Daily WHUFC News - 13th November 2012

'It's a massive three points for us'
WHUFc.com
Mark Noble has lauded West Ham United's stirring 1-0 victory at Newcastle
United
11.11.2012

Mark Noble has hailed West Ham United's team spirit after the Hammers scored
a superb 1-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Newcastle United. Noble was
at his tireless best at St James' Park, combating a home midfield that
included France internationals Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa and
Netherlands star Vurnon Anita. The Hammer of the Year also played his part
in Kevin Nolan's winner when his cross was cleared to Joey O'Brien, whose
shot was turned in by the captain. The No16 was naturally proud to play his
part in West Ham's first win on Tyneside since October 1998. "It's a great
result," a smiling Noble told West Ham TV. "Coming here is always hard but
the three points are massive for us. The lads have done incredible and some
of the defensive play was unbelievable. "Tonks [James Tomkins] has come in
and played at centre-half for the first time this year and he was fantastic,
as were Reidy [Winston Reid] and George [McCartney]. Joey [O'Brien] has had
to play in two different positions and he's a top footballer. "It's been a
great day for us and we're buzzing."

Noble was not surprised to see Nolan score the all-important match-winner,
despite all the pressure surrounding the skipper's return to the club where
he spent three seasons between 2008 and 2011. "He is clever. I used to watch
him on Sky Sports and I thought that he was lucky and I told him that! But
he isn't lucky, because he knows where the ball is going to drop. Joey
shanked his shot and it fell to Nobby, like it always does. "It was nice of
him to show Newcastle fans respect by not celebrating. It's obviously a
massive three points for us."

Having been part of the side that struggled to pick up points on the road on
their way to relegation in 2010/11, Noble has thoroughly enjoyed being part
of life under Sam Allardyce. The manager has guided West Ham to 17 away
league victories in 28 attempts - a truly outstanding record. "I don't think
there is a secret - it's just hard work, team shape and the will to win.
We've got a lot of players here now who know how to win games. "We've got
some top international players and some Premier League players and we know
how to shut games down and that's what we did on Sunday."

Noble's own performance was eye-catching for the sheer amount of ground he
covered during the 90 minutes - plus nine minutes of added time. A tireless
worker and fearless tackler, the midfielder worked his socks off in typical
style to subdue the home side and upset his one-time manager Pardew.
"Obviously it was a big pitch out there! I enjoyed it as I had loads of the
ball and created a lot of stuff so I'm over the moon. I was playing against
some top players in there like Cabaye so I enjoyed it."

West Ham's victory took them up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League
table after eleven matches and above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
and Liverpool - a position every fan would have been delighted with at the
start of the season. Now, Noble says the Hammers cannot afford to rest on
their laurels, but instead push on again to maintain their top-half placing.
"We just have to keep doing what we have been doing. We can't get carried
away because we will get punished. If we play like did on Sunday and at QPR
away and like we have been doing at home, we can have a top season." *Less
than 1,000 tickets remain for Monday's Barclays Premier League visit of
Stoke City to the Boleyn Ground.

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has hailed his 'most satisfying' away win as West Ham United
manager
12.11.2012

Sam Allardyce was a proud man as West Ham United announced that they are
well and truly back in the Barclays Premier League with a stunning 1-0 away
win at Newcastle United. Kevin Nolan's first-half goal handed the Hammers a
deserved victory after a performance boasting composure, tenacity and belief
helped deliver their first win at St James' Park for 14 years. Big Sam and
his squad were back in at Chadwell Heath early on Monday for a light session
to aid their recovery after the huge exertions of Sunday's success. "I think
this was my most satisfying win," said Big Sam, who has now won 17 of his 28
away league matches as West Ham boss. "I thought the win at QPR was a good
performance but we have to look at where QPR are. They are struggling and
we've taken advantage of that. Newcastle were a fantastic force at home last
season and have started the season well with some good performances. "It was
a fantastic professional performance by all the players and a fantastic
three points. Winning a Premier League game away from home is a tough ask so
to beat Newcastle at Newcastle is obviously very pleasing. "It was a
fantastic result and a clean sheet - you couldn't ask for any more."

