Daily WHUFC News - 1st September 2012

Maynard departs
WHUFC.com
Nicky Maynard has joined npower Championship club Cardiff City on a permanent basis
31.08.2012

West Ham United can confirm that Nicky Maynard has joined npower Championship club Cardiff City on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee. The 25-year-old leaves east London after eight months at the Boleyn Ground, having scored three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions. Maynard joined the Hammers from Bristol City in January 2012 and scored on his full debut at Blackpool the following month. He also found the target against his new club in a npower Championship Play-Off semi-final second-leg home win in May. The striker made his final appearance in claret and blue against his first club Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday evening, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 Capital One Cup second-round victory. Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Nicky for his efforts and wish him every success in his future career.

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Manager hails Carroll capture
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce cannot wait to start working with Andy Carroll at West Ham United
31.08.2012

Sam Allardyce could hardly contain his excitement as he spoke about West Ham United's capture of Andy Carroll on a season-long loan. Speaking exclusively to West Ham TV, Big Sam was delighted to have secured the signing of the England striker from Liverpool, with the prospect of turning the deal into a permanent move next summer. The manager revealed that Carroll's arrival had come at the end of months of hard work by the Board, himself and his staff.Praising Carroll's ability as an 'all-round footballer', Big Sam is now preparing for the prospect of handing the forward his West Ham debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Fulham to the Boleyn Ground.

Sam, can you start by telling us your reaction to the signing of Andy Carroll?

SA - "The move has come about after some long, arduous negotiations with Liverpool and in the end, I think, the fact Andy Carroll needs to play regular, first-team football is a bonus for us because we can give him what he wants. "Like everyone else I can't guarantee it - that's up to Andy - but I can say he will get the opportunity. He can keep his momentum going in terms of his career because he needs Premier League football. We can give him that not just for the sake of himself but for the sake of his England position because if he wasn't going to get many games his England position would be in jeopardy. "I think for all parties this is a great signing."

You have worked with Andy before at Newcastle United and have also managed against him, so what are his attributes as a footballer?

SA - "Well, probably the opposite to what many people think. He is an all-round footballer. Because he is 6'4 and because one of his strengths is his aerial domination power, everybody dismisses the ability Andy possesses on the floor. His great ability has bought many goals with his left foot - he has a thunderous left foot and everyone can see it simply by going on YouTube. "We have got a great deal on both sides. We have a very good footballer who is 6'4 and a player who scores goals. Hopefully he can score goals for us and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the Barclays Premier League. "We hope to see goals from Andy of all types and another key signing for us is Matt Jarvis. They will suit each other and it is a very exciting partnership that will gel and provide a lot of opportunities for Andy and our other strikers to score goals."

You have spoken before about the importance of helping new players to settle in the area and at the club. Andy will be moving to the south for the first time, so how important is it that he knows yourself and captain Kevin Nolan from your time at Newcastle United?

SA - "I think it is important because he is going to see familiar faces. I think that the other very, very familiar face is Tim De'Ath, who is the England chef and very close to Andy when he is on international duty. Tim is also our player liaison officer and he has got a great relationship with Andy through the England set-up. Kevin, of course, is a good friend from his time in Newcastle. "I had a short period of time with him when he was really starting to blossom as a footballer and a few other lads here will also know him. It is about him coming and saying to himself 'I am now going to go out and enjoy my football' and hopefully we can see him flourish further at West Ham United."

In the space of a week, West Ham United have broken the club record to sign Matt Jarvis and now brought in the most-expensive English footballer in history. That is some statement of intent from yourself and the Board, isn't it?

SA - "Yes. It is about quality and I think in my lifetime as a manager it has always been about being in the Premier League and signing quality and knowing where you can find that quality. The big problem is can you afford it? The Joint-Chairmen have extended themselves and I really appreciate that, as does everybody else at West Ham United. "The opportunity to sign Andy began as a small dream at first, but it is a dream that has been realised because of the club's persistence. It will be one of the biggest shocks around the end of this transfer window because we have clinched the signing of a £35million player. For us all, it adds to the quality and strength in depth of a squad that is trying to find its feet in the Premier League and trying to achieve as much as we possibly can."

The final question I am sure every Hammers supporter would love to know the answer to is - will he make his debut against Fulham on Saturday?

SA - "I think he will be fit and available to play this weekend. I don't see any problems. He has had a full pre-season and played in the European Championship with England, so there was never a long period of time when Andy had a lot off time off. He has had a couple of games here and there and he has kept his fitness up.
"We hope in the beginning that, if he plays Saturday, the excitement and euphoria will be there for all to see. We hope he settles fast and helps us try to win the game. We then have two weeks when he will go away with England and will hopefully play another game with Roy Hodgson and then thankfully when we get back the window will be closed. "The focus will then only be on the players who are at West Ham United. The frenzy won't start again until December and hopefully, by that time, we will be looking to add more quality because we are doing well in the Premier League."

