Daily WHUFC News - 6th September 2012

Jack on the box
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison swapped the dressing room for the Sky Sports studio for
Saturday's victory over Fulham
05.09.2012

Jack Collison swapped his claret and blue kit for a smart suit and tie as he
made his debut as a Sky Sports pundit for Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League victory over Fulham. The West Ham United No10 joined former Chelsea
and England midfielder Ray Wilkins in the studio at the Boleyn Ground to
cast his eye over the Hammers' second straight home win to start the 2012/13
season. Collison, who hopes to return from a knee problem soon, said he
enjoyed his time in front of the cameras, but would not be looking to
exchange the pitch for an analyst's chair on a permanent basis for some time
yet.

"Being injured at the moment, I had the opportunity to try something else
out and it was good fun," explained Collison, who is a regular contributor
to West Ham TV. "Luckily they looked after me in the studio and Ray Wilkins
was really good helping me out. It was a fantastic result for the boys and I
thought they were magnificent.
"Fortunately the boys were magnificent right through from Andy Carroll
having a brilliant debut to Jussi [Jaaskelainen] making three or four
crucial saves at the end of the game. Long may it continue!" "When the
cameras come out, I always like a go and I thought 'I'm not playing so why
not?'. I trained in the morning and then came over to the stadium and had a
chance to give the boys a bit of abuse on the TV!"

While he is itching to get back to playing, Collison clearly enjoys
discussing the game he loves and admitted he would like to follow the likes
of Wilkins, Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp into the media when his career
is at an end. I think any way I can stay in the game after I finish playing
would be great. Speaking to Ray Wilkins, he said other than football working
on TV is the second best thing you can do because you are travelling round
watching games and giving your opinion.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it on Saturday but fingers crossed it is a long way
off yet before I am doing that as my job!"

Collison was able to give a glowing report of his team-mates' comprehensive
win over the Cottagers and, having played a starring role in helping West
Ham to get promoted last season, the Wales international cannot wait to pull
on his boots in the Barclays Premier League again. "It was hard getting over
a long-term injury but I got lots of minutes last year which I really
enjoyed. I loved playing every minute of last season and I'm desperate to
get out there now, especially while we're back in the Premier League. "I
think, first and foremost, we've got to make sure we're stable in the
Premier League. If we can get to that 40-point barrier as soon as possible
it would give us so much confidence. If we can carry on our home form and
get it going away, we're going to be a tough team to beat and hopefully we
can push on.
"I'm pretty much there or thereabouts myself now. I just need to get some
minutes under my belt and then try to give the manager a few headaches. If
the boys continue to play like they did against Fulham then it's going to be
hard to get back into the team. It's a challenge I'm looking forward to."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Andy Carroll ruled out with hamstring injury
BBC.co.uk

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has been ruled out for between five and six
weeks with a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old withdrew from England's World
Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after limping off 68 minutes into
his debut against Fulham. A scan has revealed that Carroll's hamstring
injury is serious, ruling him out of one Capital One Cup and four Premier
League games. Carroll joined the Hammers on loan from Liverpool last
Thursday. The former Newcastle United forward now faces a race to be fit for
England's next World Cup qualifying double-header, against San Marino and
Poland, in early October. England start their qualifying campaign at the
Zimbru Stadium in Moldova on Friday, before facing Ukraine at Wembley next
Tuesday. Carroll played a key role in two of West Ham's goals in Saturday's
3-0 win over Fulham. "We were ready to bring him off and unfortunately on
that last jump he got hit by Brede Hangeland," said Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Julian Dicks joins KUMB.com
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

It's with great pleasure that we at KUMB.com announce our newest recruit to
the team - West Ham United FC legend Julian Dicks. Dicks, who was a huge
fans' favourite during two spells at the Boleyn Ground in the 1980s and
1990s is joining us as a regular columnist and will be sharing his thoughts
on all things West Ham with the readers of KUMB.com on a weekly basis.
Starting from tomorrow, Julian will be taking a no-holds-barred look at the
latest comings and goings at the Boleyn Ground. Topics under discussion this
week include the transfer window, new signing Andy Carroll and the Olympic
Stadium. Naturally we're very excited to have Julian joining us here on
KUMB.com, and can't wait to see the way his column takes shape over the next
few months. In the meantime, we're already proud to boast a terrific team of
writers here on KUMB.com but there is always room to add more talent. If
you would like the opportunity to join Julian and the rest of the team of
writers here at KUMB.com why not drop us a line by contacting the editor at
editor@kumb.com to see how you too can have your work published on the web's
leading West Ham United website.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Catch 22
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th September 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have named just 22 players in their Premier League squad for
the first half of the 2012/13. With each club entitled to name up to 25
players over the age of 21, the Hammers first team squad - which Sam
Allardyce will be able to select from until 1st January 2013 - is three
short of its full quota. Speaking to KUMB.com recently, Allardyce confirmed
that his squad was likely to fall short of its maximum size. "Our signings
make us a strong squad and the numbers on the board align," he said. "I
don't think we'll be able to fill to the 25-man squad that you can register
in the Premier League - but I think we'll get 20 players and three
goalkeepers."

