Daily WHUFC News - 24th November 2013

Big Sam concerned by mistakes
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce admitted errors cost his West Ham United side dear in their
3-0 home defeat by Chelsea
23.11.2013

Sam Allardyce pulled no punches in his assessment of West Ham United's 3-0
Barclays Premier League defeat by Chelsea. The Hammers manager admitted
individual mistakes had cost his team dear for the second game in
succession, leading to costly defeats at Norwich City and at home to the
Blues. On Saturday, Guy Demel's poor backpass led to Jussi Jaaskelainen
fouling Oscar and Frank Lampard firing the visitors ahead from the penalty
spot. Oscar himself added a second before half-time before Lampard completed
a miserable afternoon with a late third. "I am disappointed and the fact of
the matter is that, because we didn't win the games we should have done at
the start of the season, we not only had to play against a big team like
Chelsea but we also had to fight the demons that our in our minds at the
moment," admitted Big Sam. "The difference between what we were doing prior
to Norwich and what we're doing now is that individual errors are making so
much of a difference to us. We hadn't seen that before, but it happened in
the second half at Norwich and it happened again on Saturday. "In the 17 or
so minutes before they got the penalty, there was little between the two
sides and I think we then had a few moments, but none better than the one
that fell to Joe Cole that was blocked by Petr Cech. Then, within the space
of a few minutes, we made a big error and it cost us a penalty. "We had to
come back from that. While we were trying to change it and get a couple of
subs because I didn't think we had overcome the manner of conceding the
first goal, Oscar scored the second. "After half-time we got a little better
and were more resilient and had to be patient to create a chance. The big
chance fell to Modibo Maiga, and if he had scored it would have rallied the
crowd and given them something to get on the edge of their seats about. It
might have helped us go on to get a draw, who knows? "That didn't happen and
we had to take more and more chances and risks and it left us open. It
generally happens that, if you don't get your goal, the opposition get one
and that's what they did."

The manager pointed to the mistakes made in the last two fixtures as
something his players simply have to cut out if they are to arrest their
recent slide.
"That's what has disappointed me against Norwich and again on Saturday
because they haven't really earned the right to beat us. We've beaten
ourselves. That is what is worrying me at the moment, because we hadn't seen
that up to then. "We had six clean sheets in ten matches going into the last
two games, which is a resilient football team which gives you the chance to
win matches. We can't lose that. We know we're struggling to score goals,
but in most of the games we're creating 15 or more chances at goal, even if
we didn't do that against Chelsea. "We can't lose that resilience or else
life will become very difficult indeed. We know, as a team, at the moment we
are a 1-0 team if we are going to win because we're not scoring more than
one very often. Too many times, we're not scoring at all, so we've got to
make sure we know what we are until we score more goals."

Big Sam did take some encouragement from the Hammers' second-half display,
which included an improved performance from central striker Maiga on his
return to first-team duty. While Maiga did miss his one clear chance, the
Mali forward led the line well and won a succession of aerial battles with
John Terry and Gary Cahill. However, the manager refused to blame the
forward-less 4-6-0 formation that has been employed in recent weeks for the
downturn in results.
"It did give me a bit of heart, yes," he said. "That said, we have had games
where we've had more attempts at goal when we didn't play with a front man.
If you don't play with anyone up front and you win, it's brilliant. If you
lose, it's because you haven't got anyone up front, but that's not true. "If
the system is played right and the players play to their strengths, you can
win football matches, as we proved at Tottenham. At the moment, it's not so
much about the system but about us being resilient and creating chances and
most importantly, taking them. "It's now a big concern to me, because these
players proved they can score goals in the Premier League last season, but
they are not doing it this season."

Looking forward at the fixture list, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Sunderland
are all on the agenda within the next four matches. Big Sam did not need to
be told of the importance of those games. "Fulham, Crystal Palace and then
Sunderland are going to determine our season now. The pressure is on the
players, myself and the staff to make sure we prepare to go into those three
games and come out with a minimum of six points. That's got to be our
minimum target now or else we're going to be battling in the bottom three or
four beyond Christmas. "We've got to try to avert that in the next two
games, which are local derbies. Fulham can kick-start us into a good run of
results by beating them and then we'll take the confidence on to face Fulham
and then Sunderland."

