Daily WHUFC News - 19th January 2013

QPR match preview
WHUFC.com
Your guide to Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with QPR
17.01.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v QUEENS PARK RANGERS
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 19 JANUARY 2013
KICK-OFF: 3.00PM
REFEREE: HOWARD WEBB
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United return to Barclays Premier League action as they entertain
Queens Park Rangers at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers are bidding to bounce
back from successive defeats on the road, succumbing to a 3-0 loss at
Sunderland, before exiting the FA Cup in a 1-0 reverse against Manchester
United.
• The Hammers, however, will be glad of a return to the Boleyn Ground, where
they have gleaned 18 of their 26 points this season. Aston Villa, Fulham,
Southampton, Chelsea and Norwich have all left east London empty handed this
term.
• The last meeting of the sides at the Boleyn Ground was on Saturday 6
November 2004, when West Ham United earned a 2-1 win thanks to goals either
side of half-time from Marlon Harewood. West Ham are bidding to complete
their first league double of the season, having run out 2-1 winners at
Loftus Road back in October.
• The two clubs have met just seven times in the Premier League, with West
Ham winning twice and QPR on three occasions. However, the Hammers have won
two of the most recent three top-flight meetings.
• It has been more than 17 years since the two sides shared the points, when
on 3 May 1995 the fixture ended in a goalless draw.
• QPR head to the Boleyn Ground in fine form, with a creditable two wins and
two draws from their last four clashes in all competitions. After stunning
west London neighbours Chelsea with a 1-0 win away win, they held Tottenham
Hotspur to a goalless draw at Loftus Road, before needing a replay at the
Hawthorns to dump West Bromwich Albion out of the FA Cup.
• That said, the Hoops remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League, having
racked up just 14 points to date. Harry Redknapp's men remain five points
adrift of safety, with just two league wins this season.

Last time out

Wednesday 16 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Spence, Tomkins, Reid, Diarra, Potts, O'Neil,
Diame (Collison 65), Taylor, Vaz Te (Lee 78), Cole (Nolan 65).
Subs not used: Spiegel, Demel, Jarvis, Lletget

Tuesday 15 January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Ferdinand, Hill, Onuoha, Ben-Haim, Derry, Park
Ji-Sung, Faurlin, Cisse (Wright-Phillips 46), Mackie (Taarabt 90), Bothroyd
(M'bia 80)
Subs not used:
Goals: Bothroyd 75

Previous meeting
• West Ham United's last encounter with Queens Park Rangers saw the Hammers
depart Loftus Road with all three points, their first away win of their
Barclays Premier League campaign.
• Sam Allardyce's men stormed into a third-minute lead courtesy of Matt
Jarvis' header, before Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the visitors' advantage with
ten minutes of the first half still to play. The Hoops rallied after the
interval and halved the deficit when Adel Taarabt rifled home from 25 yards,
but their challenge was effectively ended with the dismissal of substitute
Samba Diakite for two bookable offences.
The teams that day were:
Queens Park Rangers: Julio Cesar; Hill, Onuoha (Hoilett 84), Nelsen, Park
Ji-sung (Diakite 55), Wright-Phillips (Taarabt 56), Granero, Faurlin, M'Bia,
Cisse, Zamora
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid (Tomkins 23), O'Brien (McCartney 35),
Collins, Demel, Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, Cole (Carroll 72), Vaz Te

Background

• West Ham United have faced Queens Park Rangers in 58 official matches and
they enjoy a slender lead in terms of victories having won 21 to the Hoops'
19. 18 have ended in a draw.
• West Ham United's biggest win over QPR came on 7 October 1950, Eric
Parsons scored a brace and Bill Robinson and Terry Woodgate also got on the
scoresheet in a 4-1 League Division Two win. The Hammers have, however, won
by a bigger margin in the First Southern Division, winning 4-0 in 1902.
• Queens Park Rangers' biggest win in the fixture came on 31 January 1978 in
an FA Cup meeting when they beat the Hammers 6-1 in a fourth round replay.
Bryan "Pop" Robson scored the Hammers' only goal of the game.

Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
1st October 2012 - QPR 1-2 West Ham United
6 November 2004 - West Ham United 2-1 QPR (Championship)
16 October 2004 - QPR 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
27 April 1996 - QPR 3-0 West Ham United
25 November 1995 - West Ham United 1-0 QPR
3 May 1995 - West Ham United 0-0 QPR
Overall record v Queens Park Rangers (all competitions) W 21 D 18 L 19

Ten-year record
West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Division One)
Queens Park Rangers
2011/12 Premier League 17th (37 points)
2010/11 Championship 1st (88 - promoted to Premier League)
2009/10 Championship 13th (57 points)
2008/09 Championship 11th ( 61 points)
2007/08 Championship 14th (58 points)
2006/07 Championship 18th (53 points)
2005/06 Championship 21st (50 points)
2004/05 Championship 11th (62 points)
2003/04 Division Two 2nd (83 points)
2002/03 Division Two 4th (83 points)

Referee
• Saturday's referee is Howard Webb.
• Webb was the man in the middle for West Ham's goalless draw at home to
Manchester City, while he also officiated the 2012 npower Championship
Play-Off final at Wembley, where the Hammers beat Blackpool 2-1 at Wembley
to secure promotion.
• He took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Holland
in South Africa.
• Webb began officiating in Yorkshire in 1989. He took charge of his first
Barclays Premier League match as a referee in October 2003 and has since
been the man-in-the-middle for a host of high-profile fixtures.
• Webb also refereed the 2005 FA Community Shield, 2006 FA Trophy final and
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, as well as taking charge of his
first UEFA Champions League match in 2006. The former police officer was
referee for the 2007 Carling Cup final and was selected as England's
representative at Euro 2008, taking charge of the first match of the
tournament between Austria and Poland and the Group D fixture between Greece
and eventual champions Spain.

Team news
West Ham United
• Big Sam is expected to make a number of changes from the side that lined
up in an adventurous 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford. Matt Jarvis, Guy
Demel, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan, and Jack Collison are each vying for places,
having been left out of the starting XI for Wednesday's FA Cup defeat.
• Joey O'Brien returns to the squad having recovered from a hamstring
injury, while Mark Noble is also available for selection following a
successful fitness test.
• January recruits Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista are both
eligible to make their home debuts, with the Moroccan having featured as a
second-half substitute at Sunderland a week ago. Paulista, however, is
unlikely to be invovled, despite receiving international clearance.
• Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has returned from a loan spell Ipswich Town,
but picked up an ankle injury in training with the Tractor Boys and will not
be available on Saturday.
• Modibo Maiga will definitely be missing after he travelled away to Mali
for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.
• Andy Carroll is edging ever closer to a return, while defensive duo George
McCartney and James Collins are now the club's only long-term absentees.
Queens Park Rangers
• QPR will hope to welcome winger Junior Hoilett back from a hamstring
injury.
• Defensive midfielder Esteban Granero (hamstring), left-back Armand Traore
(knee), right-back Jose Bosingwa (back) and strikers Bobby Zamora (hip) and
Andrew Johnson (knee) are all definitely out injury.
• New signing Loic Remy is avaiable for selection after completing his
£8million move from Marseille.

Old boys
• Anton Ferdinand and Robert Green could both face their former club if
selected, while Bobby Zamora remains sidelined with a hip injury. Ferdinand
made 138 appearances in claret and blue before leaving to join Sunderland in
2008. Zamora also departed in 2008 to go to Fulham after spending four years
at the Boleyn Ground, scoring 30 goals. Green, meanwhile, played 241 games
for the Hammers, including the Play-Off final win against Blackpool in May,
before departing for QPR after his contract at the Boleyn Ground ran out.

