Daily WHUFC News - 13th November 2013

Hammers hit nine in Gills win
WHUFC.com
An experienced West Ham United XI beat Gillingham 9-0 in a friendly at Rush
Green Stadium on Tuesday
12.11.2013

Two goals from ex-Gillingham winger Matt Jarvis helped a West Ham United XI
to a resounding 9-0 win over his former club. There were braces for Blair
Turgott and a trialist as an experienced Hammers side ran riot at Rush Green
Stadium. First-team strike duo Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga also netted a
goal apiece as they enjoyed a profitable run-out before a long-range effort
from Taylor Miles rounded off the scoring. It was a thumping win for a team
which also featured George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Adrian alongside a
number of the Hammers' Under-21 regulars. The game started with a bang for
the Hammers, who were ahead after only three minutes as Cole released Jarvis
down the left and he pulled the ball back to the edge of the box for the
oncoming Turgott, who fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner. Maiga
had started the game with purpose and got his reward after 18 minutes when
another Jarvis cross was met by Cole. He headed the ball into the path of
the Mali frontman, who applied a neat finish to beat the keeper from a
couple of yards. The visitors were struggling to cope with the quality of
West Ham's attacking contingent but did their best to strike back with Harry
Grant firing in three efforts over the course of four minutes, only one of
which caused Adrian any trouble. The lead was stretched further on 33
minutes when Maiga whipped in a cross from the right-hand side which was
turned past the keeper by Jarvis from six yards. A minute before half-time,
the winger had his second as he expertly dispatched a volley into the top
corner of the net after Danny Whitehead had nodded the ball to him on the
edge of the box. The senior players remained on after half-time and nine
minutes after the restart the Hammers celebrated their fifth as Cole flicked
in Turgott's shot from a Jarvis cross.

Gillingham looked deflated and just two minutes later found themselves six
down when Turgott pounced on Cole's rebounded shot to sidefoot home his
second goal of the game from ten yards out. A raft of substitutions then
ensued in the 60th minute, with Adrian and Diarra the only first-team
players to remain on the pitch until the final whistle. It took the new
arrivals a few moments to settle into the game, but it would just eight
minutes for the trialist to make his mark, adding a seventh goal from fellow
replacement Kieran Sadlier's cross. The trialist doubled his tally and hit
West Ham's eighth on 79 minutes when he burst into the box, shrugged off a
couple of defenders and placed a shot past goalkeeper George Howard. The
scoring was complete with five minutes left as Miles got in on the act when
he blasted home a low shot from outside the box after the trialist had teed
him up. The display delighted the watching West Ham Academy players, coaches
and staff, as well as midfielder Joe Cole, who turned out to keep an eye on
proceedings as the goals flowed.

West Ham United: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney
(Chambers 60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60),
Jarvis (Maguire 60), Cole (Trialist 60)
Sub not used: Brown

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Fans' forum details confirmed
WHUFC.com
The Club are delighted to reveal full details of December's fans' forum for
Season Ticket Holders
06.11.2013

West Ham United are delighted to announce ticketing details for an exclusive
free fans' forum for Season Ticket Holders at the Boleyn Ground with
Joint-Chairman David Gold, manager Sam Allardyce and captain Kevin Nolan on
Tuesday 10 December at 6.30pm. Prior to a prompt 7pm start, supporters will
be invited to be part of an exclusive autograph and picture session with Big
Sam and Nolan, before the Hammers duo kick-off the evening's Q and A. Mr
Gold will then take the floor for the second half of the evening, answering
questions from Season Ticket Holders on all manner of West Ham matters, both
on and off the pitch, in this, the first event of a recently-announced raft
of rewards for our most loyal supporters.

Tickets will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis at a
rate of one per successful applicant and are available to 2013/14 Season
Ticket Holders only. Please note, Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult
Season Ticket Holder.

To secure one of the 400 places available for this exclusive event, please
call the Ticket Office on 0871 529 1966 - option 3* - from 9am on Wednesday
13 November. The Club will announce, via whufc.com, as and when all spaces
are filled.

