Daily WHUFC News - 18th November 2012

Captain's Blog
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan reflects on a successful week and looks ahead to Monday's visit
of Stoke City
17.11.2012

Hello everyone and I hope you are enjoying your weekends! We have had good
week, especially coming off on the back of our great win away at Newcastle
United. For obvious reasons it was a very emotional trip for me. It was
going back, for the first time since I moved to West Ham United, to
somewhere I spent two years of my career and life at, where my little boy
was born and a great place where I made a lot of life-long friends on and
off the pitch. I enjoyed my time there at Newcastle immensely and can't
thank the fans enough for the support they gave me when I was there and for
giving me a great welcome back. I was able to see a few people around the
club afterwards and had the chance to say a proper 'Goodbye' to them as I
didn't get that opportunity when I left, so that was nice to do.

I have been lucky to move on to another great club in West Ham. It was a
no-brainer for me when it happened and, while it was emotional for me last
Sunday, it was great to get the win and to score the goal. Enjoying my
football once again has been made easy with the support of all of you, the
West Ham fans.
Up at Newcastle and at Bolton Wanderers I strived to do my best and I want
to emulate that and do what I can and more here at West Ham in every way
possible.

A big 'Thank you' to all of you who travelled the long way to support us. We
could hear all of you throughout the game and the backing we get will never
cease to amaze me. To have nearly 3,000 of you cheering us on up there was
just great and I am so pleased we got the result you all deserved. We did
really well, restricting Newcastle to mainly long-range shots at goal and,
when the likes of Demba Ba got opportunities, Jussi Jaaskelainen made some
fine saves and everyone did their jobs. We played some really nice football
and we thoroughly deserved the victory. Stoke City are up next at home and
Tony Pulis has a team who have established themselves in the Premier League
and will be a big test for us. It is looking like being a sell-out again for
Monday's game, which is great, and there is nothing better than walking out
on to the pitch in front of a packed house at the Boleyn Ground with the
atmosphere that creates.

I think it will be a good match and we will be working our socks off to get
a winning result and keep our home form going. I know you appreciate what we
do if we are working as hard as we can to achieve that. We have had a solid
week on the training ground, buzzing from the win last weekend, but at the
same time keeping it all low key. All we are focusing on is the next game
and to keep working hard. Off the pitch and around the place, we had a bit
of fun as the club have brought out a special West Ham edition of the
Monopoly board game, which is available in the club stores. Myself and the
lads took a look to see where we were on it and have a go.

I am worth 300 Monopoly pounds! I did think I might have made Mayfair or
Park Lane, but when I saw that the late great Bobby Moore had that mantle, I
certainly wasn't going to argue! There was a bit of banter among the lads
with it and I am sure all of you will enjoy playing the game at Christmas
time.
There is also news to report about a new tea-making rota at our training
ground. I like my cups of tea and when I am making one for myself in the
canteen, I always ask if anyone else wants one, whoever is around, whether
it be staff or the lads. I have been making it more than most since I have
been here, but am pleased to report that I have Andy Carroll and Joey
O'Brien on a tea-making rota now, so it is not just me!

I must get our Head of Performance Analysis, David Woodfine - known as Woody
to all of us here - to be part of this rota. Woody gets up to make a cuppa
for himself, whispers 'Does anyone else want one?' and before you have heard
what he has said, he has sat back down with his cup of tea! So we need to
get him on this rota!

Back to on the pitch and it goes without saying that your support again on
Monday will be important to us. It is appreciated by each and every one of
us and we will be doing everything we can to get a result to send you all
home happy.
Come on you Irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain

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Big Sam on Stoke City
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the press ahead of Monday's
fixture
17.11.2012

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was in chatty mood ahead of Monday's
Barclays Premier League fixture with Stoke City - a game for which less than
250 tickets remain available. The Hammers welcome the Potters to the Boleyn
Ground knowing victory will keep them in the top-six ahead of a run of
matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and
West Bromwich Albion. Speaking to the press ahead of Monday night's sell-out
clash, Big Sam spoke of the need to continue picking up points, Stoke's
strong defensive record and the high number of goals in the Barclays Premier
League this season.

Do you feel West Ham United are getting the credit you deserve for your
strong start to the season?

