Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2012

Sorry for the delay, i had internet issues at my hotel.
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The Big Interview - Joey O'Brien
WHUFC
The Republic of Ireland right-back was happy with his contribution on
his return to action
05.11.2012
If you had told Joey O'Brien 16 months ago that he would be playing a
part in West Ham United's successful start to a new Barclays Premier
League campaign, he might well have laughed.
The full-back had been released by Bolton Wanderers after a serious
knee injury had restricted him to just 12 appearances over the
previous three seasons. Faced with an uncertain future, the
Dublin-born player was handed a trial by his former Bolton manager Sam
Allardyce. After spending the week with the Hammers in Switzerland in
July 2011, he signed a two-year deal with the Hammers and has hardly
looked back since.
O'Brien chalked up 33 appearances last season to help West Ham to gain
promotion. This term, he has forced his way back into the Republic of
Ireland set-up after a four-year absence and already played six times
in the Barclays Premier League.
Joey, how did you assess Saturday's goalless draw with champions
Manchester City - especially in the light of the 2-1 defeat at Wigan
Athletic the previous weekend?
JOB: "We were hanging on towards the end, but in the first half we had
much better chances than them and even at the start of the second half
we had a couple of decent chances. Kev's goal was onside as well, so
that was a massive moment in the game. We've played well this season,
though we were very disappointed with how we played last week at
Wigan. We needed to perform on Saturday and to be fair to the boys
they showed up and played well. The boss wasn't happy after the Wigan
game, but neither were the lads. We just didn't perform how we have
been performing going into that game. It was looking as if we were
going well and went there to win, but we just didn't turn up. We put
that right this week."
How did you manage to stifle a City attack that had not failed to
score in a league game since Easter?
JOB: "The tactics from the manager were to sit in. We knew they would
have plenty of the ball, but we played to sit in and wait for our
chances to go and press and intercept passes to break on the counter
attack. That worked, especially in the second half. We were getting
out and Matt Jarvis was pushing on. He was a great out ball for us in
the second half. The game plan worked well."
How do you think Manchester City will fare this season?
JOB: "Man City will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
They have world-class players and can bring top players off the bench
as well, so they will be up there."
What has Andy Carroll brought to the team since his arrival in August?
JOB: "Andy was brilliant on Saturday and on another day he might have
scored a couple. He's been great for the team since he has come in. In
every game that he has played he's played well, so I'm sure he will
get plenty of goals."
Saturday must have been a tough test for you on your return to the
team after a month out with a hamstring injury?
JOB: "Physically I felt well. I've been out for a couple of weeks, but
the injury wasn't that bad, so I had a lot of time to work with the
fitness coaches and physios at the club. I've been working hard in
training to get my fitness levels up and my stats up and I felt good
in the game."

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Youngsters learning fast
WHUFC
Nick Haycock says his first-year scholars are having to grow up quickly
06.11.2012
The Academy of Football has been firing on all cylinders this season,
with no fewer than seven graduates appearing for West Ham United's
first team so far.
Meanwhile, a host of scholars have already graduated to the
Development Squad, helping Ian Hendon's side to reach the top of the
Barclays U21 Premier League Group 1 table.
With so many youngsters playing 'up' at a higher level, a number of
first-year scholars and schoolboys have found themselves playing
regularly for Nick Haycock's Under-18s. Fifteen-year-old Manny
Onnariase has appeared in all ten Barclays U18 Premier League Group 1
matches, while first-years Amos Nasha, Josh Cullen, Nana
Boakye-Yiadom, Taylor Tombides, Moses Makasi and Robert Page have all
played their part.
However, Haycock (pictured) admitted that his players' lack of
experience has seen them come up short against teams full of
second-year scholars, many of whom are more physically developed and
used to life as full-time footballers.
The coach said those factors played a part in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by
Reading at Little Heath, when he was without first-team squad member
Leo Chambers and Development Squad players Frazer Shaw and Elliot Lee.
"The game was pretty similar to the others we have had in recent
weeks," said Haycock. "We have basically been fielding an Under-17
team in an Under-18 league, save for two or three second-year
scholars, so the boys are still getting used to playing 'up' and are
giving away a lot in terms of age and experience.
"We have been in the game in each of our last three matches, but have
come out with just one point from nine. At Everton the previous
weekend, we looked back at the DVD and we should have had four
penalties, while Reading's first goal this week was clearly offside.
"To their credit, the boys kept their shape well and worked hard to
get back into the game, but Reading then scored a second through a
25-yarder just before half-time. At half-time, we told them we could
get something if we did things better in the final third. We put on
Manny Onnariase at half-time and he headed in a free-kick at the near
post to get us back in it and I felt we could easily have gone on and
won the game.
"We had two second-year scholars playing but Reading had at least
seven. Their extra physicality showed and had a hand in the game,
definitely. Despite the result, we are happy to be able to give the
younger players the chance to play against the older players because
it will stand them in great stead for next season.
"Our goal is to get as many players as possible up to the Under-21s
and then on the bench for the first team. They have just got to use
the experince they are getting and become a little bit more clinical
in the final third and then the results will definitely start to
come."


