Daily WHUFC News - 22nd May 2012

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has begun planning for the Premier League next season
20.05.2012

Sam Allardyce may have rightly let his hair down on Saturday night to
celebrate West Ham United's promotion back to the Premier League, but the
task of planning for the club's return to the top-flight starts today. The
manager enjoyed a glass or two of Champagne at a reception at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday night for the players, staff and their families as the
squad toasted becoming only the eighth team in eleven years to win promotion
the year after being relegated from the Premier League. Big Sam was
delighted to have been able to deliver on his promise of a return to the
biggest league in the world at the first attempt. "I'm totally delighted
with the victory. I'm elated to say the least and hugely drained," he said.
"Play-Off finals are one hell of an occasion for managers in particular in
terms of wanting your team to go out there and win the game of football.
It's a brilliant way to win it. "At the back of your mind is the other side,
the disappointment of not going up by losing and that's what makes it so
draining. But when you win it you've got such relief. I'm delighted with
what the players have achieved in 49 games, losing only eight in total. "We
made sure that even though we weren't at our best we won the game and took
more chances than Blackpool did. That's what gives us the right to be where
we are today and the right from the season we've had."

It was not always clear which side was going to prevail at Wembley as both
sides came close to grabbing a decisive winner before Ricardo Vaz Te's late
intervention sealed the Hammers' 2-1 victory. The Portuguese front-man's
goal was incredibly the first time that the Hammers had sealed a win in the
last ten minutes of a match this season. "We've not a won a game in the last
minute all season," admitted Big Sam. "All the games we've won we've won in
the first 75 minutes. And our first win in the last minute comes in the 49th
game! "You couldn't get any better timing than that, could you? That meant
there was no time for Blackpool to get back in the game and really what
mattered most was just winning. How it came about was from an attacking game
from both teams and we put the chances in the back of the net."

As West Ham fans all around the world were nursing slightly sore heads on
Sunday morning, the manager's thoughts had already turned to some tough
decisions he has coming up over the next few days. A number of players have
reached the end of their contracts and Big Sam has to make a call on who
will stay for the Premier League campaign, while also drawing up a list of
transfer targets. "First and foremost I want to establish West Ham in the
Premier League and try to build a stable platform for our Premier League
status as slowly or as quickly as we need to. I can't determine that at the
moment as it depends on where we start next season and what players we'll
have added to the squad. "We've got a talented squad that have experienced
the Premier League so that should stand them in good stead. We'll have to
improve it and strengthen it then we can grow from there. "Unfortunately I
have to make some tough decisions on contracted players, in or out, keep or
go. Until I've done that I can't relax as that's all part of the job."

While the manager has those tough calls to make on who will be kept on, one
group of people certain to be back at the Boleyn Ground next year are the
club's loyal fans, who once again turned up in their tens of thousands to
offer sensational support at Wembley. After joining in a rendition of
'Bubbles' after the game, the manager said he cannot wait to see what
thrills and spills Premier League football will bring for them next season,
with sales of season tickets opening on Monday.
"None of us wanted to go through that at the start of the season as
Play-Offs are emotionally draining and they mean so much. If you lose, the
tragic disappointment can hang around for a while so if you win it you've
got to make sure you carry it on to the Premier League. "Everybody said the
pressure was on us and all the disappointment lay with us. We've handled it
and we've done what we've said we'd do and we've done it at the first time
of asking. We've also done it with great style and the lads haven't perhaps
got the credit we deserved as we were the favourites. "Saturday was about
the West Ham fans celebrating until the early hours, waking up on Sunday,
going on holiday, buying a Season Ticket and looking forward to the Premier
League!"

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Henderson here to stay
WHUFC.com
Stephen Henderson has joined West Ham United on a three-year contract from
Portsmouth
21.05.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce the permanent signing of
highly-rated goalkeeper Stephen Henderson. The 24-year-old, who initially
joined the Hammers on loan in March 2012, has moved to the Boleyn Ground on
a three-year contract after completing his move from Portsmouth for an
undisclosed fee.
A former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, Henderson was among the
substitutes as West Ham won promotion to the Barclays Premier League by
beating Blackpool 2-1 in the npower Championship Play-Off final at Wembley.
"I'm chuffed to bits to get it wrapped up," Henderson told West Ham TV. "I'm
a very happy man today. It's been absolutely brilliant since I joined and it
obviously topped it off on Saturday with us getting to the Premier League.
The lads have been brilliant with me and have made me feel welcome so I'm
very happy. "To be honest, I think Saturday was probably the poorest I've
seen us play in a while! Blackpool had a few great chances to get their
noses in the lead but at the end of the day we took our chances and Vaz has
popped up at the end. "It was a fantastic day. The support was a real buzz.
It was absolutely brilliant. Considering the trouble I've had with
Portsmouth and their relegation battle, I'm very lucky to be here and to be
a Premier League goalkeeper, I hope."

Born in Dublin, Henderson is the latest goalkeeping member of his family,
following grandfather Paddy, father Stephen and uncles Dave and Wayne. Paddy
appeared in the European Cup with Shamrock Rovers in the 1960s, while
Stephen senior kept goal for Shelborne, Dundalk, Limerick and Cobh Ramblers
and later managed Cork City. Dave won the League of Ireland title with St
Patrick's Athletic, while Wayne was capped six times by Republic of Ireland
before retiring in 2011. Henderson began his career with Belvedere FC in
Dublin - the same club that produced Norwich City midfielder Wes Hoolahan,
Fulham full-back Stephen Kelly and Burnley winger Keith Treacy - before
moving to English football with Aston Villa at the age of 17 in 2005. The
goalkeeper moved to Bristol City in 2007, making his debut against Queens
Park Rangers in August of the same year. However, facing competition from
Adriano Basso and Chris Weale for the No1 jersey, Henderson was loaned to
York City, Weymouth, Aldershot Town and Yeovil Town, making a total of 64
first-team appearances. The continued presence of David James at Ashton Gate
saw Henderson join Portsmouth on a permanent basis in summer 2011. At first,
he served as back-up to Jamie Ashdown before breaking into the side and
making his debut in a 1-0 npower Championship defeat at Leeds United on 1
October last year. Henderson has also been capped regularly by Republic of
Ireland at age-group level, appearing for the U16s, U17s and U19s before
making his U21 debut in a 3-2 win over Sweden in Uppsala in October 2007. He
totalled eight caps at U21 level.

