WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2014
and let's hope West Ham can sort themselves out too
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Fulham match preview
All the pre-match information ahead of the Hammers game against Fulham on
New Year's day
30.12.2013
FULHAM v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARK CLATTENBURG
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
TWITTER I FACEBOOK I iPHONE APP I YOUTUBE I PROGRAMME I BIG SAM
Introduction
• West Ham United make the short trip across to west London on Wednesday as
they look to start 2014 with a win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
• The Hammers head into the match without a win in six Barclays Premier
League starts following a 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn
Ground last time out.
• Following the match against the Baggies, the Hammers sit 19th in the
league table, one place below Wednesday's opponents.
• On the team's last away outing, a trip to Old Trafford resulted in a 3-1
defeat at the hands of Manchester United, which made it five games without
an away league win.
• Sam Allardyce's team played Fulham in the Premier League at the Boleyn
Ground on 30 November and recorded a resounding 3-0 win.
• Since then the Cottagers have changed manager with Rene Meulensteen
replacing Martin Jol.
• The new man has presided over six league games so far, winning two and
losing the other four, conceding 17 goals in the process.
• Last time out the west Londoners received a shock as they were thumped 6-0
by Hull City at the KC Stadium as they remained third from bottom of the
table.
• Fulham have managed just one win in their last five home league outings,
suffering a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City in their last home encounter.
Team News
West Ham United
• James Tomkins picked up a groin injury against West Bromwich Albion and
joins fellow centre backs James Collins (calf) and Winston Reid (ankle) on
the sidelines.
• Andy Carroll has resumed training but is not yet fit enough to feature
whilst Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Stewart Downing (ankle) and Mladen Petric
(calf) all miss out.
Fulham
• Maarten Stekelenburg could return for the Cottagers after David Stockdale
deputised in place of the Dutch stopper against Hull City.
• Dimitar Berbatov could also be in line for a return after missing the last
three games.
Last time out
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins (Demel 10), Rat,
Diame, Noble, Nolan, Jarvis, J.Cole (Collison 83), C.Cole (Maiga 46)
Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Taylor, Diarra
Goals: J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
Hull City 6-0 Fulham
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
Fulham: Stockdale, Zverotic, Amorebieta, Hughes, Riise, Sidwell, Ruiz
(Kacaniklic 60), Karagounis (Richardson 74), Kasami, Dejagah (Bent 64),
Rodallega
Subs not used: Boateng, Riether, Bettinelli, David
Previous meeting
West Ham produced a strong second half performance to see off Fulham at the
Boleyn Ground. Mohamed Diame broke the deadlock less than two minutes after
half-time as he drove at the Fulham defence before his deflected shot fooled
Maarten Stekelenburg in the Fulham goal. The Hammers doubled the lead when
Carlton Cole got on the end of Stewart Downing's cross after 82 minutes
before Joe Cole put the finishing touches on the win with a third goal two
minutes from time.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Diame,
Noble, Downing, Jarvis (J Cole 68), Nolan (Morrison 77), Maiga (C Cole 81)
Subs not used: Adrian, Collison, Taylor, O'Brien
Goals: Diame 47, C Cole 82, J Cole 88
Fulham: Stekelenburg, Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson (Dembele 83),
Duff (Ruiz 65), Sidwell (Karagounis 78), Parker, Taarabt, Kasami, Bent
Subs not used: Senderos, Boateng, Kacaniklic, Stockdale
Background
• West Ham United's first game against Fulham took place in 1898, in the
Southern League Second Division. The Hammers came away with a 2-1 win and
won the reverse fixture 1-0.
• The Hammers' record win over the Cottagers was a 7-2 home Division One
victory 3 February 1968. West Ham United have also beaten their London
rivals 6-1 and 5-1, with Fulham's record win being a 5-0 home victory on 7
November 1936.
• Carlton Cole has scored seven goals in his last nine matches against
Fulham, all of which have come in the Premier League.
• West Ham and Fulham have met 19 times in the Premier League era with the
Hammers winning eleven, drawing five and losing three.
Last six meetings (all Premier League)
30 November 2013 West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
30 January 2013 Fulham 3-1 West Ham United
1 September 2012 West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
26 December 2010 Fulham 1-3 West Ham United
2 October 2010 West Ham United 1-1 Fulham
2 May 2010 Fulham 3-2 West Ham United
Overall record v Fulham (all competitions) W 39 D 20 L 29
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Fulham
2012/13 Premier League 12th (43 points)
2011/12 Premier League 9th (52 points)
2010/11 Premier League 8th (49 points)
2009/10 Premier League 12th (46 points)
2008/09 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2007/08 Premier League 17th (36 points)
2006/07 Premier League 16th (39 points)
2005/06 Premier League 12th (48 points)
2004/05 Premier League 13th (44 points)
2003/04 Premier League 9th (52 points)
Referee
• Wednesday's referee is Mark Clattenburg, whose last West Ham United game
came last season against Wigan Athletic in a 2-0 home win on 20 April 2013.
• Clattenburg was the man with the whistle for the stunning 4-0 win against
Manchester United in the League Cup fifth round back in November 2010
• The 38-year-old was the man in the middle for the Championship Play-Off
semi-final first leg in May 2004 when Ipswich Town won 1-0 against the
visiting West Ham.
• Clattenburg has been on the Select List since 2004, the same year he took
charge of the Division Three Play-Off final between Mansfield Town and
Huddersfield Town at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
• After becoming a FIFA official in 2006 at the age of 31, Clattenburg has
taken control of a number of international and UEFA Champions League
matches.
• Clattenburg will be assisted by Simon Beck and Ron Ganfield whilst the
fourth official is Scott Mathieson.
Old Boys
• Bobby Moore MBE played for both West Ham United and Fulham during his
glittering career. Moore made 544 appearances for the Hammers before moving
to Craven Cottage for £25,000 in 1974. England's World Cup-winning captain
remained at Fulham for three years, making a further 124 appearances and
facing his former side in the 1975 FA Cup final, which West Ham won 2-0.
• Fulham midfielder Scott Parker spent four years at West Ham, making 132
appearances between September 2007 and August 2011. Parker also netted 12
times in claret and blue before leaving to join Tottenham Hotspur.
• Among the other players who have represented both sides are Jan Lastuvka,
Jimmy Bullard, Ian Pearce, Rufus Brevett, George Carter, Brian Dear, Tony
Gale, Ron Greenwood, Jon Harley, Fred Harrison, Jack Hebden. George Horler,
Luis Boa Morte, Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil and Paul Konchesky.
General information
• The Club's full allocation of tickets for this match are SOLD OUT.
• The weather forecast for Wednesday's match is heavy rain with temperatures
around 10C.
• For live travel updates from across the London underground network click
here.
• All c2c trains will be operating on the basis of a Sunday service, details
of which can be found here.
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Nolan hails Hammers spirit
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is sure that West Ham United's battling qualities will turn
their season around
30.12.2013
West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan says his team's performance against West
Bromwich Albion displayed the battling characteristics required to turn
their season around. With a squad already shorn of James Collins and Winston
Reid because of injuries, the Hammers' defensive woes mounted early on when
James Tomkins had to hobble off with a groin problem. With a makeshift
centre-half pairing and facing a 2-1 interval deficit, West Ham could easily
have folded, but instead they gathered themselves again and turned the game
around in a two-minute spell, only to be pegged back once more by Saido
Berahino.
Having come from behind once, but seen leads slip by twice, Nolan held mixed
emotions at the game's conclusion. He said: "One thing that came through was
the spirit and the unity, with everything that's going on at the minute with
injuries. "That was more like us on Saturday, on the front foot and getting
in people's faces. I just feel disappointed that my goal wasn't a winner. We
have to take the positives out of it again, I thought we didn't get what we
deserved on Boxing Day [in losing 3-1 to Arsenal], and we didn't get it
again on Saturday. "Hopefully, the New Year will bring us new luck and for
us it's going to be a good second half of the season. "I felt that we should
have won it. We were the better team throughout, but you can't go to sleep
when you've got somebody like Nicolas Anelka against you, because that
[score twice] is what he does. "Going 2-1 down at half-time was very harsh
on us, but we responded well. We calmed everything down and got ourselves
ahead with two well-worked goals. "We were really on the front foot, but a
moment of quality from Berahino - you've got to give the lad that - has got
them level with a great strike off the post."
The Hammers travel to Fulham next for a New Year's Day London derby and
Nolan insists that more of the same from the east Londoners will result in
an upturn in form. He added: "We believe in what we're doing. We've got the
January transfer window coming, where the Chairmen says they are going to
back the manager. That's fantastic news for him and it'll give us all a lift
to see a few new faces come in. "We'll have a lot of boys coming back from
injury, but we lost James Tomkins on Saturday, we lost James Collins on
Boxing Day, so we had two lads who are right-back and left-back by trade go
into the centre of defence and play against one world class striker and
another who's up and coming. They did a fantastic job, and it shows what
we've got as a squad and as a team. "I'm proud to be leading them and we
will continue to stick together and do what we're doing, because I believe
that the tables will turn, our fortunes will turn and the New Year will
bring new luck. "We've put in two good performances in a couple of days, now
we've got to rest up and get everything right, which we will because the
staff here are fantastic. We have to do that and make sure that when it
comes to Wednesday afternoon we're raring to go again.
"If we put in another performance like that it'll give us a good chance to
get the three points. We're looking forward to it and the boys want to put
it right. We have a lot of fighters here and I'm sure we'll be happy at the
end of the season."
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Three West Ham United youngsters were in action over the weekend
30.12.2013
Three West Ham United players were in action for their respective loan clubs
over the weekend. On Saturday, Pelly Ruddock maintained his 100 per cent
record with Skrill Premier side Luton Town, helping the Hatters to score a
fantastic 6-0 home victory over Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. Luton
won all four league matches that Ruddock appeared in, scoring 17 goals in
the process. The Skrill Premier leaders won 5-0 at Alfreton and 2-1 at
Barnet and scored a 4-2 home victory over Gateshead. The 20-year-old
(pictured) also helped John Still's men to reach the FA Trophy third round
courtesy of victories over Staines Town and Wrexham. Ruddock has been
recalled from his loan spell at Kenilworth Road with immediate effect. The
centre-back will provide cover after Winston Reid, James Collins and James
Tomkins were ruled out through injury.
Blair Turgott and Jordan Spence were both in action in Sky Bet League One on
Sunday. Fresh from scoring in the 4-0 win over Stevenage on Boxing Day,
Turgott made his third start for Colchester United, but was unable to
prevent the U's from falling to a 2-1 home defeat by Crewe Alexandra. Spence
made his eleventh appearance for MK Dons, but Karl Robinson's side saw their
three-match winning run ended with a 3-1 defeat at Brentford. Turgott and
Spence will both hope to feature when their two sides face each other at
Stadium mk on New Year's Day.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce will be going for goals when West Ham United visit Fulham on
New Year's Day
29.12.2013
They say attack is the best form of defence and Sam Allardyce will be
seeking to prove that theory correct when he takes his West Ham United side
to Fulham on New Year's Day. A chronic shortage of defenders has forced Big
Sam into a rethink on how he will approach the game and his solution is to
go on the offence. An injury to James Tomkins in Saturday's enthralling 3-3
draw with West Bromwich Albion means all three of the Hammers' first-choice
central defenders are injury doubts, leading their manager to revert to a
plan to simply outscore the hosts. "My problem is that this is a team that's
going to play Fulham on New Year's day that's depleted at the minute," Big
Sam said. "My problem is making sure we recover these players as quickly as
we can and get them back out on the field against Fulham and try to produce
the resilience and desire they produced against West Brom to get a result at
Fulham. "Ultimately, it's stopping goals which is my problem now. We used to
be great at it because we had all our defenders fit, now we have to say
'look it's unlikely we'll keep a clean sheet we've got to go out and score
two to win the game'. "With New Year's Day coming up it's unlikely that
we're going to have a central defender playing in the team because none of
them are going to be fit. If that means we try and score more goals than the
opposition then that might have to be the case."
Tomkins loss came at a particularly busy time for the medical team and while
James Collins has a chance of making the first game of 2014 at Craven
Cottage, it is the other high-profile names occupying the treatment table at
Chadwell Heath that the manager is keen to get back out on the pitch. Andy
Carroll, Stewart Downing, Winston Reid and Ricardo Vaz Te are all unlikely
to travel to West London, leading their manager to think what might have
been after West Brom struck three at the Boleyn Ground. "With six or seven
players injured for weeks and weeks and weeks and our most expensive player
injured that's why we are where we are. If I had them all back and I had
them all playing then we'd probably be around tenth like we were last year,
but we haven't. "Everything we try to do to is to relieve the situation, it
doesn't relieve itself it just gets bigger and bigger. We're finding that
difficult to cope with, we're trying our best with fantastic efforts against
Arsenal and again against West Brom but I believe with just our central
defensive players fit on Saturday I believe we would have won the game."
The injury situation has led the manager to place an even higher emphasis on
bringing in new talent when then transfer window opens on 2 January. Working
alongside Joint-Chairman David Sullivan, he has spent the past six weeks
scouring the world for the brightest talent and although no gems have yet
been captured, he remains determined to bring in at least two new faces. "I
want as many players as I can get with the budget I've got which would
probably be two. That would have to be two quality players that we'd have to
find. "We've been at it for six weeks or more now and we're finding it very
difficult to find a player who wants to come to the Club based on what we
can afford to pay at this time. We want to do it as early as we possibly can
but after six weeks of hard slog we haven't got anything definite to say
someone's going to come on 2 January."
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Ruddock returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have recalled Pelly Ruddock from his loan spell at
non-league Luton Town. It's less than 25 years since the old
Bedfordshire-based club beat the Hammers in the semi-final of the League Cup
in a two-legged affair, but four divisions separate the two teams now with
the Hatters playing their football in the Conference Premier. That's where
Irons youngster Pelly Ruddock, who had been on loan at Kenilworth Road since
the end of November had intended to remain until January 4th - until he
received notification that West Ham were recalling him due to their chronic
injury crisis that has seen Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins
all injured in recent weeks. Ruddock made seven appearances - in midfield -
during his spell with Luton, who currently sit atop the Conference Premier
one point ahead of fellow former Football League fodder, Cambridge United.
Described by local press as "a huge hit since arriving from Upton Park",
Ruddock is himself currently nursing a sore knee after being substituted
during Luton's 6-0 defeat of Kidderminster last weekend. However he will be
sadly missed by Town fans, with First team coach Hakan Hayrettin telling
Bedford Today: "Pelly's driven this team on when we've got the ball. When he
hasn't got the ball he's done his duty as well and for that we thank West
Ham for giving him the opportunity to play for us. "He's a great addition to
our football team and he's been a credit to West Ham."
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll won't be rushed back from injury
Last Updated: 30/12/13 3:34pm
SSN
West Ham's assistant manager Neil McDonald is satisfied with the progress
being made by injured striker Andy Carroll but insists he will not be rushed
back into first team action. Carroll has not played this season due to a
foot problem after making his loan move from Liverpool permanent over the
summer. The England international recently returned to light training and is
now stepping up his recovery with Sam Allardyce's side. McDonald said: "Andy
did a training session yesterday (Sunday) which is very encouraging. "It's
early stages but is a work in progress with him. Work one day on the
training pitch, massage and rehab the next day and let's see how it goes
from there. "It's a positive he is in training but it is a slow process.
"When you are out for seven months I don't think you can rush anybody back.
"Obviously, we are all desperate for him to come back and get into the team
as quickly as possible but we have to be sensible and he is getting closer."
Ahead of Wednesday's trip to Craven Cottage to face fellow strugglers
Fulham, McDonald confirmed that James Collins, Winston Reid and James
Tomkins are all likely absentees. He said: "It looks as though all three
(Collins, Reid and Tomkins) are not going to be fit for the Fulham game. "We
will assess them ahead of the Forest game (FA Cup) but it is more likely
they will be involved in the Cardiff game (January 11)."
And regarding January's transfer window, he added: "We have a few defensive
problems and with the window coming up Sam (Allardyce) is working non-stop.
"We need some reinforcements to boost the players we have here so he is
working behind the scenes with everyone else. His phone is going non-stop.
"We have three main centre-halves injured at the moment. We are aiming to
improve and the two main places are in defence and in attack."
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West Ham moving for out of favour Roma striker Marco Borriello to boost
firepower
Dec 30, 2013 11:10 By Alex Richards 0 Comments
The Mirror
The Hammers have been found wanting up front this term thanks to Andy
Carroll's injury problems and could turn to Italy for another option
West Ham United have opened talks with Italian club Roma over a January move
for striker Marco Borriello. According to various reports, the Giallorossi's
sporting director Walter Sabatini has been in London over the weekend,
discussing potential ins and outs at the Stadio Olimpico. And top of his
list was 31-year-old Borriello, who has struggled to hold down a regular
spot under manager Rudi Garcia this term. The seven-cap Italian
international has made 11 appearances so far, but only five starts.
Additionally, he has scored just one goal this season as unbeaten Roma have
moved to second in the race for the Scudetto. Borriello has already been
linked with a move to the Premier League this month, with his agent stating
that Tottenham Hotspur had opened talks over a January move.
However, it's reckoned that he could be set for the tenth loan move of his
career, with Sam Allardyce's side in pole position.
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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce so busy trying to bolster squad he misses
pre-match press conference
Dec 30, 2013 14:41 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror
The Hammers are short at either end of the field and have a mammoth
relegation battle against Fulham to contend with on New Year's Day
Sam Allardyce missed today's West Ham press conference to speak to club
co-chairman David Sullivan about transfer targets. The Hammers will go into
Wednesday's relegation battle with Fulham without a recognised centre-back.
And with Andy Carroll still unfit, the East London club are also looking to
sign at least one striker. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said: "He
[Allardyce] is very busy on the phone at the moment. We have got a few
defensive problems and with the window coming up, he is working non-stop
today. "Hopefully there will be some arrivals - we need some reinforcements
to fill the gaps and boost the players we already have here. He is working
very hard behind the scenes with everyone else to try and do that. "He
apologises for not doing the press conference today. His phone is non-stop
at the moment and he is working very hard behind the scenes to bolster the
squad. "Our three main centre-halves are injured at the moment. We are
obviously trying very hard to get them fit. We are trying to bolster that
and up front as well - we are trying to improve the squad as much as we
possibly can and they are the two main places. "He is on the phone to the
chairman as we speak so I would imagine he has got the backing of the club."
Carroll, who has not played this season, has re-started training with the
first-team squad. "He did a training session yesterday which is very
encouraging," McDonald added. "It is still early stages. It is a work in
progress with him. Work one day on the training pitch, massage, and rehab
the next day and see how he goes. "It is positive that he is on the training
pitch now but it is slow progress. When you have been out for seven months,
you can't rush anybody back.
"Obviously we are all desperate for him to come back and get back into the
team as quick as we possibly can but we have to be sensible. He is getting
closer."
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Tuesday, December 31
Monday, December 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th December 2013
Maiga makes his mark
WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga has every faith in his teammates following Saturday's 3-3 draw with the Baggies
29.12.2013
Modibo Maiga is convinced West Ham United are close to rediscovering their winning touch, after helping the Hammers to a pulsating 3-3 Barclays Premier League draw at home to West Bromwich Albion. The 26-year-old frontman was instrumental in overturning a 2-1 deficit on Saturday afternoon, scoring one and creating a second in a three-minute blitz, having joined the fray in place of Carlton Cole for the second period. But Saido Berahino's subsequent leveller meant the Hammers were to settle for a point, a result that Maiga foresees taking the Hammers ever-closer to turning the corner in their bid to clamber clear of trouble. He exclusively told West Ham TV: "It's true that we're all disappointed [to draw]. It was a tough game physically. We've scored twice [in the second half] but weren't able to hold on. Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose, and then we have to try [to turn draws into wins]. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half. "At the moment, there's definitely that little something that's missing. So as soon as we can overcome that, I believe that we'll be OK, because we've got great players."