And whilst Allardyce was just one player out - although John Mensah remains
a possible signing, as revealed here on KUMB last month - West Ham's current
third choice goalkeeper is summer signing Raphael Spiegel, who at the age of
just 19 does not have to be named in the squad list. Starting from this
season, all Premier League clubs have to name a minimum of eight "homegrown"
players who have been registered to play in either England or Wales for
three years leading up to their 21st birthday.

The only player over 21 not listed in the squad is Freddie Piquionne,
leading to speculation that the French striker will be moving elsewhere
shortly.

West Ham's full squad list is as follows:

Goalkeepers (2): Stephen Henderson; Juusi Jaaskelainen.
Defenders (7): James Collins; Guy Demel; George McCartney; Joey O'Brien;
Winston Reid; Jordan Spence; James Tomkins.
Midfielders (9): Yossi Benayoun; Jack Collison; Mohamed Diame; Alou Diarra;
Matt Jarvis; Mark Noble; Kevin Nolan; Gary O'Neil; Matt Taylor.
Forwards (4): Andy Carroll; Carlton Cole; Modibo Maiga; Ricardo Vaz Te.

Under-21 squad members not listed above include:

Raphael Spiegel; Robert Hall; Danny Potts; Matthias Fanimo; Callum Driver;
George Moncur; Paul McCallum.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll facing six weeks out
Gold says mid-October return would be 'worst case scenario' for striker
Last Updated: September 5, 2012 2:38pm
SSN

West Ham loanee Andy Carroll could be facing as long as six weeks on the
sidelines with a hamstring injury, according to co-owner David Gold.
Carroll, 23, was forced to withdraw from England's 2014 World Cup qualifiers
against Moldova and Ukraine after the on-loan Liverpoolstriker limped off in
the second half of his debut against Fulham. The Premier League club are yet
to confirm reports that scans have shown the problem to be more severe than
first suspected. However, co-owner David Gold responded to questions on his
official Twitter account suggesting the player being back by mid-October
would be the "worst case scenario". Carroll is now certainly expected to
miss the resumption of the domestic season at Norwich next weekend, as well
as the Capital One Cup tie against Wigan.

Asset

The Irons host Arsenal on October 6th, by which time if the striker is not
back towards match fitness, he would also be a major doubt for the next
round of World Cup qualifiers with San Marino at Wembley and in Poland the
following week. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is in no doubt Carroll, who
played a key role in two of his side's goals in the 3-0 win over Fulham, can
be a major asset. He said: "If Andy scores between ten and 15 goals, it is
going to give us a great chance to be out of the relegation zone. "If Andy
gets 15 to 20 goals, we can get in the top ten because all we have to do
there is to produce enough clean sheets to make sure we get points on the
board with the goals that he scores."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yet More Signings or Just More Paper Talk?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
By Reece Bateman

Rumours today suggest Andy Carroll is out until mid October at least.
Terrible news for us fans after watching him make a huge impact on his debut
against Fulham. Obviously it is bad news, but it could work in the favour of
both Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga who will now get their chances in the
starting XI. Having watched Carroll's display they may be motivated to go
that extra 15-20% to ensure that Big Sam has a difficult decision to make
once Carroll returns. It may also work in the favour of young Rob Hall who,
after making his Premier League debut against Fulham, will surely be looking
to prove to the management he is also more than capable of pushing for a
starting spot in Big Andy's absence. I think Carlton Cole will be the
favourite to replace Carroll initially but I expect Maiga to play a big role
over the coming weeks.

We're currently linked with ex Sunderland and Lyon centre half Big John
Mensah. He is available on a free transfer so can still but signed however
his appearances since he signed for Lyon in 2008 have been limited to say
the least. He joined Sunderland on loan in 2009, eventually leaving at the
end of the 2011 season, and made 34 league appearances across two seasons.
At Lyon he has appeared just 13 times, incredibly making just 47 league
appearances for both clubs since 2008. He is an experienced defender, he
impressed hugely in the 2010 World Cup where he captained Ghana to the
quarter finals, however his injury record alone should be enough to deter us
from making an offer, unless it's on a pay-as-you-play basis. Over the last
few seasons we have had more than our share of injury prone players who have
drained the club of money, we should have learned by now that the risk
simply isn't worth taking. Perhaps this is why West Ham never made a move
for Michael Owen, who has just recently signed for Stoke after being
released by Manchester United. At the beginning of the summer, when Owen was
first available, Hammers favourite Tony Cottee said West Ham should snap him
up suggesting that 'you know he guarantees reaching double figures in goals,
which would take the pressure off the rest of the players.' Did Sam and the
board miss a trick by not signing Owen up on a contract for just one season?
If you think about it, we could have had Owen feeding off Andy Carroll's
knock downs and flick on's, it could have been quite a potent partnership.

