Daily WHUFC News - 30th April 2013

Colchester added to friendly schedule
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce details of a number of exciting
pre-season fixtures
29.04.2013

West Ham United are delighted to announce details of a number of exciting
pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2013/14 season. The Hammers will travel to
both the Republic of Ireland and Germany to face Cork City and Hamburger SV
respectively. Closer to home, the Club have also organised a trip to the
south coast to face AFC Bournemouth in a Testimonial for Academy of Football
graduate and long-time Cherries full-back Stephen Purches, along with a trip
to Essex to take on Colchester United. West Ham will also be making a return
to Blue Square Bet South club Boreham Wood, having been worked hard during a
pre-season fixture at Meadow Park in July 2012.

2013 Pre-season fixtures
Sunday 7 July v Cork City, Turners Cross Stadium, Cork City, Republic of
Ireland, 6pm
Wednesday 10 July v Boreham Wood, Meadow Park, Borehamwood. 7.30pm
Saturday 13 July v AFC Bournemouth, Goldsands Stadium, Bournemouth, 3pm
Tuesday 16 July v Colchester United, Weston Homes Community Stadium,
Colchester, 7.45pm
Tuesday 23 July v Hamburger SV, Flensburg, Germany (further details to
follow), 6.45pm
(*all kick-offs stated are local times)

Bundesliga club Hamburger SV are one of Germany's biggest and best-supported
clubs. Founded in 1887, the Rothosen won the European Cup in 1983 and
European Cup Winners' Cup in 1977, have been crowned German champions six
times and won the Germany Cup on three occasions.

Thorsten Fink's star-studded squad includes Netherlands and former Tottenham
Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, Germany left-back Marcell Jansen,
South Korea starlet Heung-Min Son and ex-Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne.
West Ham right-back Guy Demel spent six seasons with Hamburger SV between
2005 and 2011, making 200 appearances, never finishing outside the
Bundesliga's top-eight and winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2007. The
fixture will take place in the town of Flensburg in the north of the German
state of Schleswig-Holstein - the northernmost town in Germany just south of
the border with Denmark. Based in Ireland's second-largest city, League of
Ireland Premier Division side Cork City are two-time Irish champions and FAI
Cup winners.
The Rebel Army have competed regularly in European competition down the
years and the city itself has long been a hotbed of Irish football, with
Hammers greats Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Geoff Hurst both turning out for
Cork Celtic at the end of their illustrious careers. Purches' Testimonial at
AFC Bournemouth comes after a hugely-successful season for the Cherries, who
have gained promotion to the Championship under manager Eddie Howe, whose
team have won their last eight League One matches.

West Ham Academy graduate Purches, now 33, has unfortunately missed the
entire season after suffering a broken leg while playing against Rochdale in
February 2012. The full-back has enjoyed a successful career, making nearly
450 appearances for Bournemouth and Leyton Orient. Colchester United secured
their npower League 1 status with a 2-0 victory at Carlisle United on the
final day of the season. The U's victory ensured Scunthorpe United would
finish below them and drop down to League 2, and Joe Dunne's men include
former Hammer Freddie Sears in their ranks. The Club will announce further
pre-season fixtures as and when dates and kick-off times have been confirmed
with opposition clubs. Ticket details for all pre-season fixtures will be
announced on whufc.com and the club's social media feeds as and when they
are confirmed.

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Captain urges fans to take poll
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan has urged fans to fill out the Olympic Stadium Independent
Supporter Consultation
29.04.2013

Hello everyone,

The Independent Supporter Consultation regarding our move to the Olympic
Stadium is underway and I'd encourage all of you to take part and make your
voice heard. I think, when you see all the drawings and the sketches, you
cannot fail to get excited about what we plan to do with it. It's going to
be a magnificent stadium and I'm just hoping I'm around to lead the team
out. It's an exciting time and it's about this Club moving forward. It's
definitely a positive step.

I played in a similar-sized home ground at Newcastle United and you never
knew the away fans were there - they would slot them up at the top and you
didn't know they were in the ground. The home support and everyone around
the ground was all you could hear. They also had a good family enclosure
there and I know we already have that here, so we can just enhance
everything at the Olympic Stadium on a much larger scale.