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Lampard double defeats Hammers
WHUFC.com
Frank Lampard was on target twice as Chelsea defeated West Ham 3-0 on
Saturday
23.11.2013

West Ham United 0-3 Chelsea
Barclays Premier League

Frank Lampard returned to haunt his former employers once again on Saturday
as his double helped Chelsea to a 3-0 win over West Ham United at the Boleyn
Ground. Lampard struck from the spot midway through the first half to give
the Blues a lead they never looked like relinquishing, particularly once
Oscar quickly doubled the advantage. The Hammers were never able to impose
themselves on the contest and Lampard deepened their woes with a clinical
finish eight minutes from time. The defeat leaves West Ham fourth from
bottom of the Barclays Premier League table with crucial fixtures against
Fulham and Crystal Palace next on the horizon. The opening exchanges were
fairly even and West Ham almost found a route to goal on 18 minutes when Guy
Demel stepped in to win possession on halfway and send the ball out to
Stewart Downing. The winger's cross was instant and directed towards Kevin
Nolan, whose header back was blocked, and Joe Cole's shot on the rebound was
also snuffed out. Three minutes later and Chelsea were in the lead thanks to
a goal of the Hammers' own making. Guy Demel was left with his head in his
hands after attempting to guide the ball back to Jussi Jaaskelainen with his
thigh. The pass was underhit and Oscar nipped in to draw a foul from the
goalkeeper. Lampard stepped up and smashed his spot kick high into the roof
of the net to set his side on their way.
A minute later the former Hammer could have made it two when Joey O'Brien
was caught in possession and Oscar passed square for Lampard, whose swept
shot was gathered by Jaaskelainen.

There was no such let off with 34 minutes on the clock though, as Chelsea
showed great incisiveness to double the advantage. James Collins was
attracted to the ball as it was passed into Eden Hazard's feet, leaving
Oscar to pick up from his teammate's flick, make his way to the edge of the
box and slot the ball into the bottom left corner. Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce responded by introducing Mo Diame and Modibo Maiga from the bench,
but still Chelsea found space to hurt the hosts and Samuel Eto'o brought a
flying one-handed save from Jaaskelainen with an angled shot which was
headed for the top right hand corner.
The second period started in much the same vein and Chelsea were so close to
a third on 58 when Lampard's header was met by a Gary Cahill header which
Mark Noble cleared off the line.

Moments later the visitors countered with devastating pace, with left-back
Cesar Azpilicueta bombing on down his flank to cross for Oscar, who should
have done better with his shot at the far post, which flew wide. For all
Chelsea's dominance, the Hammers still had a golden chance to get themselves
back in the contest on 65 minutes when Demel somehow wriggled clear of the
attentions of two defenders in the corner and cut back for Maiga, whose left
footed touch sent the ball wide when a more solid connection would surely
have seen the net bulge. Chelsea made use of their let-off by finally
sealing the points eight minutes from the end when Lampard drilled home from
the edge of the box after Hazard's blocked shot fell perfectly for his
right-footed effort.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, O'Brien; Morrison,
Noble, Collison (Maiga 40); J.Cole (Diame 40), Noble (Jarvis 76), Downing
Subs: Adrian, McCartney, Taylor, C.Cole

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Lampard;
Ramires, Oscar (Schurrle 83), Hazard (Essien 84); Eto'o (Ba 79)
Subs: Schwarzer, A.Cole, Mata, Willian

Goals: Lampard pen 21, Oscar 34, Lampard 82
Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 34,977

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U18s down leaders Fulham
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Under-18s continued their outstanding form with a 3-1 home
win over Fulham
23.11.2013

