Daily WHUFC News - 8th November 2013

Norwich City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the latest news ahead of West Ham United's trip to Carrow Road on
Saturday
07.11.2013

NORWICH CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 5.30PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
• West Ham United travel to Carrow Road on Saturday to face Norwich City in
a Barclays Premier League clash that will be televised live on Sky Sports at
5.30pm.
• The Hammers head to Norfolk looking to extend their unbeaten run away from
home to four games in all competitions after a recent draw with Swansea City
and wins over Tottenham Hotspur in the league and Burnley in the Capital One
Cup.
• Sam Allardyce's side have tasted defeat just once on their travels this
season with the sole loss coming at the KC Stadium as Hull City's Robbie
Brady scored the only goal of the game.
• Brady's penalty is the only goal which has been scored against West Ham in
six away league and cup outings so far this season.
• That means Jussi Jasskelainen has conceded only once in over 450 minutes
of the Hammers' away league matches.
• This has contributed to West Ham holding the equal third best defensive
record in the Premier League going into Saturday's game against the team
with the third worst defensive record.
• Norwich City come into the match on the back of a 7-0 defeat away to
Manchester City which left them in 18th position, three places below the
Hammers.
• Chris Hughton's team have conceded 20 goals in ten league matches so far
with 14 of those coming in their last four games.
• They havr also been struggling at the other end where the Canaries have
found the net just six times in the league, the joint worst record.
• Norwich have accumulated one home win from five league matches at Carrow
Road this season and haven't taken three points there since a 1-0 win over
Southampton on 31 August.

Team news
West Ham United
• Andy Carroll remains the Hammers only long-term injury absentee.
• Winston Reid has been ruled out with an ankle injury so James Collins will
make his return from a hamstring injury in place of the New Zealander.
• Matt Taylor and Mladen Petric are both sidelined with calf injuries whilst
George McCartney and Alou Diarra miss out having only recently returned to
training.

Norwich City
• Alexander Tetty is definitely out of Saturday's clash after suffering
ankle ligament damage against Cardiff City.
• Robert Snodgrass may return having missed the trip to Manchester City with
concussion.
• Ricky van Wolfswinkel is also out of Saturday's game.

Background
• West Ham United have faced Norwich City 48 times, winning 18 and losing
15, with 15 matches ending in draws.
• The first meeting between the two sides came on 6 October 1934, with John
James Foreman and Hugh Mills scoring in a 2-1 West Ham United win at Carrow
Road.
• Norwich City have not lost in any of their last 16 league games at home
against West Ham United dating back to 10 February 1973, when Bryan 'Pop'
Robson scored the only goal in a 1-0 Hammers victory.

Last time out
West Ham United 0-0 Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
2 November 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Tomkins, Rat (Diame 90),
Collison (C.Cole 63), Noble, Morrison, Jarvis (J.Cole 62), Downing , Nolan
Subs not used: Adrian, O'Brien, Maiga, Potts

Manchester City 7-0 Norwich City
Barclays Premier League
2 November 2013
Norwich City: Ruddy, Martin, Turner, Bassong, Olsson; Whittaker (Murphy 45),
Fer, Johnson, Pilkington; Howson; Hooper (Elmander 45)
Subs not used: Bunn, Hoolahan, Garrido, Becchio, R.Bennett.

Previous meeting
West Ham United 2-1 Norwich City
Barclays Premier League
1 January 2013
West Ham got 2013 off to the best possible start as goals from Mark Noble
and Joey O'Brien secured a win over Norwich City at the Boleyn Ground. Noble
scored from the penalty spot with just three minutes on the clock after
Winston Reid was fouled in the box by Ryan Bennett. O'Brien then poked home
after a Noble cut-back to double the advantage. Russell Martin pulled one
back in the 90th minute but the Hammers held on for victory.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Tomkins, O'Brien (O'Neil 71), Demel,
Jarvis (Spence 85), Collison, Taylor, Noble, C.Cole, Vaz Te (Maiga 82)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Diarra, Lletget, Lee
Goals: Noble 3, O'Brien 26
Norwich City: Bunn, Martin, Bassong, Turner, R.Bennett, Snodgrass, Howson
(Fox 83), Pilkington, Hoolahan (E.Bennett 70), Tettey, Kane (Jackson 70)
Subs not used: Rudd, Barnett, Tierney, Smith
Goals: Martin 90

Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)
1 January 2013 - West Ham United 2-1 Norwich City
15 September 2012 - Norwich City 0-0 West Ham United
7 January 2006 - Norwich City 1-2 West Ham United (FA Cup)
8 January 2005 - West Ham United 1-0 Norwich City (FA Cup)
21 February 2004 - Norwich City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
15 October 2003 - West Ham United 1-1 Norwich City (Division One)
Overall record v Norwich City (all competitions) W 18 D 15 L 15

