Daily WHUFC News - 1st April 2013

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has lauded Andy Carroll's efforts after his West Bromwich
Albion performance
01.04.2013

Sam Allardyce has tipped Andy Carroll to continue his sensational run of
form after his matchwinning performance against West Bromwich Albion on
Saturday.
The imposing striker had arguably his finest 90 minutes for West Ham United
since joining on loan from Liverpool last August, grabbing the first and
last goals in a 3-1 win. Although Carroll will be forced to miss the meeting
with his parent club on Sunday due to the detail of his loan deal, his
manager believes the quick succession of games to follow will provide a
platform for the 24-year-old to add to his five goals so far this season.
"His confidence will be sky high now he's started to score goals and that
was his first brace for us," Allardyce said. "I think it will kick him on
from here. It will fill him with great confidence and when the next chance
comes along he'll take it like he did his second goal, without thinking
about it. "He made it look so easy. The whole place, instead of erupting,
had a moment of silence because they couldn't believe how good that goal was
- and then they erupted into huge applause."

Indeed the brace demonstrated Carroll's full range of offensive
capabilities. The first was a trademark powering header from a Gary O'Neil
corner, for which there was ever only going to be one winner, and the second
was a stunning right-footed volley from James Collins' lobbed free-kick. "It
will be great for his confidence. It's not just the headed goal, it's the
volley. He's shown everybody his ability in its full light and his
capabilities of a footballer on the deck. He's got really good feet for a
big lad and really good change of direction. "He can be as good as he wants
to be. I can always make anybody better if they want to get better. It's my
job to support what anybody wants to do if they want to dedicate themselves
to the game. I'll be there for them for as long and as needy as they want to
be. "Everybody's dedication determines how good they want to be, we just
provide the service to produce the best of the ability that they've got."

Carroll has endured something of a stop-start beginning to his West Ham
United career after early hamstring and knee injuries, but his return to
form in recent weeks has coincided with an upturn in the Hammers' results.
After starting the last six fixtures, Carroll has now enjoyed his most
settled run of games since he arrived in east London, and Big Sam says he
can see his sharpness improving with every game. "The first thing was we had
to wait a long time to get him here. That wasn't able to be done because of
the negotiations that continued to be back and forth, back and forth.
Finally we clinched it but we missed a long time that he could have been
with us. Then, with his performance on his first game, I was looking to get
him off and just about to bring Carlton Cole on and he pulls a hamstring. So
he missed a few games. Then he came back and did his knee ligament and
missed some more games. "It was a real stop-start season. But now we're
seeing him game after game after game - and we're seeing the result of that
match fitness. It doesn't matter what you try and do in training. Games
give you that little extra. The match fitness gives you that little extra
bit of ability, of sharpness that we know he's got, and he's showing that
now."

With just six first-team games during February and March, the West Ham
United squad have had to remain professional and concentrate on some hard
work on the Chadwell Heath training pitches to keep their fitness levels up.
Their determination and focus was rewarded as Saturday's meeting with the
Baggies unfolded, and with no-one more so than Carroll. "It's about the
games and staying fit in training. We've had to train the players hard this
month because we've only had three games. We'd had our break in Dubai before
the start of this month. We got dealt the blow of not having the Manchester
United game because of the cup so we were only faced with three games this
month. "So we've had mini pre-seasons over the last few weeks because the
lads haven't had the games we wanted. I think as we've moved on, everyone
has picked up the level of fitness again as we would expect this time of
year. We don't expect our players to produce less physical performances, we
expect them to produce more."

Carroll is likely to start again in the Hammers' next home game, against
table toppers Manchester United, on Wednesday 17 April. Limited tickets
remain, click below to get yours.

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Loan round-up
WHUFC.com
A look at how West Ham United's loan players fared over the Easter weekend
31.03.2013

West Ham United's loan players were involved in a busy programme over the
Easter weekend, with Ravel Morrison catching the eye for Birmingham City.
The 20-year-old midfielder scored the Blues' third goal in their 4-0 romp at
promotion-chasing Crystal Palace on Good Friday, a result that took Lee
Clark's men into the top ten of the npower Championship table. Morrison has
now scored two goals in 20 league games during his loan at the St Andrews
club.
In the same division, Rob Hall linked up with Bolton Wanderers last week and
will be hoping to make his debut when they take on Huddersfield Town at the
Reebok Stadium on Tuesday night. Paul McCallum is currently on loan at
npower League 2 side Aldershot Town and they secured a 1-1 draw at Rochdale
on Friday. Hammers youngster McCallum came off the bench in the 65th minute
with his side 1-0 down, but Andy Scott's men recovered to take a point
thanks to Adam Mekki's 73rd minute leveller. The Shots are still stuck at
the foot of the table, however, and will be looking for a much-needed
victory when they host Oxford United on Monday.