General Information
• Tickets are sold out for Saturday's fixture. For all other ticket
information, the box office can be accessed here.
• It's set to be a bitterly cold afternoon, with sleet or snow highly likely
and the temperature struggling to creep above zero.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diarra banking on home form
WHUFC.com
French midfielder Alou Diarra has called for another home win against QPR on
Saturday
17.01.2013

Alou Diarra is hoping home comforts will see West Ham United return to
winning ways in their Barclays Premier League showdown against Queens Park
Rangers. With points and goals on the road proving particularly hard to come
by, the France international believes there is now an even greater emphasis
on continuing to impress at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers have already
racked up five home wins, and while Harry Redknapp's reinvigorated Rangers
stand in their way this weekend, Diarra is reluctant to contemplate anything
other than three points. "We've been collecting points at Upton Park, right
from the word go, and we've got to carry on doing so," he said. "The match
against QPR this weekend is going to be very important for us, particularly
after last weekend's defeat at Sunderland. We've got to try and get all
three points. "QPR are faring better since the appointment of Harry
Redknapp. They're on a good run but we can't afford to give them any points.
Our aim is to win. "We're not worried because we simply weren't on our game
at Sunderland. We know what's required to win football matches. We've shown
that plenty of times in the first half of the season. "As long we're
concentrated and competitive we can pose QPR problems. We've already beaten
them away from home. Granted, this time will be different because they'll be
full of confidence, but we can beat them at home."

Lining up against West Ham will likely be new Hoops signing Loic Remy,
following his £8 million move from Marseille. Diarra played alongside
26-year-old Remy as he netted 20 goals last season and knows only too well
how big a threat he could pose on Saturday. "I don't know if [Loic] can save
QPR because he's not responsible for the current situation. He's coming to
England with plenty to prove and possesses the attribute of speed," warned
Diarra. "I think he can be a great help to them with his pace and he's a
striker who can score plenty of goals. Last year he had a great season with
Marseille and particularly in the Champions League. I played with him as
well and that's how I know his qualities. Provided he's confident he'll be
very dangerous."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on QPR
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has spoken to the press ahead of West Ham United's meeting
with QPR
18.01.2013

Sam Allardyce reiterated the importance of preserving a healthy distance
between his side and the Barclays Premier League's bottom three, as West Ham
United prepare to welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Boleyn Ground. The
Hammers go into the weekend seven points above the drop zone and with key
personnel gradually returning to fitness, Big Sam is confident of steering
well clear of trouble. He insists, however, that a rejuvenated QPR will
provide a stern test on Saturday, having won two and drawn two of their last
four outings in all competitions.

Sam, firstly what's the team news ahead of Saturday?

SA: "Andy Carroll gets slightly nearer everyday but he's not available as of
yet. I think the best news for us is Joey O'Brien is fit from a defensive
point of view, and that's a more critical area with our defensive problems.
We'd love Andy back as quickly as possible, but we've got Carlton Cole and
Marouane Chamakh to look at the striking role, so we're not too bad. Mark
Noble has passed a fitness test as well and Joe Cole comes back into the
squad, so we've got some of those important players back in the squad for
Saturday's big encounter."

How important is Saturday's game?

SA: "These are the bigger games in terms of trying to get your best
performance out of your players, to try and get the win that you need. When
you play the big boys it's always great if you put a good performance in and
if you get a result, it's a magnificent achievement, as it was when we beat
Chelsea 3-1. But it's not as important as beating the teams that are below
you. At this stage of the season, as the games tick by, you don't want them
that bit closer, because it brings the pressure on you. "At the moment it's
going to be a hugely difficult game for us, because QPR are, in results
terms, in much better form than we are. They've won two and drawn two of the
last four."

How big of a concern is it that you could still be dragged into the
relegation battle?

SA: "We still have a reasonable distance between us and the bottom three and
I think that we must always remember that our level of performances this
year have suggested, that if we continue like that, we're going to be good
enough to stay clear of them. And the reason that the performances have been
good and the results haven't is obviously due to a number on injuries and
changes we've had to make over the Christmas period going into January. We
want to put that right as quickly as we can and it would be great to start
getting another winning streak going on Saturday."

How does the weather affect your preparations at this time of year?

SA: "With the amount of games we're playing there's not a lot of training we
can actually do with the players. We played on Wednesday night, we got back
at two in the morning. We came in yesterday for a recovery session, but we
can't load the players too much on the training ground today. We just have
to be relying more on analysis in the analysis room than we would be on the
training ground at the moment. From a physical point of view, you need to
save every ounce of strength you've got for this period. And that, in terms
of the weather is a distraction, but in terms of how often you're training
at this stage of the season it's not too often, and if we do train, it's not
too long on the training ground, so it's not too much of a problem."

