Daily WHUFC News - 7th August 2013

SC Braga 1-0 West Ham United FT
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's second and final fixture at the Guadiana Tournament ends
in a narrow defeat
06.08.2013

SC BRAGA v WEST HAM UNITED
TORNEIO DO GUADIANA
ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE PORTIMÃO
TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2013
KICK-OFF: 9.15PM
WEST HAM TV I iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST I YOUTUBE

Final score - SC Braga 1-0 West Ham United
Unfortunately, the laptop crashed during the shootout! Profuse apologies for
this, but the shootout finished 3-3 after Mohamed Diame saw his penalty
saved low down by Eduardo. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.
West Ham United 3-3 SC Braga - And the shootout finishes all-square as
Adrian is sent the wrong way from the spot by Edinho and Braga draw level
with the final kick.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - Diame's weak penalty is saved low down to his
left by Eduardo.
West Ham United 3-2 SC Braga - The Braga player Agra steps up scores
emphatically, high into the net.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Potts hits his penalty well, but Eduardo
guesses right and saves diving to his right.
West Ham United 3-1 SC Braga - Alan uses the shuffle run-up too before
sending Adrian the wrong way.
West Ham United 3-0 SC Braga - Collison smashes the ball high into the net.
Again, Eduardo guesses wrong. This is a rout!
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Adrian makes another fine save, refusing to
be put off by Vinicius' strange run-up. West Ham in control.
West Ham United 2-0 SC Braga - Ricardo Vaz Te slams it low and down the
middle and Eduardo obligingly dives out of the way. Very kind of him.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Adrian springs to his left and pushes Santos'
penalty away. Great save from the Spaniard.
West Ham United 1-0 SC Braga - Kevin Nolan sends Eduardo the wrong way and
drives the ball low into the net.
95 mins - That's it. Braga have won. Now we'll win the penalties. Mark my
words.
93 mins - I don't think we're going to see a 1999 Champions League
final-style comeback, unfortunately. Eduardo collects Nolan's flick-on. Time
is almost up.
90 mins - West Ham win a free-kick for offside. Adrian launches it long,
Collins wins it but not before being whistled for a push. We're going to
have FOUR added minutes. Come on West Ham! You can still save this and bring
the trophy home.
87 mins - Nolan brings down Alan late and gets a yellow card. Free-kick to
Braga about 30 yards out in a central position. Agra has a go, but curls
over the top in his luminous boots.
87 mins - At least we should have some shots on target during the penalty
shootout that will follow the final whistle. You would hope so, anyway!
85 mins - Edinho is on for Yazalde for the final few minutes.
83 mins - It's just not really happened for West Ham tonight, for whatever
reason. Before we get too downbeat, though, let's remember that we played
last night too, whereas Braga were sitting comfortably in their armchairs.
We are also resting a host of regulars tonight, including Jaaskelainen,
Reid, Jarvis, Cole and Noble.
81 mins - The ball drops to Vaz Te from a defensive header about 20 yards
out. Vaz has a go on the volley, but it's not his best effort and the ball
bobbles away and thuds into the advertising board.
80 mins - Morrison runs at the Braga defence after a decent pass from
Morrison. Collison will take the free-kick from the left corner of the box
but it's clipped and is a routine catch for Eduardo.
76 mins - Ruddock is shown the yellow card after clipping Rafa as the
midfielder runs past him. Rafa is immediately replaced by Salvador Agra.
West Ham bring on Potts for Rat.
71 mins - Diame spots Eduardo just off his line, but he doesn't get enough
on his effort from near halfway and the goalkeeper catches with ease.
Moments later, Ruddock's hurried clearances almost leads to an opening for
Braga, but the Hammers survive.
70 mins - Better football as Collins sweeps a diagonal out to Rat on the
left. He plays a one-two with Nolan and the skipper goes again, gets to the
byline and clips the ball back towards Vaz Te and Morrison inside the box,
but Eduardo collects above his head.
68 mins - Defensive midfielder Mauro has a speculative go on the volley from
30 yards. Adrian flies to his left to push the ball away. The Spaniard is up
quickly and collects the rolling ball near the byline. Good save from the
new goalkeeper.
65 mins - Silva is replaced, with the ponytailed Alan coming on in his
place.
63 mins - Goal! Vinicius finds Silva, who plays the ball into Yazalde on the
edge of the penalty area. Yazalde turns and has a shot from inside the box.
It's low and Adrian pushes it out with his right hand. Rafa reacts quickest
and fires the ball into the net from about 12 yards. Braga lead.
62 mins - Tomkins is replaced by Pelly Ruddock and Kevin Nolan is on for
Taylor. Can the skipper nick a winner for his side?
58 mins - If West Ham can score, we might be denied the opportunity of
watching another surreal penalty shootout as the Hammers will have won the
tournament. Last night, we finished 4-4 on spot-kicks with Sporting, which
was a bit weird.
55 mins - Collison is lucky not to be booked as his touch allows Silva to
