Daily WHUFC News - II 9th January 2012

Baldock vows to bounce back
WHUFC.com
Sam Baldock is determined not to let his FA Cup penalty miss affect his
confidence in the long term
09.01.2012

Sam Baldock has vowed to bounce back after his penalty miss contributed to
West Ham United's 1-0 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round defeat at Sheffield
Wednesday. The striker saw his 53rd-minute spot-kick turned aside by Owls
goalkeeper Nicky Weaver before Chris O'Grady compounded his misery with a
winning goal two minutes from full-time. Baldock also saw a rasping low
drive diverted on to the inside of the post by the inspired Weaver as the
Hammers suffered a disappointing exit at Hillsborough on Sunday. "I've seen
the penalty back and it was a good save but that's no real excuse," the No7
told West Ham TV. "The important thing is how I respond from it. The
spotlight is going to be on me now to see how I bounce back but I've been
through it before like most strikers and I'm not going to let it phase me.
"He has done quite well, to be fair, especially against me! He has managed
to get something on that shot and diverted it on to the post. It's
disappointing not to have scored at least one on the day."

Baldock's penalty disapppointment was in stark contrast to the joy he felt
at completing his first 90 minutes since the 1-0 npower Championship defeat
at Southampton on 18 October. The up-and-down nature of the striker's day
summed up an afternoon that could easily have turned out differently for the
Hammers.
"That's football. That's why the fans love it so much and why people pay to
watch it. Yes, it was an eventful game and I think we were unfortunate not
to find ourselves in the hat for the fourth round. "I'm quite pleased with
the fact I came through the whole game, but the only thing I can think about
at the minute is the penalty. I got 100 minutes under my belt, which is the
first time I've completed a game since my injury so that's pleasing. "They
asked me a couple of times how I was feeling and I said I was fine and I
wanted to carry on."

It may be an overused cliché in football, but Baldock and his team-mates now
have no choice but to concentrate on their league campaign. With a little
less than half of their 46 league matches still to play, West Ham sit second
in the npower Championship table, behind leaders Southampton only on goal
difference. The 22-year-old vowed to channel all of his energies to helping
the Hammers achieve their goal of reaching the Premier League come the
season's end. "I must say it's the angle I'm going to be coming from, at
least!" he said. "The plan is to go back on the training pitch and to pick
up three points at Portsmouth on Saturday. We've got a few players to come
back who we missed on Sunday so I look forward to seeing them. We've got a
stronger squad to choose from than we've had in recent weeks.
"The fans inspire us. They out-sing every home crowd and it's great to have
them at every away game. Sunday wasn't the ideal result but next week we can
repay them."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moncur loaned to Dons
WHUFC.com
George Moncur has joined AFC Wimbledon on loan until 4 February 2012
09.01.2012

Promising midfielder George Moncur has joined League Two side AFC Wimbledon
on a youth loan until 4 February 2012. The England Under-19 international
has enjoyed a fine season for West Ham United's development squad, netting
three goals in 20 appearances for Ian Hendon's side. Moncur, who signed his
first professional contract in September 2010 and also joined Sam
Allardyce's first-team squad on pre-season tour in Switzerland in July last
year, will hope to make his senior debut in Saturday's npower League Two
fixture at Port Vale. Moncur's move will see him join fellow Academy
graduate Callum McNaughton at Kingsmeadow, with the centre-back having
joined Terry Brown's squad on a permanent basis last week. The 18-year-old
is one of eight West Ham United players out on loan at present, with
Cristian Montano, Eoin Wearen and Ahmed Abdulla (all Dagenham and
Redbridge), Callum Driver (Burton Albion), Jordan Spence (Bristol City),
Peter Kurucz (Rochdale) and Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza) being the other
seven.

Goalkeeper Kurucz made his second Rochdale appearance in a 2-0 npower League
One defeat at Hartlepool United at the weekend. The Dale are next in action
on Saturday, when they host Stevenage.

Wearen and Abdulla made their Daggers debuts in a goalless FA Cup with
Budweiser third-round draw with Millwall at Victoria Road on Saturday and
will hope to keep their starting places when John Still's side welcome
Hereford United on Saturday. Montano was not given permission to play in the
game by the Hammers.