December's event will be the first of many exclusive fans' forums held by
the Club, with a second Season Ticket Holders' forum already set for the New
Year.
Andy Carroll, Mark Noble and Joe Cole will all be in attendance at the
Circus Tavern, Purfleet, with Season Ticket Holders again invited to quiz
the Hammers players. Further details will be announced on whufc.com in due
course.

To read more on Season Ticket Holder benefits, including a complimentary DVD
of the Hammers' 3-0 win at White Hart Lane, an open training session and
unprecedented access to next season's first-team photo, please click here.

*Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras

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Pair on the Ball for Richard House
WHUFC.com
Joe Cole and Mark Noble attended the Richard House Children's Hospice Secret
Garden Ball
12.11.2013

Mark Noble and Joe Cole helped to raise over £80,000 for the Richard House
Children's Hospice at the recent Secret Garden Ball. The West Ham United
pair are both patrons of the Beckton-based hospice, which is also one of the
Hammers' official Club charities. The duo swapped their kit for smart suits
to attend the event at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, joining fellow
patrons, business people and long-standing supporters of Richard House. The
evening got off to a lively start with both Noble and Cole joining in a game
of Heads and Tails as the guests guessed on the toss of a coin, with the
last person standing, winning a prize. This was followed by a three-course
meal and an auction in which both players whole-heartedly took part. Cole
was first to bid in the auction, which was hosted by renowned auctioneer
Charlie Ross. The midfielder was successful as he beat others in the room to
grab an exclusive behind-the-scenes designer package with fashion brand
Warehouse. Noble was also successful in his bid and went home with a signed
and framed running spike belonging to sprinting legend Usain Bolt. The funds
raised from the auction will ensure they can continue to provide a service
to children and young people with life limiting conditions and provide
respite for their families.

As well as the main auction, there was also a raffle and a silent auction -
where prizes included tickets and hospitality in Cole's own box for the next
home match against Chelsea, while another prize was dinner and wine for four
people at FiftyNine New Street, a restaurant partly owned by Cole and Noble
along with other players. Speaking about the event and his long-standing
support of the hospice, Cole said: "It was a real pleasure once again to be
supporting such a wonderful charity as Richard House. I have been a patron
for a while now and I am always totally in awe of the brilliant work it does
year in year out. "If I can do my bit in helping where I can, raising money
or just helping them raise awareness of what it does, then I am only too
happy to do so. It is great that we as a Club can support such a charity
right on our doorstep."

The hospice's work was shown in a short film made by 17-year-old Jordan
Samuel, who has been making use of the services at Richard House since he
was nine years old. The teenager is a member of the hospice's Living Films
Club, run together with family support worker Bernie Wighton. It is just one
of the many projects offered by the hospice alongside the practical and
medical services it provides on a daily basis. Noble, who asked for
donations to Richard House instead of gifts at his wedding in 2012, was
delighted to be helping the hospice in whatever way he could. "It is such a
special place. I have been there several times now and we as a Club have
supported Richard House and visited as a team. Despite the difficulties the
children, their families and all the staff go through, they always have
smiling faces and make you welcome. "So for me and Joe and us as a Club, to
spend time helping in what way we can is something we do without question.
If it enables the hospice to keep on doing the fantastic work that it does,
then it is only a good thing."

Richard House chief executive Peter Ellis summed up what was a successful
14th annual ball, which ended with a performance by showband Pure Orange.
"It has been another tremendous night for us, to see old and new supporters
of Richard House coming together again to help not only raise funds but
support us in so many ways," said Ellis. "This backing will allow us to
continue to support families in and around London, to develop the service
and care we provide and reflect our vision, which is for communities to
journey together to create positive memories of living and dying. "The
support of West Ham, with Joe and Mark attending once again, is very
valuable to us, as is all the work that many people do. We look forward to a
continuing partnership that will allow us to keep providing a high level of
care and unique experiences to all those who come to Richard House."

