Daily WHUFC News - 8th January 2014

Manchester City match preview
WHUFC.com
All the important information ahead of Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg tie
07.01.2014

MANCHESTER CITY v WEST HAM UNITED
CAPITAL ONE CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
ETIHAD STADIUM
WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

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Introduction
• West Ham United journey to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final tie against Manchester City.
• The Hammers will be hoping to erase memories of their 5-0 FA Cup with Budweiser defeat to Nottingham Forest last Sunday with a strong performance against Manuel Pellegrini's side.
• Sam Allardyce's team produced a brilliant comeback against Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals as goals from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga inspired them to a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.
• Spurs joined Burnley, Cardiff City and Cheltenham Town in being defeated by the Hammers as they secured a passage through to face Manchester City for a place in the final.
• The Hammers will be hoping to take a positive result into the second leg which will take place at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 21 January.
• Manchester City booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 away win over Sky Bet Championship side Leicester City.
• The Citizens have also dispatched Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic to get this far in the competition.
• Edin Dzeko has been the man to watch during the Sky Blues' run to this stage, netting in each of their three matches and totalling four goals in the process.
• Manuel Pellegrini's team come into the match having been held to a 1-1 draw with Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Team news
West Ham United
• Mark Noble may recover from a calf injury sustained against Fulham on New Year's Day in time for the game at the Etihad. Captain Kevin Nolan will however be unavailable as he serves the second game of his four-match suspension.
• Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te are now back in full training.
• Defensive trio James Tomkins (groin), James Collins (calf) and Winston Reid (ankle) will all miss out although new signing Roger Johnson could make his debut having signed on a loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Manchester City
• Sergio Aguero (calf) and Dedryck Boyata will miss the match with the latter absent through suspension after being sent-off in the Citizens' FA Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.
• Micah Richards and Stevan Jovetic are regaining fitness following hamstring injuries but the game against the Hammers may come too soon for them whilst Martin Demichalis has recovered in time for the game.
• Another victim of hamstring problems is midfielder Jack Rodwell who is likely to face more time on the sidelines after suffering the injury ahead of the game against Blackburn.
• Jesus Navas is also not in line to play on Wednesday night as a precaution over a knee injury.
Last time out
Nottingham Forest 5-0 West Ham United
FA Cup with Budweiser third round
5 January 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Potts, Diarra (Burke 55), Driver, Downing (Turgott 64), Lletget, Moncur (Fanimo 55), Whitehead, Jarvis, Maiga, Morrison
Subs not used: Spiegel, Lee, Maguire, Gordon
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Manchester City
FA Cup with Budweiser third round
4 January 2014
Manchester City: Pantillimon, Boyata, Clichy, Lescott, Nastasic, Fernandinho (Toure 64), Milner, Garcia, Dzeko, Negredo (Navas 74), Silva (Zabaleta 88)
Subs not used: Hart, Kompany, Kolarov, Lopes
Goals: Negredo 45
Previous meeting
A stunning goal from Ricardo Vaz Te was not enough to stop the Hammers from slipping to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground. The winger produced an overhead kick after 58 minutes to beat Joe Hart and hand the home side hope after two well-taken goals from Sergio Aguero had put City in control. Any hopes of gaining a point were dashed ten minutes from time however when David Silva curled a shot into the top corner of the net to hand the visitors all three points.
West Ham United: Jaakelainen, Demel (O'Brien 65), Reid, Tomkins, Rat, Noble, Nolan (Petric 83), Diame, Morrison, Downing, Vaz Te (Jarvis 65)
Subs not used: Adrian, Taylor, J Cole, C Cole
Goals: Vaz Te 58
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Garcia, Nastasic, Clichy, Toure, Nasri (Milner 74), Fernandinho, Aguero (Jovetic 82), Negredo (Kolarov 66), Silva
Subs not used: Pantillimon, Dzeko, Lescott, Zabaleta
Goals: Aguero 16, 51, Silva 80
Head-to-head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
13 October 2013 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
27 April 2013 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
3 November 2012 - West Ham United 0-0 Manchester City
1 May 2011 - Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United
11 December 2010 - West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City

9 May 2010 - West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City

Overall record v Manchester City (all competitions) W 35 D 16 L 44
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League 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 to Premier League via Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
Manchester City
2012/13 Premier League 2nd (78 points)
2011/12 Premier League 1st (89 points - champions)
2010/11 Premier League 3rd (71 points)
2009/10 Premier League 5th (67 points)

2008/09 Premier League 10th (50 points)

2007/08 Premier League 9th (55 points)

2006/07 Premier League 14th (42 points)

2005/06 Premier League 15th (43 points)