While victory on Saturday was elusive, there was still much to celebrate for Maiga, who had already forced an excellent stop from Ben Foster by the time he buried a left-footed curler. The Mali international then turned provider, with his prodigious leap enabling Kevin Nolan to fire the Hammers back in front. Maiga rightly took enormous satisfaction from his contribution, one that he hopes shows his versatility in a system to which he is now becoming accustomed. "I'm really happy, really happy," he continued. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue, God willing. The keeper has saved the first one but the second one has gone in and honestly I'm really happy. I thank God but I thank the supporters a lot too! I thank them a great deal because honestly they continue to back and support me. That feels great and I'm very grateful."
Looking ahead to the New Year, Maiga remains confident that there are good times ahead, so long as the Hammers continue to put in the hard yards, while keeping the faith. He added: "As I always say, the only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes and, of course, we hope for the right result. But I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now, but we'll be OK."
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Hodgson: Ravel Morrison can make World Cup squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that Ravel Morrison could yet feature in his World Cup squad next summer. The young Hammer has missed West Ham's last two outings against Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion but remains on the radar of Hodgson, whose team recently qualified for next summer's World Cup Finals in Brazil. Along with Everton's Ross Barkley, Morrison has become one of the country's most talked about young players - and both now have the opportunity to stake their claim for next summer. "What they have to do - those two players - is realise that we do have great faith in them," Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have enormous admiration for their talent and we believe that they are going to be exceptional players. "What they have got to do is keep performing week in and week out and they have got to make certain that they are that team sheet every week keeping more experienced players out of the team. If they continue to do that then come May their names will be in serious discussion with us as well."
Hodgson's names his final 23-man squad for the Finals ten days before the start of the tournament on 2nd June 2014.
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Jussi top of the charts
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Jussi Jaaskelainen has made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the 2013/14 season so far. The veteran Fin, who conceded three goals against West Bromwich Albion yesterday has made no less that 141 saves in the league so far this season - three more than his closest competitor, Liverpool's Simon Mignolet. West Ham, who have conceded 28 goals in the league during the current campaign at an average of 1.47 goals per game have kept eight clean sheets so far this season - but crucially, have managed to win just three of those.
Top Five Premier League Save-Makers
1. Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham Utd) 141
2. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) 138
3. Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) 115
4. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) 110
5. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 98
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Allardyce on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce wasn't too disappointed with a draw - despite his pre-match billing of this encounter being a "must win" game.
Sam: I don't know what you put in their tea at half time but it was a rousing second half?
Well we didn't have any problems other than James Tomkins getting injured in the first half, up to them scoring two goals quickly and swiftly. That made everybody a little depressed because we started off well and were relatively comfortable. They scored with the first chance they had then they scored from a corner which we thought was a goal kick.
That's always going to change the fortunes of the game and for the lads it was about continuing to do the right things and try to open up the opportunities that we felt we could see would be possible from the first half performance.
In the end you always need a bit of quality to shine through and the quality was [Modibo] Maiga's goal. He'd shown a bit of quality before that when he pulled a great save out of Foster, then the goal itself. Then the second goal to put us 3-2 up in the second half was pure determination and desire, which is what we're all about.
The sad thing was not continuing from thereon, to protect the winning position after we'd got ourselves back into in the game. It's really bitter for me that pill, because we'd practised not allowing the opposition to get in our box.
Within the space of ten seconds we have to try and push them into their half, we have to try and win the ball back as quickly as we can. We try and keep them in their half if we can't win the ball back and we must have mentally switched off because of the delight of scoring the third, and we got heavily punished.
Anybody could have won it then. We both went for it, but fatigue kicks in because of two games in less than 48 hours.
I have to say it was a remarkable performance from our players considering we had four full backs playing across the back four today. Had we had a full back four fit today - never mind all the other injuries - I think we'd have won. We asked players to play out of position and unfortunately we've ended up conceding three goals, but three very good goals. The lads are a little disappointed that they haven't won, but it was a fantastic effort from all of them.
What you're saying is that overall there is a case for the defence, but both sides defended badly?
Well you try and defend with two full backs playing centre half. The fact of the matter is it's not their position and they're playing against the Anelkas of this world. Brunt played the ball through and they're going to catch you out, aren't they?
You try and defend a corner when I'm 6'1". Actually I'm 6'3" so imagine Joey O'Brien marking me at 6' or George McCartney at 5'11", I'd be saying 'get that ball in the box son, I'm going to score today!' You know what I mean? That's how they got the second goal. At the end of the day it's not really anybody's fault that you're out-powered by the size of the opposition players on that particular corner. Had we had our full quota of defenders fit today, we'd have won.
When do you think you'll have your full quota of players?
Cor, that's like drawing a rabbit out of the hat at the minute for me. Every day goes, every week goes by and the long-term extent of these injuries is why we're where we are at the minute. There's no doubt about that and we've got to get them all fit as quick as we can.
It's been weeks and weeks and weeks, not just a couple of weeks here and a couple of weeks there, which we can all manage. This season it's been weeks and weeks for too many of our players and that's why we're paying the price at the minute.
We used to be great at keeping clean sheets; now, because of our defensive problems we're finding it hard to do that. Finally, we've scored three goals at home and we haven't won the game but that's no real fault of the players that played today. You can make it their fault, but because they're playing out of position, you can understand it.
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West Ham striker Modibo Maiga says team are lacking in confidence
Last Updated: 29/12/13 1:38pm
SSN
Modibo Maiga believes relegation-threatened West Ham will need to cure 'a lack of confidence' in order to rise up the Premier League table. The striker was a scoring substitute during Saturday's 3-3 draw against West Brom at Upton Park. Maiga said: "I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. "The only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes. "We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now - but we'll be OK."
The Hammers have collected just two points from their last six league games and Maiga added of the West Brom draw: "It was a tough game physically.
"Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half."
With Andy Carroll still recovering from his heel injury, Sam Allardyce has played with no more than one striker so far this season and Maiga is still adjusting to a change in approach. "I'm really happy," he added. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue."
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Former Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison hailed by West Ham coach
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 29/12/13 12:42pm
SSN
Ravel Morrison's emergence as a key player for West Ham this season can give the club a reason to be optimistic going forward according to academy coach Anwar Uddin. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, currently sidelined with a groin injury, has reportedly been the subject of interest from other clubs after forcing his way into the first-team picture at Upton Park this season. Uddin hailed the England Under-21 international as an exceptional talent but insisted West Ham could face a fight to retain his services if he continues his recent progression. "Looking at the depth of our squad another striker is probably necessary but look at players like Ravel Morrison this year," Uddin told skysports.com. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. I mean looking at the way our season has gone, that has to be the shining light." I hope we can keep hold of him and he can continue to play at the standard he's playing, but if he does, we'll have the big clubs at the end of season trying to take him off us."
Despite reaching the semi-final stage of the Capital One Cup, West Ham have struggled for league form, winning just once in their 12 last matches - a run which has seen them plummet to 19th in the table. But Uddin remains confident that Sam Allardyce's men, who drew 3-3 at home to West Brom on Saturday, can overcome a number of injuries to key players and improve their league standing. "At the moment we're suffering a little bit from luck," Uddin said. "If we had (Andy) Carroll fit, and (Stewart) Downing, (Matt) Jarvis and (Joe) Cole all remained fit, we'd be in a lot better place. "We just need that rub of the green but if you look at the bottom of the league, there are quite a lot of clubs that are down there and finding it quite difficult. "Fulham, Palace, Sunderland, Cardiff are all down there so it makes it exciting but I'd rather be a little bit higher in the table. "But it is what it is and the gaffer and the club are doing the best they can with the players they've got. "I know we can do it but it's about being positive. When things aren't going very well, it's easy to implode but West Ham will not do that. "There's too much strength and character there. Allardyce has seen it all before and he's done it all before."
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Asamoah Gyan happy at Al Ain after West Ham loan offer
Last Updated: 29/12/13 10:36am
SSN
Asamoah Gyan has suggested he wants to stay at Al Ain after the striker was the subject of an approach from West Ham United. Premier League strugglers West Ham are in the market for a new forward in January and are understood to have made an offer to sign Gyan on loan for the second half of the season.
The Ghana international moved to Al Ain from Sunderland in 2011, initially on loan, and appears to be in no hurry to leave the United Arab Emirates. "My heart and soul are attached to Al Ain and I always look forward to show the best level that satisfies my ambitions with my team and the fans and administration's aspirations as well," Gyan was quoted by ghanasoccernet.com. "When my mom passed away I was thinking about my team and, when I will be with my national team in the World Cup, I will work with the same level with my national team to hit the targets of myself and my people. "I will never think of avoiding to get injured during the matches of Al Ain as it may happen anywhere at any time, not only in training sessions and matches with Al Ain. "West Ham have made an offer for me, but it is up to Al Ain to make a decision. I have a contract with them. So I will remain focused on my work."
Gyan scored 10 goals in 34 Premier League appearances during his time at Sunderland and netted against West Ham in the League Cup in September 2010.
The 28-year-old is among a host of forwards to have been linked with a January move to Upton Park, with the likes of Everton's Nikica Jelavic and Atletico Madrid's Leo Baptistao also reported to be loan targets for Sam Allardyce.
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HOW WILL FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY AFFECT NEW WEST HAM BUYS?
By Sean Whetstone 29 Dec 2013 at 10:09
West Ham Till I Die
As we approach the January transfer window the term I am sure we will be hearing very soon is the restrictions enforced through the Premier League financial restrictions.
In a West ham statement on WHUFC.com dated 26th August 2013 stated that new rules state that "whatever a Club spent on wages last season, they are allowed to do so again, with an allowance for an extra £4m on top. If they did not spend £48m on wages last year, as was the case with West Ham United, they are allowed to go up to a new £52m limit."
Despite claiming we were already at or very close to our £52m wages limit we went on to sign Mladen Petric and Carlton Cole who were free agents. It is understood we were budgeted to go "marginally over" the FFP limit.
David Gold was asked about financial fair play at the recent Season Ticket Holders' fans forum
Mike, a West Ham season ticket holder asked "We seem to be ready to buy a striker now, therefore financial fair play must of changed in the last four months because before the start of the season we couldn't sign a striker without breaking the restrictions of financial fair play, so what's changed?"
David Gold answered
"Budgets move, you know in a business, you budget prudently then as you advance into your financial year so to speak, it changes and it doesn't have change dramatically to be able to afford, for example a loan player in the second half, first of all he is half the price, well half the cost because you going to to bring in a loan, there might be a loan fee but that loan fee might be half of what you would of been in the first half of the season and to your credit there is another aspect of financial fair play you can use and that is generate wealth or income I should say, income for example via sales through the club shop or sales through a corporate deal, that can be added to the funds, I think people have done quite well because one or two of them are here I don't want them asking for a salary increase, they have done very well and we have generated some extra money plus our budgets have been slightly better than forecasted. Don't forget we are not talking about a £10 million player, we are talking about bringing someone on loan for six months maybe with a view what emerges, one possibility is you can encourage a quality player to come and join us with a view that in the event we stay up we sign him on a 2,3,4,5 year contract so that's how it has changed over the period of time, does that help?"
Championship Financial Fair Play
However of possible bigger concern because our precarious position second from bottom at the moment is the Financial Fair Play rules already in place in the Championship. The rules for the championship is there is no wage cap but losses must be under £3m per season increased to £8m if the owners inject equity. Considering our losses were £25.4m for our season in the Championship we would find it difficult to buy our way out of the Championship as we did last time.
QPR appear to have ignored FFP rules and are set for a possible £60m fine if they get promoted at the end of this season as their losses are expected to be in the region of £80m. Championship clubs have been told they will have to pay a £1 fine for every £1 they lose over £18m in the 2013-14 financial year. If they do not achieve promotion to the Premier league they will be served with a lengthy transfer ban until they bring their losses under control.
Legal Challenge to Financial Fair Play
A Belgian sports agent representing a number of European footballers has launched a challenge against the legitimacy of UEFA's Financial Fair Play Rules. The allegation is that the rules breach fundamental EU rules on competition and free movement. It is also argued that the rules may reduce the number of big-money player transfers in the EU and that as a result it is more difficult for agents to make money by offering their services in relation to such transactions. If this legal action is successful you bet similar legal challenges against the football league and Premier League for an early end to financial restrictions.
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West Ham injury crisis means they must try to outscore Fulham in relegation six-pointer
Dec 29, 2013 22:30 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has no fit centre-backs for New Year's Day match after losing James Tomkins and accepts Hammers may need at least two goals to win
Sam Allardyce claimed attack will now be the best form of defence as West Ham's season goes from bad to worse. Saturday's crazy 3-3 draw with West Brom means the Hammers have conceded nine goals in their last three games - and the vibrant visitors looked like scoring every time they went forward in the helter-skelter second half. The injury-ravaged Irons will now face fellow relegation candidates Fulham on New Year's Day without a recognised centre-back after James Tomkins joined the crocks. And Allardyce, the new favourite in the sack race, admitted he only has the money to bring in two new players in the January transfer window after blowing his transfer budget on Andy Carroll. So Big Sam, who has played without a striker this season, is now threatening to go gung-ho and try to out-score the Cottagers in a basketball-style contest. "My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment," he said. "I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced today and try to get a result at Fulham.
"Ultimately, it's stopping goals in. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders were fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'."
West Ham only picked up only two points in December - the worst in the Premier League and have now won only once in the top flight in 12 games. There are unwelcome parallels with the last time the Hammers went down under Avram Grant with an unwelcome League Cup semi-final coming up next month. After 19 games under Grant, West Ham had 16 points. Under Allardyce half way through the season, they have 15 The West Ham hierarchy now admit they should have replaced Grant that season but co-owner David Sullivan again publicly backed his manager on Sunday. That has not stopped Allarydce's odds to be sacked to be trimmed to 7/4 though. "Maybe I should put a bet on!" joked Big Sam. "What will be, will be. It's not my problem what the bookmakers do.
"I have no interest in them and they have no influence over me. And they don't have any influence over the owners, so we just carry on and do what we're doing. "We know what the problems are and our problems are injuries. Injuries effect results - that's a fact not an excuse."
But with West Ham needing strikers and defenders, Allardyce will not be able to buy his way out of trouble although one report has claimed he is willing to sell Ravel Morrison to raise funds. How many new players will he bring in? "As many as I can afford with the budget I've got," he said. "But that would probably be two."
What this six-goal romp did prove is that Allardyce has not lost his players, and that West Brom, whoever they chose as their new boss, should score enough goals to stay up. After Joe Cole gave the Hammers the early lead, Nicolas Anelka scored his first two goals for the Baggies to see the home side booed off at the break. But West Ham responded with goals from super sub Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before Saido Berahino netted the third goal in five minutes.
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Die Hard
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Steve Heighton
There are always issues at West Ham; it is our way after all. In forty years I have never known us not to be doing something odd!
However the current position we find ourselves in is still recoverable, as whatever happens off the pitch it is the team that gets the points and ultimately the manager who picks them.
I have run junior and senior teams, as I am sure many Hammers fans do, and I just can't understand Sam Allardyce's team, tactics or players. You simply cannot play passengers yet Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole have no impact on 90 minutes of play.
Cole may be getting goals, but he does little else. Against Arsenal he only won three attacking headers - and he is our centre forward; Modibo Maiga wins that in five minutes!
Nolan has now missed two cheeky free kicks from Mark Noble and has cost us both times. Sam went with Diame as the support (I think he was meant to, anyway) for Cole and left Nolan as a midfielder. But Nolan just isn't a midfielder any more.
As Nolan, Taylor and Cole are so ineffective we keep losing the midfield and the ball is back on our defence before you can blink. If you need a midfielder than why not Alou Diarra? What did he do wrong at Tottenham not to be given a run in the side?
This is the same for Maiga. He works hard, wins headers and scores and his reward for working hard and getting us a result? He gets dropped for Cole! That's not Carlton's fault but Sam's, he picks the team.
But herein lies the problem; Allardyce's inconsistency. Adrian does ok at Spurs and gets two games. He should have done better with the first two goals at Old Trafford and cost us versus Arsenal. But Jussi was considered too experienced to be left out against West Brom.
The back six (ie four from six) has been picking itself but when Ginge is missing we are in big trouble, as you saw when Olssen caused us issues at the weekend. With the midfield a mess it's no wonder so many ordinary teams are giving us the run around.
You have to work hard to at least stay even at this level and we seem to run out of steam completely on the hour mark. Which brings us back to fresh legs ie Diarra, Jack Collison, George Moncur, Danny Potts and Elliot Lee.
We are in trouble, big trouble. The view is that when Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Stewart Downing et al return from their various injuries we will be brilliant and recover. We simply won't, because Sam doesn't know who to pick or what substitutes to make.
Take the Arsenal game, for instance; you are losing and have Maiga on the bench and so what did Allardyce do? Brought on Matt Taylor instead. The answer shows the level of commitment to win games especially at home.
Losing is losing, you simply have to go for it instead of slouching in your chair and giving the impression you don't give a toss. Sam could resolve this but frankly his lack of winning games, cups, leagues or anything suggests he won't.
The West Brom game was the biggest game in ages and to lose against a managerless team would have been unthinkable. To take a point isn't enough in our current circumstances so we should perhaps consider the same approach and go without a manager.
After all, we wouldn't be doing any worse!
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Allardyce blames West Ham slump on injury crisis as he targets two 'quality signings' in January window
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 December 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 29 December 2013
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce has claimed he is to blame for West Ham's slide into the relegation places but said injuries were wreaking havoc on his team's season. James Tomkins limped out of the 3-3 draw with West Brom early on after suffering a groin problem, meaning Alladryce has no senior central defenders fit to play the huge match at Fulham on New Year's Day. Winston Reid and James Collins are also out but Ravel Morrison should return for West Ham, who are second-bottom without a league win in six games. Joe Cole's last six Premier League goals have all come at Upton Park — five for West Ham, one for Liverpool. The point gained on Saturday looked unlikely at half-time after two Nicolas Anelka goals, his first in English football since August 2011, cancelled out Joe Cole's opener with West Ham fielding a defensive line of only full backs. But Modibo Maiga's introduction worked wonders. He scored an equaliser then set up Kevin Nolan to make the score 3-2. Saido Berahino got the final goal with a fine finish. Allardyce, who wants two 'quality signings' once the January window opens, said: 'This is my fault if you like, and that's fine, the manager is meant to carry the can. But in my defence we've had six/seven players injured out for weeks and weeks and weeks. 'My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment. I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced against West Brom and try to get a result.'
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West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in "two to three weeks"
The injury-plagued England striker has not played for the club since completing his record £15 million transfer in the summer
West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in
By Gerry Cox, at Upton Park10:30PM GMT 29 Dec 2013
Telegraoh.co.uk
West Ham United expect Andy Carroll to be playing within "two to three weeks", according to owner David Gold, meaning Sam Allardyce can shift his focus to defensive reinforcements once the transfer window opens on Wednesday. Carroll, the club's record signing, has not played since his £15 million transfer in the summer because of a succession of foot and ankle injuries. But Gold tweeted on Sunday: "AC could be available in 2/3 weeks" and the player posted a cryptic tweet saying "The time is near..." Allardyce constantly bemoaned Carroll's absence while West Ham were struggling for goals, but now the manager concedes that a new centre-back is a priority with an injury crisis in that position. Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion was the third game in succession the team have conceded three, on top of the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool three weeks ago, and James Tomkins limped off with a groin strain, joining James Collins and Winston Reid on the injured list.
