Daily WHUFC News - 15th January 2013

U21s game postponed
WHUFC.com
Monday's Development Squad fixture at Manchester United has been called off
due to a waterlogged pitch
14.01.2013

Monday's Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage match between
Manchester United and West Ham United has been postponed because of a
waterlogged pitch. The wintry weather has put paid to the Hammers' hopes of
kicking off the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group Stage with a
victory on Monday night. A 3pm pitch inspection at Altrincham FC's Moss Lane
ground found a large amount of water on the playing surface, which was
deemed unplayable by the match officials, leaving them no option but to call
the game off. whufc.com will post details of the rearranged fixture when
available but the next outing for Nick Haycock's side is scheduled for
Friday evening, when Liverpool will visit Rush Green for a 7pm kick-off.

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Captain calls for improvement
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan says West Ham United are determined to bounce back from a
disappointing defeat
14.01.2013

West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan said the squad were determined to bounce
back from the 'bitter disappointment' of Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League defeat at Sunderland. The midfielder said sorry to the travelling
Hammers fans for the under-par performance at the Stadium of Light. He
insisted the team are determined to put things right, with a trip to face
Manchester United on Wednesday in the FA Cup with Budweiser third round
replay before London neighbours Queens Park Rangers visit the Boleyn Ground
in the league next Saturday. "We have had a good start to 2013, with the win
against Norwich City on New Year's Day and a great performance which nearly
saw us nearly neat Manchester United in the FA Cup last week, so the loss
and display at Sunderland was a bitter blow to us, a big disappointment,"
admitted Nolan. "Hats off to Sunderland, they played very well and we
didn't. But it is about us getting back on it, straight away. What happened
at Sunderland wasn't acceptable to us, not with the standards we have set
ourselves this season. We have a game again on Wednesday and it is up to us
to show improvement, get back to where we have been and we will be putting
in hard shifts at the training ground this week to do this."

The Hammers skipper said he could not explain the manner of the defeat on
Wearside. "It was one of those days when for us, the eleven lads on the
field were not on it. Sometimes it does happen. We just couldn't get hold of
the ball, especially in the first half. It was a wonder goal [from Sebastian
Larsson] and we should have made sure we stayed in the game coming out for
the second half, yet let in a sloppy goal early on. "There were some young
lads out there who will have learned a lot from the game against a side that
have established themselves in the Barclays Premier League, I still learn. I
hate being 1-0 down, let alone 3-0, so we come together as a squad again and
look also at what we have been doing well. That has got us where we are and
the good position we are in. "We hold our hands up and take this on the chin
and put it to bed. We have a cup replay on Wednesday where we are going to
give it a go and then come back to hopefully show the strong home form we
have against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, looking to be back in the form
we know we should be.
"We focus on the game at Old Trafford and then on playing QPR, which will be
another tough game. They have turned a bit of a corner and are giving it a
go under Harry Redknapp. But apart from losing against Liverpool and Everton
at home last month, we have showed great form at home this season and do
feel we can beat anyone there, so we will be looking to carry that on."

Despite Saturday's setback, Nolan believes the recent influx of new signings
and the returns from injury of a host of important players means the Hammers
will soon be back to winning ways. "I think if we can keep everyone as fit
as we can and have a near-on full squad for the gaffer to pick from, then we
can push on. When I came up with Newcastle [United] it was similar. As a
newly-promoted side, you go through an up and down spell. What you have to
do is keep it all on an even keel, keep it steady. "When we made a strong
start to the season, we knew we couldn't think too far ahead or get too
carried away. On the other side of things, when you do hit a rough spot, it
is about getting through it together and putting things right when you get
them wrong. "If you had offered us the position we are in at the start of
the season, we would have taken it. But we want to be better than that of
course. We all want to be playing and playing in the Premier League, so it
is up to us to make it happen and I am confident we can do this and we will
be where we want to be."

While Nolan says as long as the team win, it doesn't matter who scores, he
is looking to get on the goal trail again and add to the five goals he has
notched this season. "It seems like a while since I scored. I got stick off
the Sunderland fans about not being able to do my chicken dance celebration.
I have certainly made them cry a few times when I have scored but let me
tell you the chicken celebration is not certainly not dead, it is alive and
kicking. Watch out, hopefully I will be doing it again soon!"

