Daily WHUFC News - 21st December 2013

Manchester United match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the pre-match information ahead of the Hammers trip to Manchester
United
20.12.2013

MANCHESTER UNITED V WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MIKE JONES
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST

Introduction
• West Ham United travel to reigning Champions Manchester United in the
Barclays Premier League this Saturday, looking to end a run of three
consecutive away league defeats.
• The Hammers will however be boosted by the fact they recorded a win on
their travels in midweek as they produced a stirring fightback to beat
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Wednesday night in the Capital One Cup.
• Sam Allardyce's side last won away in the league at White Hart Lane too,
as they triumphed 3-0 over Spurs in October, with Ravel Morrison notching
the third goal.
• The midfielder is the Hammers' top-scorer with three goals so far this
season and he returns to the club at which he started his career before
moving to east London in January 2012.
• Jussi Jaaskelainen has kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League this
season, joint-highest with fifth placed Everton and four more than
Manchester United.
• A draw with Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground last time out left the Hammers
with 14 points from 16 games and 17th in the table.
• Manchester United return to Old Trafford after also reaching the
semi-finals of the Capital One Cup in midweek, following a 2-0 win over
Stoke City.
• In the Premier League, the Red Devils have under-performed so far and sit
eighth in the standings following a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park
in their last league outing.
• Two home league defeats on the spin, 1-0 losses to both Newcastle and
Everton, have added to Moyes' difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
• He may however take heart from the fact that in four meetings against the
Hammers last season the Red Devils were unbeaten, winning two and drawing
two.
Team news
West Ham United
• James Tomkins should return to the team to face Manchester United after
missing the win over Spurs in midweek following a groin problem.
• Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder), Andy Carroll (foot), Stewart Downing (ankle),
Stephen Henderson (shoulder), Winston Reid (ankle) and Mladen Petric (calf)
will all miss out.
• Captain Kevin Nolan serves the last of his three-game suspension against
Manchester United following his dismissal against Liverpool.
Manchester United
• Wayne Rooney is doubtful for Saturday's clash after picking up a groin
injury in training.
• Strike partner Robin Van Persie is however out of the match with a thigh
injury.
Background
• The first meeting between West Ham United and Manchester United came on 25
February 1911 in the FA Cup. The Hammers won 2-1 with Thomas Caldwell and
Danny Shea scoring the goals.
• West Ham United's biggest win over Manchester United came at the Boleyn
Ground on 11 October 1930. A Viv Gibbins hat-trick inspired the Hammers to a
5-1 win with Jim Barrett and Jimmy Ruffell also on the score sheet.
• Manchester United's biggest win over West Ham United came almost 70 years
later on 1 April 2000. This time they had a hat-trick hero of their own as
Paul Scholes scored a treble in a 7-1 win. Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole, David
Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the other goals with Paulo Wanchope
on target for the Hammers.
• Of the Hammers last six trips to Old Trafford they have accrued no wins
and suffered defeat on all six occasions.
• The Club's overall record has seen West Ham play Manchester United on 127
occasions, winning 43, drawing 26 and losing 58.
Last time out
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
18 December 2013
West Ham United: Adrian, O'Brien, Rat, Collins (c), McCartney, Diarra
(Morrison 79), Taylor, Collison, J.Cole (Diame 70), Jarvis, C.Cole (Maiga
65)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Noble, Demel, Chambers
Goals: Jarvis 80, Maiga 85
Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United
Capital One Cup quarter-final
18 December 2013
