Daily WHUFC News - 16th December 2013

Mo counts cost of missed chances
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame spoke of his frustration after West Ham United drew a blank
against Sunderland
15.12.2013

Mohamed Diame is planning to tackle West Ham United's goalscoring
difficulties head on, with more goals of his own. Saturday's goalless
Barclays Premier League stalemate against Sunderland was the Hammers' fifth
of the campaign and one that particularly irked the Hammers midfielder. But
rather than pointing the finger, Diame is keen to take responsibility
himself, insisting he is passing up too many opportunities in front of goal.
He told West Ham TV: "I need to score. Every game I have a lot of
opportunities to score but I'm missing at the moment and I've got to score!
"I can't tell you [what will make the difference in the final third].
Sometimes you don't have the luck. All we can do is keep going, work hard
and I think the goals are going to come."

While the Senegal skipper knows the value of another point, he acknowledged
that the draw makes life more difficult with Manchester United and Arsenal
in the offing. Meanwhile, the Black Cats' battling display came as no
surprise to Diame, who expected nothing less of Gus Poyet's men. "We're very
disappointed," he continued. "We needed those three points and we didn't get
them. You have to take the point and the point is good but we needed all
three. "When you play against Sunderland, who are at the bottom, you have
to take the three points. But we didn't so now it's going to be hard. "We
have to play in Manchester and then against Arsenal here at the Boleyn
Ground. We're going to try give our best and try to take some points. "We
know they're going to come here fighting because they're in a bad situation,
but we're in a bad situation too, so we need to work hard and take as many
points as we can, as soon as possible."

Before the Hammers return to league action at Old Trafford on Saturday, Sam
Allardyce's men are in Capital One Cup action at White Hart Lane. Having
taken centre stage in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in October, Diame is
hoping to repeat the feat for the supporters. "It's a big game for us. To
play against Tottenham is a big derby and we've got to try to play a good
game for our fans."

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Hammers held by Sunderland
WHUFC.com
West Ham United drew 0-0 with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
14.12.2013

West Ham United 0-0 Sunderland
Barclays Premier League

West Ham United and Sunderland battled out a 0-0 draw at the Boleyn Ground
on Saturday. Neither team could find a route to goal as the chance to move
three points clear of the bottom three passed the Hammers by. It was the
Black Cats who went closest to winning it when Phil Bardsley's long range
effort thudded against the crossbar, while the hosts had the ball in the net
before the break only for Guy Demel's effort to be disallowed. Ravel
Morrison returned from suspension to replace Kevin Nolan, who was starting a
three-match ban of his own following his red card at Liverpool last week. A
couple of half chances came and went for the Hammers in the opening five
minutes, first Modibo Maiga shooting wide after Mo Diame crossed low from
the left, then the same player headed back across goal with Matt Jarvis just
unable to make a telling touch. Jozy Altodore forced a save from Jussi
Jaaskelainen after he found himself in the clear all of a sudden, while home
celebrations were cut short on 21 minutes when Guy Demel's scrambled finish
was ruled out for a push. Sunderland began to grow into the contest as the
half wore on and were a whisker away from taking the lead in fine style on
35 minutes when his long range shot crashed against the crossbar and away to
safety.

Emanuele Giaccherini had a shot deflected behind by Guy Demel towards the
end of the first half, and Lee Cattermole drew a flying save from
Jaaskelainen with the last kick before the break. Sunderland looked the more
threatening at the start of the second period, although clear cut chances
were few and far between. Giaccherini fired off target after being teed up
just outside the area, then Jaaskelainen was called into action to dive down
to his right and save from Altidore after he found space inside the box. The
Hammers introduced Jack Collison and Carlton Cole from the bench as they
looked for more thrust in their attacking play and the former poked wide on
71 minutes after Maiga laid off to him on the edge of the area. Jaaskelainen
had to stand firm to repel Ki Sung-Yueng when he blasted for goal from close
range 12 minutes from the end, while Vito Mannone had to backpedal to touch
George McCartney's cross-shot over, but neither team could find the killer
touch where it mattered.

