WHUFC.com
Tony Carr MBE has updated fans on the club's application for the Elite
Player Performance Plan
05.03.2012
Tony Carr MBE believes the future is looking good for West Ham United's
Academy with the application for the new Elite Player Performance Plan going
well.
The long-serving Academy Director, who has overseen the development of wave
after wave of exciting young talent at the club, is delighted with the
support the Board have provided towards the Hammers' application. In this
exclusive interview, he talks about what the EPPP is and how everyone at the
club wants to ensure the Academy maintains its status as one of the best in
the country.
Tony, please can you give us a quick overview of what the EPPP is?
TC: "The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) is a new youth development
system being introduced by the Premier League and Football League next
season.
"The short and long of it is that the programme will be revamped. Coaching
hours could potentially double and a lot of education will become the club's
responsibility so much of it will be done in-house. "This requires a greater
investment from the club and I'm delighted to say the Board have put in
every penny required to get us the highest Category One status available.
"Clubs that gain Category One status will only play against teams of the
same status so it is really important."
How committed are West Ham United to achieving Category One status?
TC: "The Board have been fantastically supportive right from the word go and
have decided that they want us to be a Category One Academy, which means a
lot more investment. "We are putting that investment in place by providing
classrooms and employing more full and part-time staff, so we're getting
ready for next season. "At this stage, I think it's also important to stress
that our quest to become a Category One Academy has never been dependent on
us moving to the Olympic Stadium. So whatever the outcome of that process,
our application will continue as planned."
What are the next steps?
TC: "Once we have told the Premier League we have got all of our ducks in
line, they will come and audit the Academy. "There are ten Key Performance
Indicators, including coaching, medical department, education and welfare
and video analysis and feedback, and each has a points system. We need to
get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised as a Category One.
"We are working hard to make sure all of our departments are up to speed and
hopefully, by the beginning of the summer, we'll know what category we have
attained.
What would the benefits be of being Category One be?
TC: "It is more intensive and more staff would be required, but the players
would certainly get more hours of training and playing under their belts.
"A boy coming into the EPPP system at the age of nine or ten would have more
than doubled their coaching hours by the time they are assessed at the age
of 16, compared to the current system. "You hope over that period of time
that a youngster would be a much better player because of the extra work he
has put in. I'm sure fans will agree that, with our reputation as an
Academy, the only place we can be is in Category One so that's what we're
going for."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was delighted with another fine away day for West Ham United
04.03.2012
Sam Allardyce was pleased to see West Ham United record another fine superb
away result on Sunday but stressed the need to complete a nine-point week.
Big Sam oversaw a fine 2-0 win at fellow promotion-chasers Cardiff City
through goals from the returning Kevin Nolan and left-back George McCartney.
The result extended West Ham's unbeaten run to five games and moved them
back to one point behind table-toppers Southampton ahead of the Boleyn
Ground visits of Watford and Doncaster on Wednesday and Saturday
respectively. "The performance wasn't quite as good as Blackpool but it was
nearly there and we kept eleven men on the field! We had an exquisite goal
from Kevin Nolan and that exceptionally good goal from George McCartney,
which from our point of view was unexpected.," Allardyce said. "We've got an
opportunity after this great platform we've put ourselves on to go for a
nine point week. We must perform at this level but be more clinical in front
of goal and not waste this fantastic victory by slipping up at home against
Watford or Doncaster. "We've got to go all out to try to win the two and
make it a big week for West Ham United."
In truth, Big Sam had every reason to be a bit frustrated with his side as
2-0 did not do their dominance justice. Nicky Maynard, Ricardo Vas Te and
Jack Collison all passed up good opportunities while Cardiff's only effort
of note was a Peter Whittingham free-kick that cannoned off the inside of
the post. "The only disappointing thing was how many chances we missed. Our
front line of Carlton Cole, Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te
all had superb opportunities to score and that is where we need to improve
as this game could have been well beyond Cardiff before we got our second.
"We had a blistering start to the second half that created goal chance after
goal chance so I'm a little disappointed in that area, but delighted with
our overall performance and attitude of the team. We came out and won our
tenth game away from home, which is by no means an easy achievement."