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Macca delights in classy finishing
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald was happy to see the Hammers take their
chances against West Brom
31.03.2013

Neil McDonald hailed the Hammers' clinical finishing, as three supreme goals
propelled them to a comfortable 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over West
Bromwich Albion. Andy Carroll netted for the third home game in succession,
as he thumped a first-half header past Ben Foster, before guiding home a
brilliant volley with ten minutes to play. In the intervening minutes, Gary
O'Neil swept home from the edge of the box, as Sam Allardyce's side
dominated proceedings against the Baggies. For Macca, there were no shortage
of reasons to be cheerful, not least the sight of a plan coming good and
reaping three precious points.

"We pressed them really, really well, tried to play high up the pitch and
put them under pressure," he explained. "That pressure paid off in the end
with the goals that we scored. It's pleasing when you have a game plan and
that works out and you carve out the chances as a result. We've been extra
clinical today, more so than we have been in the past, so that's another
pleasing aspect for us. "We created lots of chances today and fortunately we
scored three, which gave us a bit of a breather. We're a little disappointed
to concede, because we wanted to keep a clean sheet as well. But overall I
think the performance was really, really good and to score three goals
against a top-half team is excellent. "We've been looking up all the time.
You have to win your home games and pick up the odd point away from home,
which we did at Stoke. But winning those home games and keeping the
supporters happy is what we're trying to do. The home form is certainly
doing that, that's for sure."

The Hammers faithful were treated to three goals of the very highest quality
and McDonald was only too glad to pay tribute to the two goalscorers, both
of whom are enjoying a fine end to campaign. Though Carroll will be
ineligible for next weekend's trip to parent club Liverpool, Macca sees it
as the perfect opportunity for someone else to stake a claim. "That's a
couple of really good games Andy has got under his belt now and the goals
should give him confidence. When you're on the move inside the box it gives
you a chance to score goals and he has taken them very well. Another good
all round performance and that's what we've been looking for and that's
exactly what we want from the last eight games. "It's a shame that Andy
can't play at Liverpool, but they are the rules. It will give someone else a
chance and they will be coming into a team that's full of confidence after a
good win against a top-half Premier League team. "Gary's goal was brilliant.
He has been doing a little bit of that in training and it was no fluke. He
certainly aimed for that far corner. He has been playing well. He is keeping
the ball for us and passing the ball well to set us off on a forward motion.
That's why he's in the team. While West Ham were certainly impressive in
front of the opposition's goal, Jussi Jaaskelainen's contribution at the
other end was every bit as valuable, a point not lost on assistant boss
McDonald.

"Over the last six or seven games Jussi has been magnificent. He has been
making important saves which is great, and with him in that fine form it
gives us a chance to win games and certainly not lose them. Hopefully he can
keep that going until the end of the season."

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Late loss for Ladies
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies suffered an agonising 2-1 home league defeat by
Reading on Sunday
31.03.2013

West Ham United Ladies suffered an agonising 2-1 home FA Women's Premier
League Southern Division defeat by Reading on Sunday. The Hammers took the
lead through Kelley Blanchflower's 29th-minute goal, only for Rebecca Jane
to level with nine minutes remaining and Cheryl Williams to complete the
turn-around in the second minute of added time. The defeat all but ends
Julia Setford's side's hopes of winning the title. West Ham are now 13
points behind leaders Millwall Lionesses with six matches remaining.
Millwall have just three games to play, but the odds on the Hammers
overhauling their local rivals have lengthened. West Ham will hope to get
back to winning ways when they host bottom side Queens Park Rangers at
Thurrock FC's Ship Lane stadium on Sunday 7 April, kick-off 2pm.

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Another U-turn from Hearn
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st April 2013
By: Staff Writer No.3

Barry Hearn has changed his mind yet again about the future of the Olympic
Stadium and has decided to fight on if, as expected, the forthcoming
Judicial Review into the award proceedings goes against him. Hearn's latest
of many U-turns appears to have been prompted by an overheard conversation
between Hammers fans debating on who should be honoured by statues in the
remodelled Olympic Park. Hearn said: "They were discussing statues to Bobby
Moore, Billy Bonds and the like and that annoyed me. "With the entrance to
the park only a few inches away from the Matchroom Stadium [Brisbane Road –
Ed] I thought there ought to be some representation of some of the greats
from Leyton/Clapton history. Like Laurie Cunningham. And that other guy."

