A message from the Joint-Chairmen
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have written an
open letter to Hammers fans
06.01.2014
Like all West Ham United supporters we feel frustrated and hurt by our
recent results. We understand how you feel and we, the Board, feel the same.
It is never enjoyable being knocked out of a Cup competition and losing by
such a large scoreline to a lower division side is hard to take for us all.
We thought the youngsters gave their all and did not stop trying but in the
end Nottingham Forest's experience proved too much for us.
I know Sam would have loved to have put out a more varied side, with our
talented youngsters accompanied by more senior players in the starting XI.
But many key players are out injured and Sam has been handed a near
impossible task of coming through three crucial games in the space of six
days with a squad of only 14 fit and available senior players. This is not
an excuse it is a fact. We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and
is committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League Club.
We now face a Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday followed by a vital
Barclays Premier League trip to Cardiff on Saturday. Despite an extremely
difficult draw, we are determined to do all we can to get to the Capital One
Cup final over two legs with Manchester City. We hope to have several of our
missing players back in time for Cardiff and we go there knowing that a win
can get us out of the bottom three. Such is the nature of the Premier League
this season; there are only six points between us and the team in 13th
place.
Make no mistake, though; we are under no illusions as to the seriousness of
our current predicament in the Premier League. But on the Board we have a
combined talent of running football clubs and we will draw on all of our
nous to get West Ham United out of this situation.
We have experienced difficult times before and we know what will get us
results - hard work, determination and perseverance. To that end, we are all
working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our
slump in form.
Our first priority is to get our key players fit. Our record signing Andy
Carroll continues to make good progress following his return to first-team
training and he should be back on the pitch very soon along with Hammer of
the Year Winston Reid and our other missing central defenders, James Tomkins
and James Collins. Trust us, Andy Carroll is desperate to play and is ready
to do his bit for the team and we are confident that the return of all of
our injured players will lead to an upturn in our fortunes.
Thereafter, our second priority is to bring in the new talent needed to
bolster our squad in the most needed areas. January is not an easy time to
do business but we are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one of
our key striking targets. A defender is high on the list of priorities as
well and progress is being made on that front.
Despite our difficulties, what has remained consistent throughout the past
few weeks and months is the unwavering level of support you have shown for
the team home and away. We took over 3,000 fans to Fulham on New Year's Day
and nearly the same number again to Nottingham on Sunday. That has been a
constant and successful theme since our record-breaking season under Sam in
2011/12 and I know everyone at the Club is extremely grateful for the unique
backing you provide to the team every week.
Following the Cardiff fixture, we have two more vital games in January
before a hugely significant February, which has three massive home games. We
will go into those games with a much-improved squad and we remain confident
that we can turn our season around.
Whilst we have exceeded expectation off the pitch this year, by providing
the Olympic Stadium and financial stability by taking personal
responsibility for the Club's inherited debts of £100 million, we know that
quality on the pitch is more important to you.
We have 103 employees that directly relate to the football teams, but we
also have 477 colleagues who work behind the team across all areas of the
Club. All of these people are key to our success. We continue to invest in
the development of their future by ensuring that West Ham United remains a
great place to work.
We understand these are difficult times for the Club and its supporters, but
we must stay united and come through the other side together. Please support
us and the team - we have no desire to be where we are and we are all doing
everything in our power to improve this unenviable situation.
Thank-you once again for your fantastic support.
David Sullivan and David Gold
Joint-Chairmen, West Ham United
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Hammers move for Johnson
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have signed centre-back Roger Johnson on loan from
Wolverhampton Wanderers
06.01.2014
West Ham United are pleased to confirm the signing of centre-back Roger
Johnson on loan for the remainder of the 2013/14 season. Johnson joins the
Hammers from Sky Bet League One high-fliers Wolverhampton Wanderers and
could go straight into the squad for Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final
first leg tie at Manchester City. A League Cup winner with Birmingham City
in 2011, the 30-year-old reached the FA Cup final with Cardiff City in 2008
and has made more than 100 Premier League appearances for Birmingham and
Wolves. Johnson will boost Sam Allardyce's defensive options, with
centre-backs Winston Reid, James Collins and James Tomkins all recovering
from injuries at present. Born in Surrey, Johnson became Wycombe Wanderers'
youngest-ever player when he made his debut just eight days past his 17th
birthday in May 1999. The following season, 2000/01, he helped the Chairboys
to reach the FA Cup semi-finals as a Division Two side. After four seasons
as a first-team regular, Johnson celebrated being named in the 2005/06
League Two Team of the Year by making a £275,000 move to Cardiff City in
July 2006. Johnson quickly established himself in the Welsh capital, making
136 appearances over four seasons, including the 2008 FA Cup final defeat by
Portsmouth at Wembley. After being named in the Championship Team of the
Year in 2008/09, Johnson's stock had risen to an all-time high, tempting
Premier League new boys Birmingham to spend £5m to add him to their squad in
June 2009. At St Andrew's, Johnson formed an outstanding partnership with
Scott Dann as the Blues went on a 16-match unbeaten run between October 2009
and January 2010. Birmingham would finish the season in ninth place. The
following campaign, 2010/11, brought a mixture of elation and disappointment
for Johnson as he scored a late equaliser against West Ham at St Andrew's to
help the Blues win their thrilling League Cup semi-final with the Hammers
and went on to lift the trophy, only to suffer relegation after losing four
of their last five Premier League matches. Relegation did not affect
Johnson's value, however, as Wolves spent a reported £7m to take him to
Molineux in July 2011. Playing alongside Matt Jarvis, Johnson was appointed
captain and made 28 appearances, but was unfortunately unable to prevent
Wolves from being relegated from the Premier League. Johnson was again a
regular last season, making 42 Championship appearances and scoring twice
for the Black Country club. This term, with Wolves seeking to cut their wage
bill, the centre-back has spent three months on loan at Championship side
Sheffield Wednesday, playing 17 times.