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Tonks' final flourish
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins produced a Man of the Match performance as West Ham United won
at Wembley
19.05.2012

Wembley Man of the Match James Tomkins could not contain his delight after
helping his beloved West Ham United gain promotion to the Barclays Premier
League.
The No5 capped a memorable season by producing an imperious performance in
the 2-1 npower Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool. Afterwards,
Tomkins told West Ham TV of his delight at helping the club he has
represented since the age of eight and how he is looking forward to
representing the Hammers in the top-flight again next season. "It doesn't
get much better than that!" said the No5 before being attacked by Mark Noble
armed with a pile of streamers. "Our aim was to get automatic promotion at
the start of the season but to do it at Wembley is something special. Credit
to all the fans who've been brilliant all year. Their turnout at Wembley was
unbelievable. "Credit to all the players, who've also been unbelievable, and
the staff as well. There are so many people to thank, really."

Tomkins hailed the team spirit shown by the Hammers in keeping things
together following Tom Ince's 48th-minute equaliser and a subsequent spell
of prolonged pressure from the Tangerines. "They created the better chances,
to be honest, and we've got to consider ourselves lucky at times that they
didn't put those chances away. "It was obviously meant to be our day and I'm
just loving it. We're back where we belong now. "Blackpool gave us a good
game, created some good chances and got us running around at times, but it's
the result and these fans deserve it. I'm just so happy!"

For Tomkins, the day was made even more special by the fact he won promotion
playing alongside so many of his close friends, including fellow Academy
graduates Mark Noble and Jack Collison and captain Kevin Nolan. Just hours
after the final whistle, the defender joined Noble on his stag do, as the
midfielder is getting married at the end of the month. "I'm just going to
enjoy it for a few weeks now! We're back where we belong now and we've got
something to look forward to, going back into the Premier League. "I can
enjoy it, not just with the lads you mentioned, but with all of them because
we're quite a tight group and have a good team spirit."

Tomkins has also forged a close relationship on the pitch with fellow young
centre-back Winston Reid. The pair, aged 22 and 23 respectively, proved at
Wembley that you don't need experience to perform on the biggest stage. "Of
course you don't need experience," he smiled. "We were playing against Kevin
Phillips, who is so experienced, but I think I've enjoyed playing with Reidy
and the rest of the back four this season. "That's why I signed a new [five
year] contract. My aim was to get promoted straight back up and I'm the
happiest man in the world!"

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West Ham United sign Stephen Henderson from Portsmouth
BBC.co.uk

Premier League-bound West Ham United have signed goalkeeper Stephen
Henderson from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old has signed
a three-year deal with the Upton Park outfit. The former Republic of Ireland
under-21 international joined the Hammers on loan in March but did not make
any first team appearances. Henderson made 27 appearances in all
competitions for Pompey after joining from Bristol City last summer.

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West Ham style slammed by Blackpool's Alex Baptiste
BBC.co.uk

Alex Baptiste has criticised West Ham's style of football and referee Howard
Webb after Blackpool's 2-1 play-off final loss at Wembley on Saturday. "We
were the better side," the defender told BBC Radio Lancashire. "It was
embarrassing at times. They just hoof it long and hope for the best. "It's a
foul on me for the second goal, so the ref has done us no favours. "I
suppose everyone got what they wanted. Everyone wanted West Ham to win
because they're a team from London." Ricardo Vaz Te's goal three minutes
from time sealed an instant return to the Premier League for the Hammers, in
their first season under Sam Allardyce. Tom Ince had earlier equalised for
Blackpool after Carlton Cole opened the scoring. Baptiste continued:
"Congratulations to them, they won the game, but I know who I would rather
play for. "I wouldn't survive in their team because I'm not tall enough. All
of them are 8ft tall." While West Ham can expect a windfall of around £45m
following their promotion to the Premier League, Ian Holloway's side are now
facing the prospect of Championship football again next season. "If we keep
the squad together, we'll go up next year," added Baptiste. "You've seen the
football that we play. We've just got to believe in ourselves a little bit
more. "We experienced winning it two years ago and it's a cruel game
sometimes. "Maybe we didn't deserve it last time, but we sure as hell
deserved it this time."

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Hammers poised for German test
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United could be spending part of their pre-season in central
Europe, according to reports emanating from Germany today. According to a
story in bild.de today, Sam Allardyce's Hammers - who won a return to the
Premier League on Saturday after beating Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley - could be
on their way to Germany in late July to face Dynamo Dresden, who currently
ply their trade in 2 Bundesliga (the German equivalent of the Championship).
Dresden head coach Ralk Loose, told Bild: "If it comes off, it would be a
great thing. A dress rehearsal like this at home against such a team is also
a highlight for the fans. It will get them in the mood for next season's
Championship. "We all know where football was born. That was not far from
London. Dynamo and the home of football - it fits well together." The two
teams have met once before in a friendly some 26 years ago, when West Ham
drew 1-1 with Dresden before winning a penalty shootout. A part of the
former East Germany that was one of the most heavily-bombed cities during
the second world war, Dynamo were formed in 1950. Within 20 years they
became one of Germany's most prolific clubs and were regulars in European
competition during the 1970s, reaching the quarter finals of the European
Cup on two occasions and the UEFA Cup quarter finals once. Their good form
continued into the 1990s and they reached the quarter finals of Europe's
premier club competition for the last time in 1991. But since dropping out
of the top flight in the mid-'90s, Dresden have failed to repeat their glory
years and have spent the last decade in the lower levels of the German
league structure. In 2010/11 they were promoted to the 2 Bundesliga and
achieved a repsectable ninth-placed finish. For the last 13 months they have
been managed by 49-year-old Loose, whose CV includes spells as manager of
Liechtenstein and St Gallen.

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Goalkeeper signs permanent deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have competed the signing of Portsmouth goalkeeper Stephen
Henderson on a permanent contract. The highly-rated Irishman today put pen
to paper on a three-year contract having spent the last two months on an
'emergency' loan at the club. Henderson began his career with Aston Villa
but joined Burnley on a free transfer in May 2007 having failed to make a
single appearance for the Premier League club. Loan spells at York,
Weymouth, Wycombe, Aldershot and Yeovil followed before he was snapped up by
Pompey last summer - since when he went on to make 27 apeerances for the
financially-stricken club. West Ham were just one of a string of clubs who
were running the rule over the promising goalkeeper prior to his move to
east London, with Alan Pardew's Newcastle United also linked with him during
the last transfer window back in January. Although yet to make a first team
start for Sam Allardyce, the 24-year-old - who could yet be the long-term
successor to Rob Green - has impressed sufficiently to earn a permanent deal
that ties him to the club until 2015.