And now Hearn's tactics to prevent West Ham United taking over the stadium
appear to have hit a new low. "We'll need funds to keep going if the
Judicial Review goes against us," Hearn announced. "So we'll be releasing a
re-recorded version of "Snooker Loopy" called "Olympic Loopy" as a
fund-raising single.
"Chas & Dave are working on the revised lyrics and we've already got
agreement from Sean Bean, Piers Morgan and some of the cast of "The Only Way
Is Essex" to appear on it once the backing tracks are ready. "With such a
cast of much-loved celebrities on board our cause will receive massive
publicity and a multi-platinum selling single will raise enough for us to
keep the argument alive for another year or two."

A club spokesman for West Ham United was suitably unimpressed with the
announcement. "I didn't buy the last one and we won't be letting Jeremy
[Nicholas] play it before matches, that's for sure."

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Di Canio returns - as Sunderland boss
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st March 2013
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammers favourite Paolo Di Canio has been appointed as the new
manager of Premier League strugglers Sunderland. The 44-year-old Italian was
confirmed tonight as the shock replacement for Martin O'Neill, who was fired
less than 24 hours ago following the Black Cats' recent slump in form and
slide towards the relegation zone. Sunderland Chairman Ellis Short, speaking
via statement on the the club's website, said: "Paolo is hugely enthused by
the challenge that lies ahead of him. He is passionate, driven and raring to
get started. "The sole focus of everyone for the next seven games will be
to ensure we gain enough points to maintain our top-flight status. I think
that the chances of that are greatly increased with Paolo joining us."

However the appointment of Di Canio has been far from universally welcomed.
Within minutes of his appointment, - local MP David Miliband - a
non-executive director at Sunderland - confirmed that he would be stepping
down from his role. "I wish Sunderland AFC all success in the future. It is
a great institution that does a huge amount for the North East and I wish
the team very well over the next vital seven games," he said. "However, in
the light of the new manager's past political statements, I think it right
to step down."

Miliband was of course referring to Di Canio's fascist leanings, which the
Italian has never sought to deny. He counts Benito Mussolini as one of his
idols and proudly displays the former Italian leader's name tatooed on his
arm. The former West Ham forward, who spent four years at the club between
1999 and 2003 begins his quest to save the Black Cats from relegation with a
trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend. Thereafter, Sunderland - who have
taken just three points from their last eight Premier League games - face
Newcastle (a), Everton (h), Aston Villa (a), Stoke (h), Southampton (h) and
Tottenham (a).

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Allardyce on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st March 2013
By: Staff Writer

A happy Sam Allardyce reflects on the 3-1 win over WBA that edges West Ham
ever closer to Premier League safety. His full post-match press conference
for you exclusively here...

Sam: After a few early jitters it couldn't have gone much better for you
today, could it?

No. I think the only downside was George McCartney's injury which is a big
blow to both us and George, who's only just come back. He did the same
injury, his medial ligaments in his knee which is sad.

The overall performance today and the quality of the goals made it a great
day for us . The players were glad to get back - it's two weeks since
Chelsea - and show what they could really do again.

The last time we played here we had a fantastic game but ended up losing in
the last minute. This time we've played a fantastic game, scored three
fantastic goals and got a thoroughly deserved win.

The three goals were very different types. The quality of Andy's heading,
the ability of Gary O'Neil with a delicate chip and of course the
outstanding volley from Andy Carroll.

That shows it's not just about his aerial dominance but the overall ability
that Andy has. I don't think you'll see a better goal, a better volley or
better technique than that this season; [ball] over the shoulder, a right
foot volley - which is his weaker foot - into the bottom corner.

So a great result for us and a great performance that takes us ever closer
to that safety margin. We're looking forward now to Liverpool away next
week.

Is that the best West Ham have seen of Andy Carroll so far?

I think you'd have to say "yes", because he's put two goals on the end of a
good performance.

I think his good performances have been with us before; the fans have always
appreciated his ability here but he's shown them what he's all about today.
Not just his ability outside the box, but he also showed them his
goalscoring ability inside the box which he's been waiting patiently for.

I hope this is kicking him on to be a regular goalscorer for us in the next
eight games or so and upping his total as much as he can until the end of
the season. He's in a good frame of mind now.