The duo who did manage to find the back of the net would have appreciated
their strikes greatly, but for very different reasons. Nolan was marking his
first game back since a red card against Millwall on 4 February, while
McCartney's goal was only his second strike in 101 games for the club.
"Georgey is consistent and as a full-back and a defender your performance
has to stay at a high level. He does his defending, snuffs out his opponents
first and then joins in to try and help attacks.
"It's a great feeling for anyone to score a goal but when it's your
left-back, he knows he should enjoy the journey home! He could normally
enjoy it for a bit longer but we've got to start focusing on Watford on
Monday morning!"
Nolan's manager was effusive in his praise for his returning captain, whom
he felt added another dimension to the Hammers' attacking play during an
explosive start to the second half. "That's the quality of the man. You put
him in the box and he's a top-quality finisher. You get that from most
centre forwards and not midfield players and that's why he's so valuable.
That was his eighth goal of the season and it came at a very important time
for us. "We'd missed a couple of chances before that and then Kevin pops up
with a superb first-time finish into the bottom corner. It took the
goalkeeper by surprise as he didn't expect him to hit it first time and
that's the talent of the man shining through again. "The other side of it is
how he led the midfield and how he created for other players to score many
goals, particularly after half-time. "I have to also say the back four were
terrific, especially the two central defenders, and Greeny at the end when
we needed him touched one on to the bar even though it might not have
mattered. All round it was a very satisfying afternoon."
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Finally, Fred
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Piquionne could finally be on his way to Doncaster for the rest of
the season. The French striker, who has made just one appearance for West
Ham United's first team in 2012 has been linked with the South Yorkshire
club since the January transfer window when a deal was first mooted. And
despite that having fell through, the 33-year-old is finally poised to
complete a move to the Keepmoat Stadium after Rovers boss Dean Saunders told
Sky Sports that a deal had been done.
"I would like to thank Sam Allardyce and David Sullivan for allowing
Frederic to come on loan to Doncaster," said the former Derby and Aston
Villa striker, who has been in control of the Championship strugglers since
succeeding Sean O'Driscoll last September. West Ham face Watford at the
Boleyn Ground on Wednesday night (March 7) before hosting Doncaster on
Saturday (March 10). Should Piquionne complete a move to the Yorkshire club,
he is unlikely to be able to feature in that fixture.
Freddie Piquionne - WHUFC stats
2010/11: Pld 41; Gls 9; Yellow 2; Red 1.
2011/12: Pld 20; Gls 2; Red 1.
Total: Pld 61; Gls 11; Yellow 2; Red 2.
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Striker in demand
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Tonight's edition of the Chronicle Online claims that West Ham youngster
Frank Nouble is set to join Barnsley - a matter of hours after it was
claimed he was set to sign for Walsall. Earlier today, the Birmingham
edition of the Express & Star claimed that the 20-year-old out-of-favour
striker was on the verge of completing a move to League One strugglers
Walsall. However Nouble is now being linked with a move to Oakwell to rejoin
the club with whom he spent six weeks on loan last season by the Chronicle,
who 'understand' tonight that the player is set to join on loan. The former
Chelsea youngster, who was one of a number of youngsters signed as part of
Scott Duxbury and Gianluca Nani's ill-fated 'Project' back in 2009 has been
out on loan SIX times since moving to West Ham in July 2009. But despite
spells at West Bromwich Albion (February 2010), Swindon (March 2010),
Swansea (September 2010), Barnsley (January 2011), Charlton (March 2011) and
Gillingham (September 2011), he has failed to make the breakthrough at West
Ham.
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AA driven by new deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Academy youngster Ahmed Abdullah has joined Dagenham & Redbridge on a
short-term contract. The 20-year-old midfielder has returned to the club
with whom he spent a month on loan back in January for the remainder of the
current season. Daggers boss John Still confirmed the news earlier today,
telling daggers.co.uk: "During his spell here [on loan] he showed that he
was a very accomplished player; he impressed every member of staff with his
passing and his commitment.
"Since he returned to West Ham we've been speaking to him and we've now
signed him on a short term deal until the end of the season. I'm delighted
to have him and with the injuries I think he's the right addition for us.
Because he's been here, he knows what we do, he knows how we do it and I'm
sure he'll do well between now and the end of the season."
