good and I think that Steve has probably surprised himself with what they
have achieved already. Two points a game after 13 games is Champions League
and top three form so it is a brilliant start to his first managerial job.
Our focus currently lies with Manchester United and Chelsea on Saturday.
These are the games that all the players want to be playing in, every game
in the Barclays Premier League is special but playing in the Theatre of
Dreams in front of 75,000 people is what you dream of as a kid."
Andy Carroll ended his goal scoring drought on Sunday which must be a
massive positive for you; do you hope he can now push on find the net on a
regular
basis?
SA: "Well I hope so. We have got to continue to provide the service for our
players in the final third and give them the chance to score. I think that
one of the things we have been really good at is providing the service and
providing opportunities for our players to score. What our problem has been
is failing to convert the chances we have created but I do not think we
created as much against Tottenham as we have in previous games. I hope we
continue to create a lot of chances like we did against Stoke City when we
could have had six or seven goals. That is a slight concern for me because
we obviously only scored one goal but hopefully we get better and more
clinical in front of goal."
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'The aim is to get some points'
WHUFC.com
Matt Jarvis says West Ham United are targeting a positive result at
Manchester United
27.11.2012
Matt Jarvis says West Ham United possess a steely determination to bounce
back from defeat at Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester United on Wednesday.
The Hammers travel to Old Trafford determined to deliver a good performance
and pick up a point at least from their clash with Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Although there were disappointed faces emerging from the Away dressing room
at White Hart Lane, that has now turned into a strong interntion to get back
on track. "We go to Manchester United and it is another tough game," said
the No7, "but these are the games that we as players and as a team want to
play in and one of the reasons why you want to get promoted back into the
Premier League. "We have had a good start to the season and we need to make
sure we get some points again in the next few games coming up. We can do
that. It was disappointing to lose against Spurs, but we go again now. "We
were obviously disappointed with the result on Sunday. We did create some
chances and, for me, when it was 1-0 I thought we had a good chance of
getting back into the game and it might have been a different story if we
had got the next goal. "I think maybe we didn't get into their faces as much
as we hoped to. The plan was to go at them early doors and shut them down."
On a more positive note, Jarvis said the Hammers did not give up at White
Hart Lane and could even have snatched something from the game if they had
scored earlier or added quickly to Andy Carroll's 82nd-minute header. "We
still created chances for ourselves. We kept working at it to try and get
behind their defence to get shots on goal, but it just didn't happen for us.
"Once we got our goal with Andy scoring, we started to get a few more
chances and more crosses in, but as the manager said afterwards it was just
a bit too late for it to count. If we had stuck one in a little earlier, the
score might have been closer, if not somewhat different."
While defeat in north London was disappointing, the England winger alluded
to the 19 points West Ham already have on the board and has high hopes of
turning that into 20 or even 22 at Old Trafford. "We have started really
well and we want to keep this going. Unfortunately, you lose games. These
things happen and it was against a very good Spurs side. For us, we just
need to make sure we bounce back from this and go to Manchester United and
try our best to do that. "Points we already have in the bag will prove vital
in these circumstances but we are determined to go to places like Old
Trafford, put in a good performance and hopefully get something out of the
game. That is the aim, to get some points, so we would be delighted with
that."
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Man Utd v West Ham
KO 20:00
27 November 2012
Last updated at 12:57
By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 28 November
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is suspended for this match so
Anderson is likely to start. Antonio Valencia has a hip problem but has an
outside chance of being fit.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is banned, while left-back George McCartney
is a doubt after suffering an ankle injury against Tottenham. Yossi Benayoun
remains out of action with a thigh problem. Midfielder Jack Collison (knee)
and forward Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) are also ruled out.
MATCH PREVIEW
When I think of West Ham games at Old Trafford, two things immediately come
to mind: One - their 1-0 win on the final day of the 2006-07 season, when
Carlos Tevez's winner kept the team up at Sheffield United's expense (with a
long-running legal battle to follow); Two - Fabien Barthez with his arm in
the air, fruitlessly claiming offside as Paolo Di Canio's goal knocked
Manchester United out of the FA Cup in January 2001.