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Less than 2,500 left for Stoke
WHUFC
20 quid tickets for the Stoke City match under the lights at the
Boleyn Ground are selling out quickly
05.11.2012
There are now fewer than 2,500 tickets left for West Ham United's next
home game with Stoke City on Monday 19 November, where tickets are on
offer for just £20 and £25 for adults and only £15 for Under-16s,
As part of the Board's 'Affordable Football For All' campaign, prices
for this game have been reduced to £25 for Bands One and Two and just
£20 for Bands Three and Four. With the discounted prices, the game is
expected to sell out before kick-off so fans are advised to move fast.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Alpari Stand Ticket Office,
by phone on 0871 222 2700 via Option 3 (calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras) or online


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Sam is a big boss

The Sun
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: 05th November 2012

KEVIN NOLAN believes Sam Allardyce will finally get the recognition he
deserves by taking West Ham into Europe.
Nolan, Big Sam and Andy Carroll return to former club Newcastle on Sunday.
And Allardyce will be desperate to put one over the club who fired him
in 2008 — and push the Hammers closer to the battle for a European
spot.
Skipper Nolan said: "I think the boss deserves to be mingling with the
top managers week-in week-out.
"I have lots of admiration for him and what he has done for me as a player.
"After working with him for a long time I firmly believe he belongs in
the Premier League and I'm a bit gutted he hasn't been given that
chance with a really top club.
"He has worked at top clubs but I mean a club that is always in the
top four or five so he can have a go at the Champions League."

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Spurs eyeing shock Carroll swoop? All the transfer news, rumours and
gossip from Tuesday's papers
Mirror
6 Nov 2012 08:59
PLUS: Man City may finally get Daniele De Rossi and Reading plot move
for Andrey Arshavin
Matthew Lewis
The transfer window might be closed but the rumour mill rolls on.
Here's the latest gossip and rumours from today's papers and around
the web.

Gossip from today's Daily Mirror
Liverpool are closing in on Schalke's Dutch strike ace Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar as they seek to give Brendan Rodgers the forward options he
needs.

Chelsea are going cold on Atletico Madrid hitman Radamel Falcao -
because Roman Abramovich is no longer convinced the Colombian is worth
his asking price.

Manchester United are stepping up their checks on Blackpool's exciting
young winger Tom Ince - ahead of a potential swoop.

Chelsea are scouting Wolfsburg's Swiss international left back Ricardo
Rodriguez.

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could be eyeing a return to
the Premier League after a contract stand-off with Real Madrid.

Lewis Holtby has played down reports linking him with a move to
tomorrow's Champions League opponents Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger last night denied he is freezing out Theo Walcott –
despite his bizarre absence from Arsenal's starting line-up.

Gordon Strachan is the bookies' favourite to be the next Scotland manager.

Transfer stories from other papers and websites

Tottenham are monitoring Andy Carroll's form at West Ham as they
consider a summer bid for the Liverpool striker who is on loan with
the Hammers. (Daily Mail)

Roma have put Manchester City on alert by admitting they will listen
to offers for their skipper Daniele de Rossi in January. (The Sun)

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have joined the hunt for
Watford wonderkid Tommie Hoban. (Daily Star)

Reading are preparing to end Andrey Arshavin's Arsenal misery by
moving for the £15million outcast. (The Sun)

Lille could be ready to offer Joe Cole an escape from his Liverpool
misery. Ex-Chelsea star Cole spent last season on loan with the French
club. (Daily Express)

Martin Skrtel has insisted he will not be joining Liverpool's
big-spending Europa League rivals Anzhi Makhachkala. (The Sun)

Romelu Lukaku's reluctance to return to parent club Chelsea in January
from his loan at West Brom could spell the end of Liverpool's hopes of
signing Daniel Sturridge in the winter transfer window. (Daily Star)

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath is to train with Everton for
three weeks. (Daily Mail)

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson wants to sign Manchester United duo
Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard on loan. (The Sun)

Manchester United have delayed contract talks with Ryan Giggs until
the end of the season. (Goal.com)

Brazilian star Lucas Moura has denied money was the motivation behind
his decision to snub Manchester United in favour of Paris St Germain.
The 20-year-old will move to the French capital in January. (Daily
Mail)

Aston Villa star Darren Bent is set to demand talks with manager Paul
Lambert over his future as the striker eyes a transfer in January.
(Goal.com)