Saudi Arabian-born Abdullah joined West Ham in 2008 having been released by
Arsenal that summer as a 16-year-old. Predominantly a forward during his
spell at West Ham, he scored five times in 23 appearances for Tony Carr's
under 18 side in 2008/09. Since then Abdullah graduated to the reserve squad
but has spent much of the current campaign out on loan - firstly at Paolo Di
Canio's Swindon, where he made seven appearances, then at Dagenham to where
he has now returned.
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Hammers almost signed Cavani
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Former Palermo coach Stefano Colantuono has confirmed that West Ham were
close to signing Uruguayan goalscoring sensation Edinson Cavani. 49-year-old
Colantuono, who took current club Atalanta back to the Italian top flight by
winning Serie B last season revealed that the 25-year-old - who has scored
57 goals in 81 appearances for his current club and is a transfer target for
both Chelsea and Manchester City - almost joined the Hammers three years
ago. Speaking to La Domenica Sportiva, Colantuono, who moved from Palermo to
the Nerazzurri via Torino said: "When I was at Palermo, the Matador wanted a
move to West Ham as he wanted to try out an adventure in the Premier
League." KUMB.com revealed back in June 2008 that Gianluca Nani, then West
Ham's Technical Director was on the verge of signing Cavani, who is now
valued around the £35million mark, on loan. However for reasons unknown a
subsequent transfer deadline day move failed to materialise - as was the
case when West Ham (managed at the time by Gianfranco Zola) and Nani were
linked with Cavani in the next transfer window, in January 2009. The
37-times capped Cavani - who signed for Napoli in a £14million deal back in
2010 - has since gone on to become one of world football's most sought-after
players. Nani was sacked by West Ham less than a month after Davids
Sullivan and Gold purchased a half-share of the club in January 2010.
El Matador in action: career stats
Palermo
2006/07: Pld 7, Gls 2
2007/08: Pld 37, Gls 5
2008/09: Pld 36, Gls 15
2009/10: Pld 37, Gls 15
Napoli
2010/11: Pld 47, Gls 33
2011/12 Pld 32, Gls 24
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Three in five say 'no' to Stratford
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
61 per cent of supporters who have voted in the latest KUMB.com Olympic
Stadium poll so far have expressed a preference not to move to Stratford.
The KUMB poll, which has been running since February 23 asked supporters 'Do
you support the Board's plans to move WHUFC to the Olympic Stadium post-this
summer's games?'
And to date, the majority of fans - some 61 per cent - have voted AGAINST a
move to the Olympic Park - in stark contrast to our most recent poll,
conducted a year ago, that resulted in 57 per cent of supporters BACKING the
move. A number of supporters claim to have changed their minds over the move
to the stadium in which this summer's Olympic games will be held as a result
of the goalposts being moved in terms of the conditions of tenancy. When
West Ham United and Newham Council were initially granted use of the stadium
by the OLPC last year, they were granted almost total control over the use
of the £500million structure and, most importantly, 100 per cent of the
revenue generated. However since the OPLC's original decision was reversed
as a result of a string of legal challenges, primarily from Tottenham
Hotspur and Leyton Orient, potential bidders have been told that they will
have less control and receive a share of the profits - which has led to a
number of voters rejecting the move in our poll.
With a further 19 per cent of voters declaring they are 'Unsure' over the
move, just one in five - or 20 per cent - now back the Board's plans to
press ahead with its plans to move West Ham United away from its spiritual
home in Upton Park. All potential tenants must submit their proposals by
March 23. West Ham are thought to be just one of sixteen parties to have
declared an interest in taking on the stadium. If you haven't already voted
in our latest Olympic Stadium poll, you may do so by visiting the poll
thread on the KUMB Forum. Please note that in order to vote, you must be a
registered member of KUMB.com; if you are not already a member, you may
obtain free membership here*.
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Frankly, not enough
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Frank Nouble is set to be confirmed as a Walsall player later today,
according to reports. The 20-year-old striker has barely featured for West
Ham United's first team since signing from Chelsea in July 2009 and is set
to sign for the League One strugglers, who currently reside in 21st place -
just four points off the bottom.