Driver made his npower Football League debut in Burton's 2-0 League Two
defeat by Accrington Stanley at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday evening. The
Brewers travel to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Finally, Barrera appeared as a 57th-minute substitute as Real Zaragoza went
down to a 1-0 defeat at Racing de Santander in Spain's Primera Division on
Saturday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moncur on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's George Moncur is set to join AFC Wimbledon on loan. The young
midfielder is set to go out on a short-term loan to the League Two club, who
only last week signed former Hammers Academy graduate Callum McNaughton on
permanent terms. Moncur confirmed the news via his Twitter account this
morning. "I'm going [to] AFC Wimbledon, thank you all much love," he said.
"[But] only on loan, not permanent." 18-year-old Moncur signed his first
professional contract with West Ham in September 2010, a contract that runs
until the summer of 2013. His father, John, played for West Ham between 1994
and 2003.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gala could return for Cole
Turkish outfit planning fresh approach for Hammers striker
Last Updated: January 9, 2012 11:21am
SSN

Sky Sports sources understand Galatasaray are planning a second approach for
Carlton Cole after missing out on the West Ham United striker in the summer.
The Turkish outfit launched a late raid for the England international in
September, with their transfer window staying open for longer than their
western European rivals.
The Hammers snubbed that bid, with manager Sam Allardyce expressing his
anger at having to fend off an approach after the English window had slammed
shut.
He could, however, be forced to deal with a second offer, with Galatasaray
said to be readying a fresh move. Cole has been in decent form for West Ham
this season and is leading the club's Championship promotion bid with eight
goals in 21 outings. He is, however, unaccustomed to life in the second tier
and could be tempted to try his luck in the Turkish top flight. The
28-year-old stated in November that he has no intention of leaving Upton
Park, but Galatasaray may be about to test that resolve.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United increase bid for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes
10:06am Monday 9th January 2012 in News
Guardian Series

West Ham United have reportedly increased their offer for Huddersfield
striker Jordan Rhodes to £4.5m. The prolific goalscorer was on fire on
Friday as he netted five goals in their win over Wycombe. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce has made no secret of his interest in the Scotland striker and has
seemingly made him their top transfer target this month.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham face difficulty tempting Huddersfield to sell Rhodes
Lee Clark knows Jordan Rhodes is irreplaceable as Huddersfield challenge for
promotion
Ladbrokes.com

Sam Allardyce was quick to point to a lack of composure in front of goal for
West Ham's FA Cup exit at Sheffield Wednesday and this may make him even
more determined to sign Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield. Despite having four
recognised strikers at his disposal and sitting joint-top of the
Championship, Allardyce still feels the club need an out-and-out scorer to
ensure their Premier League return. West Ham have failed to score more than
once in their last seven games and on the whole have been dropping too many
points at home to be assured of promotion. But Rhodes is almost certainly
one striker who could improve their scoring troubles.
His latest effort of five goals in Huddersfield's rampant League One success
over Wycombe took his present haul to 23 goals in his last 14 club games and
this has understandably generated interest in his availability.

West Ham are at the front of the queue and they have reportedly already had
an offer of £4m turned down, but this bid is expected to be improved.
Huddersfield manager Lee Clark insists that his star asset is not for sale,
but is in a major quandary about what is the best decision to make. Rhodes
would be irreplaceable to Huddersfield regardless of the transfer sum
received, as it would be virtually impossible to find a replacement capable
of matching his scoring exploits who would be interested in a move to League
One. However, if a team were to offer £6m+ for Rhodes, this could enable
Clark to bring in six or more players who were enhance the quality of his
squad.

The one big dilemma is that Huddersfield are only in the play-off places
even with Rhodes' goals and so it would be even tougher to secure automatic
promotion without them, meaning that the end of the season would be Clark's
favoured time to sell. This price tag may seem extortionate for a player who
is unproven outside of League One, but other strikers in the past strong at
this level have continued to strike regularly in a higher division. Grant
Holt is perhaps the best example at Norwich, while Robert Earnshaw, Jason
Scotland and Rickie Lambert have also taken the Championship in their
stride.

If Allardyce can justify a hefty outlay on Rhodes and offer enough to ensure
Clark reluctantly accept the bid, West Ham's odds of 11/10 to win the
Championship could prove great value.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Make £4.5m Offer for Prolific Scottish Striker
Sportsvibe.co.uk

West Ham have reportedly increased their offer for Huddersfield striker
Jordan Rhodes to £4.5million after the talented youngster scored five goals
against Wycombe on Friday night. The Hammers have been watching the striker
in action for some time and have previously made an offer which was rejected
by the League One side. However, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is desperate to
land the former Ipswich Town striker and according to reports has lodged an
increased offer of £4.5million.

