Daily WHUFC News - 12th November 2013

Nolan apologises for Norwich defeat
WHUFC.com
Captain Kevin Nolan said 'sorry' to Hammers fans following Saturday's
disappointing defeat at Norwich City
11.11.2013

West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan has apologised to Hammers fans following
Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Norwich City. Nolan and his
team-mates looked on course for a morale-boosting and important victory when
the skipper teed-up Ravel Morrison to put his side in front on 32 minutes.
The goal capped a dominant first-half display from Sam Allardyce's side,
only for a Gary Hooper penalty, a Robert Snodgrass free-kick and a late
finish from Leroy Fer to completely turn the game in Norwich's favour.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Nolan said the players had let their supporters
down at Carrow Road and vowed to work hard to put things right. "We thank
all of the supporters for turning out in their thousands again, and they've
been fantastic for us this season," said the captain. "We knew it would be a
tough one this year after last season, and I don't know if they expected it
because we did so well last year. "We just need them to stick with us
because they have been fantastic for us home and away since I've been here.
We apologise for this result as a whole squad and I firmly believe we'll
still be in the Premier League with them at the end of the season. "We're
under no illusions, that was a very disappointing result and not what we
went to Norwich for, especially after going one-nil up. We've got to take it
on the chin - whatever anyone wants to throw at us, write or say about us
now, we've got to take it as a squad. "I know we've got a great squad here
and I'm very lucky that I'm captain of it. I know that, come the end of the
season, we're still going to be where we want to be. That's the thought
process in my mind and the belief I have in this squad of players. We're all
together, when we win or when we lose. "At the end of the day, it's a long
old season but we know we've got to turn it around pretty soon otherwise
we're going to be in a dog-scrap come the end of the season. That's not what
we wanted to be and it's not where this team should be, but we've got to
prove that and it's up to us now. We've got to go back to the training
ground and make sure we're ready for Chelsea in two weeks' time."

Looking more closely at Saturday's defeat, Nolan pointed to the
uncharacteristic drop by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen that led to Norwich's
54th-minute penalty as the turning point. "We were quite comfortable, even
in the [early part of the] second half, then Jussi makes a mistake which you
very rarely see from him. I've played with Jussi for almost 15 years and
they come along once in a blue moon and he'll keep us in games when we need
him, as he's already done this season. "It's going to be a tough old season
now but we're proud to play for this Club and Jussi will be a major part of
it. He'll keep us in games when we don't deserve to be in them, but the
penalty just gave them an edge and then another fantastic free-kick was
scored against us - the fourth this season - which you very rarely see.
"That's just our luck at the moment and I'm just hoping it will turn. Our
luck has got to turn at some point and if we keep together and keep working
hard, we'll get to where we want to be."

Nolan is also hoping his own luck will change in front of goal, where he was
again foiled by a miraculous save by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy on
Saturday.
"It was a great save by Ruddy, so fair play because it hits his back leg.
Even when we scored, I followed in and got a great connection but their
defender is there are the far post and got it out before I teed Ravel up.
"That's just the way it is. We've just got to keep plugging away because one
day it will turn for us and that's what we've got to keep believing. We have
got a great squad here and a group of lads well capable of being in this
league, so we've got to work towards being where we believe we should be -
in the middle of the table. "We're not there at the moment, so we've got to
face facts and get on with it and make sure we're ready for Chelsea and,
believe me, we will be."

The visit of Chelsea on Saturday 23 November marks the first of three London
derbies in succession, with the visit of Fulham and a trip to Crystal Palace
to come during a vital time for the Hammers. "If we can take points from
those games then we'll start looking upwards and that's how it is. We're
under no illusions that we're not where we want to be and it's been a tough
old season so far, but we've got a long way to go and we're determined to
put it right and I'm sure we will."

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Brown puts pen to paper
WHUFC.com
Jordan Brown has signed his first professional contract with the Club
11.11.2013

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Under-18s striker Jordan
Brown has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Club.
Brown, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Sunday, has signed a deal that
will keep him at the Club until June 2015. The front man has already made a
sizable impact for the U18s after making the move from Arsenal in the summer
and has revealed his joy at how well he has settled in at the club. "It's
just the first one [contract], but hopefully I can get many more at the
Club" he explained, "I'm happy at the moment, but I've just got to keep
going really."

"It was kind of a shaky start to the season. We actually got off to a flier,
against Manchester United, a great win at home. "After that we went through
a rough patch, but we've cleaned up our act and in the last seven games
we've got five wins and two draws. Everyone's doing alright, and I'm doing
alright at the moment as well, so I think I'm on the right path."

An opening day win over Manchester United was the only victory for Steve
Potts' side in their opening six Barclays Under-18 Premier League matches.
Since then, both the team and Brown have found their feet with the young
Hammers now on a seven-match unbeaten run following last weekend's 3-1 win
over Aston Villa.. After failing to find the net early in the season, the
striker now has four goals, including the winner in a 3-2 triumph against
Tottenham Hotspur, and he feels he has adapted well to a change in style
after his summer move. "I didn't score in the first four games of the
season. But in the last seven games, I've got four goals, so I'm happy. "The
Spurs one was big obviously as it's Tottenham, I was really happy with that
one. Extra special, definitely, as I always want to beat them! "I've had to
try to adapt my style, see how my team-mates play. Even how I fit into the
team really. I didn't really know how I fitted into the team at the start,
but right now I know my place and I know what I have to do."