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Key appointment for Stadium conversion
WHUFC.com
International infrastructure group Balfour Beatty Group Ltd is to lead the
Olympic Stadium's redevelopment
06.01.2014
The stunning transformation of West Ham United's future home continues to
gather pace, with Monday's landmark appointment of Balfour Beatty Group Ltd
as lead contractor to convert the Olympic Stadium. The E20 Stadium
Partnership, established between the London Legacy Development Corporation
(LLDC) and Newham Council, has awarded the £154 million contract to Balfour
Beatty to ready the iconic venue for West Ham United from 2016. The
international infrastructure group won the right to lead work on the
Stadium's magnificent new roof in the summer and is now set to spearhead the
remainder of the venue's much-anticipated transformation into a UEFA
category four football Stadium.
Balfour Beatty's remit will include the relocation inside the turnstile line
of key facilities such as the concessions and toilets (as at other
traditional football stadia), landscaping, the construction of first class
hospitality suites and a distinctive new building that is set to become the
Club's exclusive ticket office and flagship Store. During construction,
Balfour Beatty expects to employ up to 400 people and will work with
Workplace, Newham Council's employment service, to employ local residents.
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We welcome this important
announcement which marks the start of a significant year for the conversion
of the Olympic Stadium into a world-class football stadium which will become
West Ham United's new home. "By the close of 2014 we hope to have seen the
majority of the work on the stunning new roof finalised, ahead of its
completion in spring next year. "I, along with my team, will be working
closely with the LLDC and Balfour Beatty every step of the way to ensure
that the conversion delivers a Stadium that West Ham fans can be proud of
and that guarantees them an unrivalled experience on a matchday.''
Balfour Beatty Chief Executive, Andrew McNaughton, said: "We are delighted
to be continuing our activity at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park supporting
the legacy commitment made as part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games. "During construction, our firm commitment to the use of local labour
and the creation of apprenticeships will continue to benefit the local
community and the wider industry and, upon completion, the Stadium will
provide a first-class sporting and cultural facility for many generations to
come. Balfour Beatty is proud to be associated with this project."
In addition to reconfiguring the world's largest cantilevered roof, Balfour
Beatty will also take charge of constructing state-of-the-art spectator and
hospitality facilities which are set to create a global benchmark in
spectator experience and sports hospitality. Works will commence on site in
early 2014 and are due for completion in the spring of 2016.
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Mixed emotions for Moncs
WHUFC.com
George Moncur is refusing to be downhearted after his first West Ham start
in Sunday's FA Cup exit
06.01.2014
George Moncur is adamant that Sunday's 5-0 FA Cup with Budweiser reverse at
Nottingham Forest will not dampen optimism in West Ham United's Development
Squad. In all, eight of the Club's youngsters featured at the City Ground,
including a total of five debutants, as the Hammers were eventually
overpowered by their experienced hosts. But despite the scoreline, the
20-year-old midfielder reckons he and his Under-21 colleagues can still take
a great deal from the experience, certain that confidence has not taken a
hit. "Obviously you can still take positives from the game," he told
whufc.com. "Having come to this stadium, we'll take things from the
experience, because a lot of us haven't really played for the first team.
We'll remember this and learn from it."
In fact, Moncur thought his contemporaries had plenty to be proud of, for
the first hour at least, as the Hammers fought gamely to recover from an
early penalty award. Though it was Moncur himself who felled Jamie Paterson
for the spot-kick, undeterred he went onto to put in a mature display,
before being substituted ten minutes into the second period. He continued:
"I gave away the penalty which didn't help at all and it was stupid to be
fair. But I thought that afterwards we settled in well and we definitely had
chances, we were pushing on in the game. "I created a few opportunities and
I thought I did quite well. It's nice to be able to do that out here and
when you're doing some good stuff, confidence does grow."
As for the late flurry of Forest goals, Moncur admitted fatigue had likely
played its part, with the Development Squad having not played a competitive
fixture since 2 December. "Maybe we did get tired, because to be fair there
were a lot of Under-21s playing for us and we haven't had a game for a
while, so I think that was probably played its part. They're playing week in
week out at the moment, so fitness and fatigue probably came into it for
us."
