Daily WHUFC News - 1st December 2013

Big Sam revels in vital victory
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was all smiles following Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premier
League win over Fulham
30.11.2013

Sam Allardyce will enjoy a nice bottle of wine and watch the X-Factor with
wife Lynn following Saturday's vital 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over
Fulham.
The West Ham United manager admitted to feeling a mixture of joy and relief
after watching his side earn a thoroughly deserved victory over the
Cottagers at the Boleyn Ground. Having seen Mohamed Diame, Carlton Cole and
Joe Cole hit the target, Strictly Come Dancing fan Big Sam revealed his
celebration plans involve a bit of reality TV. "It's been three months since
we last won a league game at home and, now we've won it, it should have been
by so many more goals!" he said with a smile. "We've sent everybody home
feeling relieved like ourselves, particularly me. I feel a lot happier and
more comfortable, not only because we won and got three points, but because
of the very good performance we put in. "In many ways, we played a lot, lot
better against Aston Villa but couldn't find the goal. This time, eventually
we found three goals and, with the substitutes scoring two of them, it is
always very pleasing when they come on and affect the game. "At 1-0, you
want more. When they tired and our fresh legs came on, the ability that
they've got put the game to bed very quickly, which was very important.
Everybody knows, when you're looking for a result when you're in this
position at this stage of the season, if it had been 1-0 going into the last
few minutes Fulham were going to push more players up and take more risks,
then it would only have taken one slip and we'd have been gutted. "We
finally and professionally finished the game off. A clean sheet and the
quality of the goals were brilliant. "They now have to get their feet up,
recover and rest and get ready for the big Tuesday night game and make sure
they are ready for that one. Can they do what we haven't done in the Premier
League since we got back there and that is win back to back games?"

While Diame's opener took a vital deflection off Fernando Amorebieta, it was
the teamwork shown by the No21 and Mark Noble to win the ball from Steve
Sidwell that led to the goal. "Didn't he make his own luck?" asked the
manager. "If you review the goal, you can see how well Mo worked to win the
ball back from a Fulham player. So he deserved that little bit of luck via a
deflection, because he'd worked so hard to pinch the ball. All that hard
work paid off. "Sometimes those things go for you like deflections, whereas
when things haven't gone so well recently, they go away from the goal. "When
Matt Jarvis headed straight at their goalkeeper, James Tomkins' header was
cleared off the line and all those were not going in, where is the next goal
that we deserve? Then we got two quality goals from Carlton and Joe and they
were brilliant for us all."

While the goalscorers will take the headlines, it was a true team effort
from the Hammers, with Modibo Maiga leading the line with purpose, the back
four protecting Jussi Jaaskelainen perfectly, Mark Noble taking centre-stage
and the wide midfielders causing Fulham's full-backs all manner of problems.
"We had to play at our best, as we have to in every game," said the manager.
"We're not a team who can look at a game of football and win at 90 or 95 per
cent. We always have to be at 100 per cent to win a game, unlike the big
boys."

The manager was pleased to see his team send the supporters home happy after
a difficult series of home results since the opening-day win over Cardiff
City.
"It's obviously not nice to be booed or hear criticism in any area, but we
have to be men about it and be brave enough to say 'If you don't want to
hear that type of thing, go out and perform'. "The big ask for the players
today amid a tense and nervous energy before the game was to turn in a
positive performance and they did. Everybody will wake up tomorrow and enjoy
a great weekend. That's what we're here for and are paid to do."

After being paid a visit by comedian Russell Brand in the dressing room
following the final whistle, Big Sam revealed his understated plans for
Saturday evening. "It's not like the early days when any win meant a night
out at a nice restaurant. Now, it's about a night in with a nice bottle of
wine with my wife Lynn and relaxing. She'll be as a relieved as I am that we
have won this game. "As for the TV, Sam Bailey has got to win the X-Factor,
certainly with my phone calls supporting her. As for Strictly, it's very
close between two or three of the dancers who have really improved. "I'll
then enjoy a nice sleep and on Sunday we can start preparing for Crystal
Palace."

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Diame delights in Fulham win
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame was thrilled to get the ball rolling in Saturday's
morale-boosting win over Fulham
30.11.2013

Mohamed Diame paid tribute to an outstanding team performance after playing
a pivotal part in West Ham United's convincing 3-0 Barclays Premier League
home win over Fulham. Restored to the starting line-up, Diame repaid Sam
Allardyce's faith with the all-important first goal, breaking the deadlock
just 72 seconds into the second half. The powerful midfielder robbed Steve
Sidwell, before surging toward goal. And while his strike took a sizeable
deflection off Fernando Amorebieta, it was the least his endeavour deserved.
Reflecting on a job well done, Diame reckons the three points were just
reward for an excellent collective effort. He told West Ham TV: "I really
enjoyed it, I think all the team enjoyed it. We're back again to working
hard together, defending and attacking as a unit. This is pay-back, when you
work hard as a team like this, you have to win. "I had a lot of chances to
score a goal, but [recently] I've been missing those chances. On Saturday, I
had that little bit of luck, so I'm happy about that. "I work hard to chase
the ball and I put the pressure on the midfield, so I won the ball back and
just ran. I saw Modibo [Maiga] on the left but I took my chance and I had
the good fortune that a Fulham player touched the ball and the 'keeper
didn't see it. We'll just keep going and work hard for the next game."

Impressed with the Hammers' resilience to come storming back after last
weekend's disappointment, Diame hopes victory over Fulham will prove a
turning point in a thus far turbulent campaign. "When you've lost at home,
like here against Chelsea 3-0 and you go straight back to win 3-0, always
you have the confidence to play the next game," Diame explained. "We have
just three days until we play against Crystal Palace and we need to make
sure we take the three points there. "I hope it can [kick-start the season].
We need to improve and keep working like this until the end of the season.
Fulham and Crystal Palace are both towards the bottom like us, so we need to
take the three points on Tuesday too."

