WHUFC.com
An FA Cup tie in which Geoff Hurst and Clyde Best were on target is the
focus today
15.01.2012
Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Luton Town
FA Cup third round
15 January 1972
West Ham United progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win
over Luton Town in this tense encounter. 32,099 were in the Boleyn Ground as
Trevor Brooking set up Geoff Hurst to put the Hammers in front after just 91
seconds. Clyde Best made it two 23 minutes later as the home side looked as
thought they would cruise to victory. However, Don Givens got one back for
the Hatters eight minutes after the break to set up a gripping finale. Geoff
Hurst had a penalty saved while Bobby Ferguson had to be at his best to deny
the visitors late on as United held on to go through. West Ham United would
go on to knock Hereford United out in the next round with Geoff Hurst
getting a hat-trick in a 3-1 replay win, before coming unstuck at
Huddersfield Town in the fifth round.
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A blessing in disguise?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 15th January 2012
By: James May
Last Sunday afternoon saw West Ham's first and final FA Cup appearance of
the season as Chris O'Grady's late winner for Sheffield Wednesday sent us
crashing out of a tournament that never really begun for Big Sam's men.
On another day we could have been enjoying that fourth round draw on Sunday
evening, but for a Sam Baldock missed penalty and a gilt-edged Frank Nouble
miss late on, instead we depressingly looked on wondering what could have
awaited us in the next round.
After their late winner and the subsequent full time whistle, I was gutted,
arguably more so than if we had lost it late in a Championship game. The FA
Cup is such an historic trophy where heroes are made and fairytales written.
The prestigious trophy has given me my best memories in football.
The first ever away game I attended, aged 11, was that memorable Sunday in
2001 when Paolo Di Canio entered legendary status with the Hammers faithful
as he poked it past the waving Fabien Barthez to knock Man United out of the
Cup and send the claret and blue into delirium. To this day, that afternoon
at Old Trafford remains my greatest moment as a football fan.
Then there was the Cup run in 2006, where, but for one Scouse midfielder in
the dying seconds, Pardew and the boys would have lifted the famous trophy
for the fourth time in our history. It wasn't to be but the win at Norwich
that started it all, Harewood's cracking winner against Boro in the semis at
Villa Park, the whole occasion in Cardiff, to be part of one of the greatest
FA Cup finals to ever be played, it was a time that I and I'm sure all other
Irons will never forget.
It is these unforgettable moments that make the FA Cup magical and what
makes fans so passionate about it. The giant killings, the anticipated
draws, the dream of a Wembley final; the competition has it all. We want to
experience these incredible moments again and again but sadly there will be
none for us in 2012.
It was always going to be a tough game. Big Sam understandably gave a few
big names such as Carlton Cole, Rob Green and Kevin Nolan the day off. In
addition, Wednesday have been flying in League One recently and themselves
look very well set for promotion back to the Championship this season.
The game itself was not a cracker by any means but as mentioned, if Baldock
put away the penalty, it would have been a tough ask for the Owls to come
back. At very least I think we would have been looking at a replay. However
that penalty didn't go in and it's now all in the past unfortunately and
something we must not dwell on.
On a positive note, it was good to see the likes of Baldock, Gary O'Neill
and Henri Lansbury all get good game time as they get their full match
fitness back after long layoffs.
As good as a cup run is, now we are out, all eggs can be put in the
Championship basket and it's certainly still all to play for as far as
promotion goes. At the end of the day, becoming a Premier League team come
May is the absolute priority. Last year you couldn't help but feel our
superb run to the Carling Cup semi-final, as brilliant as it was, impacted
negatively on our already below average league performances.
Who knows what League we would have been playing in this season if say we
would have lost at Sunderland in the third round of the League Cup last
year?
This month Big Sam can, and I'm sure he will, strengthen all departments of
the squad and hopefully establish a consistent first team to aid our
promotion push. If come May, we sit nicely at the top of the Championship
tree I doubt any Hammer will even remember that disappointing January
afternoon at Hillsborough.
Plus, there is still one point of interest in the cup of course, that of Mr
Di Canio and his Swindon side. Let's hope the great man can add more magical
FA Cup moments to his impressive CV this year.
I think a cup run would have always been viewed upon as a nice bonus but
never a priority. Who knows how much of a distraction it could have been had
we got through a couple more rounds. Realistically speaking, we were never
going to win the FA Cup this year and in the long run, and in terms of
promotion, I think we would prefer to be knocked out in the third round,
then say the quarter finals.