As well as the Championship side, Tottenham and Newcastle have also been
linked with the 21-year-old in recent weeks as he has managed a sensational
25 league goals in just 21 games. Allardyce has made no secret that he
would like to sign the Scotland international and has certainly placed him
top of his shopping list for the January transfer window. Huddersfield boss
Lee Clark recently encouraged speculation about the young striker as he
simply appears to get better and better each week. "Let them come because
Jordan is buzzing from the attention. While he hasn't yet played at the
level they have, his finishing is up there with the likes of Alan Shearer,
Andy Cole and Kevin Phillips. "And his general play is excellent. He is
bringing others into the game, he is holding the ball, he is twisting and
turning players and creating chances for others. "You look at the stats and
see he is very rarely caught offside, and that's an indication of how good
his movement is. "I noted the press talk last week, when his value seemed to
go up from £3m to £4m, but to be honest, that's peanuts."

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 9th January 2012

Big Sam on cup exit
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was left frustrated after West Ham were knocked out of the FA
Cup by Sheffield Wednesday
08.01.2012

Sam Allardyce believed West Ham United's lack of clinical edge cost them
their place in the FA Cup with Budweiser fourth round following defeat by
Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon. The home side secured their passage
and a trip to Blackpool in the next stage after edging a competitive
encounter by the game's only goal, which arrived in the 88th minute. West
Ham were on top for large periods of the match and Big Sam felt they should
have done better with a number of the chances they created, most notably a
saved Sam Baldock penalty four minutes after the interval. "We did
everything right apart from not finishing off the chances we created and not
scoring the penalty," the manager said. "Our failure to make the goalkeeper
make the saves is always the problem. If you hit the target, like they did,
our keeper makes a mistake and they score. Too many of our chances didn't
hit the target hence why we haven't scored again."

Baldock also saw a shot cannon back off the inside of the post, Frank Nouble
had a good chance late on and, most notably, Big Sam felt Freddie Sears
should have done better when well-placed inside the box in the first half.
"I didn't think there was a better chance than the header Freddie Sears had.
Freddie was three or four yards out and somehow managed to put it over the
bar. Yes Wednesday had some chances but we had the best one. "In between of
all that we've been great and a lot of the players have played really well
and taken control of a game that was a very difficult one. They didn't put
us under any sustained pressure; we were always in control of the game but
what disappoints me is that we're not in the draw for the next round or at
least taken them back to Upton Park to try and finish the job off."
The hosts had their chances too, however, with several clear cut
opportunities passed up before Chris O'Grady drilled home the game's decider
following a lengthy break in play to treat a nasty-looking injury to
Wednesday defender Julian Bennett, which resulted in eleven minutes of added
time at the end of the match. The Hammers appeared to have let their
concentration slip during the pause as the hosts scored a minute after the
restart with O'Grady's shot slipping under Ruud Boffin's body in goal.
Boffin was one of seven changes, with Robert Green joining the rested James
Tomkins and Papa Bouba Diop on the bench. "After a long delay and the
unfortunate injury to the Sheffield Wednesday player we must have just lost
our concentration at the back. It's really a nothing shot that the keeper
should have dealt with but unfortunately he didn't. There are no second
chances in the cup and we find ourselves out of the tie."

The Hammers were cheered on once more by an impressive following of 4,000
fans and the manager was frustrated his side, who saw Winston Reid give a
commanding display at the back, could not reward their backing with a win.
"I'm sure they're disappointed like I am that they're going home all that
way but it's not as if we've not been the best side here. We've dominated
the game and we've created the chances to win it but unfortunately we
haven't and we've got to look forward to next week and Portsmouth."

West Ham's thoughts will now return once more to their push for promotion
and the trip to the south coast next Saturday, when Julien Faubert, Mark
Noble, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole will all return to contention after also
being rested on Sunday. He will also have to decide whether to allow Dan
Potts and Rob Hall, who impressed again in a late cameo, to feature in the
FA Youth Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, when Brighton & Hove Albion
come to the Boleyn. The homegrown duo were part of an extremely young eleven
that finished Sunday's game with 18-year-old Brian Montenegro the latest
teenager to be given his chance by the manager as he made his debut as a
late substitute. In fact, with only skipper for the day George McCartney was
over 25.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ladies win after Blanchflower brace
WHUFC.com
The FA Women's Cup dream is still alive for the Hammers thanks in part to
Kelley Blanchflower's two goals
08.01.2012

