Daily WHUFC News - 20th May 2014

Tonka's pride in defensive record
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins reckons 14 clean sheets are reason enough to be proud of his
season's work
17.05.2014

James Tomkins insists West Ham United can reflect on their defensive record
in the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League with pride. The Hammers' haul of 14
clean sheets was only bettered by five other top-flight clubs, as West Ham
clambered clear of trouble to finish the campaign in 13th spot. The
Basildon-born defender maintains that those shutouts are a fillip for the
whole side, not least with the onset of injuries in the New Year. "I feel
that we've done a good job, in terms of our defensive displays," he told
West Ham TV. "It has been a consistent performance all season really, so all
the lads are really proud of that. "It's not just the back four and the
goalkeeper, it's the whole team. Like I said, the lads are really proud of
that [14 clean sheets] and the manager has made a big thing of it in
meetings. As a defender as well, I'm proud of that."

Tomkins believes that the Club's defensive prowess owes much to the
experience in the ranks, as well as plenty of hard work on the training
pitches. He continued: "You look all along our back line, and the whole
team, you've got a lot of good players and a lot of experience. That's held
us in good stead throughout the year and that experience helps the
defending. "There's discipline, we do a lot of defensive play in training
and that's paid off."

As for his own campaign, the 25-year-old was thrilled to have started 31
league encounters this term, confident that he continues to progress. "I've
been happy with my year, I feel like I've come on again quite a bit," he
confirmed. "I've played quite a lot of games this season. I think it's the
most I've ever played in a season and it was nice to get those under my
belt. "I didn't start at the beginning of the season, so it's nice to play a
massive part. We're in the Premier League and that's the main thing."

For the time being, however, Tomkins is focused on resting up, albeit with
one eye firmly on a pre-season trip to New Zealand. "Once we've obviously
rested the legs, we'll come back to a trip to New Zealand, which will be a
great experience for all of us. "Reidy [Winston Reid] can show us around and
I've heard it's a really nice place. That's what he's saying anyway, so
we're all looking forward to it."

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Moore wax figure unveiled at Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Madame Tussauds' Bobby Moore wax figure was officially launched at the
Boleyn Ground on Monday
19.05.2014

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup nearly upon us, Madame Tussauds London unveiled
a new wax figure of England's only ever World Cup winning-captain, the late,
great Bobby Moore on Monday. The figure, fittingly, was revealed at the
Boleyn Ground, in front of the Bobby Moore Stand, prior to its taking up
permanent residence at Madame Tussauds' London venue from Tuesday 20 May.
The staggeringly lifelike figure shows Moore in jubilant celebration after
famously leading England to victory over West Germany. Smiling triumphantly,
the figure is dressed in vintage England kit and holds aloft a replica of
the Jules Rimet Cup, which has been faithfully replicated by the
attraction's talented studio artists. Champion fundraiser Jonjo Heuerman was
among the competition winners to enjoy a glimpse of the wax figure in this
unique setting and was struck by the astonishing likeness. "It just looks
really realistic to me and that's as close as I'll ever get to seeing him in
real life," he said. "It's really special to me, because obviously I've
never had the chance to see him life-size, or in person, and Monday was the
day! "It's so real! It's amazing how the art work has taken place. It took
four months and it just looks like Bobby."

Meanwhile, West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: "It's
fantastic to see Bobby's wax figure beginning its journey at the Boleyn
Ground, where he spent so many wonderful years with us. "I'm sure West Ham
United fans are going to love it and that their support made this happen in
the first place, makes it all the more special. As a Club we will forever
honour Bobby's memory and I look forward to seeing his latest wax figure in
person."

Similarly, Roberta Moore, Bobby Moore's daughter, who is already planning a
trip to Madame Tussauds London to see the figure first hand, commented: "I
remember going to Madame Tussauds with my dad when I was a little girl for
the unveiling of the original wax figure so this has brought back very fond
memories. "Madame Tussauds have really done an amazing job, the new figure
really captures his smile which made me cry! I feel very proud."

The figure's creation was the result of a hotly contested public vote last
year, with Bobby Moore taking more than 90% of a Madame Tussauds London poll
to determine which footballing great should be honoured at the world famous
attraction in time for this year's FIFA World Cup™.

Nicole Fenner, PR Manager at Madame Tussauds London, explained: "We wanted
to create a figure of a footballing legend for this year's competition, but
who that should be opened up huge debate. "We decided to let football fans
decide, and there was overwhelming consensus with Bobby Moore beating other
legends like Ronaldo, Maradona and Pelé with the lion share of votes. It was
a total landslide victory, and we're delighted to be able to introduce him
to football fans this morning on a pitch he knew and loved. Moore
undoubtedly holds a special place in the nation's heart and we can't wait
for fans to meet his figure in the attraction from Tuesday."

The Moore figure will join a host of other sporting personalities including
Olympians, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill, and fellow footballing legend,
Pelé. Find out more about the Madame Tussauds London line up here:
www.madametussauds.com/London.

