WHUFC.com
Important information and team news ahead of Saturday's npower Championship
fixture
03.02.2012
WEST HAM UNITED v MILLWALL
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2012
KICK-OFF: 12.30PM
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Joint statement from West Ham United and Millwall FC
West Ham United and Millwall would like to update supporters who are
planning to attend the West Ham United versus Millwall match at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday 4 February. Both football clubs have been working closely
with the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police since August
to ensure fans of all ages enjoy an excellent afternoon of football. The
game between the two sides in 2009 was a testing occasion for all concerned
and many of the lessons learnt from that night have already been
implemented. When the two teams met at The Den in September 2011 fans from
both sides supported their teams in exactly the right way; with passion and
noise but with respect for those around them. That helped to create an
electric atmosphere inside and outside of the stadium where the football was
the main talking point afterwards. It is hoped that fans attending the
return game at the Boleyn Ground will continue this positive attitude. To
help deliver a safe game for all there will be a complete alcohol ban in the
stadium and in all surrounding pubs and off-licenses. This ban complements
the existing Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) already in place across
the borough of Newham. While it is hoped and expected that fans will behave
in a respectful manner both inside the stadium and in the surrounding areas,
there will be a zero tolerance policy towards anybody who attempts to cause
disruption. There will be a large and noticeable police presence on the day
to ensure the safety of supporters and they will also deal with any
inappropriate behaviour quickly and robustly. Anybody causing a disturbance
can expect a lifetime ban from both clubs and possible prosecution.
Introduction
• West Ham United go into Saturday's London derby with Millwall top of the
npower Championship table, on 53 points from 28 matches played. The Hammers
have won their previous three home league matches, defeating Barnsley (1-0),
Coventry City (1-0) and Nottingham Forest (2-1).
• Millwall go into Saturday's fixture sitting 21st in the npower
Championship table, having collected 29 points from 28 matches. The Lions
have won just one of their previous five league matches, but that victory
did come in their previous away match at Barnsley (3-1) on 21 January.
• West Ham United have not won any of the previous seven league meetings
between the clubs, all of which have come in the Championship. However, the
Hammers did taste victory in the most-recent fixture at home to their
near-neighbours, scoring a 3-1 League Cup second-round victory at the Boleyn
Ground on 25 August 2009.
• The Hammers' most-recent league victory over Millwall took place on 24
February 1991 with a 3-1 win at home in the old Division Two. Frank
McAvennie scored twice.
• Millwall have never won at the Boleyn Ground in the Football League.
However, the Lions did score a 1-0 Southern League First Division success in
the club's first-ever meeting at the Memorial Grounds on 2 January 1904.
Us and Them
• The first-ever meeting between the two clubs at the Boleyn Ground took
place on 1 September 1904 and ended in a 3-0 Southern League First Division
success for West Ham United. Billy Bridgeman netted twice and Jack Flynn
once in front of a 10,000-strong crowd.
• The Hammers' most-recent league victory over Millwall took place on 24
February 1991 with a 3-1 win at home in the old Division Two. Frank
McAvennie scored twice.
• Millwall's only victory at the Boleyn Ground since the two clubs joined
the Football League came in the shape of a 2-1 Full Members Cup first-round
win on 10 November 1987. Alan Dickens was on target for the Hammers in front
of a crowd of just 11,337.
• West Ham United have beaten Millwall by a three-goal margin on four
occasions since the two clubs joined the Football League. The Hammers beat
the Lions 4-1 in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at the Boleyn Ground on 15
February 1930, with Vic Watson scoring twice. West Ham also scored 3-0
victories in Division Two on 17 September 1932 and 7 October 1978 and in
Division One on 22 April 1989.
• The largest crowd to witness a West Ham United versus Millwall fixture was
the 41,300 who turned out to watch the clubs play out a goalless Division
Two draw on 27 December 1938.
• Millwall's Irish goalkeeper David Forde spent two years at West Ham
between 2002 and 2004 but never featured in the first team. He moved to
Millwall in 2008.
• West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce spent two seasons with Millwall as a
player between 1981 and 1983, scoring twice in 63 league appearances.
• Billy Bonds and Pat Holland have both formed part of the Lions' management
in recent years.
• The following players wore the colours of both West Ham United and
Milwall: Clive Allen, Paul Allen, Charlie Ambler, Joe Blythe, John Burke,
Dennis Burnett, Albert Carnelly, Tony Cottee, Harry Cripps, Brian Dear,
Charlie Dove, Benny Fenton, John Hamilton, Joseph Hart, Tommy Inns, Jimmy
Jinks, Jack Landells, Dave Mangnall, Tommy Moore, Frank Neary, Lucas Neill,
Harry Obeney, Anton Otulakowski, Graham Paddon, Joe Payne, John Payne,
Harold Pearson, Teddy Sheringham, Frederick Shreeve, James Smith, Jim
Standen, HS Sunderland and Mauricio Taricco.
• Thirty players have made their West Ham United debuts against Millwall, 21
of them during the clubs' time as Southern League rivals - Tommy Moore and
Robert Allan (September 1900), William Jenkinson (October 1901), Charles
Cotton, Ernest Watts, William Kirby, Herbert Lyon, William Ingham and
Charles Satterthwaite (all September 1903), Frederick Mercer (January 1904),
Matthew Kingsley, Tommy Bamlett, Dave Gardner, Frank Piercy, John Russell,
William McCartney, Jack Fletcher, Charles Simmons and Jack Flynn (all
September 1904), Joseph Hughes (November 1911), Arthur Stallard (April
1914), George Proudlock (March 1939), Derek Parker (September 1946), Tommy
Moroney (September 1947), Harry Cripps and Ron Boyce (October 1959), Pavel
Srnicek (March 2004), Mauricio Taricco and Darren Powell (November 2004) and
Sam Baldock (September 2011).