The Hammers were outstanding from back to front and Jussi Jaaskelainen was
another who arguably had his best game yet in a claret and blue shirt after
pulling off a number of stunning saves. The Finn has now kept five clean
sheets in eleven league matches - more than any other goalkeeper in the
division.
Momo Diame, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan all won their individual battles
against the talented Magpies midfield on a fine afternoon for the 2,700
travelling Hammers fans. "It was good teamwork from the players using a
system of play that doesn't just nullify the opposition who were playing at
home, but also exposes the opposition's weaknesses. Our performance in and
out of possession was very good, the control of the ball was very good and
we got the goal at the right time. "We defended superbly when we needed to
and we broke out and exposed them in a counter-attacking way when we had the
chance. Every now and again the odd shots that they had on goal were saved
by our goalkeeper, who has a massive amount of experience. "He didn't panic
or put us under any pressure. He made the clean sort of saves that you'd
expect him to make. The foundation of a successful season is your goalkeeper
and your defenders keeping as many clean sheets as possible. "You can then
become a better attacking force and you entertain more and win more games
and that's what we all want."

Nolan was at the centre of most of his side's best attacking moves and once
again demonstrated his natural talent for putting the ball in the back of
the net - the fifth time he has done so this season. Once again his
excellent relationship with fellow former Newcastle star Andy Carroll proved
to be a constant thorn in the side of the opposition and only a fine save
from Tim Krul prevented the latter from opening his Hammers account. "The
only disappointing aspect was that Andy didn't stick the ball in the back of
the net for his first goal. That's not being critical of him as it was a
fantastic save by Krul but overall Kevin Nolan was man of the match and
showed the Newcastle fans what they were missing. His link-up play with
Carroll was superb. "Nobby's gaol was an instinct that you can't teach or
coach. You've either got it or you haven't and he's always had it from an
early age when he broke into the Bolton team. We knew we had to release him
and let him go and find his own way in the box and we couldn't coach that
and we just let him do it. "As the years have gone on he's continued to do
it successfully and that got even more successful at Newcastle as he and
Andy Carroll play very well together. Even though Andy is not scoring, they
work in tandem and know where each other are. For most of the game they were
together when they were needed and held the ball up."

The only downside to an otherwise memorable afternoon was the injuries that
forced Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and George McCartney to leave the field
early. Javis suffered a tight thigh, Benayoun eventually succumbed to the
knock he picked up during a fully committed tackle against Jonas Gutierrez,
while McCartney looks potentially the most worrying after injuring his
groin. All three will be assessed on their return to Chadwell Heath. In
their absences, Modibo Maiga, Gary O'Neil and Guy Demel produced fine
performances to aid the Hammers' cause. "The three injuries and three
changes we had to make never detracted from the performance, which was even
more pleasing. Obviously it's disappointing when we get the injuries but to
see three players come on and still perform was pleasing. "It's a good job
we've got Guy Demel, Gary O'Neil and Modibo Maiga back as the bench has been
lightweight recently. It shows how important substitutes are as you have to
have a strong bench in this league."

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The happiest Hammer
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Bud Hedges

I don't think there can be any West Ham fan who could be disappointed with
West Ham United at the moment. Sixth in the league, the second best side in
London according to the table and all this from a side who, only eight
months ago, were capitulating near the top of the Championship table,
leaving supporters questioning whether we could actually make it up this
year.

The spirit, heart, fight and gritty performance at one of the toughest away
trips you may have to make in Premier League football was made this weekend
and we held on for a brilliant win. Such a vital three points cannot be
measured. There are moments in the season, especially away from home where
the side will need to dig in and make sure that they hold on. Wins over QPR
and Newcastle were the hallmark of this challenge and both times we took all
the points away from the game.

The best part of the win this weekend was that we are apparently in our
'tough spell' of matches. I've heard one report call the ten game period
beginning with Manchester City at home the 'fixtures of doom'. If this is
our tough spell, I would like to see how we would cope with an easy spell.

I feel that calling West Ham's fixture list at the start of the season an
easy one is short-sighted and doesn't give some teams in the Premier League
any credit. We may have not faced some of the stronger teams but you have to
beat those that are in front of you and we did have done so by beating five
of the 11 teams we've played. Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton, QPR and
Newcastle are all good teams; some are in good form, and some in less good
form, but we still had to beat them.