Of course, the reason they stand out in the memory is because United not
beating West Ham at home is as rare as a day without rain this month. In 21
visits since 1986, the Hammers have lost 18 games and won three - Jermain
Defoe scoring the only goal 11 years ago to bring about the other success.
With their team currently eighth in the Premier League, West Ham fans must
surely be happy with the way their top-flight return has gone so far - but
it might be a case of having to be happy with whatever they can get in the
run of games before Christmas.
After defeat at Spurs on Sunday, this is the second in a run of seven
fixtures in which they play six of the seven sides currently above them in
the table. Liverpool at home is the odd one out - hardly a "gimme". United
are just where they want to be - on top - but they've done it the hard way.
Incredibly they've conceded the first goal in nine of their 13 league games
this season, but - even more remarkably - they've come back to win six of
them. You can add three comeback wins in the Champions League to that, too,
as the players do their best to age their 70-year's-young manager! A home
win? Probably. West Ham to score first? It might not be wise.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester United have won their last seven league matches against West Ham
and scored 21 goals in those games to the Hammers' three.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have gone unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League
home matches against promoted clubs, stretching back over 11 years since a
2-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers in October, 2001. Bolton were then managed by
current West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, while Kevin Nolan was on the
scoresheet.
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in the last four league meetings,
including a hat-trick as United overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to win
4-2 in the most recent meeting in April 2011 at Upton Park. There have been
four penalties scored in those two games - two by each side.
West Ham have made 16 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League, but have
won there just twice, in December 2001 and May 2007. The latter victory
ensured their Premier League survival.
The Hammers knocked out holders United in the League Cup quarter-finals in
2010-11.
Manchester United
United have won six of their last seven Premier League matches.
They have trailed in nine league fixtures this season but come back to win
on six of those occasions.
Ten of United's league goals this season have been headers, more than any
other club in the division.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have scored in each of their last 55 Premier League
home matches since the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa in December 2009. It is the
longest home-scoring streak in the top flight since a 75-match run by Wolves
from 1956 to 1959.
This match is being staged on the eve of Ryan Giggs's 39th birthday.
West Ham
West Ham have won just one of their five matches against clubs in the top
half this season.
The Hammers have won five of the six league games in which they have scored
first this season.
Only two West Ham players have scored more than one league goal this season:
Kevin Nolan (five) and Mark Noble (two).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble out
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th November 2012
By: Staff Writer
Mark Noble is set to miss West Ham's trip to Old Trafford tomorrow night
having accrued five bookings already this season. The combatative United
midfielder picked up his latest booking of the campaign at White Hart Lane
on Sunday afternoon and therefore received an automatic one-match ban as a
result. That is further bad news for Sam Allardyce who has already seen his
small squad stretched to its limits by a string of recent injuries. "We are
very short on players at the moment," he admitted. "Mark Noble is missing
through suspension and George McCartney will have a late fitness test, so
our squad is being pushed to the limit. "I think that when you are going
into a week like this you always want everybody available but we have to go
with what we have got and give a good account of ourselves. "We need to
play the best we can and see where that takes us, but like I have said
before about Old Trafford, you can play your best and still come away on the
losing side."
Speaking this morning, the West Ham boss also condemned the small group of
fans who sullied the club's name at Tottenham by chanting anti-semitic
abuse.
"Since the game it is very disappointing to have read about what has been
said by and what has been done by a small minority of fans," he added.
Nobody condones that sort of behaviour and there is a zero tolerance
attitude within the club. "Now I know what has gone on like everybody else,
I do not condone it or wish to hear any of that kind of chanting in football
- especially in this country." Manchester United vs West Ham United kicks
off at 8.00pm.