Ten-year record
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated)

Norwich City
2012/13 Premier League 11th (44 points)
2011/12 Premier League 12th (47 points)
2010/11 Championship 2nd (84 points - promoted to Premier League)
2009/10 League One 1st (95 points - promoted to Championship)
2008/09 Championship 22nd (46 points - relegated to League One)
2007/08 Championship 17th (55 points)
2006/07 Championship 16th (57 points)
2005/06 Championship 9th (62 points)
2004/05 Premier League 19th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2003/04 Championship 1st (94 points - promoted to Premier League)
2002/03 Championship 8th (69 points)

Old boys
• Norwich City manager Chris Hughton played for West Ham United 43 times
between 1990 and 1992, winning promotion from the old Division Two in
1990/91.

Referee
• Saturdays referee will be Jonathan Moss.
• Moss was last in charge of the Hammers when West Ham suffered a 1-0 defeat
at the Boleyn Ground to Stoke City earlier this season.
• In all, Moss showed 86 yellow cards; sent-off one player and awarded nine
penalties in the 31 matches he took charge of last season.
• Headteacher Moss was promoted to the Select Group of Referees in June
2011.
• He took charge of the 2005 Conference Play-Off final between Carlisle
United and Stevenage and was then promoted to the National Group of
Referees.
• He will be assisted by Mike Mullarkey and Derek Eaton, while the fourth
official will be Andy D'Urso.

General information
• Tickets for this match are sold out.
• There are several tube services experiencing planned part closures this
weekend, including the District line and DLR. For more information click
here.
• For updates on the Greater Anglia train service click here.
• The weather forecast for Saturday's match is cloudy with showers and the
temperature is likely to be around 6C (43F).

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'We give them the best conditions'
WHUFC.com
Hammers Head of Sport Science & Sports Medicine Andy Rolls takes us through
the away-day prep
07.11.2013

West Ham United hit the road on Saturday when they travel to Norwich City in
the Barclays Premier League. An away-day with the team involves more
planning than just the journey to the stadium and the 90 minutes that
unfolds in front of the watching public's eyes. There are accomodation needs
to consider, as well as all the essentials required for getting the players
in the right shape for the rigours of top-flight football. The Official
Website caught up with the Club's Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine
Andy Rolls during the recent trip to Burnley to discover the ins and outs of
an away trip. "We travelled to Burnley on the morning of the game, but in
most cases we'll travel the day before," he explained. "The players had
breakfast at home before we flew up to Manchester. When we got to the hotel
they all had lunch together and there was then a medical clinic, which the
players could choose whether they went to. It could be a massage or a
stretch and some have certain routines that we fulfil for them. "We also
have a list of players we want to get on to, so we get them into a certain
room at certain times for a stretch, a rub, different mobilisations and
activations - a few exercises to get them going. "Then they have some free
time, a couple of hours when they'll be encouraged to rest. Some of them
will sleep, some will doze off and others will just watch a film, everyone
is different.
"We'll all come together after that for a pre-match meal, the manager will
do a presentation and we'll jump on the bus to get us to the stadium."

Rolls says the benefit of early travel is plain to see as the players can
maximise their preparation time. He continued: "If we flew up in the
afternoon and went straight to the stadium, you'd have stiff backs and stiff
joints from the journey. The idea to travel early is so they can have a walk
around, they're in their own rooms and they can have a massage. "We can
create the optimum athlete and put them in the best condition as we can for
the game. It also takes some of the stress out of it, because if we
travelled later it only needs one thing to go wrong and you're in trouble.
By getting there early, they can relax, have a day chilling out away from
the hassles of home and concentrate on the game ahead to allow us to arrive
fresh and ready to go."

Having to set up clinics in hotel rooms up and down the country can have its
challenges, but Rolls and his team are more than used to the routine. He
added: "It can be a challenge having to set up wherever we go, but we're
pretty well versed at it now. We have a certain amount of beds, portable
massage beds, and a big box with everything we need from scalpels for
cutting dead skin off players' feet to acupuncture needles and massage oils.
"The Club Doctor also travels with us so we have emergency medical equipment
if needed, although hopefully we never have to use it. "With me at Burnley
was another physio, Fraser Young and two masseurs, so we're all there to
help the players prepare for the game. "The hotels are pretty used to it,
they have a lot of football teams staying there. All we need is a room big
enough for four portable beds, and we're happy!"

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Big Sam on: Norwich City
WHUFC.com
Big Sam spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Norwich City
07.11.2013

Sam Allardyce has spoken to the media ahead of Saturday's match against
Norwich City at Carrow Road. The West Ham United manager fielded questions
on his team's start to the season, the injury to Winston Reid and the form
of Norwich City.