• West Ham United new boy Nicky Maynard has scored three goals in two league
matches for Bristol City against Millwall this season. The striker netted
both goals in a 2-1 victory at The Den on 20 November 2011 and a 1-0 win at
Ashton Gate on 3 January 2012.
• Sam Baldock scored twice in a 4-0 League One victory for MK Dons at
Millwall on 4 October 2008.
• Henri Lansbury scored a 90th-minute winner for Norwich City in their 2-1
Championship victory over Millwall at Carrow Road on 1 February 2011.
Team news
West Ham United
• Sam Allardyce could hand debuts to deadline day signings Nicky Maynard,
Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison.
• Mark Noble is hoping to be fit after requiring stitches in a mouth injury
suffered at Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening.
• Guy Demel will also hope to be involved after returning to action after
six weeks out with a thigh injury suffered at Reading on 10 December 2011.
• Papa Bouba Diop is set to miss a second consecutive match with a hamstring
injury.
• DR Congo left-back Herita Ilunga and Academy graduates Matt Fry, Sergio
Sanchez, Jordan Brown and Ahmed Abdulla have been released by mutual
consent, while Peter Kurucz, Paul McCallum (both Rochdale), Cristian Montano
(Dagenham and Redbridge), George Moncur (AFC Wimbledon), Jordan Spence
(Bristol City) and Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza) are out on loan.
Millwall
• Millwall could hand a debut to Republic of Ireland forward Andy Keogh, who
joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers on deadline day.
• Defenders Paul Robinson and Jordan Stewart have returned to training this
week and could be involved, while goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall faces a race
against time to be fit after having an injection in his ankle.
• Winger Hamer Bouazza will not recover from a groin injury in time to
feature on Saturday, while long-term absentees Therry Racon (ankle) and
Tamika Mkandawire (knee) are definitely out.
• Striker Josh McQuoid has joined Burnley on loan until the end of the
season.
Last time out
Tuesday 31 January 2012
npower Championship
Ipswich Town 5-1 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Faubert, McCartney, Reid, Tomkins, Lansbury, Noble
(Baldock 46), Nolan, Collison, Taylor (Hall 69), Cole (Nouble 69)
Subs not used: Faye, O'Neil
Goals: Collison 45
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Millwall 0-2 Watford
Millwall: Forde, Smith, Craig, Barron, Ward, Trotter, Abdou, Feeney, Mason
(Marquis 57), Henderson, Kane (Hackett 57)
Subs not used: Allsopp, Wright, Lowry
Goals: None
Previous meetings
• The most-recent meeting between the two clubs ended in a 0-0 npower
Championship draw at The Den on 17 September 2011.
West Ham United: Green, Faye, O'Brien, Faubert, Tomkins (Reid 30),
McCartney, Noble, Taylor (Bentley 59), Lansbury (Baldock 74), Nolan, Cole
Subs: Boffin, Carew
Millwall: Forde, Robinson, Mkandawire (N'Guessan 87), Ward, Stewart, Dunne,
Bouazza (Simpson 64), Trotter, Abdou, Feeney (Henry 64), Marquis
Subs: Mildenhall, Smith
• This will be the 26th meeting between the two clubs. West Ham United have
nine wins, with eleven draws and five victories for Milwall.
Head to head
(Last six meetings - Championship unless stated))
17 September 2011 - Millwall 0-0 West Ham United
25 August 2009 - West Ham United 3-1 Millwall AET (Carling Cup second round)
16 April 2005 - West Ham United 1-1 Millwall
21 November 2004 - Millwall 1-0 West Ham United
21 March 2004 - Millwall 4-1 West Ham United
28 September 2003 - West Ham United 1-1 Millwall
Overall record v Millwall (all competitions): W 9, D 11, L 5
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
Millwall
2010/11 Championship 9th (67 points)
2009/10 League One 3rd (85 points - promoted to Championship via Play-Offs)
2008/09 League One 5th (82 points)
2007/08 League One 17th (52 points)
2006/07 League One 10th (66 points)
2005/06 Championship 23rd (40 points - relegated to League One)
2004/05 Championship 10th (66 points)
2003/04 Division One 10th (69 points)
2002/03 Division One 9th (66 points)
2001/02 Division One 4th (77 points)
Referee
• Saturday's referee will be referee is 43-year-old Mick Jones.
• An experienced official, Jones was promoted to the Football League list of
referees in 1997, with his first match in charge being Mansfield Town versus
Hull City on 9 August of that year.
• Jones has refereed more than 30 matches every season since the 1997/98
campaign, totalling more than 500 senior matches over the last 14 years.
• The official has also taken charge of his fair share of big matches, being
selected to referee the 2007 League Two Play-Off final between Bristol
Rovers and Shrewsbury Town, and the 2007 FA Trophy final between Stevenage
Borough and York City.
• In 2008, Jones became a Select Group referee, allowing him to officiate
games in the Premier League. His first match in the top-flight was Hull City
versus Wigan Athletic on 30 August of 2008.
• Jones has not taken charge of a West Ham United or Millwall match so far
this season, but he has refereed 13 Premier League fixtures and three
high-profile cup matches.
• In all, he has refereed six Hammers fixtures - the most-recent being the
1-0 Premier League defeat at Arsenal on 30 October 2010. Jones has also
refereed two Millwall matches.