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Sour grapes, Alex?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste has launched an astonishing tirade against
West Ham United after his team were beaten by Sam Allardyce's team at
Wembley.
The defender - who went close to scoring himself in the second half only to
see his effort cleared off the line by Matt Taylor - told BBC Radio
Lancashire after the game that Blackpool's defeat was "embarrassing" -
whilst insisting that the Hammers played long-ball football throughout
(clearly ignoring the fact that the Seasiders' only goal of the game came
from a direct aerial punt forward). "I'm devastated," he said. "You've seen
that game, we were the better said. It was embarrassing at times. They just
hoof it long at times hoping for the best. "It's a foul on me for the second
goal, definitely. The ref's done us no favours but i suppose everyone got
what they wanted, because everyone wanted West Ham to win, a team from
London and that. "Congratulations to them, they won the game but I know who
I'd rather play for. I wouldn't survive in that team, I'm not tall enough.
It's embarrassing, all of them are eight foot [tall]. "I think this is worse
[than being relegated last season] because we don't deserve that. We've
battered them on the day and we were miles better, by far the better side.
"We're going to drown our sorrows tonight because the better team lost
today."

Baptiste's display of sour grapes was in stark contrast to the response from
Tangerines manager Ian Holloway, who was graceful in defeat - as always.
Wishing West Ham well for next season, the former Bristol City boss said:
"Well done to West Ham. It looked like it was going to extra time and I was
very pleased with our performance. "We'll be rueing the day that we missed a
couple of chances but that's life. So good luck to them. We've got some
fantastic players and I'd have loved for them to ply their trade in the top
flight but unfortunately West Ham pipped us to it. "All you can say is 'well
done' to them. That's 2-1 instead of 4-0 and 4-1 [like earlier in the
season] so we've improved again - but not quite enough."

West Ham's "eight foot giants"

Carlton Cole 6'3"
Guy Demel 6'3"
Robert Green 6'3"
James Tomkins 6'3"
Winston Reid 6'3"
Ricardo Vaz Te 6'2"

And then there's...

Jack Collison 6'0"
Julien Faubert 5'11"
George McCartney 6'0"
Mark Noble 5'11"
Kevin Nolan 6'0"
Gary O'Neil 5'10"
Matthew Taylor 5'10"

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KUMB.com Awards XV - 2011/12 season
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st May 2012
By: Staff Writer

It's the end of another gruelling season at the Boleyn Ground which can only
mean one thing - it's time for the annual KUMB.com Awards. 15 years since
Knees up Mother Brown first went online, the annual in-house awards are back
for yet another season which culminated in stunning fashion with victory
against Blackpool at Wembley on Saturday. No doubt that game will feature
heavily in our Most Memorable match category, which is one of just eleven
categories we are once again asking you to vote in this year. Meanwhile it
remains to be seen whether Mark Noble - who recently picked up the club's
Player of the Year award - can complete a double by also landing the
KUMB.com vote. In order to cast your votes, simply complete the voting form
which may be found at kumb.com/awards_1112.php. The poll will remain open
until the end of May and the results announced at the beginning of June.

The eleven categories - plus all previous winners - may be seen below.

1. Player of the Year

2010/11 Scott Parker; 2009/10 Scott Parker; 2008/09 Scott Parker; 2007/08
Robert Green; 2006/07 Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Danny Gabbidon; 2004/05 Teddy
Sheringham; 2003/04 Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Joe Cole; 2001/02 Sebastien
Schemmel; 2000/01 Stuart Pearce; 1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio; 1998/99 Steve
Lomas; 1997/98 John Hartson.

2. Young Player of the Year

2010/11 James Tomkins; 2009/10 Zavon Hines; 2008/09 Jack Collison; 2007/08
Mark Noble; 2006/07 Mark Noble; 2005/06 Nigel Reo-Coker; 2004/05 Mark Noble;
2003/04 Chris Cohen; 2002/03 Glenn Johnson; 2001/02 Jermain Defoe; 2000/01
Michael Carrick; 1999/2000 Michael Carrick; 1998/99 Rio Ferdinand/Frank
Lampard; 1997/98 Rio Ferdinand.

3. Goal of the Season

2010/11 Scott Parker v Liverpool; 2009/10 Scott Parker v Wigan; 2008/09
Carlton Cole v Wigan (a); 2007/08 Dean Ashton v Man Utd (a); 2006/07 Mark
Noble v Bolton (h); 2005/06 Anton Ferdinand v Fulham (h); 2004/05 Bobby
Zamora v Ipswich (a); 2003/04 Jon Harley v Sheffield Utd (a); 2002/03 Paolo
Di Canio v Chelsea (h); 2001/02 Trevor Sinclair v Derby (h); 2000/01 Paolo
Di Canio v Manchester United (a); 1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon (h);
1998/99 Stan Lazaridis v Newcastle (a);1997/98 John Hartson v Aston Villa
(h).

4. Best Signing

2010/11 Demba Ba; 2009/10 Alessandro Diamanti; 2008/09 Valon Behrami;
2007/08 Scott Parker; 2006/07 Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Yossi Benayoun; 2004/05
Teddy Sheringham; 2003/04 Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Rufus Brevett;
2001/02 Sebastien Schemmel; 2000/01 Frederic Kanoute; 1999/2000 Igor Stimac;
1998/99 Trevor Sinclair; 1997/98 Eyal Berkovic.

5. Most Improved Player

2010/11 Jonathan Spector; 2009/10 Julien Faubert; 2008/09 Carlton Cole;
2007/08 George McCartney; 2006/07 James Collins; 2005/06 Marlon Harewood;
2004/05 Anton Ferdinand; 2003/04 Stephen Bywater; 2002/03 Glen Johnson;
2001/02 Christian Dailly; 2000/01 Michael Carrick; 1999/2000 Marc-Vivien
Foe; 1998/99 Frank Lampard; 1997/98 Frank Lampard.

6. Most Memorable Match

2010/11 Man Utd 4-0 (h); 2009/10 Wigan 3-2 (h); 2008/09 Portsmouth 4-1 (a);
2007/08 Man Utd 2-1 (h); 2006/07 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 2005/06 Liverpool/FA Cup
Final (n); 2004/05 Ipswich 2-0 (a); 2003/04 Ipswich 2-0 (h); 2002/03 Chelsea
1-0 (h); 2001/02 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 2000/01 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 1999/2000 Arsenal
2-1 (h); 1998/99 Palace 4-1 (h)/Barnsley 6-0 (h); 1997/98 Tottenham 4-3 (h).

7. Worst Player of the Year

2010/11 Matthew Upson; 2009/10 Jonathan Spector; 2008/09 Diego Tristan;
2007/08 Luis Boa Morte; 2006/07 Nigel Quashie; 2005/06 No award; 2004/05 Don
Hutchison; 2003/04 Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Titi Camara;
2000/01 Titi Camara; 1999/2000 Neil Ruddock; 1998/99 Iain Dowie/Andy Impey;
1997/98 Iain Dowie.