Result aside, Moncur was thankful to have been handed his chance, a first
start and only his second appearance for the Club. Similarly, to share the
experience with his friends and team-mates made it all the more memorable.
"It's great, because you're playing with them week in week out and it's
really nice to be playing with them all together on one big stage," he
added. "I play with Seb [Lletget] and Danny [Whitehead] in our normal
midfield and I thought both of them did really well on Sunday. They can take
great credit from it. I really enjoy playing with them in the U21s and
they're great players. "The result won't knock our confidence at all.
Whatever happened on Sunday, we'll take the positives and just push on from
there."
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'It was a big learning curve'
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing said there was plenty for the young Hammers to learn from
Sunday's loss at Forest
06.01.2014
Captain for the day Stewart Downing felt a goal could have made all the
difference for an inexperienced West Ham United side at Nottingham Forest on
Sunday. The Hammers suffered a 5-0 loss to end their participation in the FA
Cup with Budweiser, as Forest notched four goals in the final 25 minutes of
the contest. Downing said that the visitors perhaps paid the price for
chasing the game in the closing stages, and that West Ham's youngsters still
emerged from the contest with credit. "I thought we started very well to be
honest," he explained. "We were still in the game after the penalty - Modibo
had a half-chance, Rav had a free kick saved and we were acquitting
ourselves well. "We made it quite difficult for them [at that stage], but
when they got the second goal we were a little naive in that we kept going
and trying to score. Credit to the lads that they kept going, but we left
ourselves open to concede. "It was a big learning curve for the lads and it
just shows what you have to do to play in this league. They're a
Championship side, and of a high standard. "It would have been good to see
how Forest dealt with it had we scored the equaliser. We'd have got the
momentum to go on as it was a good time to get a goal, but once they got the
second they had experienced players to see the game out. "We kept going
forward when maybe we should have kept the scoreline down, and they punished
us. The young lads did really well, but the last 15 minutes wasn't good
enough from us."
Downing made his first start since suffering an ankle injury at Liverpool in
early December and he was pleased to get more minutes under his belt ahead
of Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final at Manchester City. He added: "I'm
pleased to have got through the game, I probably wanted to play on a little
longer to be honest, but no arguments as from the manager's point of view he
wants to keep us fresh and fit for Wednesday."
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West Ham sign defender Roger Johnson from Wolves on loan
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have signed Wolves defender Roger Johnson on loan until the end of
the season. The former Cardiff City and Birmingham City player had a spell
with Sheffield Wednesday earlier in 2013-14 campaign. Johnson, 30, moved to
Molineux from St Andrew's in July 2011. Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has
been backed by the club's owners despite seeing the side slip to 19th in the
Premier League and losing 5-0 to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Central
defenders James Collins and James Tomkins were injured in the Boxing Day
defeat by Arsenal and the draw with West Brom two days later respectively.
Fellow centre-back Winston Reid is still recovering from ankle surgery in
November, while striker Andy Carroll has yet to play this season because of
a foot injury. Everton's Johnny Heitinga rejected a move to West Ham despite
the two clubs agreeing terms over the Dutch defender earlier this month.
Wolves manager Kenny Jackett transfer-listed Johnson and three other players
in June following the club's relegation to League One, 12 months after they
dropped into the Championship. "It's a really good opportunity for him
because he's going to a Premier League club," Jackett told the Birmingham
Express and Star.
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Sam Allardyce: West Ham owners back manager
BBC.co.uk
West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have issued an open letter
to fans in support of boss Sam Allardyce. The struggling Hammers lost 5-0 to
Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday. The Upton Park
club are second from bottom of the Premier League after just one win in 13
top-flight games. "We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and is
committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League club," read the
letter. Gold and Sullivan also revealed the club are "close to securing one
of our key striking targets".
With record signing Andy Carroll yet to play this season because of a foot
injury, BBC Sport's Ben Smith reports Monaco's 6ft 8in forward Lacina Traore
could join the club on loan if he gets a work permit. Wolves defender Roger
Johnson has already signed on loan after the Hammers failed to bring in
Everton's Johnny Heitinga. "These may be tough times for everyone at West
Ham, but no-one at Upton Park is panicking yet. Sullivan and Gold mean what
they say. Both of them believe, and have believed all season, that Allardyce
is the best man to keep them up. "Premier League survival is paramount. The
club will spend again in January with that in mind."
"January is not an easy time to do business but we are pleased to confirm we
are close to securing one of our key striking targets," continued the
letter.
Allardyce, 59, fielded a youthful side at Forest as he made nine changes
from the team beaten 2-1 in the Premier League at Fulham on New Year's Day.
The Hammers boss said he had informed Gold and Sullivan of his plans to
prioritise the club's top-flight campaign and the Capital One Cup semi-final
against Manchester City. "It is never enjoyable being knocked out of a cup
competition and losing by such a large scoreline to a lower division side is
hard to take for us all," added the letter.