West Ham United Under-18s stretched their impressive unbeaten run to nine
games with a 3-1 victory over league leaders Fulham at Little Heath on
Saturday.
After a quiet first period, striker Jordan Brown put the Hammers ahead by
tapping in Kieran Bywater's cross, before Bywater turned from provider to
scorer to bag his twelfth of the season. Though Fulham halved the deficit
through George Williams' well-taken penalty, Bywater grabbed his second of
the day to restore the Hammers two-goal lead and secure all three points.
U18s manager Steve Potts again named Djair Parfitt-Williams in the starting
line-up, after the 17-year-old Bermuda-born forward returned from injury to
score a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-1 win at Reading. Captain Bywater,
meanwhile, looking to add to his eleven goals in 14 appearances, lined up in
midfield alongside Josh Cullen, Ben Marlow and Amos Nasha. The Hammers
started the livelier of the sides and within the first two minutes Bywater
collected possession 30 yards out and smashed an effort towards the top
corner, forcing a smart save from Fulham 'keeper Marek Rodak. West Ham then
went close once more when a goal-mouth scramble caused chaos in the
visitors' box, but having cleared the initial danger, Marlow attempted a lob
from the edge of the box, which flew high over the bar. Fulham, meanwhile,
had the ball in the back of the West Ham net, though the celebrations were
short-lived, with Williams' effort being chalked off for offside. At the
other end, Bywater's free-kick flew narrowly over the bar.

West Ham were much improved after the interval and took the lead when
Bywater's low centre found Jordan Brown at the near post, who fired home.

Then, seven minutes later in almost identical fashion but from the other
side, Bywater was perfectly positioned to double the Hammers' advantage from
Lewis Page's precise left-footed cross. The second goal seemed to spur the
Cottagers into life, who halved the deficit thanks to a controversial
penalty award. A West Ham centre-half rose highest in the box to clear with
his head, but the referee pointed to the spot, allowing Williams to reduce
the visitors' arrears.

There was similar controversy in the Fulham box soon after, as a second
penalty was awarded, this time for an apparent hand ball. It was up to
Bywater to step up and secure the points, which he duly did, taking his
tally for the season to 13 goals in 15 games. Saturday's result takes the
Hammers' unbeaten run to nine games and within just four points of leaders
Fulham, who remained top on goal difference, after Tottenham Hotspur's
youngsters saw off Arsenal. Potts' men are back in action on Saturday 7
December, when they entertain Arsenal at Little Heath. Kick-off is set for
11am, while parking and admission are both free of charge.

West Ham Under-18s: Howes, Knoyle, Burke, Harney, Page, Marlow, Cullen,
Nasha (Makasi), Brown (Mavila), Bywater, Parfitt-Williams. Subs not used:
Brown, Onariase, Amoo.

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West Ham 0 Chelsea 3
23 November 2013
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

Frank Lampard scored twice against his former club as Chelsea moved up to
third in the Premier League table with a convincing victory over West Ham.
Lampard put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot after Guy Demel's poor
back-pass allowed Oscar to nip in, and he was felled by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Oscar made it 2-0 when he drilled the ball home from the edge of the area.
West Ham improved after the break and Modibo Maiga went close, but Lampard
sealed victory with a confident finish. Chelsea had travelled across London
having won only one of their five previous away league games this season but
West Ham rarely looked like adding to the Blues' problems on the road. The
Hammers began the match with the same formation that served them so well in
their 3-0 win against Tottenham last month - playing without a recognised
striker, they pushed Kevin Nolan furthest forward and tried to get players
up to support him.
This time, it was nowhere near as successful. Stewart Downing did deliver
some dangerous crosses from the left but, otherwise, the home side's
attacking threat was non-existent.

West Ham's defending hardly helped their cause either. Demel's woeful
attempt to find Jaaskelainen with his thigh back-fired and, once Lampard had
fired home the resulting penalty, the Blues did not look back. The passing
and movement of Oscar and Eden Hazard was too quick and too slick for the
Hammers and, when Chelsea's second goal arrived after 34 minutes, it was all
too easy. This was the third game in a row that Frank Lampard had scored
against his former club West Ham, and ended his run of 10 Premier League
matches without a goal, his longest since joining Chelsea from the Hammers
in 2001.