regain possession. Collison pulls the midfielder back by the arm. Free-kick,
but no card shown.
52 mins - No11 Silva has a shot from 30 yards and he's hurt himself as he
lets fly. He rolls around on the turf and needs the physio on. He kicked
Diarra after shooting. Adrian gathered the shot anyway.
50 mins - Nothing has happened in the opening five minutes of the second
period. On the plus side, I've worked out the Braga substitutions. Eduardo
has replaced Cristiano in goal, Vinicius is on for Coelho at centre-back,
while Hebert has made way for Florent at left-back. In midfield, Barbosa is
off and Pedro is on.
46 mins - We're back underway here in Portimao.
Morrison is on at half-time for Maiga. Vaz Te will play through the middle.
Braga have made a host of changes. Eduardo is on in goal and I'll get the
other changes for you as soon as I've worked them out.
Half-time score - SC Braga 0-0 West Ham United
After you've put the kettle on, why not watch a few of our free West Ham TV
YouTube videos? Or how about the extended highlights and post-match reaction
to last night's win over Sporting Clube de Portugal on West Ham TV? Both are
accessible by clicking on the links above.
47 mins - It's half-time, thankfully. I'm sure the second half will be
better. It has to be.
45 mins - Into the final minute of the opening half and I must confess I
won't be sad to see half-time arrive. This hasn't been a classic by any
means. However, I'm sure Saturday's visit of Pacos de Ferreira will be, and
you can get tickets now by clicking here.
43 mins - Will we have the breakthrough before half-time? Braga win a corner
off Collison, but Barbosa balloons it miles over everyone and the ball curls
out for a goal kick. Diamanti!
40 mins - Vaz Te crosses and the ball is sliced out as far as Taylor. His
touch is a bit loose and the ball finds Rat, whose initial shot is blocked
and second effort loops miles over the top.
39 mins - Braga arguably should lead. Carlos leads the charge down the
middle and there is no midfielder to slow him down. He draws the defenders
out slightly before feeding left to Barbosa in space. The No10 crosses low
first-time for Carlos again, but he cannot keep his side-foot effort down
and it flies narrowly over the crossbar.
38 mins - West Ham have had some better possession in recent moments. First,
Maiga turns sharply and nearly plays in Collison, but the ball is just under
hit. Then, Diarra wins a corner as he leaps for a header, but the flag kick
comes to nothing.
33 mins - Barbosa is getting plenty of practice at his Diamanti impressions.
He gets another now as Diarra commits a foul. No, it's Coelho who is going
to blast it... He does, low and through the wall. Adrian dives but the ball
beats both him and the post by about a yard. Close call. Goal kick, but I
think that took a slight deflection off a heel and should have been a
corner.
30 mins - Braga win a corner. Barbosa takes and Collins heads powerfully
clear at the near post. Vaz Te leads the charge and tries to play a
long-distance one-two with Collison, but the return is too strong and the
Archbishops regain possession.
27 mins - Captain Coelho obviously fancies himself from long-range as he has
another go from about 35 yards. He catches it fairly well, but again the
ball bounces harmlessly wide of Adrian's goal. The Spaniard has had very
little to do so far.
24 mins - Another smashed left-foot free-kick from Barbosa comes to nothing.
He looks nothing like the Italian, but Barbosa's style of delivery reminds
me of Alessandro Diamanti!
23 mins - Braga are utilising a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. Baiano, Coelho,
Santos and Hebert are the back four, with Carlos and Mauro sitting deep.
Rafa, Silva and Barbosa are interchanging behind central forward Yazalde.
21 mins - Demel pulls back striker Yazalde. It's not his first offence and
the referee Fernando Santos shows the right-back the yellow card. We saw a
few yellows last night... Diarra heads Barbosa's free-kick away for a throw.
18 mins - The action continues as Collison collects a loose clearance, cuts
inside and slices his shot well wide under pressure from Baiano.
17 mins - A first shot in anger from the Hammers. Diame prods the ball
through for Maiga down the right channel. He runs to the box, checks and
sees his cross blocked and fall back to Diame. He takes a touch and rifles
well over from 25 yards. Seconds later, Barbosa has a snap-shot that bounces
a few yards wide.
14 mins - More work for Adrian as Carlos beats Taylor in midfield and shoots
low with his right-foot after running at Tomkins. The shot has no venom in
it and Adrian can make the easy save low down in front of him.
12 mins - Some action for Adrian as Barbosa whips in a free-kick from the
right after Rat had committed a foul. Adrian parries and Collins scrambles
the ball behind for a corner. It's taken short and then back to Barbosa,
whose left-foot whipped delivery is cleared by Vaz Te at the near post.
11 mins - You can view an exclusive gallery of images from tonight's game in
Portimao on our official Facebook page.
10 mins - West Ham are harrying their opponents well and not allowing Braga
to settle into any sort of rhythm.
7 mins - Diarra uses his strength to win the ball back and then clears it
straight into the Braga dugout. That doesn't go down well with the