Missing in action
Andy Carroll
Kevin Nolan - suspended for three games
Mark Noble - calf injury
James Tomkins - groin injury
James Collins - calf injury
Winston Reid - ankle injury
Ricardo Vaz Te - dislocated shoulder
Andy Carroll (pictured) - foot injury
"We thought the youngsters gave their all and did not stop trying, but in
the end Nottingham Forest's experience proved too much for us. "I know Sam
would have loved to have put out a more varied side, with our talented
youngsters accompanied by more senior players in the starting XI. "But many
key players are out injured and Sam has been handed a near impossible task
of coming through three crucial games in the space of six days with a squad
of only 14 fit and available senior players. "This is not an excuse, it is a
fact."
Graeme Howlett, editor of West Ham online fanzine Knees Up Mother Brown,
feels the statement is "essentially a vote of confidence" in Allardyce. He
said: "It ties in with a poll we ran last week where a small majority of
supporters voted to stick with him. "It's injuries and suspensions that are
costing us dearly at present. Any manager would have his work cut out.
Replacing him won't make the likes of Andy Carroll, Winston Reid or Mark
Noble fit again."
West Ham visit Manchester City on Wednesday for the first leg of their
Capital One Cup semi-final before a league trip to fellow relegation
battlers Cardiff on Saturday. They are currently without Carroll, Reid,
Noble, Ricardo Vaz Te, James Tomkins and James Collins because of injury,
while captain Kevin Nolan is suspended "We are under no illusions as to the
seriousness of our current predicament in the Premier League," added the
letter. But on the board we have a combined talent of running football
clubs and we will draw on all of our nous to get West Ham United out of this
situation. "We are all working round the clock to do everything in our
powers to help arrest our slump in form."
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Hammers in for Johnson
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 6th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are preparing to sign Wolves defender Roger Johnson, according to
morning reports. The 6'3" central defender is set to be named as West Ham's
fourth centre half and assuming the deal goes through smoothly, could go
straight into the team to face Manchester City at Eastlands on Wednesday
night when the two clubs meet in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi
final. 30-year-old Johnson has spent the first half of the season on loan
with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday who were hoping to sign the
Ashford-born defender on a permanent basis. However the move has reportedly
been gazumped by the Hammers, who are hoping to tie up a deal within the
next 24 hours.
After starting his career as a pro at Wycombe, Johnson moved to Cardiff in
July 2006 in a £275,000 switch. Three years later, Birmingham City - owned
at the time by Messrs Sullivan and Gold - paid £5million to take him to to
St Andrew's before they sold him to neighbours Wolves for £7million in the
summer of 2011. He joined Wednesday on loan last September, since when he
has featured on 17 occasions.
KUMB member LincolshireHammer has seen plenty of Johnson in action for
Wednesday this season due to being based in Sheffield currently. "I've
popped across to a few games this season at Hillsborough and Johnson
struggled immensely," he said. "This was in the Championship against teams
like Wigan and Reading. "How is he going to do against Man City in one of
our biggest games in the past couple of years? A poor bit of business IMO, I
just hope he's not on decent money."
Meanwhile a Sheffield Wednesday fan, speaking via KUMB member Dannyboylister
added: "You're signing a player that's been on loan to a team currently
fifth bottom in the Championship. Don't get me wrong, he's a good honest
wholehearted player, but still. "He runs around a lot and doesn't kick as
many people as you'd think. I'd have been happy for him to come back to
Wednesday, but he is nowhere near Premier League standard."
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Sullivan and Gold call for United front
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 6th January 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's co-chairman David Gold and David Sullivan have urged fans
to remain patient despite a 5-0 drubbing away to Championship side
Nottingham Forest yesterday.
The Club's owners spoke out in the wake of the humiliating defeat and
accusations that manager Sam Allardyce "threw the game" in order to
concentrate on this week's Capital One Cup smei final, first leg against
Manchester City.
The full statement - as initially published on whufc.com - was as
follows....
Like all West Ham United supporters we feel frustrated and hurt by our
recent results. We understand how you feel and we, the Board, feel the same.
It is never enjoyable being knocked out of a Cup competition and losing by
such a large scoreline to a lower division side is hard to take for us all.
We thought the youngsters gave their all and did not stop trying but in the
end Nottingham Forest's experience proved too much for us.
I know Sam would have loved to have put out a more varied side, with our
talented youngsters accompanied by more senior players in the starting XI.
But many key players are out injured and Sam has been handed a near
impossible task of coming through three crucial games in the space of six
days with a squad of only 14 fit and available senior players. This is not
an excuse it is a fact. We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and
is committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League Club.
We now face a Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday followed by a vital
Barclays Premier League trip to Cardiff on Saturday. Despite an extremely
difficult draw, we are determined to do all we can to get to the Capital One
Cup final over two legs with Manchester City. We hope to have several of our
missing players back in time for Cardiff and we go there knowing that a win
can get us out of the bottom three. Such is the nature of the Premier League
this season; there are only six points between us and the team in 13th
place.