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Fulham match preview
WHUFC.com
All the early team news and stats ahead of Fulham's visit to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
30.08.2012

WEST HAM UNITED v FULHAM
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2012
KICK-OFF: 12.45PM
REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction

• West Ham United host Fulham in their second home Barclays Premier League home fixture of the 2012/13 season, having beaten Aston Villa 1-0 in their only previous league game at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers also defeated Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at home in the Capital One Cup second round on Tuesday evening.
• Sam Allardyce's side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League after last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Swansea City. The loss left the Hammers tenth in the table.
• Fulham will also be aiming to get back to winning ways after a 3-2 defeat at Manchester United last weekend. Like the Hammers they also won their opening game of the season, notching a 5-0 win over Norwich City at Craven Cottage.
• Both clubs have been active during the transfer windows. England striker Andy Carroll became West Ham United's tenth summer signing when he arrived from Liverpool on a season-long loan on Thursday and could make his Hammers debut on Saturday. Fulham, meanwhile, have sold Belgium midfielder Moussa Dembele to Tottenham Hotspur this week. The Cottagers have been trying to complete deals for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov and Sunderland midfielder and former Hammers schoolboy Kieran Richardson.
• If selected to face Fulham, captain Kevin Nolan will make his 50th West Ham United appearance, while Carlton Cole could make his 150th start for the club. Jussi Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame will be making their 650th and 200th senior club appearances if they feature on Saturday.
• Saturday's fixture marks the second of three consecutive 12.45pm Barclays Premier League kick-offs for West Ham United. The Hammers will also travel to Norwich City for a lunch-time assignment on Saturday 15 September.
• West Ham United have not lost at home to Fulham in the Premier League since 3 November 2001. Since then, the Hammers are unbeaten in seven meetings, winning three of them. During that run, however, the Cottagers did leave the Boleyn Ground with a 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round replay victory in February 2004.
• West Ham have won nine of the 16 all-time Premier League meetings between the two clubs, losing just two.
• Saturday's is the 86th meeting between the two sides, West Ham United have won 37, Fulham have won 28 and 20 have ended in draws.

Last time out

West Ham United
The Hammers suffered their first defeat of the Barclays Premier League campaign last weekend going down 3-0 at Swansea City. Angel Rangel opened the scoring after 20 minutes and the Swans doubled their lead nine minutes later through Michu. Danny Graham completed the scoring in the 64th-minute.

25 August 2012
Barclays Premier League
Swansea City 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, McCartney, Tomkins (Vaz Te 46), Collins, Demel, Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame (Diarra 69), Cole (Maiga 62)
Subs not used: Henderson, O'Brien, Taylor, Maynard

Fulham
The Cottagers narrowly missed out on a point, losing 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend. Damien Duff put Fulham a goal up within three minutes, only for Robin Van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Rafael to make it 3-1 before half-time. A Nemanja Vidic own-goal halved the deficit in the second half, but Martin Jol's side could not force an equaliser.

25 August 2012
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United 3-2 Fulham
Fulham: Schwarzer, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs, Riether, Duff, Diarra (Baird 82), Kacaniklic (Sidwell 62), Petric (Rodallega 73), Ruiz, Dembele
Subs not used: Stockdale, Kelly, Halliche, Kasami
Goals: Duff 3, Vidic 64 (own-goal)

Previous meetings
• Carlton Cole scored his first Barclays Premier League brace against Fulham the last time the two sides met as the Hammers came away from Craven Cottage with a 3-1 win on Boxing Day 2010. The Cottagers took the lead through Aaron Hughes in the 11th-minute but West Ham United reacted well and equalised with eight minutes remaining in the half. The Hammers were ahead before the break when Frederic Piquionne volleyed home in added-time. Fulham fought back in the second half but were unable to break the Hammers resilient defence and Cole sealed the win in the 73rd-minute with a well taken left-foot volley.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Salcido, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Gera, Murphy, Etuhu (Johnson 53), Dempsey (Duff 53), Davies, Johnson
Subs not used: Stockdale, Baird, Halliche, Greening, Kamara
West Ham United: Green, Ben-Haim, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Upson, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas, Cole, Sears, Piquionne (Nouble 89)
Subs not used: Boffin, Reid, Spector, Ilunga, Barrera, Obinna