Morning Sam, we're ten games into the Barclays Premier League season, how do
you assess things?

SA: "We've done alright in performance terms and been very solid and sound
defensively. We've created a huge amount of chances but unfortunately due to
our lack of goals we haven't accumulated the points level we should have
done based on the performances we've given. We're all aware of it but we
just continue to move on and try to improve that one critical and vital
area. "There's nothing else I can ask of the lads other than to try and put
one or two more chances away. The rest of the games they've played they've
been on top of the game and they've been very consistent, playing some
really good football. We've been very resilient and it's just the final
product has not delivered as much as we would have hoped and hence we've
drawn a lot of games that we should have won on the basis of our
performance. We will continue to strive to improve that, starting against
Norwich on Saturday."

How frustrating is it for you as a manager when you look at your defensive
record, which is the third best in the league, but you're just not getting
the goals?

SA: "People point to the fact that we haven't got Andy Carroll or we haven't
played with a front man recently but it's not just that as to why we're down
on our goal count from last year. We're down on all players scoring a few
more last season than they have done this season. The main contribution to
us finishing tenth last season was that most players in our squad actually
scored a goal. Very few players in the squad didn't got a goal. Whether that
was from set-plays or open play it was very, very good from the point of
view that we were in the Premier League for the first season. "That area at
the moment, as well as not having a front man scoring, is down and that's
why we're in the position we are. We've done the first bit right, that's not
conceding a goal, and making life very difficult for the opposition,
particularly Cardiff at home and then of course Tottenham away. We've had
many performances as good as the one against Tottenham this year and we've
had better, like against Newcastle, but we haven't won. We haven't got the
rewards we deserved, we know that and we've got to try and improve on it.
That's the only area that's concerning me and hopefully we'll put that right
on Saturday."

You've only won once in your last six league games, do you put that all down
to not taking your opportunities?

SA: "Yes, there's nothing else. Like I said there's nothing else to concern
me other than that and we've got to start putting it right as quick as we
can. When you're in control of the game or you've made the chances that we
have, we all know that in the Barclays Premier League you've got to make
sure you take them. Our real positive is the fact that we've not over
stretched ourselves and we've not fallen for the sucker punch, which is the
opposition scoring and us ending up with a very disappointing, bitter
defeat. We've ended up putting a point on the board and at the end of the
day points on the board are ok but there's far too many of them at the
moment and we have to convert one of those into a win."

Whilst we're talking about strikers, Andy Carroll, your potential solution
to the problem, how close is he to coming back?

SA: "We don't know at the moment and we're just taking it week-by-week. We
hope he'll be back with us very shortly but that will depend on the guidance
of the people doing the rehabilitation and the specialist who's in control
of Andy at the moment. We're all hoping and keeping our fingers crossed but
in the meantime Carlton Cole is improving, Mladen Petric has an unfortunate
calf injury which has held his match fitness regime up. It's not as if we're
not creating chances, we are, but what we're not doing is converting them
and that's whoever it falls to. We have to believe that if we continue
playing the same way we are it will result in us scoring a goal somewhere.
If we do that then we make sure we don't slip up at the other end and get
the three points that we're looking for."

Norwich are next up on Saturday, what are your thoughts ahead of the game?

SA: "It's a six-pointer I would say already. They played very well in their
last home game against Cardiff. Irrespective of recent results I was
listening to the commentary of that game about how many chances they created
and how many chances they missed. We have to make sure that we frustrate
them in that area again on Saturday. If we can then take the game to them
like we did against Swansea and create the chances that we created, then
this time we have to be clinical and put the ball in the net."

Norwich are below you in the table, would a win against them mean more to
you than beating a team that are higher up?

SA: "It's always been more important to me across the board for many, many
years because these are the games that if you play your best then you've got
a really good chance to win. You can play your best against the big boys,
give all you've got, be very, very good and lose the game because of the
quality and amount of money they've spent. These are the bigger games for
us, these are the games that you have to be at your best because it will
give you a better chance of winning than against the big boys."

We spoke about Andy Carroll, what's the other news with regards to injuries?

SA: "Not very good at the moment apart from that we've got James Collins
back into training. George McCartney played in a Development Squad game with
Alou Diarra but they're a huge amount of time away from joining the first
team squad. Winston Reid's got an unfortunate injury this week which has
added to the recent injuries that we've picked up on a match-to-match basis.
It's a concern for us but something which we can't do anything about other
than get them fit as soon as we possibly can and make sure they stay fit."

Was Norwich's 7-0 defeat last Saturday less about their frailties and more
about what Manchester City are capable of?