I don't know whether it is possible to bring any more players in, free
agents or not, as the club has confirmed their squad list for the first half
of the season, I'm unsure on Premier League rules regarding this. Free
agents currently linked to the club, like Nigel Reo-Coker and James McFadden
along with Mensah, may have to wait slightly longer for their chance in the
Premiership again. Does the West Ham squad need its ranks bolstering with a
few freebies? Is there room for strengthening still, or would we simply be
signing players just to get our squad list up to 25 players?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers' Carroll bill
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Last Updated: 06th September 2012

WEST HAM could be almost £740,000 out of pocket unless striker Andy Carroll
can make a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury. Hammers joint-chairman
David Gold last night admitted the £100,000-a-week loanee will be out for
six weeks in the 'worst-case scenario'. And that will mean a massive bill
for a club battling huge debts while the England ace is nursed back to full
fitness. Carroll lasted 68 minutes in his debut against Fulham on Saturday.
If his injury goes the full distance that is £600,000 in wages. And West Ham
have paid Liverpool a season-loan fee of £1million — that breaks down to
£138,500 over six weeks. That works out as almost £11,000 for every minute
he has played for the Hammers. Joint-chairman David Sullivan pulled off one
of the biggest deals for West Ham in years by persuading Carroll to sign on
at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Campbell: Moore deserves knighthood
September 5, 2012
ESPN
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent

Bobby Moore is deserving of a posthumous knighthood, according to Bobby
Campbell. Campbell, who was Moore's manager at Fulham, claims in the
soon-to-be-released book England Centurions that the defender should be
rewarded with title Sir Bobby. Even though a statue of the World Cup-winning
captain has pride of place at the new Wembley stadium, Campbell believes
Moore hasn't received the recognition he is due. In the book, which details
Moore's life and honours his 100 caps, Campbell argues: "I don't believe
that he received the accolade and credit that he deserved. He should have
been moved straight to the FA when he finished playing in just the same way
the German FA embraced the Kaiser [Franz Beckenbauer]. "He should have been
knighted. Tell me this, if any player captained England to a World Cup
triumph in the future, do you think they would be knighted? I am sure that
they would. So why wasn't Bobby knighted? In fact, it's not too late. He
should be knighted posthumously."

The vastly experienced Campbell, who also had George Best under his command
during his managerial career, said: "I have managed some formidable players
in my time, but Bobby Moore was the best professional I ever managed. "To be
Bobby Moore's manager and mentor for the time that I managed at Fulham, when
he was a player there, I can safely say that he was the best professional I
ever managed. If you told him there was a game in Outer Mongolia on
Christmas Eve, kick off two o'clock, he would be there at one o'clock boots
in hand. He was never late. "Everything he ever did was immaculate, whether
that was in training or in a match - it didn't matter to him. That's the way
he was both on and off the field."

Moore, who died of cancer in 1993, was well known for his polite nature,
even when he was alleged to have stolen items from a jeweller's in Bogota,
Colombia, prior to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. The defender was detained
by police for four days, and was eventually cleared of any wrong doing. "His
manner and his character were top class and he represented West Ham and
England as the ultimate pro. He even wiped his hand before shaking the
Queen's hand before he received the World Cup trophy and he dealt with the
so called 'stealing of the watch' with such dignity. "As for reaching 100
caps, that in itself is such a wonderful milestone and anyone who makes it
to 100 caps deserves to have done so, and that includes David Beckham,
another great player. Let's face it David Beckham hasn't done football any
harm at all."

• England Centurions is published on September 11, launched at Wembley
Stadium before the England/Ukraine World Cup qualifier. £1 from every book
sold will be donated to the Bobby Moore foundation. Booby's widow, Stephanie
Moore, has a message in the book about bowel cancer awareness.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Young West Ham striker looking for first-team Hall of residence
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
5:00 PM

There were a few surprised faces at Upton Park on Saturday when it was Rob
Hall and not Modibo Maiga who was called off the bench for the last 12
minutes against Fulham. One of them was Rob Hall himself as he explained:
"When I saw the goals flying in during the first half, I thought actually I
might well be able to get on here," said the 18-year-old striker. "But then
we had a couple of injuries, I saw James Collins get a knock and then Andy
had to come off as well. "I thought, maybe not today, but then I saw Guy
Demel get a knock and the boss was brave enough to put me on and I just had
to try and take my opportunity."