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Safe standing: the business case
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th November 2012
By: Michael Brunskill
It's football's open secret, isn't it?
Every week thousands upon thousands of fans stand in seated areas supporting
the team that they love. Here at the Football Supporters' Federation we
recognise that persistent standing in areas designed for sitting is
problematic. Those who prefer or have to sit often find their view blocked.
Standing for prolonged periods in seated areas isn't as safe as the
alternative options.
There's a cost efficient, modern, and practical solution to this – safe
standing.
The recent Hillsborough Independent Panel report confirmed the findings of
the late Lord Justice Taylor's first report into the 1989 disaster. Standing
did not kill any of the 96 who lost their lives on that horrible day. The
cause of their deaths was appalling policing, bad design, neglected
maintenance, fencing, and crowd management failings. Hillsborough was a
stadium without a valid safety certificate.
Of course the final Taylor Report is now remembered for one thing – the
recommendation that football grounds become all-seater which sprung from
Taylor's shock at the abysmal treatment of fans by clubs. Taylor believed
all fans would get used to sitting and that standing would fade away as fans
adapted. He believed they would end up preferring to sit - Taylor was wrong.
Clubs are now waking up to the lost business opportunities resulting from
not permitting safe standing areas. The Scottish Premier League has agreed
to allow its clubs to pilot safe standing areas (the all-seater law never
applied in Scotland) while Aston Villa and Peterborough United have been
longtime backers of the FSF's Safe Standing Campaign. Brentford, Bristol
City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City,
Watford and AFC Wimbledon have all been welcomed aboard recently too.
So what's the positive business case? Firstly, it saves a lot of money on
ground maintenance. "Rail seats" which are common in the German Bundesliga
cost about 30 per cent more than a top quality conventional seat (like those
in the Emirates or the AMEX) but are virtually indestructible when compared
to plastic.
Many stadium managers bemoan the maintenance and replacement costs of
"normal" plastic seats. However, metal rail seats don't need replacing
because the colour's faded, or because of general wear and tear or
(occasionally) criminal damage. Hannover's seats have been in place since
2005 and they've had no breakages at all, even in the away section. The FSF
estimate pay-back on investment within ten years from the cut in maintenance
costs alone
International requirements and ticket pricing
By FIFA and UEFA's rules any ground wishing to stage competitive European
fixtures or international games must be all-seater. Rail seats are a modern
solution for clubs who would like to introduce safe standing areas but who
also have ambitions of competing in Europe or hosting international matches.
Rail seats can be quickly converted from standing to seated configuration
with minimum fuss. A club can have all-seater for their big European night
and standing areas for domestic games. Watch the video on the FSF's Safe
Standing Campaign page for more.
Where space and configurations allow more fans can be admitted to safe
standing areas too. Exact numbers will vary from club to club because of
different stadium dimensions but the Government's Green Guide allows for one
sitting fan for every 1.8 standing fans (i.e. 1:1.8). The ratio in Germany
varies from 1:1.2 to 1:1.8 but let's take 1.4 as a working average.
Now, say a standard ticket is £25, the club receives £20.84 once VAT is
deducted for an area of 2,000 seats. That's gate receipts totalling £41,680
for the club. In standing configuration the capacity increases to 2,800
which means you could reduce the ticket price to £20 (the club receives
£16.67 once VAT is deducted) and still bring in £46,676 (2,800 x 16.67) –
that's an increase of £4,996 or nearly 12% from gate receipts alone.
Then there's the additional sales of merchandise, programmes and catering
from the increased footfall. Yes, there maybe some extra costs from
stewarding and policing but the club will still be coming out ahead very
quickly. Clubs could expect to break even in less than two seasons based on
those figures and generate £100,000 extra every season after that.
So tickets are cheaper, the atmosphere is better and the club increases
revenue. What's not to love? Most significantly of all, the clubs will be
giving the 'customers' what they want – choice.
