Daily WHUFC News - 30th November 2012

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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