Daily WHUFC News - 20th May 2013

Hammers finish with a flourish
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan scored a hat trick as West Ham United ended the season with a
4-2 win over Reading
19.05.2013

Kevin Nolan notched a hat-trick to help West Ham United end the season in
style with a 4-2 victory over relegated Reading. Nolan's treble sunk the
Royals after they had gamely battled back from 2-0 down to level early in
the second half. There was to be no denying the Hammers a top-ten finish
though, as two Nolan goals in the final 11 minutes took the game away from
the visitors again and delighted the Boleyn Ground crowd. The Hammers were a
mere whisker away from scoring inside the first minute when Carroll, who was
to be heavily involved throughout the first half, couldn't quite stretch
enough to divert Mark Noble's cross goalwards. With 23 minutes played,
though, there was no way Nolan could miss as the ball dropped nicely off
Carroll's charge down to round Alex McCarthy, stroke home and leave the
Reading stopper red-faced. The keeper earned a first England call-up this
week and there more of a sign why five minutes later when he threw himself
to his right to tip Nolan's close range header against the crossbar after he
had again been set up by Carroll. The Hammers were finding plenty of space
in the final third and were rewarded with a second goal on 34. It came as no
suprise that Carroll was once more in the thick of the action, showing a
great touch to pluck Mohamed Diame's deep cross out of the sky and lay back
for Vaz Te to fire across McCarthy and in at the far post. Reading were in
danger of being overrun and they were thankful to the woodwork for keeping
the score down when Vaz Te blasted a rocket against the angle of post and
bar. There had only been one team in the contest sunce the 20th minute, but
Reading, having made a double substitution at the break, came out firing at
the start of the second period and Jem Karacan was close to reducing the
deficit when his 20-yarder fizzed just over. The Hammers were dozing and
they were punished by a double Reading blast, first Garath McCleary getting
his side back in the contest with a fierce shot from the edge of the box
which deflected off Noble and flew past a helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen. Two
minutes later it was all square thanks to the two subs combining. NIck
Blackman showed fleet of foot to streak clear down the left and cross low
for Adam Le Fondre to take advantage of WInston Reid's missed attempt to
clear and knock home.
West Ham were reeling as they struggled to get a grip on the game and
Reading sensed blood. But the Hammers began to exert their control again in
the final quarter and moved back in front - for a decisive second time - 11
minutes from the end. Nolan was the man on target, sealing his place as the
Club's top goalscorer in the process, racing onto Noble's clipped through
ball, waiting for McCarthy to blink and rolling the ball home. There was
still time for the skipper to bag his hat trick, rising highest in the
middle to meet a fine cross from sub Modibo Maiga and plant a downward
header into the net.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien (Taylor 86);
Nolan, Noble, Diame; Vaz Te (Maiga 81), Carroll, J.Cole (Collison 74)
Subs: Henderson (GK), Tomkins, Paulista, O'Neil
Goals: Nolan 23, Vaz Te 34, Nolan 79, Nolan 87
Booked: Nolan, Collison

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Morrison, Gorkss, Kelly; McCleary, Karacan,
Guthrie, McAnuff; Robson-Kanu (Blackman 46), Pogrebnyak (Le Fondre 46)
Subs: Taylor (GK), Pearce, Mariappa, Akpan, Carrico
Goals: McCleary 53, Le Fondre 55
Booked: McAnuff

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 34,973

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Carroll named in England squad
WHUFC.com
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has been named in Roy Hodgson's senior
England squad
16.05.2013

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has been named in Roy Hodgson's senior
England squad for friendly internationals with Republic of Ireland and
Brazil.
The Hammers No8 has been rewarded for his outstanding recent form by being
called-up for the matches, which will take place at Wembley on Wednesday 29
May and in Rio on Sunday 2 June respectively. Carroll, who has bagged seven
goals for West Ham this season, has been capped nine times previously,
scoring twice. The 24-year-old, whose last cap came in the 5-0 FIFA World
Cup qualifying win over San Marino at Wembley in October 2012, netted
famously in England's 3-2 group-stage win over Sweden at EURO 2012. Hodgson
explained his decision to call-up the on-loan Liverpool man, saying: "In a
squad of players, you need various qualities. It is important to have
players who give you different dimensions. "Games pan out in different ways.
Since Andy has come back from injury he has been in our thoughts and he
gives another dimension to our squad. "He gives us other possibilities.
There is always room for a centre-forward of his class. He is particularly
good at attacking crosses, not only in the opposition penalty box but our
own penalty box."