James Collins rashly dashed in to challenge Hazard and try to stop a long
series of passes, but left a big gap behind him. Hazard's flick found Oscar
who advanced unchallenged to the edge of the area and fizzed a low shot into
the bottom corner. Five minutes before half-time, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce
had seen enough and made a double switch, introducing Maiga to belatedly
offer a permanent presence up front and Mohamed Diame to plug the gaps that
Jose Mourinho's men were exploiting in midfield. West Ham did, at least,
make more of a game of it in the second half although, if Mark Noble had not
cleared Gary Cahill's header off the line, Chelsea would have been out of
sight by the 53rd minute. Instead, the Hammers retained faint hope. They
should have pulled a goal back when Demel's extraordinarily mazy run took
him past three defenders but Maiga wastefully fired wide after meeting his
cross at the far post.

If that chance, after 65 minutes, had been converted then Chelsea might have
faced an anxious finish to the game. Instead, they were relatively
untroubled as they saw out their win, seemingly happy to concede territory
and possession to their hosts while remaining dangerous on the break.
Lampard's second goal of the evening arrived through that avenue after 82
minutes and made sure the three points would be theirs. Hazard saw his shot
blocked from Branislav Ivanovic's cross but the ball fell to Lampard to
sweep it home from the edge of the area. After that, the only question left
was the margin of Chelsea's victory and another former Hammer, Demba Ba, had
a late strike ruled out for a marginal offside. West Ham took until the 93rd
minute to register an effort on target, when Joey O'Brien's header at last
brought a save out of Petr Cech.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "Our second half against Tottenham was also
brilliant, but today was a 90-minute performance. We looked very solid from
the first minute. "The points are important, and the way we played. We are
right in there, we are not leaders, but we are right behind. "For me,
everybody did a fantastic job for me. The team was really good."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "If you make the sort of mistakes that we made
against a team like Chelsea, then we can only expect to lose. We made too
many big mistakes and gifted them the first goal. "We had a golden chance to
get back into the game at 2-0. Not many golden chances are coming our way at
the moment and that has to go in the back of the net if we are going to get
back into the game. "If that had gone in, it might have lifted the crowd and
we might have got something out of the game, but for us it was a
disappointing afternoon."

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Jaanai Gordon: Peterborough United reject West Ham United bid
BBC.co.uk

Peterborough United have turned down a bid for 17-year-old striker Jaanai
Gordon from Premier League West Ham. Gordon, has made three first-team
appearances for Posh this season, but has spent the past three weeks
training with the Hammers. West Ham made a bid for the teenager on Friday
but director of football Barry Fry confirmed it had been rejected. Gordon
will return to London Road and will be available for the FA Youth Cup tie at
Wolves on Tuesday, 3 December.

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Mourinho on....West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 23rd November 2013
By: Staff Writer no.2

The so-called "Special One" moans about the lack of a red card as a
sycophantic press corps strangely forgets to ask why one of his players
cheated to get a penalty for the second match running....

You couldn't ask for a better way to get your away form back on track?

Yes the game was good for us. It became very comfortable. I don't say
everything was under control - at 2-1 with 15-20 minutes to go that could
happen. They had a chance for that. They gave us a difficult game in the end
so I can't say it was completely under control. But we became very
comfortable very solid. The 3-0 could happen before and everyone in the
stadium would agree.

Are you expecting a phone call from Mike Riley in the morning?

I spoke with Chris Foy and he told me it isn't a red card. He was 10 metres
away, I was 50 metres away. I think the referee was very good today. The
linesmen too. Possible red card - if Chris Foy says no, then no.

Was there any other explanation other than "no"?

It was the middle of the pitch. There wasn't the time or conditions to give
me a full explanation.

Frank Lampard had gone ten games without a goal but he showed today that he
still knows where the goal is?

He played very well. He was another one who was very comfortable on the
pitch. He played differently from what he did before. He had the protection
of Jon Obi Mikel to let him go a bit more. Mikel is good in the air for the
first ball in front of the defenders. Lamps felt a bit more freedom to go
and to support and to arrive in shooting areas. He played well but to be
fair when the team plays so well it is easier for players to have good
performances.

Was that overall your best performance this season?