Fans want choice
Every opinion survey the FSF has seen shows a large majority support for
safe standing areas, including those who prefer to sit. Our own surveys
regularly show nine out of ten back the choice. This is supported by polls
from the BBC, Daily Star Sunday, The Guardian and Talksport (see #2 of the
FSF's Safe Standing Facts page).
It would remove the current conflict between stewards and people who don't
want to sit down. It would improve customer care. Too many fans who prefer
to sit have their views blocked by those who would rather stand. Safe
standing areas could end that as those who prefer to stand have that option.
Contrary to the Premier League's assertions the FSF believes that safe
standing areas also promote, rather than reduce, social inclusion. Increased
capacity means ticket prices can be reduced without sacrificing income. The
FSF's 2012 Annual Survey indicated that one in three women preferred to
stand while another third said they might, dependent upon the game.
The removal of the current law would not force any fan to stand as seated
areas would still exist. Neither would it require any club to have safe
standing areas against their will. But it would put the decision back where
it should be – with the clubs and their supporters.
The FSF believes that it should be up to individual clubs to consult their
own supporter base and gauge the appetite for safe standing areas. The
Government acknowledges standing is not inherently unsafe – so why not
remove the red tape that stops clubs implementing it safely in the top two
tiers?
Clubs have spent years trying to 'manage' fans standing in seated areas with
new stewarding policies or euphemistically titled 'singing sections'. It's
an understandable approach but it's a sticking plaster rather than a
solution. Every week thousands of fans will continue to stand in stadiums
that are supposedly all-seater.
Match-going fans and professionals at clubs know better than anyone that
this is a problem and the FSF firmly believes that safe standing is the
solution.
* Agree? Then support the FSF's Safe Standing Campaign here...
The FSF is the national supporters' organisation for all football fans from
England and Wales comprising more than 200,000 individual fans and members
of local supporters' organisations from every club in the professional
structure and beyond.
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Sir Alex Ferguson calls West Ham boss Sam Allardyce 'underrated'
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 10:36am
SSN
Sir Alex Ferguson says Sam Allardyce is 'underrated' ahead of Manchester
United's visit of West Ham on Wednesday night. Allardyce's men have enjoyed
a confident start to life in the top flight, currently sitting eighth in the
table after picking up 19 points from 13 matches. And Ferguson expressed his
delight that the former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers boss has
managed to prove the doubters wrong. "Big Sam went to Upton Park a year and
a bit ago and the cynics said he's not a West Ham manager as he doesn't play
football," Ferguson told the club's official website. "He's very underrated,
it's as simple as that. There's a sort of impression about him being a
certain type of manager. It's not really fair and I'm pleased he's back in
the Premier League." "He's also had to rebuild the team and get two or
three players out because of their salaries. "He's very underrated, it's as
simple as that. There's a sort of impression about him being a certain type
of manager. It's not really fair and I'm pleased he's back in the Premier
League. "The Blackburn situation was one of the craziest things I've ever
seen but I think Sam was more disappointed with what happened at Newcastle.
He was unlucky that a new owner came in and wanted a certain type. "He
didn't get a chance in his first really big job with the expectation and fan
base up there - he didn't get a chance to do the job right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Tomkins says West Ham must be confident against Manchester United
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 5:19pm
SSN
James Tomkins insists West Ham must bounce back from their weekend defeat
with a more confident display when they tackle Manchester United. The
Hammers travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday still smarting from their 3-1
defeat at the hands of London rivals Tottenham at the weekend. However, a
solid start to their Premier League campaign has seen the East End outfit
climb to an impressive eighth position under manager Sam Allardyce. And the
23-year-old centre-half believes the club must put the loss against Spurs
quickly behind them with games against United and then Chelsea and Liverpool
at home to come.