8. Worst Signing

2010/11 Robbie Keane; 2009/10 Benni McCarthy; 2008/09 Diego Tristan; 2007/08
Henri Camara; 2006/07 Matthew Upson; 2005/06 No award; 2004/05 Mauricio
Tarrico; 2003/04 Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Ragnvald Soma;
2000/01 Titi Camara; 1999/2000 Sasa Ilic; 1998/99 Andy Impey; 1997/98 Ian
Pearce.

9. Biggest Disappointment

2010/11 Relegation; 2009/10 Dean Ashton's retirement; 2008/09 The Lord
Griffiths ruling in favour of Sheffield Utd; 2007/08 The injury situation;
2006/07 Failing to build on the previous season's success; 2005/06 The FA
Cup Final; 2004/05 Booing players; 2003/04 Millwall away; 2002/03
Relegation; 2001/02 Chelsea FA Cup defeat; 2000/01 Spurs FA Cup defeat;
1999/2000 Mannygate.

10. Most Missed

2010/11 Alessandro Diamanti; 2009/10 Dean Ashton.

11. Hackett of the Year

2010/11 Avram Grant; 2009/10 Eidur Gudjohnsen; 2008/09 Lord Griffiths;
2007/08 Kevin McCabe; 2006/07 Dave Whelan (Wigan).

Once again - in order to cast your votes, simply complete the voting form
which may be found at kumb.com/awards_1112.php.

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2012/13 season ticket prices released
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United FC have released the season ticket prices for the
forthcoming 2012/13 Premier League season. Having beaten Blackpool by the
narrowest of margins at Wembley on Saturday - United's first visit to the
new stadium and first win there since 1980 - the club have confirmed the
figures for next season.
And it's good news for supporters who were perhaps fearing the worst with
the club back in the top flight and preparing once again to welcome the
cream of English football to the Boleyn Ground. All season ticket prices
have been set at the same level as the last occasion in which the club were
in the Premier League in 2010/11. Prices for adults start at £600, rising to
£850 for the most expensive seats in the ground. However there had been no
word as yet on whether the board will honour the 20 per cent discount pledge
offered to long-term season ticket holders by the previous administration
back in 2009. * You may now renew/order your 2012/13 season ticket directly
via KUMB.com by clicking on the advertising banners that appear at the top
of each page.

2012/13 season ticket prices

Adults
Band 1: £850
Band 2: £790
Band 3: £735
Band 4: £600
Restricted View: £675
Disabled: £290

Over 65s/Young Adults
Band 1: £425
Band 2: £395
Band 3: £370
Band 4: £300
Restricted View: £335
Disabled: £150

Under 16s
Band 1: £275
Band 2: £245
Band 3: £230
Band 4: 190
Restricted View: £220
Disabled: £95

Under 10s
All Bands: £105
Disabled: £80

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Sam planning ahead
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 20th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admitted that he may have set his stall out too early this
season - before suggesting that his team may not necessarily struggle next
year. It has long been a tradition that teams promoted from the Championship
by virtue of the play-offs tend to struggle during their first season in the
Premier League. Indeed, some nine of the last 12 clubs promoted in that
fashion have been relegated after just one season in the top flight. But
Allardyce, speaking after a nervy win on Saturday in which his side were
second best for much of the game but still managed to pull through, was
having none of it. "I'm setting myself up here again, by the way," he said,
"but let's think beyond fourth [from bottom] and see how far we can get this
team in the Premier League. "I'm my own man now."

Brought in to arrest a slide that began with the club's former Icelandic
owners going bust in 2008 and culminated in last season's relegation from
the Premier League - a campaign overseen by the tactically inept Avram Grant
who was shown the door the moment it was confirmed last May - was Allardyce,
who confidently predicted that he could get West Ham back into the top
flight at the first attempt.

And despite having to rebuild a squad virtually from scratch with a net
outlay of less than £5million - despite what many commentators have said -
incorrectly - about the club's spending power in the Championship - that is
exactly what he did courtesy of Saturday's play-off Final at Wembley. Just
how much the manager will have to spend during a second successive summer of
rebuilding remains to be seen, however. League One Sheffield United's
latest payment as a result of the ridiculous decision to award them
£25million for not being good enough to avoid relegation from the Premier
League five years ago will take at least £5million out of the coffers - none
of which manager current Blades Danny Wilson is likely to see - whilst there
is the not too insignificant matter of a £90million deficit to deal with.

Additionally existing squad members will have their wages increased due to
bonuses and promotion clauses - one of whom, Carlton Cole, revealed today
that he took a 50 per cent wage cut upon relegation last May in order to
ease the club's fiscal difficulties. Elsewhere players such as Rob Green
will be offered lucrative new deals in order to keep them at the club -
although some other players on short term contracts - such as John Carew and
Papa Bouba Diop - will almost certainly be released. Yet despite those
limitations, Allardyce retains his unwavering belief in his own ability. And
having gained promotion at the first attempt - just as he said he would -
perhaps he has every right to.

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Core strength
'Hammers' senior pros can lay the foundations for further success'
Last Updated: May 20, 2012 3:51pm
SSN

Peter Beagrie believes that West Ham's togetherness will ensure that they
are competitive in next year's Premier League. The Hammers beat Blackpool
2-1 in the Championship play-of final on Saturday afternoon to book a return
to the top flight after a one-year absence. Sky Sports pundit Beagrie says
the Londoners will have to bolster their squad over the summer, but feels
Irons chief Sam Allardyce already has a solid base of players at his
disposal. "There are in such a healthy state," he said of the Upton Park
side, who were relegated from the elite division last May. "You are only as
good as your senior pros and there are no egos there and it means so much to
the youngsters there, too. "Sam has been backed with finances this year, but
the Premier League is very unforgiving and they will need to spend to make
sure they don't find themselves back in the Championship. "Their traditional
way of playing football will attract players, though, so I don't think there
will be any shortage of people coming through the revolving door once the
transfer window opens."

Faith

The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion this term by just two points
and Beagrie praised the way Allardyce has galvanised his troops during the
play-off campaign. And the former Scunthorpe winger also thinks the January
acquisition of Ricardo Vaz Te, who scored the club's winner against
Blackpool, has given the Irons a new dimension. "Sam had tremendous faith in
his own ability to build a team," added Beagrie. "They missed out on
automatic promotion but he re-energised them, they were united and their big
characters performed well. "Kevin Nolan has justified his wage, Carlton Cole
has been brilliant up front with his thirst for work and the signing of
Ricardo Vaz Te was imperative for them because they were very predictable.
He has been off the cuff and found his goal-scoring form at the right time."

Ex-West Ham manager Alan Pardew watched the game with Beagrie in the Sky
Sports studio and he says the Londoners' elevation is just reward for the
hard work put in by the Hammers' hierarchy. "The owners are West Ham fans
and they took the club when it was on its knees and have had to do all sorts
of deals to keep it going and give themselves a chance," said the Newcastle
boss. "David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady deserve a lot of credit
for taking that club back to where they belong. The club is bathed in
tradition and their fans are some of the best in the country. I am
absolutely chuffed that they are back."