Manchester United: de Gea, Rafael, Evra, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Cleverley,
Anderson (Hernandez 58), Welbeck (Fletcher 82), Young, Valencia
Subs not used: Nani, Kagawa, Buttner, Johnstone, Zaha
Goals: Young 62, Evra 78
Previous meeting
A valiant West Ham were twice pegged back by Manchester United as the teams
played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground. Ricardo Vaz Te gave
the home side the lead after 16 minutes, stooping low to head home an Andy
Carroll knockdown from a Matt Jarvis cross. After Antonio Valencia had
equalised, the Hammers regained control when Mohamed Diame struck a fierce
low effort past David de Gea with 55 minutes gone. The home side were denied
a win however as Robin Van Persie tapped home with 13 minutes left.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, O'Neil (Noble
65), Diame (Taylor 82), Nolan (Collison 82), Vaz Te, Jarvis, Carroll
Subs: C.Cole, Maiga, Henderson, Pogatetz
Goals: Vaz Te 16, Diame 55
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Jones, Carrick,
Valencia, Kagawa (Hernandez 79), Rooney (Giggs 71), Van Persie
Subs: Amos, Evans, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Welbeck, Hernandez
Goals: Valencia 31, Van Persie 77
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
17 April 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
16 January 2013 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
5 January 2013 - West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
28 November 2012 - Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
2 April 2011 - West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
30 November 2010 - West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United (Carling Cup fifth
round)
Overall record v Manchester United (all competitions) W 43 D 26 L 58
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Manchester United
2012/13 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2011/12 Premier League 2nd (89 points)
2010/11 Premier League 1st (80 points)
2009/10 Premier League 2nd (85 points)
2008/09 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2007/08 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2006/07 Premier League 1st (89 points)
2005/06 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2004/05 Premier League 3rd (77 points)
2003/04 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
Old boys
• Manchester United have two former West Ham United players in their squad.
England defender Rio Ferdinand made 158 appearances for the club between May
1996 and November 2000, scoring two goals. Midfielder Michael Carrick scored
six goals in 159 appearances between July 1999 and May 2004.
• Among the other players who have represented both clubs are Jonathan
Spector, Roy Carroll, Noel Cantwell, Luke Chadwick, Billy Grassam, Paul
Ince, Ralph Milne, Frederick Milnes, Ravel Morrison, Frank O'Farrell, Stuart
Pearson, Les Sealey, Dave Sexton, Teddy Sheringham, Carlos Tevez and Raimond
van der Gouw.
Referee
• The man in the middle at Old Trafford on Saturday will be Mike Jones.
• Jones plied his trade as a Football League referee for 11 years before he
was added to the Select Group in 2008 and began officiating in the Premier
League.
• Jones, who made his refereeing debut in August 1997 when Mansfield Town
played host to Hull City, regularly officiated in the Football League during
his tenure.
• He made his first appearance at Wembley Stadium when he took control of
the League Two Play-off Final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town in
2007.
• Jones was in the middle for a Premier League match for the first time when
Hull City took on Wigan Athletic in August 2008. He has been a permanent
fixture in the top flight ever since.
• Jones did not referee the Hammers at all in 2012/13 and his last game in
charge of a West Ham match came in March 2011 in an FA Cup sixth round tie
against Stoke City.
General information
• All of the away ticket allocation for Saturday's game have sold out.
• The weather is set to be overcast with temperatures around 7C.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam on: Manchester United
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Champions
Manchester United
20.12.2013