Make no mistake, though; we are under no illusions as to the seriousness of
our current predicament in the Premier League. But on the Board we have a
combined talent of running football clubs and we will draw on all of our
nous to get West Ham United out of this situation.
We have experienced difficult times before and we know what will get us
results - hard work, determination and perseverance. To that end, we are all
working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our
slump in form.
Our first priority is to get our key players fit. Our record signing Andy
Carroll continues to make good progress following his return to first-team
training and he should be back on the pitch very soon along with Hammer of
the Year Winston Reid and our other missing central defenders, James Tomkins
and James Collins. Trust us, Andy Carroll is desperate to play and is ready
to do his bit for the team and we are confident that the return of all of
our injured players will lead to an upturn in our fortunes.
Thereafter, our second priority is to bring in the new talent needed to
bolster our squad in the most needed areas. January is not an easy time to
do business but we are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one of
our key striking targets. A defender is high on the list of priorities as
well and progress is being made on that front.
Despite our difficulties, what has remained consistent throughout the past
few weeks and months is the unwavering level of support you have shown for
the team home and away. We took over 3,000 fans to Fulham on New Year's Day
and nearly the same number again to Nottingham on Sunday. That has been a
constant and successful theme since our record-breaking season under Sam in
2011/12 and I know everyone at the Club is extremely grateful for the unique
backing you provide to the team every week.
Following the Cardiff fixture, we have two more vital games in January
before a hugely significant February, which has three massive home games. We
will go into those games with a much-improved squad and we remain confident
that we can turn our season around.
Whilst we have exceeded expectation off the pitch this year, by providing
the Olympic Stadium and financial stability by taking personal
responsibility for the Club's inherited debts of £100 million, we know that
quality on the pitch is more important to you.
We have 103 employees that directly relate to the football teams, but we
also have 477 colleagues who work behind the team across all areas of the
Club. All of these people are key to our success. We continue to invest in
the development of their future by ensuring that West Ham United remains a
great place to work.
We understand these are difficult times for the Club and its supporters, but
we must stay united and come through the other side together. Please support
us and the team - we have no desire to be where we are and we are all doing
everything in our power to improve this unenviable situation.
Thank-you once again for your fantastic support.
David Sullivan and David Gold
Joint-Chairmen, West Ham United
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West Ham striker Carlton Cole has interest from other clubs
Last Updated: 06/01/14 6:24pm
SSN
Carlton Cole's agent has told Sky Sports that the striker is keeping his
options open amid interest from other clubs as talks continue with West Ham
regarding a contract extension. The 30-year-old had left Upton Park last
summer before rejoining West Ham in October on a deal that expires later
this month. He has scored three goals in 12 appearances for the Premier
League strugglers and Sam Allardyce is keen to extend Cole's deal. However,
the likes of Aston Villa, where Cole spent the 2004/05 season on loan,
Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers are all reported to be monitoring
his current situation. Cole's representatives Saif Rubie confirmed
discussions are ongoing with West Ham and is waiting to see what develops
over the next couple of weeks. Rubie told Sky Sports: "It is correct that
West Ham have made contact about extending Carlton's deal which is due to
expire later this month. "Carlton is West Ham through and through and we
will sit down and listen to what they have got to say. "Carlton has done
well for West Ham when he has played in difficult circumstances.
"Carlton wants to help West Ham get out of trouble and stay in the Premier
League, but the deal has to be right him. "There has been interest in
Carlton from other clubs and he is keeping his options open. "At this stage
of his career he wants a deal best suited to him and he is West Ham player
until January 20th and then we will see what happens."
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West Ham sign Roger Johnson on loan from Wolves
Last Updated: 06/01/14 9:12pm
SSN
West Ham have announced the signing of defender Roger Johnson from Wolves
for the remainder of the season. The Hammers are desperately short of
defensive options due to a string of injuries and Johnson could make his
debut in Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at Manchester
City. A statement on the club's official website read: "West Ham United are
pleased to confirm the signing of centre-back Roger Johnson on loan for the
remainder of the 2013/14 season." West Ham defender Winston Reid has been
sidelined since early November and was joined in the treatment room by
centre-backs James Collins and James Tomkins. Johnson, who has been on loan
at Sheffield Wednesday since September, will be hoping for a happier spell
in the top-flight after suffering relegation with Birmingham and Wolves. He
joins the Hammers in the midst of another survival fight, with the east
Londoners sitting second from bottom and three points adrift of safety.
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West Ham keen on loan deal for Monaco striker Lacina Traore
Last Updated: 06/01/14 9:09pm
SSN
Sky sources understand that West Ham are interested in signing striker
Lacina Traore on loan from Monaco. Manager Sam Allardyce is hunting a new
frontman in the transfer window as he prepares his side for a survival push
in the second half of the campaign. Andy Carroll's lengthy absence has left
the Hammers short of a targetman and the 6'8" tall Traore would add some
physical presence to their forward line. Monaco only completed the signing
of Traore on Saturday from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for a fee thought
to be £8.3 million, but he could soon be heading to east London. The Hammers
are yet to make a formal offer, but Monaco are thought to be willing to let
the 23-year-old leave on loan for the rest of the season. Traore caught the
eye of Monaco after scoring 15 goals in 39 matches during an 18-month spell
in Russia.