Everton's Dutch defender, John Heitinga, is Allardyce's chief target, although he also hopes to soon conclude a deal for former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, who has been playing in the Middle East. "We know what the problems are – injuries," said Allardyce. "Injuries affect results – that's a fact not an excuse. We've had six or seven players out for weeks and weeks, and our most expensive player hasn't played at all this season. If I had them all back and all playing we'd probably be around 10th like last year."
West Ham have kept eight clean sheets, but have now conceded 20 goals in their past nine league games. "Ultimately, it's about stopping goals. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'. "We want to do it [sign players] on Jan 2, which is the earliest we can, but after six weeks of hard slog we haven't got a definite we can say will come. We've been at it for six weeks or more now and we're finding it difficult to find a player who wants to come to the club based on what we can afford to pay."
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Hammers poised to land Inter striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Inter's out-of-favour centre forward Ishak Belfodil on a short-term loan deal. 22 next month, the Algerian international has been with the Nerazzurri for only six months since moving from Parma last summer but has managed just one start and seven appearances from the bench since - one of which he marked with a red card. With next summer's World Cup Finals just a matter of months away, Belfodil is reported to be keen to move on a short-term basis in order to secure first-team football ahead of the tournament, where he hopes to represent his country. Despite having appeared for the French at all levels from Under 17s to Under 20s, the 6'4" forward opted to play for the country of his birth at full international level. He made his debut for Algeria and featured most recently as a late substitute in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Mali back in September. Having failed to secure a place at the world-famous Clairefontaine technical centre, Belfodil worked his way to the pro ranks via Paris Saint-Germain, AC Boulogne Billencourt and Clermont Foot before securing a youth contract with Lyon, amidst rumours of interest from English clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea. In 2010 he signed a four-year contract with Lyon - but not before he'd made his Champions League debut in a play-off against Anderlecht. However less than two years after signing pro terms Belfodil was sent on loan to Bologna for three months, before fellow Italian club Parma signed him on a permanent basis for €2.5 million in the summer of 2012.
A year later it was revealed that Inter had purchased the player for €7.5 million, although Parma would retain 50 per cent of the player's economic rights (don't panic, it's a perfectly normal practise in Italy). Having failed to make much of an impression at the San Siro, Belfodil's next stop could be the Boleyn Ground - especially as Inter representative Piero Ausilio spent last weekend in London. Further speculation tonight has linked West Ham with a move for Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha, who has made just four appearances for the Reds this season.
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WHUFC.com
Modibo Maiga has every faith in his teammates following Saturday's 3-3 draw with the Baggies
29.12.2013
Modibo Maiga is convinced West Ham United are close to rediscovering their winning touch, after helping the Hammers to a pulsating 3-3 Barclays Premier League draw at home to West Bromwich Albion. The 26-year-old frontman was instrumental in overturning a 2-1 deficit on Saturday afternoon, scoring one and creating a second in a three-minute blitz, having joined the fray in place of Carlton Cole for the second period. But Saido Berahino's subsequent leveller meant the Hammers were to settle for a point, a result that Maiga foresees taking the Hammers ever-closer to turning the corner in their bid to clamber clear of trouble. He exclusively told West Ham TV: "It's true that we're all disappointed [to draw]. It was a tough game physically. We've scored twice [in the second half] but weren't able to hold on. Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose, and then we have to try [to turn draws into wins]. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half. "At the moment, there's definitely that little something that's missing. So as soon as we can overcome that, I believe that we'll be OK, because we've got great players."
While victory on Saturday was elusive, there was still much to celebrate for Maiga, who had already forced an excellent stop from Ben Foster by the time he buried a left-footed curler. The Mali international then turned provider, with his prodigious leap enabling Kevin Nolan to fire the Hammers back in front. Maiga rightly took enormous satisfaction from his contribution, one that he hopes shows his versatility in a system to which he is now becoming accustomed. "I'm really happy, really happy," he continued. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue, God willing. The keeper has saved the first one but the second one has gone in and honestly I'm really happy. I thank God but I thank the supporters a lot too! I thank them a great deal because honestly they continue to back and support me. That feels great and I'm very grateful."
Looking ahead to the New Year, Maiga remains confident that there are good times ahead, so long as the Hammers continue to put in the hard yards, while keeping the faith. He added: "As I always say, the only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes and, of course, we hope for the right result. But I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now, but we'll be OK."
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Hodgson: Ravel Morrison can make World Cup squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that Ravel Morrison could yet feature in his World Cup squad next summer. The young Hammer has missed West Ham's last two outings against Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion but remains on the radar of Hodgson, whose team recently qualified for next summer's World Cup Finals in Brazil. Along with Everton's Ross Barkley, Morrison has become one of the country's most talked about young players - and both now have the opportunity to stake their claim for next summer. "What they have to do - those two players - is realise that we do have great faith in them," Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have enormous admiration for their talent and we believe that they are going to be exceptional players. "What they have got to do is keep performing week in and week out and they have got to make certain that they are that team sheet every week keeping more experienced players out of the team. If they continue to do that then come May their names will be in serious discussion with us as well."
Hodgson's names his final 23-man squad for the Finals ten days before the start of the tournament on 2nd June 2014.
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Jussi top of the charts
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Jussi Jaaskelainen has made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the 2013/14 season so far. The veteran Fin, who conceded three goals against West Bromwich Albion yesterday has made no less that 141 saves in the league so far this season - three more than his closest competitor, Liverpool's Simon Mignolet. West Ham, who have conceded 28 goals in the league during the current campaign at an average of 1.47 goals per game have kept eight clean sheets so far this season - but crucially, have managed to win just three of those.
Top Five Premier League Save-Makers
1. Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham Utd) 141
2. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) 138
3. Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) 115
4. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) 110
5. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 98
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Allardyce on... West Bromwich Albion
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce wasn't too disappointed with a draw - despite his pre-match billing of this encounter being a "must win" game.
Sam: I don't know what you put in their tea at half time but it was a rousing second half?
Well we didn't have any problems other than James Tomkins getting injured in the first half, up to them scoring two goals quickly and swiftly. That made everybody a little depressed because we started off well and were relatively comfortable. They scored with the first chance they had then they scored from a corner which we thought was a goal kick.
That's always going to change the fortunes of the game and for the lads it was about continuing to do the right things and try to open up the opportunities that we felt we could see would be possible from the first half performance.
In the end you always need a bit of quality to shine through and the quality was [Modibo] Maiga's goal. He'd shown a bit of quality before that when he pulled a great save out of Foster, then the goal itself. Then the second goal to put us 3-2 up in the second half was pure determination and desire, which is what we're all about.
The sad thing was not continuing from thereon, to protect the winning position after we'd got ourselves back into in the game. It's really bitter for me that pill, because we'd practised not allowing the opposition to get in our box.
Within the space of ten seconds we have to try and push them into their half, we have to try and win the ball back as quickly as we can. We try and keep them in their half if we can't win the ball back and we must have mentally switched off because of the delight of scoring the third, and we got heavily punished.
Anybody could have won it then. We both went for it, but fatigue kicks in because of two games in less than 48 hours.
I have to say it was a remarkable performance from our players considering we had four full backs playing across the back four today. Had we had a full back four fit today - never mind all the other injuries - I think we'd have won. We asked players to play out of position and unfortunately we've ended up conceding three goals, but three very good goals. The lads are a little disappointed that they haven't won, but it was a fantastic effort from all of them.
What you're saying is that overall there is a case for the defence, but both sides defended badly?
Well you try and defend with two full backs playing centre half. The fact of the matter is it's not their position and they're playing against the Anelkas of this world. Brunt played the ball through and they're going to catch you out, aren't they?
You try and defend a corner when I'm 6'1". Actually I'm 6'3" so imagine Joey O'Brien marking me at 6' or George McCartney at 5'11", I'd be saying 'get that ball in the box son, I'm going to score today!' You know what I mean? That's how they got the second goal. At the end of the day it's not really anybody's fault that you're out-powered by the size of the opposition players on that particular corner. Had we had our full quota of defenders fit today, we'd have won.
When do you think you'll have your full quota of players?
Cor, that's like drawing a rabbit out of the hat at the minute for me. Every day goes, every week goes by and the long-term extent of these injuries is why we're where we are at the minute. There's no doubt about that and we've got to get them all fit as quick as we can.
It's been weeks and weeks and weeks, not just a couple of weeks here and a couple of weeks there, which we can all manage. This season it's been weeks and weeks for too many of our players and that's why we're paying the price at the minute.
We used to be great at keeping clean sheets; now, because of our defensive problems we're finding it hard to do that. Finally, we've scored three goals at home and we haven't won the game but that's no real fault of the players that played today. You can make it their fault, but because they're playing out of position, you can understand it.
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West Ham striker Modibo Maiga says team are lacking in confidence
Last Updated: 29/12/13 1:38pm
SSN
Modibo Maiga believes relegation-threatened West Ham will need to cure 'a lack of confidence' in order to rise up the Premier League table. The striker was a scoring substitute during Saturday's 3-3 draw against West Brom at Upton Park. Maiga said: "I think overall there's not much wrong, perhaps a slight lacking in confidence. "The only solution is to work hard. Hard work and then, ultimately, we'll see how it goes. "We'll carry on working hard and I believe it's just the small things that are missing right now - but we'll be OK."
The Hammers have collected just two points from their last six league games and Maiga added of the West Brom draw: "It was a tough game physically.
"Though we're disappointed, the most important thing now is to pick ourselves up for the next game, so that things turn in our favour. "Every point is important and the most important thing on Saturday was not to lose. We've got to try to continue to play as we did in the second half."
With Andy Carroll still recovering from his heel injury, Sam Allardyce has played with no more than one striker so far this season and Maiga is still adjusting to a change in approach. "I'm really happy," he added. "Though I'm not that used to playing in this system, I've dealt with it and I'm pleased to have scored. It's reward for me and for my work and I hope it's going to continue."
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Former Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison hailed by West Ham coach
By Dev Trehan | Last Updated: 29/12/13 12:42pm
SSN
Ravel Morrison's emergence as a key player for West Ham this season can give the club a reason to be optimistic going forward according to academy coach Anwar Uddin. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, currently sidelined with a groin injury, has reportedly been the subject of interest from other clubs after forcing his way into the first-team picture at Upton Park this season. Uddin hailed the England Under-21 international as an exceptional talent but insisted West Ham could face a fight to retain his services if he continues his recent progression. "Looking at the depth of our squad another striker is probably necessary but look at players like Ravel Morrison this year," Uddin told skysports.com. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. "I think he's been unbelievable, I've watched him a few times at Upton Park and he's been special. I mean looking at the way our season has gone, that has to be the shining light." I hope we can keep hold of him and he can continue to play at the standard he's playing, but if he does, we'll have the big clubs at the end of season trying to take him off us."
Despite reaching the semi-final stage of the Capital One Cup, West Ham have struggled for league form, winning just once in their 12 last matches - a run which has seen them plummet to 19th in the table. But Uddin remains confident that Sam Allardyce's men, who drew 3-3 at home to West Brom on Saturday, can overcome a number of injuries to key players and improve their league standing. "At the moment we're suffering a little bit from luck," Uddin said. "If we had (Andy) Carroll fit, and (Stewart) Downing, (Matt) Jarvis and (Joe) Cole all remained fit, we'd be in a lot better place. "We just need that rub of the green but if you look at the bottom of the league, there are quite a lot of clubs that are down there and finding it quite difficult. "Fulham, Palace, Sunderland, Cardiff are all down there so it makes it exciting but I'd rather be a little bit higher in the table. "But it is what it is and the gaffer and the club are doing the best they can with the players they've got. "I know we can do it but it's about being positive. When things aren't going very well, it's easy to implode but West Ham will not do that. "There's too much strength and character there. Allardyce has seen it all before and he's done it all before."
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Asamoah Gyan happy at Al Ain after West Ham loan offer
Last Updated: 29/12/13 10:36am
SSN
Asamoah Gyan has suggested he wants to stay at Al Ain after the striker was the subject of an approach from West Ham United. Premier League strugglers West Ham are in the market for a new forward in January and are understood to have made an offer to sign Gyan on loan for the second half of the season.
The Ghana international moved to Al Ain from Sunderland in 2011, initially on loan, and appears to be in no hurry to leave the United Arab Emirates. "My heart and soul are attached to Al Ain and I always look forward to show the best level that satisfies my ambitions with my team and the fans and administration's aspirations as well," Gyan was quoted by ghanasoccernet.com. "When my mom passed away I was thinking about my team and, when I will be with my national team in the World Cup, I will work with the same level with my national team to hit the targets of myself and my people. "I will never think of avoiding to get injured during the matches of Al Ain as it may happen anywhere at any time, not only in training sessions and matches with Al Ain. "West Ham have made an offer for me, but it is up to Al Ain to make a decision. I have a contract with them. So I will remain focused on my work."
Gyan scored 10 goals in 34 Premier League appearances during his time at Sunderland and netted against West Ham in the League Cup in September 2010.
The 28-year-old is among a host of forwards to have been linked with a January move to Upton Park, with the likes of Everton's Nikica Jelavic and Atletico Madrid's Leo Baptistao also reported to be loan targets for Sam Allardyce.
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HOW WILL FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY AFFECT NEW WEST HAM BUYS?
By Sean Whetstone 29 Dec 2013 at 10:09
West Ham Till I Die
As we approach the January transfer window the term I am sure we will be hearing very soon is the restrictions enforced through the Premier League financial restrictions.
In a West ham statement on WHUFC.com dated 26th August 2013 stated that new rules state that "whatever a Club spent on wages last season, they are allowed to do so again, with an allowance for an extra £4m on top. If they did not spend £48m on wages last year, as was the case with West Ham United, they are allowed to go up to a new £52m limit."
Despite claiming we were already at or very close to our £52m wages limit we went on to sign Mladen Petric and Carlton Cole who were free agents. It is understood we were budgeted to go "marginally over" the FFP limit.
David Gold was asked about financial fair play at the recent Season Ticket Holders' fans forum
Mike, a West Ham season ticket holder asked "We seem to be ready to buy a striker now, therefore financial fair play must of changed in the last four months because before the start of the season we couldn't sign a striker without breaking the restrictions of financial fair play, so what's changed?"
David Gold answered
"Budgets move, you know in a business, you budget prudently then as you advance into your financial year so to speak, it changes and it doesn't have change dramatically to be able to afford, for example a loan player in the second half, first of all he is half the price, well half the cost because you going to to bring in a loan, there might be a loan fee but that loan fee might be half of what you would of been in the first half of the season and to your credit there is another aspect of financial fair play you can use and that is generate wealth or income I should say, income for example via sales through the club shop or sales through a corporate deal, that can be added to the funds, I think people have done quite well because one or two of them are here I don't want them asking for a salary increase, they have done very well and we have generated some extra money plus our budgets have been slightly better than forecasted. Don't forget we are not talking about a £10 million player, we are talking about bringing someone on loan for six months maybe with a view what emerges, one possibility is you can encourage a quality player to come and join us with a view that in the event we stay up we sign him on a 2,3,4,5 year contract so that's how it has changed over the period of time, does that help?"
Championship Financial Fair Play
However of possible bigger concern because our precarious position second from bottom at the moment is the Financial Fair Play rules already in place in the Championship. The rules for the championship is there is no wage cap but losses must be under £3m per season increased to £8m if the owners inject equity. Considering our losses were £25.4m for our season in the Championship we would find it difficult to buy our way out of the Championship as we did last time.
QPR appear to have ignored FFP rules and are set for a possible £60m fine if they get promoted at the end of this season as their losses are expected to be in the region of £80m. Championship clubs have been told they will have to pay a £1 fine for every £1 they lose over £18m in the 2013-14 financial year. If they do not achieve promotion to the Premier league they will be served with a lengthy transfer ban until they bring their losses under control.
Legal Challenge to Financial Fair Play
A Belgian sports agent representing a number of European footballers has launched a challenge against the legitimacy of UEFA's Financial Fair Play Rules. The allegation is that the rules breach fundamental EU rules on competition and free movement. It is also argued that the rules may reduce the number of big-money player transfers in the EU and that as a result it is more difficult for agents to make money by offering their services in relation to such transactions. If this legal action is successful you bet similar legal challenges against the football league and Premier League for an early end to financial restrictions.
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West Ham injury crisis means they must try to outscore Fulham in relegation six-pointer
Dec 29, 2013 22:30 By Neil McLeman 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce has no fit centre-backs for New Year's Day match after losing James Tomkins and accepts Hammers may need at least two goals to win
Sam Allardyce claimed attack will now be the best form of defence as West Ham's season goes from bad to worse. Saturday's crazy 3-3 draw with West Brom means the Hammers have conceded nine goals in their last three games - and the vibrant visitors looked like scoring every time they went forward in the helter-skelter second half. The injury-ravaged Irons will now face fellow relegation candidates Fulham on New Year's Day without a recognised centre-back after James Tomkins joined the crocks. And Allardyce, the new favourite in the sack race, admitted he only has the money to bring in two new players in the January transfer window after blowing his transfer budget on Andy Carroll. So Big Sam, who has played without a striker this season, is now threatening to go gung-ho and try to out-score the Cottagers in a basketball-style contest. "My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment," he said. "I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced today and try to get a result at Fulham.
"Ultimately, it's stopping goals in. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders were fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'."
West Ham only picked up only two points in December - the worst in the Premier League and have now won only once in the top flight in 12 games. There are unwelcome parallels with the last time the Hammers went down under Avram Grant with an unwelcome League Cup semi-final coming up next month. After 19 games under Grant, West Ham had 16 points. Under Allardyce half way through the season, they have 15 The West Ham hierarchy now admit they should have replaced Grant that season but co-owner David Sullivan again publicly backed his manager on Sunday. That has not stopped Allarydce's odds to be sacked to be trimmed to 7/4 though. "Maybe I should put a bet on!" joked Big Sam. "What will be, will be. It's not my problem what the bookmakers do.
"I have no interest in them and they have no influence over me. And they don't have any influence over the owners, so we just carry on and do what we're doing. "We know what the problems are and our problems are injuries. Injuries effect results - that's a fact not an excuse."
But with West Ham needing strikers and defenders, Allardyce will not be able to buy his way out of trouble although one report has claimed he is willing to sell Ravel Morrison to raise funds. How many new players will he bring in? "As many as I can afford with the budget I've got," he said. "But that would probably be two."
What this six-goal romp did prove is that Allardyce has not lost his players, and that West Brom, whoever they chose as their new boss, should score enough goals to stay up. After Joe Cole gave the Hammers the early lead, Nicolas Anelka scored his first two goals for the Baggies to see the home side booed off at the break. But West Ham responded with goals from super sub Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before Saido Berahino netted the third goal in five minutes.
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Die Hard
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 29th December 2013
By: Steve Heighton
There are always issues at West Ham; it is our way after all. In forty years I have never known us not to be doing something odd!
However the current position we find ourselves in is still recoverable, as whatever happens off the pitch it is the team that gets the points and ultimately the manager who picks them.
I have run junior and senior teams, as I am sure many Hammers fans do, and I just can't understand Sam Allardyce's team, tactics or players. You simply cannot play passengers yet Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole have no impact on 90 minutes of play.
Cole may be getting goals, but he does little else. Against Arsenal he only won three attacking headers - and he is our centre forward; Modibo Maiga wins that in five minutes!
Nolan has now missed two cheeky free kicks from Mark Noble and has cost us both times. Sam went with Diame as the support (I think he was meant to, anyway) for Cole and left Nolan as a midfielder. But Nolan just isn't a midfielder any more.
As Nolan, Taylor and Cole are so ineffective we keep losing the midfield and the ball is back on our defence before you can blink. If you need a midfielder than why not Alou Diarra? What did he do wrong at Tottenham not to be given a run in the side?
This is the same for Maiga. He works hard, wins headers and scores and his reward for working hard and getting us a result? He gets dropped for Cole! That's not Carlton's fault but Sam's, he picks the team.