Sam Allardyce has spoken to the gathered media ahead of West Ham United's
Barclays Premier League match against reigning champions Manchester United
on Saturday. Big Sam fielded questions about Wednesday's win against
Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup, Modibo Maiga and David Moyes'
start to life as United manager.

Morning Sam, any team news for us ahead of Saturday?

SA: "The only addition to the squad from Wednesday night will be James
Tomkins. He's recovered from a groin injury, he'll join in training this
morning and if there's no reaction then he'll join the squad to go to
Manchester United. The rest of the players are recovering from their gallant
efforts on Wednesday night and are hopefully ready to put in a similar
performance at Old Trafford. We can take a lot of satisfaction out of
Wednesday's result and I just hope I can get the same reaction for a very
big Premier League game at Old Trafford. As difficult as it is for us, it's
not beyond what we can do if we get everything right like we did on
Wednesday."

How much can you take from the result on Wednesday given the circumstances
you were in?

SA: "Players play to win and when they win they feel so much better, life is
so much better for them. We've not won as many games as we should have done
in the Premier League and that's left everybody a little down. When you win
such a game as at your local rivals, who are such a big club these days,
then it does lift everybody but you must use and take that into the next
game and make sure you deliver the same performance again. Whether it gets
the result at Old Trafford or not, who knows? Manchester United we all know,
if they're on song, on top of their form on that particular day it could be
very difficult for us.
"We have to go and deliver that type of performance and resilience again and
if we can be as clinical in front of goal as we were on Wednesday night,
even though the opposition territorially and possession wise were far better
than we were. We had more shots on target than they did and shots on target
ultimately lead to goals. We limited them to a few shots on target and when
we went up the other end we did the business. We had eleven attempts at
goal, seven on target and scored two goals. The top line's always the most
important and it's got us through to a big semi-final."

What could that goal do for Modibo Maiga's confidence?

SA: "Hopefully it'll kick him on. Goals come in a flurry sometime for
forwards and hopefully the next chance that comes his way he'll be as good
as was on Wednesday night. He was very unfortunate that it wasn't two. The
way he carved out the second attempt at goal, that rattled the bar, showed
the ultimate ability and shooting power that he's got. We want to see more
of it; more end product and hopefully then it will help us get more results.
Hopefully he can kick-on for himself, kick-on for us because we've been
desperate for someone to start putting some goals in upfront. I think Rav's
still our leading goal scorer with three so we need somebody to start
regularly putting the ball in the back of the net, and I hope it's him."

What do you make of David Moyes' start to life at Manchester United?

SA: "Semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, qualified winners of their European
group and unfortunately for him, a league position that he wouldn't have
wanted but obviously he'll face the task as he knew it was going to be a
difficult takeover period from Sir Alex. Old Trafford particularly is where
he wants it to be the fortress that Sir Alex always seemed to make it and on
occasion that hasn't seemed to happen for him. David will be planning as
always to get the right team out to beat us and go on from there. Like
everybody says, the transition cannot happen overnight and it's like every
manager there's a transitional period that you've got to try and get through
before you make your own mark on it. For him, at the moment I don't think
it's quite as bad as everyone makes out."

They've lost their last two home games, do you think Old Trafford's lost a
bit of its aura this year?

SA: "You've stacked the odds against us there! Looking back at Manchester
United's history when was the last time that Manchester United lost three
home games on the trot? What the odds be for that? It's not what Manchester
United or David Moyes wants to do or the players in fact. On that basis,
knowing Manchester United players, their desire and determination to win
that game will be greater against us.
"That will focus them even more and make sure that when they come of they've
beat us. We have to make sure we match their desire and determination and
the tactical organisation we showed against Tottenham. The key element will
be, if you get a chance try and score, see if there's any frailties that may
come out in Manchester United. I expect a tough match and I expect
Manchester United to make sure they go all out to win. In our position I
expect us to go and play our best within the tactical structure that we need
to."

Do you think Ravel Morrison feels he has a point to prove going back to
Manchester United?

SA: "He probably would, if selected. My concern is that if he is going to
play, if I do select him, then don't try and win the game by yourself. This
is a team game and if you want to win it play as a team, not as an
individual."

Do you think his form is getting close to what he was showing at the
beginning of the season?

SA: "I think his form, to be honest with you, has dipped a little bit.
That's only to be expected for such a young man who hit such great heights
when he arrived in the team. His average performance in terms of all of his
stats has gone down. He needs to pick that back up and kick back on to where
he was after two or three games in the first team and then improve it from
there. You expect a dip from a youngster somewhere along the line and it's
our responsibility to pick him back up, move him forward and improve him
again. He's a hugely talented player and we want to have his ability not in
flashes but to have it as constant as possible."

With such a busy schedule coming up, how do you approach coping with games
coming thick and fast with a small squad at your disposal?