As for his own form, Diame was thrilled to make a first Premier League start
since the goalless draw at Swansea City and will be doing all that he can to
remain in the starting XI. He added: "It was an important game for me on
Saturday, because I've started the last three games on the bench, so it was
important for me to show the gaffer that I'm important to this team. And I
will keep going, keep working to make sure I keep my place."

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Coles on target as Hammers triumph
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
30.11.2013

West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United returned to winning ways with a crucial 3-0 London derby
victory over Fulham on Saturday. The Hammers were without a home success
since the opening day of the season, but they put that run to bed in style
with three second half goals. Mohamed Diame's deflected 47th minute strike
set them on their way before the two Coles made the points safe in the final
eight minutes. Carlton tapped home from a Stewart Downing to notch his first
goal since rejoining the club, then Joe fired home from inside the box to
make it 3-0. The Hammers started strongly and Mark Noble had a shot
deflected wide early on.
Then, with nine minutes on the clock, Modibo Maiga was desperately close to
notching his first goal of the campaign, but his close range header from a
Mark Noble free kick thudded against the post.

Another set play nine minutes later yielded another chance when James
Collins got up to meet Downing's corner with a header that slid just past
the post.
Fulham keeper Maarten Stekelenburg was forced into his first save on 27
minutes, and it was a decent one too as he dived to his right to repel
Downing's curling effort. The Hammers were dominating possession, but on a
rare incursion into Hammers' territory immediately afterwards, George
McCartney was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card after he was deemed to
have dragged back Darren Bent just outside the area. Kieran Richardson fired
wastefully over from the free-kick, and the final chance of the opening
period fell to Kevin Nolan, but he could not get hold of his acrobatic
volley following Matt Jarvis' clipped cross and Stekelenburg saved
comfortably.

The one thing the Hammers lacked in the opening period was the killer touch,
but they did not have to wait long after the interval to establish the lead.
Scott Parker was dispossessed inside his own half as Maiga and Diame went
successfully hunting for the ball. Diame was able to drive at the Fulham
backline in space and unleash a shot which deflected off Fernando Amorebieta
and left a helpless Stekelenburg flat-footed. As the hour mark passed by,
Stekelenburg kept his side in the game by diving to his right to keep out a
curling effort from Maiga, while Downing lashed the rebound just over. The
Hammers continued to press and James Tomkins was only denied by a desperate
goal-line block from Darren Bent after he rose well to meet Downing's
corner. Pajtim Kasami drilled inches wide from range to remind the Hammers
that the game was not won yet, but two goals in the final ten minutes well
and truly took the contest beyond the Cottagers. Carlton Cole notched the
second, having only been on the pitch for a minute, arriving at the far post
to knock Downing's perfectly-weighted low cross into the net. The striker
always scores against Fulham - this was his seventh Hammers goal against
them - and his namesake Joe added further gloss to the scoreline in the
final minute. Ravel Morrison was the architect on this occasion, bursting
into the box and picking his moment well to lay off for Cole to fire home.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Diame,
Noble, Nolan (Morrison 77); Downing, Maiga (C.Cole 81), Jarvis (J.Cole 68)
Subs: Adrian, Collison, Taylor, O'Brien
Goals: Diame 47, C.Cole 82, J.Cole 89
Booked: Tomkins, McCartney, Diame

Fulham: Steklenburg; Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson (Dembele 83);
Sidwell (Karagounis 77), Parker; Kasami, Taarabt, Duff (Ruiz 65); Bent
Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Kacaniklic, Boateng
Booked: Richardson, Sidwell

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 34,946

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Agents fees
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have published fees paid to Agents in 2012/13
30.11.2013

Payments to Agents - 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September
2013: £4,169,134.09
Explanatory Note: The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to
Agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments
made by the Club on behalf of Players.

The total amount paid to agents for 2011/12 was £4,436,992.

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Haycock glad to avoid defeat
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock felt his Development Squad underperformed in a 2-2 draw with
Leicester City
30.11.2013

Nick Haycock felt the Development Squad were lucky to escape defeat after
watching his side surrender a two-goal lead in a 2-2 Barclays Under-21
Premier League draw with Leicester City at Rush Green on Friday night. Paul
McCallum got the hosts off to the best possible start after only two minutes
when he bundled home from a George Moncur free-kick. Elliot Lee then doubled
the lead with a penalty just before half-time but the Hammers went onto
concede twice in the second period and Haycock felt things could have got
even worse. He told West Ham TV: "I thought we deserved to lose the game.
Without making any excuses I thought they were the better team in the first
half as well. "We scored early but didn't assert our authority on the game
like we normally do and I think we just sat back at 1-0 up and thought we
were going to coast through the game. We got the penalty before half-time
and in the first half we had the better chances, we hit the post as well so
we probably created more. "I thought their shape was good, they had willing
runners and at half-time I said they wouldn't give in. The disappointing
thing is we reminded them that we were 2-0 up against both Tottenham and
Chelsea, the boys have got to learn that a game's never won and it's never
lost."

The Development Squad were missing regular starters Dan Potts (Portsmouth),
Blair Turgott (Colchester United) and Pelly Ruddock (Luton Town) who are all
out on loan presently. Kieran Sadlier, Dylan Tombides and Raphael Spiegel
were also missing but despite the absentees Haycock refused to make excuses
for his team's performance in their first league game in exactly four weeks.
"I don't want to make excuses. I've just said in the changing room that at
the end of the day when you go out to play a game of football, whatever gap
there's been, you make sure you're ready. "We've trained just as hard as we
normally do, probably even harder with some more physically demanding
sessions. Some of the boys that have been out on loan and played regularly,
most of them have featured in the Club's friendlies so I won't use that as
an excuse. "They know that they've underperformed tonight. You go through a
team and normally you're looking for seven, eight, nine out of ten
performances but there weren't many of them tonight and consequently we've
got an under-par performance."