Brown seems to be loving life in Claret and Blue so far, and he believes
that he is in the right place for him to develop his talents. "If you're too
ambitious you get ahead of yourself and sometimes that's not good for your
development. People at West Ham know what they're doing. They know what it
takes. "Look at how many players West Ham have produced, so you have to be
patient and your chance will come. "I look up to players like Joe Cole and
Mark Noble, they set the example as they're still there. It goes to show
that the coaches and what they're doing at West Ham is correct. They know
what they're talking about, it's good. "There are definitely opportunities.
The gaffer definitely gives the younger boys the opportunities, as he showed
in the League Cup. They took their chances, so hopefully more people can
take their chances, so that more of us youngsters get another chance to show
ourselves, it's a cycle."

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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Two of West Ham's loanees experienced differing fortunes in the first round
of the FA Cup
11.11.2013

There were mixed fortunes at the weekend for West Ham United loanees Paul
McCallum and Jordan Spence, who were both in action in the FA Cup first
round.
Striker McCallum played the full 90 minutes but was unable to add to his
two-goal haul from last week as Torquay United conceded two late goals
against Rochdale to end their interest in this year's FA Cup. Scott Hogan
struck in the 85th minute before Peter Vincenti added a second four minutes
later to send McCallum and Torquay to defeat at Plainmoor. Elsewhere, there
were better fortunes for centre-back Spence who also played the whole game
as Milton Keynes Dons thumped FC Halifax Town 4-1 to ease into the second
round. In the defender's third appearance on loan at the Dons, Izale McLeod
scored twice with Shaun Williams and Brendan Galloway also getting on the
scoresheet to dispatch their non-league opponents. Elliot Lee is also out on
loan but was not given permission to feature for Colchester as they suffered
a 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield United as they exited the FA Cup.

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Allardyce: Don't blame Jussi
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has leapt to the defence of goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen
after the veteran stopper was beaten by another free kick at Norwich in
Saturday.
West Ham were beaten 3-1 at Carrow Road after capitulating in the second
half and conceding three goals in the space of 37 minutes - one of which was
a Robert Snodgrass free kick that, much as Leighton Baines' brace and
Jermaine Pennant's effort for Stoke had previously, left Jaaskelainen rooted
to the spot.
The Hammers have now conceded four goals this season from free kicks taken
on the perimeter of the penalty box - all of which have been placed in the
same corner and none of which Jaaskelainen has attempted to save as the ball
flew past him. However Allardyce is not questioning his 'keeper - publicly,
at least. "Snodgrass has hit a brilliant free-kick over the wall into the
net," he said. "You can't fault the wall or the goalkeeper when they put
them in that area. "It was the fourth one against us in eleven games this
season, when in two years previously at West Ham I haven't had four scored
against me. "That's a bizarre stat because Leighton Baines and Jermaine
Pennant haven't scored one since and it will probably be a while before
Snodgrass gets another one. But he got it when it mattered for Norwich and
it was a killer for us."

However Allardyce was critical of his number one for the error that allowed
City a way back into a game that West Ham had controlled until that point.
"It gave them the massive lift they were looking for and we gifted them the
boost of confidence that they were searching for but looked like they were
never going to get," he moaned. "It's a psychological thing in that it
lifted the crowd. They were booing at half-time but ten minutes after, they
were cheering, which makes a massive difference and that was our fault. "Had
the game gone on at one-nil for another ten or 15 minutes I think we would
have been stood here saying we'd won two-nil. That would have given us more
chances to add a second, but unfortunately it didn't pan out that way and we
only have ourselves to blame."

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West Ham suffer blow with news that Winston Reid is sidelined
Last Updated: November 11, 2013 11:12am
SSN

West Ham United defender Winston Reid could be sidelined until the New Year
with an ankle injury. The New Zealand defender missed the Hammers' weekend
defeat at Norwich City, having previously started every league game for the
club this season. The influential 25-year-old has admitted that his problem
is 'serious' and it has definitely ruled him out of his country's massive
World Cup qualifying double header with Mexico this month.

Twitter
@winstonreid2
Im devastated bout missing the games with country n club but these things
happen some times

"There's maybe a one per cent chance, if a miracle happens, but apart from
that the injury is serious enough that it's going to take a far longer time
than two weeks," Reid confirmed to New Zealand based Radio Live. Reid also
tweeted to say he was 'devastated' to be missing games for both club and
country.
Reports claim that Reid could be looking at more than two months on the
sidelines, but West Ham insist that they are still 'assessing' the injury.
After the Norwich game, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insisted that despite
the loss, Reid's absence was not a problem. "I can't see too much that James
Tomkins and James Collins did wrong. I thought they were extremely solid at
the back," he said. "We didn't miss Winston Reid as I thought they were very
good and from a defensive point of view they didn't deserve to concede three
goals. "The third goal came when we threw everybody forward so we were
either going to get a 2-2 or they were going to sneak one, which they did.
Snodgrass has hit a brilliant free-kick over the wall into the net. You
can't fault the wall or the goalkeeper when they put them in that area."