I think we had a few matches where we played very well. Away in the Premier
League we need to be most solid and consistent. We had a good second half
against Tottenham but we didn't play well in the first half. We had some
good moments against Norwich but not the complete game. Today from the start
we looked very solid very stable. Everybody was committed to the clean
sheet. They had one chance in the first half and I don't know who but at the
far post in the second half they almost scored. We were committed to the
clean sheet against a difficult opponent. Every set piece is a threat and
they can be quite physical. We were both things at the same time. We coped
with their style and when we had the ball we played to our qualities.

What about Oscar? Does he make a difference?

I think you think the same thing as I think! The question comes because you
know he played fantastic. It doesn't matter where. In the middle, on the
sides. He works hard he covers, he presses high, he gives a difficult time
to opponents. He's a young kid and i's not easy to succeed in football in
this country. The talent he has is not physical - he's a fragile boy, his
talent is amazing and can only improve.

He and Hazard seem to have a bit of telepathy when they're given space?

We played in a way where we felt very comfortable Hazard today doesn't need
to defend. We organised the team in a way where he was protected behind him.
He just got the ball to turn into counter attack. It was frustrating that we
didn't get the third goal sooner. When you are 2-0 against West Ham 2-0
isn't enough. They score in minute 89 then in the last minutes of extra time
you are in danger.

So everything ends well. The victory was important after the last defeat.

Did Oscar get a injury?

No, he's ok.

Are you happy with Eto'o?

He's an attacking plus. He doesn't lose the ball. He holds the ball he waits
for support. He's not the kind of striker who is obsessed with scoring
goals. He's more obsessed with playing football. For hazard. Oscar and
Lampard it's good to have him.They play the ball he can hold or touch and
play in behind.Without being the fast player that he once was five years ago
the quality's there.

In the last game against West Brom you said you made 14 mistakes. Where
there any today?

What mistakes? Against West Bromwich? I was joking.

David Moyes has said he hasn't given up hope of getting Ronaldo back. What
do you think the chances are that that will happen?

No idea.

Would you give them a run for their money if he wanted to return to the
Premier League?

[Shrugs shoulders and smiles]

Ten games without a goal is unusual for Lampard. How much will getting two
here do for him or is he so experienced it's like water off a duck's back?

He has nothing to prove to you, to me, to the fans. He just has to enjoy the
last years of his career, to play the maximum he can. To score is part of
his DNA as a player. I think I've come to him at the right time of his
career. I was his manager in the best period of his career probably. And now
I come back to enjoy with him the last art of his career. When he has good
relations with his manager he is able to enjoy himself.

How long can he go on now? He's 35...

No idea!

Does he surprise you?

They stop when they want. You have to enjoy it and when they feel they don't
enjoy it so much they stop.

Thank you.

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Allardyce on... Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 23rd November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce kept the press waiting for well over an hour tonight before
delivering an honest assessment of a disappointing performance against
Chelsea. Read his full post-match thoughts here...


They were good, weren't they Sam - but again, the first goal came from a
silly mistake?

I think we allowed them to be good after the [first] goal. You're playing
against a Chelsea side where Jose's blocked the midfield up a bit more than
he normally does because they haven't had the best of results either
recently, have they?

When we saw Ramirez, Mikel and Lampard in midfield we thought they'd come
here to be a little more solid defensively. Sadly it was our defensive
frailties that showed first, not theirs - and by an individual error that as
a manager you can't allocate for.

You don't expect it to happen, but when it happens you don't want it to
happen to any of your players. In this game, at that particular time, we
gifted Chelsea the penalty that gave them the lift they were looking for.
Everybody takes confidence out of scoring goals and with the talent they've
got it was always difficult for us from there on.

I was just about to change it. After that goal we really couldn't get out of
our own half, we lifted them so much by gifting them the goal. So we were
going to change it and as we were just about to, they scored a second.

It got a bit better in the second half. We tried to create an opening, to
try to rally ourselves and the fans. When that chance came we missed it
again, which was Modibo [Maiga]'s - a side foot in the box. It should go in
the back of the net but he sidefoots it wide. So we're suffering in front of
goal and now we're suffering defensively with defensive errors.

