Daily WHUFC News - 25th September 2012

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is looking for another strong performance when Wigan Athletic
visit the Boleyn Ground
23.09.2012

Sam Allardyce is hoping West Ham United can maintain their unbeaten home run
when Wigan Athletic visit the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening. Saturday's
1-1 draw against Sunderland kept up the Hammers' loss-free home start to
this season, with the recent record standing at six wins in seven home games
and just one defeat in 17 Boleyn Ground fixtures in 2012. With Wigan on the
horizon, Big Sam is determined to see that run continue for as long as
possible before the visit of some of the teams situated towards the top of
the table in the next two months. "Having points on the board is critical
for us based on the group of fixtures that are looming round the corner
now," Allardyce said "Game seven is Arsenal, the 3 November is Manchester
City and then we go on to Chelsea and Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle.
"If we can accumulate enough points and continue the growth of confidence
we're showing now then we can go into those games with less pressure on
ourselves and have more confidence in our own ability to actually go and try
and get a result against these boys. "So the more we can continue to pick
points up at this stage of the season, the less pressure we put on ourselves
when the games get that little bit tougher."

Those 'tougher' teams may not be looking forward to their visit to east
London much either though if Saturday's performance was anything to go by.
"I don't think Sunderland enjoyed playing against us. I think what we did
was not look like a newly promoted-side into the Premier League. That's what
pleased me.
"A team that plays here and has four attempts at goal shows the domination
we had. For an experienced Premier League side to come and say they've only
had four attempts at goal shows you we are moving forward with the quality
of squad we've got. "We had a disappointing goal against us in the first
nine minutes but we then went on to dominate the game and get stronger and
stronger as the game went on and to finally get the draw shows we're
committed and passionate about what we do."

Although Nolan's strike was delivered by a fine half-volley on the swivel,
several other chances had already been passed up by a variety of different
sources. Chance after chance came and went for the hosts, who were denied by
a combination of bad luck, good goalkeeping and some wayward finishing. "We
have got a kink in our armour at the minute, by not converting the chances
created into enough goals to win the game. That is a concern of mine. If we
had shown the clinical finishing we did against Fulham we'd have won the
Sunderland game handsomely, but we didn't. "Our finishing from the point of
view of the likes of Kevin Nolan's, but also our heading ability is very
good. We had headers at goal against Sunderland. "Carlton Cole headed over
the bar. Vaz Te wide. Collins hit the bar from six yards out. In the end
it's not good enough, because they should be goals. "The good thing is
you're always happy that you can create chances and to be a newly promoted
side and create so many is a very pleasing thing for me, because I can
continue to work on the lads improving their finishing."

Nolan's third goal in as many home league games this campaign has set him up
for another season with a double-figure goals return. Nolan was just pipped
at the post by Carlton Cole for the Hammers' top-scorer award last season,
but having worked with the his captain on and off for 13 years, Big Sam is
predicting he will put in another strong challenge again this season. "I
don't think anyone underestimates Kevin Nolan. All you have to do is look at
his CV and see plenty of goals year-after-year in the Premier League. He'll
end up being our joint-leading goalscorer or better, like he did at
Newcastle. "When we bought him he was great value for money in the Premier
League, but very expensive in the Championship. So you've got to give credit
to David Sullivan and David Gold for spending that type of money on a player
to go into the Championship to get us back in the Premier League."

*Monday is the last chance for £10 Adult tickets for Wigan Athletic and £5
or Kids before prices go up to the matchday rate of £15 for Adults and £8
for Kids. To secure your seat today, click the picture below.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hendon hails 'sensational' Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon revealed he was left speechless after watching his side beat
Arsenal 4-1 at Rush Green
24.09.2012

Ian Hendon was almost speechless after the Development Squad's 'sensational'
4-1 over Arsenal at Rush Green. Goals from Rob Hall, Matthias Fanimo, Dan
Potts and Blair Turgott sealed the win that took the young Hammers joint top
of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League. With a first-team Capital One Cup
match with Wigan on Tuesday, West Ham United's youngsters could not have
picked a better time to show their worth to the watching assistant manager
Neil McDonald. "It was a sensational performance from the lads and if I am
being perfectly honest I was a little stuck for words when the final whistle
blew," Hendon said. "It was nice for them to come and perform how we know
they can, they did it against Everton when we won 5-1 and I have just been
waiting for them to recreate that performance at home, which they did
against Arsenal."