• Jones will be assisted by Ceri Richards and William Smallwood, while the
fourth official will be Patrick Miller.
Up next
• West Ham United travel to Peterborough United in the npower Championship
on Saturday 11 February 2012, with kick-off at 3pm.
• Millwall travel to Southampton for an FA Cup with Budweiser fourth-round
replay on Tuesday 7 February 2012 for a 7.45pm kick-off.
General information
• Supporters should note that NO tickets will be on sale at the Boleyn
Ground on matchday - please do not come to the stadium if you do not have a
ticket.
• The weather forecast is for sunny intervals with a daytime high
temperature of 3C (38F).
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Big Sam happy with squad
WHUFC.com
The manager is pleased to have a selection problems of a good nature
03.02.2012
Sam Allardyce is looking forward to Saturday's match with Millwall for a
number of reasons. The West Ham United manager will be looking to see his
squad's reaction to Tuesday's 5-1 defeat at Ipswich Town as well as the
possible introduction of his deadline day signings. Big Sam conceded that he
is considering making changes following the midweek defeat at Portman Road.
While Ravel Morrison, Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te will hope to be
involved for the first time, the likes of Abdoulaye Faye, Joey O'Brien and
Sam Baldock will also be eager to get the call from the manager. "We're
certainly going to include Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard in the squad but
I'd have been doing that anyway. After a performance like that, you have to
consider if you give that group another chance or do you make changes to
give yourself the best chance of winning - that's been the topic of
discussion for the past day or so. We will make our minds up on Friday
depending on the players available. "We have a nice deep squad now in terms
of numbers and talent, which hasn't been the case for a while. We will
hopefully make the right selections to win on Saturday."
Whoever plays on Saturday, the manager is hoping for a big reaction from his
players after they held a detailed post mortem into Tuesday's disappointing
trip to Suffolk "We watched the game and it wasn't very nice watching. We
spent probably a little bit longer on this one, but we do watch every game
to review it. It's not as if we told them to watch this game as punishment.
"Generally, when you win it's a little easier to watch a game back and a
little shorter because you're watching the good things and asking the
players to keep it up. When they are seeing the bad things, I'm glad to see
there was more discussion between them on the wheres and whys things went
wrong. "It was calm and we were in the analysis room and that's better than
having an emotional discussion in the dressing room. It gave us the chance
to have a tactical discussion. It was a really big shock for me to see what
happened and I was almost speechless at the end of the game because I
couldn't believe what I was watching. "I can only suggest it was a one-off
and that we're going to get back on track. Most of the time, this season,
we've bounced back. We've only once had back-to-back defeats this season so
we've got to win on Saturday and put it behind us."
On paper West Ham look a good bet to bounce back to winning ways against a
Millwall side sitting 21st in the table, but Big Sam knows he and his
players cannot afford to be complacent. "In the circumstances, form doesn't
mean much. Only time will tell. I remember that Kenny Jackett was on not
such a great run and they went to Leicester and Darius Henderson scored a
hat-trick so they are capable of putting on a performance and winning
anywhere. "They have some experienced players, so we've got to be on top of
our game. I've said all along this season that teams at the bottom are very
dangerous because they lift their game, as we saw with Ipswich, and if we're
not fully on our game we can get caught out. "It just cannot be there. We
got our way to the top of the table and had to wait a long time for our next
game, which is what we didn't want to do. We wanted to play last Saturday,
but we couldn't. "You cannot take anything for granted because that is when
complacency sneaks in. That's the problem with all the expectation because
the over-confidence can come to the players. "We're very fortunate that
other people didn't do as well as they wanted and we're still two points
clear. At the moment, the biggest danger to us is Birmingham because of the
form that they're in. All the rest of us, including us, are not in our best
form of the season - Southampton, Middlesbrough, Cardiff. "Birmingham and
Reading have been the big threat - Birmingham have taken 13 out of their
last 15 points - and there is always somebody who comes out of the pack. The
answer to that is to get back to our top form and, as the games tick away,
the distance becomes ever greater. The points gap might be the same, but the
games become less and so do the opportunities to make up the gap. "We've got
to make sure we keep winning, because if we don't then somebody will catch
us."
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A message to supporters
WHUFC.com
David Sullivan and David Gold have written an open letter to fans attending
Saturday's match with Millwall
03.02.2012
Dear Supporter,
Every person attending the match on Saturday is an ambassador for our great
club and we'd like to remind you that whatever happens on the day you must
act in the best interests of the club. The club has an exemplary record both
home and away and I am sure you will contribute to that status being
maintained at the game.
We would just like to remind any supporter who gains access to the stadium
with the intention of doing anything but enjoying the game will face serious
consequences and will be dealt with in accordance with our matchday policies
in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.
Unfortunately at the last meeting of the two Clubs at the Boleyn Ground in
August 2009 there was a pitch invasion and serious disorder outside the
ground. This resulted in the Metropolitan Police forming Operation Balconi
to investigate football related violence and disorder surrounding this
fixture and punishing offenders accordingly.
Previous incidents have seen 9 Season ticket holders having their season
tickets cancelled without refund and also received life bans from the club.
50 known supporters received life bans from the club and most of those
either received a three or four year football banning order from the court
along with an average £250 fine. One supporter received a ten year football
banning order from the court along with 22 months imprisonment.
Therefore, it's right to remind you all what a devastation any impingement
of disorder can have, not only on the individual, who risks his job and even
his liberty, but to his entire family who also suffer as a result. This is
your club; please show it the respect it deserves on the day, show your
world famous support and make it a day to be remembered for all the right
reasons.