"We didn't play to our best against Spurs, but we need to put it behind us
quite quickly because we have another hard game against United and they come
thick and fast and tougher as well," said Tomkins. "But we have to go to Old
Trafford full of confidence because we have got the points on the board and
we can only get better after the Tottenham game. "They have got a lot of
pace with their wingers, but we can still go there with a lot of confidence.
"We will sit down with the gaffer and see what he says about how to deal
with them. "Against Manchester City at times, we were sitting back and
letting them play in front of us and that day we were hard to break down. It
might be a case of doing that again at times in the game, but we will just
have to see."
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Sam Allardyce has zero tolerance for racist or anti-semitic chants
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 10:50pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has said any fans caught making racist or
anti-Semitic chants should be banned for life. Allardyce was reluctant to
condemn supporters after Sunday's game at Tottenham as he had not heard the
chants himself but, having seen the footage, he has backed his club's zero
tolerance stance. "I did not agree or disagree with what went on on Sunday,
let me make that clear," he told Sky Sports News. "I was doing a press
conference after the game and I had no idea what had happened at the time
because I had not heard or seen it as I was concentrating on the game.
"Since the game, it is obviously very disappointing to hear what has been
said and done by a very small minority of fans. "The good thing is with
security cameras and CCTV cameras, it's difficult for them to get away with
it. Hopefully we can pick out those people and punish them in the right way.
"Nobody can condone that sort of behaviour and there is zero tolerance of it
at this club. The club, Tottenham and the authorities will deal with it
accordingly."
Police arrested two fans during the match for making Nazi-style salutes,
which officers described as a 'racially aggravated public order offence'.
One of those individuals has been identified by West Ham as a season
ticket-holder and has been banned by the club. "Any other individuals
identified can expect a similar swift and robust response," a West Ham
spokesman added.
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Manchester United's Wayne Rooney wary of threat posed by West Ham's Andy
Carroll
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 3:36pm
SSN
Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to pay special attention to Andy
Carroll on Wednesday night. Having working alongside the 23-year-old during
Euro 2012, Rooney knows Carroll could provide a defensive headache to his
United team-mates at Old Trafford. "Andy Carroll is a handful," said Rooney.
"I am sure if you ask any defender, they find it difficult to play against
someone like that who is good in the air and on the floor. "He is physical
and makes it hard for opponents. That type of player doesn't always get all
the goals but they can cause trouble up front and create problems." United
are top of the Premier League despite managing just a single clean sheet and
Rooney acknowledges that is a situation that will have to change. "Clean
sheets are the foundation we try and achieve because we have plenty of
players who can score goals and win games," he added. "As a team we are
playing some good stuff at times but we are having to grind out results as
well. Losing three games already is something we need to put right. "We have
been lucky that we haven't drawn any matches and we need to kick on from
here and go on a good run. "We know City and Chelsea will be looking out for
our results as we look out for theirs. "It is tough period and I am sure the
manager will use his squad. We just have to make sure we come through for
him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We Must All Put Our Own Houses in Order, Including Spurs!
By S J Chandos 1
West Ham Till I Die
About three year ago I posted, on this site, my disquiet at a particular
spectacle that I witnessed after a home match. I was walking along the
Barking Road and a adult male (presumably the father) was teaching a child
(presumably his son of about 8 years of age) an appalling song about Spurs,
Jewish people and gas chambers. One can only wonder at the mentality some
people and their irresponsibility in passing on such offensive views to a
child. It's not clever, it's not banter, it's deeply wrong. But that
incident is illustrative of a constant undertone amongst sections of the
Hammers support. Namely, the use of anti-semitic language and abuse towards
Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club, probably the club's greatest local rivals
in football terms (Millwall is just an historical grudge and the clubs
rarely compete against each other).
