Daily WHUFC News - 16th April 2013

Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce previews Wednesday's Boleyn Ground clash with table-topping
Manchester United
15.04.2013

Sam Allardyce faces a concern over his defensive options ahead of
Wednesday's visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Already without Winston Reid and George McCartney due to thigh and knee
injuries, Big Sam watched James Tomkins limp out of the action during
Saturday's 1-1 draw at Southampton. WIth cover thin on the ground, Allardyce
is calling on his players to rise to the challenge of facing Sir Alex
Ferguson's side.

Let's start with the injury news. How's James Tomkins?

SA: "Our biggest concern injury-wise is with the defence. Winston Reid,
James Tomkins and George McCartney leaves us a little thin on the ground for
selection of defensive players. "If none of them make it, Emanuel Pogatetz
has to come into the team, and that leaves only young cover there which is
slightly concerning when we've got three games in a week. That's young Danny
Potts and Jordan Spence, we haven't got anyone else defensively but it's
life sometimes that when you've had a particularly good period, injuries
then take their toll. "And instead of the injuries being spread through the
team, they're all in one area, which obviously causes us more concern than
if it had been one in midfield, one up front and one defensively. Mark Noble
will be close to getting back but obviously the main concern at the moment
is defensive bodies available for Wednesday."

It's not as if you need your best defenders available for Manchester
United...

SA: "Not at all. Not after watching them professionally win on Sunday. It's
what you would call a thoroughly professional performance, where after
scoring the first goal the result never looked in any doubt. Counter
attacking football is one of the great arts of Manchester United and you saw
what they did when they counter attacked to get the penalty for the second
goal. "We'll need to be on our best form, as always, if we are to get
anything. We've run them close three times this season, so we hope that's
the same again on Wednesday night. Hopefully we can give as good a
performance as we gave in the last three.

They're going to win the title by quite a big margin it would seem. Where do
you stand on this debate about how good this Man United team is?

SA: "Well I think you have to say it's as good as it's ever been because
nobody normally wins the title so easily and by so big a margin, or has this
much of a margin at this stage of the season. It's pretty scary what total
they might actually finish with. I hope we can dent that a little bit on
Wednesday night for us because Sunderland having won against Newcastle, and
with all the bottom sides seeming to be picking up more points now than they
have done for the rest of the seaosn, we're still another couple of points
off being absolutely safe I'd say. "Man United have been outstanding and
it's been about how their squad rotation has been his masterpiece as usual,
about playing the right team at the right time. I suppose you could say
that because they got knocked out of the Champions League a little sooner
than usual and because they got knocked out of the FA Cup and Capital One
Cup, it's given them the strength and energy to be what they are in the
Barclays Premier League this year. "Because they haven't had the normal
focus on three or four competitions almost to the end, the focus has come on
the Premier League and they've just breezed it. They've just gone bang and
everyone else can't get near them."

You talk about needing a couple more points for safety, but Mr Gold has been
tweeting about a top-ten finish. What are your thoughts about that?

SA: "I think that's probably a hard one now. We have got four home games and
two away, so we have an opportunity, but I think we're going to have to win
three and draw two out of the last six [to get into the top ten]. "Something
like that might get us there. Man City away and Everton away are tough,
tough games as well as Man United at home. In fact they'll all be tough,
even Wigan who are now in a position, because of being in the FA Cup final,
that they have games to catch up and points to gain on others. That puts the
pressure on them, so they'll all be really tough matches but hopefully we
can win a couple and see where we go."