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Demel (O'Brien 58), Collins, Tomkins,
McCartney; Morrison, Noble, Diame; J.Cole (C.Cole 75), Maiga, Jarvis
(Collison 56)
Subs: Adrian, Rat, Taylor, Diarra
Booked: Noble

Sunderland: Mannone; Celustka, O'Shea, Brown, Bardsley (Dossena 82);
Cattermole, Ki; Giaccherini, Larsson, Borini (Johnson 73); Altidore
(Fletcher 73)
Subs: Pickford, Cabral, Gardner, Roberge

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 31,843

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Big Sam on Sunderland stalemate
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce talked to West Ham TV after Saturday's 0-0 Barclays Premier
League draw with Sunderland
14.12.2013

Sam Allardyce reflected philosophically on Saturday's goalless Barclays
Premier League draw with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham United
earned a point against the Black Cats thanks to another resilient defensive
display that resulted in an eighth clean sheet in 16 league matches.
However, the goalscoring issues that have plagued the season so far
resurfaced as Big Sam was made to settle for a point rather than all three.
In truth, a draw was a fair reflection of a game in which both sides created
chances, with Sunderland coming closest when Phil Bardsley saw his
well-struck 25-yarder cannon back off the crossbar. West Ham's best moments
came after half-time. Ravel Morrison worked Vito Mannone in the visitors'
goal, while Carlton Cole headed wide and George McCartney saw his late cross
tipped over by the Italian goalkeeper. "I think we got what we deserved from
the game," Big Sam told West Ham TV. "Unfortunately, unlike we saw against
Fulham two weeks ago, we didn't see the creative high-quality play in this
game. "When it becomes a dogged affair like it did here, you need to find
one player to make the difference. We had our most creative players on the
pitch who were available to play, but unfortunately they didn't find the
creativity or the finish to get that one goal to get us a very precious
three points. "It wouldn't have mattered how we played - good, bad or
indifferent - if we'd got the points, but we couldn't turn it around and
find that bit of quality when needed. We ended up with a nil-nil. "On the
other side of it, our magnificent defence was there again and it's the
backbone of our team. That's eight cleans sheets in 16 matches. We only got
eleven all season last year and finished tenth, so nobody needs to tell me
what the problem is and always has been - scoring a goal! "It's not
happening for us at the minute. We got one side of it right and now we need
to keep pressing on to get the other side right in terms of scoring goals.
If we score and get a clean sheet, then we'll win games. "We've only won
three of our eight clean sheets and we only needed to put another two on top
of that and we'd be in the top ten and not the bottom four. That's how close
it is. We're small margins away from getting up that table. We'd have all
loved three points, but in the end I thought it was a fair result."

When asked what else pleased him about the game, Big Sam said it was vitally
important that the Hammers ended their run of defeats following reverses at
Crystal Palace and Liverpool. "Well, we didn't lose the game after losing
two on the trot, so that was a good thing," he went on. "We just need the
luck that Liverpool found last week, when they scored with two own-goals and
a deflection. "We had that little bit of luck against Fulham and if we
continue to press high, that little bit of luck will go our way. Mo Diame's
goal against Fulham was a deflection and we went on to win the game
comfortable. "We have got to continue to be resilient first and foremost and
then believe in our own ability. I just felt the lads mentally found it
tough on occasions [against Sunderland], for the first time, and I've got to
make sure they get over that and deliver the performances I know they are
capable of. "They looked a little bit nervous, edgy and hesitant and when
you put yourselves in this position the pressure can come on you, that can
happen. You've got to deal with it, put those thoughts out of your mind and
get back to being very positive about what we are as a team and do the
business."

