Daily WHUFC News - 17th May 2012

'It is going to be my biggest game'
WHUFC.com
Impressive defender James Tomkins is relishing his first-ever trip to
Wembley
16.05.2012

James Tomkins is rested, relaxed and cannot wait for the biggest game of his
career.
West Ham United's No5 has enjoyed a fantastic season at the heart of the
back four, being voted into both the npower Championship Team of the Year
and as Hammer of the Year runner-up to close pal Mark Noble.
The centre-back has forged a rock-solid partnership with Winston Reid and
has also weighed-in with four important goals. Now he is hoping to complete
the best season of his life by helping the Hammers to gain promotion in
Saturday's npower Championship Play-Off final with Blackpool at Wembley.
Tomkins sat down with Newham Recorder reporter Dave Evans to talk about his
season, his fantastic form and his first trip to Wembley.

James, you have had nearly two weeks to prepare for the Play-Off final. Has
that been a help or a hindrance?
JT - I think it has been nice. We have had some time off and let it sink it
that we have made the final and prepare for the fact that we have got
Blackpool. We have enjoyed the time off. It is a long season we have had a
lot of games so to have a few days to ourselves is important for our
recovery to prepare for the weekend.
You have been at West Ham for about 15 years now, so did you go to the 2004
or 2005 Championship Play-Off finals?
JT - I went to the Ipswich Town semi-final game in 2005 and then I went to
the final, so I know what it is like and the atmosphere was amazing. I have
never played at Wembley and I have never even been to the new stadium. I
went to the old Wembley when I was a kid, but I haven't been to the new one
and it is just going to be unbelievable to play at my country's home
stadium. The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable and I am really looking
forward to it.
This season you have played consistently well. What has been the secret?
JT - I think this year I have come on a lot. I have grown in confidence and
become a man this season. I think with my performances since I have come
into the team, I have deserved to keep my place and I feel I am getting
better and better. I don't want the season to end, really, but hopefully we
can end it on a high and get where we feel we belong. I think it helps with
the manager believing in you and playing you regularly, which is important
for my confidence. I feel that I am a big part of the team this year and I
have tried taking that in my stride and I feel that I am just getting better
and better.
You have formed a great partnership with Winston Reid in recent weeks. Do
you enjoy playing alongside him?
JT - Yes, I do. I think we are both enthusiastic, young and eager. We
complement each other really well as we have similar attributes. We can
cover each other and we both feel we can play on the floor as well as being
good in the air.
Has it been easier to play in the Championship to your previous seasons in
the Premier League?
JT - I think it is different. In the Premier League you are going to get
punished more often than not, while in this league you can sometimes get
away with it. It is more physically demanding here, though, with so many
games and a quick turnover. You have got to recover well and you feel that
you are not always 100 per cent fit. Sometimes you can play three games in a
week and that is a lot to ask really. That is the key difference, it is not
necessarily easier, it is just that you have to show different attributes in
your game.
You scored at Blackpool earlier this season and have netted four times in
total. Do you feel you are an important part of the team's attacking threat
these days?

JT - We do a lot of set-plays in training and that is something that we have
worked out this year. I have got on the end of quite a few of Matt Taylor's
and Mark Noble's crosses this year. My timing has improved this year and I
am taking the ball well. We do work on them in training, but not as much as
you think, but it is something that is important and we have not conceded as
many this season either. I feel that when I go up, I do have a chance of
scoring and that's important because if you are going up half-hearted then
there is no point in going up at all. It is important that we keep improving
there, keep scoring from set-pieces and not conceding from them.
You must be excited about the prospect of playing in the Play-Off final and
winning promotion back to the Premier League?
JT - Definitely. I think I will have a few sleepless nights this week just
because of the excitement the weekend is going to bring, but hopefully we
can win the game and we are really confident that we can. It is massively
important for us to get to the Premier League. Every player would be lying
if they said they didn't want to play there. It is vital that the club
bounces straight back up and it is something that we are all aiming to do.
It is something that I targeted this year. When I signed a new contract I
had it in mind to get the club back where we belong.
Is this the biggest game of your career so far?
JT - Certainly it is going to be my biggest game up to date, just because of
what is on it - that is Premier League status which is a massive thing. We
know how big this game is. For the neutral it is going to be brilliant, the
atmosphere is going to be unbelievable, so hopefully at the end of the day,
we can win.