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Dev Squad match postponed
WHUFC.com
Monday night's Development Squad fixture at Southampton has been postponed
15.04.2013

West Ham United Development Squad's Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group
Stage fixture at Southampton on Monday night has been postponed. Nick
Haycock's side were due to kick-off against the Saints at 7pm, but the
fixture will now be played at a yet to be confirmed later date. The Saints
are a place and five points ahead of the fifth-placed Hammers going into the
game so Haycock's youngsters will view the match as an opportunity to push
their claim for a top three, Play-Off place. whufc.com will have more
information on the rearranged fixture when it is available

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Jussi impressed by resilience
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen was happy with West Ham United's point at Southampton on
Saturday
15.04.2013

Jussi Jaaskelainen gave another accomplished performance in goal for the
Hammers at Southampton on Saturday as he helped the Londoners claim a second
successive away draw. The 37-year-old Finn made one particularly impressive
save from Rickie Lambert in the first half, diving down to his right to keep
the Saints striker's sliding effort out with the help of his near post. West
Ham went on to cancel out Gaston Ramirez' 59th minute opener with an Andy
Carroll free kick and Jaskelainen was happy to claim another positive
result. He said: "It's always important when you make saves with the score
at 0-0. I don't remember exactly what happened, Rickie Lambert got a good
touch, but I got there and just managed to get the ball away and then kick
it out of my feet. "The conditions weren't the easiest to play in on
Saturday, and we were delighted with the point. "Our away form is getting
better - in our last four games we've won one, drawn two and had just one
defeat. We were on a bad run before, and we tried to play a little
differently. "We've defended well and if we had lost we would have been very
disappointed. They have to be happy with the point as well because in the
end we had a few chances too. "It was good to come from behind to get the
point. It's massively important in the Premier League to score the first
goal, but that can't happen all the time. "You have to respond to that -
there's no point panicking, you have to believe in what you're doing."

Next up for West Ham is the visit of Barclays Premier League leaders
Manchester United on Wednesday and Jaaskelainen is relishing the test
provided by SIr Alex Ferguson's side. He added: "We're looking forward to
Wednesday. That's the game in hand we have and we can go and enjoy that.
We've got nothing to lose. "We did well against them in the FA Cup earlier
in the season and it's great to play against the best teams in the Premier
League."

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce believes Saturday's draw at Southampton was good reward for a
resilient display
15.04.2013

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has been heartened by his side's improved away
form in recent weeks. Saturday's 1-1 draw at Southampton extended a run of
only one defeat in four road trips and allowed the east Londoners to
maintain their 12th position in the Barclays Premier League table. Big Sam
believes the turnaround in fortunes has come at the right time to keep alive
the Hammers' hopes of a top-half finish. He said: "We went to Stoke City a
few weeks ago having lost eight away games on the trot and I said to the
lads if you want to make sure we are where we want to be - going towards the
top half - you're going to have to put the away results right. "From thereon
We've won one, drawn two and only lost one, so to put five points out of 12
on the board has made all the difference for us, and kept the pressure off
us from maybe sliding down towards that bottom four. "It was another very
precious point on Saturday. The conditions were very difficult weather-wise,
it was like the middle of winter out there, and of course Southampton were
in good form at home, which we nullified. "The overall tactics and the way
we played was very good. We got what we deserved and if anything we might
have got the winner. "It was about us not surrendering too easily. I felt
previously that we being opened up too many times, we were surrendering
possession and the opposition were just playing through us and round us and
scoring goals. "That had to stop, we had to become more resilient
defensively as a unit. We had to be more mindful of our responsibilities,
with the skill and ability in this league, teams will take advantage if you
leave gaps and spaces. We've put that right and it's ended up getting us a
few results."

Saturday's point came courtesy of an Andy Carroll free kick and Allardyce
has not been surprised by his recent glut of goals. He continued: "I always
said that when he got match fit he'd put the goals in the back of the net
and show that he's a good scorer as well as a good player and target man.
"When we needed him he was there and he produced. That's what you want in a
team, someone who can turn a game for you and he's turned a few games for us
recently. "He might miss some chances, but it's not worrying him any more -
he had one in the second half and he'd have expected to score, but it hasn't
worried him. He's waited for the next one, which was a lot harder to put in,
but he's struck it really well. "Coming back from 1-0 down, which is
something we haven't done much away from home this season, shows we've got a
bit of character as well as a bit of ability."