Yours in sport
David Sullivan and David Gold
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Slater recalls Lions victory
WHUFC.com
Stuart Slater inspired the Hammers to a morale-boosting win over the Lions
back in April 1989
03.02.2012
Stuart Slater was at the height of his powers when he inspired West Ham
United to a 3-0 home win over Millwall on 22 April 1989. The winger, who had
come through the ranks at the Academy of Football before making his debut in
a Division One meeting with Derby County in October 1987, was in unplayable
form when the Lions visited the Boleyn Ground. Then just 19, Slater marked
the first meeting between the two clubs in a decade by helping the
bottom-of-the-table Hammers to a morale-boosting success. While West Ham
were still relegated come the end of the 1988/89 season, the wideman was
proud of the team's performance on the day. "That game was probably one of
the highlights of my career," he told whufc.com. "I was injury-free and
flying and I was absolutely on form. I remember after the game that Bruce
Rioch likened me to Eusebio! "I set a goal up that day for George Parris. I
picked up the ball in the inside-left area and cut inside the full-back and
George made a late run into the box and I played him in and he stretched out
and scored. That was in the season that John Lyall left the club and we were
in a bit of a transitional period. "It was a difficult time but this was a
great game which was played at a fast tempo and the atmosphere was great,
even if there were only about 16,000 fans in the ground. It was a great
day."
Now a corporate hospitality host at the Boleyn Ground, Slater is hoping for
a repeat result this weekend, adding: "That would be nice, wouldn't it."
Tickets for Saturday's npower Championship fixture against Millwall are
still available. However, supporters should note that there will be no sales
on the day at the Boleyn Ground. To purchase, click on the link below.
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Nicky Maynard's Bristol City exit influenced by fans
BBC.co.uk
Former Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard says abuse from fans influenced
his decision to move to West Ham. The 25-year-old signed for the Hammers on
Tuesday after failing to agree a new deal at Ashton Gate. "I was ready to
move because it was hard for my family to come to games," he told BBC Radio
Bristol. "The fans were giving me a hard time, which I could take, but for
them to be how they were with my family was more or less the turning point
for me." He continued: "I trained as much as I could and played as well as I
could. The staff and the players were behind me but I think the fans were
getting a bit agitated. "There were times when my parents and my family had
come to away games and they were getting stick, they had bottles thrown at
them which wasn't very pleasing and I found it disrespectful. "In the long
run it was best that I get out the way now, concentrate on playing football
and make sure my family are happy and secure as well."
Maynard had been with Bristol City since July 2008, arriving from Crewe for
£2.25m, and scored 46 goals in 131 games for the Championship side. His
contract was due to expire at the end of the season and, after failing to
commit to a new deal at the club after nine months of discussions, the
forward was placed on the transfer list. Wigan, Blackburn and Swansea
enquired about signing Maynard, but he opted to join West Ham on a
two-and-a-half-year deal, thought to be worth around £2m.
"I felt this was my best opportunity to play Premier League football without
any worries of having to be a yo-yo club," he added. "They're a massive club
with a massive fanbase and everything to go up. "I'm going to concentrate on
playing for West Ham and hopefully I can do well for myself and my career."
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West Ham v Millwall
3 February 2012
Last updated at 15:22
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday 4 February Kick-off: 1230 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio
5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Forwards Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te could make their West Ham debuts
after signing on deadline day. Manager Sam Allardyce has hinted that fellow
new signing Ravel Morrison could have to wait for a debut, but defender
George John could play after the Hammers shipped five in midweek. Millwall's
deadline day signing, Andy Keogh, is set to start up front alongside Darius
Henderson. The Lions also welcome back captain Paul Robinson from a thigh
injury.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• An indecisive result has occurred on the majority of occasions when
these clubs have locked antlers. West Ham have won nine and Millwall six,
with 11 of the 26 competitive matches ending all-square.
• The reverse fixture in September ended goalless.
• Millwall have never beaten West Ham in the league away from home.
West Ham United
• Leaders West Ham aim to get back to winning ways, after the shock
5-1 away defeat to Ipswich midweek. They are defending a two point lead at
the summit, and chasing an unrivalled 17th Championship win and a fourth
maximum in five league outings.
• They are also bidding for a 400th home victory in second level
league football, and a fourth on the trot.
• The Hammers have kept 12 clean sheets in this Championship campaign;
only Hull match that.
Millwall
• The Lions sit immediately above the relegation zone with a five
point cushion, after four defeats in their last five Championship matches,
and just two wins in nine.
• Kenny Jackett's side have only beaten Barnsley and Leicester on
their league travels, and have picked up just two points out of a possible
24 away from home against current top-half clubs.
• Millwall have failed to score in an unmatched 15 games in this
division.
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Bide your time, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd February 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has admitted that it could be some time before new signing
Ravel Morrison makes his first team debut. Of the five signings made by
Allardyce in the January transfer window, the one to spark the interest of
the supporters most was the young Mancunian, who celebrated his 19th
birthday yesterday. However Big Sam, speaking via his weekly column for the
Evening Standard insisted that the youngster was very much a work in
progress, rather than someone who could be thrown straight into his starting
line-up. "One of the biggest things for Ravel would be for him to break into
our first team. First things first, though. We have to find out about his
talent, we have to settle him into his home environment, his lifestyle and
build him a programme for the time spent away from the pitch," he said.
"We're all a product of our backgrounds and Ravel is no exception. Now,
though - and with the great ability with which he has been blessed - he has
a great chance to be a great footballer and fundamentality change his life.