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Green in EURO 2012 squad
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has been named in the England squad for the UEFA European
Championship finals
16.05.2012

West Ham United are happy to confirm that Robert Green has been named in
England's 23-man squad for the 2012 UEFA European Championship finals. The
Hammers No1 has been included in Roy Hodgson's selection for the tournament,
which begins in Poland and Ukraine on 8 June. Green, who has eleven senior
caps, made his England debut against Colombia in New York on 31 May 2005.
The 32-year-old made his most-recent appearance against the United States at
the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The goalkeeper has been rewarded
following a fine season for the Hammers during which he has kept 13 clean
sheets and helped the club to reach the npower Championship Play-Off final.
A consistent figure capable of pulling off exceptional saves, Green has made
240 first-team appearances for West Ham since joining the club from Norwich
City in August 2006. After making his England debut in Giants Stadium as a
half-time substitute for David James, Green made his first start on his
third appearance in a 4-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win in Kazakhstan on 6
June 2009. He has totalled nine starts for his country, but became the first
England goalkeeper to be sent-off when he was red-carded in a 1-0 FIFA World
Cup qualifying defeat in Ukraine in October 2009. Since then, he has made
successful appearances against Egypt and Mexico in the build-up to the 2010
FIFA World Cup finals.

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Green on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is on his way to the European
Championships after being named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad. The
32-year-old Hammer will travel to Eastern Europe next month as one of three
shot-stoppers named in the new England manager's first tournament selection.
Out of contract with West Ham at the end of the season, Green has failed to
make a start for his country since his appearance against the USA in the
2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa. He will be very much second choice
behind Manchester City's Joe Hart - but almost certainly ahead of Norwich
City's John Ruddy in the pecking order.

England Euro 2012 Squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry
(Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole
(Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man
City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man
United), James Milner (Man City)


Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy
Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

Standby: Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel
Sturridge.

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Dear stupid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Blackpool FC's attempts to build a siege mentality ahead of this Saturday's
play-off Final reached a hilarious conclusion this morning when defender Ian
Evatt claimed that a mocked-up replica shirt was West Ham's official away
kit for the 2012/13 season.

For the past few days, Blackpool fans and players have been attempting to
paint West Ham United as "cocky" and "overconfident" ahead of this weekend's
play-off Final - despite United choosing to adopt a low-key approach to the
game.

And in what modern parlance would refer to an "epic fail", Evatt claimed
this morning that a mocked-up replica kit initially posted on the KUMB.com
forum by a site member (see above) was West Ham United's's official output -
whilst insisting that it was a viable example of the club's perceived
arrogance.

"A guy has just told me that their new kit's come out with Premier League
badges on," said Evatt, "which I think is jumping the gun a bit. It's
disrespectful towards our group of players.

"If you listen to them, they're already up aren't they?" he raged on. "It's
going to be a 90-minute game and it's going to be difficult for them as it
is for us. If I was them I wouldn't be counting my chickens just yet."

The website that lifted the image from KUMB - a Blackpool forum entitled
'Back Henry Street' - posted the mock-up on their forum yesterday.

A BHS member called 'MR-DD' - who is understood to be a 33-year-old site
administrator - posted the image, in a thread entitled 'West Ham away kit
(next season)' alongside the message, "Why does it have Premier League
badges on?"

That post was followed by a string of replies condeming West Ham as -
amongst other things - "arrogant Cockneys", exhibiting "a major show of
disprespect" and the club's fans as "deluded".