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists defender James Tomkins will not be sold
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 9:08am
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has no plans to allow James Tomkins to leave and
is looking to strengthen his injury-hit defence during the January transfer
window. The Hammers boss saw James Collins suffer a hamstring injury during
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland and is already without the services of
George McCartney and Joey O'Brien, with the duo on the treatment table.
Tomkins has been linked with a move to Newcastle, with the Magpies battling
to retain the services of Fabricio Coloccini, but Allardyce would be loath
to lose another member of his squad. Teenage defender Dan Potts made his
Premier League debut in the setback on Wearside, with the youngster culpable
for Sunderland's second goal, when his hesitation allowed Adam Johnson to
score.
Allardyce said: "We have never been in a position to sell anybody and we
don't want to. We want to increase the size of the squad, not decrease it
and sell anybody. "It was less likely James was going to leave in the first
place, even less likely now. "Now we only have two centre-halves left, James
and Winston Reid, and we have a 19-year-old at full-back because we have
no-one else, so I need two in if I am honest. "I have been looking for a
left-back for the last 10 days."

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McCallum keen on Dons stay
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 1:27pm
SSN

West Ham striker Paul McCallum has revealed he would gladly extend his loan
spell with AFC Wimbledon. The 19-year-old took his tally for the Dons to
four in five games with both goals in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe on Saturday.
McCallum is due back at parent club West Ham next week but accepts his
first-team opportunities are likely to be limited at Upton Park this season.
"If I am not in the plans at West Ham now, and I do not think I am because
they have just signed two strikers, then I would gladly stay here longer if
the gaffer wants me," he told the Dons' website. Manager Neal Ardley is
eager to keep the in-form frontman at Kingsmeadow. He said: "That is the
best Paul has played for us. "Apart from the goals, his work-rate and the
way he used his body was good. We have worked on him and he is growing as a
player - it is great for him to get another two goals."

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Matthias Fanimo signs West Ham contract
Last Updated: January 14, 2013 12:44pm
SSN

West Ham have handed a new contract to youngster Matthias Fanimo which ties
him to the club until the summer of 2015. The left-sided winger or full-back
has made two first-team appearances for the Hammers this term as a
substitute in the Capital One Cup games against Crewe and Wigan. The
18-year-old has also been a regular starter for the Development Squad in
recent seasons. Fanimo told the club's official website: "I think it's a
good achievement to get another contract at the club. "I enjoy playing here
and I hope it continues. I was seven when I joined the club and I've come a
long way. It's been a good journey and I've had some ups and downs but I
think I'm doing pretty well for myself at the moment. "It was definitely a
good experience for me to come on and make my debut. It was a surprise to me
and I'm glad that I did it. "I want to get my Premier League debut under my
belt because that would be another good experience for me. I just have to
keep working hard and hopefully the manager notices me."

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What Chamakh can offer West Ham – From an Arsenal Fan's Point of View
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Abhinav Kini

Marouane Chamakh hasn't had the best last two years. He is probably up there
with the most hated Arsenal players if you go by fan opinion. He has lost
the trust of Arsene Wenger and probably his own teammates. He has only
scored 2 goals in 2012, both in a 7-5 win over Reading in the Capital One
Cup. Once the talisman of Morocco, he isn't even in the country's plans
anymore.

Despite the last few sentences, the forgotten man can be really vital for a
team like West Ham where he is on loan at for the remainder of the season
and can offer many things. People forget the brilliant start that Chamakh
had at Arsenal when he filled in for the injured Robin van Persie and scored
11 goals in his first 17 games for the club. The way he was going about,
Chamakh seemed like the bargain of the century, considering he was free and
was providing Arsenal with a different attacking dimension with his aerial
threat and presence in the box. Chamakh notably even created history at
Arsenal as no other player has scored in six consecutive Champions League
games other than him – not even Lionel Messi!

And this was a player who wasn't even known for his goals as he had never
scored more than 13 league goals a season in his career - but he was doing
it. However, just as he "burnt out," Van Persie was fit again and ever since
then, Chamakh had been resigned to the bench. And he was never brought back.

Since Van Persie entered the prime of his career, Chamakh only got three
starts in the Premier League since December 2010. Three! With most of his
time on the bench, Chamakh lost confidence and wasn't making an impact as a
substitute. For much of last season, he was resigned to 10-15 minute cameos
while he hasn't made a single league appearance this season at all.

