Daily WHUFC News - 14th February 2013

Pog predicts bright future
WHUFC.com
Emanuel Pogatetz is pleased to be playing in claret and blue following his
return to English football
13.02.2013

Emanuel Pogatetz admitted to feeling mixed emotions after Sunday's 2-1
Barclays Premier League defeat at Aston Villa. The Austria international
made his first start in English football in nearly three years at Villa
Park, starting the game as one of three central defenders in an altered West
Ham United formation. An injury to Joey O'Brien midway through the first
half saw the Hammers switch back to a 4-3-3 system. While Sam Allardyce's
side adapted to the mid-game change, two set piece goals in the second half
put paid to their chances of winning in the West Midlands. "Of course, for
me personally it was great to be playing again in the Premier League,"
Pogatetz told West Ham TV. "To be playing for a big club such as West Ham,
who you see so many supporters follow away from home, was great for me.
"Unfortunately the result didn't go our way so I'm disappointed, but I hope
to be involved more so I can play many more games for West Ham and help us
to achieve our targets this season and get some more points on the board."

The on-loan VfL Wolfsburg defender flew out to Dubai with his new team-mates
following Sunday's game for a few days of warm-weather training. While some
sceptics have dismissed such trips as gimmicks, the No18 knows from personal
experience that such excursions can be hugely beneficial for tired bodies
and minds. "When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter
break and I think this is a similar break now. The lads will enjoy the break
and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or whatever
they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we're back. I
think the group will really benefit from it."

Looking back on his full debut, Pogatetz felt West Ham were unfortunate to
leave Villa Park empty-handed after dominating for long periods against Paul
Lambert's side. "I think we probably deserved at least a draw. We created a
lot of chances but the ball just didn't want to go in. Then they scored from
a penalty first and, after that, it was difficult. "Even in the end stage of
the game, we had two incredible opportunities to equalise so it was
disappointing that I lost on my debut. For the team, I think we deserved
more. Our performance, especially in the second half, was good so I'm a
little bit disappointed about that.
"We played 3-5-2 for a few minutes and then we had to change it around
anyway because we lost Joey to an injury. We had to switch it around a
little bit but we couldn't play that way for too long, so in the end we
switched back to four at the back and I think we adapted quite well because
we didn't give too many chances away. "It was unlucky that we didn't score
first because, if we had, I think we would have gone on and won the game."

While West Ham's away form continues to be cause for concern, the
30-year-old believes his new club have more than enough quality to ensure
they will not be looking over their collective shoulder for the remaining
three months of the season. "We shouldn't panic. We're in a good position.
Obviously we know we have hard games coming up, but we are up to the task.
On Sunday our performance was all right and if we can push on from that, we
can put many more points on the board and achieve everything we want by the
end of the season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two matches moved
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham United fixtures in April have been moved to new kick-off
times
13.02.2013

Two West Ham United fixtures have been moved to new kick-off times.

The Hammers' Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool has been put back a
day to Sunday 7 April, with kick-off at 1.30pm. This is because the original
date for the fixture clashes with the Grand National at Aintree. West Ham's
trip to face champions Manchester City has been selected for live television
coverage by Sky Sports at 12.45pm on Saturday 27 April. However, supporters
should note that, if either Manchester United or Arsenal are competing in
the UEFA Champions League semi-final the following Tuesday, the trip to the
Etihad Stadium will be moved to Sunday 28 April 2013 at 4pm. Ticket news for
both of these away fixtures will be confirmed in due course on whufc.com and
in the Official Programme.

Supporters can purchase tickets for the Barclays Premier League 3pm kick-off
at Stoke City on Saturday 2 March now, as these are on General Sale. To do
so, click here or call 0871 529 1966 via Option 3 (Calls cost 10p per minute
plus network extras).

Seats are also selling fast for the 8pm visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday
25 February. The eagerly-anticipated London derby will see the club mark the
20th anniversary of the passing of the late, great Bobby Moore with a series
of special events and guests.