Having said this, what I admire the most about the West Ham side at the
moment is the tenacity and the effort that we are putting in to games. Kevin
Nolan said after the game with Newcastle: "It's only just a foundation, we
need to get to that elusive forty points and take it from there." Clearly
Allardyce isn't letting his side get ahead of them. Taking the Premier
League game by game, weekend-by-weekend is clearly the best strategy to take
and Allardyce seems to be keeping the side grounded.

West Ham has conceded just 11 goals so far, keeping five clean sheets. One
of those clean sheets came against the Champions of England, so the clean
sheets aren't just fluke. Allardyce and his coaches are evidently working
hard and the never-say-die attitude that West Ham is occupying is definitely
paying off. Jussi Jaaskelainen and Winston Reid have been the stand-out
performers in defence so far this season, not to take anything away from the
heroics of James Collins, James Tomkins, George McCartney, Guy Demel and
Joey O'Brien at the back to keep five clean sheets.

The work of the midfield three hasn't gone amiss either. Mark Noble and Mo
Diame are controlling games and are providing chances for the side. The
goals that Captain Fantastic has scored have obviously been vital and, once
again, Nolan is proving himself to be one of the best midfield goal scorers
in the history of the Premier League. I believe that Diame is proving a
vital player to have in the side; it seems that when he has a good game,
West Ham United seem to have a good game, but when he is slightly off his
game we don't play too well. He has become a lynchpin for our success
because Diame and Noble make up the main part of the engine room.

This weekend was capped off by the tremendous win at Newcastle and as I
pointed out earlier, I doubt there are many Hammers who are disappointed at
all with West Ham United. The only down side to our play at the moment is
the fact that Allardyce is ruining the clubs heritage of losing games from
winning positions. A heritage, that I'll be happy to see leave the club.

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Shanghai surprise?
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are once again being linked with a move for former Arsenal and
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. The ex-French international has been playing
for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua but is now a free agent having terminated
his contract with the club following a disagreement over his salary.
Unsurprisingly perhaps some sections of the media have claimed that West Ham
are now keen to land a player with whom they have been linked with on at
least three occasions previously - in 2007, 2011 and then again earlier this
year. Anelka, who has spent 12 years of his career playing in the Premier
League previously worked with current West Ham manager Sam Allardyce when
the pair were at Bolton together. Allardyce pulled off a major coup to sign
the 33-year-old from Fenerbahce for around £8m. At least one source has
claimed this morning that Anelka has held preliminary discussions with
representatives of West Ham with view to a permanent contract. The player
formally known as 'Le Sulk' is thought to have been earning around
£50,000-per-week in China.

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Baffled
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th November 2012
By: Staff Writer

Olympique de Marseille midfielder Joey Barton admits that he is mystified by
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan's exclusion from the latest England
squad.
Roy Hodgson's team face Sweden in a friendly in Gothenburg later this week
and despite several players named in the initial 23-man squad pulling out
over the weekend, West Ham's leading goalscorer continues to be overlooked.

Meanwhile players such as Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha - who is yet to play
a single game in the Premier League - plus Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson and
Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone have been included. And that has mystified
Barton, who moved to France in the summer having been let go by previous
club Queens Park Rangers. "It's good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about
time," he told his 1.8million followers on social network Twitter. "But my
brain is asking why no Kevin Nolan? Surely he warrants a call up more than
most? "On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last eight years,
he deserves at least a call up. I'm not on about [Liverpool's Raheem]
Sterling, I'm on about Zaha. Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more
Prem goals, yet don't get a look in? Baffles me. He should have had a call
up years ago."

Also overlooked yet again is Nolan's team mate and fellow midfielder Mark
Noble, another who has played a major part in leading West Ham to sixth
place in the Premier League above teams such as Arsenal, Tottenham and
Liverpool.

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West Ham's Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for their support
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 3:42pm
SSN

Kevin Nolan has thanked Newcastle's fans for the warm reception he received
when he returned to his old club with West Ham at the weekend. Nolan struck
six minutes before half-time in front of the Gallowgate End, where he was
once adored by the locals, to seal the Hammers' 1-0 victory at St James'
Park. As a mark of respect, he shelved his customary 'chicken dance'
celebration, but there was no hiding his delight. The 30-year-old, of
course, might still have been a Newcastle player had owner Mike Ashley
sanctioned the long-term contract for which he was looking during the summer
of last year, but he will continue to look back fondly on his time on
Tyneside. He said: "I loved everything about this club when I was here, and
I still do. "I have fond memories and many friends and my family enjoyed it
up here. My little boy is a Geordie. "I thought it was a fantastic
performance from us. I was delighted to get the goal and just delighted with
how the day went. "I would like to thank the Newcastle fans for the
fantastic support they gave me while I was here, and for the reception they
gave me on Sunday."