But herein lies the problem; Allardyce's inconsistency. Adrian does ok at Spurs and gets two games. He should have done better with the first two goals at Old Trafford and cost us versus Arsenal. But Jussi was considered too experienced to be left out against West Brom.
The back six (ie four from six) has been picking itself but when Ginge is missing we are in big trouble, as you saw when Olssen caused us issues at the weekend. With the midfield a mess it's no wonder so many ordinary teams are giving us the run around.
You have to work hard to at least stay even at this level and we seem to run out of steam completely on the hour mark. Which brings us back to fresh legs ie Diarra, Jack Collison, George Moncur, Danny Potts and Elliot Lee.
We are in trouble, big trouble. The view is that when Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Stewart Downing et al return from their various injuries we will be brilliant and recover. We simply won't, because Sam doesn't know who to pick or what substitutes to make.
Take the Arsenal game, for instance; you are losing and have Maiga on the bench and so what did Allardyce do? Brought on Matt Taylor instead. The answer shows the level of commitment to win games especially at home.
Losing is losing, you simply have to go for it instead of slouching in your chair and giving the impression you don't give a toss. Sam could resolve this but frankly his lack of winning games, cups, leagues or anything suggests he won't.
The West Brom game was the biggest game in ages and to lose against a managerless team would have been unthinkable. To take a point isn't enough in our current circumstances so we should perhaps consider the same approach and go without a manager.
After all, we wouldn't be doing any worse!
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Allardyce blames West Ham slump on injury crisis as he targets two 'quality signings' in January window
By LAURIE WHITWELL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 December 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 29 December 2013
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce has claimed he is to blame for West Ham's slide into the relegation places but said injuries were wreaking havoc on his team's season. James Tomkins limped out of the 3-3 draw with West Brom early on after suffering a groin problem, meaning Alladryce has no senior central defenders fit to play the huge match at Fulham on New Year's Day. Winston Reid and James Collins are also out but Ravel Morrison should return for West Ham, who are second-bottom without a league win in six games. Joe Cole's last six Premier League goals have all come at Upton Park — five for West Ham, one for Liverpool. The point gained on Saturday looked unlikely at half-time after two Nicolas Anelka goals, his first in English football since August 2011, cancelled out Joe Cole's opener with West Ham fielding a defensive line of only full backs. But Modibo Maiga's introduction worked wonders. He scored an equaliser then set up Kevin Nolan to make the score 3-2. Saido Berahino got the final goal with a fine finish. Allardyce, who wants two 'quality signings' once the January window opens, said: 'This is my fault if you like, and that's fine, the manager is meant to carry the can. But in my defence we've had six/seven players injured out for weeks and weeks and weeks. 'My problem is that the team that'll play at Fulham is depleted at the moment. I need to recover these players as quickly as I can and try to produce a resilience and desire that they produced against West Brom and try to get a result.'
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West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in "two to three weeks"
The injury-plagued England striker has not played for the club since completing his record £15 million transfer in the summer
West Ham United owner David Gold expects Andy Carroll to return in
By Gerry Cox, at Upton Park10:30PM GMT 29 Dec 2013
Telegraoh.co.uk
West Ham United expect Andy Carroll to be playing within "two to three weeks", according to owner David Gold, meaning Sam Allardyce can shift his focus to defensive reinforcements once the transfer window opens on Wednesday. Carroll, the club's record signing, has not played since his £15 million transfer in the summer because of a succession of foot and ankle injuries. But Gold tweeted on Sunday: "AC could be available in 2/3 weeks" and the player posted a cryptic tweet saying "The time is near..." Allardyce constantly bemoaned Carroll's absence while West Ham were struggling for goals, but now the manager concedes that a new centre-back is a priority with an injury crisis in that position. Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion was the third game in succession the team have conceded three, on top of the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool three weeks ago, and James Tomkins limped off with a groin strain, joining James Collins and Winston Reid on the injured list.
Everton's Dutch defender, John Heitinga, is Allardyce's chief target, although he also hopes to soon conclude a deal for former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, who has been playing in the Middle East. "We know what the problems are – injuries," said Allardyce. "Injuries affect results – that's a fact not an excuse. We've had six or seven players out for weeks and weeks, and our most expensive player hasn't played at all this season. If I had them all back and all playing we'd probably be around 10th like last year."
West Ham have kept eight clean sheets, but have now conceded 20 goals in their past nine league games. "Ultimately, it's about stopping goals. We used to be great at it because we had all our defenders fit, now we have to say to ourselves, 'Look, it's unlikely we're going to keep a clean sheet so we're going to have to at least score two to win the game'. "We want to do it [sign players] on Jan 2, which is the earliest we can, but after six weeks of hard slog we haven't got a definite we can say will come. We've been at it for six weeks or more now and we're finding it difficult to find a player who wants to come to the club based on what we can afford to pay."
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Hammers poised to land Inter striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 30th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are being linked with a move for Inter's out-of-favour centre forward Ishak Belfodil on a short-term loan deal. 22 next month, the Algerian international has been with the Nerazzurri for only six months since moving from Parma last summer but has managed just one start and seven appearances from the bench since - one of which he marked with a red card. With next summer's World Cup Finals just a matter of months away, Belfodil is reported to be keen to move on a short-term basis in order to secure first-team football ahead of the tournament, where he hopes to represent his country. Despite having appeared for the French at all levels from Under 17s to Under 20s, the 6'4" forward opted to play for the country of his birth at full international level. He made his debut for Algeria and featured most recently as a late substitute in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Mali back in September. Having failed to secure a place at the world-famous Clairefontaine technical centre, Belfodil worked his way to the pro ranks via Paris Saint-Germain, AC Boulogne Billencourt and Clermont Foot before securing a youth contract with Lyon, amidst rumours of interest from English clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea. In 2010 he signed a four-year contract with Lyon - but not before he'd made his Champions League debut in a play-off against Anderlecht. However less than two years after signing pro terms Belfodil was sent on loan to Bologna for three months, before fellow Italian club Parma signed him on a permanent basis for €2.5 million in the summer of 2012.
A year later it was revealed that Inter had purchased the player for €7.5 million, although Parma would retain 50 per cent of the player's economic rights (don't panic, it's a perfectly normal practise in Italy). Having failed to make much of an impression at the San Siro, Belfodil's next stop could be the Boleyn Ground - especially as Inter representative Piero Ausilio spent last weekend in London. Further speculation tonight has linked West Ham with a move for Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha, who has made just four appearances for the Reds this season.
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Sunday, December 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th December 2013
Hammers held in see-saw draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion shared six goals in a thrilling
draw on Saturday
28.12.2013
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United led twice and had to come from behind once as they played
out a thrilling 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday. Both sides had control of a pulsating contest for periods and both
would ultimately have felt unsatisfied with the conclusion. Joe Cole fired
the Hammers in front early on, but a quickfire Nicolas Anelka double just
before the interval turned the contest on its head. Modibo Maiga's
introduction breathed new life into the home side's efforts and he scored
one and set up another, for Kevin Nolan, as they enjoyed a fruitful two
minute spell of their own midway through the second period. But West Brom
were not done yet, and Saido Berahino soon levelled to keep West Ham in the
bottom three. Joe Cole was making his 150th Premier League appearance and he
helped the Hammers get off to the perfect start, slotting home by the near
post after bursting on to Kevin Nolan's through ball and bearing down on
goal. If the Hammers were jubilant, their mood was checked on ten minutes
when James Tomkins went down with a groin injury. With both James Collins
and Winston Reid already out with injury problems of their own, Sam
Allardyce was forced to field two makeshift centre-backs in the shape of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien. Even with the re-shuffle, West Ham still
went close to doubling their advantage on the half hour when Joe Cole dinked
a cross to the far post, where Carlton Cole nodded back. Guy Demel collected
the ball as it ran across him and tried to force goalwards, but hit the
outside of the post with his effort. West Brom had threatened to get in
behind the new-look West Ham defence, but hadn't managed it until the 40th
minute, when Anelka rolled back the years to bring his side level. Chris
Brunt was the man to prod it through to the former French international, who
timed his run to perfection and guided past the recalled Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Then, five minutes later, the Baggies left the Boleyn Ground crowd stunned
when they won a corner down the left, which perhaps should have been a
goal-kick, and Anelka reacted first to poke home after Carlton Cole blocked
the initial effort on the line.
The swift turnaround seemed to have flattened the Hammers and Anelka went
close to sealing his hat-trick two minutes after the restart when he got on
the end of Billy Jones' pull back, but Jaaskelainen was well-placed to save
at the near post.
West Ham introduced Maiga from the bench at the interval, and he sparked the
second half revival with a left-footed bolt from the blue on 63 minutes that
Ben Foster did well to tip over the bar. Two minutes later however, the
Baggies stopper could only watch as the ball flew past his right hand as
Maiga this time got the better of him with a bouncing shot from inside the
area. West Ham now had the momentum and they cashed in with another goal
just two minutes later. Maiga was again involved, rising highest to nod Mark
Noble's stood-up cross back for Nolan to hook home for his second of the
season. Back came West Brom though, and a third goal in a crazy four-minute
spell brought them level once more. It came from a finish of the highest
quality from England U21 international Berahino, who squared up Guy Demel
before shifting the ball on to his left foot and cracking a shot beyond
Jaaskelainen and in via the far post. Both sides pushed for a winner in a
breathless conclusion to an entralling match, and the Baggies came closest
to it when Berahino's free-kick rattled a post. The Hammers survived that
scare to ensure they ended 2013 with a point.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Tomkins (Demel 10), McCartney, Rat;
Nolan, Noble, Diame; J.Cole (Collison 83), C.Cole (Maiga 46), Jarvis
Subs: Adrian, Taylor, Diarra, Chambers
Goals: J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
Booked: C.Cole, Nolan, Diame
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Lugano (Amalfitano
68), Ridgewell; Morrison (Yacob 78), Mulumbu, Brunt; Berahino (Sessegnon
85), Anelka
Subs: Myhill, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson
Goals: Anelka 40, Anelka 45+1, Berahino 69
Booked: Mulumbu, Ridgewell
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 34,946
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Big Sam on West Brom draw
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke to West Ham TV following the 3-3 Barclays Premier League
draw with West Brom
28.12.2013
Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling 'drained' after Saturday's rollercoaster
3-3 Barclays Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers led
twice and trailed once in a thrilling contest at the Boleyn Ground, only to
be denied a valuable victory by Saido Berahino's fine finish. Earlier, Joe
Cole had given West Ham a third-minute lead before Nicolas Anelka returned
to haunt his former Bolton Wanderers boss with two goals in six minutes
before half-time.
After a difficult start to the second half, the Hammers scored twice in
three minutes through substitute Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before
Berahino silenced the cheers with a pinpoint strike in off the base of the
upright. All that, added to losing James Tomkins with a groin injury when
West Ham were leading 1-0, left Big Sam feeling a whole host of emotions
when he spoke to West Ham TV. "Drained is probably an understatement of how
I feel after that game," said Big Sam. "We went through the full range of
emotions during the game. We made a fantastic start, had a comfortable 30-35
minutes and suffered the massive blow of James Tomkins having to come off
the field. "That normally wouldn't be a cost if we'd had our other central
defenders fit. The only place we couldn't stand an injury was at centre-half
and the only place we suffered an injury was to a centre-half. Everything
seems to be going against us at the moment, but that means we have to keep
fighting hard and against this until things start going for us a little bit
more. "We had to play four full-backs in a back four and, not that I am
criticising George or Joey really, that's probably where their first two
goals came from. The first one, Nicolas got through the middle and from a
central defender's point of view, you have to stay goalside or else the
striker is right in the middle of the goal. When you're a full-back, it's
not as big a problem as they're only going to be crossing, but when it
happens down the middle they're going to be shooting at goal. "For the
second goal, I don't think they were particularly at fault for anything but
we didn't have the height to deal with the opposition. With all of our
centre-backs being out injured, we're playing six foot full-backs marking
players who are six foot three or six foot four. That was the problem with
the second goal, plus we didn't think it was a corner in the first place,
but we thought it was a goal kick. "We changed our centre forward because I
thought Coley was fatigued after doing a great job against Arsenal. He got a
little tired at the end of the first half and Modibo is a lot fresher than
him, so he came on and did the business. That's what you want from your
centre forward, to get you back in the game, and that's what he has done
brilliantly. "Kevin got a goal when we needed it and every goal he seems to
score is an important one. It didn't go on and win us the game but we didn't
lose it. I thought we'd go on to win it and the only criticism is that we
didn't do what we practice every week after we have scored. They did it OK
after we scored our first two, but they didn't do it right when they scored
our third and that was to allow them straight into our box and score without
us getting a toe, tackle or block on anything. That's not us on how we
practice week-in, week-out."
After keeping eight clean sheets in their opening 16 games, West Ham
conceded three goals for the third league game in succession. The manager
pointed to the injuries suffered by Winston Reid, James Collins and Tomkins
as the major reason for his side's recent defensive woes. "Because of our
injury problems we've started to concede goals and we will continue to
concede goals if we have to play people out of position in defence. It is
just a necessity at the moment because we are coping with six or seven
injured and it's a massive problem for us. "We have to reduce that number of
injured players as quickly as possible because we've had it for far too long
and it's why we are in the bottom three of the league - it's as simple as
that."
After conceding to Berahino with 20 minutes remaining, both teams continued
to attack and either one could have nicked a victory in the closing stages.
"Both teams decided that they wanted to try and win," continued Big Sam. "We
went to try and win and so did they and it could have gone either way. The
disappointing thing was that we couldn't hold onto our 3-2 advantage for ten
minutes because I think that would have perhaps won us the game.
"Like I said, I can't be too critical of the back four because I have a back
four that shouldn't be playing as a back four with full-backs at
centre-half. It has to be like that for this moment in time."
With the 2013 fixture list now complete, the New Year begins with a trip to
Fulham and the opening of the transfer window on 1 January. With defenders
and forwards injured, Big Sam admitted he is desperate to sign
reinforcements, but that clinching deals early in the window may prove
difficult. "I have to say that disappointingly from our point of view, most
of the targets we hoped to sign by 2 January are now not available, having
either decided not to join us or ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere.
"We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more desperate than
the position we're in for new players in January, but our desire to get new
players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to loan players or let
them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have to be good enough.
If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody will destroy him
before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit the ground running
from the start and do the business from the beginning. That's the issue. "We
didn't want to have to sign any players in January but it looks like we
might have to. More important than recruiting new players is getting our
injured players fit as soon as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Turgott on target for U's
WHUFC.com
Hammers loanee Blair Turgott scored his first league goal in a 4-0 win for
Colchester United
27.12.2013
Blair Turgott registered his first senior career goal on Thursday as West
Ham United's trio of loanees each enjoyed a successful Boxing Day. The
19-year-old winger opened the scoring for Colchester United after ten
minutes, helping the U's put four without reply past struggling Stevenage at
the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Turgott took full advantage of a
goalkeeping mishap, as Stevenage stopper Chris Day spilled Brian Wilson's
cross, allowing the teenager to bag the opener. A Jabo Ibehre volley, prior
to a Craig Eastmond double, completed the scoring, while Turgott was
latterly replaced by Sanchez Watt. The U's sit 13th in Sky Bet League One
and play host to Crewe Alexandra on Sunday. Also in League One, Jordan
Spence played his part in another Milton Keynes Dons victory, as they won
2-0 at ten-man Crawley Town.
While the Hammers centre-half completed the contest, Stephen Gleeson and
Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford scored in either half, before the hosts had
Billy Clarke sent off in the 85th minute. Thursday's success is the Dons'
fourth on the spin in all competitions, with four clean sheets to boot. Karl
Robinson's men are now well placed in tenth, with a trip to Brentford on
Sunday in store. Elsewhere, Pelly Ruddock's Luton Town extended their
unbeaten run in the Skrill Conference Premier to 16 games, with a 2-1 win at
Barnet. With Ruddock playing the full 90 in the heart of midfield, Paul
Benson and Alex Lawless put the visitors two goals to the good, before Jon
Nurse was dismissed in first-half stoppage time. Though Jake Hyde halved the
deficit after the interval, the Hatters held on to claim all three points
and stay just a point behind leaders Cambridge United. Ruddock will likely
be back in action on Saturday, as Luton host Kidderminster Harriers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 West Brom 3
28 December 2013
Last updated at 15:19
By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport
West Ham remain in the Premier League's bottom three after an entertaining
draw with fellow strugglers West Brom. Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead with a
low shot but Nicolas Anelka equalised before poking in two minutes later to
give the Baggies a 2-1 half-time lead. West Ham levelled through Modibo
Maiga's 20-yard shot and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put
the home side back in front. But Saido Berahino equalised again for West
Brom with a fine low strike. It was the third goal in five breathless
minutes at Upton Park in a game both sides needed to win to help in their
respective relegation battles.
West Ham are without a win in six Premier League matches as the pressure
continues to mount on manager Sam Allardyce, who went into this game
describing it as a "must-win" encounter. His side, who have recorded only
two league victories all season, now have key games coming up against fellow
strugglers Fulham and Cardiff. They are attempting to turn around their
season against a backdrop of mounting injury problems in defence. Already
without James Collins and Winston Reid, they lost James Tomkins midway
through the first half against the Baggies. West Brom's search for a new
boss continues but whoever takes the helm at The Hawthorns will do so with
the club scrapping at the wrong end of the table, just two points above the
relegation zone, having not won in their last nine. They should have taken
an early lead at Upton Park when Chris Brunt volleyed James Morrison's
whipped cross into the side netting.
West Brom were made to pay just a minute later when they fell behind through
Joe Cole's strike. Carlton Cole flicked on Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal-kick
and neat interplay between Nolan and Joe Cole released the former Chelsea
and Liverpool man who fired a fierce shot past the onrushing Ben Foster.
Half chances for Carlton Cole and Guy Demel followed before Mark Noble
curled a 20-yard free kick just wide of the angle. "There were boos from the
home crowd on the final whistle as another home game slips away without a
victory. "West Brom may be happy with a point away from home but West Ham
head into 2014 deep in trouble and in the relegation zone with two crucial
games coming up against Fulham and Cardiff City."
West Brom had been guilty of producing neat midfield passing without any end
product but in the final five minutes of the half they not only equalised
but took the lead. Both goals came from Anelka, who was making a return from
a two-month absence. His double resulted in him becoming only the ninth man
in Premier League history to score for six different clubs. The first came
in typical Anelka fashion. Latching onto Brunt's through ball he outmuscled
and outpaced Joey O'Brien before shooting past Jaaskelainen. Moments later
West Brom were in front after a header from a disputed corner was cleared
off the line by Carlton Cole and into the path of Anelka, who prodded home
from close range. The Hammers left the field to a chorus of boos and things
could have got worse for the home side immediately after the break but
Anelka side-footed straight at Jaaskelainen from close range while Berahino
sent a drive just wide. West Ham finally began to impose themselves on the
second half and Joe Cole went close with a fierce free-kick that flew just
past Foster's post. Nicolas Anelka became only the ninth man in Premier
League history to score for six different clubs joining Craig Bellamy,
Marcus Bent, Darren Bent, Robbie Keane, Nick Barmby, Andy Cole, Les
Ferdinand, and Peter Crouch. The West Brom keeper was again called into
action soon after, pulling off a wonderful full-stretch save to keep out
substitute Maiga's curling effort from 20 yards that was heading for the top
corner. But Foster was at fault moments later as he allowed Maiga's low
strike from a similar position to go under his sprawling dive. Nolan then
put the Hammers in front from close range following Maiga's nod down from
Noble's cross. But Albion were not finished and Berahino levelled with a
wonderful low strike across Jaaskelainen that cannoned in off the post. The
England Under-21 striker then crashed a curling free kick from the edge of
the area against the post while Nolan sent a header over the bar as both
sides searched in vain for a winner.