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Tomkins takes WhoScored.com honour
WHUFC.com
Football stats website whoscored.com have calculated James Tomkins to be
their Hammers Player of the Year
19.05.2014

With the season done and dusted, football statistics website WhoScored.com
have taken the opportunity to review West Ham United's Player of the Season
using their unique rating system of every performer that started at least 15
league games. An area that is unlikely to require investment as the Hammers
look to build next year is at centre-back. Manager Sam Allardyce is able to
call upon the likes of James Collins, Winston Reid and James Tomkins in the
position and it is the latter who has impressed most this term. Tomkins
ended the season with a commendable WhoScored.com rating (7.15) that only
Andy Carroll (7.22) bettered, though it's reasonable to suggest that
Tomkins' rating over more league appearances (31 starts to Carroll's 12) is
more impressive. In fact, only midfielders Mark Noble (38) and Kevin Nolan
(33) made more starts than Tomkins (31) in England's top tier for West Ham
this season, with the defender a regular in the Hammers' backline across the
campaign.

This consistency in the back four helped to elevate his status at the club,
with the 25-year-old starting in ten of the 14 games in which West Ham kept
a clean sheet. This saw Tomkins win a number of admirers as the season
progressed, with most fans feeling he is deserving of a regular first-team
spot. Collins and Reid both spent time on the sidelines at separate stages
of the campaign, placing further onus on Tomkins to perform. He did so
excellently, as his average rating suggests and some could suggest he has
earned the tag of first-choice centre-back at the Boleyn Ground. West Ham
undoubtedly perform better with him in the starting XI. The Hammers' win
percentage last season with Tomkins in the starting XI was significantly
better (32.3%) than when he was missing (14.3%).

It is defensively that the Englishman won the plaudits and his displays in
the heart of the backline saw him develop statistically calculated strengths
of 'aerial duels' and 'concentration'. The two WhoScored.com strengths are
crucial assets for any centre-back if they are to repel attacks and Tomkins
is more than capable of using them to his advantage. Furthermore, he has
gained a style of play of 'clears the ball out of defence often', showing
how the defender is able to anticipate danger and alleviate pressure on the
West Ham goal. Tomkins enjoyed an impressive campaign for West Ham and his
age means he is only likely to improve with further playing time next term.
The Hammers have a solid defensive foundation to build on, which will
undoubtedly aid their quest for a top half finish next season.
*WhoScored.com is a website and one of the fastest growing in the sports
industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data.
Follow @WhoScored on Twitter.

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O'Brien looks for more in 2014/15
WHUFC.com
Joey O'Brien will be putting the work in over the summer to prepare for a
better 2014/15 season
19.05.2014

Joey O'Brien is looking to bounce back from an injury-hit 2013/14 by working
hard over the summer and making sure he returns in pre-season fit and ready
to help West Ham United towards a better season. The Irishman missed most of
the second half of the campaign after sustaining a dislocated shoulder at
Chelsea in January, only returning to the starting line-up for the final
game of the season at Manchester City. He was pleased that his teammates
went on to secure Barclays Premier League safety in his absence and has his
eyes on a stronger term next time around. He said: "I was just getting going
again at the end of the season after being out for a while! When it
happened, I said if we got enough points on the board when I was out, I'd
take being injured. "That's how it worked out, and if sustaining the injury
in that game was my little part to play, then I'll take that. "For me, even
though I got injured that day, the highlight was Chelsea away. It was a
massive game and performance and the confidence that gave the team kicked
off the great run which followed. "Everyone was desperate to get something
that day and we did."

O'Brien and his defensive colleagues helped West Ham keep 14 clean sheets in
2013/14 and that is one element of the team's play that they can be
justifiably proud of. He added: "We kept a lot of clean sheets and that was
the base for the season. When the times were tough the defence and clean
sheets kept us going. "Towards the end of the season we were able to build
on that and get enough points on the board. "We want to kick on next season.
I'll be working hard in the summer to try and get back into the team for the
first game of the season."

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Ladies lose final league match
WHUFC.com
Sarah McCrea's double could not prevent West Ham United Ladies from losing
6-2 at Portsmouth on Sunday
19.05.2014

West Ham United Ladies completed a difficult 2013/14 FA Women's Premier
League South season with a 6-2 defeat at Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon. The
Hammers put in a spirited performance at Furze Lane, scoring two late
consolation goals through forward Sarah McCrea, but the loss means West Ham
finish the campaign tenth in the eleven-team table. A mid-season change in
management and a record of just four victories from 20 league matches were
not the return the Ladies had been hoping for after they ended the 2012/13
season in sixth place. That said, winning the Essex FA County Cup for a
third time in their club's history in April did at least give the girls
something to celebrate this term. On Sunday, Portsmouth took the lead after
just 12 minutes when Gemma Hillier was brought down inside the penalty area
and Sarah Kempson despatched the resulting spot-kick. Within three minutes
it was 2-0 as Kempson crossed for Lucy Quinn to convert past Jessica Parlane
in the Hammers goal. After both sides had missed chances to score, Quinn
made it 3-0 on 33 minutes when she stepped up and expertly fired a direct
free-kick past Parlane. Four minutes before the break, the goalkeeper was
again beaten from long range when Nadine Bazan belted Hillier's lay-off into
the net from 25 yards. To complete a miserable first half, Hillier netted
herself a minute before the interval to make the half-time score 5-0 to the
hosts, with West Ham's best chance seeing the lively McCrea denied by
goalkeeper Sadie Blakely. Into the second half and West Ham continued to
battle, with both McCrea and Kelley Blanchflower going close to reducing the
deficit. However, with 16 minutes remaining, Pompey netted a sixth when
Gemma Simmonds chipped over Parlane and into the net.