Despite bing tipped as a hot prospect for the future, the Lewisham-born
forward has barely made an impact in east London. His 19 first team
appearances include just six starts, only four of which came in the league.
This season Nouble has featured on just five occasions, most recently when
coming off the bench as a 69th minute replacement for Carlton Cole during
the 5-1 defeat at Ipswich on January transfer deadline day. According to the
Express & Star, Nouble is just one of two signings Walsall boss Dean Smith
is hoping to make today; the other being 36-year-old former Aston Villa
midfielder George Boateng.
Nouble in 2009
"I am really looking forward to showing what I can do. West Ham are renowned
for bringing through young players and hopefully I can be in the next batch.
"This came out of the blue. The news came out that I rejected at Chelsea and
obviously I thank them for what they have done for me but I am just happy
that a club like West Ham came in for me. They showed their interest and for
me it was a case of saying 'Yes' straight away. I am just happy to be here.
"I am reaching the age where I want to be in and around the first team more
than anything - learning from the big players that have done really well
here; Mark Noble, Carlton Cole and players like that. I want to emulate what
they have done."
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Newcastle's best bitter
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 5th March 2012
By: Staff Writer
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has taken a sideswipe at unnamed members of his
former West Ham squad for making his life 'very difficult'. Pardew, who was
responding to a question regarding yesterday's sacking of Andre Villas-Boas
by Chelsea told reporters that the Portuguese manager's situation was
similar to his when succeeding Glenn Roeder at West Ham nine years ago. "I
have a lot of sympathy for him because that is a really, really talented
coach we have lost in this country," said the man formerly dubbed as
'Pards'. "He has had to take on a club there with a lot of senior pros and
probably had a very, very difficult job. 'When you are in a transition year
like that - and I have been in it because I was at West Ham when I inherited
a lot of senior pros who had just been relegated - it is very, very
difficult.
"They made it difficult for me and one or two of them have apologised since
- and so they should."
Who could he possibly mean?
Pardew's over 30s at West Ham in 2003/04.
Goalkeepers: David James.
Defenders: Rufus Brevett; Christian Dailly; Andy Melville*.
Midfielders: Don Hutchison; Rob Lee; Kevin Horlock; Niclas Alexandersson
(loan).
Forwards: Brian Deane*.
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Hammers eye Mills move
Allardyce could move for out of favour defender
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: March
5, 2012 10:42pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham are eyeing a move for Leicester City
defender Matt Mills. Mills has found himself frozen out of things at the
King Power Stadium following a reported bust-up with Foxes boss Nigel
Pearson. The summer signing from Reading has been left out of the Leicester
squad for the last three games and the news has alerted a number of clubs
who are now ready to take the 25-year-old on loan for the rest of the
season. Foxes boss Pearson admitted last week Leeds have shown an interest
in the former Reading ace, but now West Ham are weighing up a move for the
central defender. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce could be interested in Mills as
he looks to bolster his squad for the final run-in as they bid for promotion
back to the Premier League.
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Rovers pounce for Piquionne
Saunders moves to bring in striker
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: March
5, 2012 7:05pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands Doncaster Rovers have agreed a deal to sign West Ham
striker Frederic Piquionne. As revealed by skysports.com last month, Rovers
were in talks with West Ham about a possible loan deal for the frontman.
Piquionne has agreed a loan deal until the end of the season at the Keepmoat
Stadium as he joins the club's battle for survival in the Championship. West
Ham are willing to loan out the 33-year-old as the former Portsmouth man
does not figure in Sam Allardyce's immediate plans. Piquionne has found
himself out of the picture at Upton Park and the recent arrivals of Ricardo
Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard have pushed the Frenchman further down the pecking
order. Doncaster boss Dean Saunders is keen to bolster his attacking options
and he has moved to strike a deal for former Portsmouth man Piquionne.
Rovers agent, Willie McKay, has confirmed the club have agreed a deal for
Piquionne and the move is a coup for Rovers after the striker snubbed offers
from Premier League duo Fulham and Sunderland during the January transfer
window. "I would like to thank Sam Allardyce and David Sullivan for allowing
Frederic to come on loan to Doncaster," Saunders told skysports.com.