Even though the error was pointed out by several highly-amused visiting West
Ham supporters Back Henry Street continues to host the thread, which now
stretches to nine pages - making it the fifth-largest* thread on the obscure
website.

And the picture was only posted on the forum after another image featuring
Premier League badges and being worn by Thomas Hitzlsperger - West Ham's
official away kit from TWO YEARS ago - had been replaced by the same user,
MR-DD.

Evatt's comments have also been published on websites such as the Sporting
Life, SkySports and the Evening Standard already this morning.

KUMB.com member sutts07 - who has been posting replica kit mock-ups on our
website for several years - is responsible for the artwork; you may see the
design in question plus many more here.

When we informed sutts07 that his work was the subject of Evatt's ire, he
told KUMB: "I guess I have to thank Ian Evatt for the subliminal
acknowledgement of my artwork. I am also available on a reasonable
consultancy rate for any future kit design requirements West Ham have!"

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10,000 tickets remain unsold
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Blackpool FC have confirmed that they still have in excess of 10,000 tickets
for this weekend's play-off Final available for sale - despite the match
being just 72 hours away. With little more than three days remaining until
the big game, the Tangerines have confirmed that as of this morning they had
sold a total of 27,624 - leaving in excess of 10,000 up for grabs. Amongst
that number are thought to be several West Ham supporters who were unable to
obtain tickets in the home end after the club's allocation was sold out
within 20 minutes of reaching general sale on Tuesday morning. As such,
there could be in excess of 40,000 West Ham United supporters at Wembley on
Saturday afternoon - possibly the largest single gathering of the club's
fans since the FA Cup Final against Arsenal some 32 years ago.
Unfortunately none of the tickets left unsold are likely to be returned to
the Football League for distribution amongst United supporters, due to the
fact that Blackpool have sold seats in every one of the available blocks.
Despite this, West Ham United co-Chairman David Gold told followers of his
Twitter account this morning that more tickets may yet materialise. "We are
sold out," said Gold, before adding, "it's still possible that Blackpool
might return another 500 in the next day or so."

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Hammers deny hoax photo
West Ham remove themselves from internet kit story
Last Updated: May 16, 2012 3:48pm
SSN

West Ham have denied their part in a photograph appearing of next season's
kit featuring the Barclays Premier League logo. The Hammers take on
Blackpool in the Championship play-off final on Saturday afternoon for the
right to be reinstated into England's top flight. Both clubs are aiming for
an immediate return to the division after suffering relegation last season,
with West Ham the favourites for the contest. But, in a statement, the
London club said: "West Ham United can confirm that reports of replica
shirts being produced with Premier League badges on ahead of Saturday's
play-off final are completely erroneous. "The photograph of a shirt is a
hoax and in no way connected to West Ham United Football Club. "Comments
made as to the conduct of our club in regards to our opponents on Saturday,
Blackpool, are also false and have again, nothing to do with the club."
Meanwhile, the Hammers have tied youth players Callum Driver and Eoin Wearen
to new contracts.
Both players have signed one year deals after spending loan spells at League
Two sides this season. Full-back Driver has played eight games for Burton
this season and said: "I've worked this whole year to get another contract,
so to think the club believe in me and see I have got more development in me
is nice." Meanwhile, centre-back Wearen made four appearances for Dagenham
and said: " A lot of good players have been released this year so I know I
am one of the lucky ones who have been kept on. "I'd like to think I earned
this contract."

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Noble hails new-look Hammers
Midfielder setting his sights on top flight and England call-up
Last Updated: May 16, 2012 8:53am
SSN

Mark Noble believes 'things are turning around at Upton Park', with Sam
Allardyce having helped to steady the West Ham ship. The Hammers are looking
to secure an immediate return to the Premier League this term, with a place
in Saturday's Championship play-off final offering them a shot at the big
time. The capital outfit are getting used to eventful campaigns, with the
last few seasons having seen them avoid the drop, suffer relegation and put
themselves in promotion contention. Noble, a constant throughout that run,
admits things have been 'a bit mental' but the home-grown midfielder feels
times are changing. Since Allardyce inherited the managerial reins last
summer, the former England U21 international says stability and leadership
has returned to Upton Park.