Haycock and his squad now turn their attention to Bristol City who they face
in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Cup on Monday. The Robins beat
Peterborough United to set-up a Round of 32 clash with the Hammers and
Haycock is keen to get his side right for their taste of knock-out football.
"They've got to dust themselves down and come back with a little more bite
about them and a little more authority about their game. "We'll be
travelling up Sunday for an overnight stay, preparing the DVD, we won't do
too much on the pitch as we want to keep the energy levels high for the
game. "Most of the boys have played in the FA Youth Cup so I suppose this is
the youth cup for Under-21s. All the teams have gone into it bar one or two
and it's cup football which has to be done on the day and it's good that the
Premier League have done that."

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West Ham 3 Fulham 0
30 November 2013
Last updated at 17:14
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

West Ham easily saw off Fulham to increase the pressure on Cottagers boss
Martin Jol, whose side have now lost five Premier League games in a row.
The Hammers hit the post through Modibo Maiga in a one-sided first half,
before Mohamed Diame's deflected shot put them ahead straight after the
break.
Fulham created little before Carlton Cole slid in to make it 2-0 and Joe
Cole curled home a third late on. The Cottagers' only serious effort saw
Pajtim Kasami fire a low shot wide. Jol admitted before kick-off he feared
for his job if Fulham lost this match and his side's performance, just as
much as the result, will have done little to improve his prospects of
staying in his post.

The Cottagers were not completely devoid of spirit, but they did not manage
a shot on target and offered little creative nous or attacking threat
against a team who were only above them in the table on goal difference
before kick-off. If not for a combination of the woodwork, some fine saves
from Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and some poor finishing from the
hosts, a West Ham side who had managed only two goals in their previous five
games would have inflicted a far heavier defeat. With Maiga restored to
their starting line-up, the Hammers were playing with a recognised striker
for the first time in the league since the end of September. But, between
them, Sam Allardyce's starting XI had only managed two league goals this
season and their lack of quality and confidence in front of goal kept Fulham
in the game for far longer than they should have been.

Carlton Cole has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games
against Fulham. He has not managed more than four against any other
top-flight team. West Ham attacked from the start, firing a series of
crosses into the visitors' area and, from Mark Noble's free-kick, Maiga's
near-post header cannoned back off the post. Another set-piece delivery,
this time a Stewart Downing corner, was met by James Collins as the home
side threatened again, but his header bounced wide. More home chances came
and went and Fulham, who had only a few flashes of Adel Taarabt's fancy
footwork to show for the first half, were grateful to get to half-time with
the game still goalless. Jol's luck would not last much longer, however, as
the Hammers finally found the net just 75 seconds into the second half.
Steve Sidwell hesitated after being caught in possession by Diame, claiming
Scott Parker had been fouled, and the Senegal midfielder advanced to the
edge of the area before firing in a shot that deflected off Fernando
Amorebieta and wrong-footed Stekelenburg.

Fulham did not improve after going behind and Maiga and Matt Jarvis both had
chances to increase West Ham's lead, while Downing saw a cross drop on to
the bar and Ravel Morrison missed an almost open goal. Kasami's fizzing
effort belatedly gave home keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen something to think
about, before the Hammers substitutes combined to make the game safe in the
final 10 minutes. Carlton Cole slid home a Downing cross for his first goal
since rejoining the club in October and Joe Cole curled home a Morrison pass
to ensure the scoreline reflected their side's dominance. With a trip to
fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to come on Tuesday, Allardyce had described
this as a "season-defining" week for his team before kick-off. Victory means
they climb away from the relegation zone, but Fulham remain rooted in the
bottom three.

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West Ham Utd 3-0 Fulham
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th November 2013
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce can breathe a sigh of relief tonight - which is more than can
be said for Fulham boss Martin Jol.

The Dutchman insisted ahead of this afternoon's game that his job would be
on the line should his Fulham side end up defeated at the Boleyn Ground in
this battle of the strugglers. Now, having succumbed to a 3-0 thrashing
against a previously goal-shy West Ham, Jol is staring down the barrel.

Allardyce, had he been on the losing side would have been facing similar
pressure following West Ham's recent run of poor form. But there will be few
complaints from Irons fans tonight after Big Sam's team comfortably overcame
Fulham - even if they were forced to ensure several nailbiting second half
minutes before the all-important second goal arrived eight minutes from the
end of normal time.

Allardyce's False Nine experiment, employed since the unexpected 3-0 win at
Tottenham was dismissed in order to accommodate Modibo Maiga. Joe Cole and
Ravel Morrison were both victim of Big Sam's post-Chelsea cull as the
Hammers went for a more traditional 4-3-3.

It was to prove a wise decision by the manager as his side went on to enjoy
almost total control of the game - even if the finishing once again left a
little to be desired; unsurprisingly perhaps given that prior to today, the
two teams had scored just 20 goals between them in the Premier League this
season.

West Ham could have taken the lead as early as the ninth minute but Maiga's
point-blank header cannoned back off the post, much to Fulham's relief. Six
minutes later Mo Diame volleyed over from a good position when a James
Collins free kick was nodded into the mix by James Tomkins.