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Yossi Benayoun to join West Ham on loan from Chelsea
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport

West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The clubs finally reached a compromise at around 22:00 BST after several hours of negotiations over how Benayoun's salary would be paid. The 32-year-old must now complete the relevant paperwork before the 23:00 BST deadline for the deal to go through. Benayoun returns to the club where in 2005 he began his career in English football, making 72 appearances. He joined Liverpool for £5m in 2007 before moving to Chelsea for a similar price three years later. Benayoun spent last season on loan at Arsenal, scoring six goals in 26 matches for the Gunners. He returned to Chelsea in the summer but was informed he could leave Stamford Bridge if a suitable bid arrived. With no permanent offers to the Blues' or Benayoun's liking, a free loan was the only option before the transfer window closed. There were enquiries from a number of Premier League clubs, but the Israeli favoured a return to Upton Park. After struggling to agree on the percentage of his wages they would both pay, the clubs eventually found common ground.

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Cardiff City capture West Ham striker Nicky Maynard
BBC.co.uk

Cardiff City have signed Nicky Maynard from West Ham United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be close to £2.5m. The 25-year-old striker passed a medical and agreed personal terms at Cardiff City Stadium to seal a three-year contract. Maynard joined the Hammers for £2m from Bristol City in January 2012 but his first-team chances have been limited. The Crewe product is Cardiff's 10th summer signing after Brighton wing Craig Noone joined on Thursday. Cardiff boss Malky Mackay had already signed Craig Bellamy, Tommy Smith, Heidar Helguson, Matthew Connolly, Joe Lewis, Jordon Mutch, Kim Bo-Kyung and Etien Velikonja this summer. Maynard started his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra, scoring 32 goals in 59 league appearances, before joining Bristol City in a £2.25m deal in July 2008. The striker was equally prolific during his time at Ashton Gate, hitting 45 goals from the 124 league games, but the Robins were forced to sell Maynard before his contract ran down. He scored in West Ham's 2-0 League Cup win over former club Crewe on Tuesday night, making his first appearance of the season, but now seems to be headed for Cardiff to help boost the Bluebirds' Championship campaign.

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Short and sweet
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 31st August 2012
By: Staff Writer

Nicky Maynard has completed a £2.5million move to Championship club Cardiff City. The former Bristol City striker spent just seven months as a Hammer having signed on transfer deadline day in January of this year when United paid £2million for his services. Speaking on cardiffcityfc.co.uk tonight, 25-year-old Maynard said: "I moved to West Ham with the hope of playing in the Premier League regularly, but that wasn't to be. "Knowing that my chances would be limited there at Upton Park, it was down to me to find a club where I knew I'd be happy to play. It's my aim to play week in week out, which I hope to achieve by playing well for Cardiff City. "The West Ham fans didn't see too much of me, which can happen in football," he added. "I didn't get my chance to play regularly, but whenever I did the West Ham fans were fantastic to me. "I'm sorry on one hand that things didn't work out for me there, but also really excited at the prospect of building a new relationship with the Cardiff City faithful who are always loud and passionate for their club." Maynard made just ten starts for West Ham during his time at the club, scoring four times.

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The turncoat returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 31st August 2012
By: Staff Writer

Yossi Benayoun has completed a return to West Ham United - five years after he walked out of the club having reneged on a contract agreement. The 32-year-old midfielder has joined the Irons on a season-long loan after parent club Chelsea agreed to finance part of his £92,000-a-week wages having reduced their wage bill by offloading Michael Essien to Real Madrid earlier in the day. However Benayoun's return will raise eyebrows amongst some of the Hammers faithful, who still haven't forgotten the way in which he left the club back in 2007. Having moved to West Ham from Racing Santander in 2005 Benayoun agreed to sign a new deal with West Ham two years later. "I'm very pleased to have agreed this new deal," he said at the time. "From the first moment I arrived at West Ham, the club felt like home to me."

Yet within the space of two weeks Benayoun - who has also played for Liverpool and Arsenal since leaving Upton Park - snubbed the Hammers by insisting that he wanted to move to Anfield instead. "It is an unpleasant situation after we agreed terms but we will fight it," said the player's agent Ronen Katzav in June 2007. A week later, the Hammers withdrew their offer of a four-year contract and Benayoun went on to complete a £5million move to Liverpool. His first appearance at the Boleyn Ground - in a 1-0 defeat for his new club in January 2008 - resulted in Benayoun receiving a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball. Yet despite that reception he insisted that the club would always stay close to his heart. "West Ham will always be a special place for me," he said. "Even if it my reception wasn't good it won't change the way I feel about the club."