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West Ham 0 Sunderland 0
14 December 2013
Last updated at 17:22
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport

Sunderland earned only their third away league point of the season following
an uninspiring draw against fellow strugglers West Ham at Upton Park. Jozy
Altidore was through on the Hammers' goal early on but had his shot saved by
keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. A 25-yard shot from Black Cats defender Phil
Bardsley came off the crossbar before Jaaskelainen fended away a long-range
Lee Cattermole effort. Jaaskelainen also did well to keep out a late Ki
Sung-Yueng shot. Sunderland remain bottom of the Premier League and five
points off safety but they might rue a missed opportunity at not getting
their first away league win of the season against a struggling West Ham. In
an interview with Football Focus before the game, Hammers co-owner David
Sullivan described the rest of the season as 'damage limitation' exercise
with the Upton Park club hovering perilously above the relegation zone. West
Ham have not been helped by winger Stewart Downing joining striker Andy
Carroll and centre-back Winston Reid on the injury list, while they took on
Sunderland without suspended captain Kevin Nolan. However, despite having
the better of the game, Sunderland lacked the goalscoring touch to take
advantage of a weakened West Ham, who have four points from the last 24
available. The Black Cats had an early chance through striker Altidore, who
appeared offside, but the American had his angled strike saved by the
slightest of touches from Jaaskelainen. West Ham's threat was fleeting, but
Guy Demel thought he had scored when his header came back off a defender and
he fired in the rebound, although referee Andre Marriner had already blown
for a push by the Hammers right-back. There was plenty of effort from both
camps, but it was the visitors who were producing the neater football and
creating the more clear-cut chances. A free-kick from Hammers centre-back
James Collins struck the jumping Altidore and inadvertently released Fabio
Borini, who ran at the home goal before striking a poor shot which was
straight at Jaaskelainen. Jaaskelainen was beaten when he failed to reach a
powerful 25-yard strike by Sunderland left-back Bardsley but the crossbar
came to the Finnish keeper's rescue. The Hammers stopper also had to fend
away a well-struck long-range effort from Lee Cattermole just before the
break. While there was little goalmouth action in the second half, Ki went
close when he sidestepped to the left and struck a shot which Jaaskelainen
did well to get a hand to and palm away. At the other end, George
McCartney's late cross turned into a shot which Sunderland keeper Vito
Mannone had to tip over, before Collins headed the resulting corner wide.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "We have got eight clean sheets so far this
season. That is a brilliant return as we only got 11 last season. "We all
know that the [scoring] goal factor that has not made the difference for us
and had that been better we would be higher up the league. "The only thing
that we are not doing consistently, at the moment, is scoring goals and that
is why we are where we are."

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet: "Today is probably one of few games this
season that I can say we deserved to win. "There are moments in the game
when you have to take your chances, especially in the first half when we
really on top of the game. "I need to look at performance, what we have
worked on in the last two months and how good the team is playing. "I would
like to go into every game with this feeling that I am going to see my team
on the pitch.

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Allardyce on......Sunderland
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th December 2013
By: Staff Writer No. 2

The manager shares his thoughts on the disappointing 0-0 draw with
Sunderland at the Boleyn....

You lacked spark tody Sam. Was it frustrating for you?

Oh yes. There was a little bit to much edge in our game. Too many simple
balls going astray and we didn't create the sort of pressure we did against
Fulham a couple of weeks ago. Hence we endded up with a dogged affair rather
than the creative football we had against Fulham. We wanted someone to find
a little bit of genius for us on the day, one of our creative players to pop
up with something a little bit special and put that ball in the back of the
net for the "one-niller." We couldn't find that again today and probably the
draw was a fair result. Disappointing from what I expected in the end. We
got what we deserved. If we'd got anymore out of that we'd have been
delighted, obviously. Had somebody turned the game in our favour with a
little bit of genius. All our creative players couldn't find that clever
finish, that final pass or that cross.

Do you call a result and performance like that "one of those things"
or...... ?