SA: "Manchester City are capable of beating anyone. We don't take anything
from the size of Norwich's defeat because last night you saw them
[Manchester City] tear apart a Champions League side. I saw them tear apart
Champions League opponents that they could have won 7 or 8-2 never mind 5-2.
A loss is a loss, never mind if it's a big defeat. At the end of the day
your mentality as a manager is, 'look, it's only three points gone
regardless if you've lost 7-0 or 1-0 so you've only lost three points, let's
have the right reaction and come back fighting'.
"That's what we'll get on Saturday. We'll get a Norwich City team that will
go out and fight for everything they possibly can, particularly on their
home ground. They'll try and get the crowd behind them and look for the
result that we're all doing at the moment. I think we're all finding it
harder, apart from some of the bigger boys, to win at home this season."

In regards to Winston Reid, what's his injury and will he be fit for
Saturday?

SA: "No, he won't be fit for Saturday. Unfortunately he also won't be fit to
travel with New Zealand for their World Cup play-off either. Our Chairman
made a massive gesture this weekend by arranging a private jet for Winston
to fly him straight to his team so he could get there at the time they set.
It was a magnificent gesture which unfortunately won't be needed now. It's a
shame for us and it's a shame for New Zealand because Winston has been one
of our most consistent defenders since we've been back in the Barclays
Premier League. "We have a replacement who is fit again that means the
injury isn't causing me as big a concern as it was when the injury first
happened. James Collins is fit. James Collins was very unfortunate to be
left out at the time because defensively we've been superb this year, so
James being the replacement is a big bonus for us. He and James Tomkins is
the area I can't afford any more injuries to. Everywhere else we're
reasonably coping with, but certainly we need James and James to stay fit
and well over the next period."

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Hammers earn international call-ups
WHUFC.com
Three West Ham United players have received international call-ups for their
respective countries
07.11.2013

Ravel Morrison has been named in the England squad for their UEFA U21
Championship qualifiers against Finland and San Marino later this month.
Gareth Southgate's team are looking to continue their unbeaten start to
their qualification campaign, which has seen them take ten points from their
opening four games. Morrison earned his first call-up to the Under-21s for
their last round of qualifiers, and scored in the 5-0 mauling of Lithuania.
The Young Lions are set to take on Finland at Milton Keynes Dons' stadiummk
on Thursday 14 November, before moving on to Shrewsbury Town's Greenhaus
Stadium for the San Marino clash on Tuesday 19 November.

Fellow Hammer Joey O'Brien is in the Republic of Ireland squad for their
friendly internationals against Latvia in Dublin on Friday 15 November and
Poland in Poznan on Tuesdya 19 November. New Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is
set to take charge of the team for the two friendlies, although caretaker
boss Noel King completed his duties in the role by finalising the 27-man
squad before handing over the reins. O'Brien will be looking to win his
sixth cap for his country, and his first since a September 2012 friendly
against Oman.

Also set to represent his country in this next set of internationals is
Mohamed Diame, who has been named in the Senegal squad for the second leg of
their FIFA World Cup Play-Off against Ivory Coast on Saturday 16 November.
Senegal are 3-1 down following the away leg and will have to play the home
match in Morocco as they are currently serving a suspension from playing
matches in Senegal due to crowd disturbances.

Razvan Rat is expected to be named in Romania's squad for their FIFA World
Cup Play-Off matches against Greece, but Winston Reid will miss New
Zealand's showdown with Mexico due to an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, West Ham schoolboy Jahmal Hector-Ingram will hope to make his
England U16 debut in their Sky Sports Victory Shield clash with Northern
Ireland in Bournemouth on Friday 8 November.

Academy defenders Reece Burke and Kyle Knoyle have been named in the England
U18 squad for a two-day training camp at St George's Park this month.

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Turgott happy with form
WHUFC.com
Blair Turgott is happy with his current form following a goal against Luton
Town
07.11.2013

Wing wizard Blair Turgott is happy with his current form after his Man of
the Match performance in the Development Squad's 2-1 defeat to Luton Town on
Tuesday evening. The pacey wide man pulled a goal back for the Hammers with
51 minutes on the clock after two first half goals from Jim Stevenson put
the Hatters in control. Turgott then had the chance to equalise from the
penalty spot with six minutes left but saw his effort well saved. Despite
the miss the 19-year-old is happy with the progress he is making. He told
West Ham TV: "I think one of my assets is when I get on the ball and try to
make things happen.
"I feel like I'm playing well at the moment but I was disappointed on
Tuesday that I had a couple of chances and on another day I probably should
have done a bit better but it's just one of those things. "I spoke to Nick
the manager and he was saying to me that I have to get some more goals to
add to my assists and that's something I'm trying to do at the moment.
Obviously I would like to take the penalty again but all I can try and do is
affect the game and get some assists and goals."

