Daily WHUFC News - 13th August 2013

Rat grateful for warm welcome
WHUFC.com
New signing Razvan Rat was delighted to receive a welcoming reception by the
Hammers fans on Saturday
12.08.2013

Saturday's game against Pacos de Ferreira did not only give West Ham United
fans an opportunity to see their side in action before the start of the
campaign, but also gave the Club's new signings a first taste of the Boleyn
Ground experience. Razvan Rat and Adrian were both handed their home debuts
and for Romania captain Rat, it was a useful workout before the competitive
action starts. He admitted to feeling some pre-season nerves after arriving
from Shakhtar Donetsk following a ten-year spell in Ukraine, but is
relishing the chance to shine in the Barclays Premier League.

"It was interesting for me," he explained. "You're nervous because after ten
years with one team and you change, everything is changing. "It's a new
team, new tactics, a new championship, everything is different. I want to do
well and be on a high level here. "Thank you to the fans for giving me a
good reception! I didn't expect such a warm welcome so I'm happy for that,
and I hope to play many more good games here to make the fans happy."

Rat was a half-time introduction on Saturday, as goals from Ravel Morrison
and Modibo Maiga helped the Hammers towards a 2-1 victory in their final
pre-season match. The left back feels his team is in good shape ahead of
next Saturday's visit of Cardiff City. He continued: "I came on in the
second half of Saturday's game, Pacos de Ferreira was a good opponent, but
we had a good start and scored in the first minute. "We had some chances and
were pressing them, so I think it was a good game for us. "It will be a
different game with Cardiff on Saturday. We want to start with three points,
that's very important to us.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League, I see it as the same
level at the Champions League, so I'm looking forward to all games being at
the same level."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dylan ready for U21s opener
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Dylan Tombides is looking forward to Monday's U21
season opener
12.08.2013

The Development Squad get their Barclays U21 Premier League campaign
underway on Monday evening when Aston Villa visit Rush Green Stadium.
Nick Haycock's side are embarking on a 21-game season and for 19-year-old
foward Dylan Tombides the competitive nature of the league offers a perfect
chance to progress. The Hammers enjoyed a productive season at this level
last year, qualifying for the Elite Group stage, and although a change of
format this year means the competition will be played in a more conventional
straight league set-up, Haycock's men are on the lookout for more success.
Tombides notched in the Hammers' last warm-up fixture - a 4-2 victory at AFC
Hornchurch - and after missing out on regular football as he battled
testicular cancer over the last two years, the Australian is keen to make up
for lost time. He told West Ham TV: "It's massive. It's a big relief to be
back playing again, even just to be play more than ten minutes. That's all I
could manage last year with the way everything was going. So it's fantastic
to be back, to start and to get a goal [against Hornchurch]. "It was more of
a relief than satisfaction to finally, after two years of battling, get a
goal. To celebrate with the lads is more than enough for me. Hopefully
there'll be more, fingers crossed. "They put me out on the left wing in the
last game, for more of a fitness test. I haven't played much for two years,
so it was just to see how much I could get up and down. To be fair, from
looking at my stats, I've done alright. "It's up to the coach, [where I
play]. I'd like to play off Paul McCallum or someone like that, as I like to
play in the hole there with someone to work off. But once again it's the
coach's decision and I'm just happy to be playing again more than anything.
"It's back to basics really, and back to normal for me now. I train whenever
the boys are in, do what comes best and obviously hopefully get a chance up
with the first team. "Everyone has been really, really good for me over the
last two years, supporting me and so it was lovely to repay them with a
goal."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dev Squad 3-0 Aston Villa FT
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee scores twice as young Hammers ease to win
12.08.2013

WEST HAM UNITED v ASTON VILLA
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
RUSH GREEN STADIUM
MONDAY 12 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 7PM
REFEREE: MICHAEL GEORGE

Full-time score- West Ham United U21s 3-0 Aston Villa U21s

Full-time- A fantastic start to the season for Nick Haycock's team who've
produced a superb team performance to beat an experienced Aston Villa side.
Elliot Lee put a glaring early miss behind him to score twice with Sebastian
Lletget adding a third just before the end as the team cruised to a
brilliant win. Tickets for Saturday's season opener against Cardiff City are
still available via the club website.