McCrea's late double restored some pride for the visitors, who now head into
their summer break hoping for better in 2014/15.

Ladies: Parlane, Bottom, Powles, Revell, Sammons (Page 61), Masters,
Lipley-Hiton, Little, McCrea, Blanchflower, Solly
Sub not used: Picton

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'It was looking like Chelsea or Spurs!'
WHUFC.com
Lifetime Achievement Award winner Sir Trevor Brooking has recalled the day
he agreed to join West Ham United
18.05.2014

West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking has revealed that he came close
to joining Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur as a schoolboy. The Club's second
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was 15 when he turned out for Ilford
Boys in an English Schools Trophy tie with Oxford in front of the watching
West Ham manager Ron Greenwood. Until then, the young midfielder had not
been approached by the Club he supported as a boy, with an apprenticeship
with one of the Hammers' two London rivals looking far more likely. As it
was, a standout performance in a 3-2 defeat caught the eye of Greenwood, who
immediately dispensed chief scout Wally St Pier to visit the Brookings and
convince the teenager and his family that he should join West Ham. The rest,
as Brooking revealed during an interview at the recent Player Awards in Aid
of the Academy, is history. "I was born in Barking and was a fan," he told
guests. "I went along with my Dad and I can remember the 1957/58 promotion
season with John Dick and Vic Keeble. That was exciting. "I was really lucky
because 1964 was when I was making the decision to join the Club and it was
really bizarre because West Ham didn't come around. It was looking like it
was between Chelsea and Spurs! "I was at grammar school, so I was going to
stay on for another year, but Ron Greenwood then came to watch two boys who
were playing for Ilford Boys one evening and we went out 3-2 to Oxford in
the English Schools Trophy, which was a big competition. "I had a decent
game and Ron told me later that he had told Wally St Pier, the chief scout,
to go and see my family the next day. Ron was the one who spotted me and, to
be fair, I then joined at an unbelievable time for the Club - in 1964 we won
the FA Cup, in 1965 we won the Cup Winners' Cup and in 1966 we won the World
Cup! "It was great for me to learn from players like that. I always remember
making my debut up at Burnley [in August 1967], who were a really strong
side at that time, and the goalscorers were our three World Cup winners,
which was special. "During that period, the people who came through the
youth structure benefitted from the strength of the Academy and that's why
they had such quality."

Having safely signed and made his debut for West Ham, Sir Trevor went on to
make 647 appearances for the Club - third in the all-time list behind Frank
Lampard Sr and another contemporary, Billy Bonds MBE. When asked about his
relationship with his long-time central midfield partner, the 65-year-old
said he was grateful for the protection afforded to him by Bonds. "He was my
best mate at the Club and he is a top, top man," Sir Trevor confirmed. "He
played nearly 800 games and played at the age of 41 or 42, which was
amazing. "Bonzo was my protector because tackling was not my strongest part,
so luckily after we signed him as a full-back we moved him into midfield
and, if anyone kicked me up in the air in the first ten minutes, I used to
look across at Bonzo as if to say 'Look what he is doing to me' and he would
sort my marker out in the next few minutes! I suddenly had a lot more space
for the next 80 minutes, so I owe Bonzo a lot. "We're still good mates and
he is a great man."

Bonds lifted the FA Cup twice during his own long and illustrious career at
the Boleyn Ground - first in 1975 and then in 1980 after Sir Trevor's header
defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. Unsurprisingly, that moment is one that
sticks out further than any other when the former England international is
asked about his West Ham career. "Everyone remembers the FA Cup goal because
it was such an important moment," he explained. "It's scary to think it was
34 years ago!
"Not a week has gone by in the last 34 years when somebody hasn't reminded
me about the goal. Every time I get into a cab, the driver seems to be an
Arsenal fan and within a minute of me getting in, they say 'It just hit you
on the head didn't it?' "It's been a massive part of my life. I was really,
really lucky because we had just two managers in my 19 years and Ron
Greenwood and John Lyall were absolutely fantastic. They let us go out and
express ourselves and entertain the fans and I had 19 years at the Club and
enjoyed every year of it. I was playing for my team and was allowed to
express myself, so we were very lucky. Ron and John were top quality
coaches."

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Jussi's praise for Adrian
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen has praised goalkeeper Adrian for his fine debut season
with the Hammers
17.05.2014

Jussi Jaaskelainen has been impressed with Adrian's first season in English
football. The No13 took Jaaskelainen's place between the posts in January
with the Finn then unable to displace him. Rather than get downhearted,
Jaaskelainen has supported Adrian all the way and believes the experience of
a tough Barclays Premier League season will stand him in good stead for the
future. "[Losing your place] is part and parcel of football," he said.
"Adrian has done very well, and the only thing I could do is keep working
hard - the main thing is to support everybody in the team. "He has been
playing consistently well and that's the main aim for a goalkeeper. I can't
have too much to be disappointed about. "If you look at the season as a
whole, we started by playing very well but we didn't get the results that we
needed. "When you don't get them, confidence drops and it was a tough season
but we've come through it and hopefully next year will be better."