2004/05 Premier League 8th (52 points)

2003/04 Premier League 16th (41 points)

Old boys
• Richard Wright signed for West Ham United in July 2007 following his release by Everton. The goalkeeper did not make a first-team appearance for the Hammers and, after being loaned to Southampton in March 2008, joined Ipswich Town in July of the same year. The keeper joined Preston North End after leaving the Tractor Boys but only for a brief period before leaving the club by mutual consent. He is now a Manchester City player after joining the Citizens shortly after his release by Preston.
• Other players to have turned out for both clubs include Tal Ben Haim, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bridge, Ian Bishop, James Cumming, Justin Fashanu, Marc-Vivien Foe, Kevin Horlock, David James, Patrick Leonard, Steve Lomas, Carlos Tevez, Trevor Morley, John Payne, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Sinclair, Paulo Wanchope and Mark Ward.
• Former West Ham United centre-back Malcolm Allison joined Manchester City as assistant manager in 1965. Under the guidance of Allison and manager Joe Mercer, the club enjoyed a sustained period of success, winning the Division One title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and both the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970. After taking over from Mercer in 1971, Allison resigned in March 1973, later returning to Maine Road for a second spell in charge between 1979 and 1980.
• Allison's former West Ham United team-mate John Bond took charge of Manchester City following Allison's departure in October 1980, remaining in charge until February 1983.
• One-time West Ham United left-back Stuart Pearce took charge of Manchester City between March 2005 and May 2007.
Background
• West Ham United have played Manchester City on 95 occasions with the Hammers coming out on top in 35 matches, 16 games ending in draws and 44 defeats by the Citizens.
• The Club's first away trip to the blue half of Manchester ended in a 2-1 loss with Vic Watson scoring the visitors' only goal in a Division One game played at Maine Road back on 3 May 1924.
• The Hammers were winless in their first five trips to Maine Road before recording a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Jimmy Ruffell on 17 October 1931 in a Division One clash.
• West Ham's biggest win away at Manchester City came on 8 September 1962 as two goals from Malcolm Musgrove and a goal apiece for Geoff Hurst, Johnny Byrne, Tony Scott and Martin Peters fired the visitors to an impressive win in the First Division.
• The Hammers' last away win over Wednesday night's opponents came in the FA Cup back on 20 March 2006. Dean Ashton scored twice as the Club reached the semi-finals of the competition thanks to a 2-1 win at the City of Manchester Stadium, as it was then known.
• The sides have played each other in the League Cup only two times after a replay was required in 1983 to separate the teams following a 0-0 draw at Maine Road. Steve Whitton scored the goal in a replay at the Boleyn Ground but couldn't stop his side from slipping to a 2-1 defeat.
Referee
• The referee for the first leg of the semi-final will be Jonathan Moss.
• Moss was last in charge of the Hammers when West Ham suffered a 3-1 defeat to Norwich City back on 9 November 2013.
• During the two Capital One Cup games which he has taken charge of this season, Moss has shown just one yellow card.
• Headteacher Moss was promoted to the Select Group of Referees in June 2011.
• He took charge of the 2005 Conference Play-Off final between Carlisle United and Stevenage and was then promoted to the National Group of Referees.
• He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Michael McDonough whilst the fourth official will be Howard Webb.
General Information
• Light rain is forecast for Wednesday night's game with temperatures around 7C (44F).
• There are still tickets available for the semi-final clash and these can be purchased on the night from Manchester City's Stadium Ticket Office which is situated at the north end of the stadium.
• Tickets for the lower tier are priced at £25 Adults, £15 Over-65s/16-21 yrs, £5 Under-16s. Whilst in the upper tier they are available for £30 Adults, £20 Over-65s/16-21 yrs, £10 Under-16s.
• Visiting supporters should be aware that there is no street parking available around the Etihad Stadium. There is a residents parking scheme in place covering a wide area which is strictly enforced. Anyone parking in these areas will be clamped and/or fined.
• Supporters are advised to use the MCFC Accredited Car Parks around the stadium, where there is matchday parking available on a first come first served basis.
• Alternatively supporters are advised to use public transport wherever possible. The Etihad Stadium is around 20 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, or there are frequent shuttle buses operating to and from the Stadium.
• If travelling by train to Manchester, click here for travel updates.

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Big Sam on: Manchester City
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce faced the media ahead of the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City
07.01.2014

Sam Allardyce has spoken to the assembled press ahead of West Ham United's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg tie against Manchester City on Wednesday night. The Hammers travel to the Etihad Stadium to play Manuel Pellegrini's side and ahead of the clash, Big Sam answered questions about new signing Roger Johnson, the latest team news and how to stop the Citizens' free-scoring attack.