During his previous spell at the club the Israeli, who once referred to his team mates as "drunks" following a defeat, was also accused of 'going missing' ahead of international fixtures - and staging miraculous recoveries from injury when important fixtures for his country loomed. Yet he was also considered to be one of the most creative players to play for the club since the turn of the century - something that Sam Allardyce - who was snubbed by Benayoun when manager of Bolton - will no doubt be hoping he can replicate this season. Benayoun becomes the eleventh and final summer signing for West Ham. His arrival is expected to be confirmed by the club shortly.

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Mensah next?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 31st August 2012
By: Staff Writer

Unconfirmed reports suggest that West Ham could be set to sign Ghaniain international John Mensah, as the transfer deadline looms. Mensah, who has spent time at both Sunderland and Celtic in recent seasons was released from his contract by French side Lyon back in July four years into a five-year contract. And KUMB understands this afternoon that Sam Allardyce could make Mensah his 11th signing of the summer, ahead of tonight's 11pm UK transfer deadline. The 29-year-old central defender, who was rated as the top player in France back in 2006 moved to OL four years ago after completing a €8.4million move from fellow French club Rennes. However after just a year with Lyon he joined Premier League club Sunderland on loan, with whom he soon became a firm fan's favourite. He was to play for the north east club for the next two seasons but a succession of injuries led to then-manager Steve Bruce opting not to make the move permanent. Elsewhere this afternoon, Norwich City are understood to have made an enquiry into the availability of West Ham's Carlton Cole.

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Sam's the man
kUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 31st August 2012
By: Staff Writer

David Gold has praised Sam Allardyce for being the driving force behind West Ham signing Andy Carroll from Liverpool. The 23-year-old England international completed a season-long loan move to West Ham last night following weeks of speculation - and co-owner Gold was in no doubt who was ultimately to thank for bringing the deal to fruition. "It's Sam who convinced him," Gold told a TV sports network. "I think it's the fact that he's joining people that he knows; Kevin Nolan for example. They've been pals for a long time. "They worked together at Newcastle and Sam was also at Newcastle, of course. I think it's important that he feels he's not going to a club where he's a complete stranger. "That's a key issue. A player feels comfortable coming to a club where he has people that he's comfortable with."

Speaking earlier in the day, Allardyce was equally full of praise for Gold and his fellow co-owner David Sullivan for allowing him to make the deal happen. "It's a real coup for the club," he said. "The co-owners - particularly David Sullivan - worked particularly hard with me over a very short period of time to get this deal through so I'm really appreciative of that. "Hopefully Andy will pay everybody back for the faith we've shown in him."

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West Ham v Fulham preview
London derby starts the Premier League weekend action
Last Updated: August 31, 2012 12:00pm
SSN

Fulham will be hoping to make light of the loss of Moussa Dembele when they travel to Upton Park to face West Ham on Saturday. After a five-star display on the opening day before giving Manchester United a scare last week, the exit of their key midfielder to Tottenham has taken some of the gloss off Fulham's positive start.
The Cottagers were also eliminated from the Capital One Cup by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in midweek and Martin Jol will be anxious to get his players focused for this one. Like their visitors for this lunch-time kick-off West Ham began their Premier League campaign with a home win before losing on their travels. But it was the manner of the Hammers' 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Swansea that will have worried Sam Allardyce last weekend. Poor errors from Jussi Jaaskelainen and James Collins added to their woes but his team looked disjointed throughout. Perhaps the West Ham boss took encouragement from Tuesday's 2-0 cup win over Crewe because those fringe players may well need to be called upon at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.

West Ham
Last 6
2-0
3-0
1-0
1-1
3-1
2-2

England striker Andy Carroll is in line to make his West Ham debut against Fulham after completing a season-long loan switch from Liverpool. Left-back George McCartney (ankle) and centre-halves James Collins (calf) and Winston Reid (knee) face late fitness tests after picking up knocks against Swansea last weekend.
Midfielder Jack Collison remains sidelined with a knee problem but the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel, Mark Noble, Mohamed Diame and Matt Jarvis will return after they were rested for the midweek Capital One Cup win over Crewe.

Fulham
Last 6
1-0
3-2
5-0
1-2
0-1
0-4

Fulham boss Martin Jol will welcome back the majority of the players who missed the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. Forward Mladen Petric did not feature in the 1-0 loss due to a slight knock, while midfielder Mahamadou Diarra was rested. Full-back John-Arne Riise returns following a muscular injury but Bryan Ruiz, who pulled up with a hamstring problem during the warm-up at Hillsborough, is a doubt with Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) still ruled out. Kieran Richardson has joined for Sunderland and more arrivals are expected before the deadline.