As I have said before, the traditionalist in me loves the Boleyn and doesn't
want to move, but I think if we want to move with the times and compete with
the top clubs in this league, it's definitely the right move and I'm looking
forward to playing in a West Ham shirt there. At another of my old clubs,
Bolton Wanderers, we moved into the Reebok Stadium when I was a teenager and
it only took a few years for the club to get into Europe. You only have to
look back and we went from Burnden Park to the Reebok and we had a
28,000-capacity stadium in a little, old town called Bolton with all these
big clubs coming to play us. To be honest, it was fantastic. The Bolton fans
who were lucky enough to be there when we moved to a new ground probably
didn't realise it would only be a few seasons until we were challenging the
very best. They are moments I'll always keep with me. Getting back to us, I
believe moving to the Olympic Stadium is just the right move for us. West
Ham should have always been in the higher echelons of the Premier League,
year-in, year-out, with the fanbase we have got.

With the Board plunging their money into the Club and this move to the
Olympic Stadium to look forward to, it's exciting times. Now, it's up to the
fans to make sure they are ready to go and I think they will when they see
everything that is going to go on over there. You have until midnight on
Tuesday 30 April to voice your opinions, so hopefully as many of you as
possible will log on to whufc.com and go from there. Get on there and voice
your opinion because we do want to hear it. From my point of view, you
shouldn't be anything but excited about this opportunity for the Club.

Kevin Nolan
Captain

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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce is targeting more goals on the road for the next Barclays
Premier League season
29.04.2013

Sam Allardyce has stated that his main aim for next season is to ensure his
team hit the target away from home on a more frequent basis. The West Ham
United manager was content with his side's efforts during Saturday's 2-1
defeat at Manchester City and in particular a spirited second-half show that
created plenty of concern for the home side's defence. Andy Carroll was
rewarded for the visitors' efforts by pulling one goal back late on after
Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure had given Roberto Mancini's side a 2-0 lead,
but Big Sam wants to see his sides offer a more sustained challenge on their
travels next season. "I said to the lads at half time that we needed to keep
the ball better if we were to make a game of it and right from the very
start we did that," Big Sam said. "We started to pass and play the ball and
find our men better and started to create some opportunities. Our problem
all season has been that we've not taken enough of them when they've arisen
and we didn't again on Saturday. "We were a lot better in the second half;
we were better in possession, caused Manchester City problems defensively
and had a few chances come our way. Our problem is that you've got to put
the chances in the back of the net. "It was a much improved performance by
the players and there is very little you can do about Manchester City's
second goal. Yaya Toure hit an outstanding shot so I can't l really
criticise anyone for that. "Just before that we had our best chance when
James Collins didn't quite hit the target with Joe Hart on the floor. We
missed and then they went up the other end and scored a wonder goal."

Although the Hammers have impressed at times away from home this season
through wins at Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United and Stoke City and
draws at West Bromwich Albion land Liverpool, the backbone of their hugely
successful return to the top flight has been borne through results at the
Boleyn Ground. It is no surprise then that the West Ham United faithful are
snapping up Season Tickets for the 2013/14 campaign in their droves, and
their loyalty is set to be rewarded with Big Sam expecting there to be some
exciting new arrivals by the time the 2013/14 season kicks-off in August.
"To improve we just need to add better players, it's a simple as that. If we
get better players then we improve. If we can do that then we get better and
we become an established Barclays Premier League side. "We need to score
more goals away from home next season. That hasn't been a problem at home
but that ratio needs to improve away from home to get up that little bit
more. If we can start putting performances with the results then we'll be
OK."

Other results at the weekend went in favour of Big Sam's side to ensure that
despite the defeat they proudly kept their place amongst the top ten teams
in the country. With a home game against Newcastle United to follow on
Saturday providing an opportunity for further points, Big Sam is happy with
where his side are at present. "At the moment we are far better than where
we expected to be. We didn't expect to be almost safe with four games to go.
I think we'll be OK with 42 points so we're way ahead of what we expected.
"As I say, we need to get a few more goals to get the points. We'll address
that in the summer and hopefully we'll find some better players to improve
the squad. Before that we've three very important games, two at home and one
away so we'll try to pick up as many points as we can."

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O'Neil eyes positive response
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil believes his team can bounce back
from Saturday's defeat
29.04.2013

Gary O'Neil is determined the help the Hammers bounce back from Saturday's
2-1 defeat at Manchester City and get their push for a top-ten Barclays
Premier League finish back on track. West Ham put up a good fight at the
Etihad Stadium, but were undone by two moments of a real quality from the FA
Cup finalists - firstly a slick team move which led to Sergio Aguero's
opener, then a fine strike from outside the box by Yaya Toure. The reverse
was the Hammers' first in six games and O'Neil is sure they can brush it
aside to end the campaign strongly. He told West Ham TV: "I thought we did
ok. First half we hung in there - we weren't quite as good on the ball as we
wanted to be, but in the second half we managed to improve on that side of
it and probably could have nicked something. "They had a couple of chances,
which they're going to because they have top class players, but we had a
good few chances as well. So, second half we felt a little unlucky not to
get something out of the game. "We had a decent little spell going just
before they scored the second goal, then Toure put one in the top corner
with his weaker foot. Sometimes things like that happens when you play
against world class players. "There wasn't a lot we could have done about
that. The reaction was good, we were pushing at the end and it was just a
shame that the first goal came a little too late. "We've had good home form
all season, so we'll go into next weekend trying to get another three points
and see if we can stay in the top ten."