Chichester City Ladies 0-3 West Ham United Ladies

West Ham United Ladies came safely through their FA Women's Cup second-round
tie against Chichester City of the London and South East Regional League.
A first-half strike from Kelley Blanchflower (pictured) eased the nerves on
Sunday and she went on to add a second after the interval. Becky Merritt
wrapped up a comfortable away win and ensured the Hammers were not victims
of a giantkilling on the south coast. The Hammers are next in action with a
County Cup quarter-final at Billericay Town on Sunday 15 January, before
they resume what looks like being a thrilling conclusion to their FA Women's
Premier League Southern Division campaign away to Queens Park Rangers on
Sunday 22 January. Julia Setford's team are four points adrift of leaders
Colchester United, who have finished their fixtures. It means four points
from the last two games would see West Ham overhaul Colchester, although
Portsmouth have three games to play and are just a point behind in third
place. The Southern Division champions will be promoted to the National
Division, the second tier of the English game below the FA Women's Super
League.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sheffield Wed 1 - 0 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 17:44 GMT, Sunday, 8 January 2012

Sheffield Wednesday striker Chris O'Grady dumped Premier League hopefuls
West Ham out of the FA Cup with a thumping late strike at Hillsborough.
O'Grady slammed past Hammers keeper Ruud Boffin from 12 yards with only
three minutes of normal time remaining. Gary Megson's side were also
indebted to goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, who saved Sam Baldock's second-half
penalty. Weaver also tipped a Baldock strike on to the post before O'Grady
put the League One side into round four. Both clubs have a rich history in
the competition having lifted the famous trophy on six occasions between
them, but there has been little for either set of fans to cheer in recent
years.

Wednesday have plummeted to the third tier and the Hammers are dealing with
life in the Championship - only six years after a penalty shoot-out defeat
by Liverpool in the 2006 final. With both sides sitting second in their
respective divisions, Megson and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce have admitted
that winning promotion is their main priority, though the Owls manager will
be proud of his team's display against the Championship high-fliers.
However, Allardyce will be left ruing Baldock's failure to convert from 12
yards before Weaver's fingertip save pushed the former MK Dons striker's
angled shot onto the woodwork. Having used the game to give run-outs to
several of his fringe players, Allardyce may not have been surprised to see
a lack of fluency from his much-changed team in the first half. And his side
should have been behind when Owls attacker Jermaine Johnson spurned a golden
opportunity for the hosts. The Jamaican did everything right as he cut
inside the West Ham defence but, as stand-in Hammers keeper Boffin went to
ground, he somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy. Wednesday
were enjoying particular success down the right flank with James Tavernier,
on loan from Newcastle, testing the credentials of West Ham's 17-year-old
left-back Dan Potts. Tavernier fashioned the first chance of the game when
he flashed a shot across Boffin's goal and then beat Potts, son of former
Hammers captain Steve, to whip in a right-wing cross which just evaded
O'Grady. But the much-changed visitors did have plenty of possession with
Jack Collison providing their impetus. The Wales midfielder broke forward to
create his team's best chance as Sears looped a three-yard header over
Weaver's goal shortly before the break.

The Hammers, who won only one of their five league games during December,
returned to form with a 1-0 win at Coventry last weekend. However, there was
a lack of cohesion from their makeshift side and they created little until
Winston Reid tumbled under the challenge of Reda Johnson in the Owls box
with referee Keith Stroud immediately pointing to the spot. Baldock, who has
failed to score in his last nine games, could not convert before O'Grady
lashed home when alone in the Hammers box. Wednesday defender Julian Bennett
had been stretchered off after a nasty-looking collision and it meant there
was 11 minutes of injury-time for West Ham to find a leveller. But the Owls
hung on as Megson won the battle of the former Bolton bosses.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Megson said: "We are all pleased when we get a
result and we all suffer as one when we don't. "This is a good afternoon for
us, but another game at Hillsborough when we don't lose. "We don't think so
much about the opposition, we just want to keep the run going for as long as
we can."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce added: "We did everything right apart from
not finishing our chances and making a basic error that cost us the tie.
"The changes we made weren't the problem. The problem was not finishing the
chances we had, the biggest one being the penalty."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The price of inexperience?
Kumb.COM
Filed: Sunday, 8th January 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's starting XI at Hillsborough this afternoon featured just ONE
player with more than 25 first team starts under their belt. Jack Collison,
with 57 appearances is the only one of Sam Allardyce's starting XI in
today's game - which West Ham evenually lost 1-0 to a late Chris O'Grady
goal - with more than 25 first team starts under his belt. Further, SIX
players had made less than ten starts before this afternoon's game - whilst
the remaining four have started between just 10 and 25 games in claret and
blue. Covenrsely, amongst those dropped Rob Green (217 first team
appearances), Carlton Cole (129), Mark Noble (170) and James Tomkins (92)
all have invaluable experience - yet not one was considered for today's
fixture, defeat in which meant that West Ham fell at the first hurdle in
both cup competitions for the first time since the 1998/99 season during
Harry Redknapp's tenure.