SA - "I don't really know, to be honest. All that we're happy with is our
own performances and results. The lads are just trying to make sure we
continue where we left off against Newcastle and try to beat Stoke City on
Monday and continue to load up the points as quick as we possibly can. The
confidence is good and I think the only problem we've got at the moment is
injuries. I think overcoming these injuries and continuing to get results is
going to be our biggest problem.
What other people are saying, the players don't seem to be too interested
in. We are getting some good publicity and rightly so because of the
position we're in being a newly-promoted side into the Barclays Premier
League."

Have you personally had enough credit for what you've achieved so far?

SA - "I think so. I think that, at the end of the day, when you continue to
get results then people cannot ignore what you're doing, both as a manager
and a group of players and coaching staff. From our point of view, most of
us have been here [in the Barclays Premier League] before - certainly I have
for a long time and we know the position we're in is a very good one. But we
know only a quarter of the season has gone, it's early days and a lot can
happen between now and the end of the season. If we're around this position
going into the last six or seven games, then that's a great season. At the
moment, it's a great start and that's all it is."

You have a tough run of games coming up, so is it important that you already
have so many points in the bag?

SA - "We thought the tough run of games started with Wigan away and then Man
City at home and Newcastle away, but we've picked up four points in those
three games. The tough phase has already begun for us and, after Stoke on
Monday we go into a run against the other big boys. We've coped very well so
far and I hope we continue to cope on Monday night because that's a big game
for us. We want to continue our home form and home results and get a very
important three points against a well-experienced and well-organised team
with a really good manager."

Are you happy with Andy Carroll's all-round contribution?

SA - "Yes. We all want, particularly Andy himself, our centre forward to
score goals, like any forward that plays the game off football. I'm
convinced that he will put the ball into the net and that will hopefully
start him on a good run. At the moment, his partnership with Kevin Nolan is
one of the key elements in us continuing to do well. Our attacking play has
been good because we can play off two players who are playing very well at
the moment. That gives us more opportunities to go and attack the oppositon
on a regular basis. Even away from home, it wasn't a case of just sitting
back at Newcastle. Our passing percentage was as high as theirs, we had as
many passes as they did and we got into the final-third an awful lot -
probably more than people expected at Newcastle. Those two players hold the
ball up and let us express ourselves from there, so they're doing a good
job. Yes, we'd like our frontmen to score more goals, but the most important
thing at the end of a game is the result, not who has scored."

West Ham United and Stoke City have good defensive records, but there have
been a lot of goals scored in the Barclays Premier League this season. Do
you
feel there has been a change in philosophy and the game has become more
attacking?

SA - "From a professional point of view, I think the defending in the
Premier League is not as good as it used to be and I think that's why there
have been more goals scored. I think that side of the game has diminished
rather than improved over the last few years. From an entertainment point of
view, that's a fantastic situation because more goals are being scored than
ever before. As a manager and as a professional it's not my cup of tea to
tell the players to not bother too much when they haven't got the ball and
not worry about defending too much because we'll score more than the
opposition.T hat's not the way to approach the game because the best teams
and the teams that win the most have the best defensive records. Getting
both defending and attacking right are critically important for me in terms
of establishing ourselves in the Premier League."

Considering Stoke City's mean defensive record, do you envisage Monday's
game being a particularly difficult one in terms of breaking down the
opposition?

SA - "Yes I do. I think that, as always, Tony Pulis's team are well-drilled
and disciplined in the way they want to play. I think that they get the
defensive side of it right, as I try to do as well. I think the improve in
the quality of their players has made them an established Premier League
side now. I think Tony probably thinks they are under-achieving a bit at the
minute with the team he has built over the last few years. He had a more
difficult start to the season in terms of fixtures than we did, so I'm sure
they'll get back to winning ways, but I hope it's not on Monday!"

Is it fair to make comparisons between yourself and Tony Pulis in terms of
footballing philosophy?

SA - "They are not the same. I'm an individual and nobody copies me and I
don't copy anybody else. I don't play like Tony. We have different systems.
We have the same philosophy in terms of we both want to defend well and make
sure our team is organised and understand what's needed to be done in terms
of game-plan. We both also have to maximise our resources to make sure that
the club is successful. When you look at what Tony has done, Stoke fill
their ground every week and have been doing so for years now. They want to
increase their capacity, so that's a measure of what Tony has done for Stoke
City."

Are Stoke City the benchmark for establishing a club in the Barclays Premier
League?

