WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is not taking the challenge of Nottingham Forest's visit to
the Boleyn Ground lightly
19.01.2012
Sam Allardyce was in upbeat mood as he faced the media before Saturday's
npower Championship visit of Nottingham Forest. Not only do his side have
the incentive of moving into top spot of the npower Championship with a win
or draw from the match, but his squad is near to full fitness once again as
both Matt Taylor and Guy Demel both trained fully on Friday. Although the
duo will not be ready for action against Steve Cotterill's side, their
involvement in training has given the West Ham United manager a further
boost ahead of what he thinks could be a tricky game at the Boleyn Ground.
How important was the victory at Portsmouth on Saturday?
SA: It was important because it kept us in touch wtih Southampton. It
increased the points tally ahead of the two teams that slipped up below us
in Middlesbrough and Cardiff. That is then significant in terms of the
points total that is between us and third and the fact we have stayed on
level points with Southampton. Then the extra spur this week is that if we
win we can go top for the first time this season be it maybe only for a
short stay as Southampton play on Monday. Let's make sure we achieve that
goal and let's get those very valuable three points again here at Upton
Park.
You had a difficult time over Christmas. Do you feel that is behind you now?
SA: It is from an injury point of view. There are players still tentatively
coming back who are not quite at their 100 per cent game performance but
that will come over the next few weeks. I think, particularly when we run
into the back end of February and early March, the games are going to come
very quickly. That is when we will need the full value of the squad to come
to fruition and make sure we get as many points as we can.
How tough will Forest be? Will it be a battle?
SA: They are on a poor run of results. We know that I have been complaining
about our lack of goals but their lack of goals is far greater than ours at
the moment. I saw them on Tuesday night against Leicester in the cup and at
half-time it should have been 2-2 - they had two of the best chances in the
game and didn't convert them. Eventually they will convert them but we want
to make sure it is not against us and we keep them away from our goal as
much as possible and then try and expose them. They might have a little bit
of a lack of confidence and we have to try and take advantage. We cannot
take them for granted and we must be at our best as always to win any game
of football in the Championship.
The transfer window has been slow so far. Any updates?
SA: No, nothing in the offing at the moment as hard as we are trying at this
time and in previous weeks. We always seem to run into a dead end based on
many different factors of why we can't find the player we are looking for.
Either the player doesn't want to come or the club doesn't want to sell him
or the fee of the player is too high or the loan agreement is not quite what
they want. There are so many different reasons for not acquiring what we are
looking for, so it has been exceedingly more difficult than I expected it to
be.
Are you looking for another striker?
SA: The good thing for us is that we are the strongest we have been for
probably 12 weeks or so. Even today, even though not available for selection
on Saturday, Guy Demel and Matt Taylor trained fully with the first-team
squad for the first time in a while, particularly Guy. He has only made one
appearance in the first team at Middlesbrough and one short appearance at
Reading and we haven't seen a lot of his talent. The good thing is he has
not been asked to go to the African Nations Cup because of his injury
problems which means he can break in as quickly as possible.
Matt has suffered from various calf problems which wasn't the real problem -
that lay in another area of his body. We seem to have cured that now and he
will be back with us very shortly. We have a good strong squad and like I
have said for a few games, the only problem we have at the moment is putting
the ball in the back of the net. We have still won games in the last few
matches but it does concern me that when the chances are created, we are not
converting enough.
Have you made any big-money bids and are any deals closer?
SA: At this moment in time, no. I think that as a football club the
Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold cannot do any more than they
have done to help us with another player in that department. We can't pay
silly money and we are already bidding the sort of money that is extremely
high for the division we are in. I have obviously great faith that we will
keep trying and get someone by the end of this window. We are doing our very
best, none more so than our Joint-Chairmen.
Even though we haven't pulled one off yet, I can only thank them for how
hard they have tried and how well they have backed it.
You have bought in George John and Joe Dixon in the past week. What are your
thoughts about them?
SA: Joe is one who has not been involved in too much football recently so
that is for way down the line and more the future than now. George is
obviously to make sure we don't suffer any more of the defensive problems we
had in November and December. We were playing a 17-year-old at left-back, a
left-back at centre-half and a centre-midfiled player at right back in one
game. It is to cover that side of our squad.
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Reid resolute for Hammers
WHUFC.com
New Zealand defender Winston Reid has settled into the Hammers side this
season
19.01.2012
Winston Reid is proving a handful at both ends of the pitch for West Ham
United. The likeable New Zealand defender has put his body on the line for
the Hammers this season and, going forward, has proved his worth by winning
two penalties in the last two matches. Reid has forged an impressive
partnership with James Tomkins, and the duo have helped the team to two
successive 1-0 wins in the npower Championship in 2012. They were also the
partnership back on 28 August when Reid scored his first goal of the season
in a 4-1 win away to Nottingham Forest. It is to be hoped he can come up
with a similar contribution for this Saturday's return at the Boleyn Ground.
Last weekend against Portsmouth, Reid was bundled over in the box by former
Hammers defender Tal Ben Haim to earn the spot-kick duly converted by Mark
Noble. He then helped the team weather the Pompey storm as they pushed for
an equaliser that never came at Fratton Park. "It was very important [to win
at Portsmouth]," he told West Ham TV. "Obviously it is a hard place to come.
They have a good home record so it was good to get the three points and a
clean sheet as well."
Of the penalty decision, he was certain it was the correct call. "I think we
played it into Nobby [Kevin Nolan] and he flicked it on. I was trying to
hold him off really. I felt I got out of balance and he pulled me over and
it was a penalty. "There were no complaints. The ref was in a good position
and everyone that could see it thought it was a penalty."