Future

Ian Holloway's Blackpool missed out on immediate promotion back to the
Premier League after being unable to replicate their play-off final success
against Cardiff in 2010. But both Beagrie and one-time Tangerines defender
Clarke Carlisle reckon that the Bloomfield Road outfit can look back on the
campaign in a positive light.
Beagrie said: "The way they got to the Premier League a couple of seasons
ago was a fairy-tale and it has afforded them the opportunity to be rubbing
shoulders with the likes of West Ham. The parachute payments have secured
their future for a long time yet and that's the most important thing."

Carlisle added: "It is so hard to dust yourselves down and go again after
relegation. To get your squad focussed and used to that jolt in lifestyle
and the grounds that you're going to is difficult. But they went on a run of
form and gave themselves this opportunity [to get promoted]. Ian Holloway
should be exceptionally proud."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold looks to push on
Co-owner ready to invest to keep Hammers up
Last Updated: May 21, 2012 7:09pm
SSN

David Gold has welcomed the financial rewards of promotion as West Ham look
to push on in the Premier League. Gold reckons that Ricardo Vaz Te's goal
three minutes from time to seal a 2-1 victory over Blackpool in the
Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday has saved the debt-ridden
club around £50million.
However, the co-owner is still prepared for a summer of spending as he
believes manager Sam Allardyce will need in the region of £20million
investing in his squad to keep the Hammers up next season. "Had we not won,
it would have meant the owners would have had to find more money. It is
painful. If you own 150 oil wells then it is no problem, but if you own 150
Ann Summers shops..." said Gold. "It is hard to put it into financial terms
because the first thing we would have done on Monday if we didn't win was
say we need to cut our cloth accordingly.

More money

"We wouldn't have sat there deluding ourselves, we would have needed to find
more money. It would have cost around another £30million. "It also depends
on what you want to do. Do you want to challenge again in the Championship?
If so you would have to find about another £20million. "But I think we still
have to do that, there is still hard work ahead. I still think the club has
got to find £20million to ensure it doesn't get relegated again - and that
is on top of the TV money. "We obviously need to strengthen some areas and
although I would expect significant changes, it won't be anything like last
summer when 26 players went and 19 came in. "The hard work starts now. This
club has debts we inherited. We are committed to paying these debts. The
best way to put it is that we would not have bought West Ham if we weren't
supporters - we would have to be mad."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers seal Henderson deal
Keeper makes permanent move following loan switch
Last Updated: May 21, 2012 5:38pm
SSN

West Ham have completed the permanent signing of Portsmouth goalkeeper
Stephen Henderson for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old moved to east
London in March on an emergency loan to act as understudy for Robert Green.
He has yet to make a senior appearance for the Hammers but was on the bench
at Wembley on Saturday as they secured an immediate return to the Premier
League with victory over Blackpool in the play-off final. The club's first
job since securing Premier League status is to seal a permanent three-year
deal for the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international "I'm chuffed
to bits to get it wrapped up," Henderson told the club's official website.
"I'm a very happy man today. It's been absolutely brilliant since I joined
and it obviously topped it off on Saturday with us getting to the Premier
League. "The lads have been brilliant with me and have made me feel welcome
so I'm very happy."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold aims to agree Green deal
Hammers hope promotion will help to persuade keeper to stay
Last Updated: May 21, 2012 3:40pm
SSN

West Ham United co-owner David Gold is hoping the club can finalise a new
contract to keep goalkeeper Robert Green at Upton Park. Green is out of
contract in the summer and the Hammers have been negotiating for several
months in an effort to persuade the 32-year-old to stay. Spanish side
Malaga, who have qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League, have
been linked with a bid to sign Green on a free transfer. However, after
Saturday's play-off win over Blackpool secured an immediate return to the
Premier League for the club, Gold is optimistic of retaining Green. "The
offer we could have made to Rob would obviously not have met his
requirements if we had still been in the Championship," said Gold. "But now
there will be one on the table which should be acceptable and hopefully we
will wrap that up in the next five weeks." Green has made over 240
appearances for West Ham since joining from Norwich City in 2006 and has
been included in England's squad for Euro 2012.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce calm over future
No talks have been planned to extend Allardyce deal
Last Updated: May 21, 2012 9:09am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he does not need the security of a new
deal at Upton Park after guiding the club back into the Premier League. The
Hammers clinched promotion to the top flight via the play-off final on
Saturday as they beat Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley. Allardyce, who arrived at
the club last year, is out of contract next summer but is in no hurry to put
pen-to-paper on a new deal. The 57-year-old said: "I don't need the security
of a contract to work in this game as far as I'm concerned. I'm my own man
now. "Somewhere down the line in the middle of next year, maybe, but not
now." Hammers co-owner David Gold is also happy for Allardyce to continue on
his current contract when the new season gets underway. "There are no talks
planned but Sam's our manager for the foreseeable future," he said. "It's
not an issue. It's not like we've lost eight games in a row. He's won us
promotion and he's a hero. There's no pressure, he's got a great contract."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce delight at finishing
We came good right at the very end, says West Ham boss
Last Updated: May 19, 2012 8:15pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce hailed his team's superior finishing as West Ham beat
Blackpool 2-1 to secure a return to the Premier League. Ricardo Vaz Te's
late winner after Thomas Ince had cancelled out Carlton Cole's opener, gave
the Hammers victory in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on
Saturday. And Allardyce, who had been under pressure to deliver promotion
all season, could scarcely hide his relief after the dramatic winner. He
told Sky Sports: "Blackpool were equally as good as us today. But, our
finishing power in the end, it's about taking your chances. "No more so than
in a game like today. There were lots of chances for both teams and we've
managed to swing it just at the death. "Funnily enough it's 49 games and
it's the first time we've won a game in the last few minutes all season.
"David Sullivan was always on at me saying 'why do we never win a game in
the last few minutes' and we've won one so I'm sure him and David Gold will
be very, very happy. "And as you can see from all the fans here, we're just
delighted to be back in the Barclays Premier League.