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IS RELEGATION LOOMING OR ARE THE BOOKIES RIGHT?
By Tony Hanna 11 Nov 2013 at 14:16
West Ham Till I Die

Back in August there was a really good feel factor on the site about West
Ham's chances of a good season. A good pre-season had seen a return to form
of Joe Cole and Matt Jarvis, whilst Alou Diarra had been looking fit and
eager to start. Whilst Andy Carroll was going to miss the start of the
season it was only a matter of a month or so before he was due to return.
The signing of Stewart Downing was to compliment Jarvis in supplying Carroll
with plenty of ammunition. And then of course there was the emergence in the
friendlies of young Ravel Morrison. This was indeed our strongest and
deepest squad in many years?

Eleven games in and it has all gone so horribly wrong with the one exception
being that wonderful 3-0 win at Spurs. The League table currently shows us
level on points with the 3rd bottom club - is relegation looming? The season
opening win against Cardiff was just confirmation of what we all thought at
the time - top ten for sure. But outside these two aforementioned wins there
has been four draws and five defeats and we are still to play away at
Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea. In fact we have only played once
against last seasons top four home or away (Man City at home) and we were
whipped! Include that with the fact we also still have to play Liverpool
twice and Everton away and Spurs at home, it is not an easy time ahead.
Whilst I am sure we will spring another surprise or two, ala Spurs, the
reality is that to reach 40 points we now have to win more than just a point
a game from here on in - and that is something that looks quite unlikely on
current form and with the upcoming fixture list.

Since the initial pre-season optimism our expectations have faded, but have
they died? The injury to Andy Carroll has reoccurred and some pundits even
doubt whether he might play again? Worse still is that we have no suitable
replacement for him. Diarra suffered a bad injury and one wonders whether he
will actually have the fight in him for a relegation battle when he returns?
Jarvis and Downing have been bombing in crosses like there is no tomorrow,
trouble is, I am sure they think Andy is in the box there somewhere!
Actually, if they had looked up, they would have seen there was no one in
Claret and Blue there at all. Ravel has shown glimpses of brilliance but as
the season has worn on it seems like he may need more time to settle into
the week to week battles of the Worlds toughest league. And on top of this
we have Mo Diame not looking as though he wants to play, for us anyway, and
now even JJ is making mistakes and we have lost Hammer of the Year Winston
Reid to an injury. Goodness knows how long he will be out as the charades
are flying about as to whether he is injured or just playing "hooky" from
the NZ World Cup squad?

So, the ups and the downs of supporting West Ham have not changed one bit.
For every silver lining there is another lost lead, an unjust penalty
conceded, a once in a season free kick from 30 yards bombed into our goal,
or just another injury to one of our best players. The bookies still have us
at 6/1 for the drop and their opinion is usually pretty good as it comes
from an unbiased viewpoint where it costs them big money if they are wrong.
History shows they get it right much more than they get it wrong. At present
they rate seven teams more likely than us to go down. This is one bet I am
happy for them to win. I am sure there are a lot more ups and downs to come
but whatever you do - hang on to your seat because it is going to be a bumpy
old ride.

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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan urges side to keep faith despite poor run of
form
11 Nov 2013 17:15
The Mirror

West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan is urging the club's players to keep the
faith as they look to halt their winless run. The Hammers head into the
international break having failed to secure a win in their last four Premier
League encounters. West Ham have earnt just two wins in 11 league matches,
despite boasting the best defence outside the top seven. But Nolan believes
that if their belief is unshakable then Sam Allardyce's men can soon end
their current predicament. "We've just got to keep plugging away because one
day it will turn for us and that's what we've got to keep believing," he
told the club's official website. "We have got a great squad here and a
group of lads well capable of being in this league, so we've got to work
towards being where we believe we should be - in the middle of the table.
"We're not there at the moment, so we've got to face facts and get on with
it and make sure we're ready for Chelsea and, believe me, we will be."

That run looked set to be halted at Norwich on Saturday after a vibrant
first-half display saw them take a lead into the break thanks to Ravel
Morrison's goal.
However, a miserable second-half collapse from the east London side saw the
Canaries run out 3-1 winners. Next up, Allardyce's side meet London rivals
Chelsea and Fulham - both at Upton Park - and Nolan's eyes are on positive
results and an upturn in fortunes . "If we can take points from those games
then we'll start looking upwards," added Nolan. "We're under no illusions
that we're not where we want to be and it's been a tough old season so far.
"But we've got a long way to go and we're determined to put it right and I'm
sure we will."

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Real Madrid's Jese Rodriguez could join West Ham
Daily Star

WEST HAM are weighing up a January loan move for highly-rated Real Madrid
forward Jese Rodriguez, 20.

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