SA - "I think that it's true that Tony Pulis has had a great relationship
with his owner and that relationship has borne fruit, particularly because
they have backed him and know that they can trust him. I think that trust
has given him the finance to build year-in, year-out and that has made them
what they are today. They have improved every year in terms of the quality
of player that they have brought in. I think that's why they've been
successful, along with the team spirit they have and how organised they are.
That relationship, buying wisely and maximising resources has borne fruit
for Stoke City."

Mark Noble has said he is playing the best football of his career. Is an
England call-up a realistic proposition?

SA - "Well, he is only 25. He's not at his premium age yet. Mark is our
longest-serving player at West Ham and is still only 25. I still think he
has a good chance because he has time on his side."

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Hammers clinch Elite Group Stage spot
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Development Squad defeated West Bromwich Albion 1-0 on
Friday evening
17.11.2012

West Ham United's Development Squad clinched their place in the Barclays U21
Premier League Elite Group Stage by defeating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at
Rush Green on Friday evening. The Hammers won for the ninth time in 12 Group
1 fixtures courtesy of another late show from striker Paul McCallum
(pictured), who followed up his late winner at Arsenal on 9 November with
another last-gasp goal. On Friday, he forward bundled home Rob Hall's
free-kick with four minutes remaining to ensure Ian Hendon's side will
finish in the top two in Group 1. McCallum has now scored six goals in
eleven Barclays U21 Premier League appearances this season.

The centre forward's intervention came at the end of a game of missed
chances. The Baggies started strongly, with Adil Nabi causing havoc on the
left wing, but it was the hosts who created their first real opening on 12
minutes. Blair Turgott, who performed extremely well on the night, drove
down the right before finding Matthias Fanimo but his drilled shot was
blocked away to safety.

Hall was next to test the opposition defence, but his darting run was
brought to an abrupt halt by Liam O'Neill, who scythed down the forward 20
yards from goal. From the resulting free-kick many in the stands thought
Hall had opened the scoring, but the ripple of the net was his curling
effort brushing the side-netting.

West Ham had the ball in the net on 21 minutes, but McCallum was denied by
an offside decision after a fine through ball from Sebastian Lletget. West
Brom were also left frustrated by the assistant referee's flag shortly
before half-time, when Nabi was denied a goal due to another offside call.
The Hammers came out for the second half firing on all cylinders but
McCallum and then Fanimo were both denied by goalkeeper Shane Lewis. The
Baggies stopper was again the hero after 62 minutes when Turgott found
himself one-on-one, but Lewis came out on top once more.

With the game seemingly meandering towards a goal-less conclusion,
midfielder George Moncur sparked his side to life in the final ten minutes,
creating a succession of half-chances and shooting narrowly wide himself.
Then, with just four minutes remaining, Hall swung in an inviting free-kick
that McCallum was able to bundle home from close-range, much to the delight
of his team-mates and the 300-plus supporters in attendance. Friday's
victory put West Ham eight points clear of second-place Arsenal and 12 ahead
of Reading and Norwich City in third and fourth and guaranteed their passage
to the Elite Group Stage. There, Hendon's side will face the best U21 sides
from across the country, including potential meetings with Tottenham
Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Next up for the Development Squad is a trip to Norwich, who the Hammers beat
2-0 in the reverse fixture at Rush Green on 28 September. The fixture will
take place at the Canaries' Colney Training Ground on Monday 26 November at
1pm.

Development Squad: Baxter, Driver, Potts, Moncur, Ruddock, Spence, Turgott,
Lletget, McCallum, Fanimo, Hall
Subs not used: Piquionne, Guzman, Powell, Shaw, E.Lee

*Development Squad defender Declan Hunt has joined Blue Square Bet Premier
side Braintree Town on month-long Youth Loan.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is delighted with how his side has coped with
life back in the Premier League
Last Updated: November 17, 2012 11:20am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has praised his side's excellent start to the
season ahead of the Sky Sports Monday Night Football clash with Stoke at
Upton Park. Allardyce's side are in the top half of the Premier League table
having been promoted from the Championship via the play-offs last season and
he believes a number of factors have contributed to their good form. "There
was a long pre-season for the players and obviously some good recruitment
that seems to be paying off at the moment and a really good team spirit is
the reason we are where we are at the moment," he told Sky Sports News. "The
way we have played, particularly in the games at home, have excited the fans
and it has got us a very good start. "Eighteen points from 11 games is an
excellent start when you have just been promoted back to the Premier League
last year via the play-offs. "Every credit must go to the squad of players
that has been used, almost to its maximum now."