Magnificent

"Full credit to the players and full credit to Blackpool because for a
play-off with all the nerves that there have been I thought it was a
magnificent game - end-to-end and in the end we got one more goal than
Blackpool." Allardyce had not always found it easy at Upton Park with fans
less than happy about the team's style of play.
He also had to overcome the disappointment of missing out on automatic
promotion to Southampton on the final day, but ultimately the former Bolton
boss has delivered promotion at the first attempt. The 57-year-old added:
"It's everything to me because I've been in the Premier League for 10 years
or so and I wanted to come and experience a successful season. "It was very
difficult at the start to turn the club around with the relegation problem
that we've had, but we've turned it around we came good right at the very
end. "I'll look forward to the celebrations first before I start worrying
about the Premier League next year. A good rest for everybody and obviously
we're delighted how much it means to everybody at West Ham. "We've got what
we wanted. We're going up."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
One Word: Professionalism
Billy Blagg 11:10 Mon May 21
West Ham Online

It's odd to think that, in many ways, West Ham have endured yet another
torrid year. The fact that the Hammers remained unbeaten for long periods
during the season, recording a record number of away wins before stumbling
slightly, only to end the whole thing on such a brilliant high with the best
football day out many of us have had for a long time, has made it easy to
forget the turmoil of February and March.

Think back to the period leading into the home defeat by Reading where a
large number of home draws had helped produce a dreadful atmosphere at some
of the Boleyn games. The abuse and the calls for the head of Sam Allardyce –
and that's some head let's not forget - and the growing fractious behaviour
between the Manager and the fans, seemed to signal we were heading, yet
again, for another Irons-style meltdown.

Some of us thought the criticisms were an over- reaction and ever so
slightly ridiculous – I lost count of the number of arguments I had online
(and I'm not talking about on WHO either) with supporters stating that the
only way to save our season was to sack the boss and try to get in Di Canio,
an argument as pointless as it was unlikely – but there was a growing
feeling that things were going to end in tears.

Missing out on the automatic promotion places and being consigned to the
lottery of the Play-offs only helped cement the concerns and, I won't lie, I
feared we'd blow it against teams 'up for it' against the supposed
'strutting arrogance' of a side supposedly too big for the league it was
forced to play in. But I'd not taken into account the BFS factor and I don't
think I can be blamed for that because, simply, it's not something I've seen
too much of over the years at West Ham!

Condensing 10 months into one 'What If?' is always dangerous but, IF West
Ham had lost out to Blackpool last Saturday – and let's be honest the men in
Tangerine had plenty of good chances to do just that - to say things would
have looked very much bleaker could well be something of an understatement.

In a fascinating interview on Radio 5 Live on Sunday, Wally Downes confirmed
that West Ham already had two business plans in action; the Premier League
one we can now presumably expect to see coming into fruition over the coming
months, and the Championship option which would have seen the loss of at
least four or five high-wage earners from the playing staff. Don't look
round Guys but I think we just dodged a bullet!

But, with promotion gained, I think it's time to look again at some of the
supposed issues with Sam Allardyce and his 'style' and management of West
Ham United because for me, there was one thing apparent in his handling of
the team, not just all season, but particularly in the chase of Southampton
post Reading and, more significantly, in the Play-off's. That thing is
something West Ham teams have lacked a lot in the past and can be summed up
in one word: professionalism.

I have nothing but admiration for the way that Allardyce prepared the team
for the semi-final against Cardiff – rarely have I seen a Hammers side
dominate in such a single-minded manner over 120 minutes. Against Blackpool
things were different admittedly, but even so I always felt that the team
knew what needed to be done and worked hard to achieve it.

More importantly, when Ince Jnr. threatened to alter the balance of the
match after half-time, Allardyce was quick to spot the problem and introduce
McCartney. Decisive substitutions? Shouldn't we be waiting 20 minutes to see
if it pans out ok? If you want to see what difference that made then watch
the game on replay, simply the final turned on that one introduction. Be
honest, how many of us can recall the last time a West Ham boss put a
defender on to stop the opposition and it actually worked?

So adept is Allardyce at working this way I think his strengths have
actually been overlooked by the fans, particularly with his supposed
arrogance or inability to accept blame for when things go wrong.

The way I see it is I think Sam expects a certain level of professionalism
and trusts the players to deliver that. If they can't then they will soon be
on their way but, if they can then Allardyce will offer them a system that,
for the most part, will produce positive results. It may not always be
pretty but when Sam's mortgage – and more importantly – the club's future
depends on it, who can really argue?

When Allardyce takes off a striker when the side are leading 1-0 at home
with 10 minutes to go, he expects the player he introduces to help shape the
formation required to shut the game down and see the three points won. This
is an anathema to West Ham and their fans weaned – not as we are led to
believe – on a system of free-flowing football that demands we can go on and
score a second and a third but, rather, on the belief that we have to attack
because we've never been able to bloody defend!

Of course, when the change doesn't work and we do concede – I'm thinking
about the home game against Middlesbrough here – Sam cops the abuse and is
accused of being defensive and limited in his coaching. But I've come to
look at it another way, I think Sam trusts and expects his players to do
what he tells them and – although sometimes he's bound to come a cropper if
the opposition score a spectacular equaliser as Boro did that night – for
the most part the tactic will bring strong rewards.

Allardyce plays the percentages and when they don't work he offsets that
against the times they do because he knows most times he will come out on
top. When Sam's tactics have worked, the points have accumulated rapidly.
Can anyone really say they didn't get a bit of pleasure from seeing, as an
example, West Ham do to Brighton on their own patch what visiting teams have
been doing to us for years? Someone said that night in October that Bobby
Moore would be spinning in his grave. Personally, I think he'd have sported
an ironic smile – he always wanted Ron Greenwood to put a bit of steel in
the side and stifle the opposition more (Read the Great Man's autobiography
for details of how he begged Greenwood to employ a hatchet man). I think he
and Sam would have hit it off just fine.

For the first time in my memory (which admittedly is fading fast, but
still!) West Ham United has become a difficult team to beat. What's more, if
you'd told me I'd ever see a West Ham side win what is, effectively fifteen
away games in a season, I'd have a) thought you insane and b) assumed we'd
gathered another 'Class of '86' and were destroying opposition on the back
of attacking, free-flowing football. That this side can frustrate opposition
on their home turf, kill a game off and win points from unlikely places is
something of a minor miracle.

And can we blame Sam as he stands like the little boy in the Hans Christian
Anderson fairy-tale telling everyone the king has no clothes? Of course,
he's going to be confused by a bunch of fans claiming that we're not playing
the 'West Ham way' when, since he's been playing and managing, the Hammers
have, for the most part, been an under-achieving, sometime relegation
dodging, sometimes not, mid-table at best, claret and blue frustration? No
wonder the bloke gets pissed off at us! This season we've been given a Rolls
Royce and we've complained because he didn't put enough petrol in the tank.
I wouldn't mind so much but most of the people complaining never even saw
any of the champagne football so let me tell you, amongst the silky skills
and the slick passing there were a helluva lot of defeats at places like
Middlesbrough, Forest and Leeds.

I won't pretend I wasn't a bit worried last August but Sam Allardyce has
completely won me round. I've enjoyed this season better than most others in
recent memory and if BFS continues to irritate and frustrate the opposition
next year then it should be a long time before we bother the Play-off games
again.