SA: "It'll be using the members of the squad, even though small, that are
available on a regular basis. To ask the same eleven players to get through
that period and not change is an impossibility in today's modern-day
football by the huge amount of physical effort and mental fatigue that
players suffer in a game situation. The game is so fast and ferocious with
so much pressure on the players that fatigue levels are at their highest.
"Our programme changes completely where training is virtually non-existent
and it's travel, recover, play, travel, recover, play and we have to spend a
lot of time doing our tactical analysis. The training ground is only a
matter of re-energising the players and getting the blood flowing through
the system again and getting ready for the next battle. By the time we've
finished January we will have had a massive game programme and we hope that
by the end of January we are one, in the final of the Capital One Cup and
two, not in the same position in the league. That will be my ultimate late
Christmas present."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam honoured by anti-racism charity
WHUFC.com
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce was inducted into the Show Racism the Red Card
Hall of Fame
19.12.2013

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was honoured at Show Racism the Red
Card's third Hall of Fame event at Parliament this week. The event centred
around an award ceremony to induct supporters, patrons and sponsors of the
Show Racism the Red Card campaign into the Hall of Fame under five different
categories. Big Sam was one of four managers to be honoured, alongside
Newcastle United chief Alan Pardew, Northampton Town boss Aidy Boothroyd and
former Scotland manager Alex McLeish. 'Role Models' who received awards were
stand up comedian Ava Vidal, Premier League Referee Chris Foy, presenter of
the Football League Show Manish Bhasin, Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves
and ex-West Bromwich Albion defender Darren Moore.

League Two outfit Dagenham and Redbridge, Unison Assistant General secretary
Liz Snape, the Hilton in the Community Foundation and the building society
Nationwide were also given awards for being dedicated 'Supporters of the
Campaign'.

Professional footballers were recognised too, including Tottenham Hotspur
striker Jermain Defoe, Wigan's Emmerson Boyce, England's most capped player
Rachel Yankey, Everton Ladies goalkeeper Rachel Brown and the PFA's Director
of Community John Hudson.

For their Commitment to Education, ex-Norwich City and Watford defender
Clint Easton, former Charlton Athletic and Southend United defender Osei
Sankofa, ex-Leicester City striker Trevor Benjamin and Redbridge Council's
Diversity Programme Manager, Mike O'Hanlon were inducted too.

Guest presenters at the event included Gordon Taylor of the PFA, film
director Ken Loach and Hammers legend Sir Trevor Brooking.
Allardyce commented: "I'm delighted to collect this award. For more years
than I care to remember we've used our community campaigns to support Show
Racism the Red Card. "It was a pleasure to attend the event and I want to
thank everyone, especially the volunteers and workers behind the scenes, for
the hard work they put in to promote the good work of the Show Racism the
Red Card campaign. It was great to see how far Show Racism the Red Card has
come and how much it has achieved. "I must add that I travel all over Europe
while I look for players. For all the criticism we get in the UK, I think
we've done the most. There is still a long way to go but I go to many
countries all over Europe and we've progressed so far we should be proud of
campaigns like this. An event like the one on Tuesday shows everyone that we
are moving in the right direction."

Show Racism the Red Card Chief Executive Ged Grebby said: "This is Show
Racism the Red Card's third Hall of Fame event in our 17-year history. The
last major Hall of Fame occasion was in 2008 at 10 Downing Street. We are
delighted to be at the Speaker's Residence for this year's ceremony. "The
Hall of Fame is a way of thanking some of our key supporters, patrons and
sponsors for all the work they have done for our charity over many years.
"We are particularly pleased at the turn out for this year's Hall of Fame
event, having so many high profile managers and supporters attending. "At a
time when both Islamophobia and anti-migrant racism are on the increase, it
is vital for anti racism campaigners to increase their profile."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Alou Diarra blogs for whufc.com on his return from injury, the win at
Tottenham and more
20.12.2013