Hendon was impressed by how his young side showed their defensive mettle
after their visitors took the lead in the fifth minute. "I wouldn't say we
were comfortable winners but we have come out and scored four good goals.
You can never switch off against Arsenal, they created some good chances
late on but thankfully they went wide. "All in all a fantastic performance
and I am very pleased, hopefully we can kick on now and get another good win
at home next week against Norwich City on Friday."

Sebastian Lletget and George Moncur both put in combative performances in
the centre of midfield and Hendon paid tribute to their work ethic during
the game.
"You know what you are going to get with Arsenal, they pass, it pass it and
pass it some more, so when you don't have possession you have to work very
hard and be very patient. "We worked with the midfield lads a lot last week
on breaking down the play ahead of the game and it worked a treat as we have
come away with a terrific result."

Arsenal opened the scoring when Elton Monteiro headed past Raphael Spiegel,
but the Hammers did not cave in after a bright opening. "I actually thought
we started very well," explained Hendon. "We conceded after five minutes and
it would have been easy for the lads to let their heads drop because of the
calibre of opposition we faced. "I think if you look all around the pitch we
have so many good partnerships, which all good teams need. They all have a
great understanding of one another's footballing ability."

Paul McCallum led the line alongside Hall and despite not getting on the
scoresheet, Hendon praised the impact of the 19-year-old. "I thought Paul
McCallum was fantastic tonight, he is a foil and I am just gutted he didn't
score because he did everything else. "A lot of our good play went up to him
and he won it all, he is a very good outlet for us. That is not to say we
crash it up to him all the time because we don't, we play some very
attractive football."

Hendon's side now sit joint-top of Barclays Under-21 Premier League National
Group One, but Hendon insisted the challenge will be staying there. Norwich
City are the next visitors to Rush Green on Friday night at 7pm. Entrance is
free to Season Ticket holders, £3 for Adults and £1 for Kids. "I think the
easy bit is getting to the top of the league, the most difficult part will
be staying there, Arsenal came here top of the league and you raise your
game because you want to be beat the best. "Norwich will do the same when
they come here on Friday, they will want to turn us over. Forget the league
table, yes it is about winning games of football but at the moment we need
to take every game as it comes."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Wigan
KO 19:45
24 September 2012
Last updated at 14:17
CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 25 September
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on BBC One on Wednesday 26
September at 2315 BST

TEAM NEWS

West Ham have no new injury concerns but are still without on-loan Liverpool
striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) and Jack Collison (knee). Yossi Benayoun
could make his first start since returning on loan and striker Modibo Maiga
could also start.

Wigan are likely to give some of their younger players the chance to
impress. Substitutes Callum McManaman and Ryo Miyaichi performed well in the
weekend defeat to Fulham and could be both handed starts.

MATCH PREVIEW

Home advantage should give West Ham a big advantage, especially as the
Hammers are unbeaten at home this season, and have won all but two of the
last 13 League Cup matches staged at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce is likely to
rest some of his squad but will be aware of the importance of keeping up a
winning momentum, especially with Arsenal and Manchester City among the next
trio of visitors to east London. Like West Ham, the League Cup is likely to
be Wigan's best hope of silverware this season, and the Latics have a good
record in the competition in recent years, reaching the final in 2006, and
the last eight two years later. But they have lost on the last four
occasions they have drawn fellow Premier League opposition in this
competition, and come into the fixture on the back of two league defeats.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Wigan, winning
three of them.
The teams have never met in the League Cup before, but the Hammers have won
both of the previous FA Cup fixtures that the pair have played.
West Ham

West Ham have never won the League Cup, but were losing finalists to West
Brom in 1966, and to Liverpool in 1981.
The Hammers have failed to score in only one of their last 17 League Cup
outings.
West Ham are playing a Premier League club for the sixth time in eight
League Cup ties, and chasing a fifth win.
Wigan