We'll give him all the help he needs to settle in, but just as important is
the way he looks after himself. "He has a long-standing girlfriend, which is
a good thing because he is not going to be lonely. We need to find him the
right area in which to live and put him in a position where he clearly
understands what he needs to do to develop his career. All in all it's a
complete life package and one which, we hope, will help him flourish as a
player."
Conversely, fellow deadline day signings Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te
are expected to feature in some way against Millwall - for whom Allardyce
played between 1981 and 1983 - in tomorrow's big London derby.
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West Ham United v Millwall
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 3rd February 2012
By: Preview Percy
Preview Percy has given him every chance but his patience has finally
snapped. Meanwhile, taking a break from writing angry letters to the head of
Channel 4 regarding how poor he thinks the new host of "Countdown" is, he
dropped us a few lines about this weekend's visit of Millwall. John
Northcutt calmly follows with a few items of statistical interest...
Next up we are at home to Millwall for a 12.30 kick-off on Saturday. For
obvious reasons there'll be no tickets available for purchase on the day and
with all the added security I'd allow yourself a decent amount of time if
you have pre-purchased tickets to collect. Trains and tubes in the area are
engineering work-free, though if your usual journey involves the Victoria
Line you may need to check for alternatives. Those of you with a flying
saucer strapped to your houses (or, for our visitors, caravans) can pick up
the match on Sky.
Our opponents arrive at the Boleyn on the edge of a spot of bother. They
currently lie 4th from bottom albeit five points clear of Doncaster and
Forest who are the teams immediately below them. They are also a further two
clear of bottom-placed Coventry. So, whilst the position isn't great there
is at least a bit of a cushion there at the moment.
Current form over the last six has been mixed. They've won two and lost four
in the league. The wins came at home to Pompey on Boxing Day (1-0) and at
Barnsley a couple of weeks ago (3-1). The defeats came at home to Palace
(0-1), away at Bristol City (0-1 courtesy of a Nicky Maynard effort), at
home to Birmingham (0-6) and at home to Watford the other night (0-2). Such
results suggest a lack of consistency – prior to the Boxing Day victory you
have to go back nearly a month to the 3-2 win over Doncaster to find the
next three pointer, and prior to that there's a further three weeks before
you find their 3-0 defeat of Coventry.
The man in the hot seat is former Watford journeyman defender/midfielder
Kenny Jackett. In getting the work experience kid onto the research for this
I was surprised to note that Jackett's playing career was ended by injury at
the age of 28 – he was one of those players that seemed to be around for
years. However, in 1990 a dodgy knee saw him moved from the playing staff at
Watford – his only club – on to the coaching staff. He spent a year or so as
manager though that didn't exactly work out for him and he returned to the
background working under Graham "Turnip" Taylor. Gianluca Vialli decided he
was surplus to requirements in 2001 whereupon he joined Ian Holloway's
set-up at QPR, though how much of a word he was able to get in edgeways
isn't recorded. He then spent a few years at Swansea (Jackett is of Welsh
extraction and won over 30 caps for the Taffies) before spending six months
as assistant manager at Man City. Whether or not he regrets leaving for the
Den only a few months before the really big petrodollars arrived one can
only speculate – if nothing else the payoff had they got rid of him would
have probably set him up for life. However, arrive he did at Bermondsey
where lucky white heather rather than daffodils are the foliage of choice.
After one failed attempt at the playoffs (v Scunthorpe) it was second time
lucky as they beat pre-Paolo Swindon 1-0 to gain promotion to the
Championship. Last season he guided them to a creditable 9th.
The usual 'keeper David Forde is an ex-Hammer albeit one of those who didn't
trouble the first team shirt printers during his spell at the Boleyn between
2002-2004 when his opportunities were limited by others. It's been a similar
story at international level where he has but a handful of appearances to
his name.
In defence Aussie Shane Lowry was signed for an undisclosed fee last week
from Aston Villa. He'd been on Villa's books since 2009 without making a
first XI league appearance, though he did feature in the Europa League. The
Villains farmed him out to Plymouth, Leeds (who he helped promote),
Sheffield United (who he helped relegate) and latterly Millwall, who he
originally joined on loan in November. Originally declaring himself to be
Irish and capped as such at U17 & U19 level, the Perth (the convict one
rather than the sweaty one) born defender decided he was an Aussie after all
and now features in the Socceroos full squad.
Another window arrival was striker Andy Keogh. Dubliner Keogh was well down
the pecking order at Wolves having spent most of the past couple of years on
loan with spells at Cardiff, Bristol City and Leeds under his belt. Millwall
secured his services, again for an undisclosed fee, on deadline day.
Their top scorer by a long chalk is Darius Henderson. Henderson signed in
the summer from Sheffield United whose relegation (I still enjoy saying
that) meant that they couldn't afford his wages. He's netted 16 times in 23
matches which is a decent return by any standards. The next top scorers are
Jay Simpson (at time of writing back with parent club Arsenal) and Liam
Trotter (who ought to be a local boy but isn't) both of whom have four to
their name.
Against Watford they started with an 18 year-old, Harry Kane, up front
alongside Henderson, though he was replaced after less than an hour. Kane
arrived on loan from Spurs with 20 year-old midfielder Ryan Nelson at the
start of the window, both deals lasting until the end of the season. Of the
two, Kane has made the larger number of appearances, appearing in four
league and three FA Cup matches since his arrival. Both of his two goals
thus far came in the 5-0 Cup defeat of Dagenham & Redbridge, a match in
which Henderson picked up a hat-trick.