I wouldn't say it was one of those things. I would look at the nervous
tension that I have to relieve about the place. The little bit of anxiety.
This game was no bigger than the Fulham game two weeks ago. Both teams in a
similar position, both teams needing a win. We played a fantastic game and
ended up winning comfortably 3-0. Today we didn't see that. I've also picked
up some more injuries and a suspension so the squad's getting thinner and
thinner.

Is Andy Carroll in the right frame of mind to provide that missing genius?

Once he gets fit he'll make us better. There' s no doubt about that. Until
we get him better there's no point in talking about Andy Carroll. You never
talk about the other 4 or 5 injuries I've got. They have an impact as I
can't select who I want or who I need. At the moment we've got to battle our
way through it and get all the injured players fit and try and add to the
squad in January. Between now and January we've got to get more points on
the board.

Is he [Carroll] in the right frame of mind to get back and get fit? ...

He works every day to 5,6,7 at night. We're glad to have him back because we
can see him improving every day. Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te people like
that they're all doing the same. We're in a position where we've got tough
games coming up. We've got the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, Manchester
United away and Arsenal at home. Three points today would have alleviated
some of the pressure from those games. We've got a point. We have to do what
other teams have done at Manchester United recently and take some points at
Old Trafford. If we pay our best we'll have a chance.

How far away is Carlton Cole away from a run in the side?

I gave Carlton a start against Crystal Palace. I can't give anyone a run of
games. It's like when the season ticket holders asked me why I don't play
young players. If you play a youngster once and he doesn't play well you
can't play him again, not in the Premier League. You end up losing the
result. That player might not be good enough on the day. You have to go with
the players with Premier League experience. They're the ones that produce
the most consistent performances. We have brought one player through this
year and he's done a fantastic job. That's Ravel Morrison. We have a young
player that's blossoming with us – though I have to say that today was one
of his lower key games today. Which is a shame because he is the one that
can produce the bit of genius individually on his own.

It's a difficult time but there are teams below s having a difficult time. I
say to the lads "if you're not feeling so well how must they feel because
they're below us? Take it on the chin and make sure that you deliver your
best performances and we'll get our way out of this problem we have at the
minute"

Are you aware of David Sullivan's comments that he'd never have signed
Carroll if he'd known how on he was going to be out?

Well after that he said that it would only be at the end of the season that
we'd be able to judge how good a player Andy Carroll is. Understanding the
size of the investment I can understand why he made this comment. We'v got
to get him fit and he's got to get back to what he was doing for us last
season. It's not his fault he's injured. We just have to make sure we keep
him fit. He's the difference between us winning more games and not. He was
last year – if you look at our win ratio with him and without him it was
obvious we had to sign him. Without him it's like Manchester City without
Aguero or Negredo. When you haven't had that all season one of your major
players in the team means that we're not the force that we should be. We
hoped we could overcome that until he got fit but we haven't managed to do
that.

When do you think he'll be back?

[Sighs] It's not within my medical capabilities to say when he should be
back. I do have the capability to watch him. If I don't watch him live I
watch him train on video. I can keep an eye on him with the guys who are
looking after him so we can have an objective opinion between us to when he
should be back, whether that's a bit sooner than perhaps they think. They
always err on the side of caution – rightly so. If Andy's telling us he's
great and he's looking good and the guys say maybe then I'll have a decision
to make. I'll take the responsibility so if he gets injured again it'll be
on my back so I have to be as careful as they do.

Thanks.

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Sullivan: we wouldn't have signed Carroll
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 14th December 2013
By: Staff Writer

David Sullivan has admitted that Andy Carroll would not have been a West Ham
player had the club known he would miss half the season. Sullivan, speaking
to the BBC's Football Focus programme this lunchtime revealed that had he
been aware that Carroll would miss half the season, the club would have
looked elsehwere for a striker. "Andy is a fantastic player and on his day
he is unplayable," said Sullivan. "We love him and that is why we signed
him. But had we known he would be out for this long, we wouldn't have. We
are not a rich enough club to deal with that. "You know any player can get
injured, but we can't buy a player knowing he is going to be out for half
the season. When we signed him we were assured by the medical staff that the
very, very latest he would be back was 1 September. That meant he would only
miss two league games. "He is desperate to come back, he is sweating blood
in training - and if you ask me the same question at the end of the season I
hope I will be able give you a different answer and say 'Yes, it was the
right decision to sign Andy Carroll'."

