Daily WHUFC News - 27th February 2014

Big Sam on: Everton
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce faced the media on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday's trip
to Everton
27.02.2014

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce spoke to the assembled press on
Thursday morning ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton in the Barclays Premier
League. Ahead of the game at Goodison Park, Big Sam faced questions on the
latest team news, his side's excellent form and what sort of test he expects
from Roberto Martinez's team.

Morning Sam, what's the team news ahead of Everton on Saturday?

SA: "We're fine, I think. Andy's back in the squad, we still have a little
bit of a problem with Marco Borriello with his calf. Guy Demel had a severe
case of tonsillitis earlier this week, but he's back in today so we hope
that he's going to be OK. The squad is looking big, strong and confident at
the moment."

You said after the Aston Villa game that if you won the next two matches it
would be a tough decision to bring Andy back in, is it now a tough decision
for you?

SA: "Yes it's a tough decision based upon how Carlton performed last week
and obviously I will make that decision tomorrow when we pick the final
eleven to
go out and play against Everton. We know how tough the game is going to be
because last season we did well to keep the score down the way they played
against us, they were terrific. That's been carried on by Roberto so we know
we'll have a very tough game, even though the results haven't been as good
as they would like recently, they've played exceptionally well in every game
and lost by the odd goal. I watched the two live games against Tottenham and
Chelsea, and they will have been really gutted that they didn't get any
points out of those two games. Even though they've lost three out of their
last four, it's going to be a tough, tough match for us."

What do you make of the job Carlton has done while Andy has been out?

SA: "Really good. Since his re-introduction to the squad, after he spent a
long time in the wilderness over the summer, it took a little bit of time to
get him back in top condition and now he's done that he's produced more
goals than he did last season. Goals are what it's all about for us at the
moment. Our margins are good in terms of our last four games we've won them
all by two goals and scored two in most of the games and three last week.
"We've built a lot of confidence on the fact, particularly last week, that
we came back from 1-0 down to win 3-1 which is the first time we've done
that this season. Not needing a clean sheet to win a game, that's the first
time we've done that this season. Winning four games on the trot breeds a
huge amount of confidence within the team and we'll need all that confidence
and all that ability to get a result against Everton."

Andy Carroll has said he still believes he can make the England Squad for
the World Cup, do you think he can?

SA: "I don't see any reason why not, apart from the fact that it's in his
hands with what happens between now and the end of the season based upon his
performances when selected. After a disruptive first half of the season last
season he got into full flow and I think he scored eight goals in 12 games
and got selected by Roy Hodgson to go to Brazil. Unfortunately because he
got injured in the last game of the season against Reading he couldn't make
that trip. If he does the same again then there shouldn't be any problems
with Andy being in that final squad for Brazil. He's got to stay fit,
perform well and that will give him a great chance of being selected."

Just how far away do the pressures of five or six weeks ago feel now that
you're seven points clear of the relegation zone?

SA: "I don't think that you forget them, I think that you use them as a spur
to go on and continue to perform well and get the results. In that dark
period we had, we all battled our way through it which I thought we did
really well, particularly sticking together as a squad of players. We all
knew that if we got some of our key players back from the injuries and
suspensions that we suffered that we would be better and we've gone out and
proven that.
"Let's continue to prove that we are a team that's growing, we are a team
that's going to finish the season strongly and we are a team that's
hopefully going to finish in and around the position we finished last year.
That's the process of growing slowly in the Premier League. Unless you've
got millions of pounds to spend, it's very difficult to increase the quality
of your players and your squad."

How difficult was it for you to stick to your principles when you had the
bad run of results?

SA: "I don't think it's too difficult at my age and experience to know that.
In the early days you get distracted by it, by the huge amount of euphoria
that goes on around you, good or bad, and you can be putting yourself into
really dark places and worrying far too much. You've got to stay as calm as
you possibly can and you've got to know what works, and continue to promote
what works. Having the experience that I have at this level I knew it was
important to keep a cool head and keep telling the players the right things
to do and not get too distracted."

On this run of four wins, you beat three teams that were in and around the
relegation shake-up and last time out you came from behind to beat a team in
the top half. How does that win show the confidence of the team and how well
you're playing right now?

SA: "I read after the game that Southampton had an off day, not, oh my god
wasn't West Ham playing well and snuffing out a front-line that's been very
successful this season. So it was an off day for them and not great
defending from us. We learn to accept that as life goes on. Because we
structured the team to stop Southampton's strengths and expose their
weaknesses is why we won. Southampton had an off day because we made them
have an off day. They tried their best but we wouldn't let them be at their
best, and that's why we won the game.
"We nullified them, their only real chance was Gaston Ramirez when he came
on as sub from a team that everyone says is free-scoring, whereas we at the
other end were so clinical that we won the game comfortably 3-1 in the end.
It was a big game and a big challenge to us because they're proving to be a
very good team in the top half and have performed consistently well. It
should give us a lot of confidence going into Saturday because that's going
to be a bigger test than Southampton because they are, in my opinion, a much
better team than Southampton."