Commitment

Nolan added: "Obviously I could not have asked to have gone to a better club
than West Ham for the following we have got and the commitment they have
shown, so I'm delighted to be at another wonderful club. "Hopefully I can do
as well for them as I did up here." The visitors had to weather a sustained
assault in the second half as Newcastle, who had started poorly, attempted
to fight their way back into the game. However, manager Sam Allardyce's
traditional organisation and a commendable resilience saw them through.
Nolan said: "You have got to expect that because they are a team with
fantastic players. They had some fantastic players out [suspended] and we
knew we had to capitalise on that, and I think we did. "We hung on and
credit to the lads because we have got a lot of grit and determination. I'm
delighted to lead them every week."

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Kevin Nolan says West Ham are hoping to emulate the achievements of
Newcastle
Last Updated: November 12, 2012 10:26am
SSN

Kevin Nolan hopes West Ham United can emulate the achievements of Newcastle
United and push for European qualification in the near future. The Hammers
have returned to the Premier League for the 2012/13 campaign after taking in
an unwelcome one-season stay in the Championship. West Ham hope taking one
step back will allow them to take two forward, with an enforced period of
reconstruction having seen them overhaul their playing staff and repair
shaken confidence. The target now is to cement a top-flight standing before
pushing on towards a potential top-six finish. After netting the winning
goal in Sunday's meeting with his former employers Newcastle, with victory
on Tyneside taking the Hammers onto 18 points for the season, Nolan said:
"It was a fantastic performance by us. It moves us further up the table and
it keeps us in the mix. "You've got to expect to be up against it at
Newcastle. They have some fantastic players who were missing, and we knew we
had to capitalise on that. "What we're trying to do at West Ham is what we
tried to do at Newcastle. When we came up it was about getting them back to
where they belonged and then eventually into Europe. "That's what I feel
West Ham should do. With the support we've got and the backing from the
boardroom, hopefully we can emulate what Newcastle have done."

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Nolan hurting over England snub
The Sun
Published: 12th November 2012

KEVIN NOLAN admits his lack of an England cap is starting to hurt. The West
Ham midfielder, who netted the winner in yesterday's 1-0 win at Newcastle,
was overlooked by Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson for the friendly with Sweden
on Wednesday night. Withdrawals from his squad in midfield has seen boss
Hodgson draft in uncapped duo Leon Osman and Wilfried Zaha. And Nolan, 30,
is starting to think he will never represent his country despite two caps at
Under-21 level.
He said: "It does hurt I haven't got one, but it is something I have got to
live with and I'm a big boy. "I don't know what more I can do to be quite
honest. "I've scored goals consistently for a number of years."

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He's the 100-1 for us
Published: 12th November 2012
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has a 'one in a 100' chance of a reunion with Nicolas Anelka.
West Ham's boss is hoping to boost his team's fine start to the season by
signing the former Chelsea and Bolton striker. Anelka, 33, has not settled
at Shanghai Shenua but his £250,000-a-week wages is a problem. An Upton Park
insider said: "Nicolas is talking to about 25 clubs. It would be great to
get him but it's a 100-1 shot."

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China crisis: West Ham worry Anelka's wage demands will be too high
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 22:30

West Ham fear they will be priced out of an ambitious move for Nicolas
Anelka. The former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool striker is unhappy at
Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and has opened talks with the Hammers about a
return to the Premier League. The high-flying east Londoners are keen to
pair the 33-year-old with Liverpool loanee Andy Carroll to maintain their
fine start to the season. But they worry that although the French striker is
ready to accept a cut in his stunning £250,000-a-week Shanghai wages, he
will still demand way more than they can afford. The Hammers believe they
will have a clearer idea of where they stand with Anelka within the next
week, as several other clubs are expressing an interest in the Frenchman.
They are hoping his relationship with boss Sam Allardyce, who worked with
him at Bolton, could help clinch a deal.