Bonjour,

I was very happy to play my first game at Tottenham since my anterior
cruciate ligament injury and it was a great performance from us to win there
for the second time this season. It was not easy because it was a derby and
they lost their manager a few days before, so there was a lot of pressure on
the game, but we stayed strong, only conceded the one goal, and then with
the fresh players from the bench we scored two ourselves. We stayed focused,
even when we went behind, and after Matt Jarvis equalised, we pushed on and
we're very happy that we're in the next round of the Capital One Cup. We
know it will be hard against Man City, but we can do something good in this
competition. Personally, I'm feeling good, my knee was stable in the game at
Tottenham. It gives me more confidence, because it was a good test for me
and my knee. I think now I'm ready to play and I feel good. Obviously I need
some games for my physical condition, but the best thing for me was that my
knee was stable and I was able to do everything without a problem. I didn't
expect to come back so quickly when I suffered the injury in that second
round tie against Cheltenham Town. It's amazing really, but I've worked hard
with the medical staff and with the specialists in England and in France.

I've made a good rehab with Monte, the Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Rollsy, the Head of Sports Science and Sport Medicine, the physiotherapists,
and after six weeks I was ready to train with the team. That was amazing
after suffering as serious an injury as that, and the recovery has been
good. Looking to Saturday, the game at Tottenham will give us more
confidence for when we go to Manchester United. It will be hard there
because they lost their last game at home and there will be a lot of
pressure. We must be strong, like at White Hart Lane, not concede a goal and
we'll have some chances to score. I know Patrice Evra, he is a good friend!
I don't want him to score against us, but I respect him because he is a good
player. He has done a lot of great things for Manchester United, so we'll
see on Saturday. I hope we can win at Old Trafford, it would be great for
us.

À bientôt
Alou

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U18s look to get back on track
WHUFC.com
The Academy side take on Leicester City at Little Heath on Saturday
lunchtime
20.12.2013

West Ham United's Under-18s return to Barclays U18 Premier League action on
Saturday morning, looking to put their FA Youth Cup exit behind them. The
young Hammers suffered a shock exit at the hands of Accrington Stanley in
their last fixture, but are flying in the league and will hope to recapture
that form when they host Leicester City. Steve Potts' men are unbeaten in
nine league games and have risen to fourth in the table. Leicester,
meanwhile, sit ninth, although they drew 1-1 with Arsenal in their last
outing. The match will be played at Little Heath with a 12pm kick-off.
Admission and parking is free of charge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd v West Ham
KO 15:00
20 December 2013
Last updated at 12:45
By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 21 December

Manchester United manager David Moyes says Wayne Rooney, who missed
Wednesday's win over Stoke with a groin injury, has "a chance" of being fit.
Nemanja Vidic is also doubtful, while Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie
are definitely out. West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan serves the last of his
three-match ban.

James Tomkins returns after a groin problem but Andy Carroll, Stewart
Downing, Mladen Petric, Winston Reid and Ricardo Vaz Te are all injured.

MATCH PREVIEW

Are we all ready for the magic and madness of Christmas? It's the Premier
League's busiest time, with four rounds of fixtures in a week and a half -
time which will see us pass the season's halfway mark and usually gives the
table a sense of true order for the race to the finish. With the greatest
respect to their opponents, Manchester United won't be satisfied with
anything other than a maximum 12 points from their four games.