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Best bets and future West Ham signings at the 2014 World Cup
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th May 2014
By: Staff Writer

The World Cup squads are in and excitement for this summer's tournament is
building...

With less than a month to go until the first game kicks off more and more
bets are being placed on the 2014 World Cup odds. Here's some clues to
finding the best punts. Most bets are going to go on the outright winner
market and Brazil may not be the most original selection but they are
extremely solid at 3/1. Only one team other than Brazil has ever won a World
Cup outside their own continent and no European team has ever won the World
Cup in any American continent.

With six of the last seven World Cups going to a team rated just 7/1 or less
by the bookies it seems we are looking for a well fancied South American
team and that only really leaves Brazil or Argentina.

Home advantage will be huge for Brazil who beat world champions Spain 3-0 in
the final of last year's Confederations Cup which was also held in Brazil so
3/1 looks a more than fair price.

Andy Carroll will be hoping to get amongst the goals at the World Cup but
he's only on the standby squad at the moment. Pablo Armero was on loan at
the Hammers from Napoli last season and it will be interesting to see how he
gets on for Colombia.

For many fans though this World Cup isn't going to be a chance to watch
current players, but hopefully it will be an opportunity to look at some
future stars of the West Ham team.

There seems to be no chance of Gonzalo Higuain being seen in a West Ham
shirt, but he can reward punters who back him to be the tournament's top
scorer.

Teams that reach the semi final of the World Cup have a big advantage in
producing Golden Boot winners because they'll play for the full seven
matches, eventually going on to either the final or the third place playoff.
Teams that don't reach the semi finals can only play five matches.

Argentina have probably the easiest run to the semi final with group games
against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria and then likely knockout round
games against Switzerland and then Portugal or Belgium.

There are plenty of goals to be had in those games and many will fancy
Lionel Messi to score the lion's share but he scored only one more than
Higuain in qualifying and was outscored by Higuain at the last World Cup (4
goals to nil). With Higuain twice the price of Messi at 25/1 he looks the
value pick.

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NewsNow
Is Moyes our man?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th May 2014
By: Staff Writer

Fresh rumours tonight suggest that David Moyes is close to being named as
the new manager of West Ham United. Moyes, 51, who is the bookies' second
favourite to replace Sam Allardyce behind Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is
understood to have been courted by West Ham with view to replacing current
manager Sam Allardyce. The under-pressure Allardyce's immediate future has
been uncertain since he failed to receive the backing of the entire board at
an end-of-season meeting last Tuesday. A second meeting was scheduled for
two weeks hence, however that is unlikely to take place if the rumours
regarding Moyes prove to be correct with an appointment likely to come
before that date. The former Everton manager was fired by Manchester United
last month less than a year after leaving Goodison Park to join the
then-Premier League champions, who he led to a seventh-place finish.
Enquiries have also been made into the availability of 54-year-old Napoli
boss Rafa Benítez, who led Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2005,
with view to potentially replacing Allardyce.

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BIG SAM TO STAY (PROBABLY)
By Sean Whetstone 19 May 2014 at 18:15
West Ham Till I Die

The longer the ten day cooling off period goes on the more I believe Sam
Allardyce will remain our manager this coming season.

The vibes I am picking up from sources close to club seem to be preparing
fans and staff for a stay of execution for the manager. It could just be a
sense loyalty of those around him but I believe the club are gearing up to
retain Sam Allardyce as their manager. I have no proof of his continued stay
but I have a strong gut feeling he will not be sacked this Friday at a board
meeting.

A poll of 12,392 supporters over 16 West Ham sites taken after a run of four
defeats showed 77.95% wanted to dump Big Sam this summer. Another poll on
Claret and Hugh taken after the 2-0 Spurs win at home showed slightly
different results. The poll completed by 1,031 supporters to enable it to be
statistically accurate showed 50.24% still want him gone this summer while
22.02% what him to see out his last year of his contract, another 14.65% of
those polled saw Sam as a long term manager to take us to the Olympic
Stadium in 2016 and the remaining 13% are undecided and don't know what to
do for the best. This poll shows the fans are still split right down the
middle on this subject with no clear solution.

I understand the daily speculation in papers and websites of Sam's
replacement are widely inaccurate or exaggerated. A senior source close to
the club confirmed there has been no contact with David Moyes or Gus Poyet
who have led the betting markets in recent days as possible replacements.
Many of the other names appears to be wishful thinking of the part of agents
wishing to get their man's name in the frame.

If I was a betting man I would keep my money in my pocket as I am convinced
Sam will remain our manager next season. Time will tel on Friday if my gut
feeling is right on or whether they pull a manager out of the hat.

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STICK OR TWIST PART 2: WHICH MIDFIELDERS SHOULD WE LET GO?
By Iain Dale 19 May 2014 at 08:43
West Ham Till I Die

Jack Collison [£1.5 million] 6 apps
No one wishes Jack Collison had moved forward than me, but the truth is
since his injury he has never been the same player. He has never let down
his teammates but I am afraid now is the time for him to move on and find
success elsewhere. I say this with an incredibly heavy heart and if he stays
and proves me wrong I will be absolutely delighted.

