Daily WHUFC News - 24th October 2013

Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee and Paul McCallum made debuts for their respective loan clubs on
Tuesday evening
23.10.2013

Young West Ham United forwards Elliot Lee and Paul McCallum made debuts for
their respective loan clubs on Tuesday evening. Lee, 18, played for 73
minutes for Colchester United in their 1-1 Sky Bet League One draw at
Shrewsbury Town, having joined the Essex club on a month's loan earlier in
the day.
It took just eight minutes for Lee to show his threat in front of goal, but
his first effort in Colchester colours flew wide of the post. Former West
Ham team-mate Freddie Sears also went close for the U's before being forced
off with a hamstring injury. After half-time, Lee continued to show his
promise by seeing one shot flash wide, another deflected for a corner and a
third blocked. The teenager was replaced with 17 minutes to go by Jeffrey
Monakana. Colchester fell behind to a Cristian Lopez header on four minutes
but secured a draw through Marcus Bean's low shot just before half-time. Lee
is hoping to have another chance to impress when Colchester welcome
second-place Peterborough United to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on
Saturday. "I'm really looking forward to the challenges ahead and I hope I
can help Colchester with a few goals," said Lee. "It's really good and I'm
really excited about this loan spell.
"The Barclays U21 Premier League is a great league, but you're not getting
challenged at your physical peak [because you are playing against a majority
of younger players], so I hope I can really challenge myself and score some
goals like I have done for the Under-21s. "Playing in the U21s is like
playing with my mates, but this means I've got to meet some new people now,
get on and play well with them and hopefully get some points on the board. I
was buzzing to see Searsy again because he is friends with both myself and
my brother [Olly], so hopefully we can play well together."

Elsewhere, McCallum pulled on a Torquay United shirt for the first time in
their 2-0 Sky Bet League Two defeat at Burton Albion, having signed for the
Gulls on a month's loan earlier in the day. The 20-year-old started the game
on the bench, but was called upon five minutes before half-time when Billy
Bodin was forced off with an injury. The Hammers loanee came close to
marking his debut with the game's opening goal, only to be denied by an
outstanding save by Brewers goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Burton took
advantage and won the game through goals from Jimmy Phillips and Adam McGurk
in the final 20 minutes. Defeat left Torquay 22nd in the table ahead of
Saturday's home game with Portsmouth, where McCallum could come up against
former Hammers centre-back Bondz N'Gala.

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Cole eager for first team chance
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole is looking forward to first team involvement after playing for
the Development Squad
23.10.2013

Carlton Cole is eager to return to first team action with West Ham United
after getting some vital minutes under his belt for the Club's Development
Squad.
The striker who began his second spell with the Hammers was substituted in
the final moments of a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Barclays
Under-21 Premier League on Monday evening. Cole is working hard to regain
match fitness and is hopeful he will soon be appearing for Sam Allardyce's
side once again. He told West Ham TV: "I want to get back into the thick of
things now. I had a taste of the bench on Saturday against Manchester City
and I just wanted to get on so much. "The manager felt it was best not to
throw me in at the deep end so fast, to try and get this game under my belt
and be available for selection in the other first team games."

Big Sam hinted after Saturday's defeat to Manchester City that Cole and
fellow striker Mladen Petric may well be given a chance with Sunday's trip
to Swansea City followed by a Capital One Cup clash at Burnley two days
later. With that in mind, the big forward was sent with Nick Haycock's team
to give the No24 some more playing time ahead of any potential first team
involvement. "Obviously I've come in and played with the young boys who are
developing into Premier League players. I've just wanted to act as a good
influence upon them and at the same time get some minutes under my belt,
which the manager has asked me to do. "I need the minutes under my belt and
I've now played two 90 minutes so, hopefully, I can convince the manager to
get me in the squad, coming on as a sub or even starting a game sometime
soon. Conditions for Cole's first match with the Under-21s were far from
ideal as torrential rain provided a boggy surface and would occasionally
affect the run of the ball. The Hammers coped with the conditions better
than their opponents however and were rewarded with goals from Kieran
Sadlier and Dan Potts. The striker admitted conditions were not ideal but
was pleased with how the team coped with the situation. He said: "It was
difficult for both teams and we had no excuses as both teams had the same
conditions and it came down to who could handle them better. We came in and
dominated the whole game and dealt with the conditions how we were supposed
to."

