Daily WHUFC News - 5th April 2013

Trio enhance post-match recovery
WHUFC.com
West Ham United sports scientists worked with their old university to boost
players' post-match recovery
04.04.2013

Three West Ham United sports scientists have teamed up with their old
university on a ground-breaking project to enhance footballers' post-match
recovery.
Fitness coach Eamon Swift and assistant sports scientist Matt Evans both
graduated from Swansea University's Research Centre in Applied Sports,
Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM), while sports science intern Tom
Taylor is working with the club as part of this Master of Science
qualification. The trio collaborated with A-STEM's Dr Liam Kilduff and a
number of other academics and postgraduate students on the project, which
integrates a new recovery method into players' post-game management
practices. Previous research has shown that players can take up to four days
to fully recover following a competitive game - something that can become an
issue during an often packed fixture list. Swift said the opportunity to
work on a project with his former university had been a beneficial and
enjoyable experience, with the recovery management practices now being put
into practical use by the players at Chadwell Heath.

"Player recovery is a key area in professional football and one that we have
been looking at for a number of years," said Swift. "When Tom joined us as
an intern and the opportunity arose to work with Dr Kilduff on a project of
this nature, we were obviously very keen to be involved. "Swansea
University's reputation in elite sport research is second to none - the
research Dr Kilduff and his colleagues at A-STEM conduct has real impact in
our environment.
"We feel this recovery strategy has great potential in our environment, in
particular around periods of intense scheduling and travel demands. A number
of our senior players have reported back to me that they feel the recovery
method has aided in their post-game recovery."

Dr Kilduff explained that the practises focused on helping tired muscles to
recover by increasing blood flow. Studies have highlighted that
high-intensity running, sprinting, and change of direction are the main
components of the game that impact on the physiological recovery of
players," he said. The study we have just completed with West Ham use well
established markers of recovery to examine how a new recovery strategy -
based on increased muscle blood flow - may aid players' recovery.
"Preliminary findings in rugby players have shown this technique to have a
potential role in the recovery process, especially when coupled with the
travel demands placed on professional athletes in the modern game. "We
already have a strong relationship with West Ham, with three of our Sports
Science graduates now working at the club. Hopefully this relationship -
built on collaboration and knowledge exchange - will continue to develop in
the future to benefit the players, the club, and Swansea University's sports
science research."

MSc student Taylor, who is spending the 2012/13 season with the Hammers,
said he was delighted that the project had been of real benefit to the
players he works with on a daily basis. "After completing my undergraduate
Sports Science degree at Swansea," he said. "I decided to apply to study for
an MSc degree and Dr Kilduff assisted me with securing an internship at West
Ham United alongside my studies. "I chose to focus on recovery in
professional football players because, after discussions with Eamon, it was
clear this was an area we felt we could make a real difference to the
players' preparation. "The internship and the opportunity to work on this
collaborative research project have allowed me to work with two world-class
sports science teams. It has been an excellent experience and it has most
definitely enhanced my skills and employability prospects for the future."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jack recalls Liverpool victory
WHUFC.com
Jack Burkett was in the last West Ham United side to win at Anfield - nearly
50 years ago!
04.04.2013

When it comes to collector's items, West Ham United wins at Liverpool are
among the rarest of commodities. As every Hammers fan will no doubt be
aware, West Ham have not won at Anfield on any of their previous 41 visits
dating back nearly 50 years to a 2-1 victory on 14 September 1963. The
1963/64 season ended with the Reds being crowned Division One champions and
West Ham winning the FA Cup for the first time. Amazingly, Ron Greenwood's
side did the 'double' over Bill Shankly's team, scoring a 1-0 success at the
Boleyn Ground on 18 January 1964. One man who played in both victories was
full-back Jack Burkett, who recalls West Ham's most-recent yet long-ago win
at Anfield clearly. "I cannot believe I was in the side last time we won
there!" half-joked Burkett, who is now 70 and lives in Leigh-on-Sea. "I can
certainly remember the game. It was a hard one for us and to win up there
against a strong Liverpool team was certainly a feat. "We had lost twice to
late goals at Anfield the previous season, 1-0 in the FA Cup sixth round and
1-0 in the league, which were obviously disappointing results, so to beat
them was fantastic. "Liverpool had some good players back then - players
like Roger Hunt, Ian Callaghan and Ian St John - so when you look back, it
wasn't a bad result! Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst scored our goals, so we
also had some big players on the pitch."

While Liverpool were building towards their sixth league title and first
since 1947, West Ham were entering a golden period in the club's history.
Greenwood's side would add to the FA Cup they lifted in 1964 by winning the
European Cup Winners' Cup the following year, while Peters, Hurst and Bobby
Moore won the FIFA World Cup alongside Hunt and Callaghan in 1966. "I think
it was a time when we were looking to build a good side," recalls Burkett.
"When you look back, games like that were just normal for us, because we won
a lot of away games that we weren't expected to win. "When you win games
when people don't give you a chance, like we did at Anfield, it feels even
better than when you win a game you're expected to win."