VERDICT: Sell

Mark Noble [£9 million] 38 apps 3 goals
Hammer of the Year and deservedly so. Only a fool would consider Noble
surplus to requirements. He has stepped into the hole left by Scott Parker
and is at the centre of everything creative West Ham achieve. As well as
that he also doubles as an extra defender and is brilliant at breaking up
opposition attacks. How he hasn't broken into the England setup is beyond
me.

VERDICT: Retain

Kevin Nolan [£2.5 million] 33 apps 7 goals
A very up and down season for our captain. Who can forget the two sendings
off, and who can forget his purple patch in February, where it is arguable
that his rise to form saved us from relegation? He always delivers with 7-10
goals a season but his contribution to the team in general is too often not
of a high enough standard. If Allardyce is replaced as manager, I imagine he
would depart. He would go with our good wishes as he is clearly a very good
captain. But can he and Ravel Morrison play in the same team, if 4-3-3 is
played?

VERDICT: SELL

Mo Diame [£3.5 million] 29 apps 4 goals
The enigma's enigma. On his day he is a worldbeater. But too often he
flatters to deceive. He scores some spectacular goals but not enough simple
ones. He has too often been played out of position and deserves to play in
the centre next season in place of Kevin Nolan. But he needs to bring
consistency to his game and do the simple things better. I'd be gutted if we
sold him, but he still has that £3.5 million release clause in his contract,
so I wouldn't be surprised, especially if Everton come sniffing. His true
worth is nearer £10 million.

VERDICT: RETAIN

Alou Diarra [£0.5 million] 1 app
Need I even say anything? OK, he's not been given much of a chance to show
what he can do, and has had some bad injuries, but he clearly has no future
at Upton Park. But can we find a buyer?

VERDICT: SELL

Matt Taylor 16 apps
Came into his own in the latter part of the season and was a key part of our
revival. Has a great shot on him but doesn't let it rip often enough. Should
score more goals. He's out of contract but most people think he's worth
retaining, especially as he can play in three different positions.

VERDICT: RETAIN

Ravel Morrison [£10 million] 12 apps 3 goals
The emergence of Ravel Morrison before Christmas was a truly bright moment
in a dire period. Who will forget his performance against Spurs, and his
goal. I was gutted when he went out on loan to QPR, but he performed really
well, scoring a goal every other game. He is said not to get on with
Allardyce. Whoever is manager next season should tell Morrison that the team
will be formed around him. A new contract must be sorted at all costs.

VERDICT: RETAIN

Joe Cole [Free] 6 apps, 3 goals
Joe is out of contract and is already looking for a new club, which is a
shame, but it just hasn't worked out for him. Three goals in six appearances
is a healthy return but he also made 14 substitute appearances too. It just
hasn't worked.

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STICK OR TWIST PART 1: WHICH DEFENDERS SHOULD WE LET GO?
By Iain Dale 12 May 2014 at 08:39
West Ham Till I Die

Adrian [£4 million] – 20 apps
Judged the buy of last season, it is to most unthinkable that Adrian won't
start next season as our number one. I am still not 100% convinced by him,
as I believe he gets too many simple things wrong. His positional play is a
little inconsistent but it is undeniable that he is a great shot stopper.

Judgement: KEEP

Jussi Jaaskelainen [£0] 18 apps
He only had one really dodgy performance (against Norwich) but once he lost
his place to Adrian just before Christmas he never got it back. A great
number two for next season, he should get another one year deal.

Judgement: KEEP

Joey O'Brien [£1.5 million] 12 apps
Mr dependable, rarely puts a foot wrong, even if he is an unspectacular
player. The great thing about Joey is that he can play in either full back
position and even do a job at centre back if called upon.

Judgement: KEEP

Guy Demel [£2 million] 30 apps + 1 goal
Demel has had a really good season even if he has missed a few games through
injury. He's chipped in with a goal and has looked superb at time in attack.
Perhaps he needs a bit of competition for his place.

Judgement: KEEP

James Tomkins [£8 million] 30 apps
A slightly up and down season which finished better than it started. James
Tomkins, in my view, could be an England player if he applied himself and
improved his positional sense. He couldn't get into the team much in the
first half of the season due to the form of Collins and Reid, but he's done
will since he re-established himself. He looks very comfortable alongside
Reid. It's unthinkable to sell him.

Judgement: KEEP

Winston Reid [£15 million] 18 apps + 1 goal
Would have been a contender for player of the season if he hadn't got
injured and made only 18 starts. Big clubs may well come sniffing over the
summer, but if West Ham are to develop as a club he is precisely the kind of
player we need to keep.

Judgement: KEEP

James Collins [£3 million] 22 apps 1 goal
Despite injuries, a great season for the Ginger Pele. However, are his best
years now behind him? I'd certainly vote to keep him due to the almost
telepathic understanding he seems to enjoy with both Reid and Tomkins.

Judgement: KEEP

Leo Chambers [£0.25m] 3 League Cup apps
A youngster pushing to get in the first team but hasn't yet quite made it.
He's out of contract and it's rumoured he will be let go, which would be a
shame. Give him one more year.