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Potts praises team effort
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts was happy with the performance of his entire team after they
beat Aston Villa
11.11.2013

Steve Potts hailed the team effort which saw his West Ham United Under-18s
reap the reward of all three points after they saw off Aston Villa on
Saturday.
A 3-1 win over the Villans extended the Hammers' unbeaten run to seven games
as they overcame an early setback to continue their fine form. Centre-back
Reece Burke conceded a 16th minute penalty which was dispatched to the
bottom left-hand corner, leaving Sam Howes with no chance. Less than sixty
seconds later however and trialist Jaanai Gordon equalised on his first
appearance for the U18s before he doubled the lead shortly before half-time.
Top-scorer Kieran Bywater then completed the scoring with 13 minutes left to
leave his manager praising the team's performance. Potts said: "It was a
very tough game. It was a good test for the boys with the way they move the
ball around really well. "We went 1-0 down against them and I thought it
might be a difficult game for us but credit to the boys, they came back into
the game straight away and I think we deserved the win. "When you look back,
it was just one of those all-round good team performances and that's what
got us on top. Everyone did their jobs, worked hard for each other and in
the end got the rewards for their performances. "If everyone doesn't do
their jobs then it becomes difficult but everyone did their bit which is
pleasing."

Crucial to the success was 17-year-old trilaist Gordon, who has made three
first team appearances for Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United this
season. The striker's brace came courtesy of some cool finishing and he
clearly did enough to impress Potts. "He did well, he came in for his first
game and scored two goals so you can't ask much more than that on his first
appearance. It was very positive what he did and he settled in very
quickly."

Gordon was partnered in attack by Jordan Brown, who after joining West Ham
from Arsenal in the summer, has now signed his first professional contract
with the Club. Brown had cause for a double celebration as it was also the
frontman's 17th birthday on the day he signed and Potts has been impressed
with his contribution so far. "With Jordan, he's been at Arsenal all through
the younger age groups so to leave a settled environment like that and come
to a new club it takes time to settle. "He's shown in spells some really
good stuff. I think now with Jordan he's got used to what we're all about
here and he's settled in well with the rest of the boys and hopefully he can
kick-on from here."

Whilst the U18s boss still hopes there's more to come from Brown, that also
applies to the whole squad who he hopes can push on towards appearances for
the Development Squad. He said: "I'm just looking for more and more out of
the boys each week. The only danger they've got is taking their foot off the
pedal.
"I want them pushing on towards the under-21s, that's my aim for them, to
play well in the U21s. To play well enough to make Nick [Haycock] think they
deserve a chance in the U21s, that's the main focus for them."

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Collison added to Wales squad
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison joins the list of West Ham United players called up for
international duty this week
07.11.2013

Jack Collison has been added to Chris Coleman's Wales squad for their
international friendly with Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
Hammers midfielder Collison joins James Collins in the Wales party with the
pair looking to add to their 16 and 43 caps respectively.

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 Tuesday 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 in Romania's squad for their FIFA World Cup Play-Off matches
against Greece on 15 and 19 November, 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.
Raphael Spiegel is in the Switzerland U21 squad for their matches against
Croatia (14 November) and Ukraine (18 November), and Academy goalkeeper Vit
Nemrava is due to play for Caech Republic U18s in a tournament in Turkey.

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Hammers go goal crazy
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Here's one for the record books... both Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga were
on the scoresheet as a West Ham XI ran out 9-0 winners over Gillingham in a
behind-closed-doors friendly this afternoon.

Especially arranged for those not taking part in international fixtures
during the forthcoming Premier League break, the Hammers eased to victory at
Rush Green Stadium against the League One side - who only yesterday
appointed former England Under 21 boss Peter Taylor as their new manager -
in a completely one-sided affair.

Blair Turgott scored the first goal of the day from the edge of the penalty
box before Maiga converted a Matt Jarvis cross to double West Ham's
advantage. The goalscorer turned provider shortly after to set Jarvis up for
a third from close range. The winger was to double his tally shortly before
the half time break with a fine volley.

After the break it was more of the same from the Hammers, who were also
featuring Alou Diarra - making his second appearance in recent days - and
George McCartney. Carlton Cole scored his first and only goal of the day
shortly after the restart, soon to be followed by young Turgott,
capitalising on a spilled shot to notch his second.

Despite four of the six senior players on show being substituted on the hour
mark, West Ham continued to pile on the misery for a shellshocked Gills
side. An unnamed triallist - believed to be Jaanai Gordon - scored a quick
brace to make it 8-0 before grabbing an assist by setting up young
midfielder Taylor Miles for the ninth and final goal of the day.

