Daily WHUFC News - 5th August 2014

Nobes psyched for Sampdoria
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble cannot wait to get back out on the Boleyn Ground turf on Saturday
04.08.2014

Mark Noble is looking forward to testing himself against more top European
opposition when Sampdoria visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday for the
inaugural Marathonbet Cup. Noble captained West Ham United for Sunday's
conclusion to the Schalke Cup, which saw them come off second best against
Spanish side Malaga following an impressive penalty shoot-out win against
the tournament hosts the day before. With the squad now back in the UK,
Noble's thoughts have quickly turned to the Hammers' final pre-season
friendly against the Italian outfit, which will offer Sam Allardyce a last
chance to test his squad before the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur
in two weeks' time. "It'll be nice to get back out at the Boleyn Ground
against a top European side," Noble said. "It's our last game before the
start of the season and it'll be nice to get back there playing in front of
your own fans. "With so many players coming in and some of the injuries
we've got it'll be interesting to see what starting XI the gaffer will go
with. We've got less than two weeks now to knuckle down and to become a
proper team and hopefully we can get another couple of signings in to
improve the squad and the team."

Malaga's victory meant the Spanish side won the four-team tournament that
also featured fellow Barclays Premier League side Newcastle United. The
Hammers had been in with a chance of winning the trophy following Saturday's
7-6 shoot-out win, but despite not bringing the silverware home, the Hammer
of the Year saw the trip to Germany as a worthwhile exercise. "In Germany
the level was a lot higher and the teams were a lot better and we coped well
in spells. We played Malaga and they had all the ball, but it was a good
work out for the boys. We know the way the Spanish play; you expect that.
"It's hard as I've been through pre-seasons before and we've battered every
team we've come across but then we've lost the first three games of the
season. "So I think in pre-season it's all about fitness, getting to a level
where you want to be at to play in the Premier League. Hopefully we can get
off to a good start as we got 14 points from our first eight games two
seasons ago. We just need to get points on the board early doors and make
life easy for ourselves."

Noble and the rest of the West Ham first-team squad will have a chance to
meet Enner Valencia at training this week after the Ecuador World Cup star
flew into London on Friday night. Noble admits he cannot wait to see what
the Club's second most expensive signing ever can add to the squad as Sam
Allardyce looks to shake up his attacking options. "No pressure on him but
we need him at the moment as we're bit light in that area. We just need our
squad back together for the start of the season. "Hopefully we can entertain
the fans and put on a good show in our home games and then go away and be
solid away from home. We've finished tenth and 13th so the aim will be to
finish better than that this time around."

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Mediawatch - 4 August
WHUFC.com
A round-up of West Ham United in the news today
04.08.2014

The Sun (£) reports that the Hammers are weighing up a move for Sunderland
striker Connor Wickham, as their search for a striker continues. This line
is also carried in the Daily Telegraph.

Another transfer story in Monday's press concerns Manchester United winger
Wilfried Zaha, with the Daily Mail reporting that West Ham would like to
take him on loan.

The Mirror has coverage of the hamstring injury suffered by Carl Jenkinson
in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Malaga.

That same game, in which two goals from the Spanish side in as many first
half minutes gave Malaga the victory, is covered by match reports in the
Mail and The Sun (£).

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Ladies add five new players
WHUFC.com
Julian Dicks' West Ham United Ladies have been busy bolstering their ranks
in recent weeks
04.08.2014

West Ham United Ladies' new manager Julian Dicks has strengthened his squad
with five new additions already this summer. The Hammers have recruited some
new talent in goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles and striker Emma Sherwood from
Millwall, defender Ruby Baxter from Bristol Academy, midfielder Vicky
Kinsman from Barking Ladies and attacker Alma Donohoe from KIKK United. The
new girls have all got down to work with their new club and are relishing
the 2014/15 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division season. "The
decision to leave Millwall was never going to be an easy one," admitted
Runnacles. "I wish them all the best for the rest of their season, but the
move to West Ham made sense in so many ways. "Since joining the club, I feel
that I've been given great support and the training that I need. "It's been
intense and I'm sure that will carry on throughout the season but, with the
group of girls and staff we have here, I'm sure it will result in a positive
future at the club!"