Cole was also impressed by the talent amongst the Club's youth ranks and
believes they are in good hands. "There are some brilliant, very promising
players. In all positions they're very solid, strong and hopefully they can
go on to be good players for the Club. "That's the main aim, to develop them
in these conditions and Nick's doing a brilliant job with that. The players
just have to listen to him, trust him and he'll make sure they come
through."

After being aided in his quest for match fitness with a strong performance
for the Development Squad, Cole is now keen to make his mark for West Ham
once again. "It looked like I was leaving and now I'm back, so hopefully I
can make a good impression in my time here."

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Players turn out for Fans' Forum
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold was joined by three first-team players at the
Club's Disabled Supporters' Forum
23.10.2013

Joint-Chairman David Gold, Stewart Downing, Jussi Jaaskelainen and James
Collins all took part in an entertaining disabled fans' forum at the Boleyn
Ground on Tuesday evening. The Club's loyal supporters were invited to the
special night at the home of the Hammers, where they had the opportunity to
quiz the Joint-Chairman and the first-team stars. Jaaskelainen and Downing,
together with Mr Gold, were involved in a lively question and answer
session, where the fans in attendance asked the pair a range of questions,
from matters on the pitch to the prospective move to Stratford. The trio
amused supporters with all manner of anecdotes, before posing for photos and
signing autographs. Guests were also treated to an Olympic Stadium
presentation from Marketing Director Tara Warren, outlining how they will be
catered for at the Hammers' new home as of 2016. West Ham stopper
Jaaskelainen thoroughly enjoyed his evening spent with the Hammers faithful,
insisting that occasions such as these are opportunities to reward the fans'
exceptional support of the Club.

"It was good to be here to interact with our fans, answer their questions
and hear their opinions on lots of issues," Jaaskelainen told West Ham TV.
"They are a passionate set of fans and they love their Club. "We know how
great their support is for us and in return it is great for us, as players,
to meet with them like this. It is nice to get the chance to let them know
we appreciate their support and I hope they got the same amount of enjoyment
from the event as we did."
Meanwhile, the event was certainly well received by the supporters in
attendance, as they made the most of the opportunity to rub shoulders with
Mr Gold and the players. "It's good, it's great that we can get involved
and have things like this. Come up to the Club, meet the players and David
Gold," said Zak Patmore.
"It feels different, of course, [meeting the players in person]. It's weird
seeing them on TV and then coming here. But it's nice to be invited here and
to talk to them. Those sentiments were echoed by fellow life-long Hammer
Bernie Munro. He said: "My highlight of the evening was obviously meeting
the players and listening to the questions put forward. "There were lots of
funny parts, they had a laugh and a joke, and all that, which was good."

It was a similar story for Hammers winger Stewart Downing, who continues to
be impressed by the Club's supporters since his summer switch from
Liverpool.
"Since I arrived at the Club, they have been brilliant," Downing explained.
"On Saturday, even though we lost, they still gave us a cheer when the game
finished, as they saw that we had given 100 per cent to try and win the
game. "We have an away trip to Swansea this Sunday and we know the support
will follow us and they will be there in big numbers to get behind us.
Events like these bring the Club, us as players and the fans closer together
and that can only be a good thing."

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The Big Interview - James Tomkins
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins says West Ham United can bounce back strongly at Swansea City
on Sunday
23.10.2013

West Ham United defender James Tomkins refused to be downcast after
Saturday's defeat by Manchester City. The Hammers were beaten 3-1 by Manuel
Pellegrini's men as they went down to a third home loss in a row, but the
centre-back said the performance pointed to brighter results ahead. West Ham
travel to Swansea City next with a point to prove, having suffered an
early-season defeat there last season, and Tomkins is keen to play his part.

James, Saturday was a tough game against a good side, wasn't it?

JT: "It was. They've got quality throughout their side and going 2-0 down
made it tough. It's not a case of doom and gloom, though, and we're looking
forward to trying to get back on track at Swansea.

At 2-1, it looked like you might get back in the game?

JT: "Exactly. We got the goal, the crowd got behind us but there was the
risk that as we were pushing for the second goal we might leave ourselves
open at the back. That's what happened and they punished us. But it could
have been a different scoreline and we were disappointed to lose."