Morning Sam, what did you make of the statement made by the Joint-Chairmen yesterday?

SA: "I'm obviously pleased by the united front which we seek to keep under these difficult times and when it becomes public from the Joint-Chairmen then it's obviously very nice to see and hear. From our point of view, we are all understanding of the difficult position we're in at the moment after several discussions on the reasons why and we have to all work through it together in the hope that we turn it round into a positive reaction in terms of results. We've got a massive game coming up on Wednesday and we move forward and get focussed on that."

One of the key points they made was that they back you in the transfer market and you've already brought in Roger Johnson, what do you think he can bring to the Club?

SA: "Our central defensive situation has been so difficult recently and it's one of the main reasons why we haven't achieved the results we wanted. All of our other efforts in securing a central defender, prior to knowing that Roger was available, were difficult. The one big thing about Roger is his Premier League experience at Birmingham City, his height in terms of being a central defender which has been one of our weak points recently and his desire to come and show that he has still got the capabilities to play at this level. "He's also not cup-tied, so, going into one of the biggest games of the season for us with somebody of the experience, height and aerial dominance against, lets's face it, one of the biggest sides in the Premier League. If you look across the board with [Edin] Dzeko, [Alvaro] Negredo, Yaya Toure, [Vincent] Kompany and [Matika] Nastasic we have to be aerially very competent on Wednesday and Roger will be a great help in that area. He is very determined and very excited about the opportunity he's got after being frozen out at Wolves and pursuing his career at Sheffield Wednesday recently."

How close are you to bringing in other new faces?

SA: "Reasonably close without being absolutely certain. One never really says we've got a deal until the deal is signed on the dotted line because too many times in my experience you can be very close to a deal and then something materialises which makes it fall through. We hope that within the next few days that one or two more may get clinched."

You've also been linked with Wayne Hennessey, is goalkeeper an area that you're looking to strengthen?

SA: "No, we don't need a goalkeeper, we're very comfortable in that area with the four goalkeepers we have here so we're OK in that department."

There were photos after the game on Sunday of some of the younger fans who were very upset, how much sympathy do you have for them?

SA: "I have a lot of sympathy for them, there's no doubt about that. All I can do is say that I was telling everybody weeks before we played Nottingham Forest that the situation we are in at this moment in time would mean that I would be playing some of the young players in the team. Unlike what you would normally do as a manager, try to expose your team before you play somebody, I did because of the situation we were in and the three games we had this week. I explained to everybody weeks before, days before the game and then obviously after the game so for me that's now done and dusted. The Chairman has gone to try and contact those particular youngsters who were upset and invited them in."

How significant is this week for you with Manchester City tomorrow and then Cardiff City on the weekend?

SA: "The significance of it is why I played so many young players on Sunday. I have to be brave enough to make these decisions, I could have easily played a full strength side and then come tomorrow night that full strength side would have been a lot weaker because of its lack of recovery time against the biggest team in the Premier League at home throughout this season. I had to get the freshest team I possibly could on Wednesday to try and compete against the most free-scoring Premier League side. I had to try and give us our best chance of doing something over the first leg to then come into the second leg to see if we can try and get to the final."

Is anybody returning from injuries tomorrow night?

SA: "The players that are injured are still there, still recovering, but I think Mark Noble has the biggest chance to recover and play tomorrow which would be a bonus for us. Like I said, we've got to get a team out that has competed exceptionally well in this competition throughout. None more so than what we did in the last round against Tottenham Hotspur so if I can get a performance like that from the players tomorrow night then we will be in with a chance. Whether we can take our opportunities as we've done in previous rounds will be a key moment for us, we won't get many as we know, but we have to be defensively resilient as we were at Tottenham and then take full advantage of what chances we may create."

How do you feel about tomorrow's game, do you really think you can beat Manchester City?

SA: "We don't have to beat them on Wednesday night we have to come back with something realistic to beat them at home if we can. We have to stay as focussed as we can and we have to nullify what is a great attacking force at home. Everybody knows what that is and how good that is. We have to work along the lines of what Crystal Palace did recently which was be very well organised, be a very well structured team that makes it extremely difficult for the talents that Manchester City have got. Hopefully we can do that on Wednesday night and when we come to the end of the game it's only half-time at that stage."

It must be nice to still be in the cup but is it ultimately all about league survival?

SA: "I would have preferred it to come with a lot more players fit and not in this position that we're in at the moment but we have to face the reality of what comes along in football. We're in a very exciting cup tie with a massive, massive feeling of joy at the end of it if, as big as the game is and the underdogs that we are, we believe that we can get there and believe that we can get to Wembley. It's been done by clubs before at this level. I did it at Bolton, quite a few years ago now when we beat Aston Villa in the semi-final. With a bit of luck, a bit of fortune and the right amount of organisation, desire and commitment from the players we feel as though we can give it our best shot."