Fans should note that all standard tickets for the Barclays Premier League
trip to Chelsea on Saturday 16 March have now sold out.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to benefit from Dubai trip
WHUFC.com
Head of sports medicine Andy Rolls says a week in the sun will do the
players the power of good
13.02.2013

With snow covering much of south east England, West Ham United may have
found training at Chadwell Heath difficult this week. Thankfully, the
Hammers do not have to worry about the white stuff, having flown to a
warm-weather training camp in Dubai following Sunday's Barclays Premier
League fixture at Aston Villa. While everyone connected with the club would
have love to have left for the Middle East on the back of a victory, head of
sports science and sports medicine Andy Rolls said the benefits of training
in bright, hot sunshine would be felt over the final 12 games of the season.
Rolls pointed to last season's break in the same location, which was
followed by a run of one defeat in 17 matches that climaxed with victory in
the npower Championship Play-Off final. This week, West Ham's players will
train twice daily in Dubai without having to worry about disruptions and
distractions caused by, among other things, the weather and travel problems.
As well as the psychological positives, the Hammers will benefit
physiologically by training under the bright sunshine, which contains
vitamin D - a fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body after exposure to
ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D aids the absorption and metabolism
of calcium and phosphorous, which have various functions, especially the
maintenance of healthy bones. "Last season, the players benefitted greatly
from a break and a change of scenery, getting away from the weather here and
the pressure of trying to gain promotion last year," said Rolls. "When you
look back at last season, our running statistics improved - both
high-intensity and total distance covered - and our results were fantastic.
We lost only one of our 17 matches after a similar trip last year. "The
proof was really in the pudding last year. Our running stats showed that we
were generally fitter than the opposition, as we showed in the Play-Off
semi-final games against Cardiff City, when we ran all over them. "This
year, it has been the manager's strong belief that this break will have the
same benefits. We will train over there quite hard - there will be some
double sessions and some gym time as well as pitch time. I think we'll see
the benefits again when we return. "It's been a long season already and
Christmas is always hard and we'd been back for six or seven weeks before we
played our first Premier League game back in August. The players need a
break and a change of scenery. "The manager has always done trips like this
in the past and the players will obviously enjoy a bit of sun. It's a change
when it is cold in England. The players take vitamin D supplements when they
are at home so the sun will top them up, which helps the absorption of
calcium and different things into the bones and aids their general
well-being, really."

Three players who have not travelled to Dubai are James Collins, George
McCartney and Joey O'Brien, who stayed behind to work on their
rehabilitation. Collins and McCartney are approaching comebacks from
hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while O'Brien suffered a dead leg
at Villa Park on Sunday. Rolls is naturally pleased to see the treatment
room relatively empty at this time of year. "We had a difficult Christmas
with a lot of trauma injuries - people who had been kicked or torn
ligaments. George has had an operation on his knee and is now running in
straight lines and James who is soon to return to training. They have stayed
behind to work on their rehabilitation to try to get back as soon as
possible. "Unfortunately, Joey had to come off with quite a nasty dead leg
so he also had to stay behind for treatment, but they are our only injuries
at the moment, which is great. We had a few over Christmas and it was hard
but the boys have worked hard to turn it around."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee loving life at Rush Green
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is in fine form in front of goal and spurred on by the Dev
Squad's impressive home form
13.02.2013

Elliot Lee hailed yet another perfect Friday night at Rush Green, as his
first-half goal paved the way for West Ham United's sixth home win of their
Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign, this time at the expense of West
Bromwich Albion. With two victories from their opening three Elite Group
encounters, Nick Haycock's Development Squad are poised in second, four
points behind early frontrunners Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton are Friday's
visitors to Rush Green and though Lee admits the surface is perhaps not the
best, he is not the least bit worried as sides continue to come a cropper in
the young Hammers' modest east London home. "Obviously it's not the best
pitch here, but we seem to win every time we play here, we've made it our
fortress," the 18-year-old told West Ham TV. "It was great to get a goal and
great to get another three points. As evident from his exuberant
celebrations, Lee was overjoyed to bag his second goal in as many starts for
the Development Squads, not least after defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. And it
could hardly have come at a better time, with only seconds of the first half
still to play. "It's always a good time to score," he continued. "Scoring
just before half time gives the lads a chance to settle down, have a
breather inside and get our heads back together. "I was a bit frustrated to
miss the two chances I had on Monday [at Tottenham Hotspur] so it was good
to make up for on Friday. On another day I could have even had a couple
more, but to be honest with you I'm just happy with the three points and
it's onwards and upwards from here really."

Lee was also quick to salute his fellow frontman Wellington Paulista, who
has now chalked up three goals in just three appearances. Though the
Brazilian's introduction has seen Lee adopt a role on the left of a front
three, the teenage forward insists he would be sorry to see Paulista move
on, if and when called upon by the first team. "My strike partner Wellington
got another goal as well. I hope he can start doing it for the first team
now instead of with us. I'll be sad to see him go but good luck to him. It
was a brilliant header. You won't see me doing that but it was a great
header."