Wigan are attempting to reach the fourth round for the third time in five
years.
The Latics have lost on the last four occasions they have drawn fellow
Premier League opposition in this competition.
Wigan have won three and lost seven of their last 10 League Cup matches away
from home.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Mark Noble set to sign long-term deal
BBC.co.uk

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble is set to sign a new five-year deal with the
club on Monday. The 25-year-old's current contract is due to expire next
summer.
However, he looks certain to commit his long-term future to West Ham, after
chairman David Gold tweeted: "Mark Noble should sign a new 5 year contract
on Monday." Noble, who was named player of the year last season, has made
224 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals. He came through the club's
famed youth academy, making his professional debut at just 17 in a League
Cup win over Southend in August 2004. Noble has represented England at youth
level, captaining the under-21s, but has yet to make his senior debut.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matt's quick to conquer
West Ham 1 Sunderland 1
Published: 23rd September 2012
The Sun

MATT JARVIS capped a home debut to remember with the Man of the Match award
— after starting on the bench. The West Ham wideman's quality cameo did not
get under way until the 57th minute. But he said: "I was delighted to get on
the pitch and make my home debut. I obviously enjoyed it and liked providing
the crosses for the rest of the team. "You have to work, keep putting the
crosses in and creating the chances and we were delighted to get our goal so
near the end. "When I get the opportunity I just want to play well, keep
working hard and see where it takes me."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 1-1 Sunderland: Nolan's equaliser is worth the weight
The Mirror
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland
Julian Finney / Getty

Stargazers have solved the riddle of that so-called meteor shower spotted
over the British Isles at the weekend. After the most relentless air raids
in the East End since the Blitz, they have narrowed down the prime suspects
to space junk – falling debris from a ­disintegrated satellite – or West
Ham's obsession with the long ball. If only to underline the virtues of
persistence, skipper Kevin Nolan's 93rd-minute equaliser rescued a point for
the Hammers, as Sunderland, concussed by the surfeit of missiles launched
into their box, finally cracked. And Nolan, who scored a ­hat-trick against
the Black Cats in the Tyne-Wear derby two years ago, promised the Hammers
will "scare the life out of defenders" when Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole
are unleashed as twin warheads in the pearly kings' Luftwaffe. Crocked
England striker Carroll may have to wait until after next month's
­international break to reboot his loan stint at Upton Park, while Cole
revealed in the matchday programme that he went to school with Olympic
double hero Mo Farah. Don't know about you, Mo, but some of us would love to
run 5,000 metres in 13 minutes to escape such banal ­scuffling. Sunderland,
without a Premier League win in 13 games, we can deal with in short measure.

They clung on gamely to £12 million striker Steven Fletcher's fourth goal in
three games, and in the land of Cockney haute cuisine, Titus Bramble took to
the battle in the sky like eels to jelly. But, inevitably, Nolan, whose
acrobatic volley had been saved brilliantly by Simon Mignolet when
dereliction briefly gave way to quality, had the final word just before
Sunderland's ­time-wasting could run down the clock. He said: "It always
feels sweeter to do it like that. It would have been criminal if they had
gone away with more than a point. "You are always going to miss quality
players like Andy, but Carlton has come in and done a good job – and it's
going to be interesting to see if they play together when they are both fit
because they will scare the life out of defenders."

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce's latest toy is the 'Bod Pod' at the
University of East London campus, in Stratford, a space-age phone-box which
­measures his players' body fat. It is more claustrophobic than an air raid
shelter or Sunderland's penalty area when the stream of hopeful crosses
arrives from high altitude, and Nolan revealed: "I was quite pleased with my
results – although I get called 'Fat Boy' by most of the lads."

What a liberty – calling Nolan fat is like calling West Ham's long-range
warfare tiki-taka. Allardyce was grateful for the small mercies of a point
as insulation, not in the body fat sense, against a prohibitive late-autumn
sequence of games against Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and
Liverpool. "Points on the board for us are critical with a difficult group
of fixtures looming around the corner," said Big Sam. "The more we can pick
up at this stage, the less pressure we will have when the games get
tougher."

Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill admitted his team were still suffering
from the hangover of last season's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Everton.
He said: "It deflated us more than I realised at the time and it seems to
have lingered on. We have to try and win a game or two – although if we had
held on to win here, I would have been jumping through hoops, telling you
how brilliant we were." Mignolet cursed: "It's a tough one to take, but one
long ball dropped wrongly for us in the box and enabled them to get a point.
"We're aware that we haven't been able to get our first League win yet, but
we're also unbeaten towards the end of September, which is a positive sign."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifty shades Parker: a homage to central midfielders
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 24th September 2012
By: Rich Hobday

Central midfielders are the engine of the team. The heartbeat. The vital
organs, without which the team doesn't function. 'Fifty Shades Parker'
remembers 10 favourite central midfielders, who brought passion, commitment
and flair. They were the spark that lit up Upton Park.

My memories may be clouded by nostalgia but most of my favorite Hammers are
from the 1980s or 1990s. It could be a wistful fondness for terraces and
sunny summers, when games were held on Saturdays at 3.00pm and not at times
to suit Sky's schedule and advertiser's demands. Or maybe players connected
more with the fans. And fans with them.

Maybe we saw players grow and flourish over many seasons. We could grow to
love them. To feel they were one of us. That West Ham really mattered to
them. In the 1980s the same players played season in, season out. Maybe one
or two changes a year, but the core side remained. The FA Cup-winning team
of 1980 played nearly 4,600 games for West Ham – an average of 418 games
each. The average number of seasons at West Ham was 13. Admittedly that team
included Bonds, Brooking and Alvin Martin, but never the less, eight of the
team played for over 10 years.

In 1990, the average games per player dropped to 230 with the average
seasons being eight. By 2000 the average games for West Ham was less than
100 and the average time with was only three seasons. This will drop still
more as players come in on loan, and others quickly move on.

Too many clubs change whole sides overnight. This year, QPR have randomly
bought anyone and everyone, with little regard for team needs or balance.
QPR fans must have to stick names on the back of the shirts with Velcro, so
they can add a new name, each week. The new name of a temporary 'hero' - a
panic buy as the window was slamming shut on their fingers. Maybe they've
bought so many players just to fill up a few empty rows at Loftus Road.

Alan Pardew used over 60 players in a couple of seasons, trying to find the
right players to move the club forward. The gates to the training ground
must have been changed to revolving doors (with plastic turrets). Fans can't
connect with players who are merely passing through. Many looking for a
final payday on their way to retirement in the sun. Despite this, a few
players remain loyal.

Mark Noble is a one-club player, making his debut in 2004. He has, I'm sure
had offers to leave, but has always remained loyal to West Ham. I like to
think that he genuinely feels affection for us. He is currently the club's
longest serving player, and last season's Hammer of the Year. He has played
over 200 games and scored 27 goals, but more importantly he is one of us. A
fan, acknowledged in the famous, but not very creative terrace chant.

"Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
Mark Noble (whooaaoo),
He's West Ham through and through,
He plays for the claret and blue."

Making his debut at 17 he has been a mainstay of the Hammers team over the
last few years. Not quick or creative but he is full of running and would do
anything to ensure West Ham win. His passing can be frustrating but at least
he wins the ball back. He may never play for England, unless they bring him
on for penalties, but he should always be in demand by a top 10 club.

I have met him on a few occasions and his love for the Hammers is clear. I
met him and James Tomkins after the 2012 play-off Final win at Wembley. They
were heading on the back of a couple of taxi-bikes to the airport – ready
for Noble's stag weekend in Dubai. He was excited about his holiday and
wedding – but more excited about helping West Ham back to the Premier
League. "The best day of my life", he said.

Trevor Brooking, an elegant master of passing. An eloquent master of
football. A master of headed FA Cup-winning goals. Sir Trevor could see
passes, long and short, no-one else would. He would glide across the pitch,
cool and calm, while all around him panicked. He had an air of control and
gravitas, which he has carried into the highest levels of football
administration. He outshone opponents, leaving them for dead with a change
of pace and a drop of the shoulder.

A creative talent - he played with grace on the field but tackled like
Gracie Fields. No petulant kicks or foul-mouthed abuse - no bookings or
sending-offs in a career spanning 17 years and 636 games. Sir Trevor saved
his aggression and anger for when he was caretaker manager. Thumping and
kicking his way along the touch line, he looked like he was made to manage.
Another one-club man, born in the heart of the east end. With 636 games, 136
goals, and four times Hammer of the Year, he is right up there as a Hammers
legend.