The forward will come up against Hodgson's latest call-up, in-form
goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, when West Ham take on Reading in their final
Barclays Premier League fixture of 2012/13 at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday.
Tickets for the visit of Republic of Ireland to Wembley on Wednesday 29 May
at 8pm are available here.

England Squad
Goalkeepers
Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Alex McCarthy
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil
Jones, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker
Midfielders
Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott
Forwards
Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Big Sam spoke of his delight after Kevin Nolan's triple fired the Hammers to
a final-day win
19.05.2013

Sam Allardyce lauded skipper Kevin Nolan's stylish hat-trick, as the
ever-reliable midfielder's goals paved the way for a thrilling 4-2 win over
Reading to round off West Ham United's first season back in the Barclays
Premier League. Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te had fired the Hammers into a
two-goal lead prior to the break, before Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre
restored parity within ten second-half minutes. But Big Sam's side were soon
back in the ascendency as Nolan scooped his first triple for the club,
wrapping up the three points with a composed neat near-post finish and then
a close-range header. A ninth home win of the campaign was no more than the
Hammers deserved and Allardyce rightly heaped praise on his captain
fantastic. "In the opposition's box he has always been top class," he told
whufc.com "It's another ten-goal haul in the Premier League. Finishing the
season with a hat-trick has got to be thrilling for him, his family, the
fans and everyone connected with West Ham. "It was a thrilling performance
and a game. Because we had that 15 minutes where we all thought we were
going to come out in the second half and continue where we left off. Reading
stunned us and scored two very clever goals. "But the team got their
composure back again and when we needed Kevin again, that's what he's good
at. When he scores his goals, they're always very important."

Not only was Nolan's triple the so-called perfect hat-trick, left-foot,
right-foot, header, but also the club's first in the Premier League since
Marlon Harewood in 2005, and Big Sam was suitably impressed with all four of
the Hammers' goals. He added: "We knew that they were going to try and play
it out the back, so our tactics were to hunt them down and try to stop that
and that paid off brilliantly with the first goal. Forcing the opposition
into a mistake in their own box and then there's no reprieve. "Obviously,
his second goal, was great composure, one-on-one with the keeper. He kept
his cool, didn't panic, slotted it in the bottom corner. Then his third
goal, arriving late in the box, was a great cross from Maiga. "The one that
he missed was probably the easiest one, but I have to say it was a wonder
save from Alex McCarthy, who touched it onto the bar. "The quality of Vaz
Te's goal, not just the finish but the build-up means that for only 15
minutes we weren't very good, for the rest it was great entertainment and a
great way to finish the season."

Andy Carroll was the architect of both of the Hammers' first two goals and
Big Sam subsequently confessed that he is keen to see the powerful frontman
start next season a West Ham United player. "He'll be disappointed he didn't
score. You see his all-round ability showing more and more in every game
that he plays. It's not just about his aerial prowess in the box, it's about
his overall game, his hold up play, his quality on the ball and his
retention of possession. "He makes life very difficult for centre halves and
his all round game is getting better and better. He is, obviously, our
target to make it a permanent signing if we can. Hopefully we can get
somewhere in the near future to do that. "It's our main priority at the
moment. We have to pursue that to the very end, one way or the other and
find out as quickly as we can whether it's going to be a yes or a no. So
that'll be the first priority. And of course, if we can start with Andy
Carroll that will be a great achievement for us. At his young age, he can
only get better and better in terms of his playing prowess. Then I think we
build around that in terms of what we want to improve next. "There's a
player that's wanting to enjoy his football. He lives for his football, he
wants to play every game. There was a 60-yard chase at one point, where he
ended up tackling a Reading midfielder and I think that says it all."

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Nobby's perfect finish
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan completed 2012/13 with a perfect
hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Reading
19.05.2013

Kevin Nolan ended the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season in style by
scoring a 'perfect' hat-trick in a 4-2 home victory over Reading. The West
Ham United captain opened the scoring with a left-foot tap-in before the
break before netting a right-foot finish and header to complete a fine
afternoon's work at the Boleyn Ground. In between, Ricardo Vaz Te had put
the Hammers 2-0 up before Garath McCleary and substitute Adam Le Fondre
stunned the home faithful with two goals in three minutes early in the
second period. "We were great in the first half," Nolan confirmed. "We were
fantastic and really put them under pressure and got the goals we deserved.
We went in and came out relaxed and got punished for that. "Fair play to
Reading because they had a good go at us, but then the quality came through
in the end and I'm delighted to say I got the two goals to ensure we got the
win we deserved overall. "That's the first perfect hat-trick I've scored. I
have scored hat-tricks before, one against Ipswich and another against
Sunderland for Newcastle, but I was delighted with that one. It's a bit
special. That's ten goals for the season for me so I'm delighted."