Sadly this season there will be no memorable cup run, no Di Canio-esque
winners at Old Trafford or Anfield, no Wembley visits - but there is always
next year. And we have a Championship title to win.
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West Ham decide against Maeda
Hammers won't sign Asian ace
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
January 15, 2012 10:05am
SSN
West Ham United have decided against signing Japan international Ryoichi
Maeda after an unsuccessful trial at the club. The Jubilo Iwata forward
received an invitation in early December to train with the Championship
outfit, and has spent the last three days under the watchful eye of Hammers
boss Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff. According to Iwata club president
Hiroyuki Yoshino, Maeda will be returning to the J-League side as soon as
possible. "We understand they were unable to agree terms," he told Reuters.
Maeda, who scored 14 goals in 28 league appearances last season, will be
disappointed that he may not get another opportunity to play abroad. "At my
age, this is likely my last chance to play overseas and I want to do
everything possible to make it happen," the 30 year-old was quoted as saying
earlier in the week.
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All You Ever Wanted to Know About George John
January 15th, 2012 - 10:08 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Earlier this week I received an email from FC Dallas blogger Steve Fenn. He
offered to answer questions from me about Hammer new loan signing George
John…
Why is George John so highly regarded?
When you watch him play, his most obvious advantage is strength in the air.
George is very good at dealing with opposing crosses, but he's also a
legitimate threat on his team's set pieces. To me, though, his consistency
is even more important. He has very good positioning (rarely will he be the
one to screw up an offsides trap), and usually frustrates the opposition
forwards quite effectively. This gets reflected in the
Opta-statistic-powered MLS Castrol Index where he ranked 8th best-performing
player in the entire league last year. Say what you like about the relevance
of advanced statistics in football, but I think this metric tends to reward
players that consistently do all the little things well. That's George John.
What kind of defender is he? A clogger or a Rio Ferdinand type who likes to
bring the ball out of defence?
He's comfortable playing balls out the back, but he's rarely on the
offensive end outside of set pieces. That may be more about a coaching
decision than his abilities, since he was a very successful defensive
midfielder in college, and seems quite comfortable with the ball at his
feet. I should also note that pace is not his strong suit, though a
combination of his positioning and pairing with some very fast defenders in
Dallas have helped mask the issue.
He's 24, but only played 72 games and hasnt ever played for the US national
team. Is he really the real deal?
Keep in mind that over here most athletes go to university before turning
professional. Teenage professionals have been the exception rather than the
rule. Brad Friedel, Stuart Holden, Jay DeMerit, and Carlos Bocanegra all
played at university before going pro. The University of Washington paid
John's tuition to play at a level comparable to the lower divisions in the
US. In his college career he started 56 games and was subbed into 9 more,
and wore the captain's armband a lot of games in his junior and senior
years. He earned his degree in business administration before he came to
MLS. Starting at 22, 72 professional games before turning 24 isn't so bad,
though he did have some injury issues in his rookie year. As for the
national team, he has attended 2 camps, and was invited to train with Greece
once, too. A small injury derailed his one camp under Bob Bradley, and he
was pulled from training for friendlies this month to travel to West Ham. In
the last couple years, quite a few fans and journalists have pleaded for
Bradley and Klinsmann to give him a chance.
Overall, I'll be pleasantly surprised if he dramatically climbs the ranks of
English football, but would be shocked if he is out of his depth in the
Championship. I hope he gets the chance to test himself in the EPL next
season. I wish he could stay in Dallas, but he's in the last year of his
contract, and the economics of our leagues dictate that your favorite club
can pay him much more than mine can. Also, keep in mind that he's in
offseason form and fitness right now (FC Dallas' season ended in October).
Hopefully Allardyce has the sense to bring him along slowly for a couple
weeks.
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Portsmouth 0 West Ham 1
By JUSTIN ALLEN
Published: Today
The Sun
MARK NOBLE wants to star in another West Ham blockbuster — The Great Escape
II. The boyhood Hammers fan was a key cast member as the East Londoners won
seven of their last nine games to cheat the Premier League trapdoor six
years ago. But this time he wants to share top billing and help West Ham
escape the depression of Championship football. And Noble, 25, is following
in the footsteps of Hammers penalty-kick legends Ray Stewart and Julian
Dicks by being West Ham's go-to man from the spot. He converted his fourth
kick from 12 yards this season to keep his team joint-top with Southampton
and inflict Pompey's first home defeat since September. The midfielder said:
"I've been in West Ham teams that have won at the Emirates and Old Trafford
and was involved in that Great Escape. Times like that are fantastic. "Now I
always take the penalties. It is a great chance to get on the scoresheet and
win the game for your team. "We've said from day one we want to win this
league and automatic promotion."