Allardyce also feels he has silenced the dissenting voices from some
supporters that feared his style of play was unsuited to West Ham. "I've
shown that isn't true, the style of play has got the best out of us," he
added. "It's about winning football matches on a regular basis and
entertaining, particularly at home. We are continuing where we left off in
the play-offs." Andy Carroll has yet to score in his seven games for the
club since signing on loan from Liverpool but Allardyce revealed he is not
the sort of player who requires constant support to keep him motivated.
"He's not a luvvy-dovey, arm round the shoulder player," said Allardyce. "He
will be doing his best as always to produce a performance with a goal on
Monday, although if we are winning the games (and he doesn't score), then we
are all happy."

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Sam wants to nick Nic
By ED AARONS
Published: 17th November 2012
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE confirmed he wants to sign Nicolas Anelka to boost West Ham's
push for a European spot. The French striker — who agreed a £250,000-a-week
deal with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January — starred for Big Sam
when he was Bolton manager before moving to Chelsea in 2008. But Hammers
boss Allardyce is hoping the 33-year-old may be tempted to take a wage cut
so he can be nearer his family. Allardyce said: "It could interest me, of
course it could. "I think Nicolas still has his family in London. So it
would be of interest if that's a possibility financially." Despite Anelka's
sulky reputation, Allardyce said: "He never was that in the time that we
worked together."

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Hammer time: West Ham set to offer Allardyce a new deal ahead of Anelka bid
The Mirror
17 Nov 2012 22:30

West Ham are ready to open contract talks with Sam ­Allardyce in January.
Allardyce signed a two-year deal as manager when he took over in the summer
of 2011 – with two targets. The first was to guide West Ham into the Premier
League. That was accomplished through the Championship play-offs and a 2-1
win over Blackpool at Wembley. Allardyce's second objective was to
­establish West Ham in the ­Premier League and ­club insiders believe that
is nearly mission ­accomplished. West Ham are looking to build on a fine
start to the season when they host Stoke ­tomorrow. They go into the game on
the back of ­impressive ­results against Manchester City (0-0) and
­Newcastle (1-0). His next target is a move for Nicolas Anelka this January.
Allardyce knows Anelka from their days at ­Bolton together and with Andy
Carroll failing to find the net, the West Ham boss says he would be
interested in the Shanghai Shenhua striker. Anelka is said to be on around
£190,000-a-week in China and Allardyce said: "It could interest me, of
course it could. I think Nicolas has still got his family here in London."
"It would be of interest for us if that was a possibility financially and he
wanted to come. "He was disappointed when I left Bolton. He was the reason
why we went into the top end of the table." "I probably had him at the
height of his career and he has matured into a dedicated professional."

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West Ham team news: Allardyce sweating on Jarvis and Benayoun ahead of Stoke
clash
The Mirror
17 Nov 2012 12:08
Ian Horrocks

Sam Allardyce is sweating on the fitness of a number of West Ham players
ahead of Monday night's Premier League clash with Stoke. The Hammers take on
the Potters at Upton Park in the Monday night fixture, but may have to do so
without Yossi Benayoun and Matt Jarvis, who were both substituted during
last weekend's win over Newcastle and remain doubtful, although Matthew
Taylor has returned to training. Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) could be out
until the new year with Jack Collison (knee) also missing for the long-term.

Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, O'Brien, Reid, Collins, Tomkins,
McCartney, Demel, Taylor, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Jarvis, Benayoun, Diarra,
O'Neil, Maiga, Cole, Carroll, Spence

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TONY COTTEE: 'GIVE SAM ALLARDYCE NEW HAMMERS DEAL'
Daily Star
Tony Cottee
18th November 2012 By Carl Eldridge EXCLUSIVE