Judgement: KEEP

Dan Potts [0.5m]
Potts broke into the team a couple of years ago and on his debut gave a man
of the match performance. Since then Sam Allardyce hasn't given him much of
a look in, despite injuries to all our left backs. I'm mystified by this and
would like him to have been given a proper chance. He's out of contract. I'd
like to keep him, but I suspect he will be let go.

Judgement: KEEP

George McCartney [FREE] 20 apps
He's never let us down and can play anywhere across the back four, but he's
reaching the twilight of his career now. I'd have no problem in retaining
his services, but I really think we need more of an attacking first choice
left back who can combine with whoever is on the left wing. So I am sorry to
say, but it's a very fond farewell to George. That is unless he is prepared
to stay on a dramatically lower salary.

Judgement: RELEASE

Roger Johnson [FREE]
He played a few games before Winston Reid returned to fitness, but didn't
impress at all. I can't think anyone can really make a case for his
retention.

Judgement: RELEASE

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IS RONALD KOEMAN IN THE FRAME?
By S J Chandos 18 May 2014 at 13:35
West Ham till I Die

The Sports Mirror has reported that Ronald Koeman, the former Dutch
international and current Feyenoord boss, may have entered the frame to
replace Sam Allardyce at Upton Park. The report further maintains that the
board are also likely to sound out David moyes about the position, while
keeping a watching brief on Gus Poyet's position at Sunderland. The strong
inference of the peice being that the current ten day hiatus is being
utilised to approach potential successors and determine whether the club can
secure a manager who is a clear improvement upon the current incumbent. If
not, then it is still possible that Sam Allardyce could remain in position
for another season, although with radically revised performance indicators
and less independence over the club's transfer strategy.

Amongst Hammers supporters, both David Moyes and Gus Poyet will have their
advocates, but it is the name of Ronald Koeman who is likely to be greeted
with the greatest interest. He has proven experience in European football
management, having also previously been in charge at Ajax, PSV, Eindhoven,
Benfica and Valencia. Moreover, it is believed that Mr Koeman is actively
looking to make a move to the Premier League. And he is a manager that will
both adopt a stylish passing game and place an emphasis upon developing our
Academy products. Things that are self-evidently an high priority for most
Hammers fans. While the recent story in the Sports Mail is most probably
true that West Ham's board have grown increasingly concerned at the damage
to the club's unique reputation, for producing both quality football and
footballers, that has occurred during Mr Allardyce's period of management.
His replacement by Mr Koeman could be seen as an effective antidote on both
scores.

Mr Koeman is most definitely the type of manager that the board should be
looking to in order to facilitate a stylish transition to the Olympic
Stadium and take the club on to the next level or two. Gus Poyet is an
interesting managerial candidate, David Moyes is undoubtedly a save pair of
hands, but it is probably Ronald Koeman, of the three, that really captures
the imagination!

p.s. Kumb have strongly suggested that David Moyes is the board's priority
target, but that they may have also sounded out Rafa Benitez. Many fans,
given the choice, would still prefer to go for Ronald Koeman, if he is
available? But nevertheless, it is very encouraging for the club to be
linked with managers of that calibre.

p.p.s Another manager currently being linked with West Ham is Steve McLaren.
If the managerial change is to be made, then the next appointment has to be
absolutely right! Is Mr McLaren the right appointment? I have my doubts.

S.J. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SILLY SEASON IN FULL SWING AS WEST HAM ARE LINKED WITH THIRTY PLAYERS
By Sean Whetstone 17 May 2014 at 23:05
West Ham Till I Die

The Premier League season finished just seven days ago and the transfer
window officially opened at midnight on the same day as the last kick of a
ball of a league game.

The silly season is now is full swing and despite West Ham being in
managerial limbo for the last 5 days the names West ham players have been
linked keep on rolling in. Thirty players have been linked with West Ham so
far in the popular press & the more credible football websites.

There are four types of football rumours during silly season, those made up
or pure speculation in attempt to fill column inches, next are those rumours
peddled by agents wanting to increase the exposure of their clients to
generate interest for a transfer, then there are those which are exaggerated
or half truths, they often never come to anything and finally those which
are spot on and end up as successful transfers.

The trick is to navigate your way through the silly season without getting
your hopes up too much, many take the sensible approach and not believing
anything and avoiding speculation until it is released on West Ham's
official website or in recent years when young Jack Sullivan is allowed to
tweet it out by his dad.