West Brom caretaker manager Keith Downing: "Everyone else enjoyed it apart
from me, it was end-to-end, not one for defensive purists. I have mixed
emotions because we edged ahead but credit to West Ham, they came back
strongly. "We've come back twice from behind in two days. Nicolas is a top
quality player. He's waited patiently for an opportunity. His two goals is
what he's all about, a lot of class. "A lot of credit goes to the academy
staff with Saido. He has a lot of ability, he has to keep his feet on the
ground, he's got Nico looking after him, always advising him. It's a good
combination. "After the initial shock of what happened with Steve Clarke,
the players have galvanised themselves, got together as a group. I'm very
proud of them. "I'll let the chairman and board go on hunting for the right
man, I'll carry on as long as they want me to."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce: West Ham boss says injuries will decide fate
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says his side's chances of staying the Premier
League depend on how quickly their injured players return to action.
Centre-back James Tomkins became the latest player to join a casualty list
half a dozen strong when he was injured in Saturday's 3-3 draw with West
Brom. West Ham are second from bottom midway though the season. "The
deciding factor will not be what signings we make, but how quickly our
injured players come back," he said. Following James Tomkins' departure
after 10 minutes, West Ham's back four were left-backs George McCartney and
Razvan Rat and right-backs Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel "If the players
missing were fit, we'd have won the game." Tomkins joins fellow centre-back
James Collins on the sidelines after his colleague's injury against Arsenal
on Boxing Day. The Hammers are also without record signing Andy Carroll,
midfielders Ravel Morrison and Stewart Downing, defender Winston Reid and
striker Ricardo Vaz Te, as well as forward Mladen Petric, who has reportedly
been released by the club. "When you have six or seven players injured it's
too much to cope with," Allardyce told BBC Sport. West Ham led twice on
Saturday, the second time coming when Kevin Nolan put them 3-2 up in the
67th minute, but Saido Berahino's equaliser two minutes later ensured the
points were shared. "It's very frustrating," Allardyce said. "There is a
reason why, no centre-backs are fit - losing James Tomkins was a big blow
for us. Our coping mechanism was playing four full-backs across the back
four and that has cost us three points. "They did their very best but got
caught out. We didn't have enough aerial threat defending corners. "We
practice on the training ground how to hold onto leads, but the players
forgot how to deal with West Brom's kick-off and stop them scoring. You can
blame anxiety or fatigue, but you can't forget how to deal with them. "That
switch-off for the few seconds has made life difficult for us, West Brom
looked down and out."
Two of West Ham's next three games are cup matches, at Nottingham Forest in
the FA Cup third round and at Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final
first leg, but Allardyce is focusing purely on the New Year's Day Premier
League clash with fellow strugglers Fulham. "Cups don't mean anything any
more," the former Bolton manager said. "We've worked our way to the League
Cup semi-finals. It doesn't matter, what does is our Premier League status
and getting points. The cups are secondary in our plight, especially with
our injuries."
Allardyce was not impressed by the attitude of some of the Hammers
supporters towards the players. "The fans have to understand, the players
are trying their best. We have had two games in less than 48 hours - and the
injury problems," he said. "They pay their money, they can do what they
want. You have to give them something to cheer about, we did. When there's a
lull [the fans have to] help us get back into it, rather than wait for us to
get you on the edge of your seat."
Allardyce's job is rumoured to be in doubt but midfielder Kevin Nolan, who
also played under the manager at Bolton, said: "It's all about us sticking
together as a club. We need to the fans to stick with us as well. I am sure
we will be OK at the end of the season. "Any of the six teams in trouble, if
Sam was out of a job, they would hire him to keep them up. The chairmen have
been brilliant with him and we'll be all right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing on....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
West Bromwich Albion caretaker boss Keith Downing shares his view on today's
3-3 draw, when not being asked about Anelka's "gesture" and his job
prospects.....
Both defences went to sleep today..
It wasn't the purest for defences was it? I think that in fairness we set up
a system like we did against Tottenham with three at the back. West Ham
tried to exploit that. I thought that in the first half we had control of
the possession and we got ourselves in front. Credit to West Ham they got
the momentum, put us under pressure. As they scored the third we changed our
system nd gave them a problem. Good game to watch but I can't say I'm
satisfied with the way the team defended. You can't concede three goals too
many times.
Are you aware Nicolas [Anelka] seems to have been caught in some sort of a
storm with his goal celebrations?
I'm aware of it. It's got nothing to do with what's been said. He's
dedicated it to a French comedian who he knows very well. It's a gesture he
uses in his act. So we can stop that speculation now. It's absolute rubbish
really.
Jack Wilshire was punished for a gesture recently. Do you expect there to be
any problem with Nicolas?
No. Not at all. It was dedicated to a friend of his who happens to be a
comedian. The speculation being thrown around, he is totally surprised by
it.
It was an anti-semetic gesture....
(At this point West Brom's press manager intervenes): I think Keith's
answered that question. Nicko's explained it
So the club won't be taking any action?
Press manager again He has nothing else to say. Move on to the game please.
What did you make of his performance?
I thought he had a good game. He combined well with Berahino. He has that
quality to drop in there and link the play. It's been a while since he
figured and played but his attitude and dedication have been spot on.
He's happy at the club?
Yes – he wants to play and is prepared to play.
You said it was ridiculous having to play so soon after Boxing day. West Ham
were presumably in the same boat. Do you think that that had an effect on
the game??
Yes there were a few tired legs out there. There were six new faces out
there in an attempt to freshen things up. It's good for entertainment of
course – there's a lot of goals going in. But it's a tough shift for the
players.
Are you aware of where the club is regarding a new manager?
No I'm not aware. All I've been told is to carry on and I'll do that until
the new year. If anything happens before that I'll step down and help the
new guy whoever comes in. They put a press statement out yesterday that
thanked myself and Dean [Kiely] for supporting the players so that's what
I'm going t continue to do.
You've come from behind twice in the last three games and twice today. How
much credit do you take as manager for getting the players to rally?
I think that comes from the players to be honest. They take a lot of credit
for the fact that they grow when we concede. You can say I made
substitutions I could sit here and take all the adulation – but I won't.
It's the eleven on the field that make it happen.
Have you been given any indication that you might be required to stay on in
the seat a little longer?
No I've not been told that at all. I know you guys picked up on the Spanish
chap [ex Real Betis manager Pepe Mel], He was interviewed but he wasn't for
the club. It's unwise of me to get involved in that. I could get distracted
and I don't want that to transfer to the players. The players know I'm fully
focussed. I've got great support staff – Dean and the rest of the guys.,
Dave Oldfield, they've all been very supportive and I'm just concentrating
on that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 3-3 West Brom
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
There were goals-a-plenty at the Boleyn this afternoon as two teams
struggling to score in the Premier League defied the bookies' odds to
produce a six-goal thriller.
Prior to kick-off you could have got anywhere between 50 and 80-1 for a 3-3
draw, with few expecting a deluge of goals from an encounter between two
teams that had managed just 34 between them in the 36 Premier League
fixtures they had played prior to today's meeting.
West Ham, bereft of half a team through injury and hampered further by the
withdrawal of their only fit central defender James Tomkins after just eight
minutes took to the field featuring no less than nine free transfers, with
only Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan having troubled the co-owners' bank
accounts.
Yet this merry band of graduates, cast-offs and last chance saloon-dwellers
had a nervous home crowd on their feet after just four minutes when Joe Cole
combined with captain Nolan, back in the team following his recent
three-match suspension before firing across Albion's Ben Foster to give
United an early, critical lead. Guy Demel almost doubled United's advantage
on the half-hour mark but the woodwork proved an unwelcome obstacle.
It was a lead that was to last until five minutes before the interval when
Nicolas Anelka eluded West Ham's makeshift central defensive pairing of Joey
O'Brien and George McCartney before squeezing the ball past Jussi
Jasskelainen. The Frenchman's subsequent goal celebration, a nod to
controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala was later revealed to have
anti-Semitic overtones which the FA, in their infinite wisdom, have already
confirmed they will be investigating.
That semi-comedic episode of defending was usurped moments later when West
Ham somehow contrived to turn a promising lead into a half time deficit.
With Albion having been incorrectly awarded a corner when Joe Cole's tackle
on James Morrison was given the way of the visitors by the
regularly-incompetent Mike Dean, Anelka poked the Baggies into the lead when
he was first to react after Carlton Cole had prevented a certain goal from a
downward header.
Cole himself proved to be the fall guy for that deficit and Modibo Maiga
took his place in the team as the players returned for the second half.
Whether it was a tactical decision or merely one prompted by a horrible
challenge on Jonas Olsson that left the giant Swede with two new stripes in
his thigh (that he took great pleasure in exhibiting to a
less-than-sympathetic Lower West Stand) remains unknown outside of the
confines of the dressing room, but it had a pivotal effect on the match.
Maiga, previously likened to seasoned failures such as John Radford and Iain
Dowie having gone an entire calender year without a goal produced just about
the best 45 minutes of his short West Ham career as he turned the game in
the Hammers' favour within the space of three minutes.
With 65 on the clock and a petulant Boleyn crowd baying for blood, he
levelled the scores with a trademark curling, left-footed strike that
(somehow) evaded Foster before nestling inside the 'keeper's right-hand
post. Just two minutes later his far post header from Mark Noble's cross
allowed a rejuvenated Nolan to twist his body goalwards before diverting
Maiga's knockdown into the roof of Albion's net.
Celebrating Irons supporters were afforded mere seconds in which to enjoy
their team's unexpected advantage as within two minutes Albion's exciting
youngster Saido Berahino - a team mate of West Ham's (unavailable) Ravel
Morrison in England's Under 21s camp - fired across Jaaskelainen from an
acute angle to make it 3-3, much to the delight of the less-than-capacity -
yet lively, as ever - Baggies contingent behind the goal.
Disappointment at losing the lead was tempered somewhat when Mo Diame
conceded a second successive free kick on the perimeter of the penalty box
with just ten minutes remaining and Berahino's resulting effort smashed
against the post before bouncing to safety. West Ham have cursed their luck
all season but the good Lady was certainly smiling on those of a claret and
blue persuasion at that precise moment.
Sam Allardyce had billed today's encounter as a six-pointer yet on
reflection it's unlikely he will be too dissatisfied with his team's overall
performance. Up against it for most of the match with no recognised central
defenders and missing key personnel such as Carroll, Reid, Downing, Collins
and Morrison, West Ham's second half recovery and general willingness to
fight should at least give hope to both Allardyce and those seriously
concerned by the team's current position in the Premier League.
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Nolan, Tomkins (Demel 8), Jarvis,
Rat, Noble, O'Brien, Diame, C Cole (Maiga 46), J Cole (Collison 83).
Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Diarra.
Goals: Cole (4), Maiga (65), Nolan (67).
Booked: C Cole (43), Nolan (57), Diame (81).
Shots on/off target: 16 (6/10).
Possession: 47%.
West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Lugano,
Mulumbu, McAuley, Jones, Berahino (Sessegnon 85), Anelka.
Subs not used: Myhill, Amalfitano, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson.
Goals: Anelka (40, 45), Berahino (69).
Booked: Mulumbu (48), Ridgewell (90).
Shots on/off target: 22 (7/15).
Possession: 53%.
Referee: Mike Dean (5).
Attendance: 34,946.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins arrest: video surfaces
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
A brief video of the moment West Ham United's James Tomkins was arrested has
been unveiled on the internet.
Earlier tonight YouTube user SuperJebanks posted a 32 second-long video,
recorded via mobile phone, showing the moment Tomkins was led away by Police
following an altercation outside the Sugar Hut nightspot in Brentwood in the
early hours of Sunday, December 22.
The video begins at the point Tomkins was wrestled to the ground by three
Policeman, whilst a fourth stands close by monitoring the situation. A young
woman with blonde hair is seen being pulled away from the felled defender by
a dark-haired male associate.
At no point does Tomkins, who was later charged with assaulting a police
officer, appear to offer any resistance. Dressed casually in jeans and
t-shirt, the 24-year-old - who was part of the team beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at
the Boleyn Ground yesterday - is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates'
Court on January 9.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton striker Nikica Jelavic subject of enquiries from two clubs
Last Updated: 28/12/13 7:32pm
SSN
Roberto Martinez is weighing up whether to let Nikica Jelavic leave Everton
in the January transfer window after confirming two clubs have enquired
about the striker. Jelavic moved to Goodison Park from Rangers during the
2012 January transfer window and enjoyed a blistering start to his Everton
career by scoring nine goals in 13 appearances. However, he mustered just
seven goals in 37 Premier League games last season and has yet to open his
account from eight outings this term. The Croatia international has not
started a game since mid-September and has been forced to provide the
back-up to summer signing Romelu Lukaku in recent months. West Ham United
have been linked with a loan approach for Jelavic in the New Year and
Martinez acknowledged there has been interest in the 28-year-old. With
Jelavic keen for playing time ahead of the World Cup finals, Martinez is now
considering what would be best for both the player and Everton. Speaking
ahead of Sunday's game against Southampton, he told evertontv: "We've had a
couple of enquiries from two different clubs for one of our players. "Nikica
Jelavic is someone who we have made it very clear to - we've had a
conversation and he has the World Cup around the corner. "He needs to be
playing minutes and we understand that. We'll always try to give it a good
assessment of the situation but that's not affecting anyone at the club.
"All we are focusing on is being as good as we can on Sunday. "Whatever
happens in January will be for the good of the football club and that's
where the work is."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits lack of fit defenders was key in draw with WBA
Last Updated: 28/12/13 5:45pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham's defensive woes played a key role in their
3-3 draw with West Brom on Saturday. The Hammers started the game with three
full-backs playing in the back four, then lost James Tomkins to injury,
meaning they were robbed of their only fit centre-back, with Guy Demel
coming on for him. Both teams are struggling in the bottom half of the
table, but West Ham took an early lead through Joe Cole, only to see two
quick-fire goals from Nicolas Anelka before the break earn West Brom a 2-1
half-time lead. The hosts launched a fightback of their own after the break,
with sub Modibo Maiga and skipper Kevin Nolan scoring to put them 3-2 ahead.
But Saido Berahino's angled finish secured a point for the visitors,
ensuring caretaker coach Keith Downing has overseen three draws in three
games. Allardyce admitted he was disappointed to only pocket a point from a
game he described as 'must win' before kick-off, and he told Sky Sports:
"Leading twice at home and not winning is disappointing from my point of
view. "The fact of the matter is that we haven't got the defenders on the
field that we need - and that, for me, is the key to why we've not won the
game. "Playing four full-backs across the back four because every
centre-back is now injured is a massive blow to us. "In fairness to the lads
they showed magnificent coping skills today. The crowd were on their back,
not giving them the support they need - and they turned it around to get the
crowd back on their side. "Maybe there was a little bit of fatigue after
having to play two games in 48 hours. People say that's the way it is - but
it's not right really, and we cope as best as we can. But that's why we
probably saw so many mistakes from both teams - there were some tired legs
in the end. "Neither team were showing the sort of energy they normally can
in a game like this, so it left some more open spaces - but also left some
room for extra errors. "To lose James Tomkins and those two goals knocked us
back a bit - but it was fantastic fighting spirit from the boys."
Allardyce urged the fans to get behind his troops in coming games, saying:
"They've got to understand the players are trying their best - they've had
to play two games in 48 hours and we've got our injury problems, with
Tomkins going off. "Booing them is not going to help them or give them
encouragement to get back into the game. "But at the end of the day, they
pay their money and they can do what they want - we all understand that.
"I'm just saying that sometimes, when there's a lull in the game, get behind
us instead of asking us to get you on the edge of your seats, to help us
back in the game and try to win it. "We did a great job today - every player
gave 100 per cent. We nearly got a very important victory, but in the end we
got a draw."
Allardyce admits he is trying to bolster his beleaguered backline with the
winter window fast approaching, and added: "You've got to find the players
and get them in - but it's hard and we've been trying for six weeks now.
"We're still trying to clinch a deal we haven't clinched yet. Life is very
difficult and the loss of James Tomkins following the loss of James Collins
is a massive blow to us, because with Winston Reid we don't have a
centre-half. "It's a big problem for us that we'll have to cope with until
we get the players who are here fit. "We can bring new players in but that
can't happen until January the 2nd or 3rd. "Fulham is a massive game for us
on New Year's Day and these players have got to go out and show that they've
got the commitment and energy to get the result we need."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and West Brom serve up 3-3 draw
Last Updated: 28/12/13 6:17pm
SSN
West Ham and West Brom served up a thrilling 3-3 draw in Saturday's early
Premier League game at Upton Park. Joe Cole scored the opening goal of an
action-packed game on four minutes, drilling a right-footed shot past Ben
Foster.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Saido Berahino (West Brom). Scored a superb goal and
overall his pace and movement made him difficult to contain.
Moment of the match: Referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a corner which led
to their second goal when replays suggest it should have been a goalkick.
Attempt of the match: Nicolas Anelka tried an audacious shot on the turn
from the halfway line and it was narrowly wide.
Save of the match: Ben Foster made a one-handed stop to keep out a curling
effort from Modibo Maiga that was heading for the top corner.
Talking point: The boos from the West Ham fans that greeted the final
whistle only further intensified the growing pressure on manager Sam
Allardyce.
Goal of the game: Anelka was played in by a superb throughball from Chris
Brunt and he deftly flicked the ball over Jaaskelainen.
But a clinical double from Nicolas Anelka, scoring his first Albion goals on
40 and 45 minutes, turned the game on its head before the interval. Sam
Allardyce sent on Modibo Maiga for Carlton Cole at half-time, and the sub
made it 2-2 on 65 minutes with a left-footed strike before setting up Kevin
Nolan to make it 3-2 two minutes later. Saido Berahino drew the scores level
once again on 69 with an angled finish - and hit the upright with a late
free-kick. But both teams had to settle for a point apiece, ensuring both
are firmly locked in a fight for top-flight survival. Sam Allardyce feels
his West Ham side were struggling with fatigue towards the end of their game
with West Brom. The managerless Baggies made the brighter start with Chris
Brunt steering an early shot into the side-netting.
But they fell behind on four minutes when Carlton Cole flicked on a long
punt from Jussi Jaaskelainen to Joe Cole, who played a neat one-two with
Nolan before firing a low right-footed shot past Foster.
James Tomkins went off injured with a groin strain and was replaced by Guy
Demel before Nolan had a penalty claim turned down after his shot struck
Liam Ridgewell's chest in the 18-yard box. Carlton Cole headed a corner over
the crossbar under pressure from Jonas Olsson on 24 minutes, then set up a
chance on 31 for Demel, who swivelled well but struck the upright with a
fierce right-footed effort. Brunt wasted a good chance to equalise on 38
minutes when he declined to shoot with his right foot - but the winger
played a sublime through ball to Nicolas Anelka on 40 and saw the Frenchman
take full advantage, dinking the ball over Jaaskelainen to make it 1-1.
Albion then took the lead in controversial circumstances on 45 after winning
a dubious corner from a Joe Cole challenge with James Morrison. Brunt's
corner was headed goalbound by Olsson, and after Demel blocked tamely on the
goalline, Anelka reacted first to poke the ball into the back of the net.
West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing says he was incredibly proud of the
effort and commitment shown by his players today. Allardyce sent on Maiga
for Carlton Cole at the break, and after Foster pulled off a stunning save
to tip the striker's left-footed drive over the crossbar, the sub netted an
equaliser on 65 minutes. Once again Maiga let fly with his left foot from 20
yards, and the ball skipped over the diving Foster's right hand to spark
celebrations in the home crowd. Hammers fans were in full voice again two
minutes later as Maiga's knock-down from a Mark Noble cross found Nolan, who
volleyed home from close range to make it 3-2 to the struggling hosts.