Finally, after a long wait, his match fitness is there which is why I think
you're seeing the performances and the goals you're seeing. We've had to
wait a while for that but finally he's there - and he's enjoying himself,
which s more important than anything else.

Would you like to have him here full time? is there a possbility of that?

I think there's always a possibility you would look at, at the end of the
season. When we get down to budgeting and so on and so forth, and see what
negotiations can or can't be done then you'll have a look at anything and
everything that comes your way.


The end of the season comes and you don't really get a day off before the
bombardment of players' availablility comes your way - the endless texting
and emailing completely overwhelms you. That's why, as a manager, you've got
to delegate that off and filter through those processes.

But we will look at it at the end of the season, when we're safe, and see
what we need to do.

Would you like him to stay? Would you like him here?

I think the answer to that would be "yes", but there are a lot of things
that need to be done between now and then to make sure we can try and pursue
the transfer. I think we'll have to wait until the end of the season to see
what we can do.

Is George {McCartney] out for the rest of the season?

I would have thought so. It's a re-occurrence of the same injury which is a
very big disappointment for both him and us. It was so important that we
were 3-0 up when he had to come off as we'd used all our subs. What a blow
it could've been had it been any different.

We're disappointed for George because he's waited so long to get back and
was so eager to get on. We thought "let's give him a little run-out now",
save the lads who had done so well and get the subs on. Sadly, he goes down
with the same injury.

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The crippling cost of club membership
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st March 2013
By: Eastbourne Hammer

KUMB member Eastbourne Hammer, a Disabled Season Ticket holder has his say
over the club's decision to raise the cost of disabled season tickets by
more than 100 per cent. You may read the story to which EH refers here. I
know that we, as disabled fans, get a fantastic deal at the moment and that
we're very lucky in that. However, I also recognise that life is invariably
tougher and more costly for most disabled people and we need all the help we
can get. West Ham were up there with the very best on that side of things
and for that we were very grateful. Things are getting tougher economically
for everyone and belts need to be tightened. Except for Premier League
football clubs who are about to become even more obscenely wealthy from the
start of the 2013/14 season.
Which is, coincidentally, when the club intend to double the cost of
disabled tickets.

Of course it doesn't say they're doubling the prices, it just explains how
good we've had it, how generous the club are and how we'll now be charged
the same as a standard Band 4 ticket. But we still get our carers let in
with us. You know, those little luxuries who push the chairs of those of us
who can't get there without them. Well, I suppose someone has to keep our
Chairmen in expensive coats and furry hats, not to mention paying the
Nigella Lawson of the footballing world. I suspect few of you will be
bothered by this and many will just think, "well, they had it good anyway" -
but what worries me is not just the fact I'm now pretty much priced out of
more than a handful of games a season, it's why it is being done now.

Just before the move to an expensive, new stadium. Let's face it, disabled
spaces are a lot more costly to factor into a new design than standard
seating. So, our poor, down-on-their-uppers owners have decided the best way
to minimise demands for these tickets is a 'cripple tax'. Make those
b*stards pay for having the audacity to bring their own chairs with them! As
the club's letter says, "we have....avoided any increase for our disabled
fans wherever possible". What it doesn't say is "you're in the way of our
shiny new image, now **** off". But in essence, that's what Ms Brady is
saying to all of us in the 'cheap seats'.

So thank you, West Ham United, for doubling the cost of my visit just as you
get even wealthier. Although because we're disabled no-one will be too
bothered.
After all, we just make the place look messy, don't we?

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West Ham double disabled season ticket cost
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st March 2013
By: Staff Writer

Disabled season ticket holders have reacted angrily to news that the cost of
their season ticket at the Boleyn Ground will more than double next season.
West Ham have written to all disabled season ticket holders to confirm that
from the start of next (2013/14) season, season ticket prices will be
brought in line with Band 4 prices. And that represents an approximate 100
per cent increase for supporters, some of whom took to the KUMB.com forums
today to register their disgust at the huge price hike. "As the father of a
disabled daughter, times are very difficult for all and especially for
disabled people. I would like to see our chairman reconsider this increase,"
said MrMum. Whilst Glory Hunter wrote: "As much as I hate seeing the club
get a kicking (especially in the light of recent events), as someone with a
disabled father I know exactly how tough it is to survive on incapacity."

"Why the club has decided to implement this rise now has sinister
undertones," suggested Gerblatz. "Apparently the club have done this after a
'careful' ticketing review, which suggests it's quite deliberate. "I was
having a conversation this morning with a dad who takes his disabled son
over there. He was saying the increase for him is more like 125 per cent. Do
any fans think that's reasonable? What would be the response to this
ludicrous outrage if this was affecting the majority of fans?"