Was it difficult against the movement of the Manchester City strikers -
they're so quick to get into that space, aren't they?
JT: "They've got clever players with good movement and that's why they cost
the money that they do. From our point of view we'll look at it and it's a
good learning curve to play against a team like that, and we'll take from it
what we can."

We certainly weren't outclassed by them on Saturday...

JT: "There were periods of the game in which we were very much on top. We
started a bit slowly, but had a good period in the second half and there
were some good points to take. We didn't get completely outplayed and maybe
3-1 flattered them a little bit. There's nothing to get down about."

On a personal note, you must be delighted to be back starting for West Ham?

JT: "Of course. It can be frustrating at times when you're sitting on the
bench, but I'm growing in confidence with this run of games that I'm
getting. I love playing for West Ham and hopefully I can help us bounce back
at Swansea."

The manager said that you played so well against Cardiff City in the Capital
One Cup, that he had to keep you in the team for the league games, and that
win at Tottenham was magnificent for West Ham...

JT: "It was a while back now when you think about it, but that will
obviously stay in the memory for a while. We wanted to build on that against
Manchester City. That wasn't to be, but there's always Swansea on Sunday."

It didn't go so well for us there last season in our first away game, when
we lost 3-0, but do you feel there are possibilities there to get something
this time around?

JT: "Definitely. We proved against Spurs that we're always confident going
into any game and that we can get a result anywhere. The Premier League is a
funny league this season. There have been a lot of unexpected scores and on
our day we can beat anybody. Swansea are good technically, but if we can
play how we can, then we can get a result."

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THE KEVIN NOLAN PROBLEM
By Tony Hanna 23 Oct 2013 at 07:57
West Ham Till I Die

Depending on what you read, Andy Carroll will be back in the first team
within one or two months. With Andy back in the side it will give Big Sam a
selection headache that he won't mind having. Two wingers in Jarvis and
Downing knocking the ball into the area with sharp crosses and a certain Mr
Nolan ready for any scraps that big Andy will provide. All sounds good,
after all, that is why Big Sam bought Downing in the pre-season instead of a
proper back up for the injured Carroll. Now, we don't need to be Einstein to
work out from this scenario that this leaves just two other midfield spots
to be filled unless Sam changes to a highly unlikely three at the back.


Recent form suggests Noble can't be dropped and the power Diame brings to
the side makes dropping him highly improbable as well. But then we have
Ravel and Joe Cole amongst others to consider as well? Now I am sure
injuries and suspensions will at times make Sam's team selection fairly
straight forward, and at least having all players to choose from will allow
him to pick a side to "suit" the opposition or rotate the squad. The past
two games against top drawer teams have seen West Ham play a passing game
with a 4-6-0 formation. Flooding the midfield and using alternate players
from the six to break forward has worked at Spurs but failed at home to
City. One fact that is hard to ignore is that in both games we only secured
around 40% of the possession despite having six midfield players. In other
words we allowed the opposition in both cases to come at us as we tried to
hit them on the break or via a set piece.

In both these games, our captain Kevin Nolan was found wanting in terms of
speed and stamina. Playing off a striker is much more to his liking and with
Andy back he will probably be allowed to do this. However, as we have seen
before, when Sam plays this formation our midfield gets over run far too
often. Kevin just does not have the motor to help the midfield out
efficiently and stay close to Andy when required. We do however, have a
player who can do both and to much greater affect. Ravel. His work rate is
outstanding and he can get forward and score goals. He also adds another
dimension to West Ham's play with his speed and dribbling as we saw at
Spurs. Whilst Nolan top scored with ten last season, three of them came in
the last game of the season against already relegated Reading. Morrison has
already scored four goals with thus far limited games.

If you read about Ravel's rise, at least some part of the players turn
around from problem boy to hero boy can be attributed to Kevin Nolan. The
man has also played a huge part in turning around West Ham's dressing room
since the murky days of Avram Grant. You rarely see West Ham going down
without a fight nowadays and Sam attributes much of this to Nolan's presence
both on and off the field. However, it is not just this season that our
captains on field performances have not measured up. Until the Reading game
last season, his form had been poor since the start of the year. So far Sam
has not even looked like dropping Nolan but will Andy's return force his arm
- or will it cement Nolan's place in the side even further?

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