Daily WHUFC News - 11th November 2013

Rat bemused at Norwich turnaround
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender Razvan Rat says they should have been out of sight at
Norwich on Saturday
10.11.2013

Razvan Rat is still scratching his head as to how West Ham United came away
from Norwich City on Saturday with nothing to show for their efforts. After
a first half of total dominance, they appeared to be heading for a second
away win of the campaign, but Norwich came fighting back after the break to
overturn their one-goal deficit with three goals of their own. The Hammers
now have not tasted victory since their 3-0 triumph at Tottenham at the
start of October and Romania international Rat says they need to play with
that level of ruthlessness more often. He explained: "It is difficult to
think how we lost the game after the first half, in which we played very
well, had a lot of chances and controlled the game. It's amazing how we lost
it. "It should have been all over by half-time, if we had scored the second
goal and maybe a third one, it would have been hard for Norwich, but I think
this is our problem - we created a lot of chances, but we hit the target not
too often. We need to improve on that. "We have a good team and we
demonstrated that in the first half on Saturday, at Swansea, at Tottenham.
"If you make a review of all our performances and all the points we've lost,
it's really unbelievable."

Rat has started the last seven league fixtures after initially beginning the
season on the bench and he was pleased to be able to show a glimpse of his
attacking talents in the opening period at Norwich. He added: "Always there
are places to improve, and it doesn't matter how well you play, all the time
you can make an improvement. "I like to play forward, to attack. This is my
style of play and it was nice to have a hand in our goal on Saturday."

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Bobby's the people's choice
WHUFC.com
West Ham United and England legend Bobby Moore OBE is to join Madame
Tussauds' iconic collection
10.11.2013

The football fraternity has once more showcased its great affection and
respect for the late and great Bobby Moore OBE, with the World Cup winning
captain overwhelmingly topping a vote to be honoured with a wax figure. With
West Ham United firmly behind the cause, Moore polled upward of 90 per cent,
seeing off fellow World Cup greats Ronaldo, Maradona, Pele and Franz
Beckenbauer to join Madame Tussauds' iconic London collection. The unveiling
of Moore's wax figure is set to coincide with next summer's FIFA World Cup
finals in Brazil, some 48 years after the Hammers legend lifted aloft the
Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley.

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan spoke of his delight at the
outcome, thanking the many thousands of Hammers who backed the Barking-born
defender. "With the Club having commemorated the 20th anniversary of Bobby's
tragic passing last February, it is fantastic to see that his star still
shines as brightly as ever," said Mr Sullivan. "We would like to thank all
of the supporters who voted for Bobby and in particular the thousands of
West Ham fans who got behind our most famous son. I'm sure everyone at West
Ham United will be looking forward to seeing the finished product when it is
unveiled next year."

Meanwhile, Madame Tussauds London PR Manager Nicole Fenner hailed Moore's
landslide victory, insisting the legendary Londoner is the perfect addition
to their Marylebone Road exhibit. "Although we are an international
attraction, our roots are firmly planted in London so it does seem fitting
that a London boy who captained West Ham for ten years and led England to
World Cup victory on home soil has been selected to take up residence here
in 2014," Fenner confirmed. "From day one Bobby Moore was way out in front
and it's clear fans have really taken this campaign to heart and voted in
their thousands to secure his place in the attraction next year. "With a
place in the history books as the Captain of England's only World Cup
winning team, 108 caps for his country, a long and illustrious career and a
deep-seated affection in the hearts of the public, Bobby Moore will make a
wonderful addition in a World Cup year."

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Hammers highly commended
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust were on the role of honour at the
2013 Football Business Awards
09.11.2013

West Ham United Community Sports Trust earned special recognition at the
second annual Football Business Awards. Staged at Stamford Bridge, the
showpiece event saw representatives of clubs and companies from up and down
the land, as well as overseas, turn out to celebrate business excellence.
The Trust, shortlisted for both Best Football Community Scheme and Best
Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme, were 'highly commended' for the
latter by a distinguished panel. Head of Community Joe Lyons spoke of his
great pride at the accolade, insisting that it speaks volumes for the
Hammers' Moore than a Football Club ethos. He told whufc.com: "This
recognition is just reward for all Club and Trust employees, who have worked
tirelessly over the past decade to make even greater strides with the local
community. "The Board have shown great faith in the Community Sports Trust
and their backing of our community cohesion strategy is rapidly coming to
fruition. Our much-admired Asians in Football programme has enabled us to
engage with many more local community groups and partners, thereby
continuing to break down barriers.