What do you think of the job Roberto Martinez has done at Everton, and what
difficulties do you think they will pose you?

SA: "It depends a lot now on is Romelu Lukaku fit. Without him they haven't
been as bigger threat in front of goal, even though they've played well up
to the point. Steven Naismith has done well in terms of goals that he's
scored, but the rest of the team have faltered in that area. Roberto has
carried on where David Moyes left off. At this stage, he's doing no better
and no worse. Now it's about what they can do for a final push. I think
he'll be disappointed they're not closer to the top four but it's still not
beyond their reach and we've got to make sure they don't secure all three
points on Saturday."

You touched on their lack of goals, are there similarities between the two
sides in that area?

SA: "It was our problem in the early part of the season, but at the moment,
no. We're scoring freely at the minute and in the last four games we've
scored nine goals and conceded one. If we try and keep that record up
against Everton on Saturday then we'll give them a very good game. Sooner or
later Everton will get back to winning ways and we've got to make sure they
don't do that on Saturday.
"From our point of view, it's a big result to try and get because on this
run we want to continue to play games. After Everton we don't have a game
for a few weeks because Hull City are now participating in the quarter
finals of the FA Cup. That's why this game is more important to get a result
and keep our run
going because you don't want to go into that period having lost."

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April fixture changes
WHUFC.com
Two West Ham United fixtures in April have been moved for live TV coverage
27.02.2014

Two West Ham United fixtures in April have been moved for live TV coverage.
The Barclays Premier League visit of Liverpool to the Boleyn Ground has been
moved back 25 hours and will now kick-off at 4pm on Sunday 6 April. To buy
tickets for this fixture, click here.

The trip to Arsenal scheduled for Saturday 12 April will now kick-off 21
hours later at 12noon on Sunday 13 April. However, this fixture will need to
be rescheduled should the Gunners defeat Everton in the FA Cup with
Budweiser sixth round on 8 March. Ticket details for this fixture will be
confirmed in due course.

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Hammers miss out once again
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 27th February 2014
By: Staff Writer

Roy Hodgson says Andy Carroll has been omitted from the latest England squad
due to a lack of game time. Hodgson, whose assistant Ray Lewington was at
the Boleyn Ground last weekend to watch Sam Allardyce's team outplay and
outclass a disappointing Southampton side has once again completely
overlooked West Ham when naming his latest, all-too-predictable 30-man squad
for the forthcoming fixture with Denmark.

Carroll was one of a number of players tipped to be named in the latest
England squad. But like Adam Johnson and Gareth Barry who also failed to
make the final 30, he has been told that exclusion on this occasion will
have little bearing when it comes to selecting a squad for the World Cup
Finals this summer.

"I think it would be very foolish in March to give a definite 30-man squad,"
said Hodgson at this afternoon's press conference. "This is the 30 that I've
chosen today, but the fact is that this isn't a final squad. That's a
message I want to get out there. This is my 30 man squad for now and I stand
by that.

"Andy Carroll has hardly played but we're going to be keeping an eye on him.
Johnson obviously we know and Gareth Barry is a player who is playing well
at the moment and I wouldn't be adverse to calling on him if I thought there
was a place in the team."

Southampton - who were distinctly second best at the Boleyn last weekend -
have four players in the squad. West Ham's only representative in the Under
21 squad - which was also named today - is on-loan midfielder Ravel
Morrison.


Full England squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe
Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker
(Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw
(Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham
Hotspur).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United),
Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan
Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea),
James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem
Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere
(Arsenal).

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay
Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge
(Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).

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Little by little
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 27th February 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce expects his team to finish in a similar position to last
season - whilst urging them to continue their recent run of good form at
Everton this weekend. West Ham, who ended last season's campaign in tenth
spot go into this weekend's game as the Premier League's form side having
won all four fixtures in February. Conversely, a striker-less Everton -
denied the services of main forwards Romelu Lukaku and Lacina Traore through
injury recently - endured a frustrating month with victories againt Swansea
and Aston Villa accompanied by defeats aginst Chelsea and Tottenham.
Although just three places seperate the two teams, you have to go back seven
years to find the last win for West Ham at Goodison Park (during the 'Great
Escape' of 2006/07). However Allardyce believes that his side can emulate
that success - if they can repeat their excellent recent form. "We know how
tough the game is going to be," said Big Sam. "Last season we did well to
keep the score down as they were terrific. That's been carried on by
Roberto, so we know we'll have a very tough game.

"Even though the results haven't been as good as they would like recently,
they've played exceptionally well in every game and lost by the odd goal.
Even though they've lost three out of their last four, it's going to be a
tough, tough match for us."

Allardyce also has something of a unique situation to contend with - a
selection headache up top, with Andy Carroll returning from suspension
following three weeks on the sidelines. With Carlton Cole in good form, the
manager admits he has a difficult decision to make - one that he intends to
leave until the last possible inute.