Sam and his brand of football sit just fine with me and, for the first time
in a long while, I'm looking forward to a Premier League season with a
little more hope than expectation. Amazing what you can do when you get a
Professional in, isn't it?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In Praise of Carlton Cole
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Those of you who follow Carlton Cole on Twitter (@CarltonCole1) will have
been fascinated by his tweets in recent weeks. His personality shines
through. And his commitment to West Ham is also vey apparent. Here are a few
from the last few days...

i'll tell u a lil secret I've been playing with an injury for the last 8
weeks but there was no way i wasn't showing up ....

i finished the season strongly i hope to start next season stronger.....

i was literally driven to stoke but thats a story that stays where it is i
never asked or wanted to go ... #nothingagainststoke

i was taught when someone invites you into their home you treat it like its
your own west ham have shown me a home #settled

I have sometimes been a big critic of Carlton Cole, but for me he has now
come of age. Sam Allardyce is now getting out of him the same level of
performance that Zola did. Cole is a confidence player. If a manager and a
team show confidence in him, he will repay them. He has never been, and
probably never will be, a prolific goalscorer. He should have got 20 goals
this season, but we should remember that his 15 goals have come in only 31
starts. In his entire West Ham career he has scored 46 league goals from 130
starts - a ratio of a goal every 2.8 games. If you include substitue
appearances it goes down to 1 in 4.2.

Watching Carlton Cole in recent games, he has scored some fantastic goals.
really skilful ones. Not just tap ins, but difficult to score goals. I have
always thought he needs a nippy striker to feed off him. Unofrtunately we
haven't really seen enough of Baldock and Maynard to make a judgement.
Someone like Defoe would revel in playing off Cole. A lot of the crowd
underestimate Cole's abiity to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
It's a part of his game that he has developed well. He has a languidity
which can be mistaken for not trying. But no one should doubt the effort
Cole puts in. His battling qualities were evident on Saturday and we have
seen a lot of them throughout the season.

I was watching the celebrations on Saturday with great interest and it was
clear both from his reaction to the win and his interviews afterwards that
this meant everything to Carlton Cole. His revelation today that he took a
50% pay cut last season says a lot about him. He seems genuinley committed
to us and as fans we should continue to recognisee that.

It is clear that we need a goalscorer next season. Cole cannot carry the
burden alone. People are talking about Berbatov and Joe Cole. We'll see. But
I for one want to keep Carlton Cole and build on the excellent form he has
shown of late.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green hits a pay wall
The Sun
EXCLUSIVE
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 21st May 2012

WEST HAM fear Robert Green may have played his last game for the club.
England's No 2 keeper, 31, will begin contract talks this week and is
looking for a 50 per cent pay rise to around £45,000 a week. The Hammers,
who will bank £90million after bouncing back into the Premier League, are
concerned he will price himself out of a job. An insider said: "It's early
days and everyone is keen to keep Rob at the club. "But the demands of the
players have to be realistic even though there is a feel-good factor after
promotion. The board is still battling huge debts." Joint owner David
Sullivan revealed promotion cost the club £14m in bonuses and pay rises.
But the Hammers are leading the chase for Sunderland's Kieran Richardson,
27, who fancies a move to London.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man with the master plan: Allardyce insists he has proved himself...again
The Mirror
Ian Walton

Sam Allardyce insisted he had shown his managerial quality again as Richard
Vaz Te's dramatic goal sent West Ham back into the Premier League. Vaz Te
fired home with only three minutes remaining at Wembley to win a thrilling
Championship play-off final - and earn the club an instant return to the big
time. But Allardyce said: "I was considered the top of my industry at
Bolton. We were fifth in the Premier League and I had to suffer two sackings
that were harsh. "It damaged my reputation, but I'm still achieving great
things. "Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle in the past all went down. I don't
take any satisfaction from that but I must have done something right at
those clubs."

Allardyce took over having lost jobs at Newcastle and Blackburn - but the
Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Reading and Southampton. And
their promotion agony looked to be heading towards extra-time but then Vaz
Te pounced. Carlton Cole had put Allardyce's men in front after 35 minutes
before Thomas Ince - the son of former Hammer Paul - brought Blackpool back
three minutes after the re-start. "Ricardo Vaz Te: what a signing," added
Allardyce, who signed him on a deadline day in January. "He is the reason we
won. He's one of my best signings ever and I've had some bargain buys in my
time – he deserves a lot of credit.
"He was down and out in his career, and I brought him back." "My job is
thrilling fans. I have given them what they wanted. We are back to playing
at Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Old Trafford, Liverpool – we are back in the
best league in the world and we like the challenge. "This is a memory for
life. It's a memory for fans, for years to come. It's just an outstanding
achievement and this is the culmination of what's happened over 10 months,
not seven games. "There were big pressures heaped upon me. "If we had stayed
in the Championship it would have been devastation. The entertainment
industry has to attract wealth – but that will lead to fewer investors. It
will dilute the quality of league and I'm glad we do not have to face that."

West Ham Joint-chairman David Gold added: "I think it was his master plan to
have this fantastic day." Blackpool manager Ian Holloway paid tribute to his
players.
He said: "The lads did us proud and they'd deserved the bonus they would
have got – £5million between them. They played well above their wages. It's
no fluke, they played brilliantly. "Some things in life are a little bit
harsh and it's hard to take. Life is on a knife edge. We've just got to dust
ourselves down but congratulations to West Ham and Sam and good luck to them
in the Premier League. "My class lads are fantastic young men and I'm proud
of them."

But Holloway did end up in a row with the FA's doping team. The Blackpool
boss wanted to speak to his players as a group before they met the media.
Two of them - Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips - had been selected for
random drug tests. Holloway even invited the testers to join him in the
dressing room if it meant the players could all be united. But this request
was refused and Holloway said: "I got in a ruck with the FA. They wouldn't
let one of our lads back. It's bureaucracy gone mad. He's not going to walk
off and go shopping."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Match Verdict: When is Big Sam going to get the praise he deserves?
The Mirror

West Ham boss deserves credit for silencing his critics and returning the
club to the Premier League at his first attempt, writes Anthony Clavane

So, what - to adapt the great Monty Python line - has Big Sam ever done for
us? Apart, that is, from get West Ham back into the Premier League at the
first attempt.
Sam Allardyce's relationship with his fans has not been a good one. But
matches don't come bigger than yesterday's winner-takes-all Championship
play-off final at Wembley. And the much-criticised coach delivered.
Appropriately enough, it was Ricardo Vaz Te - the man he brought out of the
footballing wilderness - whose winning goal got the Londoners back into the
promised land. The Hammers were not just happy yesterday, they were
ecstatic. Bubbles were being blown, Bobby Moore was paid homage to and the
club was an estimated £90 million richer. But still they failed to sing his
name. It was West Ham's claret-and-blue army - not Big Sam's.