Archbishops' coaching staff. Moments later, Diarra is penalised for a foul
and gets a talking to from the referee. The free-kick is taken short by
Barbosa to Silva and his cross is shinned behind for a corner by Taylor.
Adrian punches Barbosa's corner upfield and Demel is fouled on the edge of
the box. Free-kick to the Hammers.
6 mins - It's been a bitty start to the game. Neither team has taken control
of proceedings. Tactically, it's Demel, Collins, Tomkins and Rat across the
back, Diarra holding with Diame to his right and Taylor to his left. Up
front, Vaz Te is wide right, Collison wide left and Maiga through the
middle.
3 mins - Demel commits a foul about 30 yards out and skipper Coelho fancies
belting this from about 30 yards-plus. He does, trying a Ronaldo-style
toe-punt, but the ball actually hits his own team-mate Barbosa on the edge
of the box. Hmmm...
9.14pm - A minute or so early, West Ham kick-off. After a half-full stadium
last night, there are just a few hundred supporters here in Portimao
tonight. I might venture that there are more West Ham fans here than
supporters of Braga!
9.10pm - The teams are with us. James Collins is captaining the Hammers
tonight. Nuno Andre Coelho is wearing the armband for Braga. West Ham will
kick-off...
9pm - We've got a few free videos for you to watch on the official West Ham
TV YouTube channel. We've got a game of two-touch on the pitch here in
Portimao, plus footage of the starting XI warming-up and Adrian being put
through his paces by goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson. Meanwhile, we also
have the SC Braga team news...
SC Braga: Cristiano, Coelho, Luiz Carlos, Helder Barbosa, Luis Silva,
Baiano, Rafa, Yazalde, Santos, Mauro, Hebert
Subs: Eduardo, Joao Pedro, Florent, Vinicius, Agra, Alan, Edinho
8.10pm - We've got the West Ham team news for you now:
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Rat, Collins, Tomkins, Diarra, Diame,
Taylor, Vaz Te, Collison, Maiga
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Potts, O'Brien, Reid, Ruddock, Lletget, Noble, Nolan,
Morrison, Jarvis, Cole, Lee
Good evening and welcome back to Portimao for tonight's Guadiana Tournament
fixture between West Ham United and SC Braga.
The Hammers will win the three-team pre-season competition if they overcome
the team which finished fourth in the Portuguese Primeira Division last
season, having already overcome Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 at the same
venue on Monday.
Diego Capel fired Sporting in front from the penalty spot before a Kevin
Nolan goal and two from Ravel Morrison put West Ham in control. The Hammers
were made to sweat late on when William Carvalho touched home a free-kick,
but Sam Allardyce's side held on to secure a deserved triumph. Should they
win tonight, the Hammers will take the trophy home with them to England in
the morning!
However, it will be no easy task against the UEFA Europa League qualifiers,
who have recently appointed Jesualdo Ferreira as manager for the second
time. The 67-year-old has managed more than a dozen sides during a long and
illustrious career, winning three Portuguese titles during a four-year spell
in charge at FC Porto. He previously managed Braga between 2003 and 2006.
Tonight, Sam Allardyce fields a different-looking team to the one which
overcame Sporting, with the likes of Adrian, James Collins, Mohamed Diame
and Jack Collison all expected to be involved after being rested on Monday
night.
Braga finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last term, qualifying for the
UEFA Europa League Play-Off round. The Archbishops will be facing the
Hammers for the second pre-season in succession, having held Sam Allardyce's
side to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio AXA in August 2012, when Winston Reid
scored a late equaliser. However, Braga have a much-changed squad to the one
which held the Hammers a year ago, with a host of new signings hoping to
make their mark this evening.
Braga have been very active in the transfer market in recent months,
bringing in a host of new players to complement an already strong squad.
Goalkeeper Cassio has come in from Pacos de Ferreira, as have striker Edinho
from Malaga, Vitor Bastos from Vitoria de Guimaraes, Welthon from Gremio,
Joaozinho from Beira-Mar, Salvador Agra from Real Betis Balompie, Nigerian
Chidi Osuchukwu from Dolphins, Vinicius from Maritimo, Rafa from Feirense,
Serbian Aleksandar Miljkovic from Partizan and Eduardo from Genoa. Former
Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana has departed for Al Ahli in Dubai.
Vinicius was among the scorers as Braga fought back from a 2-0 deficit to
draw 2-2 at home to West Ham's Barclays Premier League rivals Norwich City
last Friday evening.
A penalty shoot-out will be held after the final whistle, which will be used
to decide the final tournament positions in the event that teams have level
points, goal difference and goals. West Ham and Sporting drew 4-4 in their
shootout on Monday, with the goals being added to teams' totals if they end
the competition tied.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby proud of Sporting victory
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan was pleased to see the Hammers triumph in testing conditions on
Monday evening
06.08.2013