Even Chamakh knew he lost his confidence – "I need to play. I cannot stay
like this forever. If I played more, of course I would have more confidence
and score more goals."

Which makes his loan move to West Ham, a very good one - Chamakh needs game
time. He needs confidence. Most importantly, he needs faith from his
manager. It's fair to say that Arsene Wenger didn't manage him well but Sam
Allardyce looks to be appreciating Chamakh's worth – "With Emmanuel Adebayor
they used to cross balls so I don' t know why they didn't for Chamakh. We'll
give him the platform by feeding him the right type of balls. You provide
the service he needs in terms of how he plays. He's exceptionally good in
the air and he's really good at getting between defenders from crosses. We
can provide the ammunition for him to hopefully get a few goals." That is
one reason why Chamakh failed at Arsenal – he was simply not getting any
crosses or the amount one would expect for a tall striker like him who is
lethal in the air to receive. With West Ham's style of play, he will
definitely flourish with crosses coming in from the likes of Matt Jarvis and
Joe Cole - if he gets an opportunity, he will take it. It's not like he's a
bad finisher as many will have you believe. To be a bad finisher, you need
to have chances and not take them and Chamakh has barely had any due to
limited game time.

Chamakh is also a very good player when it comes to link up play. Whether
it's simple one-two passes which opens up a defense, or him knocking the
ball down from a cross or a pass for a player like Kevin Nolan to strike the
ball, he will definitely help provide something to West Ham's attack.

For this loan to be successful though, Chamakh needs to start more than come
on as a substitute – he isn't the type of player to make an impact off the
bench if you go by his Arsenal career. But if he starts, he will do well as
he has time to get into the game, depending on the type of opposition and
deliver.

Cross the ball, expect a few goals - Chamakh will definitely contribute in
some form or the other be it assists or his presence in the box. With
Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll as his competition, he should seriously be
starting as he simply offers more than the other two, especially when high
on confidence. Big Sam just needs to make sure Chamakh retains confidence.
Everything else will go to plan.

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Carlton Cole: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Before I start on the main point of this article I'd like to welcome the
fact that Joey O'Brien has signed a new contract keeping him at Upton Park
until 2016. He's the kind of solid all rounder that every team needs and
although he can be a bit injury prone, I think he's done fantastically well
since he signed 18 months ago. Young winger Matthias Fanimo has also signed
a contract until 2015. He's featured on the bench in a few games but has yet
to make his debut.

Anyway, down to business. I don't know about you but I am really concerned
by reports that the club are seeking to offload Carlton Cole. I just cannot
understand the logic of such a move and have difficulty believing it to be
true. At a time when we need all our strikers to be available do we really
want to sell a player who consistently gives his all and is a hell of a
nuisance to the opposing team. He's not a prolific goalscorer but never has
been. He offers the team much more than just goals. He is being linked with
Norwich and Reading, as well as a move to the MLS in America. I for one very
much hope that there is nothing to these rumours and that Carlton will still
be a West Ham player at the end of the month. It's reported that Carlton
himself has no intention of going anywhere and will fight for his place.
Ataboy. However, I have heard that his contract is up at the end of the
season, so it may be that West Ham want to get some money for him while they
can,which is a position I guess we'd have some sympathy for. He's got to be
worth at least £5 million, I guess.

So if you were David Sullivan or Sam Allardyce, what would you do with
Carlton? Keep him or sell him?

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Gunners are all go for Mo
Exclusive
By PHIL THOMAS
Last Updated: 15th January 2013
Ths Sun

ARSENAL are lining up a move to nick West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The
Hammers have offered the Senegal star, 25, a new deal just six months after
he joined from Wigan Athletic. But it depends on him agreeing to double a
release clause to £7million. Diame has yet to sign and the Gunners are keen
on him — just as soon as he proves his fitness again. He tore a hamstring
last month but was an unused sub in Saturday's loss at Sunderland. He is set
to play in the FA Cup replay at Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal plan to
watch him then and are poised to make a £3.5m bid. Boss Arsene Wenger wants
to strengthen his midfield with Mikel Arteta out for at least two weeks with
a calf strain.

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Hammers eye N'Sakala
Published: 14th January 2013
The Sun

WEST HAM may make a move to sign Troyes defender Fabrice N'Sakala, 22.

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