Collins himself should have done better three minutes later when his header
from a corner missed the target entirely (although in fairness to the
Welshman he was under heavy pressure at the time). Then, Stewart Downing -
who terrorised Kieran Richardson on the right flank - produced a smart stop
from Fulham 'keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Fulham had a great chance to open the scoring when George McCartney tripped
Darren Bent on the perimeter of the penalty box in a rare Cottagers break,
but Richardson's resulting free kick was wild. The final chance of the half
fell to Kevin Nolan, but his volley was easy for the Fulham 'keeper.

No doubt encouraged to carry on as before, West Ham finally had the bit of
luck they had perhaps been lacking this season.

With the second half just three minutes old Mo Diame, having capitalised on
a slip by ex-Hammer Scott Parker strode forward before pulling the trigger
some 25 yards from goal. It looked to be an easy save for Stekelenburg -
before a deflection off the unfortunate Amorebieta left the 'keeper
wrong-footed as the ball sailed past him into an empty net.

With their tails up, West Ham looked to add a killer second. On the hour
mark, Maiga attempted a curler into the far post that Stekelenburg did well
to turn aside. Then, Guy Demel and Diame combined beautifully on the right
before setting up Matt Jarvis for a header that he aimed right at the
'keeper.

James Tomkins then saw his header from a Stewart Downing corner turned off
the line by Darren Bent - his only notable contribution of a dismal
performance from the man who once rejected a £16million move to the Boleyn
Ground - before Downing almost got lucky with a dipping cross-cum-shot that
clipped the top of the bar.

Frustrated at his team's inability to score that vital second goal,
Allardyce introduced Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison as the half
wore on - all of whom had a point to prove. And Big Sam couldn't have asked
for a better response, for within 90 seconds of replacing Maiga - who left
the field to well-deserved applause - that goal finally arrived via the boot
of Carlton Cole.

Morrison, introduced in order to exploit space in the final third rolled a
perfectly-weighted pass into the path of the onrushing Downing. The winger's
centre was delivered into that corridor of uncertainty along the edge of the
six-yard box where Cole, as he has done so often in the past, was waiting to
pounce for his first goal since re-joining the club.

Finally relaxed, West Ham started to play some exhibition stuff. Diame
wasted a clear opportunity to shoot, preferring a little bit of showboating
instead that came to nothing. More Morrison trickery led to a penalty shout
as the youngster appeared to be tripped on the edge of the box, but play was
waved on.

However the Fulham defence was to breached one final time - and once again,
Morrison was the architect. The youngster tricked his way down the left
before cutting inside. Paying close attention to his run was fellow sub Joe
Cole, who was rewarded for his diligence with an inviting pass from Morrison
that he placed firmly, expertly, into Stekelenburg's bottom right-hand
corner.

The final whistle was greeted, correctly, by rapturous applause and once
again all was well in east London. The three points not only take West Ham
up a couple of notches in the BPL table to 15th, but more importantly grant
the Irons a three-point cushion above the drop zone.

Attention now turns to an equally-important fixture less than 72 hours from
now when Allardyce takes his team south of the river to face Crystal Palace,
currently bottom of the Premier League. A win at Selhurst Park against the
Eagles, beaten 1-0 at Norwich this afternoon, could take the Hammers back
into the upper half of the table - should other results go their way too.

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West Ham beat Fulham 3-0 to increase the pressure on Martin Jol
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 6:18pm
SSN

West Ham won the battle of the struggling London sides at Upton Park,
thrashing visitors Fulham 3-0. With both managers coming in for intense
scrutiny over recent results, this London derby took added significance as a
"must-win" game.

Best of the match:

Man of the match: Stewart Downing was a constant menace for West Ham
Save of the match: Maarten Stekelenburg saved excellently from Modibo
Maiga's curling second half effort
Goal of the match: Joe Cole rounded off the win after Ravel Morrison's great
solo run
Talking point: Surely it's over now for Martin Jol at Fulham?

Martin Jol admitted prior to the match that he could lose his Fulham job if
his team were defeated, and the away fans made their feelings clear in the
second half, chanting "Jol out!" and "You're getting sacked in the morning!"
Jol remained on the bench for most of the game, with his new right-hand man
Rene Meulensteen barking orders at the team for the majority of the game.
Speculation will surely increase that the former Manchester United coach
will replace his compatriot following the team's ninth defeat of the season.
The first goal was reflective of a scrappy tie too, as Mohamed Diame's
deflected effort just after the break broke the deadlock after a tight first
half. West Ham's Coles settled the matter late on, as first Carlton tapped
home after 80 minutes from Stewart Downing's cross, before Joe fired home
after great work from Ravel Morrison, handing Sam Allardyce and his side a
much-needed win. On the other hand, another defeat for Jol's Fulham leaves
the futures of both in increasing doubt. Coming into the game, both sides
were struggling in the league, with West Ham - without a win in five -
sitting in 17th, just one place above their visitors Fulham, who were
winless in four. Early on it was the hosts who were in the ascendancy,
however, with Modibo Maiga leading the line and nearly putting his side in
front on 10 minutes, with his header rebounding back off the post.

Fulham settled as the game progressed, and Kieran Richardson should have
done better when presented with a free-kick just 20 yards out after Darren
Bent was felled. George McCartney was the culprit, and was yellow carded for
his cynical efforts. Indeed, the full-back was one of five who were
cautioned in a tough-tackling first half. Under-fire Fulham boss Martin Jol
hopes his fighting spirit will rub off on his players after they slumped to
a 3-0 defeat at West Ham
The second settled down a little more and saw West Ham get more of a
foothold in the game, especially after Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell were
dispossessed by Diame whose low effort wrong-footed Maarten Stekelenburg via
a heavy Fernando Amorebieta deflection, breaking the deadlock.