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Nolan is happy go clucky
Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
By GARETH DAVIES
Published: 05th March 2012
KEVIN NOLAN likes to flap his arms after scoring — and he was chicken
supreme as the Hammers powered on towards promotion. The midfielder fired
the 42nd-minute opener and ran the show to sting Cardiff's play-off hopes.
Hammers chief Sam Allardyce made one of the shrewdest signings of last
summer when he recruited Nolan from Newcastle. And on his return from a
three-match ban, Nolan showed just what the Hammers were missing to fire
them one point off leaders Southampton. Full-back George McCartney added a
late second, but it was Nolan who took the plaudits. Allardyce said: "Kevin
scored a fantastic goal on the back of a really good performance. "He showed
the strikers how to do it. They still didn't learn from that as they kept
missing sitters in the second half! "The quality of Kevin's finish meant the
keeper was taken by surprise. It was past him before he could dive and get
it. "Kevin's a midfield goalscorer, not a playmaker. He has the sort of
finish only afforded to top centre-forwards. "He made the difference today.
The players have done well while he was missing but he's a big player for
us."
The Hammers spent the week basking in the heat of Dubai while the Welsh side
recovered from their Carling Cup final defeat to Liverpool. Allardyce added:
"We had a totally opposite build-up, it told in the end. "Did we get Cardiff
at the right time? Today the answer is probably yes." Hammers could have
been out of sight long before the end.Nolan netted after Cardiff twice
failed to clear, steaming into the box to fire home a low shot. Cue the
chicken celebrations. The second half started with a string of West Ham
misses. Ricardo Vaz Te was sent clear on 48 minutes down the left and
slipped past keeper David Marshall into the box. But the striker took too
much time and City skipper Mark Hudson got back to tidy up. Then Vaz Te
could have put Nolan in on goal but instead produced a weak shot. After two
first-half misses, Nicky Maynard made it a hat-trick of wasted opportunities
when he dragged his shot wide from a great position. And with Cardiff all
over the place, Maynard missed again with a poor shot — allowing Marshall to
save at his feet. West Ham finally put the game to bed on 76 minutes when
McCartney ran into the box unchallenged to slide the ball home from a narrow
angle. As with the first goal, Cardiff's defence had every opportunity to
clear. Boss Malky Mackay admitted: "I'm disappointed with the goals we
conceded. "We were up against a team of experienced men, a club who have a
huge wage bill and can afford to bring on Carlton Cole and Gary O'Neil as
subs. "To gift them goals gives us a mountain to climb. "As well as the
Carling Cup final last Sunday, we've had a group who have been away on
international duty. "So I didn't get the players together until Friday. "We
had a lot of tired bodies near the end but that's no excuse. Our
decision-making was at fault."
SUN STAR MAN KEVIN NOLAN (West Ham). Took charge — and took the points
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West Ham eye keeper and loan out Piquionne
Published 22:29 05/03/12 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to sign keeper Stephen Henderson on
loan from crisis club Portsmouth, with a view to a full-time switch.
Allardyce wants to bring in the highly-rated Irishman, who would be cover
for England's Robert Green - and a potential replacement if he leaves in the
summer. Henderson's move would bring in cash for Pompey in the form of a
loan fee and a guaranteed payment down the line of around £750,000 as they
try to survive the season. The 6ft 4in shot-stopper turned down a move to
Ipswich recently, but the drastic change of circumstances at Fratton Park
means it has become vital. Henderson will also have the chance of being a
Premier League keeper next season - and possibly a number one - if Green's
current contract discussions go wrong.
***
DONCASTER have pulled off a coup by signing striker Frederic Piquionne on
loan from West Ham in a bargain deal. Piquionne agreed to the switch on
Monday night after being frozen out of Sam Allardyce's plans following the
January arrivals of fellow forwards Nicky Maynard and Ricardo Vaz Te. He
will make his debut in Tuesday's relegation crunch with Nottingham Forest.
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Piquionne exits Hammers to link up with former team-mate Diatta at Doncaster
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:45 PM on 5th March 2012
Daily Mail
Doncaster Rovers have persuaded striker Frederic Piquionne to join on loan
from West Ham. The 33-year-old turned down a move to China in favour of
linking up with former St Etienne team-mate Lamine Diatta.
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