To fuel the silly season myself, here is the full list of the thirty names
we have been linked with in the last seven days:

Aaron Lennon, Pablo Alvarez, Martin Olsson, Steve Sidwell, Cyril Thereau,
Cheikhou Kouyate ,Gabriele Angella, Alessandro Matri, Robert Snodgrass

Antonio Rudiger, Jack Colback, Rio Ferdinand, Lorenzo Crisetig, Michy
Batshuayi, M'baye Niang, Neil Taylor, Ross McCormack, Phil Bardsley, Demba
Ba

John Terry, Danny Ings, Oscar Cadozo, Rodrigo Lima, Jefferspn Montero, Jake
Livermore, Joleon Lescott, Aaron Creswell, Pierre Michel Lasogga,

Domenico Berardi & Dimitri Payet

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager mystery sees Ronald Koeman join Moyes and Poyet in the
frame
May 17, 2014 22:30 By Dave Kidd
The Mirror

Ronald Koeman is in the frame to replace Sam Allardyce as West Ham boss –
although the Hammers board are also likely to sound out David Moyes before
they make any decision. Former Dutch playing legend Koeman, 51, currently
boss at Feyenoord, is believed to be keen to move to the Premier League and
is on the radar of the Hammers' co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold. He
has previously managed Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica and Valencia. But
Sullivan and Gold are also awaiting developments at Sunderland, where Gus
Poyet's future remains up in the air, and they are also intrigued by the
prospect of luring Moyes to the East End. It is felt that the sacked United
boss could be tempted by the board's long-term vision at West Ham, who will
move into the Olympic Stadium in two years. The Hammers board are determined
to nail down a high-calibre manager before they decide whether to pull the
trigger on Allardyce. If they can't, Big Sam could yet remain in post.
Allardyce looked certain to be sacked at a board meeting on Tuesday, but has
been given a stay of execution.
There have been strong arguments to stick with a man who has never been
relegated from the Premier League – with the club desperate to be in the top
flight before the move to Stratford. Yet, supporters have been on Big Sam's
back, unhappy with his team's style of football, and Koeman would bring back
a pure passing philosophy.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United to go head to head with Southampton for signature of French
left-back Kolo
May 18, 2014 22:30 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham and Southampton are locked in a signing war for Nice's
£8million-rated left-back Timothée Kolodziejczak. Sam Allardyce has been
given the go-ahead to step in for the young defender who is already a target
for the Saints, who will be looking to replace Luke Shaw. The Hammers are in
the market for a new specialist left-back and have set their sights on
Kolodziejczak, who has been rated as a future International for France. The
former Under-21 cap, who is nicknamed Kolo for short, will be sold and the
Premier League pair are ahead of Marseille and Lyon in the chase. A handful
of other clubs, that also includes Crystal Palace, watched Kolo in what was
likely to be his last appearance for Nice against Guingamp.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Ravel Morrison a transfer target for Swansea after impressive QPR
loan spell
May 17, 2014 23:00 By Tom Hopkinson
The Mirror

Swansea are hoping to land Ravel Morrison from West Ham for a cut-price
£3.75million, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People. The 21-year-old's
relationship with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce turned sour after a fall-out at
the end of last year and, when Morrison joined QPR on loan in February, Big
Sam vowed he wouldn't play for him again. Now Swansea are making moves to
sign the talented but sometimes troubled youngster. Morrison grew up at
Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson raved about him being the most
gifted kid he had seen. But his erratic behaviour was a real source of
frustration and a skipped training session too many saw Fergie sell him to
Allardyce in January 2012. The attacking midfielder was loaned to QPR in
February and has enjoyed a good spell with Harry Redknapp, helping his team
to next Saturday's Championship Play-off final with Derby.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League clubs on alert as Marseille's Dimitri Payet set for cut price
move
May 17, 2014 11:04 By Alex Richards
The Mirror

Premier League clubs Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham could be set to do
battle for Marseille winger Dimitri Payet, with the French international set
for a cut-price £6million move. Last summer saw both the Gunners and
Newcastle linked with his signature, while West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has
sent Hammers scouts to watch Payet in recent weeks. Payet only moved to the
Stade Velodrome last summer - costing £12million from Ligue 1 rivals Lille -
but according to L'Equipe, Marseille must recoup £4.8million before June 30.
OM have told incoming boss Marcelo Bielsa that he will have key men Steve
Mandanda, Mathieu Valbuena, Andre Ayew and Nicolas N'Koulou all at his
disposal next season, making Payet their most likely source of income. The
27-year-old has been a regular in Ligue 1 this season, scoring eight goals
from the flanks in 35 matches. However, he has failed to fully convince,
being substituted 21 times in the league and failing to claim a place in Les
Bleus' World Cup squad. As such, given their financial need, OM bosses are
reckoned to believe that he is expendable, and that the former Lille man
will have a list of suitors.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool and Newcastle target Mo Diame bargain deal as midfielder plans
West Ham exit
May 19, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Liverpool and Newcastle are monitoring developments with West Ham's Mo Diame
who looks set to leave the club this summer. The 26-year-old midfielder
revealed last month that he wanted to leave Upton Park for a top-six club
and that Liverpool were interested in him. He said at the time: "Liverpool?
I can't tell you if I will be a Liverpool player next season. But I think my
name is still on their wanted list. "I don't hide it, I'm ambitious and I
want to join a top-six side. I am 26 years old and it's time to take that
step." Diame has a year left on his West Ham contract and has a £3.5million
buyout clause in his contract. The club do want to keep him but do not want
to meet the £80,000-a-week wages he is demanding to stay.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NewsNow
Should Big Sam get the sack?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 19th May 2014
By: Sean McGuire

As a lifelong West Ham fan I have been glued to the internet the last week
frothing at the mouth at the prospect of Allardyce's ego and backside being
kicked to the curb. It looks like mine and many of my fellow fans' dreams
are going to come true. However I wonder, if we ignore the style of play
that recently led to 77 per cent of Hammers' fans voting for his dismissal,
if Allardyce has done a reasonable job as manager?