The right-sided midfielder also played a part when the Development Squad
again lost out by a single goal to the same opposition just under a month
ago.
The match ended in a 1-0 defeat that day but Turgott felt that the outcome
should have been different this time around. "We're all obviously
disappointed with the loss. It was a bit harsh and I don't think we deserved
it as we had a lot of chances in both halves. "We're always disappointed to
come away without a win and even though we lost the game we had a lot of
chances. "Both their goals came against the run of play when we were having
a lot of possession but we've got to look to the next game now and try and
put that right."

Turgott and his teammates now face a long wait until the resumption of their
Barclays Under-21 Premier League campaign when they host Leicester City at
Rush Green on 29 November. Nick Haycock has, however, arranged a number of
friendlies over that period to keep his players fit and firing, but for the
moment Turgott is left to reflect on what might have been against Luton. He
said: "Second half we came out pushing and we obviously got the goal and we
had a spell where if we kept going you felt a goal was going to come. "The
team and I had a lot of chances so it's disappointing that we didn't go onto
win or get the leveller and came off losing."

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'Our hard work is the key'
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel puts defensive solidity down to training ground graft ahead of
Norwich trip
07.11.2013

Hard work has been the secret to West Ham United's defensive success this
season, according to full-back Guy Demel. The 32-year-old defender has
formed part of a solid unit at the back for the Hammers this season, which
has seen them keep six clean sheets in ten Barclays Premier League games.
West Ham have not conceded a goal on their travels with Demel on the pitch
in 2013/14 - a total of 331 minutes spread across four league matches. In
total, West Ham have conceded just three goals in 666 total minutes that
Demel has played across eight league games this term. The No20 will be
hoping to continue that run at Norwich City on Saturday. His bigger focus is
on helping the team collect their first three point haul in four starts,
however, and the Ivorian believes a repeat of recent performances will pave
the way to secure just that. He explained: "From a defensive point of view
it has been really good. It's now six games without conceding any goals and
it's proof that we do a good job as a team. The shape, the work we do as a
team and the good understanding we have as a back four are all key to us
being solid. "I have to say that in Jussi [Jaaskelainen] too, even when he
doesn't have too much to do, when we need him, he's there. He's always
concentrating and there to make the saves when needed. "We work hard as team
during the week, and that shows at the weekends. We're looking now to get
the three points - of course the clean sheets give you satisfaction, but
when you don't capitalise by getting the victories, you feel frustrated in
the end."

West Ham's goalscoring travails have been well documented, but Demel insists
they have the goal-getters in the squad to turn that side of their game
around.
He added: "You just need one goal to win the game with the way we've played
recently. We have to keep working as a team, deliver more balls and keep
believing in our offensive quality, to make sure we force our destiny. "Even
if it's a lucky goal, it doesn't matter what it looks like as long as the
ball goes in the back of the net, we keep a clean sheet and get the three
points on the board. "We're looking forward to Norwich now and trying to
capitalise on our good work defensively."

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Sam Allardyce: Norwich trip is six pointer for West Ham
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce reckons Saturday's Premier League trip to
Norwich is a "six-pointer" despite the season only being 10 games old.Defeat
could see the Hammers drop below Norwich, into the bottom three. "It is a
six-pointer already," he said. "We'll get a Norwich City team that will come
and fight for everything."

Allardyce believes results against sides close to them in the table are more
crucial than other matches - including their 3-0 win at Tottenham. "It has
always been more important for me," said Allardyce. "Those are the games
that if you play your best you have got a really good chance of winning.
"You can play your best against the big boys, give all you've got and be
very, very good but still lose a game of football because of the amount of
talent and the money they have spent. "I always focus on these, they are the
bigger games for us, the games you need to play at your best and give
yourself a chance."

Despite their impressive win at White Hart Lane, West Ham have only won two
games this season while Norwich boss Chris Hughton is under pressure after
taking only one point from their last 12 including a 7-0 thrashing by
Manchester City in their last outing.

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(Still) ain't misbehavin'
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United supporters are STILL the best behaved in the Premier League
- according to the latest Premier League 'Fair Play' table.

Last month KUMB revealed how Hammers fans were topping the BPL 'Fair Play'
table which issues marks based upon the 'behaviour of the public' - since
when matches against Tottenham (a), Man City (h) and Swansea (a) have been
taken into account.

And that remains the case this month with Hammers fans having increased
their advantage over closest rivals, Sunderland - who rise from fourth to
second in the table - to 0.32 of a point.

According to the Premier League's 'Fair Play' rules, each team begins a
match with five points to which an additional five can be added for
(acceptable) verbal support and recognition of good play by opposition
players.

Conversely, a maximum of five points may be deducted for persistent foul and
abusive language, persistent abuse of officials plus aggresive and
threatening conduct towards opposition fans.