Do we need a winter break?

SA: "We've always needed one, but I don't think we're going to get one. I
think that there's a lot of research out there to suggest a winter break
benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. That shows
it's of great benefit. But obviously with the fixture congestion, the
Premier League and all the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in.
So, I think as managers we'd all like one. It would a hell of a lot of
difference if you could leave your players doing nothing for a week, in
terms of rest and recuperation physically and mentally. That would get them
re-energised and ready to move forward again.
"I always squeeze one in anyway, I do it as a course of my managerial
experience. After we went away to Dubai last year we only lost one game,
went all the way through to the Play-Offs, and won the last six games on the
trot. The physical output of the players increased when they came back, as
opposed to what they were achieving before they went away. It just shows a
few days can make a difference."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Captain's Blog
WHUFC.com
Skipper Kevin Nolan with his latest personal message to supporters ahead of
Saturday's visit of QPR
19.01.2013

Hello to all our supporters.

It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at Manchester United this week
but, I think you will agree, we were really unlucky to come away from Old
Trafford with nothing. I think our performance was there to see and with a
few young lads coming in - Jordan Spence, Dan Potts and young Elliot Lee
making his senior bow - we did terrific and we were disappointed to come
away with nothing to show for it. I was on the bench on Wednesday, so my
skipper duties fell to Reidy and I thought he did a terrific job. Well I say
that, but when I came on in the second half, normally whoever else has been
captain, like Nobes, he gives me the armband back, but not Reidy. I came on
and it was clear he was keeping the armband on for the whole match!
Seriously, he did a great job and I am so pleased for him. He wasn't fazed
by it all and it is well deserved as Reidy has had a fantastic season for us
and has been a main part of our success this campaign. I think if it was my
first time being captain, I wouldn't have given it back either! But Reidy, I
want my armband back for this weekend!

We move on and focus on our ultimate goal and that is consolidating our
Premier League status and pushing on now for that top-half finish. I firmly
believe with new players like Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh joining us
recently and maybe more before the transfer window shuts, together with the
lads coming back from injury, we have the quality and spirit in this squad
to push on. Mo Diame, Ricardo Vaz Te and Jack Collison have all returned in
recent weeks and we have Andy Carroll and hopefully Ginge [James Collins] is
not going to be too bad, plus George McCartney still to get back, all which
will be good as we look to finish as high as we can. It is three years since
our owners, Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold, took over with
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. I think our supporters can see what they have
done since arriving at the club - putting everything in to strengthen the
club in all areas so that it didn't falter. Now, they are striving to get it
to where we know this great club belongs. Not only have they done that for
the here and now, but they are doing it in the right way and in a way that
stabilises the club for the future.

Since I arrived they have been great, they have supported the gaffer
massively in the transfer market and hopefully they are seeing some of the
rewards of that support, by our performances on the pitch. Firstly it is
about making sure we stay in the top league and then they are also looking
to the future to get our club back to playing in Europe again and making
sure we can attract the best players possible. So happy three year
anniversary to them!

I would also like to say on behalf of all the lads, we hope Chairman Mr Gold
is continuing to recover well from his recent illness. We were all very
concerned when we heard he was ill and in hospital, but our thoughts are
with him and we look forward to seeing him around the place soon.

At our match on Saturday against Queens Park Rangers, our club will be
marking Holocaust Memorial Day as part of the fantastic work it does in the
community. Candles will be lit and we will be remembering all of those who
have been affected in a terrible way simply for being part of a particular
race or religion. It goes without saying that we must continue to support
the initiatives to make sure we stamp out all forms of racism and I am sure
you will join us in that goal. We play QPR and will welcome a few old
faces, including our former goalkeeper Greeny. I think Rob has been unlucky
not to have got more of a chance since he moved. He's a top lad and I still
speak to him all the time. He's a good mate so it will be good to catch up
with him tomorrow. We will be looking to get three points, even though it
will be a tough London derby, so your support tomorrow will be as important
as ever as we look to get a victory on our home patch with yet another full
stadium behind us. I hope that you are all not too affected by the snow and
just make sure, if you are out and about, to be careful in these conditions.
I want to just finish by saying happy birthday to my little boy, Sonny, who
turned three-years-old last Sunday. He had a party arranged with all our
family but I couldn't make it as we were training that day ahead of the
mid-week match against Manchester United. I know he had a good time,
though, as I had every detail relayed back to me by my six-year-old daughter
Jasmine! It was a shame I missed out on seeing him celebrating. There were
nearly 30 kids at his party, so I think my missus Hayley will be hoping that
we don't have a mid-week game again for his next birthday, so I can share
some of the load! As ever, we appreciate your fantastic support and we will
be doing all we can to get the three points.