92mins- Johnson nearly scores a consolation for the visitors but Spiegel is
there to protect his clean sheet.
90mins- GOAL! Lletget rounds off a fine evening for the young Hammers
smashing home from a few yards out following a Moncur corner.
89mins- Potts is replaced by Shaw with just a few minutes left.
88mins- Ruddock ventures forward beating a couple of players before setting
up Lletget you can't hit the target.
86mins- Nick Haycock makes his first change of the night, withdrawing the
excellent Tombides and bringing on McCallum.
84mins- Potts is forced into a great defensive clearance managing to clear
for a corner. From the corner Tombides comes to the rescue to clear a Bowery
header off the line.
81mins- With that penalty miss Gardner seems to have kicked away any hopes
Villa had of getting back into the game. And to make matters worse he sends
another decent chance also...over the bar.
78mins- Ruddock is harshly penalised for a foul on Robinson in the box.
Gardner steps up to take the penalty but sends the ball into orbit with a
shot which is of more danger to the houses behind the ground than the goal.
76mins- The away side seem to have run out of ideas as long ball after long
ball is easily dealt with. Having said that Gardener unleashes a rasping
shot which cannons off the post.
75mins- An excellent and much welcomed return to competitive action for
Tombides tonight, with the player relishing an attacking left-wing role.
72mins- Villa make their third change as Albrighton limps off to be replaced
by O'Brien.
69mins- Another chance for Lee as Potts provides a pin-point cross but the
striker can't direct his header on target.
67mins- Lee nearly notches his hat-trick after racing onto a Whitehead
through ball but Steer again comes to Villa's rescue.
65mins- Dan Potts nearly makes it three after he blocks Donacien's attempted
clearance forcing Steer into a smart save at his near post.
64mins- Turgott switches to the left flank with Tombides heading to the
right.
62mins- The tempo of the game has died down with West Ham in cruise control
and looking under little threat at the back.
59mins- Lee has done well to put his early miss behind him in front of the
382 people in attendance, some of those team-mates, who may never have let
him live it down had he not made up for it with two goals.
56mins- Ruddock at the heart of the defnce has been a dominant presence for
the Hammers tonight, evoking memories of his namesake, Neil Ruddock, with
his commanding performance.
54mins- For photos from tonight's game, click on the Facebook link above.
52mins- Villa look unable to cope with the impressive Tombides who again
beats his man but is unable to find a cross.
50mins- Webb glances a header just wide from a corner as Villa start to
apply some pressure of their own.
47mins- Donacien launches a surging run at the West Ham defence and
unleashes a powerful drive which is well dealt with by Spiegel.
46mins- Turgott rounds the keeper seconds after kick-off but Donacien is
back on the goal line to clear.
8.07pm- The teams are back out on the pitch as the second-half begins with
the Hammers in front and looking good.
49mins- The whistle goes for half-tme with Lee's two goals separating the
two teams. It could have been more had he finished off his glorious chance
early on, as it is a very pleasing first half performance from the young
Hammers.
45mins- Three minutes added on at the end of the first half with West Ham in
complete control.
42mins- Villa show signs of life as Bowery is set through but his curling
shot is well saved by Spiegel.
41mins- The creative influence of Tombides nearly helps the Hammers to a
third before half-time but his cross is dealt with by the Villa defence.
37mins- Nick Haycock's side are piling on the pressure in search of a third
but Moncur's corner is dealt with by Steer.
34mins- GOAL! Tombides wins a corner after a well worked move down the left.
Moncur delivers a brilliant ball in at the second attempt and is met by
Ruddock whose header hits the bar and falls for Lee to nod home his second
of the game.
30mins- The away side make their second change of the evening as Bateman
goes off to be replaced by Wildin.
29mins- Driver concedes a free-kick on the edge of the box, but from the
resulting kick Gardner drifts it comfrotably wide of the post.
26mins- Villa are forced into a substitution as Sylla limps off and is
replaced by Cowans.