Reacted

"West Ham is a completely differently run club nowadays," Noble told The
Sun. "Sam is in charge of everything and what he says goes. And the boys and
staff have reacted to that. "In the last few years, I've gone through the
Great Escape, relegation, promotions, cup finals - it's all experience in
the bank but it's been a bit mental. Now, you get the feeling things are
turning around at Upton Park."

Future

Noble has been through a lot for a 25-year-old footballer, but he is
determined to take things one step further and become a regular Premier
League performer and contender for a spot in the senior England squad.
Ahead of Saturday's play-off meeting with Blackpool, he added: "I think I
have played 50 games this season but feel fresh and raring to go. The
Championship is not the level I want to play at. I was voted in the Team of
the Year by the other pros and was also named Hammer of the Year, which is
great. "Mentally and physically, I'm a hundred times better than a few years
ago and I want to produce the football I have this season in the Premier
League and for England." On his future, Noble added: "I've not had any
conversations with the club about my contract. "Last season, following
relegation, there were a couple of clubs interested in me but I was told the
new manager was adamant he wanted to keep me."

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Tony Cottee Column: The result is all that matters for West Ham at Wembley
Tony Cottee, West Ham Columnist
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
3:58 PM
London 24

The nerves are starting to build and I am beginning to get really excited
about Saturday's trip to Wembley and the play-off final.

It is going to be a very special occasion and it is so important that the
players are prepared to go out there and perform.

One thing I know that Sam Allardyce is big on is preparation and I am sure
that he will have the players in the best shape both physically and mentally
ahead of Saturday's game.

I know that the fans are starting to get really excited too and it is great
credit to the club that they managed to sell close to 40,000 tickets with no
trouble at all.

In fact, there are so many fans that weren't able to get tickets, I think we
could have sold out the whole stadium if we had to.

I think that it is a good idea for the players and staff to try and treat
the game like it is just another league fixture, but that is easier said
than done.

When those players arrive at Wembley and feel the buzz that the place
generates and see and hear all of the fans, then it will hit them just how
big an occasion it really is.

There will be huge amounts of emotion swirling around the stadium and it
will be interesting to see how the players react to the occasion, but with
the experienced heads of the likes of Kevin Nolan and Matt Taylor in the
dressing room, the younger players will be in good hands.

West Ham have been made heavy favourites for the game and it is clear to see
why due to their earlier results against Blackpool during the season, but it
would be wrong to write Ian Holloway's side off.

They are a good footballing side and they have some dangerous players such
as Thomas Ince and Matt Phillips who can cause damage out wide.

The Seasiders also have plenty of experience with the likes of Barry
Ferguson in midfield and Kevin Phillips, who is a constant danger in the
penalty box.

There is no doubting that we will need to be on our game if we are to beat
Blackpool.

We would all love to see a thrilling and open game of football, but I know
that I will take a boring 1-0 victory if it means that West Ham are back in
the Premier League come 5pm on Saturday.

All that really matters on Saturday is the result, the performance can come
second as so much is at stake.

It looks as though the game will come too soon for Jack Collison, and that
is a real shame as he was just starting to find his best form.

I know that Jack will come back a stronger player though and I wish him all
the best in his recovery from that shoulder injury.

In his absence, I would like to see George McCartney come in a left-back,
with Taylor pushing further forward to midfield.

Having said that, Sam has plenty of options and a welcome selection headache
ahead of Saturday.

I know that Sam has had the players practicing penalties all week but there
is a massive difference between slotting one home at Chadwell Heath and
doing it in front of 90,000 people at Wembley!