West Ham Utd: Adrian, Shaw, Ruddock (Nasha 77), Potts, McCartney (Chambers
60), Diarra, Whitehead (Miles 60), Turgott, Maiga (Sadlier 60), Jarvis
(Maguire 60), C Cole (Trialist 60).

Subs not used: Brown.

Goals: Turgott (2), Maiga, Jarvis (2), C Cole, Triallist (2), Miles.

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Winston's woes
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid has revealed that he could be out of action until the New Year.
The reigning KUMB.com Player of the Year suffered a Hammer blow at the
weekend after scans revealed that the injury he sustained during training
last week may keep him out of action until the New Year. Reid, speaking to
Live Sport Radio at the weekend revealed how the injury happened. "I was at
training and I slipped. I got stuck between a player's leg and twisted my
ankle," he said. "I went back into the physio room afterwards and they
tested me a couple of times but as a player you know when something's not
right. So I had the scans and unfortunately they pretty much confirmed that
there was a problem. I then had another scan to see how bad the injury was
and unfortunately it's pretty serious. It was a freak accident, slipping and
getting my leg caught under another player - but these things happen.
"Unfortunately it happen in training and you can perhaps accept it more if
it happens in a game. For me personally it's one of the worst things that
can happen. It couldn't have happened at a worse time, but life goes on."

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The Norwich debacle
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 11th November 2013
By: Gary Portugal

Despite their drubbing by Man City ,this was never going to be an easy game.
Why? For a start,we haven't won at Carrow Road in 40 years.

In theory,that shouldn't matter, especially against a decidedly average
Canaries side. But in reality , history does matter. Just check our record
at Anfield.

Secondly, without Reid,we were always going to be vulnerable ,even with
Collins back as cover. Collins himself was only just back from injury, and
not surprisingly, a bit rusty.

Thirdly, the whole stadium knew that Hughton's job was on the line; simply
put,in front of their own fans ,there HAD to be a response from the Norwich
players following their mauling.

Finally,like us,Norwich are fighting for their PL survival. Which is why a
draw,though disappointing,would not have been a disaster.

What is the sense in keeping a player of Diame's quality on the bench? Does
he want another player to hand in a transfer request? Even if played out of
position, Diame offers far more than Joe Cole, who was utterly ineffective
at Norwich. What must Diame be thinking, if he can't even get into the
starting eleven of a side in the bottom 6 ? Could you blame him for wanting
to leave in January? Yes, Diame was subpar at Burnley. But that's history
now.

Mistakes happen - they are partly unavoidable ,like death and taxes. The
trick,obviously,is to try to minimize their frequency and the damage
resulting from them. Jussi has made many great saves this season,so I can't
moan about his clanger leading to the penalty. The penalty decision itself
was debatable, as it appeared that he did get the ball,and not just the
player.

What I will complain about is our inability, COLLECTIVELY, to deal with free
kicks. Clearly , the keeper has a weakness there. In which case, the club
should try to help him out. Why not have a man at the post ? How many more
points do we have to drop before we learn? Everton,Stoke, and now Norwich.
That many teams choose NOT to have a man on the post is no excuse. That's as
stupid as saying that we shouldn't play 4-4-2 simply because "nobody plays
that way anymore." Oh,really? Take a look at Liverpool. Man United . And
even Norwich,who beat us with 2 strikers. Our tactics should not be dictated
by what everyone else does. On the contrary. Being a sheep , following the
herd,is tactical suicide. To fail to defend a free kick once in eleven games
is acceptable. But four times? That is how teams get relegated-especially
those that cannot even score a goal a game,like us. It goes without saying
that we need to be a lot more careful about conceding free kicks near the
area in the first place.

What was most disturbing was the utter lack of fight shown in the second
half. It was as if,based on our first half "dominance" , that we thought
that we had the game won already. Sorry folks, but dominance and possession
count for little when all you have to show for it is a 1-0 lead at
half-time. Anything can change that , be it an error, or a contentious
decision, or both,as we learned the hard way. Coming off to boos at
half-time,and with Hughton's job on the line,Norwich HAD to be better in the
second half. Did Sam have the players mentally prepared for the inevitable
onslaught? Seemingly not. Saying " more of the same please" isn't enough of
a team talk,even after a "dominant" first half,under such circumstances.