Nolan has scored goals that matter for the Hammers this season, and he did
so again to defeat the Royals on Sunday. "That's one think I always say - I
don't like scoring goals when we lose 3-1 or getting beat 2-0 and then
scoring a consolation. I want to make sure we grab a draw or a win and my
only goal that didn't matter this year was my one [in the 3-1 defeat] at
Fulham. "It's nice that I've helped us to make sure we finished in the top
ten, which was a fantastic achievement by us."

Sunday's victory was a microcosm of West Ham's 2012/13 campaign - a strong
start followed by a wobble in the middle and a resurgent finish. "That sums
it up perfectly. We had a fantastic start and then a lot of key injuries and
people missing through suspensions but we managed to get it together and
finished really strongly. We're delighted to have done that. "It's now about
going away and having a good summer and making sure we come back on 1 July
raring to go."

Nolan was quick to praise manager Sam Allardyce for his influence during
another successful season - setting the players realistic targets and goals
which they have hit to finish inside the Barclays Premier League's top ten.
"I've worked with Sam for a long time and I always say that the thing with
him is that he keeps things simple - on the pitch, off the pitch, in the
dressing room or with the way he explains things. He breaks everything down
so it is simple and I think it works. I enjoy working with Sam and I think
this season we've done really well. "We set out to be around the top ten and
we've done that and finished in tenth. Next season, we'll have other targets
but the main one is to stay in the Premier League because there is Second
Season Syndrome - everyone knows about us and we won't get any easy rides at
home where we've only lost four times this season. We'll also need to
improve away from home. "We know there is a lot of work do. We're happy with
the season we've had and felt we got our just deserts. We've never been
lower than 14th and it's something we want to achieve again next season, so
we'll make sure we're ready and raring to go."

If West Ham are going to have another successful campaign in 2013/14, one
area where they will need to excel is in attack. The Hammers faithful
implored Andy Carroll to join the Club on a permanent basis and, while any
deal is yet to be struck, Nolan echoed those sentiments. "To be honest, it's
up to him. Anyone who has seen him around the place at close-quarters can
see he enjoyed his time down here. We're hoping that we it will become a
permanent move, but if not I'm sure Sam will get to work and do what he does
best and bring in the next-best option for us and we can move on from there.
"It's going to be a long summer because we want to bring four or five new
faces in who will make us better and more equipped for the Premier League
and prepare us to get another good top-ten finish next year."

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West Ham 4 Reading 2
19 May 2013
By Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick as relegated Reading bade
farewell to the Premier League with a 22nd defeat of the 38-game campaign.
The Hammers took a 2-0 first-half lead with Nolan making the most of an
error by keeper Alex McCarthy before Ricardo Vaz Te drilled in the second.
Reading drew level in three second-half minutes thanks to strikes from
Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre. But Nolan slotted home the hosts' third
before nodding in a fourth late on. West Ham dominated for large periods,
although they could have been left with red faces on the final day of the
season after their two-goal advantage evaporated inside the first 15 minutes
of the second half following two quick-fire Royals strikes. However, the
Berkshire side showed their true colours with more erratic defending which
allowed Nolan, who is not blessed with pace, to twice escape his markers and
seal victory for the home side. That win, their 12th in the league, helped
Sam Allardyce's men finish 10th in the table. Reading, whose fate was sealed
at the end of April, end the season in 19th, with manager Nigel Adkins
likely to have already started planning for next season long before this
final encounter. His side were bullied in the first half by yet another
impressive performance by Liverpool forward Andy Carroll, in the final game
of his loan spell with the Hammers. Allardyce has stated he would like to
sign Carroll permanently but it has been reported that West Ham can only
afford £10m - after this display his value is likely to be much higher.