Come on you irons!
Kevin Nolan
Captain

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid impressed by young stars
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid said West Ham United's Academy graduates did the club proud at
Manchester United
18.01.2013
Send Print RSS

Winston Reid said West Ham United's youngsters did the club proud in
Wednesday's narrow 1-0 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round defeat at
Manchester United. Academy products Jordan Spence and Dan Potts excelled in
the wing-back positions in a new 3-5-2 formation, while 18-year-old Elliot
Lee was handed his first-team debut as a second-half substitute.
Captain-for-the-night Reid said the trio had all taken the chance given to
them by manager Sam Allardyce at Old Trafford. "We had some of the younger
guys come in and play and they did really well. We have had injuries but we
don't use that as an excuse as it is part of football. But sometimes these
things give the younger players a chance and I thought they took their
opportunities in a good way. "I thought we played really well and even
though they took the lead, we worked hard to get back into the game and
thought we were right in there. We had chances and know we should've put at
least one or two of them away, but it obviously wasn't meant to be our
night."

With the Hammers are now out of the FA Cup, the New Zealand defender said
all the club's attentions could now be focused on regaining some consistent
form in the Barclays Premier League. West Ham have won only two of their
previous ten league games and face relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers
- including Reid's international team-mate Ryan Nelsen - at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday. While sub-zero temperatures and snow forecast, it will
be cold in east London, but the No2 is expecting a red-hot London derby. "We
are taking it game by game and looking forward now to the weekend against
QPR, where we know it will be another tough match but one we will be looking
to win."

If West Ham are to pick up three welcome points, they will need to be more
clinical in front of goal than they have been in their previous two outings
- a 3-0 league defeat at Sunderland last weekend and Wednesday's FA Cup loss
at Old Trafford. Reid admitted the Hammers had not taken their chances in
either fixture. "We had some good play but in the final third we were not
good enough, not up to our standards anyway. We knew we had to make the
opportunities count and it just didn't happen for us in front of goal but we
go ahead now to focusing on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v QPR
KO 15:00
18 January 2013
By John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 19 January

TEAM NEWS

West Ham should have Joey O'Brien available, while fellow defender James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed. Midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged off
a calf problem but striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.

French forward Loic Remy, QPR's record £8m signing, should feature. Shaun
Derry and Stephane M'Bia may continue in midfield, with Samba Diakite at the
Africa Cup of Nations and Esteban Granero an injury doubt.

MATCH PREVIEW

For the second week running, it's Harry making the headlines. Last weekend
he went head-to-head with his previous club Tottenham, and now Redknapp
faces the club where he really made his managerial name. Despite their
position, QPR have reasons to be optimistic. Their FA Cup third-round replay
win at West Brom wasn't really expected, nor was pipping Newcastle to Loic
Remy's signature - or leading the chase for Yann M'Vila. It's no secret
they're trying to buy their way out of trouble.

Because he's a wheeler-dealer, people forget what a fine coach Redknapp is.
Not long after the 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, he went through a hefty routine
at the QPR training ground on how to defend and shut down the opposition. It
seems to have worked, with three successive clean sheets in league and cup.
As well as buying, Harry is also putting his faith in the old warhorses -
seasoned, hardened professionals like Shaun Derry and Clint Hill. He's also
trying to keep Ryan Nelsen for as long as he can.

Notwithstanding the excellent record Redknapp has against West Ham since he
left - eight wins, three draws and one defeat - Hammers fans hold him in
high regard. The club consistently did well under him and achieved their
highest-ever Premier League finish: fifth in 1999. Those years stir
affection, so I expect he'll get a good reception at Upton Park.