The 'Behaviour of the Public' is just one of six factors taken into account
when deciding the overall Fair Play table. The other categories are
'Red/Yellow Cards', 'Positive Play', 'Respect Towards Opponents', 'Respect
Towards the Referee' and 'Behaviour of Team Officials'.

West Ham are currently sixth in the overall Fair Play table with an average
score of 8.42 - just 0.08 of a point behind current leaders Norwich City,
who Sam Allardyce's men face at Carrow Road this weekend.

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Reid out
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Winston Reid will not make the trip to
Norwich this weekend. The New Zealander sustained a knock to his ankle
during training earlier in the week and will miss both West Ham's trip to
Norwich and his nation's forthcoming international matches - games that West
Ham had agreed to charter a private jet for in order to allow Reid to play
for the Hammers this Sunday. "Our Chairman made a massive gesture this
weekend by arranging a private jet for Winston to fly him straight to his
team so he could get there at the time they set," said Allardyce this
morning. "It was a magnificent gesture which unfortunately won't be needed
now. It's a shame for us and it's a shame for New Zealand because Winston
has been one of our most consistent defenders since we've been back in the
Barclays Premier League."

However Reid's disappointment is good news for Welsh centre half James
Collins, who has been sidelined since the 3-0 win at Tottenham due to the
good form of Reid and defensive partner James Tomkins. "We have a
replacement who is fit again that means the injury isn't causing me as much
concern as it was when it first happened," confirmed Allardyce. "James
Collins was very unfortunate to be left out at the time because defensively
we've been superb this year, so James being the replacement is a big bonus
for us. "He and James Tomkins is the area I can't afford any more injuries
to. Everywhere else we're coping reasonably well with, but certainly we need
James and James to stay fit and well over the next period."

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Sam hails 'six pointer'
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

It may only be November but Sam Allardyce was happy to heap the pressure on
his players by hailing this weekend's trip to Carrow Road as 'a six
pointer'.
The West Ham boss, speaking to the press ahead of Saturday's trip to Norfolk
admitted that his team need to be "more clinical" if they are to secure a
second away win of the season, to follow on from the recent 3-0 thrashing of
Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Beaten away from home just once so far this
season - and that being the controversial 1-0 defeat at Hull - Allardyce has
plenty to be optimistic about. Meanwhile Norwich are still reeling from a
7-0 humbling at Manchester City last weekend. However Big Sam recognised
that regardless of the opposition, his team need to learn how to find the
net - and quickly. "These are the games that if you play your best then
you've got a really good chance to win," said Allardyce. "These are the
bigger games for us, these are the games that you have to be at your best
because it will give you a better chance of winning than against the big
boys. "We've had many performances as good as the one against Tottenham this
year and we've had better - like against Newcastle - but haven't won. We
haven't got the rewards we deserved, we know that and we've got to try and
improve on it. That's the only area that's concerning me and hopefully we'll
put that right on Saturday.

"We'll get a Norwich City team that will go out and fight for everything
they possibly can, particularly on their home ground. They'll try and get
the crowd behind them and look for the result that we're all doing at the
moment. I think we're all finding it harder, apart from some of the bigger
boys, to win at home this season. "There's nothing else I can ask of the
lads other than to try and put one or two more chances away. We've been very
resilient and it's just the final product has not delivered as much as we
would have hoped, hence we've drawn a lot of games that we should have won."

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Hammers ignored - again
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 7th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

The latest England squad has just been announced - and once again, there are
no places for any Hammers. Midfielders Mark Noble and Ravel Morrison were
widely tipped to be involved with Roy Hodgson's squad for the first time
ever - with the in-form James Tomkins also considered to be an outside bet.
However the England manager, who has seen plenty of the young Hammers in
recent weeks has yet again failed to include a single one of Sam Allardyce's
players in his squad for their upcoming friendly with Chile. Tomkins has
been overlooked in favour of more established defenders such as Gary Cahill,
Phil Jagielka and Chris Smalling. However Noble and Morrison - both of whom
have been in excellent form of late - will feel slightly more aggrieved to
have been black-balled given that the likes of Ross Barkley, Tom Cleverley
and Adam Lallana have been included. One player who is included in the full
squad is Tottenham Jermain Defoe, who was linked with a move back to West
Ham this week.

* Two other Hammers have made their respective international squads. Joey
O'Brien has been selected for the Republic of Ireland, who face friendlies
against Latvia and Poland whilst Mo Diame is in the Senegal squad for the
second leg of their World Cup play-off against Ivory Coast next weekend.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil
Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard,
Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros
Townsend, Jack Wilshere.

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel
Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.


Full Under 21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond, Jack Butland, George Long.