Captain Kevin Nolan was proud to see his West Ham United triumph in testing
conditions in their 3-2 Guadiana Tournament win over Sporting Clube de
Portugal on Monday evening. The Hammers came from behind to beat the
Portuguese side, despite conceding from a hotly-disputed penalty and a
debateable free-kick and having five players booked during a fiery encounter
in Portimao. Nolan got the ball rolling for West Ham, levelling matters on
58 minutes after Diego Capel had put Sporting in front on the stroke of
half-time. Ravel Morrison then scored twice before a late William Carvalho
effort set up a nervous finish, but the Hammers held on. "It's always tough
because you always seem to be playing against the referee as well as the
other team, but I think the lads showed discipline," the skipper told West
Ham TV. "Although we had five booked, they were very harsh and they could
easily have had five booked too. "That was disappointing, but it shows you
how far we've come. We've got a lot of quality in this squad and, when it's
not going right for us, we still manage to stay in there. I don't think it
was a penalty and we can argue about [the free-kick for] the second goal
too. "We scored three good goals. Ravel scoring two was massive for us
because he's been fantastic through the pre-season. It was nice to get on
the scoresheet myself and to keep banging them in and we're in good form.
"At the end of the day, this is all about making sure we're ready on 17
August because we've got to make sure we get everything right - the fitness
and mentally, set pieces and everything - for that game. Hopefully we're
getting close to doing that. We're only eleven days off and we're looking
forward to it."