West Ham continued to dominate following the opener, with first Maiga then
Downing testing Stekelenburg in the Fulham goal. Set-pieces continued to be
West Ham's biggest threat, however, and James Tomkins nearly made it 2-0
after 63 minutes, when his header from a corner was cleared off the line by
Bent. Fulham did not pose much of a threat all afternoon, though Pajtim
Kasami and Adel Taarabt both had efforts late in the second half as their
attempts to rescue the game petered out. As they laboured, West Ham's trio
of substitutions did the business for Allardyce. Joe Cole's cross hit the
woodwork, while Morrison provided a constant threat late on to a weary
Fulham defence. It was returning striker Carlton Cole who settled West Ham's
nerves, though, tapping home after great work from Downing for his first
goal since returning to Upton Park. Morrison then jinked his way through
Fulham's defence before teeing up Joe Cole, who fired low and hard past
Stekelenburg to pile even more pressure on Fulham and Jol.

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Sam Allardyce praised two West Ham stars after beating Fulham
Last Updated: December 1, 2013 7:54am
SSN

Sam Allardyce was full of praise for West Ham duo Modibo Maiga and Stewart
Downing after a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Fulham. The build-up to the
game was typified by struggling teams and under-pressure managers, with
Fulham boss Martin Jol coming in for heavy criticism as his side sat in 18th
before the game. West Ham were not faring much better, however, and, in
17th, many home fans were calling for a change of manager at Upton Park. A
convincing victory at home over potential relegation rivals will perhaps
take the pressure off Allardyce in the Hammers hotseat, however, as they
rise to 15th with the result. Even after taking the lead through Mohamed
Diame's deflected effort however, Allardyce remained on the edge of his
seat. "It was a bit nervous and twitchy going into the last 15 minutes,"
Allardyce told Sky Sports. "I was getting a little worried that Fulham might
get one on the break. "The lads defended really well from that point of
view, and when the subs got on they had more energy and exposed that defence
a little more. "In the end, what we needed most of all was a fantastic
result and it was a very good performance."

The aforementioned substitutions certainly settled the game for West Ham, as
Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison all played a huge part in the
decisive last two goals, with both Coles netting late on. Allardyce was
quick to praise a couple of his starters, however, with under-fire striker
Maiga and winger Downing coming in for particular praise. "Maiga had a good
game today, proving that he can compete," added Allardyce. "We're just
waiting for that goal. "Stewart Downing is, for me, a different class, and
he continues to probe and open defences up. "You have to continue to keep
the lads in a good frame of mind. Have a laugh with them, and when it gets
serious you have to get serious." Just nine goals from 12 league games have
represented West Ham's biggest worry so far this season, and so a three-goal
haul will be pleasing for the Hammers. Allardyce pointed also towards a
sixth clean sheet in the league as his side pulled away from the relegation
zone with the win. "It's a clean sheet again. We could have had more goals
too, so it's all been there today. Finally we've got the result to go with
it. "It's a relief. Especially when you're a manager in this position,
because it's one you have to take on your own shoulders. "You have to
continue to keep the lads in a good frame of mind. Have a laugh with them,
and when it gets serious you have to get serious."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce tells Joe Cole 'it's all about the team'
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 10:55am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has told Joe Cole that he must accept
being substituted if it is for the good of the team. Allardyce criticised
his midfielder for venting his anger in public when taken off after just 40
minutes of last week's Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Upton Park.
The Hammers, who were already trailing by two goals, made a double
substitution with Cole and Jack Collison being replaced by Mohamed Diame and
Modibo Maiga. Cole, 32, was unhappy and Allardyce was also unimpressed by
his player's behaviour: "There's a squad system here that has to be used to
the benefit and the best of everybody. "I totally understand nobody wants to
be substituted before half-time. "But purely from a tactical point of view,
I had to change something, the way the game was at that stage, and that's my
job. "We don't hear about how disappointed Jack Collison was. "So all
players have to accept it if I bring them off, they have to accept it's my
responsibility to change the way the team's playing, to get us back in the
game. "It's a difficult period but players show their true team spirit in
situations like this. "They show their true togetherness in situations like
this, and that's what they've got to do, they've got to stick together.
"They can't fragment and think it's all about them, it's not just about
them. "It's about the whole team and everything that goes with it to achieve
the right results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole says plenty of interest was shown in his services
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 12:33pm
SSN

Carlton Cole says he generated plenty of interest as a free agent, prior to
agreeing a return to West Ham United on a short-term deal. As an England
international and proven Premier League goalscorer, Cole was not expected to
be without a club for long after leaving Upton Park at the end of his
previous contract. Sides from the top two tiers in England were quick to
cast an eye in his direction, while an opportunity to head for France
presented itself at one stage. No paperwork was to be completed, though, and
Cole was left in footballing limbo. West Ham offered him the chance to spend
time training with them, as he worked on his fitness, and Sam Allardyce was
impressed enough to bring him back into his injury-ravaged plans. Cole is
now hoping to put himself back in the shop window, with his long-term future
still unclear, but claims a lack of transfer activity over the summer was
not for a lack of trying on his part. He told the Daily Mirror: "I nearly
signed for St Etienne, but there were a few things we needed to wrap up and
it didn't materialise in the end. "I was close to going to QPR, so I was
getting ready for that. "I had Nottingham Forest and a few other teams in
the Championship interested. "Hull City in the Premier League too, so I did
have a few teams. Crystal Palace was a big one was well."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Karren Brady says West Ham are looking for a new frontman
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 11:52am
SSN