Mason has been struggling with a groin problem and missed the Watford defeat
as did Skipper Paul Robinson with a thigh strain. Robinson is rated as
"50-50" for the match by Jackett, though presumably they'll be pulling out
all the stops to get him fit for the cameras.
And so to us and a few words about Tuesday's disaster. It was coming. It
could easily have happened against Forest where some smarter finishing could
have seen us go 3-0 down before we had our first chance. Sadly the warning
wasn't heeded. Those of us lucky enough to have the manager personally email
us each week after each match were told "We'll work out what went wrong and
put it right". Well what went wrong was that, as we have been doing all
season, we went into a match with a plan to nullify the opposition rather
than have them worry about us. The fact that we've won games using such
tactics has served as justification when it ought to have been seen as
papering over the cracks. In short, the time for "working out what went
wrong" was straight after the Forest match. Had we done so then rather than
being distracted by the three points we got away with maybe Tuesday wouldn't
have happened.
With the stitches in Noble's mouth from Tuesday expected to heal nicely as
long as he lays off the Salt & Vinegar crisps for a day or two (wince), with
the exception of Diop (Hamstring) we should have a full squad to select
from. We will therefore be looking to the new signings to give us a much
needed boost. It seems strange that three attacking players should arrive on
a day when the defence had such a 'mare but it should be remembered that
goals from open play have been something of a rarity in recent weeks.
Piquionne & Carew have impressed nobody for ages – least of all the manager
apparently - whilst Cole has never been effective when played on his own up
front. Baldock also seems out of sorts, though one suspects that his match
fitness might improve were he given more starts rather than being sacrificed
to the bench at the altar of 4-5-1 every other week.
Whether or not any of the new signings make the starting line-up so soon
after joining the club will be interesting. The manager's comments regarding
Morrison's fitness levels suggest that we're less likely to see him than the
other two but I'd be tempted to try Maynard and Baldock together as a
starting partnership. That is, of course, assuming that we're willing to try
this wacky experiment of playing with two strikers together. If nothing else
Maynard has the evil eye over this weekend's opponents having netted a
double in Bristol City's 2-1 win at the Den in November, also getting the
1-0 win in the return fixture at Ashton Gate last month.
Vaz Te? Well obviously all those Tevez rumours that everyone's distant
relatives assured us were "nailed on" failed to factor dyslexia into the
mix. I'm struggling to get excited about his signing but, let's face it, it
wouldn't be a proper transfer window without the manager picking up one of
his ex-Bolton charges would it. Barnsley resurrected a career that seemed to
be going nowhere fast and, whilst Keith Hill's parting comments
understandably contained a large element of "churl" I do wonder whether we
will see the best of the player.
Ravel Morrison's arrival also attracted a lot of comment, as much, if not
more, relating to his off the pitch character as to his undoubted talent.
Had the player been older I'd have been doing my nut in the same way as I
did when the manager threatened to sign El Haj Diouf. The fact that I
remained calm this time is testament to the increased sedative doses they
give us here at the Avram Grant Rest Home For The Bewildered every deadline
day. Also, unlike the loathesome Diouf, Morrison has at least the excuse of
the foolishness of youth to fall back on, meaning that (unlike Diouf) he
might grow up. I'm not sure moving to Newcastle (as was proposed at one
stage) would have been a great move for the lad – that particular city is
even more of a goldfish bowl than Manchester though the cynical side of me
(which is most of me) struggles with the idea that the player's "advisors"
had much in the way of altruism in recommending London as a destination.
Time will tell.
Prediction? Well in a bizarre way the Ipswich defeat might just have sent
the appropriate message just at the right time. As mentioned we palpably
learned nothing from the Forest match so hopefully the penny will have
dropped that if you set out to attack your opponents it increases your
chances of scoring against them as opposed to sitting there and inviting
them to score. I'd be more worried had we been outplayed by Ipswich and
somehow scraped a draw with all the "respect the point" twaddle that would
have ensued. I believe you youngsters call it a "reality check". I'll
therefore go for a 3-1 backlash in our favour as we finally cotton on to the
fact that going for the win is the best way of avoiding defeat.
Enjoy the game!
When Last We Met: Drew 0-0 A poor game enlivened by Lansbury's audacious
long distance effort from the kick-off as 'keeper Forde was messing about
with the goal net. Bentley missed a late sitter. The best thing about the
whole weekend was the fact that I went on a very pleasant holiday after the
match.
Referee: Mike Jones The fact that he is still involved in the game in any
shape or form after his showing in last season's FA Cup Quarter Final tells
you everything about the contempt that the football authorities have for the
paying public. After having his ear bent by the home manager at the
Britannia he spent the rest of the match trying to even things up with a
string of decisions that, in my opinion, were nothing short of dishonest.
Of course in suggesting that the referee's performance might not have been
up to scratch Avram Grant found himself £20,000 worse off, the authorities
thus achieving the near impossible feat of making us feel sorry for Grant.
To summarise, they've given a high profile match requiring intelligence,
honesty and integrity to an official noted for lacking any such qualities.
Nice one.
Danger Man: Darius Henderson Top scorer and in a spot of form.
Daft fact of the week: The film "Green Street" was dire enough. However the
sequel makes the original look like Citizen Kane. Imagine the scenario: You
run a prison that is overcrowded and you have instructions to reduce the
prison population. Do you:
a) go through the files and release only those whose behaviour bodes well
for a release back into society; or
b) decide that some releases can be decided on the result of a football
match between West Ham & Millwall supporting inmates.
Clue: The answer is so stupid that even Spurs supporters would find the
required suspension of disbelief too much to handle. Probably.