Nolan was clearly frustrated by a succession of decisions made by the
referee, who showed six yellow cards - five to West Ham players - and
awarded 41 free-kicks for fouls during what was a competitive pre-season
fixture. The skipper said the experience of playing in adversity would
benefit the squad ahead of the Barclays Premier League kick-off at home to
Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. "You always know when you come to
another country and play in Europe that you're not going to get everything
your own way. You've got to get your mentality right and maintain your
composure under pressure. "I think we got in at half-time and didn't say
'This was wrong and that was wrong'. We got on with it and we really did
deserve the win. We were delighted to keep our winning streak going but the
main thing was about the lads getting 75 or 90 minutes again and building
up, because we have to hit the ground running on 17 August.
"We know Cardiff is not going to be an easy game. It's their first game in
the Premier League so they're going to be up for it. It's going to be really
tough. We were there last year and we enjoyed a good start and we want to do
that again."

Nolan closed by praising fellow goalscorer Morrison, but the captain added
that the young midfielder must retain his current focus if he is to make the
most of his considerable talent. The skipper said the former Manchester
United youngster had benefitted from a loan spell at Birmingham City and had
returned to pre-season training with a more mature attitude and approach to
his football and his life in general. "The lad has got ability. It was all
the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has
come back [with a renewed approach]. Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board and that's what you have got to have
with Rav. "Last year, he started off like that but he let himself down off
the field with not turning in and things like that. I'm not pulling him out
because he is a lovely kid and we want him to do well and that's why we've
worked so hard. Hopefully now he's seen the benefit of being around us all
the time and going out on loan and seeing what it's all about. "Hopefully
now this will be the start of what is going to be a fantastic career for
him, because as you can see he has great ability and can score goals too.
I'm going to help him as much as I can this season, talking to him on the
pitch and off the pitch. If he can get it all right, he'll be a top player
for years to come."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SC Braga 1-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's desperate lack of firepower was all too evident on a night when a
second half effort from Rafa was enough to secure victory for Braga.

Hopes were high for Sam Allardyce's side ahead of this evening's Torneio do
Guadiana clash, following last night's encouraging display against Sporting
Lisbon. However the Irons - featuring Modibo Maiga in the pivotal striker's
role - were a shadow of the team that had begun the tournament in such
style.

United barely managed to fashion a goalscoring opportunity of note on a
night when all of last season's concerns about performances away from the
Boleyn resurfaced.

And whilst Andy Carroll's current stand-in can at least point to the lack of
service provided in his defence, pre-season has done little to disprove the
theory that suggests the Ivorian simply isn't suited to the role Allardyce
and his coaching team want him to play.

The search for another attacking player continues in earnest, with Allardyce
set to meet the Board again tomorrow upon his return from Portugal to
discuss their next move. In the meantime, West Ham without Carroll is not a
prospect to relish - especially with the start of the new season less than a
fortnight away.

On the night, Allardyce opted to make nine changes from yesterday's starting
XI - Maiga and James Tomkins the only survivors from the 3-2 win against
Sporting. From the start, West Ham struggled to retain possession although
Jack Collison, Razvan Rat and Mo Diame all had sight of goal in the opening
half.