23mins- GOAL! Tombides is in the action again as he provides the cross for
Lee tap in to score the first goal of the season for the Development squad
21mins- The returning Tombides nearly ca.ps the occasion with a goal as his
powerful effort forces Steer into a sprawling save.
19mins- Lee nearly makes amends for his earlier miss as a long-range drive
goes just wide of the post.
18mins- The home side are piling on the pressure as a well worked short
corner again sees a Moncur shot blocked as a scramble in the box ensues, but
Villa eventually clear.
17mins- Two chances in a metter of seconds for the home side as the ball
falls to Moncur and then Lletget in the penalty box but both see their shots
blocked by despairing defenders.
16mins- Bowery hits the bar with a looping header but the linesman has his
flag up on the far side, so it wouldn't have counted.
14mins- Lee wins a free kick deep in Villa territory but Moncurs cross is
headed away.
11mins- The game springs to life as Lee should put the Hammers in front but
somehow misses an open goal from eight yards. Villa themselves have a chance
to take the lead moments later when Johnson looks certain to score but for a
fine block by Potts.
10mins- Bowery surges through the middle but Ruddock produces a fine block.
8mins- Robinson cutting in from the left hits a decent shot from outside the
box but is easily dealt with by Raphael Spiegel.
5mins- Albrighton threatens down the right but his teasing cross is put
behind by Pelly Ruddock. The resulting corner was cleared by Leo Chambers.
3mins - Early pressure for the home side as an Elliot Lee cross is drilled
into the box but fails to find anyone in claret and blue.
7.02pm- Aston Villa kick-off shooting from right to left in the first half.
6.58pm - There's not a seat to be had in the stands as the players emerge
from the tunnel as they get ready to kick-off the 2013/14 season.
6.56pm - Southend boss Phil Brown arrives just before kick-off to cast an
eye over potential transfer targets.
6.53pm- Danny Whitehead is making his debut for the Hammers tonight whilst
striker Dylan Tombides is making his first competitive start since the
2010/11 season after his recovery from testicular cancer.
6.50pm- Ten minutes until kick-off and the stands are full of Academy and
Development squad players here to support Nick Haycock's team.
6.38pm - The Villa players finally emerge to begin their warm-up with the
Hammers well into their pre-match routine.
6.30pm - Fans are drifting in to Rush Green with just half an hour until
kick-off, among them is Villa manager Paul Lambert.
6.20pm - Assistant manager Neil McDonald has arrived to cast his eye over
the young Hammers who will be hoping to impress with Saturday's Barclays
Premier League kick-off looming.
6pm - We have the team news for you from Rush Green and West Ham have a
strong team starting tonight's game, while Aston Villa have also picked an
experienced starting XI.
West Ham United U21s: West Ham United: Spiegel, Driver, Potts, Chambers,
Ruddock, Moncur, Whitehead, Turgott, Lletget, D.Tombides, Lee
Subs: Nemrava, Shaw, Nasha, Sadlier, McCallum
Aston Villa U21s: Steer, Lyden, Donacien, Bateman, Webb, Gardner, Sylla,
Albrighton, Johnson, Robinson, Bowery
Subs: Watkins, Sellars, O'Brien, Wildin, Cowans
Good evening and welcome to Rush Green Stadium for tonight's opening
Barclays U21 Premier League fixture of 2013/14 between West Ham United and
Aston Villa.
Nick Haycock's youngsters will be hoping to make the same bright start they
made to last season's competition, when they raced away with the Group 1
title before Christmas before finishing sixth in the Elite Group in the New
Year.
Many of the players who did so well at Under-21 level last term will feature
again this evening, with the likes of George Moncur, Dan Potts, Sebastian
Lletget, Elliot Lee and Callum Driver all in the side to face the Villans.
There is also the welcome sight of Dylan Tombides' name in the starting XI,
with the Australian having shown great determination to battle back to
fitness after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011.
West Ham United U21s: Spiegel, Driver, Potts, Chambers, Ruddock, Whitehead,
Turgott, Moncur, Lletget, D.Tombides, Lee
Subs: Nemrava, Shaw, Nasha, Sadlier, McCallum
Aston Villa U21s: Steer, Lyden, Donacien, Bateman, Webb, Gardner, Sylla,
Albrighton, Johnson, Robinson, Bowery
Subs: Watkins, Sellars, O'Brien, Wildin, Cowans