The concession of the first two goals should have galvanized us in each
case. Instead , it shell-shocked us into numbness and submission ,with not a
single player prepared to show leadership and take the match by the scruff
of the neck. When adversity strikes is when , for better or worse ,
character comes to the fore . And we were found to be severely wanting,like
spoiled children moaning to the ref,or overpaid primadonnas. It was
embarrassing how spineless and uncreative our response was. Our substitutes
had absolutely no impact and looked both listless and uninspired.

Diame in particular,looked a lost soul,jogging aimlessly. Carlton Cole was
no better,unable to hold the ball up or retain possession as time was ebbing
away. We never looked like equalizing and barely created any chances in the
second period,especially in the last 15 minutes of the match.

People will take a pop at Kevin Nolan,especially given his lack of goals
this season. I'm not a big fan, for many reasons. But ironically, I think
playing the advanced striker role in recent games,he's done pretty well. He
had a couple good chances at Carrow Road and provided the assist for Ravel's
goal. Questions have to be asked . Why didn t we play Nolan,or Vaz Te , in
this role from the start of the season,instead of Maiga? Given Nolan's lack
of pace and inability to track back quickly,it suits him better in some
ways,to play as a lone striker,rather than part of a 5 man midfield,whilst
Carroll is out. He's a big lump who holds the ball up well, with a decent
touch,who can score. From the moment Carroll's injury came to even sniff
like being "long term", Nolan should have been put into this role. And
allowed to lead by example.

There are signs of unrest in the dressing room-never a good thing for a side
battling relegation. We saw it with Vaz Te earlier this season. And Diarra
before that. Clearly, something is amiss between Diame and Sam at the
moment. When a team,or certain of its key players stop giving 100 % ,despite
facing relegation,that is a warning sign. Yes,it was only 45 minutes,and has
been the exception,not the rule this season,but is was a VITAL 45 minutes.
And our players failed to stand up and be counted. They looked
dejected,downhearted and completely lacking in determination in the second
half. None of which points to a situation in which the players and manager
are on the same page. Players that believe and trust in their manager fight
'till the final whistle. Ours seemed to stop at the 75th minute. They
caved-in and capitulated with a capital C.

Of course,it doesn't get any easier,with Chelsea next, despite them being
inconsistent on the road this season. Our ability to get anything from the
game will depend partly on the availability of Reid. Chelsea are Jekyll and
Hyde, beating Man City one match, and then nearly succumbing to WBA the
next. So we CAN get something from the match,but we have to be totally
committed for the full 90 minutes.

What West Ham fans,especially season ticket holders,have been subject to in
recent seasons,but especially this season,is an utter disgrace. This season
should never have been about a relegation battle,regardless of
injuries,especially with Morrison coming of age, and the arrival of a proper
left back. But the club's owners and management have put us in this
position. They clearly didn't do their homework on Carroll before signing on
the dotted line, and failed to get an "insurance policy" , read suitable and
fit cover, given the inevitability of Carroll getting injured at some stage.
Bad business and total stupidity.

Why were Cole and/or Petric not brought in sooner,when we knew full well
what the status was with Carroll in pre-season? What is the point of buying
Downing if there is no fit striker for him to put crosses into? We are in
16th place. As good a player as he is,was it the right decision to buy him?
Clearly not . If we had brought in a fit striker instead, we would be on, at
a minimum, 3 or 4 more points by now.

As for Carroll,no news is bad news. If he was genuinely making progress,the
club would be shouting it from the rooftops. Hence the rumours about Ba in
January,which may be too late. Talk of him suffering yet another setback may
be wide of the mark,but the silence from the club implies not. What odds on
Carroll not kicking a ball this season?

The owners have put a lot of money into this club, and do strike me as
genuine "supporters", especially Sullivan. But their unwillingness to take a
firmer hand with Sam's spending is costing us dear,literally and
figuratively. If there is not a significant improvement in the attitude of
the players from the second half at Carrow Road,then I suspect many season
ticket holders may get fed up. And start to consider whether they really
want to renew next season ,whether we stay up or not.