"West Ham boss Sam Allardyce still badly needs three points, and I cannot
see him getting them at Old Trafford, but I also cannot see them going down
Winning at home to West Ham has been all but a 'given' for years. The facts?
Twenty wins from 23 Hammers visits since 1986; a current run of six wins in
a row; not a single goal from the visitors in the last five. This season,
though, the overriding fact is that United can be beaten at home. They have
been three times in the league already. They haven't lost more home games in
a season since 2001-02 - and we aren't yet halfway through. They're
vulnerable at Old Trafford like never before in some people's lifetime, with
this game carrying the possibility of three successive home league defeats
for the first time since 1978-79. Buoyed by their comeback Capital One Cup
win at Spurs, you can be sure that Sam Allardyce will be hammering home that
message to his West Ham side - THIS is the season when you can go there and
get something. Goals are a problem for both sides. West Ham have only scored
five away, Man United only eight at home - and with Robin van Persie out and
Wayne Rooney a doubt, Danny Welbeck needs to come to the fore. His two at
Aston Villa last weekend ought to help him break a home run of 14 months (18
games) without scoring. It's the time of year when belief plays a huge part
in all our lives. Does he believe he'll score? Do West Ham fans believe they
can win? In the hope of an early present of a game to savour, I'm happy to
say "I believe". Merry Christmas.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
This is the fourth time in 2013 these two sides have met. Two of the
previous three matches have been 2-2 draws with the other ending in a 1-0
win for

Manchester United.
West Ham have won just twice in 17 Premier League trips to play Manchester
United and they were both 1-0 wins - in 2001 and 2007.
Manchester United have not lost to West Ham in their last nine league
encounters.
Manchester United have 25 points after 16 matches - their lowest at this
stage of a Premier League season since 2001-02.
They have won 14 points away but just 11 at Old Trafford, and have scored 17
away league goals, compared to just eight at home.
Their victory over Aston Villa last Sunday was the first league match they
had won without Robin van Persie being in the side since he arrived at the
club (D2 L2).

West Ham
West Ham have won just two of their last 15 Premier League matches (W2 D5
L8).
No Premier League team has kept more clean sheets than West Ham's eight this
season and their total of five goalless draws is more than any other team
has had in the Premier League.
In fact, five 0-0 draws is more than there has been in the Bundesliga this
season.
They have failed to score a first-half goal this season in 13 Premier League
matches - the joint-most in the division.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manchester United welcome West Ham to Old Trafford
Last Updated: 20/12/13 11:29am
SSN

Manchester United will want to maintain the momentum they have started to
rebuild when they welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford. The Red Devils
have offered a positive response to a recent wobble - with successes enjoyed
in Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Capital One Cup competition.
Whether they have left themselves with too much to do in the defence of
their top-flight title remains to be seen, with a 10-point gap separating
them from the summit. David Moyes is not about to throw in the towel,
though, and a productive run through the busy festive period would help to
push United back towards the frontrunners. West Ham, though, will make the
long journey north determined to become the latest side to frustrate the Red
Devils in their own backyard.
The Hammers could do with the morale boost a positive result would bring,
with only one place and a solitary point keeping them out of the drop zone
at present. Victory at capital rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One
Cup quarter-finals in midweek should have them in buoyant mood but points
are all that matter to Sam Allardyce's side at present, and they know they
have not taken enough of them so far.

If Manchester United win this then it will be four wins in 10 days, which
makes a big difference to David Moyes all of a sudden! West Ham had a great
result in the Capital One Cup in midweek, but they have been struggling in
the league and I think they are going to struggle again here. The West Ham
fans will be looking forward to the semi-final, but you wonder if their
squad can cope with too many extra games! It will only be a matter of time
before Man United break them down.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Man Utd
Last 6
Stoke City (a)0-2
A Villa (a)0-3
Shak Donetsk (h)1-0
Newcastle (h)0-1
Everton (h)0-1
Tottenham (a)2-2

Manchester United will hand a late fitness test to Wayne Rooney after seeing
him sit out Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Stoke City in the League Cup with a
knock. David Moyes is hopeful the England international will figure
prominently over the Christmas period, and he needs him to as fellow forward
Robin van Persie is missing with a thigh problem. Michael Carrick will not
be ready for a return until Boxing Day at the earliest, but club captain
Nemanja Vidic is fit again and Marouane Fellaini could come back into
contention after a back complaint.