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Sunderland miss chance of victory after 0-0 draw at West Ham
By Pete Hall @Pistolpeteh86. Last Updated: 14/12/13 6:58pm
SSN

Sunderland will feel two points were dropped at Upton Park as they were held
to a 0-0 draw at West Ham.

Best of the Match

Man of the Match: Lee Cattermole. Broke up West Ham attacks regularly, and
swiftly countered whenever he could.

Save of the Match: Jussi Jaaskelainen. Thwarted Ki from close range at a
crucial time, firmly palming the ball away.

Attempt of the Match: Phil Bardsley. Thunderous effort out of nowhere from
30-yards cannoned back off the crossbar.

Talking Points: With no Andy Carroll where are West Ham's goals going to
come from? Can Sunderland afford to miss opportunities like this?

Despite dominating possession for much of the game, and creating the best
openings, Sunderland couldn't find the breakthrough. Jozy Altidore and Ki
Sung-Yueng were guilty of missing chances, but it was their inability to
capitalise on some good openings that will disappoint boss Gus Poyet the
most. The Hammers, who stay just above the relegation zone after the
stalemate, looked really toothless in attack, and aside from a few brief
flashes of quality from Ravel Morrison, offered very little. The home side
really struggled to keep hold of the ball in the opening period, and when
they did produce some slick build-up play, often through Mohamed Diame and
Morrison, the final ball was not forthcoming. Sunderland however played some
excellent, intricate football, but their decision-making, at key times, let
them down. Altidore could have opened the scoring in the first few minutes,
but his low effort was tipped wide by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Gus Poyet says his
side deserved to win and believes it's time they 'won ugly' after good
football failed to earn them three points at Upton Park.
Bardsley thought he had broken the deadlock just after the half-hour mark,
thundering a strike at goal from 30-yards, which beat Jaaskelainen, but
cannoned back of the crossbar. Sam Allardyce's men did come out after
interval with added energy and impetus, but the same problems persisted.
Sunderland quickly regained control, and really should have broken the
deadlock, but couldn't finish off several half chances. Sam Allardyce admits
his West Ham side were nowhere near their best but was delighted to have
earnt a point despite that. Altidore was denied several times by
Jaaskelainen, but he knows he should have done better. The Finnish stopper
had to be alert as the game entered the final 10 minutes, parrying well from
a well-struck Ki effort from close-range, adding to the frustration on
Poyet's face. James Collins saw a header fly just wide in stoppage time, but
it would been harsh on the visitors, who will feel with a little more
quality, three points were there for the taking.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce understands fans' anger after Sunderland draw
Last Updated: 14/12/13 6:41pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce admits his West Ham side were nowhere near their best but was
delighted to have earnt a point despite that. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce
admitted he could understand the frustration of the Upton Park fans after
their poor form continued in a 0-0 home draw with Sunderland. The Hammers
looked to have turned the corner on their own turf after comfortably beating
Fulham last time out. However, after another below-par attacking display,
the Upton Park faithful let their feelings be known at the final whistle,
with the players exiting to a chorus of boos. And Allardyce knows where the
supporters are coming from, and believes the fans are right to vent their
frustrations. "It doesn't make it easier for me, but it is part of the job,"
he told Sky Sports. "You sit there and you expect that reaction when your
team doesn't perform. "We didn't entertain them and, more importantly at the
moment, we didn't win."