West Ham have been stretched with injuries a little bit. James Collins is
very important in both penalty areas, so he's a big miss. Sam Allardyce just
hasn't really been able to field his best team, and whether he can soon will
determine how well they do for the rest of the season. I'm sure it'll be a
real ding-dong London derby, but I doubt there'll be many goals. Allardyce
might use Marouane Chamakh at some point so there are likely to be some
fresh new strikers on the pitch, on both sides, which will add to the
excitement and unpredictability. Every game is a cup final for QPR now, and
though West Ham look safe, they won't take anything for granted.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
QPR's last victory at Upton Park was a 4-0 win in August 1993, the first
month of the inaugural Premier League season.
These two clubs have only met three times since the turn of the millennium,
twice in the Championship in 2004 and earlier this season. West Ham have won
two of these matches, QPR one.

West Ham
The Hammers have earned just seven Premier League points from the last
possible 27.
They have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
Sam Allardyce's side have scored three goals in the past five Premier League
games.
They won their last Premier League home match, but only collected two points
from the previous four Upton Park games.

QPR
Rangers have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first
time since September 2011.
They have 14 points from their first 22 Premier League games of the season.
Only one of the nine teams to have won 14 points or fewer from their first
22 games of a Premier League season have avoided relegation (West Brom in
2004-05).
The Hoops have scored with just 8.1% of their shots so far this season. The
last teams to have a worse shot conversion rate in a single Premier League
season were Middlesbrough (7.7%) and Wigan (7.6%) in 2008-09.
Against Tottenham last weekend, they failed to register a shot on target
(the seventh time a team has done so this season).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce charged over comments after West Ham loss
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with misconduct over his
comments to the media after Wednesday's FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
Allardyce said the decision to deny his side a penalty at Old Trafford, but
award one to Sir Alex Ferguson's side, was down to home advantage. Wayne
Rooney missed the second-half spot-kick as the Hammers lost 1-0 in the
third-round replay. Allardyce must respond to the Football Association
charge by 23 January.
West Ham were denied a penalty when the ball struck Rafael's arm, before the
hosts were awarded one when Jordan Spence handled late on. "You see it time
and time again at Old Trafford," Allardyce said at full-time. "There's no
doubt about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's.
Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home
side at Old Trafford." An FA statement said the charge is "in relation to an
alleged breach of FA Rule E3". It concerns "media comments which questioned
the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general and/or
implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general are
motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce hit with FA Misconduct charge
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has been charged by the FA with misconduct after comments he
made regarding referee Phil Dowd. Allardyce heavily criticised the match
official after he failed to give a penalty to West Ham before awarding one
to Manchester United in almost identical circumstances during Wednesday
night's FA Cup third round replay. "There's no doubt whatsoever about the
difference between Rafael's hand ball and Jordan Spence's," Allardyce,
talking after the game said. "Jordan Spence plays for West Ham away at Man
United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford. It's got to be that simple
when you see it."

Now the FA, who are regularly accused of showing bias towards Manchester
United, have charged Allardyce for relaying what the rest of the country
witnessed on their TVs during the game, which was televised live and watched
by millions. "West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with
misconduct in relation to media comments following this week's FA Cup with
Budweiser Third Round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford,"
read an FA statement. "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."

Allardyce has been given five days to respond to the charge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United clash to be broadcast live
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 18th January 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's home fixture with Man Utd has been brought forward for TV
coverage. The current Premier League leaders, who knocked United out of the
FA Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday night courtesy of Wayne Rooney's first
half strike visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 9th March. However the
kick-off time has been changed from 3pm to 12.45pm and the match will be
broadcast live on Sky Sports. That fixture is just one of 12 new live games
that have been scheduled for March/April; for those interested in such
things, here's the full list:

Sunday, 3rd March: Tottenham v Arsenal (4pm)
Monday, 4th March: Aston Villa v Man City (8pm)
Saturday, 9th March: West Ham v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Fulham v Chelsea (1.30pm)
Sunday, 10th March: Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)
Saturday, 16th March: Everton v Man City (12.45pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Sunderland v Norwich (1.30pm)
Sunday, 17th March: Wigan v Newcastle (4pm)
Saturday, 30th March: Sunderland v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Aston Villa v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sunday, 31st March: Southampton v Chelsea (4pm)
Monday, 1st April: Fulham v QPR (8pm)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA charge West Ham boss Sam Allardyce over accusing Phil Dowd of bias
Last Updated: January 19, 2013 6:12am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been hit with an FA misconduct charge
after his criticism of referee Phil Dowd in the media. The Hammers boss was
furious with Dowd's performance in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United,
and he accused the official of bias towards the home team. Dowd pointed to
the spot after Jordan Spence was adjudged to have handled a Ryan Giggs
cross, but his refusal to award West Ham a penalty when Rafael deflected the
ball on to his own arm left Allardyce fuming. "There's no doubt about the
difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's," he said
afterwards. "Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays
for the home side at Old Trafford. "With Rafael, the ball hits his hand, but
no penalty is given. With Jordan Spence, the ball hits his hand and it's a
penalty. You see it time and time again at Old Trafford."

Allardyce's outburst has incurred the wrath of the FA disciplinary
committee, who issued a statement confirming the Hammers manager had been
charged.
The statement read: "The charge is in relation to an alleged breach of FA
Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned the integrity of the
match referee and/or match officials in general and/or implied that the
match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or
brought the game into disrepute."

Allardyce has until Wednesday 23 January to respond to the charge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce calls for winter break in the Premier League
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:53pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce reckons the time has come for a winter break
in English football. Allardyce insists a short Premier League lay-off, like
that favoured by the top European clubs, would make a massive difference in
terms of keeping players sharp. The Hammers enjoyed a short break in Dubai
at the end of February last year, and on their return to action lost just
one of the remaining 14 Championship games as they secured promotion. "You
do not need a long one, and at the end of the day you would not flog a
racehorse like you would flog our players," said Allardyce, whose side host
QPR on Saturday. "There is a lot of research out there to suggest a winter
break benefits football clubs in Europe from suffering less injuries. "It
shows it is of great benefit, but the fixture congestion with the Premier
League and the other leagues find it very difficult to fit in. "They would
say 'What benefit would two weeks make?' Well a hell of a lot if you could
leave your players doing nothing for a week in terms of rest and
recuperation, physically and mentally. "That would get them re-energised
physically and mentally and ready to move forward again. "After we went away
to Dubai for four days last year, we only lost one game after that, went all
the way through to the play-offs and won the last six games on the trot.
"The physical output of the players increased to what they were achieving
before they went away. It shows you that just a few days in fact can make a
difference."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League: West Ham host QPR in Saturday's London derby at Upton Park
Last Updated: January 18, 2013 2:38pm
SSN

West Ham will host QPR at a freezing Upton Park on Saturday in what will
surely prove a hotly-contested London derby. Sam Allardyce's Hammers go into
the game looking to get back on track in the league, having taken just four
points from their last six games, including a 3-0 reverse at Sunderland. But
the home side will take plenty of heart from their battling display in their
1-0 midweek FA Cup third round replay defeat at Manchester United. Visitors
QPR also go into the game on the back of a promising FA Cup display - a 1-0
win at West Brom on Tuesday. Harry Redknapp's bottom-placed side will also
be buoyed by improved performances in the league, taking four points from
their last two games against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, including
an impressive 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Redknapp will be particularly
pleased to have stemmed his leaking defence's goal tide, with QPR conceding
just once in the last four league and cup games.

West Ham
Last 6
1-0
3-0
2-2
2-1
1-0
1-2
West Ham should have defender Joey O'Brien back from a hamstring injury
against QPR for the first time since New Year's Day. Centre-back James
Collins (hamstring) will be assessed, but midfielder Mark Noble has shrugged
off a calf problem while Joe Cole and Guy Demel come into contention having
been rested at Old Trafford. New signing Wellington Paulista may need more
time before being included. Mali forward Modibo Maiga is away at the Africa
Cup of Nations and striker Andy Carroll and defender George McCartney (both
knee) continue their rehabilitation.