Defenders: Eric Dier, Carl Jenkinson, Michael Keane, Liam Moore, Jack
Robinson, Luke Shaw, John Stones.

Midfielders: Nathaniel Chalobah, Will Hughes, Ravel Morrison, James
Ward-Prowse, Tom Ince, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Wilfried Zaha.

Forwards: Saido Berahino, Harry Kane, Danny Ings, Nick Powell.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce says West Ham's game at Norwich is a six-pointer
Last Updated: November 7, 2013 11:27am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has described Saturday's Premier League game
against Norwich as a "six-pointer". The Hammers head to Carrow Road looking
to end a three-match winless run in the league which has seen them slip to
15th place in the table with 10 points. They have also failed to find the
net in their last two games - goalless draws with Swansea and Aston Villa -
and Allardyce sees this as an ideal chance to end their barren streak in
front of goal.
The Canaries are without a win in their last four league fixtures - a run
which has seen them pick up only one point from a 0-0 home draw with Cardiff
- and conceded seven goals in last weekend's thrashing at Manchester City.
Allardyce said: "Norwich is a six-pointer already. They played well in their
last home game against Cardiff and we have to make sure we frustrate them in
that area and be clinical when we get our chances. "We've done alright so
far in performance terms, but unfortunately because of our lack of goals we
haven't accumulated the points. "We've played some good football but the end
product hasn't been there and that's why we've drawn games we should have
won. "There's nothing else to concern me other than not taking our
opportunities but we've got to start doing that as soon as possible."

Allardyce revealed Winston Reid is a doubt for the trip to Norwich although
fellow defender James Collins is now back in training. He added: "It's not
very good injury wise at the moment other than we've got James Collins back
in training. "Winston Reid picked up an unfortunate one this week which adds
to the list."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HOW MUCH IS A PLAYER LIKE WINSTON REID WORTH?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Nov 2013 at 08:02
West Ham Till I Die

If Winston Reid was up for sale (which he is not) or if West Ham were still
a selling club (which our owners promise us we are not) There still remains
possibility that the player himself has ambition to play in the champions
league and could one day hand in a transfer request. We have to remember
footballers are professionals with career ambitions and not wedded to one
club like fans are. Loyalty with one club is rare these days. Even the
legendary Bobby Moore joined Fulham.

So the question remains is how do you value an in form centre back like
Winston Reid?. If you believe the papers then Arsenal values him at £6m but
this probably just agent talk and a complete under valuation in today's
transfer market.

In a 2011 academic paper called The Valuation of Human Capital in the
Football Player Transfer Market the conclusion in a nutshell was 'Value is
what fools are willing to pay for it'

Never was that quote more true when Liverpool paid £35m for Andy Carroll and
£20m for Stuart Downing only to sell them to West Ham for a fraction of that
price earlier this year.

There are some factors which do determine the price whether the buyers are
fools or not:

1) Squad Status

This player is an indispensable member of the team, This player is an
important first team player

2) Age

The younger the higher value we can affix to a fee from the 21-25 range. The
same for squad status: the higher the status, the higher value the fee.

3) Talent

Opta Statistics to determine whether a player is in the top 10% performers
in their positions

4) League Factor

Like the European Golden Boot we can adjust the above talent for league
factor and affix value of those factors. West Ham may not be so keen to pay
a lot money for a Brazilian forward plying his trade for a small team in the
Dutch league! Proved premier league experience adds further value.

5) Premium Position

Attacking Midfielders, central and wide areas in the final third of the
field and forwards are considered premium. The problem with marginalizing
the full back position or defence is that football is essentially a team
sport and all players should be considered as equal. But that is not the
case as a glance at the top transfer fees by position would suggest the
goalkeeping position and full back positions are not essentially considered
an area of the team where a team should spend plenty. There have been some
anomalies with a handful of significant transfers of central defenders with
Nesta, Ferdinand and Carvalho the more prominent names in the upper echelons
of transfer fees and Dani Alves by far the most expensive full-back, on
average, these positions command a smaller transfer fee than strikers for
instance.

6) Adaptability

Certain nationalities notoriously had problems with adapting to the rigours
of English football. South Americans are widely thought to have trouble
adapting to the British game but it is more a case of the managers doing
their in-depth homework on a player's lifestyle, intelligence, attitude and
personality as a person rather the footballer alone to provide a measure of
cost certainty that their import can succeed.

7) Depreciation

"depreciation" basically amounts to a rental deal. Alex Ferguson paid a
widely reported £10m for two years service of Carlos Tevez at £5m per
season, while also paying his contract, How much would a club accept in
depreciation? Arsene Wenger is probably the shrewdest manager around who is
prepared to sell a player in his late 20s even at the top of his game for a
significant return. Put this way, if Steven Gerrard was under his
management, he'd likely be sold this summer whilst extracting maximum value
for a player at the peak of his career but likely worth much less in 2-3
years as he settles into his 30s. Would he be right to do so? As a fan, NO!
But in the real world, he is doing what the best managers do.