What's the latest on Andy Carroll's fitness?

SA: "He's training well, training with us today and hopefully very shortly he'll be seen on the bench in the next week or so."

Is it ultimately about Premier League survival though?

SA: "Not on Wednesday night, no. Otherwise we wouldn't have done what we did against the teams in the previous rounds. It's all about trying to get to the final and we'll worry about the Cardiff game after that. The only major reason we have our problems with cup competitions, particularly in the early rounds, is injuries. Most of your injuries, in the main, occur in match situations rather than training, that's why people use all of their squad particularly in the early rounds of the cups. They fear that an injury might keep a player out of a Premier League game for a period of time and that's what you don't want to happen."

In contrast to the Premier League where you've put in good performances and not got the results it's not been the case so far in this cup run has it?

SA: "We've had a great run and the thing about the cup competition up to now is the early part of the cup competition we changed the players around and used the squad because it was a fully fit squad at that stage. A fully fit squad of players shows what we can do when we have all the players fit. It shows that we can change the side, unlike the Forest game, but we played the squad players and whilst people were looking at us saying I was going to change the team round for the Tottenham game and we went and beat them. With the stage we're in and the difficulties we're experiencing at the moment, it's my job to keep everybody focussed. It's my job to keep everybody fit and well that is presently fit and not risk playing them in too many games so they pick up injuries."

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Johnson ready for cup clash
WHUFC.com
Roger Johnson is eager to get started after joining the Club on loan for the remainder of the season
07.01.2014

New recruit, Roger Johnson, says he is up for the fight after joining West Ham United on loan for the remainder of the 2013/14 season. The centre-back, who has joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is likely to be thrown straight into the squad to face Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday night due to the Hammers' current injury problems. If selected it's likely to be a baptism of fire for the 30-year-old, who will be facing a side that are yet to lose in domestic competition at the Etihad Stadium this season. Johnson told West Ham TV of his delight at signing for the Club, as well as his excitement ahead of making what could be his debut on Wednesday night. "I'm really happy," he exclaimed. "It's a massive Club and I've been given a great opportunity so I'm really pleased to be here. "It's a massive game, I did look at the fixtures and after speaking to a few people they told me that I if I did sign that would be my first game, so hopefully I'll be in the team. "If not, I'll be on the bench and if I come on I'll try and do what I can to get the Club into the final."

The Surrey-born centre-back needs no introduction to the competition having won the tournament with Birmingham City back in 2011 when it was known as the Carling Cup. En route to the final that year Johnson and his then employers came up against the Hammers at the semi-final stage where they progressed after the defender had equalised to send the tie to extra-time, before Craig Gardener scored the winning goal. Now appearing in claret and blue, the defender hopes to make a difference for, rather than against, West Ham after receiving a warm welcome to the Club. "I've obviously played here a few times for other clubs and like I said earlier this is a massive Club. "I'm really, really pleased to be here, the lads have made me feel really welcome so now I just want to crack on and play, train and hopefully do what I can for the Club. "[2011] was a great experience. In the semi-final against West Ham I can remember scoring and taking it to extra-time so I hope the fans don't hold it against me. This time round I'll be trying to do the same for West Ham now."

Johnson also has plenty of Barclays Premier League experience to add to his League Cup pedigree having spent time in the top-flight with the Blues and Wolves after originally impressing with spells at Cardiff City and Wycombe Wanderers. Whilst he admits his spell with Wolves hasn't gone as planned, the defender is eager to prove any doubters wrong by helping the Club to move up the table. "The Premier League is what it's all about, it's the best league in the world and there was no way I was going to turn it down. "I think everyone knows that my time at Wolves wasn't ideal for whatever reason so to be given another opportunity in the Premier League is great and I'll be doing my utmost to prove the doubters wrong. "The fight for league status and the chance to prove a lot of people wrong that I can play at this level is a massive challenge and I'm bang up for it."

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Andy Carroll close to West Ham return - Sam Allardyce
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says the club's record £15m signing Andy Carroll is near to a first-team return. Striker Carroll, 25, made his loan to the Hammers from Liverpool permanent in the summer but has not played since because of a foot injury. "Andy is training today [Tuesday] and hopefully we'll see him on the bench in the next week or so," said Allardyce. Carroll's return will be a boost for Allardyce, whose side are second from bottom of the Premier League. The England international scored seven goals in 24 games for the Upton Park club while on loan last season. He is unlikely to figure in West Ham's trip to Manchester City for the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday, but could be in the squad for the club's key league game at fellow strugglers Cardiff on Saturday. Allardyce's injury problems have seen him sign central defender Roger Johnson on loan from Wolves until the end of the season and the 30-year-old is in the squad to face City.