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Olympic Stadium Q+A Part Two
WHUFC.com
The Board answer the next set of supporters' questions on the Olympic
Stadium move
15.04.2013

West Ham United would like to thank the hundreds of supporters who have
taken the time to email the club's yourosquestions@westhamunited.co.uk
address with questions about the exciting move to Stratford. The Board have
answered some of the most common questions below. Please keep your questions
coming in and we will answer another selection next week.

Will there be improved catering facilities at the Olympic Stadium?

Absolutely. The catering facilities on offer in and around the Olympic
Stadium will be world-class. We have looked at many of the other top stadia
both around the UK and internationally including those you may be familiar
with such as Wembley and the Emirates. Our intended offer will at least
match, if not exceed the best in the market. Many of the frustrations our
supporters experience at the Boleyn Ground such as the limited choices on
offer are as a direct result of the infrastructure restrictions in a stadium
of this age. This is not the case with a modern state-of-the-art stadium
that is being designed with all of the knowledge and experience required to
understand and meet ever-expanding modern day supporter needs. The catering
outlets and kiosks in the transformed UEFA Category 4 stadium will be
brought onto the podium to form part of the main stadium as you would expect
from a world-class arena. The new stadium also enables a 'Club Level offer'
for supporters and their families who still wish to enjoy a more traditional
matchday experience but require access to a lounge, hot food and drinks.

What will happen to the ashes at the Memorial Garden at the front of the
Boleyn Ground?

The club has been mindful of this consideration throughout this process and
can assure all supporters that we will treat this situation with the upmost
sensitivity and respect deserved by our departed supporters who are resting
or remembered in the Memorial Garden. We believe any action must be in line
with the wishes of the families involved. There is no comprehensive list
which details those who are rested so we'll be reaching out to the families
we are not yet already in dialogue with asking them to get in touch We are
in full consultation with the club's chaplain Reverend Alan Bolding
regarding this matter.

What will happen to the commemorative bricks?

We will take supporters' personalised messages over to the Olympic Stadium
with us but because many of the existing bricks are showing signs of wear
and tear it's likely messages will be transcribed again. We appreciate their
sentiment and for many fans, they've been given as gifts to friends and
family, and therefore we're keen to find a new home for them in Stratford.

What progress has been made with the supporter survey?

Following last week's appointment of independent research organisation
YouGov, they have now exclusively revealed details West Ham United's
supporter poll. The poll will offer fans the unique opportunity to have
their say on the move to the world-class UEFA category 4 (the highest
category of football stadium) Olympic Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic
Park. Vice Chairman, Karren Brady has actively encouraged all supporters to
take part and make sure they do not waste the once in a lifetime opportunity
to have their say on what is set to be the biggest decision to be made by
the club in the last 100 years. The poll will enable the club to fully
understand supporters' feelings and opinions towards the move so we can
respond accordingly. YouGov are currently programming the survey to ensure
that every eligible supporter can be contacted and verified and that the
questions enable West Ham fans to express their opinions on every aspect of
the move.

Will international supporters be given the chance to participate in the
survey?

Supporters living abroad who are on the club's database who fit the criteria
of either holding a high level relationship with the club or match
attendance will also be offered the opportunity to have their say when the
survey is released.

Would the club consider opening a West Ham museum at the Olympic Stadium?

Although there are no plans as yet to open a West Ham United museum within
the stadium, all of the club's memorabilia and trophies will be coming with
us
and will be displayed for all to enjoy with the pride and reverence they
deserve.

When does the lease begin?

West Ham will relocate to the Olympic Stadium in time for the start of the
2016-17 season, but we will not move until we are satisfied that the stadium
is ready for football and for us to host our first match. There are
extensive redevelopment works to be completed so that the stadium is able to
host major footballing events. We have worked hard to agree a specification
for the works and we will ensure they are implemented before we relocate.