Having also been fouled for a penalty at Hillsborough in the FA Cup tie at
Sheffield Wednesday, Reid is certainly making his presence known in the
opposing area this season. However, he was modest when asked about his
forceful contribution. "I don't know, it is just a bit of luck. Tonks is
good in the air too and when Abdoulaye [Faye] is playing he is good as well.
"
What has been notable is the way Reid has thrown himself into action since
his return on New Year's Eve after two months out with a shoulder injury. He
admitted it had the potential to cause him a more serious problem.
"Obviously with the shoulder it was always going to be complicated because
if I didn't get it right this time and if it had popped out again I might
have had to have an operation and be out for six or seven months. "We took
our time with it. I have come through it pretty OK and my shoulder feels all
right. There is still some jittery moments but you have to get your head
around it and it is getting better."
Getting better is something that could be applied to Reid in summary of his
season so far, with the centre-back, still only 22, having settled down to
London life after a tough first campaign in 2010/11. Close attention from
Sam Allardyce has brought out the best in him. "Obviously when you get some
trust from the manager it is nice. My first season over here was difficult
but things are going better for me personally now. I am really happy and I
will keep looking forward to the rest of the season.
"It is not going to be easy but we have faith in our squad, the players we
have got and our strengths. So hopefully we can get promotion."
Key to that will be defensive strength and Reid is quick to praise the No1
who is helping keep things tight behind him - namely Robert Green. "That's
what you need at the back, you need a good keeper to save you. Greeny is
fantastic keeper and has done a great job throughout the whole season. We
are very fortunate to have him."
Competition for places will keep everyone on their toes and the Kiwi is not
worried that Big Sam has recently recruited 24-year-old George John from FC
Dallas to challenge his defenders. "It is always good to have a stronger
squad for competition. We have been a bit unlucky with injuries at the back
and had to rotate a little bit more than we probably wanted to. It is good
for the squad all round to have competition. I am sure George is going to be
a good player."
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Saints knockout Hammers interest
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have had a bid for Southampton winger Jason Puncheon rejected,
according to reports. SSN report this lunchtime that West Ham approached
their Championship rivals with view to taking the 25-year0old on loan for
the remainder of the season. However it is reported that the Saints flatly
rejected United's offer - unsurprisingly perhaps given that the two clubs
are vying for promotion. The Croydon-born Puncheon began his career with MK
Dons before joining Barnet on a free in 2006. After two years at Underhill
he joined Plymouth in a £250,000 deal, but made just five league starts for
the Pilgrims during his two years on their books.
Puncheon spent much of those two seasons on loan at MK Dons, the club with
whom he started his career. Having impressed at Stadium mk during that time,
Southampton snapped the winger up on a free in 2010. Like at Plymouth,
Puncheon started well but within nine months he had been loaned to Millwall.
Further spells followed with Blackpool and QPR - with whom he was on loan
for the first half of this season, making just two substitute appearances.
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Hammers in Pole position?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Ruch Chorzów striker Maciej
Jankowski. According to a report by gwizdek24.pl, West Ham have invited the
22-year-old forward to England for a trial. Jankowski is currently contacted
to Niebiescy, who have won the Polish championship on 14 occasions, until
2013. The number 7 has been an ever present for his club side this season,
having joined them from KS Piaseczno in 2010. He made his first appearance
for the Polish national team earlier this year. Rated at around £2million,
Jankowski is said to be interesting a number of Western European clubs. He
has scored six goals from his 16 appearances this season.
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Hammers fail with Puncheon bid
Southampton reject loan approach as interest mounts
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
January 19, 2012 12:54pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands that Southampton have turned down a loan bid from
Championship rivals West Ham United for Jason Puncheon. It is also
understood that Puncheon is wanted by two more of the Championship's
promotion contenders in the shape of Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace. Two
of the midfielder's former clubs Millwall and Blackpool are also keen as the
interest mounts. Puncheon began the year on loan at Queens Park Rangers, but
he has now returned to Southampton. And as he is not involved with their
first-team, he is anxiously looking to seal a move away from St Mary's.
Southampton are being inundated with requests, and they have rebuffed an
offer from West Ham to take him on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Boro and Palace are also monitoring the situation, while Blackpool have seen
a cash offer rejected, with Southampton wanting in excess of £1million for
the 25-year-old.
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West Ham players plan T-shirt tribute for sick starlet Tombides
By NEIL ASHTON
Last updated at 11:14 PM on 19th January 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham players will wear T-shirts in support of academy star Dylan
Tombides on Staurday after he was told he needs an operation to remove
cancerous tumours.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce approved the players' request to warm up in
specially designed T-shirts as a tribute to the young Australian before the
home Championship match with Nottingham Forest. Skipper Kevin Nolan, along
with senior players including Carlton Cole, made the request earlier this
week. The striker, who came through the ranks at West Ham, will have an
operation to remove cancerous cells in his lymph glands next week. Tombides,
who signed his first professional contract at Upton Park last summer, was
originally diagnosed with testicular cancer during the Under 17 World Cup in
June and has since been having chemotherapy. He had been making progress and
hoped to return to training towards the end of last year. But he suffered a
setback just before Christmas and requires the operation urgently. Tombides,
whose brother is also in the Hammers academy, has been treated at St
Bartholomew's Hospital in London throughout his ordeal. He is still
determined to fight back and his team-mates, along with Allardyce and club
officials, have been fully supportive in his battle.
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