He certainly did that and it stems from his substitute appearance last
Tuesday against Crewe Alexandra in the Capital One Cup, where he lit up the
last 25 minutes and almost grabbed his first senior goal for the club he has
been a part of since the age of seven. "The boss and Neil McDonald are very
experienced so they know how to treat young players," said Hall. "After
Tuesday's game they just told me to keep going because the hard work starts
now. "It is hard getting your foot in the door, but once you have, maybe
that is when you start needing to work harder and harder."

It is a philosophy that has been programmed into West Ham's youngsters by
Academy director Tony Carr and it is one that is set to reap dividends again
as Hall put in a fearless display in both Hammers games in the last week.
There are a lot of young players who are good, but it is the mental side of
things that is vital. "I was in a very good team when I was younger. Even in
the reserves a lot of us have been here since we were seven, so we have
helped each other along the way," he said.
"It is hard to adjust when you are the best in your school and then you move
on and you are equal to everyone else. You have to adapt and work harder,
but you can only keep learning along the way."

It is that work ethic that is bearing fruit for the England under-18
international. The day after the Crewe game he was back on the training
pitch trying to impress and it seems to have done the trick. "Friday was
hectic because I didn't know whether I would make the bench, I knew I was in
the squad, but with players coming in I was quite nervous," said Hall.
"Luckily the manager was brave enough to keep me in and now I have made my
Premier League debut I am over the moon."

So what next for the youngster? That first goal would be nice. "On Tuesday I
had two chances and I should definitely have hit the target with at least
one of them," said the youngster. "Against Fulham my shot got blocked, but I
just have to keep on shooting and try not to get nervous out there.
"Whatever the manager says goes, so hopefully I can keep working hard on the
training pitch and try and keep in his plans." With displays like the last
two, that looks increasingly likely.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Its kind of a long 'ball' story - Andy Carroll signing gives West Ham
'boo-boys' amunition
Here is The City
by Mathew Nash
@MathewNash89

After the signing of Andy Carroll could Sam Allardyce receive further
criticism from fans unhappy at a long ball game? If so is that tag even
appropriate to Big Sam?
Last season Sam Allardyce lead West Ham to a 3rd place finish in the
Championship only finishing short of automatic promotion due to the
outstanding seasons produced by Southampton and Reading. Despite being far
ahead of the castaway teams in the playoffs West Ham had to conquer
Blackpool at Wembley in order to rightfully gain their position in the
Premier League. Now the former Bolton manager is ready to fight for Premier
League survival and has been busy in the transfer window replacing departing
Robert Green with the experienced Jussi Jaaskelainen; James Collins shores
up defence; whilst Diarra, Diame and Maiga have all also arrived to
contribute. But his biggest coup is bringing Andy Carroll to the club on
loan from Liverpool. As the England forward trudged off injured at Upton
Park this weekend the ever exuberant West Ham faithful voiced their
appreciation at his efforts with a deserved standing ovation and the
overwhelming consensus is one of joy at the Geordie boy's arrival on the
East End.

However are any Hammers fans not pleased to see his face?

Last season Sam Allardyce received some stick from sections of his support
about his perceived direct style of play. That isn't the West Ham way you
see; they are more inclined toward a fast paced attacking style complete
with zippy passing and counter attack abilities.

Now with Carroll leading the line the undoubted urge is to announce it is a
full on return to Big Sam's successful long ball tactics at Bolton
Wanderers. Do any West Ham fans feel the signing is against the West Ham
grain?

If they do I can't honestly disagree with them more. Big Sam does adopt a
direct style when necessary but toward the end of his Bolton tenure he had
adopted a far more sleek game with players such as Nicolas Anelka in the
line-up. Against Fulham they only went long just as much as Arsenal did
toward Olivier Giroud at Anfield the following day. Usually any long ball
came after delightful build up from the impressive Mark Noble and the
overlooked assurance of Mohamed Diame. Collins punted it a few times but why
not with a man as potent as Andy Carroll up top, with the instinctive
qualities of Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Matty Taylor around him it was
a devastating tactic that Fulham struggled to deal with.

Irons fans should be pleased with the acquisition of Carroll as they looked
unplayable during that first half display on Saturday. As Big Sam himself
once said about the tag of a long ball specialist being so intrinsically
attached to his name ...

"It is a tag that has followed me around for a long time and one I'm never
going to be able to shift. I can't do anything about that but I can win
football matches."

And if he continues to win matches, I doubt we will hear the boo-boys when
the long ball to Carroll gets played every now and again.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com