Will the move create potential opportunities for local construction firms?

West Ham United will look to appoint a fit out contractor with strong
knowledge of West Ham United to ensure that all areas suitably reflect the
club's heritage and history. All major contracts will be led by the Stadium
SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). We advise companies to make direct contact
with the SPV when appropriate as the club will not be responsible for
appointing construction companies to carry out the main conversion work.

Will there be parking facilities for supporters on a matchday?

There will be ample parking opportunities for those supporters who wish to
drive to the stadium on a matchday and there are still potential
partnerships to be explored with the likes of Westfield. However one of the
core benefits of the move is that the venue is one of the most
well-connected stadiums in Europe so there will be lots of easy alternative
ways to travel on public transport to the ground on a matchday. This was one
of the key aspects that attracted the club to the stadium, as it will ensure
easy access - within minutes in many cases - from our core catchment areas
throughout Essex and east London. It is already serviced by the second best
connected station in London and nine lines across London's Overground and
tube network, with Crossrail set to be added by 2017.

Will any more pictures be released?

Yes and we will look forward to sharing artist's impressions and further
technical drawings from the architects as and when they are received.

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Andy Carroll move to West Ham 'threatened by fair play rules'
BBC.co.uk

New financial fair play rules could scupper West Ham's hopes of signing
striker Andy Carroll, manager Sam Allardyce says. The on-loan Liverpool
striker, 24, is open to a move to the London club. But Allardyce said
restrictions due to be introduced next season may prevent any move for the
England man. Allardyce said: "I will still point towards financial
restrictions being implemented next season - they could blow the whole deal
in one go." The new financial rules agreed by Premier League clubs mean
each team will not be allowed to make a total loss of more than £105m over
the next three seasons. They must also limit their player wage bills - and
breaching the rules could result in a points deduction. Liverpool paid a
club-record £35m to sign Carroll from Newcastle United in January 2011 and
would be looking to recoup at least half of that fee if they were to sell a
forward who has scored four times in his last five appearances.
Allardyce fears the change, due to come into force next season, could affect
his ability to strengthen his side. "Financially you are restricted to be
able to do it," he said. "So in one fell swoop the financial restrictions
mean Andy Carroll can't sign for us from Liverpool because it's too
expensive, even if he wanted to.
"I might not be able to afford Andy Carroll, full stop, even if I wanted
him, even if the chairmen wanted him, even if we all wanted him - which we
do - it will not be allowed to happen." However the Hammers manager, whose
side host league leaders Manchester United on Wednesday, accepted it would
take some time before the real impact of the regulations on clubs was known.
"I suppose across the board when you first introduce something new the
fair/unfair scenario has to get sorted out somewhere along the line to find
out how you have to tweak it to make it better," he said.

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Allardyce: top ten a long shot
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 15th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admits that finishing in the top half of the Premier League is
a long shot - but not beyond his squad. Allardyce, whose side face champions
elect Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday evening are back
at home having gained two decent draws at Liverpool and Southampton in their
most recent outings. Currently two points behind tenth-placed Fulham, West
Ham play four of their six remaining Premier League fixtures at home -
against Man Utd, FA Cup Finallists Wigan, Newcastle and Reading. That led
club co-chairman David Gold to Tweet a message at the weekend stating "a top
half finish now within our grasp" - although Allardyce was rather more
conservative with his predictions when questioned this morning. "I think
that's probably a hard one now," he said, when asked about the possibility
of a top-half finish. "We have got four home games so we have an
opportunity, but I think we're going to have to win three and draw two out
of the last six. Something like that might get us there. "Man City and
Everton away are tough, tough games - as well as Man United at home. In fact
they'll all be tough, even Wigan who are now in a position, because of being
in the FA Cup Final, that they have games to catch up and points to gain on
others. "So they'll all be really tough matches, but hopefully we can win a
couple and see where we go."