Allardyce's team have scored 83 goals this season, 14 more goals than
champions Reading - but he has still been lambasted by his team's own
followers for sending out functional, direct sides focused on achieving
set-piece domination. He has, however, taken them up - a golden ticket back
to the most-hyped domestic league in world football. The former Blackburn
boss has felt the wrath of the fans because of the playing style. Mooro, The
Academy, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, winning the World Cup...Allardyce is
not seen as part of this glorious tradition.

After six minutes play they began singing the praises of their revered
Number Six for six minutes. It was a moving tribute to the England legend
and the West Ham Way. The irony is that Ian Holloway's side equalised in
almost identical fashion to the way Irons opened the scoring. Carlton Cole,
who had fired home and receiving a long ball by Matt Taylor, lost possession
and a very long ball was pinged over the West Ham defence for Thomas Ince to
knock past Rob Green. The Blackpool midfielder had been give a bit of stick
in the first half - but the Hammers should know by now that no good will
come of winding up an Ince. Of course, Allardyce didn't help his
relationship with the Upton Park crowd when he said: "The perception of some
people is deluded as the facts about my teams clearly speak for themselves."

But it's about time he was given the credit for a huge achievement. His
critics - and even Steve Kean joined in the criticism earlier this week -
would say, as with West Ham at Wembley yesterday, that all he had to do was
turn up to get the club back in the Premier League. This has been a constant
theme of Allardyce's managerial career. At Blackburn and Bolton, where he
spent eight successful seasons, he did not always get the praise that he
deserved. Blackburn owners Venky's fired him in December 2010 and brought in
Kean from the coaching staff. "As a manager," he said, "you accept that you
need a double skin: a rhino's skin and an elephant's skin to survive in the
job."

The contrast between the two sets of fans couldn't be starker. Blackpool
supporters expressed their love for Ian Holloway. And Holloway is a genius,
an inspiring manager who has got his team to punch above its weight. But, as
Olly himself acknowledged, Allardyce has also done a fanstastic job. Still,
he continues to get a cool reception from West Ham fans. No team has a
divine right to win promotion to the top flight. And he was under phenomenal
pressure to bounce back. But, in front of 78,000 people crowded into a
cathedral of the sport, and in one of the richest single games in any sport
anywhere in the world, Allardyce was vindicated yesterday.
The promised land beckons. West ham fans should cut him some slack.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole: I'm delighted for West Ham but I have unfinished business at Anfield
By DOMINIC KING
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 21 May 2012 | UPDATED: 22:59, 21 May 2012
Daily Mail

Joe Cole had just finished talking about his memorable year in France when
he swiftly turned his gaze to the future. Having seen his season long-loan
in France end with him being given a standing ovation by Lille's supporters,
Cole could have been forgiven if he felt a mixture of wistfulness and
anxiety. Instead there was clarity and a sense of purpose. Though West Ham
are eager to give Cole an emotional return to Upton Park and Lille would be
open to taking him back for another 12 months, the Liverpool midfielder is
still holding out hope he will be able to rectify the one anomaly in his
career. 'When I signed for Liverpool, it startled me a bit,' said Cole, who
was brought to Anfield by Roy Hodgson two years ago in a blaze of publicity.
'I don't know if I felt the pressure but the city is so in love with
football. It's a religion. If I go back, I will be more prepared for it this
time. 'I can see why people say (joining Liverpool) is a culture shock. It
is a small place but it has this great buzz. How can there not be in a city
that has produced five Prime Ministers and The Beatles? The people are so
sharp, quite a bit like Londoners really.
'There is still a part of me that would really love to make it work there
and I don't want to have a bad spell at Anfield on my CV. But it is out of
my hands now. At the minute I can't rule anything in or out. We have got to
speak to Liverpool and see what happens there.' Cole's spell at Liverpool is
widely-regarded as a disaster, with his performances betrayed by a lack of
confidence and a series of injuries. He barely figured after Kenny Dalglish
replaced Hodgson but the Scot's departure might yet offer him a surprise
opportunity.

Seeing Cole, 30, flourish alongside Eden Hazard in Sunday's 4-1 win over
Nancy confirmed he had recaptured his confidence and, given how much havoc
injuries had wreaked in recent years, there is little doubt he has
benefitted from playing regularly. 'I've definitely broaden my horizons,'
said Cole. 'I managed to do an interview the other day completely in French.
It's very basic but it's just the aspect of living in another country. Now I
can appreciate the difficulties that foreign players have coming to England.
'We have got this great league on our doorstep and I am gladly I have
experienced it. There were a lot of hurdles to overcome. But this is
something we will be able to look back on with great fondness. Who is to say
it is going to end? It was exactly what I needed. It is a bit slower, a bit
more tactical. But this has helped me gain confidence in my body again. I
have been able to learn about the tactical side of the game. Foreign players
tend to embrace that more than we do.' His critics, though, will claim that
a spell away from the helter-skelter pace of the Premier League may actually
prove detrimental. The tempo of Ligue 1 is significantly slower and Cole is
well aware that he will have questions to answer should he return to
England. 'I will have to do extra work because it will be going back to that
100mph pace but I'm sure it will be okay,' explained Cole, who said he was
"delighted" by the exploits of Chelsea and West Ham at the weekend.

'It's not England, it's not Spain – they are the two top leagues. But it is
comparable with Germany and Italy. This is a very good league. Now I have
got to keep thinking ahead. ' That is very much how it has been for Cole in
France, never looking back or thinking what might have been. Some felt he
had an outside chance of being involved in Hodgson's squad for Euro 2012 but
rather than stew on that disappointment, he hopes another door will open
with Team GB. 'I haven't played for England for two years,' he said. 'I know
there is a new manager but I was never contacted. I heard there were strange
things going on with the odds of me being cut to make the squad and that
made me think "maybe". 'But I have got my eyes on the Olympics now. I am in
the mix and it would be amazing to play in that but, again, it is out of my
hands. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Whatever is the case,
it has been a great year it has been a great season. I am delighted with how
things have gone'

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West Ham aiming to wrap up McCartney deal
By talkSPORT | Monday, May 21, 2012

West Ham are hoping to finalise a permanent deal for Sunderland defender
George McCartney following their promotion into the Premier League.
McCartney has failed to secure a regular first team place at the Stadium of
Light and jumped at the chance to re-join the east London club on a
season-long loan back in August.
The former Northern Ireland international played a major role in helping
West Ham gain promotion back into the Premier League and would now love the
chance to stay at Upton Park. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has already
started to make plans for life in the Premier League and hopes the club can
agree a deal with Sunderland to bring McCartney to Upton Park on a permanent
basis.

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