The "salvage" value is the theoretical sell-on fee when his contract expires
(4-5 years) and this should prove an invaluable guide to the player's actual
price. How much "depreciation" would they be prepared to write off? 50%?
10%? What's reasonable? Because a player can walk away from the club at the
expiration of his contract, a club has the player for only a couple of years
before they either make the decision to extend his contract and completely
write off the transfer fee or make the decision to sell. For a two years
rental, a player at the right age would prove no risk or profitable provided
that player shows improvement or sustained performances.

8 ) Image Rights

What a player projects to bring in merchandising sales. This is a tricky
subject as merchandising sales are variable rather then fixed. Clubs would
have to release figures relating to the exact amount each player are thought
to have earned for their clubs in their commercial activities.

Other Factors include: Games played previous season (36 for Reid last
season) Goals scored, Size of buying club (modeled on stadium size) and
participation of buying club in continental club competitions.

One of the highest profile centre backs was also a product of our own West
Ham Academy. In November 2000 we sold Rio Ferdinand to Leeds for £18m who
later sold him to Manchester United for £30m in 2002. Chelsea bought the
Brazilian Centre Back David Luiz for $25 million euros in 2011 but it is
said they slapped a £50m price tag on him when Barcelona wanted him earlier
this year.

I am not suggesting Winston Reid is a David Luiz or Rio Ferdinand but at
their price tags Winston has to be worth at least £15m for any champions
league team desperate for a good centre back. Winston ticks many of the
boxes above to increase his value.

That said let's hope we keep hold of him for a few more years yet. We need
to hold out for a £50m bid from Barcelona ;-)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce remains coy over swoop for Defoe as possible transfer divides
opinion among Hammers fans
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 7 November 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 7 November 2013
Daily Mail

Sam Allardyce has refused to rule out a West Ham return for Jermain Defoe.
The England striker has become frustrated at a lack of playing time at
Tottenham and is ready to move on in January. Hammers fans remain divided
over the 31-year-old however. Some have never forgiven him for handing in a
transfer request just hours after West Ham were relegated a decade ago. But
others just want a proven poacher to come in and solve the club's current
goal-scoring problems. Allardyce knows the feelings in both camps and was
careful to leave the door open without committing himself. He said: 'I can't
really comment on that because don't forget if I comment on having an
interest in a player that can be deemed as an approach and they could bring
me up on an FA charge.
'Many a manager has been brought up on that over the years. I was
flabbergasted when that first charge was made, against David O'Leary, if I
remember rightly, saying 'if that player's available I would like to sign
him'. 'I don't want an FA charge. They have already had some of my money
which they shouldn't have had - they are not having any more.' Allardyce was
clearer on the subject of a full England call-up for Ravel Morrison. The
Under 21 star had been considered for the forthcoming friendlies with Chile
and Germany but Roy Hodgson decided to try other options. Allardyce was
relieved. He said: 'It's a bit early.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Ravel Morrison misses out on full England squad as Gareth
Southgate names him for Under-21s
7 Nov 2013 17:13
The Mirror

West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison has missed out on a place in the
senior England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Chile and Germany.
The Hammers youngster has impressed this season - both for his club and the
England Under-21s. However, Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has omitted him
from the full squad, leaving Gareth Southgate to select him for the Young
Lions. Morrison will now take his place in Southgate's team for their
European Championship qualifiers against Finland and San Marino. Hodgson has
often been receptive to the idea of thrusting young players into his squad,
having selected the likes of Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend and Ross
Barkley during his time as boss. But 20-year-old Morrison will be forced to
bide his time before he his handed a full international debut. West Bromwich
Albion forward Saido Berahino is another who was tipped to make the senior
squad, but the Baggies man will instead join the Under-21s. Morrison, who
was discarded by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson following
behavioural problems, has started to rebuild his career this season after a
loan spell with Birmingham City. The attacking midfielder made the rest of
the Premier League sit up and take notice when he scored a sensational solo
strike in the 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on October 7.

The England Under-21 squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), George Long (Sheffield United),
Jonathan Bond (Watford).

Defenders: Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal), Jack
Robinson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), John Stones (Everton),
Michael Keane (Manchester United), Liam Moore (Leicester City).

Midfielders: Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Will Hughes (Derby County), Ravel
Morrison (West Ham United), Thomas Ince (Blackpool), James Ward-Prowse
(Southampton), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling
(Liverpool), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United).

Strikers: Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Nick Powell (Manchester
United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Burnley).

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