Allardyce was also left to bemoan a string of defensive injuries which
leaves him potentially looking to the youngsters in order to put out a team
on Wednesday night. "Our biggest concern is with the defence," he said.
"Winston Reid, James Tomkins and George McCartney [out] leaves us a little
thin on the ground for selection of defensive players. "If none of them make
it Emanuel Pogatetz has to come into the team, and that leaves only young
cover there which is slightly concerning when we've got three games in a
week. "That's young Danny Potts and Jordan Spence, we haven't got anyone
else defensively but it's life sometimes that when you've had a particularly
good period, injuries then take their toll. "Instead of the injuries being
spread through the team, they're all in one area which obviously causes us
more concern than if it had been one in midfield, one up front and one
defensively."

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Brady repeats 'no increase' falsehood
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 14th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

Karren Brady has told readers of her tabloid column that West Ham's disabled
season ticket holders are paying the same for their season tickets as they
did in 1992. Following a string of protests from angry fans at the club's
decision to raise season ticket prices for disabled fans by an astonishing
107 per cent, the club backed down last week and announced that they were
now raising prices by 'only' 50 per cent. In the first of two letters sent
to disabled fans in order to explain the price rise, the club falsely
claimed that season ticket holders had not paid an increase above inflation
for 21 years - a claim that was debunked by KUMB member and disabled season
ticket holder Richard Vann. "This simply isn't true," he told us. "In
2011/12 the cost was £265; this season it is £290. Even with my basic maths
ability, that equates to a 9.4 per cent rise from last season - way above
inflation at the time." However that has not prevented Brady from using her
Sun column to repeat the 'no rise' myth. Speaking via her weekend piece for
The Sun, the vice-chair said: "The cost of season-ticket seats for the
disabled is a touchy subject and when it was decided a review of them was
needed at Upton Park, we knew we were in a sensitive area. "None of us has a
problem with special prices or with providing a free place for a carer with
each wheelchair fan. But we have had a big increase in the numbers of
disabled, and we have not had a price rise for 21 YEARS."

One disabled KUMB member countered: "She is telling porkies about the
inflation rate changes unless they're using a very strange inflation
calculator.
"I don't mind that fact at all, but please just be honest or we'll start
wondering what else is less than true."

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Sam Allardyce says West Ham can't afford to buy Andy Carroll
Last Updated: April 15, 2013 1:25pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that Andy Carroll's wages would be
a stumbling block to the club's hopes of signing the striker from Liverpool.
Carroll, 24, has impressed during a loan spell at Upton Park this season,
during which he has scored six goals in 20 appearances. However, the Hammers
hopes of making the deal permanent would be hampered by their inability to
match the contract given to the England international when he joined
Liverpool from Newcastle for £35m in January 2011. And Allardyce revealed
that the financial restrictions that are due to come into force next season
in the Premier League, which would impose short-term limits on wage rises
and force clubs to work towards breaking even, make a deal very difficult.
"The hardest thing is the overall package and making sure it is
sustainable," said Allardyce. "I point to financial restrictions being
implemented next season that will blow the whole deal in one go. "Someone
will have a bigger budget than us probably but this is what is going to
happen. "In one fell swoop the financial restrictions mean we won't be able
to sign Andy Carroll from Liverpool because it is too expensive, even if we
wanted him, which we do."

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Hammer blow for Big Sam
By PAUL JIGGINS
Published: 15th April 2013
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE reckons financial fair play could wreck West Ham's chances of
signing Andy Carroll this summer. The Hammers have agreed a £17million fee
with Liverpool to land loan striker Carroll, 24, at the end of the season.
But Big Sam fears this may now be in jeopardy due to the Premier League's
new budget rules. He said: "Financial restrictions being implemented next
season could blow the whole deal in one go. "From what I gather, the
first-team squad wages and expenditure could be restricted. "So in one fell
swoop the financial restrictions may mean Andy Carroll can't sign for us
because it's too expensive."

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