West Ham Utd v Sheffield Wednesday: first team starts

Jack Collison 57; Freddie Sears 25; Winston Reid 23; George McCartney 21
(current spell); Joey O'Brien 17; Sam Baldock 10; Gary O'Neil 9; Henri
Lansbury 7; Danny Potts 4; John Carew 9; Ruud Boffin 2.

Subs: Frank Nouble 6; Robert Hall 0; Brian Montenegro 0.

As bad as: 1998/99

Worthington Cup Second Round: Northampton 0-2 (a, First Leg), 1-0 (h, Second
Leg) - WHU lost 1-2 on aggregate.

FA Cup Third Round: Swansea (h) 1-1, Replay (a) 0-1.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Obstinate Owls foil Hammers
Last updated: 8th January 2012
SSN

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver's superb display and an 88th-minute winner from
Chris O'Grady saw Sheffield Wednesday beat West Ham 1-0 in the FA Cup.
O'Grady swung the balance in the Owls' favour in Sunday's third-round tie at
Hillsborough with a low drive drive from the side of the box that stand-in
West Ham goalkeeper Ruud Boffin should have done better with, but it was
veteran stopper Weaver who was the star of the show. The 32-year-old, once
touted as an England international during his early days with Manchester
City, produced a string of fine stops, including a stunning second-half
penalty save from Sam Baldock, to keep his side in the game. This was just
Weaver's third game back after missing four months with a knee injury, and
his performance was the only real stand-out on an afternoon when, until
O'Grady's goal, effort had failed to produce end product.

Before the late drama, Wednesday missed their two best chances through James
Tavernier and Jermaine Johnson, while Baldock was frustrated twice by the
brilliant Weaver for Sam Allardyce's injury-ravaged side, who can now focus
on their attempts to gain promotion back to the Premier League. Like
Wednesday, they are second in the league, and both teams displayed the sense
of freedom belonging to sides whose domestic position is secure. West Ham's
Henri Lansbury was the first to try and make something happen, bursting into
the box after six minutes and drilling low across the goal, with Weaver
smothering and then watching anxiously as the loose ball reared up and on to
the top of his crossbar.

Tavernier then ran on to O'Grady's flick-on, but seemed to panic when he got
a sight of goal, dragging his shot well wide of Boffin's goal. Baldock
flashed wide at the other end as both sides looked for an opening, before
the Owls' Jermaine Johnson wasted a golden opportunity with 20 minutes gone.
Julian Bennett's pass went straight between the two United centre-halves,
Winston Reid and George McCartney, and put the winger through. He took a
touch, turned the recovering McCartney and created a near open goal for
himself before somehow skewing wide. Despite the miss, Wednesday gained
confidence from it and should have scored for a second time when Danny Batth
ran on to a long Bennett throw and headed wide, but the Hammers remained
dangerous themselves and Freddie Sears nudged a Lansbury cross just over.
That effort signalled the start of some West Ham pressure which saw Jack
Collison test Weaver before the break, and Reid win a penalty after it. The
New Zealand international controlled a loose ball on the edge of the box
and, as he turned inside, was felled by Reda Johnson, leaving Keith Stroud
little alternative than to point to the spot.