Johnson is likely to start that match, with fellow defenders Winston Reid, James Collins and James Tomkins still on the club's injury list. West Ham go into the game on the back of an inexperienced side being thrashed 5-0 by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan issuing an open letter in support of Allardyce. "I'm obviously pleased by the united front we are trying to keep under these difficult times at the moment," said the Hammers boss. "When it comes public from the co-chairmen it is nice to see and hear. From our point of view we are all understanding the difficult position we are in at the moment. "We all have to work through it together in the hope that we turn it around in to a positive reaction in terms of our results. "The day-to-day running of the football club is all I'm focused on. "I keep in touch with the owners on a regular basis, it is a daily basis at the moment. I would be more worried if that communication went quiet."

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Man City v West Ham United
KO 19:45
7 January 2014
Last updated at 12:04

CAPITAL ONE CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
Venue: Etihad Stadium Date: Wednesday, 8 January
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 2315 BST, BBC One.

Manchester City's Jesus Navas has been ruled out with a knee injury. Sergio Aguero and Micah Richards are back in training but both are not yet ready for a first-team return.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will put Roger Johnson straight into his squad after the defender signed on loan from Wolves for the rest of the season.
They are still without a host of injured players including Winston Reid and Andy Carroll, while captain Kevin Nolan is banned.

MATCH PREVIEW

A trip to the Etihad is probably the last ground in English football that beleaguered West Ham manager Sam Allardyce would like his team to visit right now given his side's shocking run of form and appalling injury list. The 5-0 defeat his shadow side suffered at the hands of Championship club Nottingham Forest at the weekend saw speculation increase that Allardyce was set to lose his job but in a letter to the club's supporters he received the backing, for now, from Hammers' co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan. West Ham have never won the League Cup but the odds on them beating Manchester City over two legs of this semi-final are very long indeed. City are unstoppable at home and have scored an incredible 53 goals in 14 matches at the Etihad this season. Allardyce will surely be hoping the best his injury-ravaged squad can do is limit the damage to give his side any hope in the second leg at Upton Park.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Manchester City have met West Ham United once in the League Cup back in 1984, beating the Hammers 2-1 in a replay at Upton Park after a goalless draw at Maine Road.
City won the last meeting between the two clubs, away at Upton Park, 3-1 in October.
West Ham have won only once at the Etihad Stadium, beating City in an FA Cup quarter-final tie in 2006.
Both clubs were semi-finalists in 1964 and 2011, with West Ham losing to the eventual winners on both occasions.
Manchester City

City have twice won the League Cup, beating West Bromwich Albion in 1970 and Newcastle United in 1976 - and were losing finalists against Wolves in 1974.
Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko has scored in all three of City's ties so far this season.
None of City's League Cup scorers this season have been English.
Liverpool are the only side to beat Manchester City in a home semi-final tie in this competition - in 1981 and 2012.
West Ham United

West Ham have been losing finalists twice in League Cup history - versus West Bromwich Albion in 1966 and Liverpool in 1981.
The Hammers have scored nine goals in four League Cup ties, almost half the 19 goals they have scored in 20 league games.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce led former club Bolton to the 2004 League Cup final where they lost to Middlesbrough.

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Big Sam: we can beat City
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th January 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce believes his team can beat title-chasers Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi final over the course of two legs.

Big Sam takes his team to Manchester tomorrow night as they face a formidable task against the 2011/12 Premier League champions. But despite being hampered by a string of injuries, Allardyce believes that if his team keep it tight for the first leg, glory could await.

"We don't have to beat them on Wednesday night," he said. "We have to come back with something realistic to beat them at home if we can. We have to stay as focused as we can and we have to nullify what is a great attacking force at home. Everybody knows what that is and how good that is.

"We have to work along the lines of what Crystal Palace did recently which was be well organised and well-structured, a team that makes it extremely difficult for Manchester City. Hopefully we can do that on Wednesday night as when we come to the end of the game, it's only half-time at that stage.

"I would have preferred to have a lot more players fit and with us not in the position that we're in at the moment, but we're in a very exciting cup tie. Underdogs that we are, we believe that we can get there and believe that we can get to Wembley.

"It's been done by clubs before at this level. I did it at Bolton quite a few years ago now when we beat Aston Villa in the semi-final. With a bit of luck, a bit of fortune and the right amount of organisation, desire and commitment from the players, we feel as though we can give it our best shot."