In their letter to supporters confirming the price hike, attributed to the
club's Disabled Liaison Officer Julie Pidgeon, West Ham wrote: "We have
always kept disabled ticket pricing extremely low for many years ensuring we
have consistently been amongst the cheapest in the Premier League and have
avoided any increases wherever possible.

"Following a careful ticketing review, in particular what we offer compared
to a number of other clubs in the Premier League and the Championship, the
club have made the decision that from the beginning of the 2013/14 season
all disabled match and season tickets will be charged at the cost of 'Band
4' tickets for each category of fixture."

For the current 2012/13 season, Band 4 season tickets were priced at £600
whereas season tickets for disabled fans cost just £290. Based on existing
prices, the price rise represents a 107 per cent increase.

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Sam Allardyce hoping to keep Andy Carroll at West Ham
Last Updated: March 31, 2013 2:35pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce would like to see Andy Carroll's loan agreement at West Ham
United made permanent at the end of the season. Carroll arrived at Upton
Park last summer on a deal from Liverpool which dictated that he would spend
the entire 2012/13 campaign in the capital. He has struggled with injury and
form at times with the Hammers, but has been firing on all cylinders again
of late and netted a crucial double in a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday.
Allardyce had called on his strikers to start delivering prior to that
fixture, and he has now revealed that he is hoping to wrap up a deal for
Carroll when the transfer window re-opens. He said: "Would I like him here
next season? The answer is yes. "But there are a lot of things that need to
be done. We will look at that at the end of the season. There is always a
possibility. "Andy showed today that he is not just a threat in the air, but
is very good on the ground as well. His volleyed goal was fantastic
technique. "In fact, we scored three fantastic goals. I was delighted with
our display and it moves us closer to the 39 points that will make us safe."

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Andy Carroll hopes his West Ham form will lead to England recall this summer
Last Updated: March 31, 2013 2:49pm
SSN

Andy Carroll hopes his improved end of season form with West Ham United will
give England boss Roy Hodgson something to think about. Carroll has endured
a tough time since joining the Hammers on loan from Liverpool, but he
terrorised the West Bromwich Albion defence on Saturday and scored two goals
in their 3-1 win. A bullet header and an exquisite volley showed off his
undoubted quality and he hopes to continue impressing to further his claims
in Hodgson's squad for summer friendlies with the Republic of Ireland and
Brazil. "I hope to play in every game for England but I've haven't been
picked, so I've just got to work hard here at West Ham and hopefully I'll be
involved next time," Carroll said. "I was putting myself about and got two
goals, so that's what I like to think I'm about. Obviously I like to score
goals, so getting two shows that I've got it. "I'm feeling good with the
lads and everyone is coming together and we're playing well at home. "It was
a great win. The lads worked hard and I got my two goals and we got the
three points, so it was a great day."

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Put Carroll back in, Roy
The Sun
By TOM BARCLAY
Published: 7 hrs ago

ROY HODGSON'S bad week at least had a happy ending as he watched Andy
Carroll destroy Albion. The England boss was left scratching his head on
Tuesday after the 1-1 draw in Montenegro left our hopes of World Cup
qualification hanging in the balance. But he would have been delighted with
Carroll's display as the striker at last showed the form that got him on the
plane to Euro 2012 at the last minute. The giant Geordie was back to his
bullying best, terrorising the Baggies defence all afternoon long with his
brute strength. Hodgson's side has been crying out for more options up top.
Carroll, 24, scored a super double — a signature bullet header and an
inch-perfect volley over his shoulder that Lionel Messi would have been
proud of. And team-mate and fellow goalscorer Gary O'Neil, who set up
Carroll's 16th-minute opener, said: "Hopefully Andy can force his way back
into the England squad. "You can hit it from anywhere, it doesn't have to be
a great ball but he makes it his own. He would definitely offer another
dimension. "He's a fantastic player. I think he gets a hard time because
he's a big lad and good in the air. "But he's got fantastic feet, works hard
and sometimes when you're under the cosh you can just bang it up to him.
"He's a great lad. He's done fantastically for us and, hopefully, he can
stay here."