WEST HAM have been warned they face a nightmare scenario if they fail to
secure the services of manager Sam Allardyce on a new long-term contract.
Hammers boss Allardyce's deal runs out at the end of the season and
co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have been urged to extend his stay
at Upton Park. West Ham legend Tony Cottee, 47, insists he is stunned that
the East End outfit have not yet tied down Allardyce and says it would be
­disastrous if he were to leave. Allardyce takes his side into a Premier
League home clash with Stoke ­tomorrow night at Upton Park ­looking to build
on their decent start to the ­campaign so far. And baffled Cottee ­reckons
the manager's astute stewardship should be rewarded with a new deal. He
said: "Sam has done a fantastic job and I am amazed that they have not
offered him a new ­contract. "His contract is up at the end of the season
and I have been thinking to myself what has he got to do to actually get a
new deal. "His brief was to get the club promoted which he did, albeit
through the play-offs. And if you look at the start the club have made to
the season, you have to ask when will they offer him a new contract? "If you
do have the scenario where he leaves then you need to look at who takes
over. The club needs continuity, a settled period. They need a manager to
keep the club going in the right direction and that's what they have got
with Sam. "The players are enjoying it, as are the fans. There was just a
tiny bit of apprehension when he first took over about the style of play but
with Andy Carroll up front they are playing to his strengths. "Not everyone
can play like Barcelona but on other hand, West Ham fans do not want to see
it smashed down the pitch. "You can get a good balance and I think Sam
deserves to go on next season and for many seasons after that."

Meanwhile, Cottee reckons that in-form ­midfielder Kevin Nolan, 30, can
force his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad if he keeps up his dazzling
­displays.
He added: "When it comes to goalscoring midfielders, there are not too many
­playing better than Kevin Nolan at the moment. "He has been in top form
this season. Mark Noble has, too, but their problem is that there are just
too many top English midfielders in their way. "Come the end of the season,
if Kevin is still scoring then I think he can expect a call when England
tour Brazil in the summer, when I dare say one or two will drop out with
injury. "I­ really think ­that winning an England cap still means a lot to
players and Nolan, ­particularly, would love to win one at this stage of his
career." Allardyce will have to tinker with his winning formula as Yossi
Benayoun and Matt Jarvis are doubtful for the game. Ricardo Vaz Te remains
sidelined until the new year and Jack Collison is also a long-term absentee.
Allardyce said: "Confidence is good. The only problem is injuries.
Overcoming these injuries while continuing to get results is going to be our
biggest problem."

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Hammers boss Allardyce admits interest in bringing Anelka back from China in
January
By MARK BRYANS, Press Association
PUBLISHED: 23:16, 17 November 2012 | UPDATED: 23:17, 17 November 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits he would be interested in a January move
for Nicolas Anelka. The 33-year-old is currently plying his trade in China
for Shanghai Shenhua but has recently been linked with a move back to the
Barclays Premier League. Allardyce, who has guided the Hammers to sixth
place in the table after the opening 11 fixtures, signed Anelka for Bolton
for a then-club record fee in the summer of 2006 and revealed he would like
to work with the France striker once again. 'It could interest me, of course
it could,' he said. 'It would be of interest if that is a possibility
financially for us and he wanted to come. I have had no conversations with
Nicolas' agent or anything like that at this time.'

Anelka was seen as a marquee signing for Wanderers when he was signed from
Turkish side Fenerbahce and his form at the Reebok Stadium earned him a big
move to Chelsea a year and a half later. Allardyce, who has yet to see
big-name summer signing Andy Carroll score for the Hammers, believes Anelka
transformed his Bolton side into a team that could challenge at the right
end of the table. He said: 'His professionalism and dedication was why he
was such a good player and we never had problems at Bolton at the time he
was with us. "He was the difference - he was the reason we went into the top
end, the top four, rather than the top eight.'

Much has been made over the years of Anelka's demeanour on and off the pitch
but Allardyce reckons the perception of the former Arsenal and Real Madrid
forward is off the mark and hopes the family man could be tempted to head
back to London. Asked whether he ever had a problem with Anelka's
questionable temperament Allardyce said: 'He never was like that in his
entire time I had him. 'He was disappointed I left, when he came and played
for me I had him at a very, very good time - probably at the height of his
career, I would think, because he had matured into a dedicated professional.
'I think he has always been dedicated but he got sidetracked by certain
situations through his younger days but he learnt from that, his experience
across Europe. 'He had a girlfriend, who is now his wife, and his family and
I think that has matured him - I think Nicolas has still got his family here
in London, I don't think they moved out to China.'
One stumbling block for a potential deal would come if Anelka refused to
take a drop in his wages as he is currently reported to be earning around
£250,000 a week in China. He has also been linked with a return to Liverpool
or a move to fellow strugglers QPR but all three clubs would be hard pushed
to fork out the sort of money the Frenchman is currently bringing in from
Shenhua.

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