Also joining from Millwall is striker Sherwood, who said the presence of
Dicks in the dugout was a big factor in her swapping south London for east
London.
"It was an easy decision to join West Ham from Millwall after meeting the
girls and Julian," revealed Sherwood. "The girls have got so much banter and
it already feels like I'm part of the family here. "Julian is a great
manager and is an absolute pleasure to play for. He manages to get the best
out of us and everyone has great respect for him and the ambition that he
has with the Ladies squad. "I'm looking forward to the season ahead and know
that we can challenge for silverware this season."

Two of the Hammers' new additions are returning to West Ham Ladies after
several years away from the club. One of those is midfielder Kinsman, who
has featured for Barking Ladies since leaving the Hammers ten years ago. "I
couldn't be prouder putting on a West Ham shirt than I am right now,"
confirmed Kinsman. "Ten years ago, I played for West Ham but decided to
leave to have a few years out. I'm finally back where I belong and I can't
wait to get stuck in and win some trophies with the girls!"

The other returning Hammer is defender Baxter, who featured for West Ham
Ladies at Under-12 level at the same time as playing for Leyton Orient,
before The FA introduced a 'one club rule', where Orient's Centre of
Excellence status was enough to persuade her away from the Hammers. Now back
in the Claret and Blue shirt, Baxter couldn't be happier. "Since leaving
Bristol Academy and returning home, it feels so good to be back wearing the
West Ham shirt and playing for the club that has and will always be closest
to my heart," said Baxter. "I feel privileged to have been selected for the
upcoming season with Julian and the girls. "I am extremely excited for the
season to commence and am relishing the thought of success in the league and
other competitions this year."

The final addition to the Ladies squad is striker, former Cambridge
University Women's Football captain and Harvard Business School graduate
Donohoe, who has joined the Hammers from Mile End-based KIKK United. "I'm
very excited about joining West Ham Ladies," said Donohoe (pictured with
manager Julian Dicks). "I think it will be a great challenge and I am
prepared to work hard for the team and the manager. I'm hoping to have a
good season and see the team finish in the top half of the table."

The Ladies, who finished second from bottom in the Southern Division last
season before appointing Dicks as manager this summer, continued their
pre-season with a 3-2 defeat at C&K Basildon on Sunday. Vicki Bruce and
Vicki King twice put the Hammers in front in the first half, only for the
home side to level the match at 2-2 by half-time. A winning goal ten minutes
after the break condemned Dicks to his first defeat as Ladies manager. West
Ham will kick-off their 2014/15 Southern Division season by travelling to
Uxbridge FC to take on Queens Park Rangers on Sunday 24 August at 2pm.
Dicks' first home league game in charge will be against Tottenham Hotspur at
Aveley FC at 7.45pm on Thursday 4 September.

Ladies: Runnacles, Baxter, King, Powels, Bottom, Morgan, Little, Hinton,
Donohoe, Sherwood, Bruce

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U19s show strongly at Eurofoot
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Academy side finished sixth at the Yale Eurofoot
Tournament
04.08.2014

West Ham United's Academy side performed strongly in Belgium over the
weekend to take sixth place in the annual Yale Eurofoot Tournament. The
tournament features U19 sides from across Europe, with the likes of
Anderlecht, Standard Liege, Utrecht and Tottenham Hotspur also in
attendance.
West Ham began superbly on Thursday, winning their opening two group games
against Belgian opposition. Jerry Amoo (pictured) and Jordan Brown were on
target to down Anderlecht 2-0, and the pair were on the scoresheet again,
alongside Djair Parfitt-Williams, to secure a 3-1 victory over Oostende,
which meant the Hammers had a perfect six points from six at the end of day
one. Friday gave the Hammers a three-game schedule, and the winning habit
was maintained as Standard Liege were on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline
first up - with Amoo taking his tournament tally to four. A 1-1 draw against
Danish outfit Nordsjaelland continued the unbeaten run, although a 2-0
defeat to eventual tournament winners Paranaense, of Brazil, meant the
Hammers had to settle for third in the group, missing out to Nordsjaelland
for a semi-final spot on goal difference. Third meant a play-off for fifth
place against Club Brugge on Sunday, and the Belgians prevailed to take the
honours with a 2-0 scoreline. Paranaense saw off Genk 1-0 in the final to
lift the trophy

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West Ham's Ravel Morrison released on bail over assault
BBC.co.uk

West Ham footballer Ravel Morrison has been released on bail after three
days in custody on charges of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and her mother.
Mr Morrison faces two charges of common assault after an alleged incident
involving Reah Mansoor, 19, and Parveen Mansoor, 39, on 27 July. He was
remanded in custody on Thursday, but his bail was approved at a Manchester
Crown Court hearing earlier. The 21-year-old from Urmston is next due before
magistrates on Thursday. After starting his career with Manchester United's
youth teams, he was sold to West Ham in January 2012. The midfielder, who
has also played on loan for QPR and Birmingham City, has four England
Under-21 caps.