Vice-chairwoman Karren Brady says West Ham United will look to bolster their
striking ranks when the transfer window re-opens in January. The Hammers
have found themselves short of attacking options this season following an
injury to record signing Andy Carroll. The England man is yet to make an
appearance since completing a big-money switch from Liverpool, with a
nagging foot problem proving to be difficult to shake. He is closing in on a
return to training and a return to the first-team ranks, but a competitive
comeback remains some way off. His absence has forced West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce to often operate without a recognised frontman, and goals have
been in short supply as a result. That issue is to be addressed, though,
with funds set to be made available in the New Year. Brady wrote in her
column in The Sun: "The orthopaedic surgeon who is treating Andy Carroll is
pleased enough with his progress that he is preparing to let Andy come home
and start training. "It will give everyone a lift, he's a big character on
and off the pitch. I can tell every West Ham fan that Andy has worked
incredibly hard with a difficult injury - and is desperate to start playing
his part. "After a chat with David Sullivan today they should also know that
he is making plans to ensure we will not be left short up front again. David
is looking to add at least one more quality striker in January."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Life begins at 30
SSN
By Peter Fraser - Follow me on Twitter @SkySportsPeteF
Last Updated: November 30, 2013 5:28pm

Speaking to Premier League footballers can be a painful experience. It
usually involves one-word answers and repeated clichés from media-trained
men who are terrified of saying the wrong thing. Thankfully when
skysports.com's interview began with Carlton Cole, the West Ham United
striker was laughing down the phone.

"I'm grateful every day for how far I've come in my career. Now I really
appreciate being a professional footballer. For kids aspiring to get 10
years in the Premier League, it's really hard. But I've done that. I don't
know how I've done it but I have!"

The reason for the former Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton
Athletic and Aston Villa man's amusement was this opening question - 'How's
life in your 30s?'. Fortunately Cole was chuckling with, not at, the line of
enquiry and it got things off to a good start.

It does seem to be his natural character but Cole was in a chatty mood on
Thursday evening. Whether this was due to now being in the third decade of
his life and feeling more comfortable, or whether this was just simply due
an extroverted personality, he was more than happy to talk about reaching
that landmark age of 30 years old - having celebrated his birthday at the
beginning of October - his lifestyle as an "easy-going guy", and even being
the target of Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips in that favourite
footballers' hobby of "banter".

However, Carlton Cole's main focus is clearly football. It was evident he
remains upbeat about this season even though it has not gone as he might
have hoped since returning to West Ham. He has played just four games and
has yet to start a Premier League match this season, having rejoined the
Upton Park club just a few days after his birthday following a summer exit
at the end of a seven-year spell.

Even in the problematic, injury-enforced absence of Andy Carroll - along
with Modibo Maiga's failure to adapt to English football - Cole has been
overlooked by Sam Allardyce. The under-pressure West Ham boss has even
preferred to stick with striker-less formations than select Cole. The tactic
worked in style in a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on 6th October, before
Cole returned, but West Ham have otherwise not won in five league games,
scoring just two goals in that time. They consequently sit in 17th place in
the table with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone
at the expense of their Saturday opponents, London derby rivals Fulham.

"Basically, I know what I bring to the table," said Cole, who did start in
the Capital One Cup win over Burnley. "I've been at West Ham so long now. I
obviously left and came back but I know what the manager wants. Hopefully he
sees it within himself to play me. The system we've been playing has been
going well. But that system doesn't help me [laughing]!

"We've been playing well with that system but the goals haven't come. We've
been a bit unlucky with some of the games. I'd love to be playing week in,
week out - obviously - and, sometimes, when I see a striker not playing, it
does get me down. But I've just got to be professional. When the manager
sees fit, I'll play."

Cole considered moves to France, Turkey and the USA before rejoining West
Ham. He also only signed a three-month contract when he returned to the
London club. Although he does not say so, you do get the impression he will
be moving on when that deal expires in January.

He still has ambitions he wants to fulfil. As a forward whose most recent of
seven England caps came under Fabio Capello back in February 2011, he
admitted when we spoke that his childhood dream of playing at a World Cup is
over - despite the example being set of 31-year-old Southampton star Rickie
Lambert. But Cole remains keener than ever to be playing on a regular basis
in the Premier League or the Championship. He would still give thought to
playing abroad and confessed he "would not write that off" but he would
prefer to stay in England for at least the next couple of years.

Some would consider Cole's career and think he has not fulfilled the
potential he offered when emerging as a tall, powerful and skilful
18-year-old at Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea back in 2001. But he is still at a
Premier League club some 12 years after beginning as a professional. To put
that in perspective, of the other members of that Chelsea squad who had
birthdays in 1983, only Stoke City's Robert Huth is also still playing in
England's top flight. Those other Chelsea squad members in that season with
1983 date of births were Italian centre-back Valerio di Cesare (now at
Brescia in Serie B), Scott Cousins (now working as a coach) and, more
startlingly, Ugandan-born defender Joel Kitamirike (career ended in 2008
after pleading guilty to five charges of dealing in Class A drugs).

"This is a massive game for both teams, but I do think West Ham will be ok
this season, I say that because they've got Sam Allardyce in charge. He has
been in this situation too many times and I have no worries about them going
down. In fact, I expect them to beat Fulham because Fulham are bordering on
shocking away from home"

"I'm grateful every day for how far I've come in my career," reflected Cole,
speaking at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals. "Now I really appreciate
being a professional footballer. For kids aspiring to get 10 years in the
Premier League, it's really hard. But I've done that. I don't know how I've
done it but I have!

"You see all these talented kids coming through. If they do that, they will
be happy, as well, even if they don't make the grade they wanted. I had high
dreams and I at least got halfway there. It's a respectable achievement."

Cole was at Chelsea for five years but, amid the intense competition for
places in a squad which included fellow strikers of the quality of
Gianfranco Zola, Eidur Gudjonsson and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, he was always
struggling to earn a first-team place. That led to loans at Wolves, Charlton
and Villa before eventually moving to West Ham in 2006.