One player tipped as an outside bet for a place in the 18-man squad at Eastlands is Andy Carroll, who recently returned to full training. However Allardyce refused to be drawn on a return date, stating simply that: "He's training well and hopefully he'll be seen on the bench in the next week or so."

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Two more to follow, says Allardyce
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th January 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce has revealed that he hopes to sign 'one or two more' players before the end of the week.

The under-pressure manager made his first signing of the January window yesterday when he brought former Birmingham and Wolves centre half Roger Johnson in to act as defensive cover. However he hopes to add further new faces ahead of this weekend's trip to Cardiff - one of which is almost certainly striker Lacina Traore.

"We're reasonably close without being absolutely certain," revealed Allardyce. "One never really says we've got a deal until the dotted line is signed because in my experience you can be very close to a deal and then something materialises which makes it fall through. We hope that within the next few days that one or two more may get clinched.

"All of our efforts in securing a central defender, prior to knowing that Roger was available, were difficult. The one big thing about Roger is his Premier League experience at Birmingham City, his height in terms of being a central defender which has been one of our weak points recently and his desire to come and show that he has still got the capabilities to play at this level."

And for the benefit of Hammers fans who remember the Manny Omoyinmi scandal, Allardyce added: "He's also not cup-tied..."

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McAvennie: it's time for change
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th January 2014
By: Staff Writer

Frank McAvennie believes that West Ham are taking "a major gamble" by sticking with Sam Allardyce - but insists that they can still avoid relegation.

The Hammers legend, speaking in an exclusive interview with the KUMB.com Podcast - the latest episode of which is now available - revealed that despite having initially backed the appointment of Allardyce, he has since lost faith with the manager due to the team's dreadful first half of the 2013/14 campaign that leaves them just one place off the bottom of the Premier League.

"I think a change of manager might help," said McAvennie, who scored 60 goals for the Hammers in 191 appearances between 1985-92. "Sam's got a lot of backroom staff but it doesn't matter how many stats you fling at me, the game is simple - he can either get the ball down and play, or he can't. Unfortunately there's too many players there that aren't good enough to play in the Premier League, let alone play for West Ham.

"West Ham are going to the Olympic Stadium and they don't need a team from the Championship to go there. Sullivan and Gold are taking a major gamble and I feared for Sam's job after the 5-0 [defeat at Nottingham Forest]. "I think they've got enough [to avoid relegation] if they get everyone back, but I think a wee change might be better for the Club.

"I was one of those all for Sam, but it just hasn't happened."

McAvennie, now 54, also believes that the vast financial rewards which await any top flight professional footballer in England have also served to undermine both team spirit and a will to succeed. However he was at a loss to explain an apparent lack of passion and cohesion amongst the team.

"I don't know if it's the dressing room, I honestly can't understand it," he said. "When we were there and things weren't going right we sat ourselves down, locked the door for a few hours and got it sorted with all the players. I don't think people do that now, they just put their headphones on and walk out the door. I don't think they really talk to each other.

"It's a bit different to my time and they say football's better for it - but I don't think so. Money talks and these fellas are very wealthy guys now. Don' get me wrong - I'm delighted the guys are getting loads of money - but I'd just like to see that bit of fire in their bellies and hunger to play for the jersey.

"Also, to go out and enjoy themselves. Everyone's a millionaire, but I don't see anyone laughing! You never see anyone laughing during a game now - and if you're enjoying yourself you're going to play better. Some of the fans who pay to watch them have major [financial] problems but they find the money to go - and they see them not bothering.

"I don't agree with all that."

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West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has not asked for move
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @graemebailey | Last Updated: 07/01/14 4:12pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands that Ravel Morrison has not asked to leave West Ham United, to join Fulham or another club. Reports had claimed that Morrison had asked West Ham to leave the club, and that he wanted to join Fulham. However, we understand that Morrison has not made any demands to the club. It is believed that significant release clauses in his contract have yet to be triggered by any formal offers from rival clubs. Morrison, who is being tipped to make England's World Cup squad, has broken through into West Ham's first team this year - becoming a crucial member of Sam Allardyce's squad.

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West Ham target Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida
Last Updated: 07/01/14 7:16pm
SSN

Sky sources understand that West Ham have renewed their interest in Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida. The Hammers were linked with a move for the Portugal international in the summer, but Almeida remained in Turkey and has netted 10 goals in 15 appearances for Besiktas. Manager Sam Allardyce is thought to be still interested in the 29-year-old, although he is yet to table a formal offer for the frontman. The east Londoners have struggled to score goals in the absence of Andy Carroll and the arrival of Almeida would add some additional firepower to their squad. Almeida started his career at Porto and left his home country for a spell at Werder Bremen before moving to Besiktas in 2011. West Ham are also believed to be lining up a loan deal with Monaco for striker Lacina Traore as they prepare for a survival push in the next few months.