Carroll is inconsistent but on his day — and Saturday was definitely his day
— he is unplayable. But West Ham must consider whether they really want to
part with the £17million required to sign him permanently. Against the meek
and mild partnership of Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley at the centre of the
Baggies defence, Carroll had a field day. Steaming into meet O'Neil's
pinpoint corner, the big man thundered a header past the helpless Ben
Foster. O'Neil's delicate chip from outside the box doubled the lead with
half an hour played. And Carroll rounded things off with a cracker. He
watched James Collins' free-kick over his shoulder before gracefully
crashing it into the far corner with his weaker right foot. Graham Dorrans
pulled one back from the penalty spot before Youssouf Mulumbu's brainless
dismissal for kicking the ball at O'Neil in injury time. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce agreed with O'Neil that Carroll would be an asset for his nation.
He said: "Get him in. Even if he's only a sub for Roy, if you want someone
to hold the ball up and bring others into play and relieve the pressure,
he's fantastic. "There's not a lot of choice for Roy with English players
for front men and he's looking better and better. "It would be something
that lifts him and lifts the England squad. "He'll cause any defender at
international level problems if you deliver balls into the box to his feet
or his head."

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Hammer time! West Ham boss backs Andy Carroll for England after brace
against West Brom
The Mirror
31 Mar 2013 22:30
Steve Bardens

Sam Allardyce has given Roy Hodgson three words of advice on picking Andy
Carroll for England: "Get him in." The Three Lions boss was at Upton Park to
witness the on-loan Liverpool striker cap his best display in a West Ham
shirt with two top-class goals. The club future of Britain's most expensive
player remains uncertain. But the Hammers boss has no doubts about his
international potential. "Get him in, get him in," Allardyce said. "Even if
he's only a sub for Roy. If you want someone to hold the ball up and be a
target man and bring others into play and relieve the pressure, he's
fantastic at the minute. And he is looking better and better. "There's not a
lot of choice for Roy with English players for front men. I think it would
be something that lifts him and lifts the England squad. He shouldn't be
held down by the fact that people might say, like they do with me 'Oh, it's
long-ball'. It's not that. "He's a good hold-up player. He'll cause any
central defender at international level problems if you deliver balls into
the box to his feet or his head. As an alternative, what more could you ask
for?"
Carroll, who won the last of his nine caps against San Marino last October,
said: "I hope to play in every game for England but I haven't been picked,
so I've just got to work hard here at West Ham and hopefully I'll be
involved next time." Co-chairman David Sullivan says West Ham have an
agreement with Liverpool to sign Carroll at the end of the season. And
Allardyce wants to keep him. But the East London club's pursuit of Ivory
Coast striker Wilfried Bony shows he is not the only option. For most of his
injury-hit season, Carroll has been a let-down. Yet he again looked like the
old Newcastle striker against West Brom. His first goal was a classic
centre-forward's header from a Gary O'Neil corner. And after O'Neil scored
with a fine shot, Carroll secured the win which should ensure West Ham's
Premier League status with a classy finish. James Collins' free-kick was
allowed to drop in the Baggies box and Carroll converted with a superb
volley. "He made it look so easy," said Allardyce. "The whole place, instead
of erupting, had a moment of silence because they couldn't believe how good
that goal was – and then they erupted into huge applause."




Just desserts: Clarke backs Baggies fans' abuse of Odemwingie

From being serious European contenders, West Brom's season descended into
farce at Upton Park. Peter Odemwingie has gone from feared forward to cult
comedy figure following a previous trip to London and his Twitter rantings.
West Ham fans serenaded the Nigeria striker with the song: 'He went to QPR,
he stayed in his car' as the WBA sub warmed up. But while he got ironic home
applause when he entered the fray, Odemwingie was again abused by his own
fans. He will be sold in the summer - and cannot expect much support till
then. Manager Steve Clarke said: "The fans can react in any way they want."
Odemwingie has been fined for a second time by the club after complaining
about getting left on the bench for their previous four games. It's not
something I would do," said Ben Foster. "Pete has chosen to do it that way
and that's up to him." Fabrice Mulumbu then rivaled Odemwingie for daftness
with his late dismissal when he picked up the ball and kicked it at Gary
O'Neil. "He is silly and has just seen red," Foster added. "In sure it's
something he will look back on in the future and be - little bit ashamed
about. He is not like that. He is a good lad and such a thorough
professional. He is disappointed with himself. Everyone was a bit tired at
the end and he let his emotions show."

Still in eighth place, the Baggies need only three points from their
remaining seven games to equal their record Premier League points haul. But
they will have to improve on their West Ham display where Graeme Dorrans
netted a late penalty. "We are a bit shell-shocked," Foster admitted. "We
just weren't really up for it for some reason."

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