Stat man John: Northcutt's corner
Friendlies
Jan 1949 H 1-1 Woodgate
Oct 1955 A 4-2 Dare 2 Hooper Moore
May 1972 A 5-3 Hurst 2 Robson Tyler O.G
Dec 1974 A 4-3 A Taylor 2 Brooking Robson
Sent Off
Steve Bywater Away 2003-04
Marlon Harewood Away 2004-05
They Played For Both
Clive Allen, Paul Allen, Charlie Ambler, Joe Blythe, Albert Carnelly,Tony
Cottee, Harry Cripps, Brian Dear, Charlie Dove, Benny Fenton, Joe Hart,
Tommy Inns, Dave Mangnall, Tommy Moore, Frank Neary, Lucas Neill, Harry
Obeney, Anton Otulakowski, Graham Paddon, Teddy Sheringham, Fred Shreeve,
Jim Standen, Mauricio Taricco
Former player Billy Bonds was the Millwall manager in 1997-98 and our
current manager Sam Allardyce played for Millwall between 1981 and 1983.
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West Ham v Millwall preview
Last updated: 3rd February 2012
SSN
Team news for Saturday afternoon's Championship clash between West Ham and
Millwall at Upton Park (kick off 12.30pm). Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te
are in line to make their West Ham debuts. Striker Maynard and winger Vaz Te
joined the Hammers on Tuesday and will be in the squad but boss Sam
Allardyce has hinted his third deadline-day arrival, young midfielder Ravel
Morrison, may have to bide his time. American defender George John could
also be involved for the first time since joining from FC Dallas earlier
this month, especially after the leaders shipped five goals in a shock
defeat at Ipswich on Tuesday night. Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop missed out at
Portman Road with a thigh problem and will be checked over, but Allardyce
has no new injury worries.
Andy Keogh goes straight into the Millwall squad. The Republic of Ireland
striker moved to The Den on transfer deadline day from Wolves, signing a
two-and-a-half year deal, and could partner top scorer Darius Henderson in
attack. The Lions could also be boosted by the return of skipper Paul
Robinson, who has missed the last three matches with a thigh problem, while
fellow defender Jordan Stewart has resumed training after a groin injury.
Winger Hamer Bouazza is still missing with groin trouble and back-up
goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall has an ankle injury. Tamika Mkandawire is
recovering from a knee operation and fellow midfielder Therry Racon remains
on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
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Match Preview: West Ham v Millwall
February 3rd, 2012 - 11:54 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
So this is the big question. How many of our three new signings will start
against Millwall? My bet is two – Maynard and Vaz Te. And the second
question is who will give way. That's where it starts to get more difficult.
Anyway, let's start at the back. If Abdoulaye Faye is fit I reckon Winston
Reid will make way for him. Joey O'Brien should return at right back and if
it was anyone else than Millwall I'd make a good case for Potts to come in
on left. So my back four is O'Brien, Tomkins, Faye and McCartney.
In midfield, you'd have to say there is a good case to drop Kevin Nolan, but
what manager drops his captain? And let's face it, you want real men on the
pitch against Millwall. I think Nolan and Noble should start and I'd play
Taylor and Vaz Te on the wings. It would be hard luck for Collison and
Lansbury, but difficult decisions have to be made.
Up front I would like to see Nicky Maynard partner Sam Baldock. Carlton Cole
would feel hard done by, but I do think Baldock needs a solid run. The last
time he got one he delivered the goods.
So, Green, O'Brien, Faye, McCartney, Nolan, Noble, Taylor, Vaz Te, Baldock
and Maynard.
A bench of Lansbury, Collison, Hall, Cole and Reid doesn't look bad to me.
Like many of you, I suspect, I won't be going to Upton Park tomorrow. Call
me a wimp if you like, but I will be watching at home. What a sad indictment
it is that this fixture still has the possibility to scare the living
daylights out of you. It's just not worth the risk. Mind you, if it hadn't
been on TV, I know I would have gone…
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Sam has scary vision of the past
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE forced his West Ham squad to sit through a video nasty of
their 5-1 midweek hammering at Ipswich. The Hammers boss said: "The players
have seen the game, it wasn't very good watching. "We do see every game we
play but I went a bit longer on this one. It was a big shock for me, I just
hope it is a one-off. "They didn't watch it as a punishment, I am glad to
say there was a bit of discussion on why it went wrong." Police have warned
players not to go over the top in any goal celebrations against Millwall
today for fear of whipping up fans in a powderkeg derby. But Allardyce
warned: "For us, teams at the bottom become very dangerous because they lift
their game and we can get caught out — as we saw with Ipswich."
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Karren Brady's football diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
The Sun
Saturday, January 28
A FREE Saturday thanks to our third-round FA Cup defeat. Time for us all to
reflect on Dylan Tombides, our 17-year-old Academy striker who is being
treated for cancer. Dylan's strength of character is incredible, he's a
lovely young man and everyone is willing him to make a full recovery. Being
a parent myself makes you very much aware of what his family must be going
through.
Sunday, January 29
I SPOKE to Everton's Bill Kenwright regarding Rangers striker Nikica
Jelavic. I've learned in football that getting into an auction with a friend
is not a great idea.
It's far better to negotiate between you to decide who gets the player,
rather than cost each other money. Bill and I agreed they were more keen
than us. We weren't out-muscled but on this occasion Sam had his eye on
someone else.
Monday, January 30
MOVING a player from one club to another used to be so relatively simple.
Often the only thing the agent wanted, if there was one, was petrol money
for himself and a boot allowance for his player. But there was one player
recently who wanted a Mercedes for his wife and an agent asked for more
money for himself than the player. Just one more day to go!