But it was 3-3 on 69 minutes, when Berahino cut onto his left foot in the
18-yard box and steered an angled drive into the bottom corner. Both teams
went for the win in the closing stages, with Jaaskalainen saving Brunt's
half-volley and Berahino smacking the upright with a superb free-kick. But
they had to settle for a point each, with Albion now having drawn their last
three league games to remain in a survival scrap with the Hammers, who stay
in the drop zone.
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MESSAGE TO GOLD & SULLIVAN: ALLARDYCE'S FUTURE MUST BE DECIDED NOW
By Iain Dale 28 Dec 2013 at 15:00
West Ham Till I Die
Back in January 2011 West Ham were in a downward spiral. Avram Grant had
lost the dressing room. Martin O'Neill was lined up to take over but then
changed his mind., West Ham then unexpectedly won a match towards the end of
the month and the owners decided to stick with him. Bad mistake. We ended up
being relegated. Those of us who couldn't understand Grant's appointment in
the first place weren't exactly surprised.
We now find ourselves at the end of the year firmly rooted in the bottom
three, having played a series of matches where our performances have been
less than inspiring. Luck hasn't gone our way, to be sure, but throughout
December we haven't deserved to get much out of any of the games. Today's
was another where we were lucky to get a point, even though we led twice.
I'll come on to today's performance in a moment, but the main point of this
blog post is to make an appeal to the joint-chairmen. Make a decision and
stick with it. If you're going to fire Allardyce, do it now. This evening.
But if you are not going to fire him, stick with him. You're in the best
position to judge whether he can make it and turn things around. Use your
experience from the Grant era to inform your decision, but it is your
decision and you need to be accountable for it. And if you are going to give
Allardyce your confidence, you need to buy two central defenders and two
strikers in January. Nothing less will be good enough. If you fire
Allardyce, you'll still need to do this, FFP or no FFP.
It was a pulsating game and it was a game we put ourselves in a great
position to win. Bizarrely, I had fallen asleep on the sofa and only woke up
when I heard the roar of the crowd as Joe Cole put us one up after only
three minutes. [In case you are wondering why I wasn't actually at the
match, I'm on a ten day break in Norfolk]. So I missed the fact that Kevin
Nolan played an assist. So when I later tweeted "Just realised Kevin Nolan
is actually on the pitch" I got some well deserved abuse. We had two more
chances to increase our lead, but as usual didn't put them away. So it came
as little surprise when WBA scored and then put in a second on the stroke of
half time. We weren't exactly helped by having James Tomkins injured,
resulting in four full backs playing across defence. You do have to question
why we had no central defender from the Development Squad on the bench. I
think Pelly Ruddock is on loan at Luton Town. Perhaps he should have been
recalled.
At 2-1 down you always fancied West Brom to add to their lead. Anelka,
Berhani and Brunt were on fire. Enter Modibo Maiga. He came on for Carlton
Cole at half time and quickly put in a brilliant long range shot which
Foster parried wide. A few minutes later he hit another one from outside the
area which Foster let under his body. Maiga sunk to his knees and I am
pretty sure I saw him wiping tears away. A few minutes later up he jumped to
head the ball down for Nolan to smash into the net. So Nolan had two assists
and a goal, with Maiga grabbing a goal and an assist.
I have to say I thought it was a very jittery performance from Jussi. Not
what we have come to expect. He was certainly at fault for their third goal.
Defensively I suppose we did about as well as could have been expected with
no recognised central defender for more than three quarters of the game.
Noble put in his usual committed performance but Diame was again a
disappointment. Nolan will rest of the fact that he got two assists and a
goal, but for large parts of the game he just disappears and it appears we
are a man down. i thought both Cole and Maiga did well, which is at least
some consolation.
So, as we all struggle to come to terms with the fact that we are in a
serious relegation battle, the next 30 days are certainly going to be very
interesting for our club. Let's try and be as calm as we can.
Jussi 5, Demel 6, O'Brien 6, McCartney 6, Rat 6, Noble 7, Diame 5, Nolan 6,
Cole J 6, Cole C 6, Maiga 7, Jarvis 7
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West Ham's Kevin Nolan backs boss Sam Allardyce as beleaguered Hammers stay
second bottom
Dec 28, 2013 16:03 By Anthony Clavane 0 Comments
The Mirror
The returning midfield man's goal wasn't enough to see off West Brom as the
home side's poor run continued
Sam Allardyce set his struggling Hammers a six-points target for December –
but they have ended up with only two. Perhaps nobody expected West Ham to
beat Arsenal or Manchester United. But draws against Sunderland and now
managerless West Brom have seen the Upton Park club slide into the
relegation zone. In fact, West Ham are the only club in the bottom six to
stand by their original manager for this campaign. Such has been their
belief in the experienced Allardyce. Big Sam had described the clash with
fellow relegation strugglers West Brom as a "must-win" but the 3-3 draw at
Upton Park means the Londoners end the year in deep trouble. Kevin Nolan,
West Ham's goal-scoring skipper, is adamant Allardyce must stay. He said:
"If Sam was out of a job any of the clubs in the bottom six would hire Sam
to keep them up. The co-chairmen here have been brilliant with him. They
understand we've had injuries. "We're all in it together. We feel we'll be
in the Premier League come the end of the season."
Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have remained low-key and
supportive during recent troubles. Apart from one public complaint from
Sullivan about the wisdom in paying £15 million for the long-term injured
Andy Carroll, they have been a model of restraint - so far. Despite the boos
from the home crowd on the final whistle Allardyce insisted: "It was a
remarkable performance given our defensive injuries. "It was going well
until (James) Tomkins was injured. His injury meant everybody getting
depressed. We had two full-backs playing centre-half. You try and defend
that. We scored three very good goals and the lads are disappointed they did
not win."
Allardyce went on: "The game was very frustrating. We showed great fighting
spirit in the second half." Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead but Nicolas
Anelka levelled before poking in two minutes later to give the Baggies a 2-1
half-time lead. The home side equalised through Modibo Maiga's 20-yard shot
and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put them back in front. But
Saido Berahino equalised again for West Brom with a fine low strike.
Allardyce knew all about Anelka's goal-poaching menace having signed him for
Bolton in 2006. He added: "Maiga's goal was quality. Which is what you need
in our situation. Sadly we didn't protect ourselves which is a bitter pill
for me tos wallow. "We must have mentally switched off and we got heavily
punished. Fatigue kicked in but I thought it was a very good goal given our
defensive injuries."
Baggies caretaker boss Keith Downing has now overseen three draws since
Steve Clarke was sacked. But he is refusing to take the credit for
stabilising the club. "I could take all the adulation," said Downing. "But
of course it's down to the players. I don't know who is taking over or when
but I'm fully focused. I will gladly support the new guy, whoever it is."
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West Ham's Carlton Cole a transfer target in winter window for QPR boss
Harry Redknapp
Dec 28, 2013 22:29 By Bill Mills 0 Comments
SSN
Harry Redknapp is ready to prise Carlton Cole out of West Ham in the January
transfer window. The 30-year-old striker re-signed for the Hammers in
October after being released last summer. An injury crisis and dearth of
attacking options prompted Cole's shock return. But the former England
international was only offered an initial three month deal. With the window
opening this week QPR boss Redknapp, desperate to keep his team on course
for promotion, wants to boost his side's attacking powers. It will be a
controversial raid by 'Arry on the club he managed for seven years. The
Loftus Road boss has grown increasingly frustrated by the form of Bobby
Zamora and Andy Johnson. As a free agent, Cole could prove a useful addition
to Rangers' attack. Relegation-threatened West Ham are keen to add to their
squad in the next month. Manager Sam Allardyce recognises the need for more
goal-scoring options and has also enquired about Everton defender John
Heitinga. They will face competition from Fulham and Norwich for the Holland
international. Asamoah Gyan has also cast doubts on a January move to West
Ham - insisting he is happy with UAE club Al Ain. "My heart and soul are
attached to Al Ain," striker Gyan, 28, said. "I can confirm West Ham have
made an offer for me. But it is up to Al Ain to make a decision " A new
contract for young midfielder Ravel Morrison is also being discussed. Under
a clause in his contract, if West Ham receive a bid of £10million they must
quadruple his current £15,000-a-week wage. The alternative will be to sell
the England Under-21 international. Given West Ham's precarious position,
owners David Sullivan and David Gold won't want to over-stretch the club.
Morrison's deal has 18 months left and one alternative would be to
negotiate a new one, including a big pay rise, but without the punishing
clauses.
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West Ham target John Heitinga as Big Sam plots January move for
out-of-favour Everton defender
Dec 27, 2013 22:30 By John Cross 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is trying to set up a January deal for Everton's out-of-favour
Dutch defender John Heitinga. The West Ham boss is desperate to bring in a
centre-half with Winston Reid and James Collins both injured. Dutchman
Heitinga, 30, has been told he can leave Goodison Park in January and has
also attracted interest from Fiorentina, Real Betis and Napoli. However, it
is believed he would prefer to stay in the Premier League. The Hammers are
also trying to bolster their attacking options with Andy Carroll still
injured. Allardyce says he wants a ready-made Premier League striker and has
hinted at a big name. He said: "It would help if they had Premier League
experience, but you have to take a player's CV if they're from abroad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Most of my January targets have snubbed West Ham
FourFourTwo.com
Sam Allardyce concedes "most" of West Ham's initial January transfer targets
will not be heading to Upton Park. Allardyce's squad has been ravaged by
injuries this season, with defender James Tomkins the latest to join the
growing casualty list after being withdrawn after 11 minutes of the 3-3 draw
with West Brom on Saturday with a groin problem. The West Ham manager has
spoken openly of his desire to strengthen next month, but has now revealed
that some players he is keen on have either snubbed a move to the Premier
League strugglers or are in talks with other clubs. "I have to say that
disappointingly from our point of view, most of the targets we hoped to sign
by January 2 are now not available, having either decided not to join us or
ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere," Allardyce told the club's official
website. "We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more
desperate than the position we're in for new players in January, but our
desire to get new players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to
loan players or let them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have
to be good enough. "If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody
will destroy him before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit
the ground running from the start and do the business from the beginning.
That's the issue. "We didn't want to have to sign any players in January but
it looks like we might have to. "More important than recruiting new players
is getting our injured players fit as soon as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bizarre clause revealed in West Ham ace's contract
Date: 29th December 2013 at 4:35 am
Written by: Irons Maiden | Forever WestHam
In a world dominated by agents, nothing tends to surprise me in football, as
those guys will do absolutely anything to squeeze every penny possible out
of a deal. However, the latest clause to emerge in Ravel Morrison's contract
is, not only a bizarre one, but also a worrying one. The Telegraph is
reporting that, should West Ham receive a £10 million plus bid for the
England U-21 international, then the Hammers are forced to quadruple
Morrison's wage. The former Manchester United is believed to earn nearly
£15,000-a-week which means – if my mathematics are correct – he will stand
to pocket almost £60,000-a-week.
This latest news comes just a month or so after his £18 million release fee
clause was reported. You have to wonder, especially with the possibility of
relegation growing, how much longer the Irons can hold onto their rising
star?
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Sullivan and Gold Sleepwalk towards the Championship
ClaretandBlues.com
After failing in the self-proclaimed and latest of the 'must win' games,
Allardyce can rest easy tonight and for the foreseeable future. You see,
whilst all of our major competitors' owners have seen fit to relinquish
their managers of their responsibilities, with the resultant improvement in
virtually all of them, Gold and Sullivan pride themselves on their loyalty
and conviction and will, like their manager does with his captain, stick
with their man through thin and thinner.
Saturday's match was a game between two very poor teams, let's be clear
about that. Having gained an early advantage through a well worked goal
between Nolan and Joe Cole, West Ham failed to create another meaningful
chance in a first half of insipid and uninspired tippy-tappy. The result was
that West Bromwich Albion grew in confidence as the half progressed and,
Nikolas Anelka found himself in the currently unusual position of helping
himself to two goals inside 4 minutes as half time approached.
In truth, Allardyce does at least have a point in terms of our current
injury crisis. Losing Tomkins half way through the first half left us with 4
full backs marshaling the central and wide defensive positions and we looked
consequently vulnerable to just about any attack, even by an outfit as poor
as WBA.
It was pleasing to see Maiga grab a goal after the break, particularly since
he had clearly made a considerable impact once on for the hapless Carlton
Cole at half time. The sponsors' decision to award him man of the match was
typically Champagne-quaffing-induced but nonetheless he was a considerable
improvement on the player that some are still advocates for in the forward
position.
I cannot pretend that I was pleased to see Nolan score. He remains a
passenger in this team but, as we know, is considered to be the jewel in the
crown by our deluded manager.
This is a Championship side, make no mistake. Of the players on display on
Saturday, only Jarvis and Noble looked in any way premiership standard.
It's January soon. Failure to buy effectively will see us relegated in May.
Reliance on the other teams around us, of which granted there is some equal
dross, is a dodgy game to play. Nonetheless, it's the game that Sullivan and
Gold seem resolved to play.
How's ya luck?
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion shared six goals in a thrilling
draw on Saturday
28.12.2013
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United led twice and had to come from behind once as they played
out a thrilling 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday. Both sides had control of a pulsating contest for periods and both
would ultimately have felt unsatisfied with the conclusion. Joe Cole fired
the Hammers in front early on, but a quickfire Nicolas Anelka double just
before the interval turned the contest on its head. Modibo Maiga's
introduction breathed new life into the home side's efforts and he scored
one and set up another, for Kevin Nolan, as they enjoyed a fruitful two
minute spell of their own midway through the second period. But West Brom
were not done yet, and Saido Berahino soon levelled to keep West Ham in the
bottom three. Joe Cole was making his 150th Premier League appearance and he
helped the Hammers get off to the perfect start, slotting home by the near
post after bursting on to Kevin Nolan's through ball and bearing down on
goal. If the Hammers were jubilant, their mood was checked on ten minutes
when James Tomkins went down with a groin injury. With both James Collins
and Winston Reid already out with injury problems of their own, Sam
Allardyce was forced to field two makeshift centre-backs in the shape of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien. Even with the re-shuffle, West Ham still
went close to doubling their advantage on the half hour when Joe Cole dinked
a cross to the far post, where Carlton Cole nodded back. Guy Demel collected
the ball as it ran across him and tried to force goalwards, but hit the
outside of the post with his effort. West Brom had threatened to get in
behind the new-look West Ham defence, but hadn't managed it until the 40th
minute, when Anelka rolled back the years to bring his side level. Chris
Brunt was the man to prod it through to the former French international, who
timed his run to perfection and guided past the recalled Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Then, five minutes later, the Baggies left the Boleyn Ground crowd stunned
when they won a corner down the left, which perhaps should have been a
goal-kick, and Anelka reacted first to poke home after Carlton Cole blocked
the initial effort on the line.
The swift turnaround seemed to have flattened the Hammers and Anelka went
close to sealing his hat-trick two minutes after the restart when he got on
the end of Billy Jones' pull back, but Jaaskelainen was well-placed to save
at the near post.
West Ham introduced Maiga from the bench at the interval, and he sparked the
second half revival with a left-footed bolt from the blue on 63 minutes that
Ben Foster did well to tip over the bar. Two minutes later however, the
Baggies stopper could only watch as the ball flew past his right hand as
Maiga this time got the better of him with a bouncing shot from inside the
area. West Ham now had the momentum and they cashed in with another goal
just two minutes later. Maiga was again involved, rising highest to nod Mark
Noble's stood-up cross back for Nolan to hook home for his second of the
season. Back came West Brom though, and a third goal in a crazy four-minute
spell brought them level once more. It came from a finish of the highest
quality from England U21 international Berahino, who squared up Guy Demel
before shifting the ball on to his left foot and cracking a shot beyond
Jaaskelainen and in via the far post. Both sides pushed for a winner in a
breathless conclusion to an entralling match, and the Baggies came closest
to it when Berahino's free-kick rattled a post. The Hammers survived that
scare to ensure they ended 2013 with a point.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Tomkins (Demel 10), McCartney, Rat;
Nolan, Noble, Diame; J.Cole (Collison 83), C.Cole (Maiga 46), Jarvis
Subs: Adrian, Taylor, Diarra, Chambers
Goals: J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67
Booked: C.Cole, Nolan, Diame
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Lugano (Amalfitano
68), Ridgewell; Morrison (Yacob 78), Mulumbu, Brunt; Berahino (Sessegnon
85), Anelka
Subs: Myhill, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson
Goals: Anelka 40, Anelka 45+1, Berahino 69
Booked: Mulumbu, Ridgewell
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 34,946
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Big Sam on West Brom draw
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce spoke to West Ham TV following the 3-3 Barclays Premier League
draw with West Brom
28.12.2013
Sam Allardyce admitted to feeling 'drained' after Saturday's rollercoaster
3-3 Barclays Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers led
twice and trailed once in a thrilling contest at the Boleyn Ground, only to
be denied a valuable victory by Saido Berahino's fine finish. Earlier, Joe
Cole had given West Ham a third-minute lead before Nicolas Anelka returned
to haunt his former Bolton Wanderers boss with two goals in six minutes
before half-time.
After a difficult start to the second half, the Hammers scored twice in
three minutes through substitute Modibo Maiga and captain Kevin Nolan before
Berahino silenced the cheers with a pinpoint strike in off the base of the
upright. All that, added to losing James Tomkins with a groin injury when
West Ham were leading 1-0, left Big Sam feeling a whole host of emotions
when he spoke to West Ham TV. "Drained is probably an understatement of how
I feel after that game," said Big Sam. "We went through the full range of
emotions during the game. We made a fantastic start, had a comfortable 30-35
minutes and suffered the massive blow of James Tomkins having to come off
the field. "That normally wouldn't be a cost if we'd had our other central
defenders fit. The only place we couldn't stand an injury was at centre-half
and the only place we suffered an injury was to a centre-half. Everything
seems to be going against us at the moment, but that means we have to keep
fighting hard and against this until things start going for us a little bit
more. "We had to play four full-backs in a back four and, not that I am
criticising George or Joey really, that's probably where their first two
goals came from. The first one, Nicolas got through the middle and from a
central defender's point of view, you have to stay goalside or else the
striker is right in the middle of the goal. When you're a full-back, it's
not as big a problem as they're only going to be crossing, but when it
happens down the middle they're going to be shooting at goal. "For the
second goal, I don't think they were particularly at fault for anything but
we didn't have the height to deal with the opposition. With all of our
centre-backs being out injured, we're playing six foot full-backs marking
players who are six foot three or six foot four. That was the problem with
the second goal, plus we didn't think it was a corner in the first place,
but we thought it was a goal kick. "We changed our centre forward because I
thought Coley was fatigued after doing a great job against Arsenal. He got a
little tired at the end of the first half and Modibo is a lot fresher than
him, so he came on and did the business. That's what you want from your
centre forward, to get you back in the game, and that's what he has done
brilliantly. "Kevin got a goal when we needed it and every goal he seems to
score is an important one. It didn't go on and win us the game but we didn't
lose it. I thought we'd go on to win it and the only criticism is that we
didn't do what we practice every week after we have scored. They did it OK
after we scored our first two, but they didn't do it right when they scored
our third and that was to allow them straight into our box and score without
us getting a toe, tackle or block on anything. That's not us on how we
practice week-in, week-out."
After keeping eight clean sheets in their opening 16 games, West Ham
conceded three goals for the third league game in succession. The manager
pointed to the injuries suffered by Winston Reid, James Collins and Tomkins
as the major reason for his side's recent defensive woes. "Because of our
injury problems we've started to concede goals and we will continue to
concede goals if we have to play people out of position in defence. It is
just a necessity at the moment because we are coping with six or seven
injured and it's a massive problem for us. "We have to reduce that number of
injured players as quickly as possible because we've had it for far too long
and it's why we are in the bottom three of the league - it's as simple as
that."
After conceding to Berahino with 20 minutes remaining, both teams continued
to attack and either one could have nicked a victory in the closing stages.