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing: West Ham close in on deal to sign Liverpool winger
BBC.co.uk
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport

West Ham United have agreed a fee with Liverpool over a deal to sign winger
Stewart Downing. The 29-year-old England international is expected to
undergo a medical and agree personal terms before completing any move to
Upton Park.

Stewart Downing factfile
Stewart Downing
Age: 29
Position: Winger
Liverpool appearances: 91
Liverpool goals: Seven
England caps: 34
England goals: 0
Former teams: Middlesbrough, Sunderland (loan) and Aston Villa

Downing was signed by Liverpool in a £20m deal from Aston Villa in July 2011
under former manager Kenny Dalglish. He was a first-team regular last season
but has failed to make a major impact while at the Merseyside club. Downing
scored five times in 45 appearances for the Reds in the 2012-13 campaign
and, overall, registered seven goals in 91 outings for the club. Liverpool
manager Brendan Rodgers criticised the former Middlesbrough player shortly
after taking over at Anfield last summer, before restoring him to the first
team and using him primarily on the wing but also at left-back. Downing
revealed last December that he had been told he could leave the club and,
despite staying with the Reds for the remainder of last season, Rodgers now
appears prepared to let him leave. If he does join West Ham, Downing will
follow striker Andy Carroll in swapping Anfield for Upton Park. Carroll
joined Liverpool for £35m in January 2011 but moved to West Ham in a
permanent £15m deal earlier this summer following a season on loan with the
Hammers.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maiga linked with loan move
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 12th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

Modibo Maiga could be set to return to France within the coming days. The
Mali international, who had played in the pivotal attacking role in Andy
Carroll's enforced pre-season absence could be on his way back to France, if
Saint-Etienne get their way. The Ligue 1 outfit, who won the opening fixture
of their 2013/14 league campign last night courtesy of a 1-0 away to
Ajaccio, are set to make Maiga their prime traget his week as they seek to
add another forward to their squad. And according to reports emanating from
the other side of the Channel, Les Verts are hoping to take the 25-year-old
striker on loan for the entirety of the 2013/14 season, with view to a
permanent transfer thereafter. Maiga, who joined West Ham in a £4.5million
switch from Sochaux 13 months ago has failed to cement a place in West Ham's
first XI, much to the frustration of the club's coaching staff who believe
that the player has the ability, but not necessarily the mental aptitude to
prove a hit in the Premier League. Sam Allardyce's number two Neil McDonald,
speaking about the player recently said: "Modibo's ability is there. When
you sign new players sometimes they take a bit longer to settle into the
team. "He's just been waiting for his chance to show what he can do and
hopefully he can score goals on a regular basis, try to work out where we
want him to run to, hold the ball up and interlink. That side of his game is
much better than it has been."

* Jack Sullivan has revealed [Monday morning] that the club hope to sign "an
International player in the next few days".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing set for medical
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 12th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

Stewart Downing is set to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed £6million
move to West Ham. The Liverpool winger, who cost the Merseyside club
£20million just two years ago is on his way to West Ham for talks after the
two clubs agreed a fee for the 29-year-old England international over the
weekend. As revealed by a source on KUMB.com yesterday, Downing is poised to
sign a four-year contract with West Ham, taking the club's spending in the
summer transfer market over and above the £20million mark.