Noble was linked with a move away in the summer but quitting Upton Park
never entered his mind. He revealed: "The chairman, manager and staff said
to me I was an important part of their plans this season. "And with the
players they have brought in, like Kevin Nolan, you can see the club are
serious." One player who topped the bill at Fratton Park was Kiwi defender
Winston Reid. He was fouled by Tal Ben Haim for West Ham's 24th-minute
penalty and was then hacked down by David Norris in the second half, which
saw the Pompey midfielder sent off. Reid, 23, said: "The penalty was
clear-cut — Tal wasn't complaining afterwards. He tugged me and I lost my
balance. "For the red card, I didn't see the challenge but there's a bruise
on my ankle now."
Whereas West Ham are right on course for a quickfire return to the bigtime,
Pompey's prospects do not look good. It has emerged that Sicilian
businessman Joseph Cala, in pole position to takeover the club, appears to
be a deluded daydreamer. Last season, he took over Italian Serie B club
Salernitana and claimed he would clear their debts by floating the club on
the stock exchange – the same plan he has for Pompey. He also promised
top-flight football and a 24-hour television channel. But he was forced to
hand the club back to the previous owner after 11 DAYS because he failed to
pay him the agreed £850,000. He also had a wild idea to build an under-water
resort with hotels and casinos but abandoned that after realising it was too
expensive. Boss Michael Appleton said: "I've been hearing for a while the
takeover is around the corner – so I'm getting bored talking about it."
Defender Jason Pearce is just grateful the players are still getting paid
but hopes the club's future is sorted out so the Football League can lift
their transfer embargo on the club. He said: "We have to read about
everything in the papers — nothing comes out of the club. "The off-field
problems don't effect what we do out on the park – but we want it sorted.
Thankfully, we're all getting paid but we do need to move things forward.
With a transfer embargo, we're stuck with what we've got."
SUN STAR MAN
PAPA BOUBA DIOP (West Ham). 'The Wardrobe' was stylish in midfield.
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Portsmouth 0-1 West Ham: Daily Mirror match report
Published 21:32 15/01/12 By Daniel Cutts
The Mirror
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble fears manager Sam Allardyce will leave if the
Hammers do not get promoted this season. The former England Under-21
international scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. And
Noble, whose four goals this season have all come from penalties, believes
the club will have to beg Allardyce to stay if he does not get West Ham back
into the top-flight. Noble said: "It is the manager's aim to get promoted. I
think he will tell you if he does not get us into the Premier League he is
not going to want to stay here in the Championship. "He is not going to want
to manage in the Championship because he has managed in the Premier League
most of his life. "It is important we all stick together as a club and get
promoted for everyone's sake. "We have come through a tough period as a team
and squad and we just need to keep working hard and chipping the points
away."
Noble is taking inspiration from West Ham's 'Great Escape' side of 2007 when
they stayed up on the last day of the season. He added: "I have been to the
Emirates and Old Trafford and won there and it is a great feeling. I have
been lucky enough to get promoted with West Ham from the Championship
before. "I was also involved in the Great Escape and times like that are
fantastic. The fans were incredible, as they have been in every away game
this year."
West Ham grabbed the three-points in the 24th-minute when Tal Ben Haim
pulled down Winston Reid in the area and Noble tucked away the penalty.
Pompey midfielder David Norris was sent off on 56 minutes after a rash
tackle from behind on Reid. The home side pushed for a late equaliser but
captain Liam Lawrence could only hit his 20-yard free kick into the wall.
Portsmouth defender Jason Pearce insists the club's off-field money problems
do not affect him because he has seen it all before. Pearce, who was at
Bournemouth when they went into administration, said: "I've been there
before. It brings the squad closer together. "In the back of your mind you
want it sorted out, people need to get paid. At the moment we are being
paid, but you want to move forward. "We are stuck with what we've got and
cannot bring people in. People are saying things are going to happen in the
next week, which would allow us to bring players in. "The gaffer has been
superb. He has kept everyone at it and been brilliant. Hopefully, for his
sake, our sakes, and the fans, we all want it sorted out."
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce confident his injury-hit side are back on
track after beating Portsmouith
By Thore Haugstad10:00PM GMT 15 Jan 2012
Telegraph.co.uk
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham have finally overcome their mid-season slump
and is "very confident" about their prospects as his injured players near
recovery.