Opta Facts

Carlton Cole has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Fulham.
Fulham have only won four of 49 Premier League London derbies away from home.
West Ham have conceded more fouls than any other Premier League team this season (36).

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Benayoun back with Hammers
Israeli claims he did not have any offers from Arsenal or Liverpool
Last Updated: September 1, 2012 12:01am
SSN

Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun has announced his return to West Ham United on loan. The Israel international, who spent two years with the Hammers between 2005 and 2007, announced the move via his Twitter account. "After a long and busy day I can say I had 3 offers from PL clubs..but not from Liverpool or Arsenal like some reports," wrote the 32-year-old. "But I'm very happy to confirm that I will join on loan to West Ham! I can't wait to start..great club."

Benayoun originally joined West Ham from Racing Santander on a four-year contract and played for them in the 2006 FA Cup final. He caused some controversy, though, when he allegedly turned his back on an agreement to sign a new deal in order to move to Liverpool. He spent three years at Anfield before moving to Chelsea in 2010, with the London club then loaning him to Arsenal last summer. And, with opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have decided to release him again.

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Big Sam excited by Carroll
England international backed to repay the faith shown in him
By Soriebah Kajue. Last Updated: August 31, 2012 11:56am
SSN

Sam Allardyce refused to reveal if Andy Carroll would be in the West Ham team on Saturday but insists fans should be excited at his arrival. The 23-year-old has been the Hammers' top transfer target over the summer, following a pursuit that has lasted most of the window. Liverpool have finally agreed to a loan with a view to a £17million permanent deal for the England international after buying him from Newcastle for £35m in January 2011. Asked whether his new signing would start against Fulham on Saturday, Allardyce told Sky Sports News: "He will be in the squad."

Pushed on whether he was looking forward to seeing his new acquisition in action, he added: "Everyone should look forward to that. I think it's a real coup for the club. "The co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, particularly David Sullivan has worked hard with me over a short period of time to get this deal through, so I'm really appreciative of that. "And hopefully Andy will pay everyone back for the faith that we have shown in him."

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Match Preview: West Ham v Fulham
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Andy Carroll's move to West Ham is without doubt one of the big stories of the transfer window. I'll talk more about this and the rest of our business in this window in a post tomorrow, but suffice to say, the one bit of player selection we're all waiting for is to see whether Andy Carroll is thrown directly into the side to face Fulham this lunchtime. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was on the bench and brought on in the second half. I wouldn't be surprised also if he played both Carroll and Cole in the starting lineup, although I accept that is less than likely in his preferred formation. Maiga might well also think he has done enough to warrant a start, but that would mean playing him on the right in place of Vaz Te. I wasn't there for the Crewe game, and apparently he was very impressive, but I suspect he will be the one who won't get a start, although I imagine he will come on at some point.

The midfield three more or less pick themselves. I can't see an argument for making any changes these, but in central defence I do think Tomkins deserves to start in defence. I hate it when Sam plays him in midfield. There's absolutely no need especially against a side like Fulham.

I'm gutted that I can't make it to the match and will have to watch it on TV. It's a match we really ought to win and win well. I don't mean that out of disrespect to Fulham, but we do need to win matches like this if we are to make ourselves safe as early as possible in the season.

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Yossi a loaner
Published: 4 hrs ago
The Sun

YOSSI BENAYOUN is going back to West Ham on loan from Chelsea. The season-long deal was completed after the Blues agreed to stump up a bigger share of the midfielder's £90,000-a-week wages.

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Karren Brady's football diary
By KARREN BRADY
Published: 4 hrs ago
The Sun

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25

YOU know the television advertisement in which Gio Compario is hit in the goolies by a Stuart Pearce shot. Well, I feel just like the twizzly-'tached tenor after West Ham's defeat at Swansea — except, of course, despite the rumours to the contrary, I do not possess goolies. After 20 years in the game, you accept that you do not win them all — even the ones you expect to. Later that evening, I get a post-match players injury report from my physio. Looking down it, the only thing they have actually damaged is their pride.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
BETS were off on the earliest manager sacking of the season when Blackburn announced they were watching Steve Kean's progress in the Championship with gun cocked. But, no, the first man to go is Coventry's Andy Thorn, who lasts just three drawn matches before being called in and invited to collect his P45. I have always had a soft spot for Coventry, who have always been a classy club. Yet once they started their move to the Ricoh Arena, serious problems developed. The current £1.2million annual rent is a huge burden, made greater by relegation to League One. I would be an idiot not to reflect on this warning, in light of a potential West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium.