West Ham
Last 6
Tottenham (a)1-2
Sunderland (h)0-0
Liverpool (a)4-1
C Palace (a)1-0
Fulham (h)3-0
Chelsea (h)0-3

West Ham will welcome James Tomkins back into their ranks on Saturday, with
the defender having recovered from a groin problem. He will be the only
addition to a squad which edged out Spurs 2-1 in midweek, with Kevin Nolan
set to serve the final game of a three-match ban. Record signing Andy
Carroll will not be ready until the New Year as he eases his way back from a
foot injury, while Stewart Downing (Achilles) and Winston Reid (ankle) are
among those still on the treatment table.

Opta stats

Manchester United have not lost three successive home league games since Dec
1978 - Feb 1979.
The Hammers have won just one of their eight Premier League away games this
season (D3 L4), failing to score five times.
Man Utd have scored only eight goals in eight Premier League home games this
season, only four clubs have managed fewer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Three have been sentenced after admitting spying on West Ham directors
Last Updated: 20/12/13 4:26pm
SSN

Three investigators have been sentenced today after admitting spying on West
Ham directors including Karren Brady in 2011. Brady's mobile phone records
were obtained during an investigation which centred around the bidding
process for the Olympic Stadium. Tottenham asked the firm PKF to investigate
that process. Howard Hill, Richard Forrest and Lee Stewart all pleaded
guilty on 8 November to illegally obtaining confidential information on West
Ham directors and officials from the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Tottenham
strongly deny any claims of spying and it was said in court one of the
investigators had told the club he did not believe he had been acting
illegally. Hill was fined £100,000 as the main investigator, with Judge
McCreath saying: "You had full control over this project. You engaged others
to do your dirty work for you."

Stewart was fined £13,250. The judge said his involvement was limited to two
of the victims. Forrest was fined £10,000. The judge said, like Stewart, he
had acted on Hill's instructions. As well as Brady, victims included fellow
joint-chairman David Sullivan and Ian Tomkins of West Ham, along with a
number of Olympic officials and the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales. David
Gold, another joint-chairman of the Hammers, was named as someone who became
the focus of attention.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce backs David Moyes to be a hit at Manchester United
Last Updated: 20/12/13 2:25pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has backed David Moyes to be a success at
Manchester United and feels his efforts so far have been undervalued. United
sit eighth in the Premier League table after losing their last two home
league games and face a must-win clash with the Hammers at Old Trafford on
Saturday.
Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as United boss last summer and Allardyce
acknowledged the size of the job he has. "For him, at the moment I don't
think it's quite as bad as everyone makes out," said Allardyce. "(United are
in the) semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, qualified (as) winners of their
European group and unfortunately for him, (they are in) a league position
that he wouldn't have wanted. "But obviously he'll face the task as he knew
it was going to be a difficult takeover period from Sir Alex. "Old Trafford
particularly is where he wants it to be the fortress that Sir Alex always
seemed to make it and on occasion that hasn't seemed to happen for him.
"David will be planning as always to get the right team out to beat us and
go on from there. "Like everybody says, the transition cannot happen
overnight and it's like every manager, there's a transitional period that
you've got to try and get through before you make your own mark on it."

West Ham joined United in the final four of the Capital One Cup after coming
from behind to beat rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night, and Allardyce hopes
it kick-start their stuttering league campaign. He said: "When you win such
a game at your local rivals, who are such a big club these days, then it
does lift everybody but you must use and take that into the next game and
make sure you deliver the same performance again. "We've not won as many
games as we should have done in the Premier League and that's left everybody
a little down. "Manchester United we all know, if they're on song, on top of
their form on that particular day it could be very difficult for us. "We
have to go and deliver that type of performance and resilience again and be
as clinical in front of goal as we were on Wednesday night, even though the
opposition territorially and possession-wise were far better than we were."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
KEVIN NOLAN'S BAN IN DECEMBER MAKES IT FIFTH SEASON IN A ROW!
By Sean Whetstone 20 Dec 2013 at 08:33
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan's three match ban over Christmas is the fifth
season in a row he has picked up a suspension in December. Nolan's straight
red card for a deliberate stamp at Liverpool's Jordan Henderson at Anfield
will rule him out of the trip up north to Manchester United. Last season he
picked up a fifth booking of the season against Reading on Boxing Day that
saw him suspended for our next game against Norwich on New Year's Day. In
2011 he was banned for West Ham's match against Derby on December 29th after
collecting five bookings after a tackle on Zigic of Birmingham which was
almost a carbon copy of the Jordan Hendicerson which got him sent off!. A
fifth caution of the season against Manchester City on Boxing Day 2010 while
playing for Newcastle meant he missed the trip to Spurs two days later.