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THE SIGNINGS START - ROGER JOHNSON SIGNS ON LOAN
By Iain Dale 6 Jan 2014 at 14:26
West Ham Till I Die
Forgive me if our first signing of the transfer window leaves me slightly
underwhelmed, but West Ham have today signed Wolves central defender Roger
Johnson on loan until the end of the season. He's 30 and has been on loan at
Sheffield Wednesday all season so far. he made his name at Wycombe scoring
19 times is 157 games. before a transfer to Cardiff City in 2006, where he
scored 12 times in 119 games. In 2009 he moved to Birmingham and in 2011 he
crossed the city to Wolves where he's made 69 appearances, scoring twice.
He's actually not a bad player, and it may be that getting back to the
Premier League will spur him on to recapture the form that he has shown in
the past. But you have to say that having been told we were looking at
players like Joleon Lescott to plug our defensive gap, it does seem a little
deflating that we sign a player who is regarded as expendable by a League
Two side. Or am I just being cynical?
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WHY DO WEST HAM PLAYERS GET INJURED SO OFTEN?
By Iain Dale 6 Jan 2014 at 12:42
West Ham Till I Die
Roy Keane said something during the ITV coverage of yesterday's match which
made me think.
"We've almost been brainwashed in the last 10 years that Sam Allardyce is
years ahead in terms of sports science, so why so many injuries?"
Why indeed? There have long been suspicious that the Chadwell heath pitches
are the cause of some of our injuries. Big Sam raised that as a possibility
the other day when he related a conversation with Alan Curbishley, who is
convinced that is true. Allardyce dismissed it, but the very fact he raised
it indicates he thinks there's something in it. Either that, or our medical
staff are not up to scratch, or it's just a run of bad luck that all clubs
get at some stage.
It's no secret that the Chadwell Heath facilities are not exactly state of
the art and I wonder whatever happened to the plans to sell the site and
build a new training centre elsewhere. Perhaps those plans should be revived
fairly quickly. If we're going to attract high quality players we need to
have the best facilities to get the best out of them. I have no idea how
much it would cost to build a new training centre with quality pitches, but
surely it has to be seen as a good investment.
Sam Allardyce has got a reputation for relying heavily on sports science and
statistics. Surely he has go an answer as to why our players get injured so
much – what were the stats at Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn?
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West Ham crisis sees Harry Redknapp installed as favourite to replace
manager Sam Allardyce
Jan 06, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis 1
TheMirror
Harry Redknapp is the bookies' favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce - even
though West Ham's owners have publicly backed their under-fire boss. David
Gold and David Sullivan took the unusual step of issuing a statement on
Monday morning confirming their intention to stand by their manager - as
reported in Mirror Sport last week. It said: "We know Sam has not lost his
ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham United a great
Premier League club. "Make no mistake, we are under no illusions as to the
seriousness of our current predicament in the Premier League. "But on the
Board we have a combined talent of running football clubs and we will draw
on all of our nous to get West Ham United out of this situation."
That has not stopped the bookmakers making 66-year-old Redknapp - in line
for promotion with QPR - odds-on for a shock return to Upton Park. Besiktas
chief Slaven Bilic, a former Upton Park hero, is also in the picture along
with ex-Cardiff boss Malky Mackay. The Hammers have won just one of their
last 13 Premier League games with the club sitting second from bottom. The
east Londoners are anxious to retain their top-flight status and consolidate
ahead of a move to the Olympic Stadium. As such they have prioritised their
League games, starting at Cardiff on Saturday, over the cup competitions.
But following widespread fan anger at the 5-0 humiliation for a shadow side
in the FA Cup at Championship Nottingham Forest, Gold and Sullivan have
promised an improved showing in against Manchester City on Wednesday in the
first leg of a Capital One Cup semi-final. They added: "Many key players are
out injured and Sam has been handed a near impossible task of coming through
three crucial games in the space of six days with a squad of only 14 fit and
available senior players. "This is not an excuse it is a fact. We know Sam
has not lost his ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham
United a great Premier League Club. "We now face a Capital One Cup
semi-final on Wednesday followed by a vital Barclays Premier League trip to
Cardiff on Saturday. "Despite an extremely difficult draw, we are determined
to do all we can to get to the Capital One Cup final over two legs with
Manchester City. "We hope to have several of our missing players back in
time for Cardiff and we go there knowing that a win can get us out of the
bottom three. "Such is the nature of the Premier League this season; there
are only six points between us and the team in 13th place."
West Ham have Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, James Tomkins, James Collins,
Winston Reid and Mark Noble all out through injury. Skipper Kevin Nolan is
suspended after being sent off at Fulham - his second red card within a
month. The Hammers have moved to solve their defensive crisis by snapping up
Wolves defender Roger Johnson - who has been relegated in each of the last
three seasons - on loan. Johnson, 30, has been on loan at Championship soide
Sheffield Wednesday after suffering the drop twice with Wolves and before
that with Birmingham.