The east London outfit endured a dreadful December in which a stream of
injuries and suspensions left them trailing leaders Southampton, with only
four points collected in five league games. However, Saturday's win over
10-man Portsmouth – sealed through a Mark Noble penalty – secured their
first back-to-back victories since November and left a four-point gap
between themselves and third-placed Cardiff. With several first-team players
returning and the January window still open, Allardyce feels his side's
promotion campaign can now gather pace. "I'm very confident because Matt
Taylor and Guy Demel are close to getting back and we're still looking for
at least one player in the transfer window," said the West Ham manager, who
last week welcomed the loan signing of defender George John from Dallas FC.
"We've got George John from America as well and Gary O'Neil is back, having
been out all season. Our squad in terms of strength and depth now, having
been tested to the limit in December, is looking very strong again and that
showed in the performance [against Portsmouth]." The victory owed much to
their excellent defending, although wasteful finishing kept Portsmouth in
the game. They had late chances to equalise even though David Norris
received a second-half red card. Although Allardyce is still hunting a new
striker, his optimism remains undimmed.
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£5.2m transport makeover for Upton Park and Forest Gate
London 24
Melissa York, Reporter
Sunday, January 15, 2012
2:19 PM
Upton Park and Forest Gate are to receive an upgrade of over £5.2 million to
improve congestion on the roads. Green Street has been allocated £330,000 to
remove a roundabout and zebra crossings to make way for traffic signals and
a puffin crossing to improve journey times and safety. Footways will also be
resurfaced, street clutter will be removed and trees will be introduced
where possible. Forest Gate Town Centre is also set for a makeover to the
tune of £275,000 to help reduce traffic and improve road, cycling and
walking safety and signage while removing old street furniture and planting
new trees. The last project, worth £20,000, will be a borough-wide project
to roll out electric vehicle charging points. Mayor of London Boris Johnson
said: "London is undergoing a neo-Victorian level of investment in its
transport network. "Every London borough is receiving money that will
directly benefit communities, making London an even better place to live and
work. "We've also cut bureaucracy to make it easier for the boroughs to
decide how they want to spend their funding." The funding has been allocated
by Transport for London through the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) for the
borough to spend on projects of its choosing that support the Mayor's
Transport Strategy for safer roads, smoother traffic flow, better cycling
facilities and the rejuvenation of town centres. A notable project his year
has also been the £1.3 million revitalisation of East Ham Town Centre to
provide better lighting, wider pavements and CCTV cameras. John Biggs, City
and East London Assembly Member, said: "I welcome the £330,000 to improve
journey times and safety for all users along Green Street. "This is one of
the busiest shopping streets in east London and improving both travel and
the safety of pedestrians will be very welcome."
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Big Sam: Hammers need more strike options
2:11pm Sunday 15th January 2012 in Sport
Daily Echo
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign another striker during the
January transfer window because he feels his side are not clinical enough -
despite seeing them beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park. Midfielder Mark
Noble scored the only goal of the game from the spot to keep up the Hammer's
pursuit of Championship table-toppers Saints And Allardyce admits he is
going to have to sign another forward after watching his side score just one
in a dominant performance at Fratton Park. They were even unable to double
their lead after the sending off of David Norris and Allardyce – who was
keen to sign Huddersfield hot-shot Jordan Rhodes until giving up his pursuit
a few days ago - said: "Even with all the chances we created we have only
won the game by a penalty so it was very important it was put away. "I am
looking for another striker because from the chances we created we have not
been clinical enough and that has been a problem. "The good thing is we have
one of the best defensive records in the league and that is a positive for
us and means we will always be up where we want to be. "Apart from the last
10 minutes of the first half we were solid defensively. We took control of a
game against a side who are brilliant at home. "We could have won more
convincingly after the sending off. We are delighted with the performance
and the result."
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West Ham decline to sign Japan striker Maeda after unsuccessful trial
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:25 PM on 15th January 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have decided against signing Japan international Ryoichi Maeda
after the Jubilo Iwata striker underwent a short trial at the club's
Chadwell Heath training ground. Maeda headed to London after being invited
for a trial in December and spent three days being watched by Hammers boss
Sam Allardyce and his team. But the promotion-chasing east Londoners have
decided against signing him up and have allowed him to return to his parent
club. Iwata club president Hiroyuki Yoshino said: 'We understand they were
unable to agree terms.' However, Maeda - who scored 14 goals in 28 league
appearances last season - had high hoes this would be his chance of playing
abroad. Before his trial, he said: 'At my age, this is likely my last chance
to play overseas and I want to do everything possible to make it happen.'
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