There is a limit to how much aggro loyal supporters can be expected to put
up with . At some point,even the most dedicated fans are going to say that
they have had enough. We seem incapable of putting together more than 2 good
seasons without reverting back to the same dire relegation scrap. It has
gotten old. No wonder there is no atmosphere at Upton Park.

After the match , a senior club official said to me that "we're going to
find out now what we're made of" ,referring to both the players and
management. Indeed. Same old West Ham . Always doing things the hard way. No
matter how many changes of ownership or management. It seems to be embedded
in the DNA of this club,sadly. And if we're not careful,it could really be
the final undoing of us.

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Jack Collison added to Wales squad for Finland game
Last Updated: November 12, 2013 3:57pm
SSN

Chris Coleman has added West Ham's Jack Collison to his squad for their game
with Finland on Saturday. Collison had not been included in the original
party, but he will now be in contention to feature at the Cardiff City
Stadium. Collison comes into the squad after Brighton's Andrew Crofts, who
has a groin problem, and David Vaughan, on loan at Nottingham Forest from
Sunderland, pulled out. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 16 caps to his
name, last played for his country in the World Cup qualifier against
Macedonia in September. Coleman lost Boaz Myhill earlier on Tuesday after
the West Brom goalkeeper pulled out due to an Achilles problem and ligament
damage to his left thumb. Myhill said: "Personally I am going to need
treatment on a couple of injuries I've picked up in recent weeks and need to
get over. "I've not trained for a while and I'm glad for the rest because it
means I can do some work in the gym with the physios so the break has come
at a good time for me."

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OLYMPIC STADIUM CONVERSION UNDERWAY
By Sean Whetstone 12 Nov 2013 at 08:02
West Ham Till I Die

In the last few weeks work has commenced to prepare the Olympic Stadium for
it's transformation into a multi-purpose stadium and the new home of West
Ham United. Diggers have already removed the turf and more dismantling will
be visible very soon. In the next few weeks contractors will begin to
dismantle the existing roof and the iconic floodlight towers. This work is
expected to take around four months to complete this phase.

Contracts awarded

Populous are already on board as the architect for the shell-and-core
conversion contract. They were the original architects for the London 2012
Olympic Stadium. The first of new contracts to be awarded included Careys
who picked up a £1.5m contract for preparatory work for Balfour Beatty to
build the new roof. Imtech G&H won a £25m contract for electrical and
plumbing work in the redesigned stadium. The big winners at this stage were
Balfour Beatty who walked away with a £41m contract to fit a new Olympic
Stadium roof. When it is completed the roof will be twice its original size
to allow all-weather protection for spectators and improved acoustics for
football matches & concerts. A combination of solid and transparent roof
coverings will allow natural light to flow through. The roof boasts a
gravity-stressed structure spanning 84m and will provide cover for football
fans sitting above the existing running track. Then an extensive cable net
system will be fitted to support the new roof which will be constructed on
the floor of stadium and then lifted into position.Several 600-tonne cranes
operating within the stadium will then tandem lift the supporting roof steel
work into place.

The main £100m main conversion contract will be procured under a separate
contract and is yet to be awarded.Five firms are in the running for this
contract, including Balfour Beatty, Buckingham, ISG, Shepherd and Sir Robert
McAlpine. McAlpine is widely expected to take the main contract as former
Olympic Stadium builder, although the roof award makes Balfour a serious
contender too.

Although the new roof, electrical and plumbing contracts are expected to be
completed by Spring 2015 in time for the Rugby World Cup the retractable
seating will not be completed by then.The retractable seating project is
scheduled to commence after the end of the Rugby world cup but will be
completed by the start of the 2016 football season.

One thing we are almost definitely saying goodbye to is the iconic Olympic
Stadium triangle flood lights. The 14 existing lighting towers reach 70m
(230ft) above the ground and they support a total of 532 individual lights.
The new partially transparent roof will not take the weight of all 14 flood
lights and they are expected to become art sculptures around the Queen
Elizabeth although a few may be put back on the Stadium as ornaments.