Still, the better chances of the first half came at the other end of the
field where recent arrival Adrian was deputising for Jussi Jaaskelainen. The
Spaniard didn't get off to the best start when he was fortunate to escape
punishment having allowed an early shot to spill from his hands.

But there was little he could do when a James Collins error allowed Barbosa
to shoot from distance; fortunately for the Hammers, it went the wrong (or
should that be right?) side of the post.

Coelho had Adrian stretching when his 26th minute effort flashed narrowly
wide of the post - and seven minutes later, a Santos free kick from the
perimeter of the penalty area beat both goalkeeper and post - albeit by a
matter of inches. However Braga's best chance of the half was to come six
minutes ahead of the interval, when Carlos spurned a golden chance to break
the deadlock.

Allowed to burst through the centre, Carlos laid the ball out wide to
Barbosa whose return pass was perfectly placed for the Brazilian.
Fortunately for West Ham, his effort flew high over the bar before removing
an empty seat from its fixings - possibly the highlight of the first half.

Yet West Ham's good fortune was to run out with just over an hour on the
clock, when Braga finally took the lead. Youngster Pelly Ruddock, only on
the pitch for a matter of seconds having replaced James Tomkins lost his man
and the ensuing shot was parried by goalkeeper Adrian, directly into the
path of Rafa who drove it back into an empty net.

Thereafter West Ham struggled to make any impact in the final third of the
field and Jack Collison's poorly struck, off-target 80th minute effort was
United's only shot on goal as Allardyce's impotent charges limped to defeat
in their final pre-season fixture away from the Boleyn Ground.

* West Ham's tournament briefly looked like ending on a high - of sorts -
when the penalty shootout that followed the game (don't ask) saw United race
into a 3-0 lead. However misses from Dan Potts and Mo Diame - one of the
worst penalties you may ever see - allowed Braga to 'draw' (don't ask) the
shootout 3-3.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Equal opportunities boss criticises Sullivan tweet
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

A Belgian equal opportunities officer has described a tweet posted on Jack
Sullivan's Twitter account as "incitement to discrimination".

Patrick Charlier, who according to Belgian-based broadcaster RTBF is the
Deputy Director of the Centre for Equal Opportunities spoke out after the
Twitter account attributed to Jack Sullivan posted a message regarding the
potential purchase of Gent's 26-year-old forward Ilombe Pele Mboyo.

The tweet, posted last Sunday evening, asked whether the club should
consider signing a player who, ten years previously, had been convicted of
rape. Many fans were subsequently critical of the decision to allow a
message of that nature to be published on an account belonging to a minor.

A later tweet from the same source revealed that West Ham fans had voted
almost unanimously against signing the player, adding that as a result the
club would not be pursuing the transfer.

Charlier however was more concerned with the potential for prejudice. "You
could consider this a form of incitement to discrimination," he told RTBF.
"This [tweet] is not from the person who is hiring. The manager makes that
decision, but it will push people to make a decision."

Further, the RTBF editorial criticised the English media who, they argued,
were "not really willing to give a second chance to those who have already
paid their debt to society."


They tried to make me go to West Ham...
... but the fans said, "No, no, no."

El Hadji Diouf (2011)
Sam Allardyce ruled out signing the Sengalese spitter two months into the
2011/12 season after Hammers fans reacted furiously to the news that the
club were considering signing a player who spat at them whilst a Liverpool
player in 2002. Diouf ended up joining Doncaster, who were relegated at the
end of the season.

Ben Thatcher (2008)
The former Millwall and Tottenham full-back spent a week on trial with the
Hammers during the 2008/09 pre-season, much to the annoyance of fans
disgusted that the club should offer an opportunity to a player with such a
chequered history. His two brief cameos were met by a chorus of boos and he
evetually signed for ipswich Town instead.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Carroll to miss start of season
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has admitted that Andy Carroll is unlikely to be fit in time
for the 2013/14 Premier League curtain-raiser against Cardiff next weekend.
Allardyce, who is currently preparing his squad for tonight's Guadiana
Tournament clash with SC Braga revealed that despite having returned to
training, the club record signing is unlikely to be ready for the Bluebirds'
visit on 17th August. "Andy is making good progress and doing some running,"
said Big Sam. "We'll look at things over the next week but, considering
where he is in his preparation, I would've thought that realistically we're
looking at the match following the international break, which is Southampton
away on 15th September."