It's been there as long as I can remember and there have always a sections
of our support that use that vile discriminatory language and draw upon the
holocaust (or Shoa as Jewish people call it) and Nazism to score points over
their opponents. No doubt a tiny section of the club's support have a
conscious and ideological commitment to far-right ideas, but the others are
arguably just ill-educated about historical events and the offence that it
causes. For the latter group, Spurs identify as a Jewish club and reference
to Nazism and gas chambers is the ultimate insult and provocation. The logic
being, Spurs = Jews, Nazism/holocaust = negation of Jews and therefore
Nazism/holocaust = negation of Spurs. It is noticeable that regardless of
the huge progress made, in recent years, in supporter attitudes on race
issues, anti-semitism has been left behind in the process. So, whereas a fan
might never dream of racially abusing a black footballer, to express
anti-semitism is somehow considered acceptable. Travellers and gypsies are
very much in a similiar position, how many times do contributors on football
websites of all affiliations refer to opposiion support as 'pikeys' and
'trailer trash' ?
On the other controversy arising from Sunday's match, I think that the
'Lazio' and 'stabbing' chants probably need to be separated from the
Nazi/holocaust ones. They are offensive and in deeply bad taste, but then so
is much else that is chanted in football grounds. For instance, mocking West
Ham fans about the pre-mature death of Bobby Moore or Man Utd fans about the
Munich air disaster. I am not sure how you tackle that and whether you can
address that in the same way as racism/homophobia/anti-semiticism, etc. We
shall see how the club/authorities react to it?
Let me state clearly that this issue of anti-semitic statements towards
Spurs should have been sorted out years ago. It was not and now in this very
politically sensitive climate, it has come back to bite the club. In such a
climate there will be people and institutions eager to condemn the incident,
hence the rapid respones of Kick it Out, The Society of Black Lawyers and
the UK Jewish Board of Deputies. It is both understandable and right that
these organisations should express their opposition. But the most insidious
response has been from the UK press. They have a perfect right to raise the
issue, as an issue of public concern, but they are also obliged to report it
accurately. I am concerned that Journalists of various papers, including one
or two of the 'quality' papers, have gone out of their way to state that the
offensive and anti-semitic chanting was from more than a minority of West
Ham fans. It quite clearly was not and we can only question their motives in
portraying it in this way.
West Ham have started the process of responding to the incident, issuing a
statement of intent and this morning banning a season ticket holder for his
behaviour at White Hart Lane. The club are to be praised for not
capitulating to the atmosphere of total condemination created by the press
and by defending the innocent majority of Hammers fans and stating that they
will give full co-operation in any investigation, taking any necessary
action against proven perpetrators amongst the away support at WHL. That is
the right and measured position to take. Otherwise, the rest of the Hammers
support will be condemned 'by association' and that is equally wrong and
manifestly unfair.
West Ham must co-operate with the FA and Metropolitan Police to identify and
deal with the fans responsible. And lets be clear here, the emphasis must be
upon the behaviour of the gulity individuals, not West Ham Utd FC per say.
Having done that, any residual anti-semitic views must addressed within the
club's support. And it must be made clear that anti-semitic and pro-Nazi
chants/comments will not be tolerated at this football club. Moreover, the
use of these chants/comments towards Spurs must be eradicated and the keen
rivalry with the north London club expressed in an acceptable way. At the
same time, Kick it Out and the FA should actively campaign to tackle and
defeat anti-semitism and other forms of discriminatory views/actions in
football, whether that be offensive references to 'pikeys' or other minority
groups such as gay men. Because lets not fool ourselves that West Ham are
the only set of supporters where elements still use discriminatory language
and concepts against opposing supporters. Of course not, so address the much
wider and more serious issues, not just those at one particular football
club. We will soon see via the official FA response whether they just want a
scapegoat club or they are going to address these issues in a more
meaningful way.
And of course, it is possible that the rise of crowd problems in football
could very well be linked to the wider economic climate.Some people are
nervously stating that they are noticing an increase in trouble at football
grounds and they fear a return to the bad old days of the 1970s and 1980s.
Football is not isolated from wider developments in society, rather it
provides a unique 'space' in which these wider issues are often expressed.