Another man who was part of the West Ham side that day and in their two
subsequent cup final successes was goalkeeper Jim Standen, who helped the
Hammers to victory by saving Ronnie Moran's second-half penalty. "Ronnie
didn't miss too many penalties but Jim saved his shot that day," said
Burkett. "When Jim was on form, he was one of the hardest goalkeepers in the
country to beat. He was a real character and very under-rated. "Ron only
paid £6,000 to sign him from Luton Town in 1962 and he turned out to be a
real bargain because he was a very good goalkeeper. He was also a very good
cricketer, winning a County Championship medal with Worcestershire, and that
meant he was very agile."

Fast forward nearly half-a-century and Burkett is looking forward to
Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Anfield - although he is unsure
whether the present-day Hammers can emulate the feat achieved by Greenwood's
side. "Liverpool are going through a spell of revamping their squad, as they
have been for the last few years, but they have been playing well recently.
That said, West Ham won last Saturday and that victory should keep them in
the Premier League. "It will be a hard game on Sunday because Liverpool won
away at Aston Villa last weekend and Luis Suarez is a striker who is very
difficult to keep quiet. If we can do that, I think we can get a draw, which
would be as good as a win in my book."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan panned for Di Canio outburst
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has been accused of hypocrisy after
he condemned Paolo Di Canio for his fascist leanings. West Ham United's
co-owner, speaking in an article for the Independent entitled 'Fascists Have
No Place In Our Game' insisted that Di Canio should have renounced his
beliefs before taking the high-profile job. "Until he provides a clear
refutation of his previous position, we'll have to assume he thinks fascism
and football can get along," said Sullivan. "Well, not in my book, they
can't, and Sunderland should not have appointed him manager."

Yet in an earlier interview which appeared the Telegraph in February 2012,
there were no such concerns from Sullivan who insisted that Di Canio has
been considered for the then-vacant West Ham position. "He loves West Ham
and West Ham loves him," said Sullivan. "He's on a par with Tevez with the
supporters but last summer we had to go for safety. We went for Sam
[Allardyce] because we wanted experience. "With Paolo, if we'd brought him
in then, had he done badly we'd have looked so stupid. You really want to
see someone earn their apprenticeship as a manager."

Despite Sullivan's current concerns, the club continue to host supporters in
the Paolo Di Canio lounge on match days - whilst a string of items featuring
the former West Ham striker can still be found in the club shop. And it is
that apparent inconsistency which has led to a number of fans criticising
Sullivan's comments in the last 24 hours. "I see no reason why Mr Sullivan
had to make any statement regarding the situation," said KUMB member Sweeney
Bod.
"Will Mr.Sullivan now rename the suite named in honour of our erstwhile
legend? I would think that retaining the name would be hypocritical in light
of this statement. "And if I was Sunderland's chairman, I would be making a
complaint to the FA over an opposition chairman talking about the potential
recruitment, or non-recruitment, of their recent appointed manager. Yup, you
could not make it up."

Another supporter, referrring to the industry in which Sullivan made his
fortune added: "The king of the dildos waxing lyrical about morality? This
is a circus, beam me up!"

Whilst FrostyLemon said: "How can Sullivan be so idiotic? He's really sunk
to a low on this one, talk about double standards. How can you slate a guy
in the paper when you're selling merchandise with his name on it?"

* Fans hit out - read the original forum thread in which Sullivan was panned
by the fans.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matt Jarvis hoping West Ham can bridge a gap of almost 50 years by winning
at Anfield
Last Updated: April 4, 2013 5:35pm
SSN

Winger Matt Jarvis is hoping West Ham can bridge a gap of almost 50 years by
winning in Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers last won at Anfield in September
1963 and Jarvis admitted it would be a remarkable feat to beat the Europa
League hopefuls in their own backyard. Jarvis was instrumental in helping
the home side to a 3-1 home victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
"You don't get any easy games and away to Liverpool will be extremely hard
but we're full of confidence after Saturday." the 26-year-old told West Ham
TV. "Let's not talk about (the club's Anfield record), but if we can go
there and get a result, it would be a fantastic achievement."