Allardyce is also keen on Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott after
seeing a move for Everton centre-half Johnny Heitinga collapse last week. A
loan deal for Monaco's 6ft 6in striker Lacina Traore is also close, pending
a work permit. West Ham are still hopeful of a deal for another forward -
either Everton's Nikica Jelavic or former Sunderland star Asamoah Gyan,
currently at UAE club Al Ain. Redknapp parted company with the Irons 13
years ago, after a bust-up with then-chairman Terry Brown. He has since led
Portsmouth into the Premier League and to FA Cup Final triumph, and also
took charge at struggling Spurs in 2008 and steered them into the Champions
League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Carlton Cole to be offered transfer to Queens Park Rangers on an
18-month contract
Jan 06, 2014 22:29 By John Cross 0 Comments
The Mirror
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is hoping he can pinch Carlton Cole - by offering
him a longer deal than West Ham do. Former England striker Cole's short-term
contract at the Hammers expires next week and they are only likely to offer
him an extension until the end of the season. But Redknapp, desperate to
improve his goal-shy strike-force and keep Rangers' Championship promotion
push on the rails, is hoping an 18-month contract will help persuade Cole to
move to Loftus Road. The west Londoners are also eyeing Croatia striker
Nikica Jelavic, whose two goals for Everton helped knock them out of the FA
Cup at Goodison on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Roger and out? Allardyce's new signing Johnson has been relegated three
times in a row
By MATT BARLOW
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 6 January 2014 | UPDATED: 22:30, 6 January 2014
The Daily Mail
If the vote of confidence from West Ham's owners was not bad enough for
manager Sam Allardyce, he has also acquired a player who has been relegated
in each of his last three seasons. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
released an open letter in which they acknowledged the manager had to field
a young and inexperienced team in a 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest.
They also vowed to sign players in January and started with Roger Johnson,
who has been relegated in each of his last three seasons and has moved to
Upton Park from Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season.
Allardyce, never the most popular manager at Upton Park, is under intense
scrutiny. Two wins in 13 games culminated in the humiliation at Forest on
Sunday, yet his side are in a Capital One Cup semi-final, with important
players nearing fitness and the promise of more signings to follow Johnson.
Giant Ivorian striker Lacina Traore is supposed to be on his way if a work
permit can be secured next week. Traore has a deal to join Monaco from Anzhi
Makhachkala in the summer and permission from the French club to spend the
next six months at West Ham. The Hammers also enquired on Monday about
Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey and could snatch him from the clutches of
Crystal Palace, who have yet to agree a fee for him. Sullivan and Gold, in
an open letter to supporters on Monday, said Allardyce had only 14 fit
senior players for three games, starting at Forest, and accepted his reasons
for selecting a young side. 'Like all West Ham supporters we feel
frustrated and hurt by our recent results,' said the letter. 'We understand
how you feel and we, the Board, feel the same.' They thanked fans for their
loyal support, no doubt aware of their growing discontent, but stopped short
of offering to compensate the 3,000 who travelled to the City Ground — apart
from one young boy caught sobbing on camera, who has been invited to watch a
game from the Upton Park directors' box. Instead, they said: 'Many key
players are out injured and Sam has been handed a near impossible task of
coming through three crucial games in the space of six days with a squad of
only 14 fit and available senior players. 'We know Sam has not lost his
ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham United a great
Premier League club.'
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Chelsea U21 2 West Ham U21 1: Ake compounds Hammers' cup woes as Baker
shines again after first-team debut
By ADAM SHERGOLD
PUBLISHED: 21:42, 6 January 2014 | UPDATED: 21:42, 6 January 2014
Daily M ail
Nathan Ake deepened the week's cup misery for West Ham's youngsters by
sending Chelsea into the last eight of the Under 21 Premier League Cup. The
day after Sam Allardyce's faith in youth resulted in FA Cup third round
humiliation at Nottingham Forest, another group of Hammers hopefuls
experienced the heartbreak of cup elimination. It was Chelsea's Lewis Baker,
another teenage prospect granted his first team debut in Sunday's cup ties,
who ran the show on a soggy Monday night in Aldershot. Having been given a
taste of what awaits him when Jose Mourinho threw him on for the last couple
of minutes at Derby, it was back to the daily grind for Baker. But rubbing
his shoulders with the seniors only seemed to inspire the prodigiously
talented midfielder, who set up first-half goals for Isaiah Brown and Ake,
made countless other openings and stuck the post with an early free-kick.
West Ham played their part in a contest affected by sheets of driving rain,
a swirling wind and a playing surface that visibly disintegrated into sticky
mud with every tackle. But their goal was a stroke of fortune - an own goal
from Blues goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney - and they should have been buried by
half-time as Chelsea wasted a hatful of good chances.