"Re Downing. My guy has just text me confirming terms are agreed on a
four-year contract. £6million."
- KUMB member 'I've Got Curly Hair Too' breaking the news on the KUMB forum
yesterday

Should Downing complete a move to West Ham, as expected, he will become the
third English international Sam Allardyce has signed from Liverpool in 2013
following the (permanent) arrival of Andy Carroll and Joe Cole back in
January. In other transfer news this morning, reports from Italy suggest
that Sunderland have moved ahead of West Ham in the race to sign Fabio
Quagliarella from Juventus. The 30-year-old forward is surplus to
requirements at the Serie A club following the arrival of Carlos Tevez from
Manchester City and is available for a knockdown fee.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison ready to shine for West Ham, says Mark Noble
Last Updated: August 12, 2013 12:04pm
SSN

Mark Noble believes Ravel Morrison is ready to make good on his talent after
impressing in pre-season for West Ham. Morrison has been in sparkling form
for the Hammers as they build up towards Saturday's Premier League opener
against Cardiff at Upton Park. The 20-year-old netted after just 16 seconds
of the 2-1 friendly win over Champions League play-off contenders Pacos de
Ferreira on Saturday - his sixth goal of the summer. Noble has been
impressed with his midfield colleague and told the Daily Mail: "He's done
brilliantly this pre-season. "He's not been late, he's turned up to every
session, he's trained hard and obviously he's getting the benefits now." The
former England Under-18 international, who has only made one competitive
appearance for the Hammers to date, spent the whole of last season on loan
at Birmingham in the Championship.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing set to seal move to West Ham United
Last Updated: August 12, 2013 11:46am
SSN

Sky Sports understands Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing is set to
undergo a medical at West Ham. The England winger looks set to end a
somewhat troubled two-year spell with Liverpool having joined from Aston
Villa for around £20million. The 29-year-old was told last season that he
was surplus to requirements by boss Brendan Rodgers, before battling his way
into his plans. But now after just 65 league games for the club, he looks
set to depart with West Ham closing in on a deal. Sky Sports understands
that a £5million deal has been agreed and Downing is due in London on Monday
to undergo a medical.
Should the deal be finalised, Downing will link up with Andy Carroll - who
finalised his permanent move from Anfield earlier this summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reasons to be Positive About Stewart Downing
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

I noticed a comment left by Left Foot in the last thread on Stewart Downing.
He alerted us to a post on the Squaka website, which is worth exploring in a
lot more detail. As I have said, I am a Downing sceptic, but not it appears
he is ours, I think we should all get behind him and support him in his
efforts to recapture the kind of form which made Liverpool pay £20 million
for him. Here's a section of Sam Parker's article...

Downing's contribution at Liverpool since his £20m move from Aston Villa has
been much maligned, notably his failure to contribute a single goal or
assist in his first season with the club. While his second season at the
club saw him improve greatly on that dismal return, his limited action
during pre-season has been a sure sign that Brendan Rodgers has decided to
dispense with the former England winger, with West Ham now willing to swoop.
Downing's return for the season in terms of concrete stats were vastly
improved in the Rodgers era, having contributed three goals in his 29
appearances for the Reds last season, completing the 90 minutes on just 17
occasions.

And Liverpool may find themselves regretting letting Downing go, with the
Middlesbrough academy product having created 66 chances for them last season
– only Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez created more. From West Ham's point of
view, Downing created more chances last season than any one of their
players, with Matt Jarvis' 46 the highest any Hammers player could muster.
Downing's 66 opportunities created resulted in five assists, while Jarvis
was not being credited for a single assist all season, scoring one goal
fewer than the man who could take his place on the left side of the West Ham
midfield as well.

Downing also recorded a pass completion rate of 83% which, while lower than
the majority of the Liverpool midfield and part of the reason Rodgers is
happy to see him depart, it is still better than most of West Ham's squad,
with only bustling central midfielder Mohamed Diame boasting a superior
average. Downing is also more prone to taking shots, having taken on 29
shots compared to Jarvis' 19, while he has completed attempts to take on
opponents 44% of the time, while Jarvis was successful on just 37% of
take-ons, though both were successful on 17 occasions apiece.

By signing Downing, West Ham will have made a significant upgrade on their
current squad, with Downing bringing greater creativity to their ranks and a
greater threat from the flanks. Hammers fans will just have to hope that he
links up with Andy Carroll at Upton Park to greater success than the duo
ever managed on Merseyside.