Alan Dickens scored on his debut, a 2-1 win at Notts County in December
1982. Although a central midfielder, Dicko had to play most of the 1987-88
season partnering Tony Cottee as a striker following the departure of Frank
McAvennie. Classy and bright he should perhaps have achieved more. Certainly
his tackling was lacking. He was more Lilly Allen than Martin Allen. He made
a total of 231 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 29 goals,
playing his last game in May 1989 against Liverpool, before heading to
Chelsea in a £635,000 move. Like so many who leave West Ham for a so called
bigger club and bigger stage, their move falls flatter than Steve Bruce's
nose. Rob Green take note.

In the 1980s there were two places to look for news; Hammers News and Huey
Lewis. It was exciting to read in the former that we had signed Stuart
Robson in 1987 for £650,000. An Arsenal regular, dynamic and skilful. He
played for two-and-a-half years, and was Player of the Year for 1987.
However, he lost his place after we were relegated in 1989, playing only
eight times in the following two years. Although injury meant we never saw
the best of him in claret and blue, he gave everything when he did play.
Often playing when injured, and perhaps risking longer term damage Robbo
never let us down.

You may wince but Paul Ince was a talented central midfielder. Not popular
now at Upton Park, but his early days in claret and blue were some of his
best. Let's not forget he was and is a West Ham fan, having been signed as a
school boy at 12 by John Lyall. Described by some as arrogant, difficult and
confrontational, but a talent who went on to become the first black England
captain.

He came to prominence in West Ham's midfield when Billy Bonds retired in
1987/88. In 1989 he had a memorable season with two sensational goals in a
4-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup. He showed flashes of
brilliance, but in a struggling West Ham team couldn't stop us being
relegated to Division 2. He only played one game in the second division,
before his controversial and ill-advised move to Man Utd. Being photographed
in a MUFC top, while still a Hammers player (and Hammer of the Year) is hard
to condone. Was he badly advised, naïve or arrogant? We'll never know.

Ian Bishop enjoyed arguably his best football at West Ham between 1989 and
1998. He came to West Ham with Trevor Morley, in a swap deal involving Mark
Ward going in the opposite direction. Bishop was the most cultured at the
club, but looked like someone from Culture Club. With his long flowing hair,
sometimes held in place with an Alice band, and tight shorts, he played over
300 times scoring 17 goals.

Bishop was stylish and classy, with lots of flicks and tricks. He moved
diagonally and played killer diagonal balls. He made both the front and back
pages in 1991 in a mystery incident, allegedly resulting in Trevor Morley
being stabbed. No-one ever got to the bottom of it. I prefer to remember his
ball skill on the pitch, where he forged great partnerships with Eyal
Berkavic and Martin Allen, among others. Bishop - club captain, Hammer of
the Year and frequent winner of Hair of the Year.

At times in the 1990s it felt like the opposition were stampeding towards
our goal, like wildebeest across the Serengeti. Only one animal dare get in
their way. Martin Allen. The Mad Dog. He stood tall against wave upon wave
of attacks, like a lone gazelle trampled under their feet. Whilst others
turned and fled, Mad Dog stood and fought. He often ran himself into the
ground, covering every blade of grass.

He sometimes overstepped the line with his tackling and was frequently
booked. He clattered Carlton Palmer in a two-footed lunge in 1991, which saw
him carried off after 20 seconds. Signed by Lou Macari, he made his debut in
souring August temperatures in 1989 - his end to end running sapping all his
energy. He must have sweated more than Mark Ward going through customs. They
say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun; Martin Allen was
both.

Goal scoring midfielders are worth their weight in gold. In Frank Lampard
Jnr's case £11million of Roman Abramovich's gold, which robbed us our last
consistent midfield goal scorer. In an era where we were as disappointing up
front as Kate Middleton, we needed Frank's goals. Lampard broke his leg
early in his career but in 1997-98 he was an ever-present and the following
season he finished third top scorer with 14 goals.