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IS LACINA TRAORE OUR NEW STRIKER?
By Tony Hanna 7 Jan 2014 at 17:03
West Ham till I Die

For a few days now the press have been all over the possible loan signing of Lacina Traore from Monaco to West Ham. It seems apparent that Monaco are prepared to let the striker leave for the remainder of this season, despite only just signing for them a few days ago on a 4.5 year contract. Traore had scored 15 goals in 28 games for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala (that's a commentator's nightmare), before his move to Monaco, who beat off challenges from several clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool. His nickname is the "Gentle Giant". Traore is only the latest of a stream of players to leave Anzhi as the club is in free fall after Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov cut spending to the club.


He certainly looks like a Sam type of player at 6'8" in the old, and that is 1/2" taller than Peter Crouch. If he did get to play in the Premier League he would break Crouch's record as tallest outfield player to play in the league since its inception. He has represented his country, the Ivory Coast, on seven occasions scoring four goals. His transfer fee to Monaco was for an undisclosed sum, but it is believed to have been around £18 million. The 23 year old has scored on a regular basis for all four clubs he has played for and looks like he would be great asset should we secure the deal.

The main source for this transfer speculation is the Daily Mail so you can make of this what you like. Rumours do abound that he will have a medical in the next 48 hours but the Hammers would have to ensure a working permit would be granted before sealing the deal. This could be the sticking point and may well be why the Hammers are also considering a buy deal for Rickie Lambert. The bookies have Lambert priced up at 5/2 to join West Ham, which at this stage of proceedings would suggest he isn't coming.

If you "trust" the bookies, they have 5/1 Man Utd and 8/1 Liverpool to sign Ravel Morrison and very long prices any other team. Again, this would suggest Ravel is not going anywhere this transfer window. Adabeyor is 3/1 to join West Ham, although you could not see Spurs letting him go now, and Jelavic is the same price. Surprisingly, the shortest priced forward on the bookies books for a move to East London is the 9/4 Demba Ba. At the other end of the field, the shortest price anywhere on a player coming to West Ham this window is 5/4 Joleon Lescott.

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DOES RICKIE LAMBERT WANT TO JOIN WEST HAM?
By Sean Whetstone 7 Jan 2014 at 12:00
West Ham Till I Die

One rumour that refuses to go way is that West Ham are chasing 31 year old Southampton striker Rickie Lambert. I originally dismissed this speculation as paper or agent talk as I knew we were only really interested in loan deals for strikers and believed that Southampton were unlikely to want to part with the services of Rickie Lambert.

It now appears this story has some real legs with West Ham making an offer of 55% of Southampton's valuation up front plus some instalments afterwards.

I understand Southampton are adamant they want the full valuation believed to £8 million up front in one payment.

Whether the player himself would agree personal terms remains another problem. While his club and agent may be happy to do the deal it is not exactly the dream career move and he is believed reluctant to move to West Ham. Whenever he has been asked about his long-term future, Rickie Lambert has always stated his desire to end his playing career at Southampton. He has scored 99 league goals and 110 goals in all competitions since joining the Saints in 2009.

The carrot to persuade him is his wages, he is understood to be on £35,000 per week at Southampton with some tabloids claiming he could nearly double that by joining West Ham on £65,000 per week. If true I am not sure how we would fit that into our Financial Fair Play wage cap? That is nearly £1.7m for the remainder of this season and another £3.38m the following season.

Spending up to £8m on Rickie Lambert could hardly be seen as a future investment for a player who turns 32 years of age next month. The investment would be purely be the gamble that his goals can keep in the premier league this season.

Personally I doubt this deal will come off. We know David Sullivan likes a deal but Southampton are unlikely to sell Lambert on the cheap. Southampton don't need to sell so we know who holds all the cards on this deal. Big question is how desperate are we?

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Majority of West Ham supporters back Sam Allardyce insists Sam Allardyce
Jan 07, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis 0 Comments
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce insists he has the backing of most West Ham fans. While supporters have voiced their frustration from the stands and on social media during the Hammers' recent bad run, Big Sam maintains it is a different story when he meets them face to face. The Upton Park boss - also publicly backed by the club's owners on Monday - said: "Most of the West Ham fans I meet and have pictures taken with and stand and talk to are very positive. Not the minority who show their disapproval. "It's only a minority, not a majority. The people I see and bump into in this area [east London], or before games away from home, ask for autographs and pictures. They're always very positive. "The negative side of it, people getting disgruntled, you understand the frustration because people want to see results. We understand they pay the money and are able to do that. But it is still a minority. The only way to make them feel better is by winning games of football."