O'Neil's start was his ninth in succession and the 29-year-old midfielder is
delighted to be playing his part. He added: "I felt good, I started to get
more options as the game went on. The movement got a bit better in the
second half so it was easier to find people. We had a slightly better shape
and got people up the pitch. "It was nice to stay on [for the 90 minutes].
We've got a lot of players back now and I'm pleased to get another 90 under
my belt, but I'm disappointed that our unbeaten run has ended."

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Lee loves scoring goals
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee is hoping to fire the Development Squad to a top-three Elite
Group Stage finish
29.04.2013

West Ham United starlet Elliot Lee might have been under the weather in
recent weeks but the goals continue to come all the same. The 18-year-old
forward bagged his 13th of the season in Friday night's 2-1 Barclays
Under-21 Premier League win over Liverpool with another finish of the very
highest order.
Lee skipped past Reds captain Stephen Sama before clinically slotting into
the far corner, a sight that is happily becoming a familiar one. Like any
good marksman, Lee loves nothing more than hitting the back of the net and
was chuffed with the latest in an increasingly long line of goals. He told
West Ham TV: "As a striker and as a goalscorer, you've got to be confident
and composed in those positions. To be honest, I've done this since I was
Under-eight at this club, so I love being in those positions and I love
scoring goals. "It's going, really well. I've been ill for a week and off
training, but I came back last week and got a goal, [even though] I didn't
play my best. But this week I thought I played really well, I got my goal as
well and it was a great win for the team. "I'm just getting my sharpness
back and on Friday it looked like I'd got it back. I took on my man and slid
it in the corner, so I'm really happy with my goal."

Far from flying solo, Lee is a key part of an in-form Development Squad, on
the back of successive home wins. Those six points have propelled the
Hammers to within just four points of the top three and a place in the
end-of-season Play-Offs. He continued: "It's brilliant. We're loving our
football at the minute, as you can see. You can see on the pitch, we're
passing it around, there were some great moves out there and we thoroughly
deserved the win. "We went up to Liverpool earlier in the season and they
had a really strong side out. It wasn't quite so strong on Friday, but we
still beat them and were deserved winners. Manchester United lost as well,
so we've still got a chance of getting in the top three. "We're playing
really well at the minute, playing some great stuff, so hopefully we can go
to Southampton, get the three points, then again at West Brom and end up in
that top three."

While the prospect of the competition's semi-finals is motivation enough,
reward might also come in the form of a second senior run-out for Lee. The
Durham-born forward made his first-team bow at Old Trafford in January and
is hoping for more of the same before the season's end. "We've been told
that once the first-team is safe, hopefully they'll blood some of the
youngsters through and hopefully I'll be one of them. "It has been a
brilliant season, I've made my first-team debut, which was brilliant and
maybe I can get another appearance towards the end of the season. [I want
to] carry on scoring goals for the Development Squad and hopefully finish as
high as possible."

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Essex boys
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have added a trip to North Essex as part of their pre-season
programme.

The Hammers will face Colchester United - who currently play in League One -
at the Colchester Community Stadium on Tuesday, 16th July (7.45pm kick off).
It will be the second successive year in which West Ham have taken on The Us
at their new £14million ground, which was opened in 2008.

Last July, goals from Nicky Maynard and Mark Noble helped Sam Allardyce's
side to a 2-1 win - although the home side were unlucky not to earn a share
of the spoils when only the woodwork prevented Colchester from snatching a
late draw.

Having signed a three-year deal with the League One club last summer,
ex-Hammer Freddie Sears could be in line to face his former employers when
the two teams meet.

Sears, who emerged from the Chadwell Heath Academy made his first team debut
for West Ham in 2008 and spent four years at the club as a pro before
joining Colchester, for whom he has scored eight goals this season.