MONDAY, AUGUST 27
CARLTON COLE is a good guy and likes to stay in touch with supporters through his Twitter site. It causes him no end of bother, though, with all-too-regular reminders that out there are people who can text a lot of damage in 140 characters. He has been hurt again by racial remarks that were sent to him following the Swansea match. A 22-year-old has been bailed today, having been charged with an offence against public order. Quite a few footballers have grown to think they were born with two good feet and a Twitter account. It should not be, I know, but it really is an open line to abuse from idiots both young and old.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28
THE special privilege of being a Manchester Utd player is emphasised by a new agreement that my mate at the club tells me about. All their players will be given a free car of their choice. Not Smart cars, either. No, the deal is with Chevrolet and, from 2014-15, free cars for all includes the famously speedy Corvette sports car.
But for obvious reasons of the survival of some the human race, Alex Ferguson appears to be barring them to Under-23 players. As my friend points out, it is no hardship as most are driving Maseratis anyway! The good news for us is we bounce back from Saturday with a win and are in the next round of the Capital One Cup.
It is great to see the younger players get a run out. I can see why we were awarded category one EPP status.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29
A Premier League chairman calls to say his manager wants one of our players. We agree a deal, on the understanding we can find a replacement. My next call is to a friend at another club and we set up a back-to-back replacement deal. Easy-peasy? Not on your life. The first chairman rings back and says his manager now wants to think about it. He is a manager who has done this kind of thing a dozen times before. I have to cancel the back-to-back deal and the whole thing folds. David Sullivan wishes he could spend these days lying alone in a darkened room. I agree. My manager has only one thing on his mind — Andy Carroll. I speak to Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre more often than my husband, so it is not for want of trying we have not yet done a deal.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30
ALL chief executives know that when your manager calls you before 8am it means something is up. And at 8am it can only ever be something really good or really bad. This time, thankfully, it is in the really good category. The door has been opened on Andy Carroll and it looks as though the persistence and perseverance of Sam Allardyce, coupled with the cheque-book of David Sullivan and David Gold, has paid off. In 15 minutes the deal is signed, sealed and the player is in a helicopter spinning his way to Essex for a medical. I get two texts when the news breaks. One from Everton's Bill Kenwright, my football pal, who is genuinely pleased for us. And one from Lord Sugar, congratulating me on winning the National Reality Television Award 2012 for best TV judge. I am not at the ceremony but doing something far more exciting — ensuring the player is registered so he is available for selection for Saturday. But I am told I beat Gary Barlow, Alesha Dixon, Will.i.am, David Walliams and a few others I have never heard of!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31
THE papers are full of the news about Andy Carroll signing for West Ham. Sam Allardyce looks like the cat who got the cream. And there is something in the air at West Ham this morning, as the players turn up to train at the ground. I think it is called optimism and it really is something wonderful. Andy Carroll is a gentleman and a fascinating conversation reveals that he is desperate to stay in the England squad. It is a privilege that carries no appearance money with it, because Andy reveals the England players pool their fees and hand them to their charity, Club 66. Obviously, that is a reference to the World Cup triumph of 1966. I have never heard that before and I think it is a wonderful gesture, something the players should be applauded for at a time when their riches often earn them criticism.

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Sam: Andy to tuck in
Published: 5 hrs ago
The SUn

SAM ALLARDYCE tips West Ham new-boy Andy Carroll to gorge on Premier League defences — thanks to the club chef. Manager Allardyce named Tim De'Ath as the man who will help Carroll find his feet in East London. Carroll has struck up a close bond with De'Ath, England's man in the kitchen, who also doubles up as the Hammers player liaison officer. And Big Sam says his loan new signing is ready to serve up a treat against Fulham today. Allardyce said: "I think it is important he settles in and that he is going to see familiar faces. "He knows Kevin Nolan well from their time together at Newcastle. "But the other very familiar face is Tim. He is very close to Andy when he is on international duty." Allardyce reckons the Hammers have saved Liverpool outcast Carroll from losing his England place. He said: "If he wasn't going to get any games his England position would be in jeopardy."

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Big Andy: I'm in for starter
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun

ANDY CARROLL has been guaranteed a first-team place and £100,000 a week to become West Ham's main man. The Hammers clinched a deal for the powerhouse striker with a last-minute promise that he will play when available. Then they threw in another £10,000 a week as a sweetener. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce appealed to Carroll's burning international ambitions to tempt him from Liverpool. He joins on an initial loan which will become a £17million transfer if the Hammers stay up. Carroll starts against Fulham today before heading off next week for two World Cup qualifiers. Allardyce said: "Andy can keep his momentum going in terms of his career because he needs Premier League football. "We can give him that not just for his own sake but for the sake of his England position."