"Both teams decided that they wanted to try and win," continued Big Sam. "We
went to try and win and so did they and it could have gone either way. The
disappointing thing was that we couldn't hold onto our 3-2 advantage for ten
minutes because I think that would have perhaps won us the game.
"Like I said, I can't be too critical of the back four because I have a back
four that shouldn't be playing as a back four with full-backs at
centre-half. It has to be like that for this moment in time."
With the 2013 fixture list now complete, the New Year begins with a trip to
Fulham and the opening of the transfer window on 1 January. With defenders
and forwards injured, Big Sam admitted he is desperate to sign
reinforcements, but that clinching deals early in the window may prove
difficult. "I have to say that disappointingly from our point of view, most
of the targets we hoped to sign by 2 January are now not available, having
either decided not to join us or ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere.
"We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more desperate than
the position we're in for new players in January, but our desire to get new
players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to loan players or let
them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have to be good enough.
If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody will destroy him
before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit the ground running
from the start and do the business from the beginning. That's the issue. "We
didn't want to have to sign any players in January but it looks like we
might have to. More important than recruiting new players is getting our
injured players fit as soon as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Turgott on target for U's
WHUFC.com
Hammers loanee Blair Turgott scored his first league goal in a 4-0 win for
Colchester United
27.12.2013
Blair Turgott registered his first senior career goal on Thursday as West
Ham United's trio of loanees each enjoyed a successful Boxing Day. The
19-year-old winger opened the scoring for Colchester United after ten
minutes, helping the U's put four without reply past struggling Stevenage at
the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Turgott took full advantage of a
goalkeeping mishap, as Stevenage stopper Chris Day spilled Brian Wilson's
cross, allowing the teenager to bag the opener. A Jabo Ibehre volley, prior
to a Craig Eastmond double, completed the scoring, while Turgott was
latterly replaced by Sanchez Watt. The U's sit 13th in Sky Bet League One
and play host to Crewe Alexandra on Sunday. Also in League One, Jordan
Spence played his part in another Milton Keynes Dons victory, as they won
2-0 at ten-man Crawley Town.
While the Hammers centre-half completed the contest, Stephen Gleeson and
Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford scored in either half, before the hosts had
Billy Clarke sent off in the 85th minute. Thursday's success is the Dons'
fourth on the spin in all competitions, with four clean sheets to boot. Karl
Robinson's men are now well placed in tenth, with a trip to Brentford on
Sunday in store. Elsewhere, Pelly Ruddock's Luton Town extended their
unbeaten run in the Skrill Conference Premier to 16 games, with a 2-1 win at
Barnet. With Ruddock playing the full 90 in the heart of midfield, Paul
Benson and Alex Lawless put the visitors two goals to the good, before Jon
Nurse was dismissed in first-half stoppage time. Though Jake Hyde halved the
deficit after the interval, the Hatters held on to claim all three points
and stay just a point behind leaders Cambridge United. Ruddock will likely
be back in action on Saturday, as Luton host Kidderminster Harriers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3 West Brom 3
28 December 2013
Last updated at 15:19
By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport
West Ham remain in the Premier League's bottom three after an entertaining
draw with fellow strugglers West Brom. Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead with a
low shot but Nicolas Anelka equalised before poking in two minutes later to
give the Baggies a 2-1 half-time lead. West Ham levelled through Modibo
Maiga's 20-yard shot and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put
the home side back in front. But Saido Berahino equalised again for West
Brom with a fine low strike. It was the third goal in five breathless
minutes at Upton Park in a game both sides needed to win to help in their
respective relegation battles.
West Ham are without a win in six Premier League matches as the pressure
continues to mount on manager Sam Allardyce, who went into this game
describing it as a "must-win" encounter. His side, who have recorded only
two league victories all season, now have key games coming up against fellow
strugglers Fulham and Cardiff. They are attempting to turn around their
season against a backdrop of mounting injury problems in defence. Already
without James Collins and Winston Reid, they lost James Tomkins midway
through the first half against the Baggies. West Brom's search for a new
boss continues but whoever takes the helm at The Hawthorns will do so with
the club scrapping at the wrong end of the table, just two points above the
relegation zone, having not won in their last nine. They should have taken
an early lead at Upton Park when Chris Brunt volleyed James Morrison's
whipped cross into the side netting.
West Brom were made to pay just a minute later when they fell behind through
Joe Cole's strike. Carlton Cole flicked on Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal-kick
and neat interplay between Nolan and Joe Cole released the former Chelsea
and Liverpool man who fired a fierce shot past the onrushing Ben Foster.
Half chances for Carlton Cole and Guy Demel followed before Mark Noble
curled a 20-yard free kick just wide of the angle. "There were boos from the
home crowd on the final whistle as another home game slips away without a
victory. "West Brom may be happy with a point away from home but West Ham
head into 2014 deep in trouble and in the relegation zone with two crucial
games coming up against Fulham and Cardiff City."
West Brom had been guilty of producing neat midfield passing without any end
product but in the final five minutes of the half they not only equalised
but took the lead. Both goals came from Anelka, who was making a return from
a two-month absence. His double resulted in him becoming only the ninth man
in Premier League history to score for six different clubs. The first came
in typical Anelka fashion. Latching onto Brunt's through ball he outmuscled
and outpaced Joey O'Brien before shooting past Jaaskelainen. Moments later
West Brom were in front after a header from a disputed corner was cleared
off the line by Carlton Cole and into the path of Anelka, who prodded home
from close range. The Hammers left the field to a chorus of boos and things
could have got worse for the home side immediately after the break but
Anelka side-footed straight at Jaaskelainen from close range while Berahino
sent a drive just wide. West Ham finally began to impose themselves on the
second half and Joe Cole went close with a fierce free-kick that flew just
past Foster's post. Nicolas Anelka became only the ninth man in Premier
League history to score for six different clubs joining Craig Bellamy,
Marcus Bent, Darren Bent, Robbie Keane, Nick Barmby, Andy Cole, Les
Ferdinand, and Peter Crouch. The West Brom keeper was again called into
action soon after, pulling off a wonderful full-stretch save to keep out
substitute Maiga's curling effort from 20 yards that was heading for the top
corner. But Foster was at fault moments later as he allowed Maiga's low
strike from a similar position to go under his sprawling dive. Nolan then
put the Hammers in front from close range following Maiga's nod down from
Noble's cross. But Albion were not finished and Berahino levelled with a
wonderful low strike across Jaaskelainen that cannoned in off the post. The
England Under-21 striker then crashed a curling free kick from the edge of
the area against the post while Nolan sent a header over the bar as both
sides searched in vain for a winner.
West Brom caretaker manager Keith Downing: "Everyone else enjoyed it apart
from me, it was end-to-end, not one for defensive purists. I have mixed
emotions because we edged ahead but credit to West Ham, they came back
strongly. "We've come back twice from behind in two days. Nicolas is a top
quality player. He's waited patiently for an opportunity. His two goals is
what he's all about, a lot of class. "A lot of credit goes to the academy
staff with Saido. He has a lot of ability, he has to keep his feet on the
ground, he's got Nico looking after him, always advising him. It's a good
combination. "After the initial shock of what happened with Steve Clarke,
the players have galvanised themselves, got together as a group. I'm very
proud of them. "I'll let the chairman and board go on hunting for the right
man, I'll carry on as long as they want me to."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce: West Ham boss says injuries will decide fate
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says his side's chances of staying the Premier
League depend on how quickly their injured players return to action.
Centre-back James Tomkins became the latest player to join a casualty list
half a dozen strong when he was injured in Saturday's 3-3 draw with West
Brom. West Ham are second from bottom midway though the season. "The
deciding factor will not be what signings we make, but how quickly our
injured players come back," he said. Following James Tomkins' departure
after 10 minutes, West Ham's back four were left-backs George McCartney and
Razvan Rat and right-backs Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel "If the players
missing were fit, we'd have won the game." Tomkins joins fellow centre-back
James Collins on the sidelines after his colleague's injury against Arsenal
on Boxing Day. The Hammers are also without record signing Andy Carroll,
midfielders Ravel Morrison and Stewart Downing, defender Winston Reid and
striker Ricardo Vaz Te, as well as forward Mladen Petric, who has reportedly
been released by the club. "When you have six or seven players injured it's
too much to cope with," Allardyce told BBC Sport. West Ham led twice on
Saturday, the second time coming when Kevin Nolan put them 3-2 up in the
67th minute, but Saido Berahino's equaliser two minutes later ensured the
points were shared. "It's very frustrating," Allardyce said. "There is a
reason why, no centre-backs are fit - losing James Tomkins was a big blow
for us. Our coping mechanism was playing four full-backs across the back
four and that has cost us three points. "They did their very best but got
caught out. We didn't have enough aerial threat defending corners. "We
practice on the training ground how to hold onto leads, but the players
forgot how to deal with West Brom's kick-off and stop them scoring. You can
blame anxiety or fatigue, but you can't forget how to deal with them. "That
switch-off for the few seconds has made life difficult for us, West Brom
looked down and out."
Two of West Ham's next three games are cup matches, at Nottingham Forest in
the FA Cup third round and at Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final
first leg, but Allardyce is focusing purely on the New Year's Day Premier
League clash with fellow strugglers Fulham. "Cups don't mean anything any
more," the former Bolton manager said. "We've worked our way to the League
Cup semi-finals. It doesn't matter, what does is our Premier League status
and getting points. The cups are secondary in our plight, especially with
our injuries."
Allardyce was not impressed by the attitude of some of the Hammers
supporters towards the players. "The fans have to understand, the players
are trying their best. We have had two games in less than 48 hours - and the
injury problems," he said. "They pay their money, they can do what they
want. You have to give them something to cheer about, we did. When there's a
lull [the fans have to] help us get back into it, rather than wait for us to
get you on the edge of your seat."
Allardyce's job is rumoured to be in doubt but midfielder Kevin Nolan, who
also played under the manager at Bolton, said: "It's all about us sticking
together as a club. We need to the fans to stick with us as well. I am sure
we will be OK at the end of the season. "Any of the six teams in trouble, if
Sam was out of a job, they would hire him to keep them up. The chairmen have
been brilliant with him and we'll be all right."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downing on....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2
West Bromwich Albion caretaker boss Keith Downing shares his view on today's
3-3 draw, when not being asked about Anelka's "gesture" and his job
prospects.....
Both defences went to sleep today..
It wasn't the purest for defences was it? I think that in fairness we set up
a system like we did against Tottenham with three at the back. West Ham
tried to exploit that. I thought that in the first half we had control of
the possession and we got ourselves in front. Credit to West Ham they got
the momentum, put us under pressure. As they scored the third we changed our
system nd gave them a problem. Good game to watch but I can't say I'm
satisfied with the way the team defended. You can't concede three goals too
many times.
Are you aware Nicolas [Anelka] seems to have been caught in some sort of a
storm with his goal celebrations?
I'm aware of it. It's got nothing to do with what's been said. He's
dedicated it to a French comedian who he knows very well. It's a gesture he
uses in his act. So we can stop that speculation now. It's absolute rubbish
really.
Jack Wilshire was punished for a gesture recently. Do you expect there to be
any problem with Nicolas?
No. Not at all. It was dedicated to a friend of his who happens to be a
comedian. The speculation being thrown around, he is totally surprised by
it.
It was an anti-semetic gesture....
(At this point West Brom's press manager intervenes): I think Keith's
answered that question. Nicko's explained it
So the club won't be taking any action?
Press manager again He has nothing else to say. Move on to the game please.
What did you make of his performance?
I thought he had a good game. He combined well with Berahino. He has that
quality to drop in there and link the play. It's been a while since he
figured and played but his attitude and dedication have been spot on.
He's happy at the club?
Yes – he wants to play and is prepared to play.
You said it was ridiculous having to play so soon after Boxing day. West Ham
were presumably in the same boat. Do you think that that had an effect on
the game??
Yes there were a few tired legs out there. There were six new faces out
there in an attempt to freshen things up. It's good for entertainment of
course – there's a lot of goals going in. But it's a tough shift for the
players.
Are you aware of where the club is regarding a new manager?
No I'm not aware. All I've been told is to carry on and I'll do that until
the new year. If anything happens before that I'll step down and help the
new guy whoever comes in. They put a press statement out yesterday that
thanked myself and Dean [Kiely] for supporting the players so that's what
I'm going t continue to do.
You've come from behind twice in the last three games and twice today. How
much credit do you take as manager for getting the players to rally?
I think that comes from the players to be honest. They take a lot of credit
for the fact that they grow when we concede. You can say I made
substitutions I could sit here and take all the adulation – but I won't.
It's the eleven on the field that make it happen.
Have you been given any indication that you might be required to stay on in
the seat a little longer?
No I've not been told that at all. I know you guys picked up on the Spanish
chap [ex Real Betis manager Pepe Mel], He was interviewed but he wasn't for
the club. It's unwise of me to get involved in that. I could get distracted
and I don't want that to transfer to the players. The players know I'm fully
focussed. I've got great support staff – Dean and the rest of the guys.,
Dave Oldfield, they've all been very supportive and I'm just concentrating
on that.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Utd 3-3 West Brom
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
There were goals-a-plenty at the Boleyn this afternoon as two teams
struggling to score in the Premier League defied the bookies' odds to
produce a six-goal thriller.
Prior to kick-off you could have got anywhere between 50 and 80-1 for a 3-3
draw, with few expecting a deluge of goals from an encounter between two
teams that had managed just 34 between them in the 36 Premier League
fixtures they had played prior to today's meeting.
West Ham, bereft of half a team through injury and hampered further by the
withdrawal of their only fit central defender James Tomkins after just eight
minutes took to the field featuring no less than nine free transfers, with
only Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan having troubled the co-owners' bank
accounts.
Yet this merry band of graduates, cast-offs and last chance saloon-dwellers
had a nervous home crowd on their feet after just four minutes when Joe Cole
combined with captain Nolan, back in the team following his recent
three-match suspension before firing across Albion's Ben Foster to give
United an early, critical lead. Guy Demel almost doubled United's advantage
on the half-hour mark but the woodwork proved an unwelcome obstacle.
It was a lead that was to last until five minutes before the interval when
Nicolas Anelka eluded West Ham's makeshift central defensive pairing of Joey
O'Brien and George McCartney before squeezing the ball past Jussi
Jasskelainen. The Frenchman's subsequent goal celebration, a nod to
controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala was later revealed to have
anti-Semitic overtones which the FA, in their infinite wisdom, have already
confirmed they will be investigating.
That semi-comedic episode of defending was usurped moments later when West
Ham somehow contrived to turn a promising lead into a half time deficit.
With Albion having been incorrectly awarded a corner when Joe Cole's tackle
on James Morrison was given the way of the visitors by the
regularly-incompetent Mike Dean, Anelka poked the Baggies into the lead when
he was first to react after Carlton Cole had prevented a certain goal from a
downward header.
Cole himself proved to be the fall guy for that deficit and Modibo Maiga
took his place in the team as the players returned for the second half.
Whether it was a tactical decision or merely one prompted by a horrible
challenge on Jonas Olsson that left the giant Swede with two new stripes in
his thigh (that he took great pleasure in exhibiting to a
less-than-sympathetic Lower West Stand) remains unknown outside of the
confines of the dressing room, but it had a pivotal effect on the match.
Maiga, previously likened to seasoned failures such as John Radford and Iain
Dowie having gone an entire calender year without a goal produced just about
the best 45 minutes of his short West Ham career as he turned the game in
the Hammers' favour within the space of three minutes.
With 65 on the clock and a petulant Boleyn crowd baying for blood, he
levelled the scores with a trademark curling, left-footed strike that
(somehow) evaded Foster before nestling inside the 'keeper's right-hand
post. Just two minutes later his far post header from Mark Noble's cross
allowed a rejuvenated Nolan to twist his body goalwards before diverting
Maiga's knockdown into the roof of Albion's net.
Celebrating Irons supporters were afforded mere seconds in which to enjoy
their team's unexpected advantage as within two minutes Albion's exciting
youngster Saido Berahino - a team mate of West Ham's (unavailable) Ravel
Morrison in England's Under 21s camp - fired across Jaaskelainen from an
acute angle to make it 3-3, much to the delight of the less-than-capacity -
yet lively, as ever - Baggies contingent behind the goal.
Disappointment at losing the lead was tempered somewhat when Mo Diame
conceded a second successive free kick on the perimeter of the penalty box
with just ten minutes remaining and Berahino's resulting effort smashed
against the post before bouncing to safety. West Ham have cursed their luck
all season but the good Lady was certainly smiling on those of a claret and
blue persuasion at that precise moment.
Sam Allardyce had billed today's encounter as a six-pointer yet on
reflection it's unlikely he will be too dissatisfied with his team's overall
performance. Up against it for most of the match with no recognised central
defenders and missing key personnel such as Carroll, Reid, Downing, Collins
and Morrison, West Ham's second half recovery and general willingness to
fight should at least give hope to both Allardyce and those seriously
concerned by the team's current position in the Premier League.
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Nolan, Tomkins (Demel 8), Jarvis,
Rat, Noble, O'Brien, Diame, C Cole (Maiga 46), J Cole (Collison 83).
Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Diarra.
Goals: Cole (4), Maiga (65), Nolan (67).
Booked: C Cole (43), Nolan (57), Diame (81).
Shots on/off target: 16 (6/10).
Possession: 47%.
West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Lugano,
Mulumbu, McAuley, Jones, Berahino (Sessegnon 85), Anelka.
Subs not used: Myhill, Amalfitano, Sinclair, Vydra, Dawson.
Goals: Anelka (40, 45), Berahino (69).
Booked: Mulumbu (48), Ridgewell (90).
Shots on/off target: 22 (7/15).
Possession: 53%.
Referee: Mike Dean (5).
Attendance: 34,946.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tomkins arrest: video surfaces
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th December 2013
By: Staff Writer
A brief video of the moment West Ham United's James Tomkins was arrested has
been unveiled on the internet.
Earlier tonight YouTube user SuperJebanks posted a 32 second-long video,
recorded via mobile phone, showing the moment Tomkins was led away by Police
following an altercation outside the Sugar Hut nightspot in Brentwood in the
early hours of Sunday, December 22.
The video begins at the point Tomkins was wrestled to the ground by three
Policeman, whilst a fourth stands close by monitoring the situation. A young
woman with blonde hair is seen being pulled away from the felled defender by
a dark-haired male associate.
At no point does Tomkins, who was later charged with assaulting a police
officer, appear to offer any resistance. Dressed casually in jeans and
t-shirt, the 24-year-old - who was part of the team beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at
the Boleyn Ground yesterday - is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates'
Court on January 9.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Everton striker Nikica Jelavic subject of enquiries from two clubs
Last Updated: 28/12/13 7:32pm
SSN
Roberto Martinez is weighing up whether to let Nikica Jelavic leave Everton
in the January transfer window after confirming two clubs have enquired
about the striker. Jelavic moved to Goodison Park from Rangers during the
2012 January transfer window and enjoyed a blistering start to his Everton
career by scoring nine goals in 13 appearances. However, he mustered just
seven goals in 37 Premier League games last season and has yet to open his
account from eight outings this term. The Croatia international has not
started a game since mid-September and has been forced to provide the
back-up to summer signing Romelu Lukaku in recent months. West Ham United
have been linked with a loan approach for Jelavic in the New Year and
Martinez acknowledged there has been interest in the 28-year-old. With
Jelavic keen for playing time ahead of the World Cup finals, Martinez is now
considering what would be best for both the player and Everton. Speaking
ahead of Sunday's game against Southampton, he told evertontv: "We've had a
couple of enquiries from two different clubs for one of our players. "Nikica
Jelavic is someone who we have made it very clear to - we've had a
conversation and he has the World Cup around the corner. "He needs to be
playing minutes and we understand that. We'll always try to give it a good
assessment of the situation but that's not affecting anyone at the club.