Carroll, speaking at the weekend was however slightly more optimistic about
his chances of making a full recovery ahead of schedule. "I've been away to
Germany with the lads and keeping myself as fit as I can with the work I can
still do," he said. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back
for the start of the season." "I'm dying to get back kicking a ball again. I
can't wait because the last time I kicked a ball was in the final game of
last season. Everyone is buzzing and in great form and great spirits,
looking forward to the start of the season."

Although Allardyce remains in the market for a right-sided forward who can
also deputise in the centre of attack, West Ham may be forced to look within
their current squad for a temporary replacement should Carroll fail to
return in time for the start of the new season. The most logical - and
perhaps only - choice to replace the £15million man is Modibo Maiga, who
featured in that role last night as West Ham beat Sporting 3-2. The Ivorian
grabbed an assist when setting up Kevin Nolan's opener to add to his brace
against Eintracht Braunschweig two weekends previously.

The games Andy Carroll could miss

18th August: Cardiff City (h)
24th August: Newcastle Utd (a)
27th/28th August: Capital One Cup, 2nd Round
31st August: Stoke City (h)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kalou happy to stay in France
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: Staff Writer

Salomon Kalou has given the broadest hint yet that he is happy to remain
with his current Club, despite being courted by West Ham United. The Ivorian
forward is one of several forwards on Sam Allardyce's hit list, as the
Hammers boss desperately seeks to add another attacking player to his roster
ahead of the Premier League kick off two weeks from now. However the former
Chelsea man - who has also been striongly linked with West Brom - has
indicated that he would be happy to stay with current club Lille for the
raminder of his contract, which expires in two years time. Speaking to
French daily Voix Du Nord (Voice of the North), Kalou admitted that he was
content in France and looking forward to working with new head coach Rene
Girard, who replaced the outgoing Rudi Garcia (now at Roma) last month. "He
is a coach who can make progress," said Kalou. "In these circumstances I do
not see why I need to go elsewhere."

Allardyce has been frustrated several times already this summer in his
attempts to sign a forward to complement record signing Andy Carroll.
Wilfried Bony rejected West Ham in favour of a first team place at Swansea,
whilst deals for players such as Gerard Deulofeu, Oscar Trejo and Loic Remy
have also fallen through.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham suffer defeat by Braga after Rafa's goal in Algarve
Last Updated: August 6, 2013 11:37pm
SSN

West Ham United suffered a 1-0 defeat by Braga in the Premier League club's
penultimate pre-season friendly. Midfielder Rafa scored the only goal of the
game in the 63rd minute to upset Sam Allardyce's side in the Guadiana
Tournament in the Algarve. Following Monday's win against Sporting, West Ham
could have won the three-team tournament but it was not to be for the
Londoners on their second game in as many days. West Ham could not find
their best form and it possibly showed that they were resting regulars such
as Jussi Jaaskelainen, Winston Reid, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole and Mark Noble as
substitutes. And Portugal Under 21 international Rafa ultimately won the
game shortly after the hour when reacting quickly when West Ham goalkeeper
Adrian could only palm Yazalde's shot. West Ham next face Portuguese side
Pacos de Ferreira in a friendly on Saturday before the following weekend's
Premier League season opener against Cardiff City at Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kevin Nolan backs bad boy Ravel Morrison
KEVIN NOLAN claims Ravel Morrison is a reformed character as the West Ham
bad-boy bids to rebuild his turbulent career.
Daily Star
By Darren Witcoop/Published 7th August 2013