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Return of Le Sulk? West Ham plotting to bring back Nicolas Anelka
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 12:01

West Ham are planning a surprise move to bring back Nicolas Anelka to the
Premier League from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, according to reports. It
has been less than a year since the French striker left Chelsea for a final
pay day in the Far East, although he is believed to be unhappy after failing
to settle - despite earning a reported £250,000 a week. The 33-year-old is
admired by Sam Allardyce after playing under the Hammers boss at Bolton
Wanderers. There are also reports that the former Arsenal, Manchester City,
Liverpool and Chelsea star is involved in an ongoing pay dispute with
Shenhua. Allardyce has an excellent track record in rejuvenating fallen
stars including Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff and Fernando
Hierro. Anelka's Shenhua teammate Didier Drogba is expected to return to
Chelsea to train ahead of the Africa Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard
will sign for Chinese side Guizhou Renhe in January, according to reports
from China.

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Baffled! Joey Barton questions Zaha call up and Nolan absence from the
England squad
The Mirror
12 Nov 2012 16:34

Joey Barton has taken to Twitter to question Roy Hodgson's decision to call
up Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha to the senior England squad. A
succession of injuries have led to the Ivory Coast born forward to be
drafted into the team to face Sweden in Wednesday's international friendly.
However, Barton believes the call up is purely to prevent Zaha from being
capped by his country of birth. "Not a fan of the latest craze, giving caps
out so as players don't go and play for other countries. Doesn't sit well
with me that...," he tweeted. "I'm not on about Sterling, I'm on about Zaha.
Not played in the Prem yet. Nolan scored more Prem goals, yet don't get a
look in? Baffles me." The QPR loanee also expressed disappointment at former
Newcastle midfield partner Kevin Nolan's continued omission from the England
setup. "Good to see Leon Osman get a call up, about time. My brain is asking
why no Kevin Nolan? Surely, he warrants a call up more than most?" he added.
"On Premier League goals alone, consistently for the last 8 yrs, he deserves
at least a call up. "Osman [has been a] good player in the last few years.
But he's 32 and isn't gonna improve an average side. "If they're giving out
charity caps, all I am saying is, Nolan should have had a call up years ago.
"As for me, well that's something entirely different. Let's not go there."

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Hammers defender Reid poised to ink new contract
By SAMI MOKBEL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 12 November 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30, 12 November 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham defender Winston Reid is set be rewarded for his impressive
displays this season with a new contract. The New Zealand international has
played a pivotal role in the Hammers' excellent return to the Premier
League. And the central-defender is in advanced negotiations with Upton
Park chiefs over a deal extension. Reid, 24, is out of contract at the end
of the season, but manager Sam Allardyce has made tying the defender down to
fresh terms a top priority.
Both parties are understood to be confident of reaching an agreement very
soon. Reid, who represented Denmark at junior level, has been an
ever-present for the Hammers this season - starting all their Premier League
games.

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West Ham to Offer Liverpool Flop Joe Cole Upton Park Escape Route
by The Newshound November 12th, 2012
caughtoffside.com

JOE COLE may be offered an escape route from his Liverpool hell – by boyhood
club West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is said to be keen on exploring a
loan deal to bring Cole to Upton Park in the January transfer window.
Struggling Cole, 30, was hauled off by critical Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers
in the second half of the midweek Europa League defeat against Anzhi
Makhachkala. Rodgers has lost faith in Cole and even publicly blasted him
for a poor performance against Swansea in the Capital One Cup. This may be a
deal that suits all concerned though it's worth pointing out that the form
shown by the 30 year old midfielder may well negate West Ham's interest in
their former charge. The former England regular has had a miserable time of
it since his move to Liverpool, which began ominously enough with a red card
in his first Premier League game for the Anfield side. The Londoner clearly
has little or no future at Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers wouldn't demand a
king's ransom for the former Chelsea man, indeed they would probably only
ask for a fee of around £3m as the benefit of seeing the player's salary
wiped off the balance sheet is probably an issue the Anfield side would love
to resolve. Cole enjoyed a season long loan spell at the Stade Metropole
side last term, making 42 appearances in all competitions and helping Rudi
Garcia's side to secure a Champions League berth.
Joe Cole has played just 32 minutes of Premier League football this season
and it doesn't look likely he will play all that more often after his
shocking display against Swansea City in the Capital One Cup defeat last
month.

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