2013/14 (Current) Pre-Season Fixture List

7th July: Cork City (Turners Cross Stadium, 6.00pm)
10th July: Boreham Wood (Meadow Park, 7.30pm)
13th July: AFC Bournemouth (Dean Court, 3.00pm)
16th July: Colchester Utd (Colchester Community Stadium, 7.45pm)
23rd July: Hamburg SV (Flensburg Stadium, 6.45pm)

* Please note that all kick-offs stated are local times.

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Boycott planned for season finale
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 29th April 2013
By: Staff Writer

Reading supporters are planning to boycott their trip to Upton Park on the
final day of the 2012/13 Premier League season. The Berkshire club were
officially relegated last weekend after playing out an insipid goalless draw
with fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers, who were also relegated as a
result. However instead of planning to enjoy their final game in the Premier
League, many Royals fans - who traditionally enjoy an 'inflatables day' on
their final away day of the season - are set to turn their backs on their
team and miss Reading's trip to West Ham on Sunday, 19th May. Royals
supporters are claiming to be outraged over West Ham's decision to charge
away fans £49 per ticket to see the game, for which there will be nothing to
play for but pride. As a result, many have declared they will boycott the
match. "We've already subsidised their folly of a stadium as a rate payer
and now we're being asked to do so again with their wallet busting ticket
price," said one poster on Reading forum Hob Nob Anyone? "I was keen to go
to this one as well." "I was thinking about it but that price has made my
decision pretty easy - I'm out," stated another - whilst a poster named Wimb
declared that "£50 for a meaningless game is a joke." However not all
supporters of Reading (who, incidentally, charged West Ham supporters £40 to
attend the corresponding fixture earlier this season) believe that the
pricing issue is the real reason for the planned stay away. "I bet if we
were sixth in the league and they were going down, there wouldn't be a
boycott," remarked one Royals follower.

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Reading striker Noel Hunt attracting interest from trio
Last Updated: April 29, 2013 12:07pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands West Ham United, Cardiff City and Hull City are all
tracking Reading striker Noel Hunt. Hunt will be out of contract at the
Madejski Stadium at the end of the season and would be available on a free
transfer. A number of clubs are understood to be monitoring his situation as
they consider their rebuilding plans for the summer. West Ham manager Sam
Allardyce has made it clear that he wants to strengthen his squad, while
Cardiff will also be looking to bring in new players after earning promotion
from the Championship and they could be joined in the Premier League by
Hull. Hunt has been with Reading since making the move from Dundee United in
2008, but his future is now unclear as new manager Nigel Adkins mulls over
what to do with his squad after relegation was confirmed. The 30-year-old
stated in January that he was hopeful of extending his contract with the
club, but nothing has yet been finalised.

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Sam Jela fishing
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun

WEST HAM are tracking Everton's Nikica Jelavic. The Croatian striker, 27,
hit 11 goals in 16 games after a £5.5million move from Rangers 15 months
ago.
But this season he has managed only eight, with another blank against Fulham
on Saturday making it just one goal in 18 games. Everton gaffer David Moyes
insists he wants him to stay. But having fallen behind Victor Anichebe in
the Goodison pecking order, Jelavic is considering his future, despite three
years left on his deal. Sam Allardyce's side, who do not have the cash to
make Andy Carroll's loan move from Liverpool permanent, will throw their hat
in the ring given any indication Jelavic wants out.

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Well Jel: West Ham want Everton striker Nikica Jelavic as cut-price
alternative to Andy Carroll
29 Apr 2013 22:30
The Mirrir
Hammers tried to sign the Croatian from Rangers and could return for him,
despite a difficult second season

West Ham are eyeing Nikica Jelavic as a cut price alternative to Andy
Carroll. The Hammers have a £17million agreement to make the Liverpool
striker's Upton Park loan a permanent move at the end of the season, but
have already indicated that asking price is way out of their league.
Instead, they are monitoring the Croatian international's situation, after
initially making a bid to sign him from Rangers before he moved to Everton
15 months ago. The striker made an instant impact at Goodison, scoring 11
goals in just 16 games in a dream second half of last season's campaign. But
things have been very different this time around, and Jelavic was recently
banished to the reserves after managing just a solitary goal in his past 18
appearances. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce though remains a fan, and if he
sees the slightest encouragement from the 27-year-old will attempt to put
together a deal in the summer. Blues manager David Moyes insisted at the
weekend he retains faith in his striker, but the player himself is said to
be considering his position at Goodison, after losing his place as an
automatic choice. The Hammers have maintained for some weeks now they simply
don't have the finances to make Carroll's move permanent, but Jelavic would
prove a very different proposition, given he would cost less than half
Liverpool's asking price.

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