Budget

Here's a scary statistic for all of us Allardyce naysayers. If the teams
were ranked by net expenditure in the transfer window for the 2013/14 season
West Ham would be 13th- which is where we just finished!

He's not as impressive as Everton who are 19th in spending but fifth in
points or even his old club Newcastle, last in spending but tenth in points,
although it's no Cardiff who are third in spending and relegated. So it can
be argued that he has done a reasonable job for the financial resources
available to him.

Transfers

Let's take a closer look at how that money was used though. £30-35million
was spent on Jarvis, Carroll, Downing and Maiga - all of whom are attacking
players, yet they have scraped together only four goals between them this
season.

Carroll being injured for most of the season is a mitigating factor but
there's no overlooking the £5million spent on Maiga which has returned a
strike rate of one goal a year - since when he has been given up on and
shipped off to QPR.

Maiga's departure to QPR isn't the only example of Allardyce's constantly
shifting valuation of his players. Previous record signing Jarvis only made
19 league appearances this season with Allardyce frequently preferring to
play Diame. He has been exceptional this season but it seems rampantly
wasteful to have him out of position on the left wing in lieu of Jarvis, who
cost in excess of £7million.

Man management

As rumours began to fly about Allardyce' future, record signing Carroll came
out in support with this: "He has a lot of faith in me, I respect that and
have to give it my all when I go out on to the pitch. His man-management of
me has been great."

Good man-management and getting the most of our record signing are obviously
important characteristics in a manager and it's being said that the sterling
performance against Tottenham was born out of the players' loyalty to their
manager.

His man management doesn't seem as good with every member of the team
however with the constant whispers that he has rubbed up our greatest youth
talent Ravel Morrison the wrong way to the extent that either he goes or the
player does.

While these rumours have been denied, I would say Allardyce can't count on
the player's endorsement to save his job.

Form

The sacking of football managers in the Premier League is often criticised
as reactionary. It's heavily influenced by form, so let's see how Allardyce'
form stands up.

In the last six Premier League games of the season West Ham won one and lost
five (alhough it should be remembered it was a tough last six including
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Man City).

Manager Wins Draws Loss Points
Moyes 3 0 3 9
A.V.B. 2 1 3 7
Hughton 1 1 4 1
Laudrup 1 1 4 4
Mackay 1 1 4 4
Holloway 1 0 5 3
Clarke 0 2 4 2
Meulensteen 0 1 5 1
Di Canio 0 1 4 1
Jol 0 0 6 0


With Allardyce's three points from the last six games he'd be right in the
middle of sacked managers at sixth place. A.V.B. and Moyes may be special
cases but there's no denying he wouldn't look out of place with the sacked
managers based on form.


In Conclusion

So Allardyce appears to have done a fair job in the Premier League with the
resources available. The players have gone to bat for him and perhaps form
can be forgiven given the tough opposition.

However there are cup failures to account for, some of the fans are in open
revolt and the huge transfer kitty he was given to build the squad with was
squandered.

In my opinion, his biggest failure is in the transfer window. Perhaps he
could work well if given a strong director of football? There are already
rumblings that he would have less control over transfers if he does manage
to stay.

Whether or not such systems work is too much to tackle here, but I don't
think Allardyce is half as good as Allardyce thinks he is and his fate is
sealed.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United Compile Three-Man Short List To Replace Manager Sam
Allardyce
by Ron Carne May 19th, 2014
caughtoffside.com

West Ham United have drawn up a three-man short list of possible candidates
to take over from their under-pressure head coach Sam Allardyce in the Upton
Park dugout next season, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.

The East London club held a board meeting last Tuesday in which it had been
expected that Allardyce would be given his marching orders after a
disappointing last campaign in which the club flirted with relegation from
the Premier League, with the Hammers fan in particular not happy with the
style of football on display at Upton Park.

And with West Ham due to move into the Olympic Stadium on Stratford at the
end of next season, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are understood
to be determined to bring on board a new manager who can change the brand of
football at the club, with Feyenoord boss Ronald Koeman, Sunderland manager
Gus Poyet and former Manchester United coach David Moyes all said to
currently be under consideration for the role in the east end of London next
season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons "wait on 'mystery man' response"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 19, 2014 in Whispers
Claretandhugh.info

West Ham United are understood to be awaiting the response of an unnamed
manager to the opportunity of becoming the club's new boss.

At this stage ClaretandHugh has been unable to identify the person concerned
but we have been told by a previously highly trustworthy source that the
club is expecting a response within two days.

And with the board meeting into Sam Allardyce's future scheduled for Friday
the timetable presented to us makes sense.

We have always been entirely honest at ClaretandHugh since we opened for
business six months ago and don't intend to fool our followers with a load
of guesswork now.

But we have been told categorically that an answer is expected within 48
hours and that should it be negative then we can expect Sam to continue in
the job.

However, should that be the case we understand that the board will tell the
manager that he will need to bring in 'flair' players and that the Hammers
of 2014/15 will be expected to play with far more flair than was seen last
season.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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