He inadvertently set up the first for Nolan after McCarthy's clearance came
off the back of the tall striker and landed in the path of his team-mate,
who passed into the empty net. Moments later, Carroll brilliantly plucked
down Mohamed Diame's cross from the left and laid the ball off for team-mate
Vaz Te to rifle in the second. However, West Ham lost their composure after
the interval. First, McCleary pulled one back for Reading with a 20-yard
shot which took a heavy deflection off Mark Noble. Less than two minutes
later, Jobi McAnuff's cross from the left found substitute Le Fondre at the
far post for an easy tap-in. Reading were looking favourites to pick up only
their seventh league win but with 11 minutes remaining they were undone by a
slick Hammers move as Nolan tucked home after running on to a clipped ball
from Noble. And with Reading spirits dampened, Nolan completed his hat-trick
in the 87th minute with a header from Modibo Maiga's right-wing cross.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins: "Great credit to the players, they showed
really good character and in the second half we came out and scored two good
goals.
"We were in the ascendancy up until they scored the third. "That was a shame
but it's what you do in both penalty areas. "There is a good feelgood factor
going forward for next season, which is important."

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Andy Carroll: West Ham talk to Liverpool over permanent deal
BBC.co.uk

West Ham are in talks with Liverpool about taking striker Andy Carroll to
Upton Park on a permanent deal. Manager Sam Allardyce said signing the
24-year-old, who has been on a season-long loan at the Hammers, was the
club's primary focus this summer. "It is our target to make it a permanent
situation," he said. "Hopefully we can get somewhere in the near future to
do that. It's our main priority. There are negotiations between the club and
Liverpool." The England international has had an injury-hit season, scoring
only seven goals, but when fit has produced impressive displays for the east
London side and set up two goals in the 4-2 victory over Reading on Sunday.
"We have to pursue it to the very end one way or another and we will find
out as quick as we can if it is a yes or a no," continued Allardyce. "If we
can start with Andy Carroll, that would be a great achievement for us as he
can only get better and better. "Then we build around that in terms of how
we want to improve next year, with better quality. "Andy is a player who is
wanting to enjoy his football. He lives for his football and wants to play
every game. He wants to use his strengths and score as many as he can - but
he also works very hard for the team." Former Newcastle striker Carroll, who
joined Liverpool for £35m in January 2011, set up the opening two goals for
West Ham on Sunday, scored by captain Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te.
Reading levelled the scores in three second-half minutes through Garath
McCleary and Adam Le Fondre before Nolan scored twice more in the last 12
minutes to seal victory for the Hammers.

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Adkins on.....West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th May 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

Nigel Adkins reflects on his club's 22nd defeat of the season in this
evening's post match press conference…..

You gave it a go Nigel…

It's fair to say we gifted West Ham two goals in the first half and for me
they were the better side, though we did pass the ball in glimpses. We made
two substitutions at half time and I said to the players it could have gone
totally the other way. It could have been a really challenging afternoon.
Great credit to the players they showed good character. Second half they
came out and scored two good goals. We were in the ascendancy until their
goal they scored in, what, the 80th minute? That was a shame but it's what
you do in both penalty areas. The four goals we've conceded were, from our
point of view poor ones but again we've created opportunities and it's all
about the decision-making process when your in the attacking half of the
pitch, But, as you say, we gave it a go.

Is that the positive you take from this Nigel, the first ten minutes the
players showed that fighting quality even though the result didn't matter in
the end….

We've been in for 8 games now and it's all about assessing the players and
seeing how they cope in different situations. West Ham were looking for a
party today – they've had a great season. They get themselves 2-0 up and
there was going to be a party atmosphere. Fair play to our players because
they've shown great character to make a fist of it in the second half.

In the short time you've been here have you learned a lot about the players?

That was another thing again. You can talk about results bit its all about
how the players react to situations. I think it's been there for all to see
the progression over the 8 games. There's a feel good factor going forward.
We've changed the way that the club plays football. We're looking to control
the ball for longer periods of time. That takes a while to get everybody
ready to do that but we have seen good progression in doing that.

Alex [McCarthy] wasn't guilty of losing focus following his England call up?

No. We knew it would be a good challenge today, I mean Andy Carroll was
unplayable at times today wasn't he. We put Kaspars Gorkss in at centre half
today. Adrian Mariappa has done great for me but we knew about the physical
dominance and the dangers from set pieces that West Ham possess – they're a
challenge for anybody so we tried to get a bigger figure on the field of
play. I knew that Alex would have to make decisions about whether to come or
stay for crosses. He's still a young goalkeeper so it was a good learning
experience. We like to play out from the back but unfortunately the goal
we've conceded has got nothing to do with playing out from the back. He just
needed to clear the football didn't he? It was just poor execution and
that's life.