Allardyce, who celebrated his 100th league game in charge of the Hammers,
has seen side win only two of their last 15 league games, and knows things
must improve quickly, and return to the form his side showed against Fulham.
"We didn't do what we did against against Fulham, which was a brilliant
game," he added. "Today dogged hard work was the order of the day, and we
didn't deserve more than a draw."

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'IF HE WASN'T OUR MANAGER HE IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF MANAGER YOU WOULD BE
BRINGING IN'
By Sean Whetstone 15 Dec 2013 at 13:37
West Ham Till I Die

David Sullivan speaking to BBC Football Focus gave his full backing to Sam
Allardyce before yesterday's no score draw.

He was asked whether Sam Allardyce will still be the manager in January?

DS "Absolutely!"

BBC "Does it matter about results?"

DS "It does matter about results but really we review a manager at the end
of a season. If you asked me what kind of season Sam has had up to now, I
would say 'disappointing'. But let's judge him at the end of the season. I
think the Newcastle manager would have been sacked by most fans after a
month of the season but now he is flavour of the month."

DS "I am deeply concerned. Anybody who looks at where we are in the table
and is not concerned are kidding themselves." "I really believe Sam is the
man for the job. If he wasn't our manager he is exactly the type of manager
you would be bringing in to be the manager. Where do you get someone better
than Sam to do the job that is now necessary?"

Earlier this week David Gold at the Season Ticket Holders forum said "We
have to rely on Sam and the players. We have to stick together."

However, Big Sam accepts it will be "impossible" not to sack him if results
at West Ham do not improve quickly. Sam said "They cannot be patient forever
if I continue to lose football matches. It's impossible for them to ride the
pressure that will come upon them, impossible not to succumb to that
pressure like many other owners have done.

"When you look at their history, they have always shown a level of patience
to overcome difficult situations and I hope that will be the same. But I
know that in the end it is about getting results.

"Everybody will speculate about my future now because I am in the same
position as all the other clubs who have got rid of their managers. It is
perceived that I am the next one in the line. But it is just about picking
up a few points."

"The owners are going to stick with me or they are not. It is entirely up to
them and how they see me in the job and how they see the situation at the
moment"

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The number's don't lie: Stats-obsessed Sam Allardyce must know West Ham are
heading for a relegation battle
15 Dec 2013 12:28
Toothless and joyless, the Irons are in desperate need of inspiration
The Mirror

You might well have seen an interesting stat that was shared on social media
shortly after West Ham's dismal draw with Sunderland on Saturday: the
constipated Cockneys have been responsible for more goalless games this
season than the entire Bundesliga (five versus four). Sam Allardyce, a vocal
advocate of statistics, might have raised a wry smile at that. He would even
have enjoyed the goals against side of the equation. He certainly referenced
the impressive number of clean sheets his side have kept this season: eight
from their first 15 league matches. But here are some numbers the Hammers
boss might not like reading: of the 35 Premier League games his side have
played so far in 2013 they've won just nine, scoring a paltry 36 times.
Sympathisers have observed that any team would struggle after losing their
key players to injury, but those figures show the problems at West Ham run
far deeper than Andy Carroll's crocked foot , Winston Reid's ruined ankle or
Stewart Downing's damaged leg. Go a little further back and West Ham have
taken 38 points from the last 38 games: if not actually relegation form,
then certainly very close to it. Saturday's witless performance, in which
West Ham were outplayed by the Premier League's bottom side and mustered
just two shots on target all game, had the 'R word' running through it like
the writing on a stick of Southend rock.
With waning captain Kevin Nolan suspended, Allardyce had the opportunity to
reshape his side around the exciting talent of Ravel Morrison and
potentially find a new path to safety. Instead Morrison was left foraging in
the depths of midfield and West Ham struggled again.