Elsewhere, West Ham United Academy forward Marcio Martins was on target as
Portugal Under-17s finished second at the prestigious Algarve Tournament.
The schoolboy forward starred for his country at the four-team competition,
which also featured the U17 national teams of England, Germany and
Netherlands.
Martins began the tournament as a substitute as Portugal netted a
last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with the Dutch on Friday. On
Sunday, Martins started and was the hero as Portugal came from behind to
defeat England 2-1. Reise Allassani put England into a seventh-minute lead
before Joao Lima equalised a minute after half-time. The young Hammer then
took centre stage, netting his nation's winner by converting a pass from
substitute Romario.
On Tuesday, Martins started Portugal's final match against Germany, with his
team knowing victory would secure the overall title, only for the home side
to be held to a dramatic 1-1 draw. Macedo put the host nation in front on
the half-hour mark and, despite Martins being replaced a minute after being
booked ten minutes after the interval, Portugal looked on course to win the
match and the tournament. However, German substitute Tim Bodenroder wrecked
their title hopes with an equaliser with just six minutes remaining. The
16-year-old is making good progress at Little Heath, appearing as a
substitute in the FA Youth Cup third-round win at Aldershot Town in
December. Martins has also appeared twice as a replacement in the Barclays
U18 Premier League, turning out most recently in the 1-0 home win over
Tottenham Hotspur last month.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Emanuel Pogatetz: West Ham must not panic in attempt to avoid relegation
battle
Last Updated: February 13, 2013 6:48pm
SSN

Emanuel Pogatetz has called for calm as West Ham attempt to avoid being
sucked into a relegation battle. The Hammers suffered a fourth defeat in six
games last weekend when they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, leaving them seven
points above the Premier League drop zone. Games against Tottenham, Chelsea
and Manchester United are on the horizon but defender Pogatetz is confident
they can stay clear of trouble. "We shouldn't panic. We are in a good
position," said the Austria international. "Obviously we know we have hard
games coming up, but we are up to the task. "Our performance was alright at
Villa and if we can push on from that, we can put many more points on the
board and achieve everything we want by the end of the season."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce used the break in domestic action to take his
side away for training in Dubai. Last year it helped rejuvenate the squad
for their end-of-season run in, which culminated in promotion to the Premier
League via the play-offs, and Pogatetz can see the positives from the change
in routine.
"When I played in Germany for the last two years, we got a winter break and
I think this is a similar break now," he said. "The lads will enjoy the
break and the warm weather. They can recover the bruises and knocks or
whatever they have got and then make a fresh start next Monday when we are
back."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Squad Heads Off for Warm Weather Training, but Paulista Stays at
Chadwell Heath!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Tilll I Die

The first team squad have headed off to the sunny climate of Dubai for a
week of warm weather training. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact it
is a sensible move. It will allow the squad to get away from their usual
surroundings and recharge their batteries mentally. Hopefully, it will
conribute to them refocusing psychologically and recovering physically. And
that might contribute to improved results in the remainder of the season.

One player that has not gone to Dubai is the Brazilian striker, Wellington
Paulista. He is the 'wild card' amongst our striking options and offers
diferent options to the others. Paulista looks as keen as mustard and gives
100% on the pitch. I have defended his signing from day one. And I remain
convinced that he could have a positive role to play this season. And how we
could do with another Ilan, coming in to the team and scoring vital goals to
lift the team.

But why has he stayed at the club, rather than travelling with the first
team? Is it sign that Paulista does not figure in Allardyce's plans or,
alternatively, could it be seen as a demonstration of the player's
commitment to succeeding at the club and in English football? After all,
perhaps it was reasoned that the player would benefit more from selection
for the U-21s' mext match, rather than training in the sun? There is no
substitute for playing and building match fitness.

Whatever, all Paulista can do is play and prove his credentials by scoring.
If he does continue to find the back of the net, Sam Allardyce will fnd it
difficult to ignore his claim to promoion to the first team bench.
Especially if we struggle to covert our chances, as is currently the case.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No fear, Sam
Published: 13th February 2013
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE insists he does not fear the sack at West Ham. Allardyce is
out of contract this summer and is yet to talk about a new deal. The club
have won just two in their last 12. But Big Sam said: "There's no problem.
We'll talk once our Prem status is secure. "Some owners pull the trigger
early but it is not like that here."

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com