QPR
Last 6
0-1
0-0
1-1
0-1
0-3
1-2

QPR's new signing Loic Remy will feature in the clash at West Ham. Junior
Hoilett (hamstring) returns, but Esteban Granero (hamstring) and Armand
Traore (knock) are doubtful. Samba Diakite is at the African Nations Cup,
Jose Bosingwa (back) is out and Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip)
are absent.

Opta stats

Since Harry Redknapp took charge, QPR have taken more points in four away
games (5) than they had in the previous 20 (3).
QPR and West Ham are two of the only three Premier League teams yet to
concede a penalty in the league this season (along with Manchester United).
Harry Redknapp has won four of the last five Premier League meetings with
Sam Allardyce as opposition coaches (W4 L1) after winning just one of the
first six (W1 D2 L3).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sending Out a Clear Message!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Today's match against QPR will see the club commemorate Holocaust Memorial
Day (the nearest January home match to the 27th of the month). You will
recall that the idea was floated on this website on the immediate aftermath
of the unacceptable behaviour of an anti-semitic and pro-Nazi minority
element (I will not call them West Ham supporters) at White Hart Lane, last
November. The club acted swiftly in identfying and moving to ban the
individuals responsible and then warmly embraced the idea of marking the
Holocaust Commemoration, with its 2013 theme of 'Building a Bridge between
communities.'

WHTID were pleased to advise the club on the Holocaust Memorial Day
Commemoration and contribute to the planning of the event. It will be the
first such commemoration by the club, which will thereafter become an annual
event. The QPR match will be dedicated to the memory of all who lost their
lives in the holocaust, including millions of jewish people, disabled
people, gypsies, gays and lesbians, people of faith/belief and political
dissidents/opponents of the Nazi regime. There will be themed articles in
the match day programme, including one from the Chief Rabbi of the UK. And a
camp suvivor, Zigi Shipper, will be the club's guest of honour at the match.
The event will involve the use of the screens to highlight key facts
concerning the horrors of the holocaust and a candle lighting ceremony will
remember the men, women and children who lost their lives.

History tells us that the Nazi bombing raids of WW2 destroyed large areas of
East London (includng part of the Old South Bank at the Boleyn ground!) and
many east enders lost their homes and lives. In the armed forces, thousands
of East Londoners fought the Nazis, and the other axis powers, and
contributed to their defeat. Again, many lost their lives, in the process,
and we commemorate their ultimate sacrifice every year, on Remembrance
Sunday. While local Jewish people stood shoulder to shoulder with their east
end neighbours in opposing Mosley's Fascist black shirts and defeating them
in the famous battle of Cable Street in 1936. Jewish people both shared the
misery of civilian bombing during the war and fought bravely in our armed
forces.

So why on earth would anyone with east end roots express support for
anti-semitism or Nazism? Perhaps it is a lack of awareness, maybe some
(amazingly) do not truly understand the significance of glorifying Hitler
and making light of gas chambers and the systematic extermination of
millions of people? More than likely, they are also unaware of East London's
long and very proud history of providing a new home for different, newly
arrived, ethnic and cultural communities; many like the nineteenth century
Jewish refugees, from Tsarist Russia, fleeing anti-semtic persecution.
While, no doubt, a tiny faction will hold far right extremist views and that
will be their motivation. Whatever, such views are unacceptable and they are
totally unrepresentative of our club and its fan base. By commemorating the
holocaust, West Ham Utd FC have created a unique opportunity to join with
the overwhelming majority of the club's supporters to show exactly where we
stand on these issues. That is to be warmly applauded.

Equally to be applauded is West Ham's wider commitment to social justice and
inclusion, as outlined in an article in the Man Utd match programme. The
club will be delivering a programme of dversity & inclusion community based
events. This demonstrates a firm commitment to ensuring that West Ham
champions fairness, inclusion and cohesion and is a club that reflects the
diversity characteristic of east London and Essex. As an inclusive, family
club, with a probable major responsibility for delivering the 2012 community
and sporting legacy, via the anchor tenancy of the Olympic stadium, it is
absolutely essential that this is the case.

Through such inclusive events, policies and programmes, the club can really
underline the UNITED in West Ham UNITED FC.

SJ . Chandos.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com