It must have been quite a learning curve at Chelsea, where a teenage Cole
was mixing with World Cup and UEFA Champions League winners, such as
Emmanuel Petit, Marcel Desailly and Winston Bogarde. He also experienced the
traditional rites of passage which any young professional suffers at the
hands of senior footballers.

"Back in those days, it was good banter," remembered Cole. "But the stuff
that happened, you can't say any more [laughing]. We'll keep that off the
record. The banter was very different. Some of the lads these days would not
understand it. It was hardcore banter. It was a lot different.

"But I appreciate all my experiences when growing up at Chelsea. I've since
changed into a man and I've grown in football. I'm obviously more
experienced with games under my belt. When I was at Chelsea, I was not
allowed to express myself in the way I've done at West Ham. West Ham gave me
that platform to play. I'm very grateful for that. I've been playing the
last six or seven years consistently with West Ham and I've been very happy.

"But when I first came to West Ham I didn't have my head in the right place.
I was still young and trying to break through. Sometimes you also get misled
off the field as a young player. I always tell the young players now to stay
focused and keep their eyes on the prize until they've earned their stripes.
Then they can be in my position and give advice. That's what I've done,
because I've been there and gone through what the young players are doing. I
understand what they're going through when they know they can do it and
they're not getting the chance. Sometimes it's really hard to focus."

Listening to Cole speak, along with anyone who follows his Twitter tweets
and retweets of proverbs and mottos, it would be easy to consider him a
philosophical individual. Adding weight to that assumption, Cole is also
embracing West Ham's club psychologist, former Blackburn Rovers and Oldham
Athletic midfielder Lee Richardson. Cole says Richardson will, "make you
look deep into yourself to get the best out of you".

But when asked if he had a motto for football, Cole said: "Nah, nah, do you
know what? I'm more of an impulsive person. If I'm feeling something, I'll
say it. That's the way I go. I'm not a philosophical guy. I go with the
flow. I'm an easy-going guy and say what I feel."

Indeed going with the flow has sometimes landed Cole in hot water during his
career, with the most recent occurrence coming earlier in November when he
caused a stir by criticising West Ham on Twitter after the club's official
account posted a link to watch an experienced Hammers side, in which he
played, earn a 9-0 friendly thrashing of an inexperienced Gillingham team.

"It does get me in trouble sometimes," added Cole regarding his tendency to
say what he thinks. "Some of the stuff I say, I never really mean to offend
anybody, but sometimes it does get me in trouble."

Cole clearly believes he gets in less trouble than when he was younger and
that comes with age. So, what of that question about reaching 30? This
interviewer is just exactly one week older than Cole and so appreciates what
the striker has been going through, although perhaps not being accused of
being closer to 40 years old by 32-year-old former Chelsea team-mates Ashley
Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know how it is," said Cole, laughing again. "I wasn't
happy about it (turning 30). But they all give me banter. They say I'm much
older, because I'm so tall and big. But they're all older than me! Most of
my mates are older than me apart from one!"

Relatively speaking, too, the age of 30 is of course far from being over the
hill. It is just something about which people like to have a pretend whinge.
That thought is underlined by a weekend in which Ryan Giggs is celebrating
his 40th birthday. Cole therefore knows he still has a future to enjoy.

"Being 30 is not old, come on, let's get serious," he said. "But, in
football life, it's cracking on, do you know what I mean? The only thing
I've got to compliment me is that it's still young when you step out of the
football bubble! I'm very privileged to be in this position. You just see
life from a different angle when you get to 30 and you're still playing at
the top level. Hopefully I can carry it on."

Carlton Cole was speaking at the launch of Need for Speed Rivals. The latest
instalment in the ever-popular franchise is the only driving game launching
on PS4. Need for Speed Rivals is also available on Xbox One and all other
formats. Watch the trailer here and let the rivalry commence!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM SPEND OVER £17.5M ON AGENTS OVER 4 YEARS
By Sean Whetstone 1 Dec 2013 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham have published how much they paid to football agents in accordance
with Premier League rules. West Ham paid £4,169,134 and 9 pence to agents
between 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013 and ranked 9th in terms of
agent spend in the Premier League just behind Manchester United.

In total £96,673,089 was paid to agents in the Premier League with Chelsea
topping the spending league with £13.7m and Crystal Palace paying the least
with £869,531.

In a year which included the signings of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and
Joe Cole I am impressed that the club trimmed the agent bill by £276,000 but
it is obvious agents still dominate the game and are a necessary evil.

In the past four years West ham have paid £ 17,552,764 and 8 pence to
football agents.

In 2010/2011 West ham spent £4,436,992 in agent fees

In 2009/2010 West Ham spent £3,419,089.99 in agent fees

In 2008/2009 West Ham spent £5,527,548 in agent fees

In August 2012 David Sullivan told the Daily Mail he had no concerns about
the continuing close links between manager Sam Allardyce and controversial
agent Mark Curtis. Mark Curtis is the agent for Sam Allardyce, Kevin Nolan,
James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll. In the same
interview Sullivan confirmed Willie McKay received more in agency fees than
Mark Curtis in the summer of 2012. He revealed 'Mark [Curtis] receives five
per cent of the player's wages over five years, which is a lot of money but
the standard rate'.