Jarvis reserved special praise for midfielder Gary O'Neil, who has come into
the first-team line-up after an injury to Mark Noble, and England forward
Andy Carroll after his two goals against the Baggies. "Gary O'Neil has been
fantastic the last few weeks," he added. "He puts in such a shift and
doesn't get the praise he deserves. "The first goal's typical Andy, that's
him, getting in the box, getting his head on it. The second one was a great
strike. Technically, it's probably up there with the hardest things in
football and he nailed it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers yet to make a decision on Andy Carroll's
future
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: April
4, 2013 6:15pm
SSN

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits he will wait until the end of the
season to discuss Andy Carroll's long-term future at Anfield. Carroll is
currently on a season-long loan at West Ham after finding himself surplus to
requirements under Rodgers. Reports have suggested Rodgers was considering
offering Carroll a lifeline at Liverpool next season if he accepted that he
would not a be a regular starter at Anfield. Rodgers admits Liverpool have
been keeping tabs on Carroll's progress at Upton Park, but was remaining coy
on whether or not the striker would be handed a second chance at Anfield
next season. "We've monitored it very closely," Rodgers told Fox. "We've had
representatives from Liverpool at most of the games. "It's obviously been a
difficult season for Andy because his initial idea was he wanted to go out
and play every week, but unfortunately for him he's picked up some injuries
since he's been away. "But he scored two very good goals at the weekend and
he'll be looking to finish the season on a high and achieve the objectives
he wanted to before he went out."

On Carroll's future beyond the end of the current campaign, Rodgers added:
"It's nothing to discuss now. It's something we'll speak about at the end of
the season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan: Di Canio Will Never Manage West Ham Until He Renounces Fascism
Properly
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

David Sullivan has put to paper in The Independent today on the Paolo Di
Canio situation, and very interesting reading it makes too. You can read the
full article HERE, but here are some choice extracts. Pay particular
attention to the conclusion.

Paolo Di Canio is in the top rank of West Ham legends, up there with such
luminaries as Sir Trevor Brooking, Martin Peters, Sir Geoff Hurst, and
Carlos Tevez, and just below the peerless Sir Bobby Moore. He has been a
tremendous supporter of the club for years and, whenever I've met him,
struck me as charming, intelligent and what you might call Italian in the
extreme.

For all these reasons, I find it very hard to criticise him – but harder
still to swallow the events of this week. Put simply, Paolo should not be
managing a football club until he has convincingly renounced fascism. The
statement he issued yesterday was, if not too late, certainly too broad.
Until he provides a clear refutation of his previous position, we'll have to
assume he thinks fascism and football can get along. Well, not in my book,
they can't, and Sunderland should not have appointed him manager.


When, years ago, he lifted his arm in a Nazi salute, I took it to be a daft
gesture by a player ingratiating himself with lunatic fans. This week, he's
totally failed to account for such behaviour, or say that he's changed his
mind after all. Can we really tolerate a champion of such ideology occupying
a very senior position in our national game?

Two other questions about this saga fascinate me. First, why is it suddenly
an issue now, when he was for some time a manager at Swindon? Partly because
David Miliband resigned in protest – clever politics – and partly because it
happened over Easter, when there wasn't much other news around. But the idea
that it only matters if he's a fascist now that he's at Sunderland is an
insult to the people of Swindon.

Second, should different standards apply for managers as compared with
players? My answer is: no, but they inevitably do. Fascism is always
intolerable, but managers, like owners, have an additional duty to the wider
community. That is why, despite having once considered him a future manager
of West Ham, my partner David Gold and I wouldn't do so now – unless he
renounced his extreme views. The point is not that football and fascism do
not mix (Paolo shows they often can); the point is, they ought not to – as
Sunderland should know.

So, what do we make of that?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I couldn't employ Paolo Di Canio, says West Ham's David Sullivan
04 April 2013
The Evening Standard

West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan today insisted he would not consider
former player Paolo di Canio as a future manager of the club because of his
fascist views.

Di Canio, who was appointed as the new Sunderland manager this week, was
linked with a return to West Ham earlier this season but, writing in today's
Independent, Sullivan said the 44-year-old should not manage in England
until he has renounced his political beliefs. "Fascism is always intolerable
but managers, like owners, have an additional duty to the wider community,"
said Sullivan. "That is why, despite having once considered him a future
manager of West Ham, my partner David Gold and I wouldn't do so now — unless
he renounced his extreme views.

"Paolo di Canio is in the top rank of West Ham legends. He has been a
tremendous supporter of the club for years and, whenever I've met him,
struck me as charming, intelligent and what you might call Italian in the
extreme. For all these reasons, I find it very hard to criticise him — but
harder still to swallow the events of this week. Put simply, Paolo should
not be managing a club until he has convincingly renounced fascism."

Di Canio yesterday issued a statement claiming he does not support ideology
of fascism but Sullivan said: "The statement he issued was, if not too late,
certainly too broad. Until he provides a clear refutation of his previous
position, we'll have to assume he thinks fascism and football can get along.
Sunderland should not have appointed him manager."

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com