We've got to stop that first and foremost and continue to try and make sure
we win a football match when we're on top. We weren't on top much today and
today's game is one that Chelsea deserved to win, but there's far too many
games where we've been on top and haven't won which is why we've got the
problem we've got now.

Is it hard to make a double substitution in the first half? I guess it's
something you don't have to do too often as a manager?

I think I can count the times I've done it in the last 12 years in the
Premier League on one hand, but it needed to be done for me. We got kicked
in the teeth by giving the penalty away and then we were having to contain
Chelsea too much, which I thought was going to lead to another goal. So I
made the decision, tried to get them on and unfortunately it went in again.

We play with a front man, we don't play with a front man; we play with two
front men, we don't play with two front men. At the moment it doesn't matter
what we play with in terms of a system, we're creating chances but not
scoring. We didn't create too many chances today to be honest with you, but
we did create a chance to get us back in the game. Whether we deserved it or
not who knows, but you should take it.

Joe Cole seemed quite frustrated when he came off. Was that the case?

I can't help the team play in terms of the way it did once the two goals had
gone in and I had to change something, so somebody had to come off. Then you
look at the team and ask who we're going to bring off and how we're going to
play.

Are we going to bring on a bit more energy, maybe a bit more pace? With
Maiga on that side and Mo Diame up front to get a little bit more [ball]
than we were getting before? That's why we made the substitutions.

It's frustrating, every player's frustrated because all every player does is
think about himself. You have to think about the bigger picture. If he's
frustrated that's fine; next time he gets a chance he's going to play so
well for me the last thing I can do is substitute him. That's up to him next
time he gets a chance.

If he doesn't play quite as well or I think I need to change it and Joe
Cole's the one to bring off, I'll bring him off. I brought my captain off in
the end because I didn't think he was as good as he can be, I didn't think
he drove the team on as well as he normally does.

So he comes off and we put another attacking player on in the hope that that
will get us back into the game, but you're going to open yourself up then.
When you open yourself up against a Chelsea side with their
counter-attacking skills you either get the goal to get back in it or the
opposition scores against you and finish the game off.

Do you think you need to strengthen in the next [transfer] window?

The way we're going at the moment the answer to that is "yes", but saying
that we will be better with Winston Reid and Andy Carroll back. Razvan Rat
was injured as well, he's done well since he's come in. If you can
strengthen, particularly on the front line we'd like to strengthen.

But, we can't do that until January and for me January's a long way off with
the amount of games we've got in December; six games, as well as the one
next week. We've got a lot of points at stake that we must get. The big time
for me is Fulham here and Crystal Palace on the Tuesday night. That's got to
be four points, minimum. Then the next game after that try to make an
unbeaten run with two wins and a draw.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce wants wins after losing 3-0 to Chelsea at Upton
Park
Last Updated: November 23, 2013 10:22pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to go 'all out' for wins against Fulham
and Crystal Palace following the 3-0 defeat by Chelsea. West Ham remain
outside the relegation zone on goal difference after Saturday's loss and
have won just once in the Premier League since the opening day of the
season. Frank Lampard's brace against his old club helped Chelsea to
victory, but it is not the games against title contenders that Allardyce
views as decisive. Instead, the West Ham boss is targeting points against
those clubs who are also in the ongoing battle to preserve their Premier
League status. West Ham host 18th-placed Fulham next weekend before tackling
19th-placed Crystal Palace in their next game, and Allardyce wants positive
results from both fixtures. "The ultimate of any season in the Premier
League is how well you do against the teams that, if you're in the bottom
when you play them, or even if you're not in the bottom when you play them,
it's how well you do against them," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "I think that
we've got two games in four days against Fulham and Crystal Palace, and
we've got to go all out to get as many points as we possibly can. "We're
getting to the stage where we've got to be winning now rather than drawing."

The strikerless Hammers, who have now failed to score in seven of their 11
league matches this season, were booed at half-time and the conclusion.
Allardyce said: "I don't see why they shouldn't boo when they're not
satisfied with what they're seeing. I wasn't satisfied with what I saw."
Allardyce made a double substitution five minutes prior to the interval,
with Joe Cole marching down the tunnel after being taken off. "Somebody has
to come off," Allardyce said. "It's frustrating, every player's frustrated,
because all every player ever does is think about themselves. I have to
think about the bigger picture. "If he's frustrated, that's fine. Next time
he gets the chance, he's going to play so well for me that the last thing I
could do is substitute him. "I brought the captain (Kevin Nolan) off in the
end, because I didn't think he drove the team on as much as he normally
does."