Baker gave a clear signal of his intentions as early as the third minute
when his whipped 25-yard free-kick was touched onto the post by West Ham
keeper Sam Howes. Not that the England youth international would be denied
for long - he played Isaiah Brown into space shortly afterwards and the
striker side-stepped his marker before leathering the ball through Howes and
into the net. The visitors had come close prior to Chelsea's opener when
captain Kieran Bywater's angled shot was pushed away by Beeney, and they
equalised when an otherwise innocuous low ball from right-back Jerry Amoo
hit Adam Nditi and bounced in off Beeney. It was a high octane opening and
Chelsea were soon back in front. Again, Baker was the architect, sliding the
perfect low through pass to Ake, playing in midfield rather than his usual
defensive station. The Dutchman showed plenty of composure to shoot across
Howes and into the far corner.
At this point, a repeat of the 3-3 league thriller back in November, when
Ake salvaged a late point, was on the cards. Chelsea threw everything
forward in search of a third, winning a succession of chances just before
half-time. An intricate one-two between Baker and Jeremie Boga deserved
better than the latter firing his shot straight at Howes. And the busy West
Ham stopper did brilliantly to turn away Boga's header with a reaction save
seconds later. The Hammers improved after the break and Jordan Brown was
sent clear by Nathan Mavila touch, only to lose composure and fire into
Beeney's hands.
At the other end, Brown found himself in a similar situation after Baker had
again released him but his hurried shot lacked power. A couple of minutes
later, a teasing right-wing cross from the lively John Swift was nudged
goalwards by Baker, only for Howes to again get in the way. Swift was
proving he's equally adept out wide as in his usual central position and he
drove inside well to fire fractionally wide with 20 minutes left. But
these missed chances didn't matter as Chelsea reached the quarter-finals
with plenty to spare.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Costs of West Ham Olympic Stadium Renovation Rise
January 6, 2014
http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/
A London-based infrastructure group has been awarded the contract for the
transformation of the 2012 Olympic Stadium amid concerns about the venue's
rising costs. Balfour Beatty has been awarded a 154 million-pound contract
to turn the facility into a new home ground for West Ham United, pushing the
total cost of the Summer Games venue to more than 580 million. The completed
project will feature a cantilevered roof, corporate offices, retractable
seats, and a capacity of 54,000. Work is expected to begin quickly with
completion expected by spring 2016. "[U]pon completion," said Balfour Beatty
chief executive Andrew McNaughton, "the stadium will provide a first-class
sporting and cultural facility for many generations to come." Balfour Beatty
was previously awarded the contracted to install the roof for 41 million
pounds. It will now lead the remainder of the project as well. The deal
comes under criticism as West Ham United plays under threat of relegation
and questions about whether the club will be able to sell enough tickets to
justify the move. "Where is the cash coming from? Who's paying for it? We
still don't really know, but chances are we're all contributing," said
Andrew Boff of the London Assembly, according to The Guardian. "Taxpayers
shouldn't be paying for Premier League football clubs."
Club vice chair Karren Brady defended the decision, asserting that "West Ham
is not getting a free stadium." "The stadium was built for the Olympics and
what are we going to do with it?," she said. "Across the world, stadiums
that are not used die. Without anchor tenants, the cost would be huge to the
taxpayer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham switch attention to Chelsea star
Sportsdirectnews.com
Exclusive
by Mark Brus6th January 2014 9:23pm GMT
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce could target a loan move for Chelsea
left-back Ryan Bertrand after missing out on Alexander Buttner. SportsDirect
News understands that Buttner had become a top target for the Hammers this
January, though he confirmed earlier today that he would be looking to stay
at United to fight for his place. This has seemingly now seen Allardyce
enquire about Bertrand's potential availability, with the 24-year-old
currently behind both Ashley Cole and Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order
at Stamford Bridge. Bertrand has been out on loan at five different clubs in
the past, and West Ham may look to sign him with the view to a permanent
transfer on this occasion. The former England Under-21 international has
also been linked with Southampton and Liverpool in recent times.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ake gives Chelsea youngsters cup victory
Soccer - NextGen Series - Group Three - Chelsea v Ajax - EBB Stadium
06/01/2014
By Matt Barrett
Westlondonsport.com
Nathan Ake's first-half goal gave Chelsea a 2-1 win against West Ham, taking
them through to the quarter-finals of the Under-21 Premier League Cup.
Driving rain meant both teams had to contend with atrocious conditions at
Aldershot, where the Blues made a great start and went ahead after only six
minutes. Lewis Baker, who made his first-team debut at Derby on Sunday, went
close after barely a minute when his free-kick was tipped on to the post by
outstanding keeper Sam Howes. Isaiah Brown fired in the opener before the
visitors drew level when Jerry Amoo's cross was deflected past keeper Mark
Beeney by the unfortunate Ake. But Ake then restored the lead by finishing
well after being set up by Baker. Dermot Drummy's side are now unbeaten in
12 games, having won nine of them. And they would have beaten the young
Hammers by a bigger margin but for the brilliance of Howes, who produced
fine saves to deny Baker, Brown and Jeremie Boga.
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