The whole three-year conversion project involves replacing the roof,
building new hospitality suites and installing retractable seating over the
athletics track.
The current phase of digging up the grass will allow giant cranes to be
installed. They will also bury the running track beneath a protective layer
of synthetic sheet and crushed gravel.

The Olympic Stadium cost tax payers £429m to build for the London 2012
Olympics. It is estimated up to £200m of contracts will be awarded before
the Stadium is ready for the first football to be kicked in 2016.

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Jaanai Gordon training with West Ham United
A general view of Upton Park, home of West Ham United on October 15, 2011©
Getty Images
Sports Mole
By Matt Law, La Liga Correspondent
Filed: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 13:57 UK

Peterborough United youngster Jaanai Gordon is currently training with West
Ham United. The 17-year-old, who came through Posh's youth academy, is
regarded as one of the brightest prospects outside of the Premier League.
The striker scored twice for West Ham's Under-18 side last week and has been
granted an extra week to gain a contract after impressing the coaching staff
at Upton Park. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough as a 16-year-old, but
is yet to score a first-team goal for the club.

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West Ham ready to swoop for Peterborough youngster
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013

West Ham are poised to make a move for Peterborough's highly rated teenage
striker Jaanai Gordon after he impressed during a trial period with the
club.
Sam Allardyce is desperate to solve his striking crisis and is looking at
every option before the transfer window re-opens in January. Gordon, just
17, is regarded as one of the best young forwards outside the top fight and
has already been called into the England Under-19 squad. The talented
striker has been training with the east London club and stole all the
headlines when he scored a brace for West Ham's Under-18 team in their 3-1
win over Aston Villa. Gordon made his debut for Peterborough at just 16 and
has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs. But it seems
that West Ham are the favourites to clinch his signature and they hope to
finalise a deal in the near future.

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Former Man City striker wanted by West Ham
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, November 12, 2013

West Ham want to lure former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo back to
England, according to reports in Russia. The Lokomotiv Moscow man, who
played for City between 2008 and 2011, wants to leave the club and West Ham
have been linked. Sam Allardyce is short of striking options with injured
Andy Carroll still yet to appear this season, and is expected to move for a
new forward when the transfer window opens. And Russian newspaper Izvestia
has reported that the Hammers are one of a number of teams currently lining
up a New Year move for Ecuador international Caicedo. But Allardyce will
face competition from across Europe with Espanyol and Lazio also interested
in a January swoop for the 25-year-old.

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Do the decent thing, say Hammers fans
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

An individual whom Police are keen to question following an incident in
Norwich last weekend has been urged to come forward by West Ham United
supporters.

Prior to West Ham's 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road last Saturday afternoon a cake
stall at Norwich station was wrecked by the individual in question, who is
thought to have been amongst West Ham's travelling support.

Prior to the midless attack, which happened around 4:45pm, the stall had
been raising money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. Ironically, it
is owned by the partner of a West Ham United supporter.

Jack Falgate, who has been running the Cupcake and Co stand for less than a
month told edp24.co.uk: "He didn't say anything, he just broke the leg of
the gazebo and then trashed it.

"We have to buy a new stall and I am deciding whether to carry on or not. A
lot of Norwich fans have been asking us to come back, but the margins are so
small that this sort of thing is a big thing for a small business."

Since the incident came to light a number of Hammers supporters, disgusted
by the incident have urged the individual - who is known to have been
drinking in the Compleat Angler public house - to come forward and
compensate the stand's owners for their losses.

"The idiot that did this ripped down the gazebo , the British legion signs
and basically wrecked the stall," said one prominent KUMB member. "Those
with him allowed him to continue.

"Firstly, you should be ashamed of yourself. We are West Ham, we are not
Leeds or Millwall. The stand is now wrecked and the lady can't trade.
Secondly, if this was you you may want to seriously consider your actions
and get a new gazebo sorted out."

Those sentiments were echoed almost unanimously by fellow supporters, many
of whom offered to help fund a new stall for Cupcake and Co should the
perpetrator of this senseless crime not be uncovered.

* Have any information about this incident? Feel free to contact us here at
KUMB.com.

* Cupcake & Co may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/Cupcake_and_Co.

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