Well, that's perked you up, hasn't it?!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
England have Ravel Morrison on the radar now he's keeping his nose clean at
West Ham
12 Aug 2013 22:31
The Mirror

Roy Hodgson has admitted England are keeping close tabs on reformed bad-boy
Ravel Morrison, writes John Cross. Midfielder Morrison, 20, has been in
outstanding form for West Ham during their summer friendlies after time on
loan at Birmingham last season. The Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce has told him
he is in his Premier League plans and has knocked back several approaches
for a loan spell. Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed
the ex-Old Trafford youngster was one of the best talents he has ever seen,
and Morrison appears to have put his old ways behind him. England seniors
boss Hodgson, who will take charge of the U21s on a one-off basis as the FA
seek manager Stuart Pearce's replacement, is watching developments and has
been impressed with Morrison's new focus. Hodgson said: "I believe Ravel has
had a very good pre-season, and it will be up to the new manager to decide
whether he wants to pick him or not."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Fabio Quagliarella the next to sign?
West Ham Till I Die

There are strong rumours this evening that West Ham may have set up a season
long loan deal for Juventus' Italian international, Fabio Quagliarella.
Famed for his accurate long range shooting, Quagliarella has approximately a
1 in 3 goal scoring record in Series A over the last seven seasons. He
scored 22 goals in 67 appearances for Juventus (2010-13), 11 goals in 34
appearances for Napoli (2009-10), 25 goals in 73 appearances for Udinese
(2007-09) and 13 goals in 35 appearances for Sampdoria (2006-07).
Quagliarella has a overall club career total (including cup matches) of 116
goals in 373 appearances. As of 2010, he had also scored 6 goals in 25
appearances for Italy.

If Quagliarella is the target, and we secure his services, he will be
another impressive acquisition. He has the skill and experience to bring
something extra to the squad and, at 29 years of age, he should be at the
height of his career. Fabio Quagliarella in a West Ham shirt? Now that would
be a interesting proposition!

Elsewhere, the West Ham U-21s have given their Aston Villa peers a
footballing lesson in their first match of the season. A Villa U-21 side
containing five players with recent first team experience were
comprehensively beaten 3-0 by a rampant young Hammers side. The Hammers
dominated the match and raced to a three goal lead, thanks to a brace by Lee
and a long range effort by Lletget. Hopefully, the nature of this victory,
as well as the emphatic score line, is indicative of the strength that we
possess in our youth ranks and the fact that a number of prospects will now
start pushing for a first team place in the coming season.

Good quality signings, allied to the resumption of the Academy production
line are two twin precursors for the club significantly pushing on next
season. Lets hope that is the way that it will shape up!

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Match Report - WHU U21 v Aston Villa U21
Youth Reporter 11:28 Mon Aug 12
West Ham Online

West Ham United U21's 3-0 Aston Villa U21's


Team: WHU - Spiegel, Driver, Ruddock, Chambers, Potts (Shaw 88), Whitehead,
Lletget, Moncur, Turgott, D Tombides (McCallum 85), Lee. Unused Subs -
Nemrava, Nasha! Sadlier.

Villa: Steer, Lyden, Donacien, Bateman (Wildin 35), Webb, Gardner, Sylla
(Cowans 27), Albrighton (O'Brien 72mins), Johnson, Robinson, Bowery. Unused
Subs - Sellars, Watkins.


The U21 Premier League got off to a fantastic start for West Ham as they
secured a 3-0 win at their home ground on a mild night at Rush Green
Stadium. Elliot Lee gave West Ham the lead and then added a second midway
through the first half, the third came to Sebastien Lletget in the dying
moments of the thrilling contest.

It was an attacking start for West Ham playing what looked like a 4-1-4-1
formation with Whitehead playing the holding midfield role and Llegett often
further forward in the middle with Moncur. Turgott and Tombides were playing
wide with Lee the lone striker.

Despite the bright start the first real chance of the game came to Villa in
the 7th Minute,a counter attack lead to a cross from the right wing, only to
be cleared out for a corner by centre back Leo Chambers, back from a long
injury. After this early scare it was chance after chance for the home side,
the first of these was a neat through ball from Moncur to Turgott and
instead of going for glory laid of to Elliot Lee for a tap in to an open
goal, somehow he got his feet tangled and the ball rolled wide.