Baldock stepped up and drilled the spot-kick low to the left corner, with
Weaver getting down to make a stunning two-handed save. Buoyed by their
let-off, Wednesday went on the front foot and Reid put his body in front of
a goal-bound drive from Chris Lines before, at the other end, Weaver and
Baldock resumed their personal duel as the former pushed the latter's
stinging 18-yard drive on to the post. Wednesday then saw Bennett taken off
on a stretcher after he collided with the woodwork. The delay led to 11
minutes of injury time, by which point O'Grady had scored. He raced on to
Clinton Morrison's pass, worked his way to the right of the area and fired a
drive under the body of Boffin who should have done better. And, despite the
lengthy extension to the game, West Ham could not summon a response, with
Frank Nouble lashing over with two minutes remaining.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham up their bid for Huddersfield hotshot Rhodes after Scot's five-star
show
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 8th January 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham are revising their bid for Huddersfield's in-demand striker Jordan
Rhodes. Sportsmail revealed that manager Sam Allardyce had offered £4million
for Rhodes, 21, last week, but Huddersfield insist he is not for sale,
particularly after his five-goal show against Wycombe attracted more
interest from Premier League clubs such as Everton. However, West Ham think
the player wants to join them and will offer £4.5m with more cash up front,
to further test Huddersfield's resolve.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sheffield Wednesday 1 West Ham 0: Penalty king Weaver rolls back the years
in Owls win
By JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 12:13 AM on 9th January 2012
Daily Mail

Spot-kick expert Nicky Weaver produced a stunning penalty save as Sheffield
Wednesday added a late entry to the list of FA Cup third-round upsets at a
vibrant Hillsborough. The goalkeeper, who made two penalty stops in
Manchester City's shootout win in the Second Division play-off final against
Gillingham in 1999, proved he has not lost his touch after Reda Johnson was
penalised for a 48th-minute challenge on Winston Reid. There was nothing
especially wrong with Sam Baldock's resulting kick — it was struck with
conviction and accuracy — but Weaver was equal to it with a flying save that
became all the more significant two minutes from time.

Wednesday defender Julian Bennett had just been taken off on a stretcher
when Chris O'Grady sprinted down the right and hit an angled drive that West
Ham goalkeeper Ruud Boffin allowed to slip under his dive. O'Grady hit it
crisply enough, but it still didn't look good for Boffin, as a disgruntled
Sam Allardyce confirmed afterwards. 'It was a nothing shot that the keeper
should have dealt with,' said the West Ham manager. 'That was it for us. No
second chance after that. We're out of the cup. 'We have put offers in for
six or seven players, but all have been unsuccessful. We will keep trying,
because it is a worry for me that we can keep creating chances and keep
missing them.' Allardyce added: 'Perhaps I shouldn't have been that
surprised by the penalty save. 'When Nicky was at City, I seem to remember
Joe Royle had the best clean-sheet record the club had ever had.'
Allardyce may have appeared downcast, but Wednesday manager Gary Megson
suggested his West Ham counterpart might not have been that put out at
seeing the deadlock broken. 'To be honest, the last thing either of us
wanted was a replay and I turned to Sam near the end and suggested tossing a
coin to see who should go through,' said the Wednesday manager. 'I'm glad
it's us, but it was a worry to see Julian stretchered off like that.'
Bennett's facial injury and the treatment he received led to a delay of
nearly 10 minutes. Megson said: 'He has gone to hospital to have a nasty
facial injury assessed and we'll know more later.' West Ham fans bucked the
trend of public apathy towards the Cup. In stark contrast to the rows of
empty seats at other grounds, around 3,500 supporters packed the away end.
They might not, however, have appreciated such a close-up view of what was
far and away the clearest chance of the first half, as O'Grady threaded an
inch-perfect ball through to Jermaine Johnson in the 19th minute.

An already stretched West Ham defence was suddenly bereft of cover, as
Johnson expertly sidestepped the challenge of Reid and set himself for a
one-on-one with Boffin. Ideally placed at barely eight yards out, there
should have been only one outcome, yet to the relief of the West Ham
contingent behind Boffin's goal, the Wednesday striker wastefully sidefooted
his shot wide. Baldock challenged Johnson for missed opportunity of the
match when he failed to score from the spot, although he could point to
extenuating circumstances, given the breathtaking reflexes with which Weaver
denied him. It was a brilliant stop by the 32-year-old goalkeeper and
Baldock must have realised his luck was out when Weaver's heroics frustrated
him again in the 70th minute. The West Ham striker could hardly have caught
the ball any more cleanly, but the ever-agile Weaver got his fingertips to
the shot and nudged the ball onto the post. With the fourth official
preparing to signal an additional 11 minutes, owing to the lengthy treatment
for Bennett, O'Grady made his decisive contribution to set up a fourth-round
meeting with Blackpool for Megson's rejuvenated side.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com