He didn't seem to let it get to him too much. Is that one of his strengths?

That's something I've noticed about Alex. If he does make a mistake he can
quickly forget about it which is important in a goalkeeper. For example if
you miss a cross then you're thinking 'I've got to come for the next one,
which could be a bad decision if it's a cross you shouldn't be coming for.
It's about how quickly you can move on and Alex has done that. He's going to
grow into a good goalkeeper and the more decisions he has to make, the more
situations that he's placed in it can only benefit him as a youngster.

Do you expect a lot of changes in the summer?

Like all clubs we have an opportunity now to change things round a bit.
We've had an opportunity over the last 8 games to assess the players, to
change the philosophy of how we want to play. Some players who may have not
had the greatest of seasons playing one way have now come to the forefront.
So like everybody we'll bring some recruits in for the next season and we'll
look forward to next season with positivity.

Thanks guys have a good summer.

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Decision on Cole and O'Neil due tomorrow
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th May 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that the futures of both Carlton Cole and Gary
O'Neil will be decided this week. Cole, an Alan Pardew signing who has been
at West Ham since July 2006 and O'Neil, a 2011 capture from Middlesbrough
are both out of contract this summer and yet to agree new terms. The
29-year-old Croydon-born striker, who missed today's season finale with
Tonsilitis was recently linked with a move abroad but has always maintained
his desire to stay in or around London. Meanwhile O'Neil expressed his
desire to seal a new contract earlier this week. "I've enjoyed all of my
time here. I've enjoyed being around the squad, even when I haven't played,"
he told Talksport. "The fans have been brilliant and for the two full
seasons I've been here, we've had a promotion and a good season in the
Premier League so it has been successful."

Allardyce, who was speaking to the press after United's 4-2 win against
Reading this afternoon also revealed that talks with Liverpool over the
permanent signing of Andy Carroll had begun. "We would like to secure his
signature. We have got to sort that out with Liverpool," he said. "The fans
have made it plain and clear what they would like to see with Andy."

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Pog standard
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th May 2013
By: Staff Writer

Emanuel Pogatetz has been told that he will be released following this
afternoon's Premier League clash with Reading. The Austrian central defender
arrived at West Ham on loan from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg back in January,
since when he has made just one start and five substitute appearances. And
any hopes the former Middlesbrough star had of extending his stay in east
London have been dashed by Sam Allardyce, who revealed that the 30-year-old
would be returning to Germany once the 2012/13 season ends later today.
"We've already said to Pogatetz 'thanks very much'", he said. "He has been a
fantastic professional, but his stay won't be extended." One player who may
be travelling in the opposite direction is Razvan Rat, the 31-year-old
Romanian defender who was first linked with a move to London last month.
According to the player's agent, a deal has now been struck with Rat set to
be unveiled as a new signing sometime next week. "I am with Razvan in
England, we are negotiating with the West Ham officials," Florin Manea told
Sport in Romania. "We will probably sign the contract on Monday. "The
trainer [Sam Allardyce] has put him on the top of the wishlist and the owner
has approved the move." Rat could be followed by a further signing within
the next few days according to the Twitter account accredited to Jack
Sullivan, the 12-year-old son of co-owner David Sullivan.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels that his side have had a 'very good'
season
Last Updated: May 19, 2013 7:15pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce paid tribute to what he feels has been a 'very good' season
for West Ham, with his side's home form and discipline the reasons for
success.
Allardyce was speaking after watching his side beat Reading 4-2 thanks to a
hat-trick from Kevin Nolan. The West Ham boss felt that the game reflected a
fantastic season for the club, with the Hammers able to establish a top-half
finish in their first year back in the top flight. "It was a fantastic end
of the season and fantastic entertainment value," Allardyce said. "Just a
great end to a very good season. It is great to see the players and fans
appreciate what they have done for each other this season. "We had a full
house again, and it gives for a good summer for us all. We can look back on
this season with great fondness in what we have done and achieved."

Speaking regarding the reasons for the side's successful adaptation to the
Premier League, Allardyce said: "We have a disciplined team with good ethics
and good basics, and we have only lost four games at home, all to teams in
the top seven."