Villa looked dangerous on the break and a couple of times broke through the
hammers defence only to see their shot blocked by a tackle just in time,
first by the excellent Pelly Ruddock and then a couple of minutes later by
Dan Potts.

The exciting half continued as West Ham came forward with a well worked
routine between Daniel Potts and Dylan Tombides, Tombides then managed to
get the cross in to George Moncur who smashed it on the volley but was well
saved by Steer in the Villians goal, the ball came out to Turgott who
crossed into Lletget who with a similar strike to Moncur saw his shot
blocked by the defence.

The deadlock was broken with a goal from Elliot Lee in the 25th Minute, a
brilliant cross by Tombides dipped over Blair Turgott and the defence and
fell for Lee to tap it in at the far post, a well deserved lead.

Moncur who during the evening showed great skill by taking corners with his
left and right foot depending on what side it is on put a great in swinging
cross into the six yard box which Ruddock headed onto the crossbar, Elliot
Lee was on hand as he headed the rebound in to give West Ham and himself the
second goal of the game.

Unfortunately the second half wasn't nearly as exciting as the first with
the home side looking happy to keep their lead and the visitors rarely
bothering the Hammers defence. That was until Pelly Ruddock made a a great
tackle to win the ball only for the ref to wrongly point to the spot.
Gardner stepped up for Villa and hit the ball at least 6 foot over the
crossbar, it is the worst penalty I have ever seen and caused all the
spectators to laugh.

Dylan Tombides who had caused the Villa defence problems all night with his
close control, his speed and his clever play was substituted after 85 mins
to a warm round of applause, it is great to see him back after his health
problems.

The game was all but over when another Moncur corner, left footed this time,
wasn't dealt with and the ball fell to Seb Lletget who poked it home for a
very enjoyable 3-0 victory.

The new format to the premier league see the U21s in a league of 22. They
will play each other team once, either home or away, 11 away games, 10 home
games. The top four at the end of the league will go into a semi final /
final playoff with the winners being crowned champions.

The squad we have would have an excellent chance of doing well, however with
a number of scouts watching the team tonight it is thought a number will go
out on loan.

Our next home game is on Fri 23rd Aug v Tottenham, 7pm kick off at The
Boleyn. Free entry for season ticket holders. £3 for adults and £1 for kids.

Player reviews:

Spiegel - 7 - Didn't really have loads to do, but what he did he did well.

Driver - 7 - Captained the side and was part of a very strong defence.

Chambers - 7 - Played in central defence and as usual never looked hurried
or in trouble.

Ruddock - 8 - Fantastic display, very strong, never in trouble. Made a great
goal saving tackle in first half and unlucky not to score.

Potts - 7 - Strong in defence and got forward well, put in some excellent
crosses.

Whitehead - 5 - Played as a defensive midfielder and sadly gave the ball
away far too much, the two blocks in the first half by Poots and Ruddock
both game from Danny giving the ball away in dangerous positions.

Moncur - 8 - First 10 minutes he seemed to find it hard getting into the
game, but as it went on he did better and better. Always looks for the ball,
two footed and always looks to drive the team forward.

Lletget - 7 - Quieter than usual game for Seb, but got into it more in the
second half including getting the final goal.

Turgott - 6 - He was a good outlet and really should have had an assist when
he played Lee in with an unselfish through ball. Apart from that he didn't
cause Villa too many problems and defensively he didn't chase back as much
as he should have.

Tombides - 9 - A great performance, both going forward and when chasing
back. Always looking to run at the defenders and always looked dangerous.
Got a well deserved assist and also cleared a headed corner off the line.

Lee - 8 - After seeing such an easy chance go wide he did really well to not
let his head go down and did well to score his 2 goals. He nearly got a hat
trick too as a shot in the second half just went wide.

Overall it was a really good team performance, exciting football and a great
start to the league campaign.

For updates from The Academy and Development Teams please follow me on
Twitter @WillisJamieson

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


http://vyperz.blogspot.com