Frank got stick from some fans, who thought his family connections pushed
his selection. He has gone on to prove for Chelsea and England what an asset
he is to a team. He consistently scores over 20 a year for Chelsea –
something we could do with. Despite his tender years, he was the butt of
terrace songs, pertaining to his love of pies and his fat frame. The popular
terrace chant about Frank and a Forklift Truck still resonate around the
Boleyn Ground. For a "fat chubster" he has done well with Chelsea (and
latterly with Christine Bleakley). He is still one of the best 'box to box'
finishers – particularly if it's a Kentucky Fried Chicken box...

Steve Lomas put the fear of God into the opposition. He made 227 competitive
and combative appearances for West Ham between 1997-2005. Having made his
name at Man City for tough tackling and tough talking, he quickly made an
impression becoming club captain. He wore the armband with pride, in a team
of characters and livewires – Ruddock, Wright and Moncur. Another midfielder
who didn't score enough and wasn't very creative but he could tackle. An
anagram of Steve Lomas is "leaves most"- and he did leave most players
poleaxed. Lomas and Bishop complimented each other's style – one smooth, one
shaggy.

Scott Parker is the epitome of a central midfielder. Strong, energetic,
passionate. A leader. Injury delayed Parker's debut, and he took a while to
impose himself in games. However, it soon became clear that he was an
inspirational figure, often single-handedly driving the team.

Carlton Cole praised Scott Parker's "inspirational" pep talk at half time
after, being 3–0 down against West Brom. Carlton Cole was quoted as saying
"If you were there you would have had a tear in your eye" after the half
time team talk. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of Cole's mental
state, or that it was simply a passionate and motivational plea. Either way
it worked as West Ham clawed back in the second half to get a 3–3 draw.
Scotty did like to keep the ball at his feet and weave seemingly endless and
intricate figures of eight. Although he often ended up back where he started
, no-one could get the ball off him. It was good for our possession stats.

Following his performances for West Ham and his England recall, Parker was
named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. In August
2011, after 129 games and 12 goals, Parker left West Ham United and joined
one of our fiercest rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Despite this poor judgment,
Scotty cemented his place as one of the best midfielders we have seen and
his driving runs and passion will be missed and long remembered. From what
we've seen so far of Mohamed Diame, perhaps he won't be missed for all that
long.

With over 2,200 games and 11 Hammers of the Year awards between them, they
each brought something special to West Ham. Heroic midfield generals – I
salute you.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble Agrees New 5 Year Deal
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Great news. The Evening Standard reports tonight that Mark Noble is about to
put pen to paper on a new five year deal. He's made more than 200
appearances for the Hammers over the last five or six years and is, I think,
one of the key members of our team. He is never less than 100% committed and
it's rare that he ever gets less than a six out of ten for his efforts,
Regular readers will know how much I rate him and I couldn't be more
delighted at this news. OK, he shouldn't ever take a corner again - that
should be left to Matt Jarvis and Matt Taylor, but that's one of the few bad
things you could ever say about Nobes. OK, he's not the fastest, but he
plays his anchor role superbly and his passes generally find their
destination. And as for his penalties, well, you don't find many with a
better record than him.

I hope you are all as pleased as I am.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Noble agrees new deal at West Ham
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated:
September 24, 2012 11:04am
SSN

Sky Sports understands West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has agreed a new deal
to extend his stay at Upton Park. Noble is currently in the final year of
his contract and a number of clubs are thought to be monitoring his
situation. Fulham made an enquiry about Noble during the summer transfer
window only to be rebuffed by West Ham. West Ham have now moved to offer
Noble a new deal as they look to keep the player who is a product of their
famed academy.
Noble has made over 200 appearances for his local club and has established
himself as a key member of the side since breaking into the first team at
the age of 17. The classy midfielder helped West Ham win promotion back to
the Premier League last season and was named Player of the Season in the
process.
Noble is expected to sign a three-year extension with the option of a
further year at Upton Park. News of Noble's new deal will come as a massive
boost to Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as the club risked losing the
25-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble Mark stays loyal to Hammers
Published: 24th September 2012
The Sun

MARK NOBLE has agreed a new deal at West Ham which will tie him to the club
until 2017. There was concern in the summer that Noble, who is in the last
year of his contract, would leave at the end of the season. But the
25-year-old, who has over 200 appearances for the club, is staying put.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com