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Andy's Hammer time great for England
TERRY VENABLES
Published: 4 hrs ago
The Sun

WEST HAM have always claimed they won the World Cup for England in 1966. And now they may have improved our chances of reaching the 2014 finals as well.
The Hammers' signing of Andy Carroll on a season-long loan is not only a great transfer for them. It is also a great transfer for Liverpool and the striker himself. Even more importantly, though, it is a great transfer for Roy Hodgson and his bid to lead England to Brazil in two years' time. The Three Lions boss clearly sees Carroll as part of his future plans, even if the new Liverpool manager does not. I do not blame Brendan Rodgers for farming out the striker just weeks after arriving at Anfield and just 18 months after the Kop paid £35million to sign the frontman from Newcastle.

If only all managers were that brutally honest. The game is all about opinions and, if a manager does not fancy a player, however expensive, he has the right to say so. Yet at a time when there is not exactly a wealth of English strikers, the situation left Hodgson facing the dreaded prospect of one of his forwards being reduced to warming the Anfield bench and having only cameos in the Capital One Cup and Europa League to look forward to. Hodgson was willing to overlook Carroll's poor start to last season. He showed it by naming him in England's squad for this summer's European Championships — and playing him. He has also named the pony-tailed star in his 24-man squad for our opening two 2014 qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine this month, even though he has not started for Liverpool this season. But how long could Hodgson have continued to keep picking Carroll while the player was not getting game time?

Not very long is the answer. Thankfully, it is a dilemma both have been saved from thanks to West Ham's swoop for Carroll on Thursday. The move is just what Carroll, Hodgson and England need right now. Carroll knows Hammers boss Sam Allardyce and skipper Kevin Nolan well from his days at St James' Park. They will look after him. They will give him the encouragement he needs to rebuild his confidence, which was inevitably damaged at Liverpool. Rather than warming the bench for the Merseysiders, now Carroll will at last be playing every week. Not only that, he will be playing in a team whose style will probably be more suited to his than the Anfielders'.

If the goals come, Hodgson will continue to pick him for England — just as he has done for this month's double-header in Chisinau and at Wembley. Some have pointed out that in Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, Hodgson has four strikers who are not first-choice at their clubs. That claim can no longer be aimed at Carroll, who will be assured of a starting berth at West Ham. Defoe has also started both of Tottenham's opening Premier League matches, while Welbeck at Manchester United and Chelsea's Sturridge are becoming seasoned top-flight stars. All eyes will be on manager Hodgson as The Three Lions start a new qualifying campaign under his reign. He has selected a good squad for the next two vital matches but England have always had quality players to call on. The challenge for the manager is to produce a winning team and formula that will get us to Brazil in a couple of years time. Hodgson went mainly 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 at the Euros, where we reached the quarter-finals and, arguably, exceeded expectations given the coach's late appointment to the job. It will be interesting to see whether he has had enough time to expand or experiment with the in-vogue 4-2-3-1 or other formations. One thing is for sure, though — Carroll playing every week at West Ham will help our cause.

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West Ham v Fulham: Hammers 'won't just hoof it up to Andy Carroll'
The Mirro

Andy Carroll was tempted to join West Ham by a recipe including Kevin Nolan, Sam Allardyce – and the chef to the England team. The West Ham boss predicted ­"excitement and euphoria" at Upton Park with the £35million striker set to start the first game of his loan deal against Fulham on Saturday. Allardyce worked with the forward at Newcastle where he struck up a close friendship with Hammers' skipper Nolan. But Carroll is also a pal of Tim De'Ath, the Hollywood chef who is also West Ham's player liaison manager – and part of the team ready to make the 23-year-old Geordie feel at home. "It is important because he is going to see familiar faces," said Allardyce. "Kevin, of course, is a good friend from his time in Newcastle. "The other very, very familiar face is Tim De'Ath, who is the England chef and very close to Andy when he is on international duty. "Tim is also our player liaison officer and he has got a great relationship with Andy through the England set-up. "I had a short period of time with him when he was really starting to blossom as a ­footballer and a few other lads here will also know him. "It is about him coming and saying to himself, 'I am going to go out and enjoy my football', and ­hopefully we can see him flourish further at West Ham United."

And Allardyce insisted Carroll would not just be the target of long balls. "His attributes are probably the opposite to what many people think," added the Hammers boss. "He is an all-round ­footballer. "Because he is 6ft 4in and because one of his strengths is his aerial domination power, everybody dismisses the ability Andy possesses on the floor. "His great ability has brought many goals – he has a thunderous left foot. "Another key signing is Matt Jarvis. They will suit each other and it is a very exciting partnership that will gel and provide a lot of opportunities for Andy."