"While we acknowledge that this is a complex and long-term task, we are
determined to harness the momentum of the Club's exciting move to the Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park, such that our Club can be a source of great pride to
all members of our community." Of the seven finalists, Albion in the
Community, (of Brighton and Hove Albion), scooped the top prize, with the
Hammers seeing off the likes of Liverpool, Cardiff City and Aston Villa to
receive acclaim for their efforts. A summary of each submission can be found
here. With compere Jo Brand's voice having deserted her, BBC Sport duo Ray
Stubbs and Mark Lawrenson stepped in to dish out some 17 awards on the
night. Brighton and Hove Albion's Paul Barber won fcbusiness Football CEO of
the Year, following in the footsteps of West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren
Brady. Elsewhere, Chief Executive of the Premier League Richard Scudamore
was recognised for his outstanding contribution to football, with Chelsea
Chairman Bruce Buck presenting the award.

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Goal-shy West Ham feel like there's a ''forcefield'' guarding the net sighs
Kevin Nolan
10 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan is wondering if there's a forcefield in front
of the other team's goal after another frustrating afternoon. The Hammers,
again playing without a recognised striker, were the driving attacking force
early on against Norwich, but ended up losing 3-1. Sam Allardyce's men have
won just two of their first 11 league games, and have failed to score in six
of those matches. But although they have now slipped below the Canaries in
the table and are still without injured striker Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz
Te, Nolan is certain results will come. Nolan said: "It's like there's a
forcefield on the opposition goal. I firmly believe if we continue doing
what we're doing it will turn for us and we'll be smiling instead of these
sad faces. "We firmly believe we'll get ourselves back up where we feel we
belong - and that's in the middle tier of the Premier League."

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Norwich half-time shouting match fuelled win over West Ham reveals Robert
Snodgrass
10 Nov 2013 22:29
The Mirror

Big characters and Chris Hughton's cool head under pressure dragged Norwich
back to winning ways. That was the verdict of Robert Snodgrass after the
Canaries responded to half-time boos to come from behind and claim a
precious three points, with a 3-1 win over West Ham. Hughton's future as
Norwich manager was looking distinctly shaky when Ravel Morrison gave the
visitors a half-time lead at Carrow Road. But players venting their views at
the break, combined with Hughton's focus on the job in hand, produced a much
improved second half showing - and a much-needed win. Snodgrass said: "There
are big characters in the team and they let out their frustrations. "But the
manager just said, 'Relax, calm down, get hold of the ball and try to pass
it. You haven't played the way you can play. You are good players, you need
to show it.' "He calmed the situation down and the players had a little
think about things. "There has been pressure on the manager. But the boys
have got to take a great deal of that as well. "He can't wave a magic wand
and make everything right. "It was up to us as men, as players who've come
up through the lower leagues. Hard work, that's what it takes. Desire. "It's
even harder work to stay in the league. If we want to stay in this league we
need performances like that in the second half."

Norwich were gifted a way back into the game when Irons keeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen gave away a penalty. But they took full advantage, Gary Hooper
smashing the spot kick home before a sweetly struck free kick from Snodgrass
put Norwich in front. Leroy Fer sealed the win in stoppage time. It was
sweet relief for players, manager and fans at the final whistle - with a
welcome return to cheers at Carrow Road. Snodgrass admitted the catcalls had
put doubts into players' minds and called for supporters to think twice
about booing their team if the season brings another testing spell. He said:
"The fans have let out their frustration over the last month. But I think
they've done it at the wrong times. "If the fans are booing the players
start to think, 'Are we doing the right thing here?' "That's when you need
the characters in the changing room to say, 'Listen, just keep doing what
we're doing. Keep doing what's got us joy.' "Obviously we need to get
results but I think we all have to stick together. We're going to go through
ups and downs - this is the Premier League. "When it's like that, the fans
have got to stick with us."

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