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West Ham's Joe Cole hungry for trophies and lauds 'remarkable' Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: November 23, 2013 4:42pm
SSN

Joe Cole is determined to help West Ham United claim some silverware and has
praised Sam Allardyce for doing a remarkable job at Upton Park. Cole has won
trophies in his career during his time at Chelsea but is still hungry for
success and admits it would particularly special to get a medal with the
Hammers. The former England midfielder came up through the ranks at West Ham
and returned to the club in January after two-and-a-half years at Liverpool.
"There will always be the street footballer inside of me," he said. "But you
want to do something more than that in the game.

Player Profile
Joe Cole
Appearances 5 (3)
Goals 1
Assists 0
Yellows 1
Reds 0

"You want substance and impact. I got that at Chelsea. That is why it would
be so special to win some silverware with West Ham. "I'm lucky enough to
know what it feels like. And I saw the fans at the 2006 FA Cup final, when
they came so close. "To win something with a group of supporters who keep
the faith like that even though they have been starved of success would be
so amazing. "I hope I can give the fans some big moments here yet."

Cole will come up against his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho when West
Ham host the Blues on Saturday. He appreciates that he owes a lot to the
Portuguese, but has also paid tribute to current boss Allardyce for the way
he has transformed West Ham's fortunes over the past couple of years. "I've
got a lot of time for Sam," said Cole. "He has turned West Ham around.
Although you can't really compare West Ham and Chelsea and the money, the
job that Sam has done is just as remarkable as Jose did at Chelsea. "He knew
what to say to players at the right time. It wasn't always what I wanted to
hear, but it was what I needed to hear. I was a decent player before I went
there. He definitely made me better, whatever the perception people have.
"He got my mentality right. He saw something in me that maybe I hadn't. He
changed me from playing central midfield to playing wide and playing a bit
higher up the pitch. I became more effective at both ends of the pitch. "I
can see his impact already now he is back at Chelsea. With him they are a
better side already than last season. They look more solid, more together."

Cole is confident that West Ham can push on and improve on last season's
tenth-placed finish, whilst also challenging in the cups. He said: "I'm
still hungry for more. At West Ham we want to be finishing like we did last
year and have a go in the cups. "In many ways it is still the same club, but
now there is a feeling something is building. The new stadium gives us a
chance to grow because it will get harder and harder to keep up with the big
boys. "It's been a struggle at home this season, especially after we started
so well. But we've just got find a way to get goals." 'I hope I can give the
fans big moments'."

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LET'S END THIS 4-6-0 FARCE NOW!
By Iain Dale 23 Nov 2013 at 19:20
West Ham Till I Die

I hate it when I have to miss a home game, but boy am I glad I missed this
one. I suspect I would have been done for speeding on the way home, as I
would have taken out my frustration on my car's accelerator. Think back a
year to when we beat Chelsea an dhow proud we were of our team and compare
that to the misery we feel this evening. No pride, no passion, precious
little skill from a team shackled by a formation which just doesn't work.
And it needs to stop. If we don't play with a striker the number of goals we
will score will very limited. Kevin Nolan is not a striker. He was an
embarrassment today. Quite why Maiga was then preferred to Carlton Cole only
Sam Allardyce can fathom. He makes Iain Dowie look prolific.

The only two bright spots today were Stewart Downing and Ravel Morrison. The
driving run Morrison made at the beginning of the second half was a joy to
watch. Like Gazza in his prime. Downing was the only other persistent
threat.

So what now? What do we do to beat Fulham. I'll tell you what we do. We play
4-4-2 with Carlton Cole up front and Ravel Morrison playing off him. Diame
and Noble play in central midfield with Jarvis and Downing on the wings. It
certainly can't be any worse than what we witnessed today.

Can it?

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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