We all remember Margaret Thatcher's question, in the 1980s, to the FA's Ted
Croker about what he was doing about his hooligans and his retort that,
'they are not our hooligans, Prime Minster, they are yours!' One does wonder
if all the desperation, worry and hardship associated with this economic
down turn, and the deepening crisis caused by the Coalition's austerity
policies, are being channelled in to football, much as the socio-economic
problems of the late 1970s and 1980s were? Could this feed a growth of
violence and hatred and intolerance to certain groups in the game?
The general response of Spurs fans sites has been to react with extreme
indigation and engage in an orgy of offensive generalisations about all West
Ham supporters. For instance, one Spurs site entitled its match report 'The
Trailer Trash Analysis' and included a number of pointed, offensive
references in the peice. Others are calling for he club to be docked points
and made to play behind closed doors as a punishment! This does nothing but
reveal their partisan and axe grinding agendas towards West Ham. Two wrongs
do not make a right and those sites have lost the moral high ground by
responding in such a way. Similiarly, it should be noted that Spurs sites
frequently make references to 'pikeys' and such like. Finally, the Spurs
support are certanly no angels and they are known to provoke opposition
supporters with their own chants, particularly Man Utd and Arsenal. So they
need to accept their own responsibility and obligation to take action to
improve the situation.
The truth is that football fans, regardless of club affiliation, are not
that very different and they often share a great deal in common. I live in
West Ham and I worked in Wood Green for a number of years and I met many
friendly, informed and open minded Spurs supporters; as well the nasty
peices of work. At the same time I know that West Ham have elements that I
would prefer was not affiliated to the club. The supporters of both clubs
are not an homogeneous bloc, they are made up of a range of people of
different backgrounds, preferences and views, each of the two sets of fans
only being united by their geographically based support for a football team.
In my view, Spurs must also now act upon the recommendation of Peter Herbert
and the Black Sociey of Lawyers and ensure that they drop the 'Yid Army'
identity that sections of their fan base have adopted. It entails the use of
offensive language and effectively means that they are complicit in any
anti-semitism. It is not a case of taking a discriminatory word, subverting
it and reclaiming ownership, as is often claimed, because the majority of
Spurs fans who use it are not Jewish. Indeed, the alleged Jewish identity of
Spurs is largely a powerful urban myth that serves to explain why Spurs fans
have adopted this identity. Like everyone else, they must also put their own
house in order and drop this false and diversive identity once and for all.
This was not intended as an inflammatory and partisan contribution to the
debate on Sunday's events.There is more than enough of that flying around at
present. I am sure a lot of West Ham fans will not like it and neither would
the Spurs supporters (if they had access to it). But sometimes, people need
to be told things that they do not like and this is one of those instances.
Accept it, critique it or reject it, but do it with reasoned argument, not
indignation and partisanship. Because it is reasoned argument that we need
now, at this juncture and this situation, more than anything.
At the same time, we will just have to keep a watching brief on the actions
of the club, the FA and the Police and see what transpires? One can only
hope that the club are not made a scapegoat for the actions of a minority of
its travelling support. And that any action is proportionate, targeted at
the actual transgressors and is accompanied by a wider campaign to refocus
on and address anti-semiticism and discriminatory issues in the game.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Help us shop the morons
The Sun
By STEVE PAGE
Last Updated: 28th November 2012
SAM ALLARDYCE wants West Ham fans to report any supporters they witnessed
hurling racist chants at Tottenham. The Hammers boss says he did not hear
the abuse during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane. But he has called
on the club's real fans to do their bit to stop it. Allardyce said: "I don't
want any type of chanting of that nature to be allowed or accepted in the
game of football today. "The best thing we can do is find this small
minority. "The West Ham fans are absolutely fantastic in terms of the
support and the amount of support that they give us. And then you've got
this small minority that are creating this sort of ill-feeling towards the
vast majority of West Ham fans. "I think that fans who are next to these
people should deal with them first and foremost if possible. We can't
condone it. Fortunately we've got CCTV in football today that can pick out
these individuals. "I don't know why they're doing it or why they're trying
to create this kind of thing because it's only destructive towards this
beautiful game we've got." One Hammers season-ticket holder has already
received a lifetime ban from the club and Allardyce wants more to follow.