Winger Morrison - once regarded as one of English football's hottest
properties - has been plagued by disciplinary problems and off-the-pitch
issues. The troubled 20-year-old was booted out of Manchester United last
year and looked set to be ditched by West Ham this summer. But Morrison's
rehabilitation began after finally knuckling down towards the end of a
season-long loan spell at Championship side Birmingham last term. Now
Hammers skipper Nolan is ready to continue playing father figure to keep the
starlet on the straight and narrow. Nolan said: "He has grown up and I think
he has come back with a renewed approach. I am going to help him as much as
I can by talking to him on and off the pitch. Board "Last year he started
like that, but it was all the off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the
game. He let himself down with not turning up and things like that. "But
speaking to (manager) Lee Clark at Birmingham, he said he really worked hard
on him and towards the end had him on board. That's what you got to have
with Rav. "If he can get it all right, he will be a top player for years to
come."

Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce had run out of patience with Morrison before
offering his £1.4m signing one final chance to win him over during
pre-season.
And Morrison, who scored twice in Monday's 3-2 friendly win over Sporting
Lisbon, has delivered with some eye-catching displays. The wideman has now
put himself in the frame for the Premier League opener against Cardiff on
August 17. Nolan, 31, added: "Hopefully he's seen the benefit of being
around us all the time and going on loan and seeing what it's about. "The
lad has got great ability and can score goals, too. This could be the start
of a fantastic career for him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
One in and three out at QPR, as West Ham target Zapata now on Redknapp's
radar
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:28, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 22:28, 6 August 2013
Daily Mail

QPR have made a £3.3million offer for Estudiantes striker Duvan Zapata.
West Ham pulled out of a deal last month fearing they would not get a work
permit for the 22-year-old. However, QPR hope to appeal on grounds of
'special talent' for the Colombia Under 20 international. Meanwhile,
goalkeeper Julio Cesar is continuing talks with Fiorentina while Park Ji
Sung has completed his loan to PSV Eindhoven. Thos deals will be followed
by midfielder Adel Taarabt who has passed a medical at Fulham ahead of a
season loan. Martin Jol's Cottagers remain keen on Aston Villa striker
Darren Bent and Sunderland's Lee Cattermole but may face competition on both
from Hull.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neil McDonald impressed by West Ham starlet Ravel Morrison
TalkSport
By Anton Stanley | Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Ravel Morrison is finally beginning to show his potential at West Ham,
according to assistant manager Neil McDonald. The former Manchester United
youngster, 20, initially struggled to settle in east London following his
move south. A spell on loan with Birmingham City last season appears to have
focused the highly-rated youngster who once interested Barcelona. An
impressive pre-season has followed, which includes two goals against
Sporting Lisbon and a string of excellent displays. And McDonald believes he
can finally flourish at Upton Park under Sam Allardyce. "He's settled in and
he's come back a different player," he told Drive Time. "I think it's done
him the world of good going to Birmingham to play some games. "He can
certainly do a really good job in midfield. He's got the ability. You don't
play for Manchester United if you're not a good player. "He came as a young
kid from Man United thinking that he could walk straight into the first team
and sometimes that doesn't happen. "But he's gone away and used that
experience and he's impressed us like everybody else has in the squad in
pre-season. As each game goes along he's looking good, as are the rest of
them. "He hadn't played games on a regular basis in the first team so it was
good for him to go to Birmingham and train all week knowing that he had a
chance of playing. "He's used that to his advantage and hopefully it's to
our advantage as well."

But McDonald believes the players should be given time to progress before
hailing him as a future international star. He added: "England are crying
out for good players and he is a good player but we don't want to put too
much pressure on him. He's still only a young kid, isn't he. He's still
trying to learn his trade.
"He's got a lot of good players around him and if we can make him flourish
that's absolutely brilliant. We look forward to how he's going to progress
over the season."

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com