"It's a tough decision based upon how Carlton performed last week," he
mused. "I'll make the decision tomorrow [Friday] when we pick the final
eleven to go out and play against Everton.

"After Carlton spent a long time in the wilderness over the summer, it took
a little bit of time to get him back in top condition. Since his
re-introduction to the squad he's produced more goals than he did last
season and goals are what it's all about for us at the moment.

"Our margins are good; in terms of our last four games we've won them all by
two goals and scored two in most games (three last week). We've built a lot
of confidence; winning four games on the trot breeds a huge amount of
confidence within the team and we'll need all that confidence and all that
ability to get a result against Everton."

And looking ahead to the season end, Allarcye believes that his team have
more than enough to emulate 2012/13's top half finish - a potentially
remarkable achievement given the club's situation at Christmas.

"Let's continue to prove that we are a team that's growing, we are a team
that's going to finish the season strongly and we are a team that's
hopefully going to finish in and around the position we finished last year,"
he said.

"That's the process of growing slowly in the Premier League. Unless you've
got millions of pounds to spend, it's very difficult to increase the quality
of your players and your squad."

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll not guaranteed start
Last Updated: 27/02/14 6:51pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has warned Andy Carroll he is not guaranteed
to start Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton. Allardyce insists
Carlton Cole's form in the four-match winning run that has eased the
Hammers' fears of relegation makes him a genuine contender to continue up
front at Goodison. Three of those victories were secured in Carroll's
absence as the England marksman served a three-match ban for his red card
against Swansea on February 1. Carroll is available to face Everton, but
Allardyce may opt for Cole after he was on target in Saturday's 3-1 victory
over Southampton. "Carlton has done a really good job while Andy has been
out," Allardyce said. "It's a tough decision based upon how Carlton
performed last week and obviously I'll make that decision on Friday when we
pick the team to play Everton. "After he spent a long time in the wilderness
over the summer, it took a little bit of time to get him back into top
condition and now he's done that he's produced more goals than he did last
season. "Goals are what it's all about for us at the moment. In our last
four games we've won them all by two goals."

Carroll had only recently recovered from a long-term foot injury when he was
dismissed against Swansea, a setback which contributed to him not being
included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the friendly with Denmark on
March 5. And Allardyce is backing the 25-year-old to prove he is worthy of
selection. "I don't see any reason why he can't make the World Cup squad,"
Allardyce said. "It's in his hands what happens between now and the end of
the season based upon his performances, when selected. "After a disrupted
first half of the season last season he got into full flow and was selected
by Roy Hodgson to go to Brazil. "Unfortunately, because he was injured in
the last game of the season against Reading, he couldn't make that trip. "If
he does the same again then there shouldn't be any problems with Andy being
in that final squad for the World Cup. "He's got to stay fit, perform well
and that will give him a great chance of being selected."

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WILL ANDY CARROLL BE PICKED FOR ENGLAND?
By Iain Dale 27 Feb 2014 at 11:28
West Ham Till I Die

Later today Roy Hodgson announces his squad for the friendly against
Denmark. Naturally, Andy Carroll will hope that he will be picked. I love to
see West Ham players picked for England, but in this case I have very mixed
feelings. Can you imagine the consequences if he played against Denmark and
got injured again? Poor old Dean Ashton comes to mind. He was crocked in an
England training session by Shaun Wright-Phillips and barely played for us
again. He's still only thirty and I think we all wonder what might have
been.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see Andy Carroll go to Brazil and I think he
can do so, but he needs to play games for his club and get on the
scoresheet. He's still not 100% fit, and having sat out the last three games
through suspension is not an ideal preparation for an international recall.

And will we see Mark Noble make his first England squad?? Don't hold your
breath on that one. No doubt totally average players like Tom Cleverley will
make it ahead of him purely because he plays for a top 4 side. Oh, actually,
I got that wrong didn't I? He now plays for a top 7 side. If he's lucky.

Years ago I reckoned James Tomkins would play for England. He won't make
this squad, but his form must surely be alerting the England management,
who, let's face it don't exactly have a preponderance of quality central
defenders.

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Ravel Morrison hits back at negative reports after he posed for a late-night
snap with friends
Feb 27, 2014 16:27 By Paul Gorst The Mirror

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ravel Morrison has hit back at reports that
criticised his lifestyle after he posted a picture with friends on his
Instagram account. Morrison, who is on loan with the Championship side from
West Ham, posted this snap with three friends on Wednesday evening under the
caption: "Laughs all night good night with my homies from day". The Daily
Mail then used the picture to question the former Manchester United
youngster's lifestyle habits. However, Morrison hit back at the report by
posting a picture of the article itself with the caption: "1 mixed race 3
black that means were all Bad Boys that's all it can be Foolish people can't
take a picture with friends no more"

Morrison joined Harry Redknapp's side last month after reportedly falling
out of favour with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

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