I know that I wouldn't fancy taking a penalty in that scenario and it takes
real bottle, but I am sure the players are prepared for any eventuality.

With the way we are playing and scoring freely at the moment, I think the
Hammers will win 3-1 and seal a place back in the top flight next season
sending the fans home happy.

Come on you Irons!

Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John

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Nolan: 'West Ham must be aware of a Blackpool masterclass on Saturday'
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
2:45 PM
Lodnon 24

West Ham may have beaten Blackpool in convincing style twice already this
season, but skipper Kevin Nolan is determined to make sure his team do not
treat the Seasiders' challenge lightly at Wembley.

Those thumping wins make West Ham overwhelming favourites come Saturday, but
Nolan is a shrewd customer when it comes to preparation.

"Obviously confidence is high," said the 29-year-old West Ham captain. "We
beat them 4-0 and 4-1, but at the end of the day it is a one-off game and
Blackpool can turn up for one day and produce a masterclass performance.

"We can't rest on our laurels, what we have got to do is put what we learned
from those two games and master that game plan again on Saturday."

Nolan has been here before. Way back in 2001, he helped Bolton dispatch
Preston North End in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in
Cardiff.

So what did he learn from that thumping 3-0 victory?

"I think you learn just how to handle the occasion," reflected the
inspirational captain. "You are trying to make sure the nerves don't get the
better of you, stick to your game plan and if we do then we will a fantastic
chance."

Nolan has played European football for Wanderers in Madrid, Munich and
Marseille among others, while he also saw his mate Andy Carroll perform at
Wembley in the FA Cup Final on May 5, but this will be his first chance to
play on the hallowed turf.

"I've never played there," he said. "When we came through the play-offs with
Bolton we won it at Cardiff which was a fantastic occasion with an amazing
atmosphere.

"Playing in Europe with Bolton was fantastic and we got some great results,
so hopefully there will be more of the same come Saturday."

So what have been Nolan's top moments from the season so far? He doesn't
have to think back very far.

"Two of my highlights have been the two Cardiff games," said the midfielder.
"I think Malky Mackay said it was the money we have got and the squad we
have got that puts us where we are, but it is not you know.

"In the two games against them we were totally the better side and
throughout the season we have learned how teams have set up against us, what
they have done to try and counteract us.

"So it was great to see all that come to fruition in those two Cardiff
games.

"I have really enjoyed this year and hopefully I can get better both on and
off the pitch and we can start building something, the first thing being
getting back into the Premier League."

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West Ham deny producing 'Barclays Premier' kit ahead of Championship
play-off final
ANDY SIMS WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk

West Ham have denied producing a new away kit for next season featuring the
Barclays Premier League logo after a mock-up picture appeared online and
apparently riled play-off opponents Blackpool. Seasiders defender Ian Evatt
branded West Ham "disrespectful" after hearing of the photo, and also
accused the east London club of being overconfident going into Saturday's
Wembley showdown. "If you listen to them, they're already up aren't they?"
said Evatt. "If I was them I wouldn't be counting my chickens just yet
because what I have learned over the past five or six seasons is these
players never give up. "A guy has just told me that their new kit's come out
with Premier League badges on, which I think is jumping the gun a bit and
it's disrespectful towards our group of players. "I'm not going to sit here
and say Blackpool are going to win, but we're going to give them a better
game than they think we're going to give them."

Yet West Ham's build-up to the final has been deliberately low-key, although
the club have now been compelled to respond to Evatt's remarks. A statement
read: "West Ham United can confirm that reports of replica shirts being
produced with Premier League badges on ahead of Saturday's play-off final
are completely erroneous. "The photograph of a shirt is a hoax and in no way
connected to West Ham United Football Club. "Comments made as to the conduct
of our club in regards to our opponents on Saturday, Blackpool, are also
false and have again, nothing to do with the club."

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