"All we are focusing on is being as good as we can on Sunday. "Whatever
happens in January will be for the good of the football club and that's
where the work is."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce admits lack of fit defenders was key in draw with WBA
Last Updated: 28/12/13 5:45pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce admitted West Ham's defensive woes played a key role in their
3-3 draw with West Brom on Saturday. The Hammers started the game with three
full-backs playing in the back four, then lost James Tomkins to injury,
meaning they were robbed of their only fit centre-back, with Guy Demel
coming on for him. Both teams are struggling in the bottom half of the
table, but West Ham took an early lead through Joe Cole, only to see two
quick-fire goals from Nicolas Anelka before the break earn West Brom a 2-1
half-time lead. The hosts launched a fightback of their own after the break,
with sub Modibo Maiga and skipper Kevin Nolan scoring to put them 3-2 ahead.
But Saido Berahino's angled finish secured a point for the visitors,
ensuring caretaker coach Keith Downing has overseen three draws in three
games. Allardyce admitted he was disappointed to only pocket a point from a
game he described as 'must win' before kick-off, and he told Sky Sports:
"Leading twice at home and not winning is disappointing from my point of
view. "The fact of the matter is that we haven't got the defenders on the
field that we need - and that, for me, is the key to why we've not won the
game. "Playing four full-backs across the back four because every
centre-back is now injured is a massive blow to us. "In fairness to the lads
they showed magnificent coping skills today. The crowd were on their back,
not giving them the support they need - and they turned it around to get the
crowd back on their side. "Maybe there was a little bit of fatigue after
having to play two games in 48 hours. People say that's the way it is - but
it's not right really, and we cope as best as we can. But that's why we
probably saw so many mistakes from both teams - there were some tired legs
in the end. "Neither team were showing the sort of energy they normally can
in a game like this, so it left some more open spaces - but also left some
room for extra errors. "To lose James Tomkins and those two goals knocked us
back a bit - but it was fantastic fighting spirit from the boys."
Allardyce urged the fans to get behind his troops in coming games, saying:
"They've got to understand the players are trying their best - they've had
to play two games in 48 hours and we've got our injury problems, with
Tomkins going off. "Booing them is not going to help them or give them
encouragement to get back into the game. "But at the end of the day, they
pay their money and they can do what they want - we all understand that.
"I'm just saying that sometimes, when there's a lull in the game, get behind
us instead of asking us to get you on the edge of your seats, to help us
back in the game and try to win it. "We did a great job today - every player
gave 100 per cent. We nearly got a very important victory, but in the end we
got a draw."
Allardyce admits he is trying to bolster his beleaguered backline with the
winter window fast approaching, and added: "You've got to find the players
and get them in - but it's hard and we've been trying for six weeks now.
"We're still trying to clinch a deal we haven't clinched yet. Life is very
difficult and the loss of James Tomkins following the loss of James Collins
is a massive blow to us, because with Winston Reid we don't have a
centre-half. "It's a big problem for us that we'll have to cope with until
we get the players who are here fit. "We can bring new players in but that
can't happen until January the 2nd or 3rd. "Fulham is a massive game for us
on New Year's Day and these players have got to go out and show that they've
got the commitment and energy to get the result we need."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and West Brom serve up 3-3 draw
Last Updated: 28/12/13 6:17pm
SSN
West Ham and West Brom served up a thrilling 3-3 draw in Saturday's early
Premier League game at Upton Park. Joe Cole scored the opening goal of an
action-packed game on four minutes, drilling a right-footed shot past Ben
Foster.
Best of the match
Man of the match: Saido Berahino (West Brom). Scored a superb goal and
overall his pace and movement made him difficult to contain.
Moment of the match: Referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a corner which led
to their second goal when replays suggest it should have been a goalkick.
Attempt of the match: Nicolas Anelka tried an audacious shot on the turn
from the halfway line and it was narrowly wide.
Save of the match: Ben Foster made a one-handed stop to keep out a curling
effort from Modibo Maiga that was heading for the top corner.
Talking point: The boos from the West Ham fans that greeted the final
whistle only further intensified the growing pressure on manager Sam
Allardyce.
Goal of the game: Anelka was played in by a superb throughball from Chris
Brunt and he deftly flicked the ball over Jaaskelainen.
But a clinical double from Nicolas Anelka, scoring his first Albion goals on
40 and 45 minutes, turned the game on its head before the interval. Sam
Allardyce sent on Modibo Maiga for Carlton Cole at half-time, and the sub
made it 2-2 on 65 minutes with a left-footed strike before setting up Kevin
Nolan to make it 3-2 two minutes later. Saido Berahino drew the scores level
once again on 69 with an angled finish - and hit the upright with a late
free-kick. But both teams had to settle for a point apiece, ensuring both
are firmly locked in a fight for top-flight survival. Sam Allardyce feels
his West Ham side were struggling with fatigue towards the end of their game
with West Brom. The managerless Baggies made the brighter start with Chris
Brunt steering an early shot into the side-netting.
But they fell behind on four minutes when Carlton Cole flicked on a long
punt from Jussi Jaaskelainen to Joe Cole, who played a neat one-two with
Nolan before firing a low right-footed shot past Foster.
James Tomkins went off injured with a groin strain and was replaced by Guy
Demel before Nolan had a penalty claim turned down after his shot struck
Liam Ridgewell's chest in the 18-yard box. Carlton Cole headed a corner over
the crossbar under pressure from Jonas Olsson on 24 minutes, then set up a
chance on 31 for Demel, who swivelled well but struck the upright with a
fierce right-footed effort. Brunt wasted a good chance to equalise on 38
minutes when he declined to shoot with his right foot - but the winger
played a sublime through ball to Nicolas Anelka on 40 and saw the Frenchman
take full advantage, dinking the ball over Jaaskelainen to make it 1-1.
Albion then took the lead in controversial circumstances on 45 after winning
a dubious corner from a Joe Cole challenge with James Morrison. Brunt's
corner was headed goalbound by Olsson, and after Demel blocked tamely on the
goalline, Anelka reacted first to poke the ball into the back of the net.
West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing says he was incredibly proud of the
effort and commitment shown by his players today. Allardyce sent on Maiga
for Carlton Cole at the break, and after Foster pulled off a stunning save
to tip the striker's left-footed drive over the crossbar, the sub netted an
equaliser on 65 minutes. Once again Maiga let fly with his left foot from 20
yards, and the ball skipped over the diving Foster's right hand to spark
celebrations in the home crowd. Hammers fans were in full voice again two
minutes later as Maiga's knock-down from a Mark Noble cross found Nolan, who
volleyed home from close range to make it 3-2 to the struggling hosts.
But it was 3-3 on 69 minutes, when Berahino cut onto his left foot in the
18-yard box and steered an angled drive into the bottom corner. Both teams
went for the win in the closing stages, with Jaaskalainen saving Brunt's
half-volley and Berahino smacking the upright with a superb free-kick. But
they had to settle for a point each, with Albion now having drawn their last
three league games to remain in a survival scrap with the Hammers, who stay
in the drop zone.
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MESSAGE TO GOLD & SULLIVAN: ALLARDYCE'S FUTURE MUST BE DECIDED NOW
By Iain Dale 28 Dec 2013 at 15:00
West Ham Till I Die
Back in January 2011 West Ham were in a downward spiral. Avram Grant had
lost the dressing room. Martin O'Neill was lined up to take over but then
changed his mind., West Ham then unexpectedly won a match towards the end of
the month and the owners decided to stick with him. Bad mistake. We ended up
being relegated. Those of us who couldn't understand Grant's appointment in
the first place weren't exactly surprised.
We now find ourselves at the end of the year firmly rooted in the bottom
three, having played a series of matches where our performances have been
less than inspiring. Luck hasn't gone our way, to be sure, but throughout
December we haven't deserved to get much out of any of the games. Today's
was another where we were lucky to get a point, even though we led twice.
I'll come on to today's performance in a moment, but the main point of this
blog post is to make an appeal to the joint-chairmen. Make a decision and
stick with it. If you're going to fire Allardyce, do it now. This evening.
But if you are not going to fire him, stick with him. You're in the best
position to judge whether he can make it and turn things around. Use your
experience from the Grant era to inform your decision, but it is your
decision and you need to be accountable for it. And if you are going to give
Allardyce your confidence, you need to buy two central defenders and two
strikers in January. Nothing less will be good enough. If you fire
Allardyce, you'll still need to do this, FFP or no FFP.
It was a pulsating game and it was a game we put ourselves in a great
position to win. Bizarrely, I had fallen asleep on the sofa and only woke up
when I heard the roar of the crowd as Joe Cole put us one up after only
three minutes. [In case you are wondering why I wasn't actually at the
match, I'm on a ten day break in Norfolk]. So I missed the fact that Kevin
Nolan played an assist. So when I later tweeted "Just realised Kevin Nolan
is actually on the pitch" I got some well deserved abuse. We had two more
chances to increase our lead, but as usual didn't put them away. So it came
as little surprise when WBA scored and then put in a second on the stroke of
half time. We weren't exactly helped by having James Tomkins injured,
resulting in four full backs playing across defence. You do have to question
why we had no central defender from the Development Squad on the bench. I
think Pelly Ruddock is on loan at Luton Town. Perhaps he should have been
recalled.
At 2-1 down you always fancied West Brom to add to their lead. Anelka,
Berhani and Brunt were on fire. Enter Modibo Maiga. He came on for Carlton
Cole at half time and quickly put in a brilliant long range shot which
Foster parried wide. A few minutes later he hit another one from outside the
area which Foster let under his body. Maiga sunk to his knees and I am
pretty sure I saw him wiping tears away. A few minutes later up he jumped to
head the ball down for Nolan to smash into the net. So Nolan had two assists
and a goal, with Maiga grabbing a goal and an assist.
I have to say I thought it was a very jittery performance from Jussi. Not
what we have come to expect. He was certainly at fault for their third goal.
Defensively I suppose we did about as well as could have been expected with
no recognised central defender for more than three quarters of the game.
Noble put in his usual committed performance but Diame was again a
disappointment. Nolan will rest of the fact that he got two assists and a
goal, but for large parts of the game he just disappears and it appears we
are a man down. i thought both Cole and Maiga did well, which is at least
some consolation.
So, as we all struggle to come to terms with the fact that we are in a
serious relegation battle, the next 30 days are certainly going to be very
interesting for our club. Let's try and be as calm as we can.
Jussi 5, Demel 6, O'Brien 6, McCartney 6, Rat 6, Noble 7, Diame 5, Nolan 6,
Cole J 6, Cole C 6, Maiga 7, Jarvis 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Kevin Nolan backs boss Sam Allardyce as beleaguered Hammers stay
second bottom
Dec 28, 2013 16:03 By Anthony Clavane 0 Comments
The Mirror
The returning midfield man's goal wasn't enough to see off West Brom as the
home side's poor run continued
Sam Allardyce set his struggling Hammers a six-points target for December –
but they have ended up with only two. Perhaps nobody expected West Ham to
beat Arsenal or Manchester United. But draws against Sunderland and now
managerless West Brom have seen the Upton Park club slide into the
relegation zone. In fact, West Ham are the only club in the bottom six to
stand by their original manager for this campaign. Such has been their
belief in the experienced Allardyce. Big Sam had described the clash with
fellow relegation strugglers West Brom as a "must-win" but the 3-3 draw at
Upton Park means the Londoners end the year in deep trouble. Kevin Nolan,
West Ham's goal-scoring skipper, is adamant Allardyce must stay. He said:
"If Sam was out of a job any of the clubs in the bottom six would hire Sam
to keep them up. The co-chairmen here have been brilliant with him. They
understand we've had injuries. "We're all in it together. We feel we'll be
in the Premier League come the end of the season."
Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have remained low-key and
supportive during recent troubles. Apart from one public complaint from
Sullivan about the wisdom in paying £15 million for the long-term injured
Andy Carroll, they have been a model of restraint - so far. Despite the boos
from the home crowd on the final whistle Allardyce insisted: "It was a
remarkable performance given our defensive injuries. "It was going well
until (James) Tomkins was injured. His injury meant everybody getting
depressed. We had two full-backs playing centre-half. You try and defend
that. We scored three very good goals and the lads are disappointed they did
not win."
Allardyce went on: "The game was very frustrating. We showed great fighting
spirit in the second half." Joe Cole put the Hammers ahead but Nicolas
Anelka levelled before poking in two minutes later to give the Baggies a 2-1
half-time lead. The home side equalised through Modibo Maiga's 20-yard shot
and Kevin Nolan prodded home from close range to put them back in front. But
Saido Berahino equalised again for West Brom with a fine low strike.
Allardyce knew all about Anelka's goal-poaching menace having signed him for
Bolton in 2006. He added: "Maiga's goal was quality. Which is what you need
in our situation. Sadly we didn't protect ourselves which is a bitter pill
for me tos wallow. "We must have mentally switched off and we got heavily
punished. Fatigue kicked in but I thought it was a very good goal given our
defensive injuries."
Baggies caretaker boss Keith Downing has now overseen three draws since
Steve Clarke was sacked. But he is refusing to take the credit for
stabilising the club. "I could take all the adulation," said Downing. "But
of course it's down to the players. I don't know who is taking over or when
but I'm fully focused. I will gladly support the new guy, whoever it is."
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West Ham's Carlton Cole a transfer target in winter window for QPR boss
Harry Redknapp
Dec 28, 2013 22:29 By Bill Mills 0 Comments
SSN
Harry Redknapp is ready to prise Carlton Cole out of West Ham in the January
transfer window. The 30-year-old striker re-signed for the Hammers in
October after being released last summer. An injury crisis and dearth of
attacking options prompted Cole's shock return. But the former England
international was only offered an initial three month deal. With the window
opening this week QPR boss Redknapp, desperate to keep his team on course
for promotion, wants to boost his side's attacking powers. It will be a
controversial raid by 'Arry on the club he managed for seven years. The
Loftus Road boss has grown increasingly frustrated by the form of Bobby
Zamora and Andy Johnson. As a free agent, Cole could prove a useful addition
to Rangers' attack. Relegation-threatened West Ham are keen to add to their
squad in the next month. Manager Sam Allardyce recognises the need for more
goal-scoring options and has also enquired about Everton defender John
Heitinga. They will face competition from Fulham and Norwich for the Holland
international. Asamoah Gyan has also cast doubts on a January move to West
Ham - insisting he is happy with UAE club Al Ain. "My heart and soul are
attached to Al Ain," striker Gyan, 28, said. "I can confirm West Ham have
made an offer for me. But it is up to Al Ain to make a decision " A new
contract for young midfielder Ravel Morrison is also being discussed. Under
a clause in his contract, if West Ham receive a bid of £10million they must
quadruple his current £15,000-a-week wage. The alternative will be to sell
the England Under-21 international. Given West Ham's precarious position,
owners David Sullivan and David Gold won't want to over-stretch the club.
Morrison's deal has 18 months left and one alternative would be to
negotiate a new one, including a big pay rise, but without the punishing
clauses.
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West Ham target John Heitinga as Big Sam plots January move for
out-of-favour Everton defender
Dec 27, 2013 22:30 By John Cross 0 Comments
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is trying to set up a January deal for Everton's out-of-favour
Dutch defender John Heitinga. The West Ham boss is desperate to bring in a
centre-half with Winston Reid and James Collins both injured. Dutchman
Heitinga, 30, has been told he can leave Goodison Park in January and has
also attracted interest from Fiorentina, Real Betis and Napoli. However, it
is believed he would prefer to stay in the Premier League. The Hammers are
also trying to bolster their attacking options with Andy Carroll still
injured. Allardyce says he wants a ready-made Premier League striker and has
hinted at a big name. He said: "It would help if they had Premier League
experience, but you have to take a player's CV if they're from abroad."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce: Most of my January targets have snubbed West Ham
FourFourTwo.com
Sam Allardyce concedes "most" of West Ham's initial January transfer targets
will not be heading to Upton Park. Allardyce's squad has been ravaged by
injuries this season, with defender James Tomkins the latest to join the
growing casualty list after being withdrawn after 11 minutes of the 3-3 draw
with West Brom on Saturday with a groin problem. The West Ham manager has
spoken openly of his desire to strengthen next month, but has now revealed
that some players he is keen on have either snubbed a move to the Premier
League strugglers or are in talks with other clubs. "I have to say that
disappointingly from our point of view, most of the targets we hoped to sign
by January 2 are now not available, having either decided not to join us or
ventured on a new negotiation elsewhere," Allardyce told the club's official
website. "We've been at it for six weeks now and my need is ever more
desperate than the position we're in for new players in January, but our
desire to get new players in has fallen because most clubs don't want to
loan players or let them go. "We hope we will get new recruits but they have
to be good enough. "If I pick a player who is not good enough then everybody
will destroy him before he starts, so I need to pick a player who can hit
the ground running from the start and do the business from the beginning.
That's the issue. "We didn't want to have to sign any players in January but
it looks like we might have to. "More important than recruiting new players
is getting our injured players fit as soon as possible."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bizarre clause revealed in West Ham ace's contract
Date: 29th December 2013 at 4:35 am
Written by: Irons Maiden | Forever WestHam
In a world dominated by agents, nothing tends to surprise me in football, as
those guys will do absolutely anything to squeeze every penny possible out
of a deal. However, the latest clause to emerge in Ravel Morrison's contract
is, not only a bizarre one, but also a worrying one. The Telegraph is
reporting that, should West Ham receive a £10 million plus bid for the
England U-21 international, then the Hammers are forced to quadruple
Morrison's wage. The former Manchester United is believed to earn nearly
£15,000-a-week which means – if my mathematics are correct – he will stand
to pocket almost £60,000-a-week.
This latest news comes just a month or so after his £18 million release fee
clause was reported. You have to wonder, especially with the possibility of
relegation growing, how much longer the Irons can hold onto their rising
star?
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Sullivan and Gold Sleepwalk towards the Championship
ClaretandBlues.com
After failing in the self-proclaimed and latest of the 'must win' games,
Allardyce can rest easy tonight and for the foreseeable future. You see,
whilst all of our major competitors' owners have seen fit to relinquish
their managers of their responsibilities, with the resultant improvement in
virtually all of them, Gold and Sullivan pride themselves on their loyalty
and conviction and will, like their manager does with his captain, stick
with their man through thin and thinner.
Saturday's match was a game between two very poor teams, let's be clear
about that. Having gained an early advantage through a well worked goal
between Nolan and Joe Cole, West Ham failed to create another meaningful
chance in a first half of insipid and uninspired tippy-tappy. The result was
that West Bromwich Albion grew in confidence as the half progressed and,
Nikolas Anelka found himself in the currently unusual position of helping
himself to two goals inside 4 minutes as half time approached.
In truth, Allardyce does at least have a point in terms of our current
injury crisis. Losing Tomkins half way through the first half left us with 4
full backs marshaling the central and wide defensive positions and we looked
consequently vulnerable to just about any attack, even by an outfit as poor
as WBA.
It was pleasing to see Maiga grab a goal after the break, particularly since
he had clearly made a considerable impact once on for the hapless Carlton
Cole at half time. The sponsors' decision to award him man of the match was
typically Champagne-quaffing-induced but nonetheless he was a considerable
improvement on the player that some are still advocates for in the forward
position.
I cannot pretend that I was pleased to see Nolan score. He remains a
passenger in this team but, as we know, is considered to be the jewel in the
crown by our deluded manager.
This is a Championship side, make no mistake. Of the players on display on
Saturday, only Jarvis and Noble looked in any way premiership standard.
It's January soon. Failure to buy effectively will see us relegated in May.
Reliance on the other teams around us, of which granted there is some equal
dross, is a dodgy game to play. Nonetheless, it's the game that Sullivan and
Gold seem resolved to play.
How's ya luck?
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