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign Andy Carroll on a permanant
deal
Last Updated: May 19, 2013 7:31pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he would love for Andy
Carroll to be signed on a permanent basis after his loan deal from Liverpool
ended. Carroll was one of the stars of West Ham's 4-2 victory over Reading,
and received a rapturous ovation from the Upton Park crowd both during and
after the game. Asked after the win if it was to be Carroll's last game for
the club, Allardyce praised his striker. "I hope not," Allardyce said. "I
think that we all know we would like to secure his signature. We have got to
sort that out with Liverpool and hopefully that becomes fruitful. "The fans
have made it plain and clear what they would like to see with Andy." Carroll
himself spoke after the game regarding his future, and believes that it is
up to Liverpool to decide his fate. "It's not up to me to decide," said
Carroll. "We need to see what Liverpool have to say and see what West Ham
have to say. "West Ham is a great club and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

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Kev's call to Carroll
Exclusive
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 23 hrs ago
The Sun

KEVIN NOLAN reckons Andy Carroll's World Cup dream has the best chance of
coming true at West Ham. Striker Carroll has forced his way back into the
England reckoning after a run of impressive performances for the Hammers.
But today's match against Reading could be his last for the club with West
Ham and Liverpool yet to agree a deal to make his loan move permanent.
Carroll has been recalled to the England squad for the forthcoming
friendlies against Ireland and a glittering occasion to open Brazil's
Maracana staduim, which will host next year's World Cup final. Nolan said:
"There are only a few lucky players in the Premier League who get called up
to the England squad regardless of whether they are playing first-team
football. "Andy is not one of them. To get picked he has to be playing week
in, week out. "And he is wanted and loved at Upton Park. He has had a
massive influence on our season and after coming back from injury, he has
been brilliant for us. "It hasn't gone unnoticed because the England
manager's assistant came to watch him and now he is back in the squad. "I've
always believed he should be in the England squad. He has a reputation that
all he does is head the ball but that's not true. He has a terrific left
foot. "But he is a bit like Peter Crouch in that he gets labelled as one
kind of player and it means he tends to duck in and out of the squad when he
should be a regular in my opinion. "I really hope the directors can get a
deal done for Andy and that he decides to stay. "He knows what we're about
as a club. "If we beat Reading we are guaranteed a top-10 finish and next
season we'll want to push on even further. "Andy gets on well with all the
lads and if he got a regular run with England, he could be as prolific as
anyone we have."

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Big Sam's way to do it Ads up
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: 23 hrs ago
The Sun

NIGEL ADKINS will ask Sam Allardyce about the best way of getting Reading
back into the Premier League. The good friends won promotion from the
Championship last season, but only Big Sam will be in the top tier next
campaign. Reading meet West Ham today and Adkins said: "I've always rated
Sam highly and have a lot of respect for him. "I have been on many courses
where he has got up and spoken inspirationally. "West Ham have suffered the
scenario of going down and bouncing back up. That is what we want to do."

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Under the Hammer: West Ham show 'real interest' in signing AC Milan captain
Massimo Ambrosini
16 May 2013 17:23
The Mirror

West Ham are reported to be one of several clubs interested in signing AC
Milan's veteran captain Massimo Ambrosini. The 35-year-old's contract
expires at the end of the season and, although it was widely expected that
he would retire after 18 years with the club, it seems he could be open to a
move to the Premier League. The former Italy international's agent has
confirmed that there is genuine interest from the Hammers. "There is
interest from West Ham and it's a real interest, like that of other English,
German and American teams, although there have not been concrete contacts,"
Moreno Roggi told Sky Sports
"But, like every year, the first thing Massimo will do at the end of the
season is speak with Adriano Galliani (AC Milan CEO)." Having secured
safety, West Ham chairman has confirmed that manager Sam Allardyce will be
backed with funds to sign 'four or five' new players. Ambrosini can offer
experience, having won for league titles and two Champions League trophies.
The Italian would be available on a free transfer but there is expected to
be competition should the player decide to further his career.

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Go Figueroa! West Ham boss set to sign bargain deal for Wigan defender
11 May 2013 23:00
The Mirror

Honduras international is out of contract at the end of the season and could
see his wages rise to £40,000-a-week at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce is set to
sign Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa on a £40,000-a-week contract in a
bargain deal for the Hammers, writes the Sunday People. Honduras
international Figueroa is quitting the FA Cup winners at the end of his deal
to make a final pay-day move. Big Sam has been on his trail for months – as
Sunday People Sport revealed – and the wages offer will persuade Figueroa to
leave Latics whether they beat the drop or not. Figueroa can play left back
or centre half as Allardyce looks to improve his squad without spending
fortunes.

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