Earlier this year just after the January transfer window ended, David
Sullivan called for the FA to look into agents' conduct and cap fees. He
said "I can see it spilling over into violence in the future, unless there
is legislation from the FA. I had an agent threaten me and one of our
players with physical violence, because he thought he was being cut out of a
deal." Sullivan claimed the financial demands by agents had got out of
control adding: "We are talking millions of pounds here around a transfer
and not enough deals to go around. There are too many agents and not enough
transfers to feed them. Agents who would once demand £50,000 for their part
in a transfer now want £500,000 to £1m to either bring a player or keep a
player. It is quite outrageous and the FA should cap the amount paid to
agents for their work"

I think it is great that the Premier League publish these figures but I
would like them to be more transparent revealing the number of transactions,
naming the agents and revealing the transaction amounts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce hits back at Joe Cole after substitution row
30 Nov 2013 11:25
The Mirror

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has told Joe Cole that he must accept
that it is for the good of the team when he is substituted. The Hammers boss
dragged off Cole and Welsh midfielder Jack Collison in a double changed
after just 40 minutes of his side's 3-0 defeat by Chelsea last weekend. Cole
responded to being hooked by taking off his shirt and heading straight down
the tunnel, before reports emerged suggesting that he could be eyeing a way
out of Upton Park. And the former Newcastle, Bolton and Blackburn boss has
hinted that Cole should be thinking of the team, rather than himself.
"There's a squad system here that has to be used to the benefit and the best
of everybody," said Allardyce "I totally understand nobody wants to be
substituted before half-time. "But purely from a tactical point of view, I
had to change something, the way the game was at that stage, and that's my
job. "We don't hear about how disappointed Jack Collison was. "So all
players have to accept it if I bring them off, they have to accept it's my
responsibility to change the way the team's playing, to get us back in the
game. "It's a difficult period but players show their true team spirit in
situations like this. "They show their true togetherness in situations like
this, and that's what they've got to do, they've got to stick together.
"They can't fragment and think it's all about them, it's not just about
them. "It's about the whole team and everything that goes with it to achieve
the right results."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clint Dempsey in demand with FOUR Premier League clubs tracking the MLS
forward
30 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Stoke have joined the race to take Clint Dempsey on loan from the MLS.
Fulham, West Ham and Everton are already tracking the front-man, but the
Potters have now made their interest known to his American club Seattle
Sounders. Tottenham have first option to re-sign Dempsey on loan, but White
Hart Lane sources believe it is unlikely they will move for the 30-year-old.
Dempsey left Spurs to join Sounders in August.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham target Kenwyne Jones transfer from Stoke for bargain £2m
30 Nov 2013 22:30
The Mirror

West Ham want Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones for £2million, writes Dean Jones
in the Sunday People. The Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce is so short of
options up front that he has been playing without a recognised
centre-forward. Trinidad & Tobago international Jones, 29, joined the
Potters from Sunderland in 2010 for £8million – but his deal expires next
summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 3-0 Fulham: Pressure mounts on Martin Jol after Cottagers thrashed
by Hammers
30 Nov 2013 17:28
The Mirror

Somebody needs to tell Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan about relegation.
It might not matter too much that Khan's ­Jacksonville Jaguars lose game
after game in the NFL – nothing happens when they finish bottom of the
standings. So far this year, the Jaguars have won just two of their 11
contests.
The Cottagers have secured a paltry one more victory than that. The key
difference, of course, is that Fulham are going down, as things stand, and
will consequently lose a fortune. Maybe Khan will start to twig, when
somebody talks him through the numbers. His attempt to stick with manager
Martin Jol has, in many ways, been ­admirable. But enough is enough.

Quite simply, Fulham are dreadful and Jol has to carry the can. It is now
five Premier League defeats in ­succession and 16 losses in the last 24
games.
That record may well get worse before it gets any better. The way in which
Fulham conceded the opening goal summed up exactly where Jol has gone wrong.
Scott Parker played a terrible pass to Steve Sidwell and he was robbed by
Mohamed Diame, who scored with a deflected shot. Parker and Sidwell are too
old and too slow to play together in the centre of midfield. They lose
possession too easily and they offer nothing going forwards. There was no
energy or drive in Jol's Dad's Army team at Upton Park and Dimitar Berbatov
was missing, with a mystery illness. Berbatov had the captain's armband
taken off him last week and may not have started in any case against West
Ham. But, of course, that had nothing to do with his absence. When Jol made
changes in the second half, he sent on Bryan Ruiz and ­36-year-old Giorgos
­Karagounis. The Dutchman has really done himself no favours, whatsoever. It
wasn't until the Hammers' substitute Carlton Cole had put the scoreline
beyond doubt that striker Moussa Dembele was thrown on – far too late to
make any impact. And it got even worse for Jol when another substitute Joe
Cole fired in the third goal. The Dutchman simply sat on the bench with his
head in his hands, in the knowledge that his players are simply not fighting
for him. West Ham could easily have scored five, as Modibo Maiga headed
against the post and Stewart Downing hit the crossbar. Fulham could be
summed up by their two efforts on goal. An Elsad Zverotic ­free-kick sailed
miles over the bar and a Kieran ­Richardson set-piece also troubled fans in
the top tier. Jol's men did not manage a single shot on target, let alone
force Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to make a save of note.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had also been under pressure going into a game
dubbed by some as 'El Sackico'. Credit should go to Allardyce for inspiring
a vastly improved second-half display that secured a ­valuable three points
for his men. Maiga's ninth-minute header against the post had been as good
as it got in the first period, but the Hammers came steaming out of the
blocks after the break. Just two minutes into the second period, Diame made
the most of poor play from Parker and Sidwell to send a shot past Maarten
­Stekelenburg, via a ­deflection off Fernando Amorebieta. Downing then
curled a shot against the bar, as West Ham dominated their hapless
opponents. But it was the late ­substitutions that did the trick for
Allardyce, as Carlton Cole found the back of the net 55 seconds after
stepping off the bench. The goal was simple - Downing crossed and the
striker slid the ball into the back of the net. Joe Cole then got in on the
act just a minute before the final whistle. Khan already knows what it feels
like to lose. If he's not careful, he'll be far more familiar with exactly
what relegation means.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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