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The Kenny Dalglish column: Why the Big 'Un will be a big hit with Big Sam
The Mirror

When a manager moves on, it often happens that some of his players follow him. Andy Carroll did a good job for me at Liverpool, he finished the season strongly and did well for England in the Euros. But Brendan Rodgers has his own philosophies and his own plans, and Andy obviously doesn't fit in with those. That's just the way football is. Before people start criticising Andy for his time at Liverpool, though, let's just remember a couple of things. There were only three domestic trophies up for grabs in England last season and Andy won one of them. He made a big contribution to Liverpool winning the Carling Cup, and scored the winner against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final. If I'd brought him on earlier in the final against Chelsea, he might have won that for us as well. As it was, he scored a goal and tormented their defence - and then destroyed John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield in a league game against Chelsea a few days later. The longer Andy stayed at Liverpool, the greater the improvement there was in him.

And the reception he got when he went out to warm up during the game against Manchester City last weekend showed that not many fans felt he let them down.
I was pleased that he did well in the summer and that Roy Hodgson has picked him in England squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine. His loan move to West Ham gives him a better chance of keeping his place with England. Brendan was honest enough to say that Andy probably wouldn't get that many starts if he stayed at Liverpool. And now the Big 'Un has joined up with a manager, in Big Sam, who worked with him at Newcastle and has got a lot of belief in him.

Andy will play a lot of games at West Ham if he delivers, and I am sure that he will. I don't care how good a player you are, if you believe that the manager believes in you, it makes all the difference. Football is all about opinions and most of the time, people have different opinions. So just because Andy was not wanted at one club does not mean that applies elsewhere.

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West Ham v Fulham team news: Carroll poised for debut and Petric returns
The Mirror

England striker Andy Carroll is in line to make his West Ham debut in Saturday's lunchtime game against Fulham after completing a season-long loan switch from Liverpool. Left-back George McCartney (ankle) and centre-halves James Collins (calf) and Winston Reid (knee) face late fitness tests after picking up knocks against Swansea last weekend. Midfielder Jack Collison remains sidelined with a knee problem. The likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel, Mark Noble, Mohamed Diame and Matt Jarvis will return after they were rested for the midweek Capital One Cup win over Crewe.

Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Henderson, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, Reid, McCartney, O'Brien, Potts, Spence, Diarra, Diame, Noble, Taylor, O'Neil, Nolan, Jarvis, Vaz Te, Maiga, Carroll, Cole.

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Fulham boss Martin Jol will welcome back the majority of the players who missed the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. Forward Mladen Petric did not feature in the 1-0 loss due to a slight knock, while midfielder Mahamadou Diarra was rested. Full-back John-Arne Riise returns following a muscular injury but Bryan Ruiz, who pulled up with a hamstring problem during the warm-up at Hillsborough, is a doubt with Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) still ruled out.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Somogyi, Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Hangeland, Baird, Briggs, Grygera, Hughes, Riether, Halliche, Diarra, Sidwell, Kasami, Duff, Ruiz, Kacaniklic, Petric, Rodallega, Trotta.

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Benayoun announces West Ham loan return
The 32-year-old confirmed via twitter that he is to re-join the Hammers on a season-long loan from London neighbours Chelsea
Goal.com
31 Aug 2012 23:22:00
By Nicholas McGee

The Israel international first joined the Hammers in 2005 from Spanish side Racing Santander, helping the club to an FA Cup final in his first season before moving on to Liverpool and then Chelsea. Earlier reports suggested that the two clubs had failed to agree a deal after the Blues had refused to cover part of the 32-year-old's wages, however, Benayoun took to his Twitter account to announce that an agreement had been reached, while also denying that there had been interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool. He tweeted: "After a long and busy day I can say I had 3 offers from PL clubs..but not from liverpool or arsenal like some reports.. "But I'm very happy to confirm that I will join on loan to West Ham! Can't wait to start..great club."

Benayoun's first spell at Upton Park was an extremely successful one, as the Hammers reached that infamous cup final, where they defeated in extra time by Liverpool, and also secured a top half finish under the stewardship of Alan Pardew. The midfielder went on to enjoy three years at Anfield with Liverpool, where he scored 18 goals in 92 appearances and became an integral part of the Reds' midfield. Injury hampered his time at Chelsea, but he has now been handed the opportunity to re-vitalise his career at the Boleyn Ground as Sam Allardyce's men look to ensure Premier League survival.

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