Jewish midfielder Yossi Benayoun, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, said
he was "disappointed" by the chanting and labelled the actions of the guilty
fans "embarrassing".
But Allardyce does not believe that Benayoun or Muslim transfer target
Nicolas Anelka would be put off joining the club permanently. Big Sam
insisted: "In my experience, all over Europe, we're better than everybody
else in terms of the way we try to move forward in racism situations. "I
haven't spoken to Yossi. He's being treated by Chelsea in their medical
area. When we get the opportunity to see him I will talk to him." Meanwhile
Allardyce is looking forward to sharing a glass of red wine with Manchester
United boss Alex Ferguson after tonight's game at Old Trafford. Allardyce
said: "I'd expect because of his knowledge of wine it will be a good bottle.
"How it will taste depends on the result."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Beware Carroll
The Sun
Published: 27th November 2012
WAYNE ROONEY has warned his Manchester United team-mates: Beware Andy
Carroll. Burly striker Carroll is expected to line up for West Ham as the
East Londoners head to Old Trafford for tomorrow night's league clash.
Rooney knows the pony-tailed powerhouse well from England duty and says his
defensive colleagues must be mindful of the £35million man's capabilities.
The United ace said: "Andy Carroll is a handful. "I am sure if you ask any
defender, they find it difficult to play against someone like that who is
good in the air and on the floor. "He is physical and makes it hard for
opponents. "That type of player doesn't always get all the goals but they
can cause trouble up front and create problems. "I am sure that is what Sam
Allardyce wants him to do." Carroll is an obvious threat given United's
Achilles heel of conceding the first goal. It has happened on an incredible
13 occasions this season, including in their last five games.
United have somehow managed to clamber to the top of the table despite
managing just a single clean sheet, against Wigan at Old Trafford in
September.
It is a record Rooney accepts must be rectified if United are going to
maintain their present status. He explained: "Clean sheets are the
foundation we try and achieve because we have plenty of players who can
score goals and win games. "As a team we are playing some good stuff at
times but we are having to grind out results as well. "Losing three games
already is something we need to put right. "We have been lucky that we
haven't drawn any matches and we need to kick on from here and go on a good
run."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam eyes big upset
Published: 27th November 2012
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE reckons West Ham can stun Manchester United at Old Trafford
tomorrow night. The Hammers boss believes his side can make the most of
United's uncharacteristically leaky back-line. And with West Ham boasting
one of the best defensive records in the Premier League, he is confident of
keeping their strikers at bay too. Allardyce said: "Manchester United have
leaked a few more goals than normal. "Their defensive qualities haven't been
as good as they have been over the past few years. "The problem is, at the
other end they never stop scoring goals. "But if we can get our defensive
unit on song and if we play as a team in and out of possession then you
never know what will happen."
HAMMERS manager hopes lack of pressure on his players can deliver three
points at Old Trafford Allardyce's men climbed to joint sixth in the table
after making a surprisingly good start to the season. But against Tottenham
on Sunday they lacked pace, ideas and concentration, who ripped them apart
with ease.
However, he is confident they can bounce back, adding: "There is no real
pressure on the lads. "It's a match they will enjoy. It's a game they will
have reamed about since they were kids. "If we give a good account of
ourselves then hopefully it will be good enough to get us something from the
game."
Another disappointing factor of Sunday's defeat was that Mark Noble picked
up his fifth booking of the season and is suspended tomorrow. Allardyce also
has doubts over left-back George McCartney, who suffered an ankle injury
against Tottenham. Yossi Benayoun's persistent thigh problem means he will
once again be missing tomorrow.
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