Allardyce was speaking ahead of the first leg of West Ham's Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday. He goes into the contest needing an improved display from his men after just one win in their last 13 Premier league games and Sunday's 5-0 FA Cup humiliation when he fielded a shadow team full of youngsters at Championship side Nottingham Forest. Despite a public statement backing him 24 hours later from Hammers co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan, Allardyce admits he is still under pressure to turn things around. Former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp, now in charge across London at QPR, remains the odds-on favourite for Allardyce's job. He added: "The owners' track record proves they haven't been too rushed into anything. They've never been too rushed into what decisions they make. "Over the last 18-20 years, they've given the managers they've had a good chance and stuck by them when things are not going so well. "History tells you continually changing managers doesn't mean success. But I'm realistic to know I have to get results, particularly quickly from my point of view, as a manager. [It] depends on what results I get from now until... well, over the next few weeks or games.
"In the end, we all know what happens if you don't get results as a manager."

There is a glimmer of good news for Allardyce with England striker Andy Carroll getting closer to a first team return. The club-record signing has yet to feature this season after taking longer than first anticipated to recover from a foot injury, but Allardyce said: "Hopefully we'll see him on the bench in the next week or so."

The West Ham boss also dismissed claims that Ravel Morrison wants to join Fulham, as the club explores ways to raise much-needed transfer cash: "There's no truth in that. But I'm not surprised there's another rumour about Ravel Morrison. We haven't had any discussions about Ravel Morrison being sold by this club."

Big Sam insisted even an aerial game would be futile at the Etihad against Manuel Pellegrini's Blues. "Look at what Manchester City do from an aerial point of view," he said, "The dominance at set-pieces is another area you have to compete with them, as well as their ability to play football on the floor. "They have the full package. See how many goals Negredo scores with his head.Kompany. Yaya Toure. The people who deliver the balls, who provide the expert deliveries, are high quality technicians who can drop a ball into an area for these guys to cause you a huge amount of problems as well as the outstanding ability they have to play on the floor."

Probable teams
Manchester City Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Nasri, Silva, Milner; Negredo.

West Ham Jaaskelainen; Demel, Johnson, McCartney, Rat, Diame, Nolan, Jarvis, Morisson, Downing, Cole.

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West Ham hope to complete loan signing of Monaco's giant Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore
Jan 07, 2014 15:37 By Anders Anglesey 0 Comments
The Mirror

Under-pressure West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful a loan deal for Monaco striker Lacina Traore can be completed within the next 48 hours. Traore, who recently signed for Monaco on a four-and-a-half-year deal, will be loaned out immediately, with West Ham being the clear favourites to sign the Ivorian.
The 6ft 8in striker, also nicknamed the "Gentle Giant," would also follow former Anzhi Makhachkala stars Samuel Eto'o and Willian to London after owner Suleyman Kerimov drastically cut spending at the Dagestan based club. At a press conference earlier today Allardyce said that the Hammers were "reasonably close without being absolutely certain" of signing the Ivorian and are now waiting on a work permit and a completed medical before they can confirm taking Traore on loan. A completed signing would see some much needed firepower come to the Premier League strugglers, who have seen record signing Andy Carroll relegated to the treatment table for whole season so far, although the England striker may be fit enough to feature against Newcastle next week. Allardyce will be desperate to see Traore hit the ground running and lift West Ham out of the relegation zone, but the Ivorian has only one goal to his name this season scored against FC Lokomotiv Moscow back in July of last year.

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West Ham 'saviour' Andy Carroll returns to first-team training sporting a Jesus-esque beard
Jan 07, 2014 16:20 By Liam Prenderville 2 Comments
The Mirror

The return of Andy Carroll is likely to fill West Ham supporters with much optimism - as their side continue to struggle in the Premier League. However, his questionable facial hair is unlikely to be so popular - as he continues his attempts to look like Jesus. The Hammers' official Twitter account posted an image of Carroll back in training today - alongside new loan signing Roger Johnson - sporting a fully-grown beard, as he attempts his second coming at Upton Park.
Last month, the England international took to Twitter to post a picture of himself in an ice bath - bearing a passing resemblance to Jesus. The image was accompanied by the words "Jesus Christ....Just seen my twin in the ice bath." And while he is unexpected to be match fit for a considerable while, the Upton Park faithful will be hoping he can act as the club's saviour and resurrect their relegation-threatened season.

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