Tuesday, January 31
TRANSFER deadline day brought all the usual shenanigans. None more so than
an agent ringing me 10 minutes before the transfer window shut declaring he
could get one of our players a loan move. Talk about leaving it to the last
minute! Oh, and starting a conversation with me with the words "hello
darling," did not exactly get things off on the right foot. West Ham did
sign three new players including Ravel Morrison from Manchester United. I've
had to deal with the whole spectrum when it comes to negotiations with other
clubs, but United are always wonderfully professional. We lost 5-1 at
Ipswich. People often say that Sam's bark is worse than his bite but, let me
tell you, his bark is pretty bad. I would prefer to face the agents tonight
than the bus ride home.
Wednesday, February 1
SO, Carlos Tevez is still a Manchester City player. City have the financial
clout to be able to stand firm and I admire then for that. But he can still
leave as an emergency loan — so I sent City a text asking about the
possibility of us having him. Never gonna happen was their reply. Never say
never, I say! Tevez will probably think again before declining to warm up
when asked to.
Thursday, February 2
SPENT the morning freezing my butt off at the Olympic Stadium. We could not
see the pitch, the potential ticket office, the potential shop, some office
locations, the control room, nor the kitchen locations due to 'restrictions'
of one sort or another. Other than that it was a very worthwhile morning!
Friday, February 3
UNBELIEVABLY some Arsenal fans have been having a go at Arsene Wenger. Those
supporters with a shred of common sense should tell the doubters to sling
their collective hooks. Managers are under a lot of pressure, none more so
than the pressure they put on themselves. Not only have I worked closely
with eight of them for the past 19 years, I'm married to one. So I should
know.
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The most hateful fixture in football
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: Today
The Sun
DAVID FORDE lines up in goal for Millwall at West Ham this lunchtime in what
he describes as: The most hateful fixture in football. Hundreds of police
will be on duty at today's powderkeg clash at Upton Park in a bid to avert
the crowd trouble and violence that has blighted this London derby in the
past. And Republic of Ireland keeper Forde, who unusually had a spell with
the East End Hammers before joining the South London Lions, said: "I've
never known hatred like it over a football game. "But I totally understand
the rivalry. There's just so much passion on both sides. "It's been there
for a hundred years or more and you're never going to change that. "It's
ingrained into both sets of fans. "There are very few games in the world
like it."
The bloody rivalry between the two clubs dates back around 100 years when
both sides were formed in the East End. Not even Millwall's move 'sarf' of
the Thames in 1910 managed to cool tensions. The Lions return to Upton Park
today for the first time since trouble marred the clubs' Carling Cup
second-round clash in 2009. Forde, whose team lost 3-1 in extra-time that
night, recalled: "It was a phenomenal night because it was just so crazy.
"It was a good game of football until the pitch invasions. "It wasn't nice.
You're playing a game and then you get these people coming on the pitch and
getting right in your face. "Strangely enough, I didn't really feel
threatened at the time, even after the third invasion. "It was only after
the game when I saw the TV pictures that I thought about what could have
happened. There was no need for it. "We're all hoping there'll be nothing
like that again."
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West Ham vs Millwall goes into lockdown
Published 22:00 03/02/12 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
Fortress Upton Park will go into lockdown as West Ham bid to prevent a
repeat of the Carling Cup riot against Millwall. Hundreds of police will be
deployed for the Lions' first excursion to the Boleyn Ground since the
appalling scenes of August 25, 2009. Amid the lunacy of pitch invasions,
gates stormed by mobs without tickets and a stabbed ex-fireman left fighting
for his life with a punctured lung, few remember West Ham's 3-1 win after
extra-time because it was secondary to the chaos.
Both clubs were fined by the FA, although Millwall's penalty was revoked on
appeal, and Lions manager Kenny Jackett privately confided the mayhem was
the worst he had experienced after 32 years in football. Although the
reverse fixture, a goalless draw at the Den, passed off without major
incident in September, police are taking no chances with their security
blanket this time.
It includes...
* Banning alcohol at the ground and the closure of pubs around Upton Park
itself
* Reducing Millwall's allocation to 1,400 tickets in the upper tier of the
Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, with no Hammers fans within a 30-yard exclusion
zone
* The police warning players to curb their goal celebrations
* And the appointment of experienced Premier League referee Mike Jones to
boss the game.
Police hope the combination of an early kick-off, cold weather, live
coverage on Sky and a beam-back to Lions fans at the Den will draw the sting
from the fixture.
Both sides are aiming to bounce back after dispiriting midweek defeats.
Championship leaders West Ham are in shock after a 5-1 drubbing at Ipswich,
while Millwall are only one place above the drop zone after losing 2-0 at
Watford. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, who is likely to hand debuts to
deadline-day signings Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te, said: "I wasn't
aware of any incidents at the last game – it was superbly planned and
policed by everybody, and everything went according to plan. "I just hope it
goes the same way [today]. People have to be responsible for their actions
including me as a manager, the players on the pitch and the supporters who
come to watch. "It will be live on TV and we'll be portraying our football
to people around the globe. We want to put on a good spectacle."
Of the thrashing by Ipswich, former Lions defender Allardyce added: "Until
then, our defensive record had been the basis of our success this season –
we need to get over it and show everybody why we're top of the table in a
big derby game." Jackett, who could unveil £500,000 striker Andy Keogh and
new German defender Lennard Sowah, said: "At 25, Andy has his best years
ahead of him and he will be a good partner up front for Darius Henderson."
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