Before the game co-owner David Sullivan told the BBC's Football Focus that
he was backing his manager, making the not unreasonable point that if he was
to sack Sam Allardyce, then the kind of manager he'd look to bring in to
salvage the season would be a Sam Allardyce figure. Perhaps so - but an
increasing number of hangdog Hammers fans are coming to the conclusion that
the Sam Allardyce they do have might not be capable of turning things
around. There must have been more than a few who did a disappointing double
take when saw the news West Brom had parted with their manager on Saturday
night.

Since the infamous strikerless Spurs victory back in October , West Ham have
taken just six of the 27 points available (another stat Sam might not want
to wheel out in a boardroom Powerpoint presentation) and lost to fellow
strugglers Norwich and Crystal Palace.

Allardyce has often spoken previously of the need to beat the teams around
you rather than fluke results against bigger boys, and yet now he goes into
fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal needing to do just that.
Heavy defeats will only demoralise his team further.

Much has been made of Sullivan's confession that he wouldn't have bought
Andy Carroll if he'd known he wouldn't have been able to play him (well
durr). Perhaps the more pertinent part of his interview with Dan Walker was
the admission that ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium, West Ham must
avoid relegation at any cost.

Nobody wants to see a decent man lose their job, of course, but no matter
which way you choose cook the books, it's almost impossible to make those
numbers add up in Sam Allardyce's favour.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce bemoans misfiring attack after Sunderland draw
14 Dec 2013 19:02
The Hammers boss was left frustrated, as was Sunderland boss Gus Poyet who
felt his side deserved all three points
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce was happy to wax lyrical about his West Ham defence following
another clean sheet against Sunderland. However, the Hammers boss was left
to lament his misfiring attack as they were only able to manage a 0-0
against the Premier League's bottom side. "We have got eight clean sheets so
far this season," said Allardyce. "That is a brilliant return, as we only
got 11 last season. "We all know that the goal factor is the problem for us
and we would be higher up the league if we could score more. "Creative
players were on the field against Sunderland but they didn't play at their
creative best." As a result the Upton Park side now sit just one point
outside of the relegation zone, having netted just 13 times in 16 games this
term. Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, meanwhile, felt that his side deserved all
three points from Upton Park. "Today is probably one of few games this
season that I can say we deserved to win," said the Uruguayan. "Today we
have 19 shots, and how we don't score, I don't know. "There are moments in
the game when you have to take your chances, especially in the first half
when we really on top of the game." The Mackems remain bottom of the Premier
League table, without a win in their last five matches. But while Poyet
would love to 'win ugly' one week, he is pleased with the steps his side are
making. "We need the wins playing like that. I am waiting for an ugly win,"
Poyet added. "When we play well, and don't win it is a little bit tough, but
I need to be pleased with the way we played."

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Boss Sam Allardyce insists Andy Carroll is West Ham's own Sergio Aguero
15 Dec 2013 11:20
The bruising centre forward has missed the Hammers' entire campaign to date,
and his boss has likened his impact to the free scoring Argentine
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has insisted his injury-plagued striker Andy
Carroll is the Hammers' own Sergio Aguero. The bruising centre forward has
missed the entire campaign with a foot injury, since sealing a big-money
move to Upton Park in the summer. And his boss has likened his impact to
that of Manchester City's free-scoring Argentine Aguero who bagged another
in Saturday's 6-3 rout of league leaders Arsenal. Hammers co-owner David
Sullivan admitted this week that if he had known that their record signing
would spend so much time on the sidelines, he would not have shelled out £15
million on him. But Allardyce has defended the decision insisting Carroll is
his key man, and has blamed the club's poor early season on the absence of
the the former Newcastle number nine. "It's not [Carroll's] fault he's
injured, he's the difference between us winning more games and us not," he
said. "If you look at our win ratio with Andy Carroll [compared] to without
him, it was pretty obvious [in the close season] we should sign him. "It's
like Manchester City not having [Sergio] Aguero or [Alvaro] Negredo."

The Hammers currently sit just one point outside the drop zone - yesterday's
0-0 bore draw with Sunderland means it is now only one win in seven for
Allardyce's men.

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