In 2009, while a Newcastle player a red card against Watford on December 5th
led to a one-game ban. At the Season Ticket Holders Fans Forum earlier this
moth he apologised for his silly challenge but strongly denied he wanted to
have time off. The video can be seen below. Kevin said "It was a silly
tackle and stupid of me. I'm rarely disappointed in myself but I am sorry
for that. I apologised to all the lads as well" "I'll be working hard on the
training ground," the 31-year-old said. "I'm certainly not getting away with
it. I'll be in on Wednesday while all the other lads are off"

David Gold later that evening suggested Kevin Nolan's ban would give Ravel
Morrison a chance to shine and gave a strange analogy of how catching his
best friend with his wife led to strange twist of good fortune in his life.
I met Kevin Nolan on Wednesday at the Fans Forum and submitted a question on
why the gaffer always chooses him to start if he is fit. The question didn't
make the cut for questions to be asked.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham signed Ravel Morrison based on a single sentence spoken by
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson
Dec 20, 2013 22:30 By Neil Rowlands 0 Comments
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed how one sentence from Sir Alex
Ferguson was enough to make him take the gamble on Ravel Morrison. Many
thought it was a big risk when Allardyce brought in the ­troubled teen in
January 2012 with his side battling for promotion back to the Premier
League. At 18, Morrison had already been convicted of witness intimidation
and criminal damage and had never appeared for United in the league. But Big
Sam explained: "Fergie told me about his talent and that was it – that's
enough for me. "He said, 'If you can sort this lad out, Sam, you'll have one
of the best players you've ever had'. I don't need anything more than that
do I?"

Morrison returns to Old Trafford this weekend for the first time since he
was bombed out by the Premier League champions. Since then he has impressed
on loan at Birmingham, has scored five in 17 for the Hammers this term and
could even be in line for a shock call-up to Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.
Allardyce added: "Sir Alex let Ravel go for his own benefit. He said that if
Ravel's going to be a player he has to leave Manchester and go somewhere
else in this country because he felt being in Manchester wasn't helping him
develop. "[He said] if he comes down to you hopefully he'll find a new life
and a new way of living and then his performances and his ability will then
start to come through. "In actual fact, he struggled to look like he was
capable of playing football in the first team with us. That's why we sent
him on loan to Birmingham and I thought since that year he's grown up.
"Somewhere along the line lads wake up and they start coming in and
thinking, 'I can have all the help I need but if I don't change myself then
I'm not going to be successful'. I think he's changed himself and
delivered."

With his eye-catching displays for the Hammers, including a dazzling solo
goal in the 3-0 win at Tottenham in October, talk of a new contract has
emerged.
Morrison has about 18 months left on his current agreement and it has been
suggested the east London club are lining up a bumper new deal for the
England Under-21 midfielder. But Allardyce has told him that if he keeps
concentrating on ­football then "mega-bucks" will come his way. The Hammers
manager, who will be without suspended skipper Kevin Nolan at Old Trafford
on Saturday, said: "A lot of the time, too often, it revolves around money
and not football. But it should revolve around having a good career and then
money follows. "If it ends up in the Premier League then it's mega-bucks. If
you don't get there and you take the money then the career can stagnate on
that basis."

Morrison is fresh after sitting out West Ham's Capital One Cup quarter-final
win over Tottenham on Wednesday – and is expected to start against David
Moyes' side, who are hoping to avoid a third straight home defeat in the
Premier League.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com