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Sam on the move
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th August 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham Academy goalkeeper Sam Cowler has joined Vanarama Conference
side Barnet. 21-year-old Cowler spent three years at the club without making
a single first team appearance, although he was an unused substitute for the
2-1 defeat against Aldershot in the 2011/12 Carling Cup. Upon leaving West
Ham, Cowler joined Barnet but found his opportunities limited due to the
steady form of regular number one Graham Stack. A year ago this month he
moved to Bishop's Stortford before another former Hammer, Martin 'Mad Dog'
Allen, took him back to the Bees, as confirmed by the player himself this
afternoon. Cowler was part of the same youth team that included the likes of
Danny Potts, Seb Lletget and Matthias Fanimo, all of whom represented the
club in Germany last weekend. He was also in the same squad as Dylan
Tombides, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

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Ravel Morrison released on bail
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th August 2014
By: Staff Writer

Ravel Morrison has been released from custody three days before he is due in
court to answer an assault charge. Judge Michael Henshall this morning
agreed to release the West Ham midfielder on bail, four days after he was
remanded in custody after allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and her
mother, reports the Manchester Evening News. Morrison, who wasn't appear in
court this morning for the bail application hearing will appear at
Manchester magistrates court this coming Thursday (August 7) after being
arrested in the early hours of last Sunday morning. He stands accused of
assaulting former girlfriend Reah Mansoor, 19, and her mother Parveen
Mansoor, 39.

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West Ham's Ravel Morrison granted bail after spending weekend in custody
Last Updated: 04/08/14 12:35pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has been freed after a judge granted him
bail following a private court hearing. The 21-year-old was in custody and
not present at Manchester Crown Court to hear the bail application made by
his lawyers. Morrison is accused of two counts of common assault on his
ex-girlfriend Reah Mansoor, 19 and her mother Parveen Mansoor, 39, in the
early hours of last Sunday morning. He was refused bail by District Judge
James Prowse at his first court appearance at Manchester Magistrates' Court
on Thursday and spent the weekend in custody. Judge Michael Henshall granted
Morrison bail on Monday, but his conditions were not given by the court
following a request from the press. Morrison was sold by Manchester United
to West Ham for a fee of £650,000 in January 2012, but has since spent loan
spells at Birmingham and QPR. He is next due to appear at Manchester
Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

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West Ham wait on Carl Jenkinson injury news
Last Updated: 04/08/14 3:11pm
SSN

Carl Jenkinson is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season
with West Ham after picking up an injury in Sunday's friendly against
Malaga.
Jenkinson, who has signed for the Hammers on a season-long loan from
Arsenal, injured a hamstring in the 2-0 defeat and will have a scan to
determine the extent of the damage. West Ham midfielder Mark Noble told Sky
Sports News: "Hopefully it is not too bad because we need players like that
fit for the start of the season. New signing Carl Jenkinson suffered a
hamstring injury but Mark Noble says it isn't serious. Noble is however,
concerned about Andy Carroll's injury. "It was a precaution to take him off
and we have two more games before we start the season with a tough one
against Tottenham." With first-choice right-back Guy Demel also injured,
manager Sam Allardyce will be hoping that Jenkinson's injury does not prove
to be too serious. The defeat to Malaga was West Ham's third loss in four
pre-season games and they are next in action against Sampdoria at Upton Park
on Saturday.

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BIG SAM: STICK OR TWIST?
By Iain Dale 4 Aug 2014 at 17:43
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by David Cutting

I've been watching West Ham for 37 years, since I was 7 years old (North
Bank Bar standing on a milk crate). My old man used to play for West Ham
Boys and played semi-pro for Barking, Leytonstone, etc. To be honest I never
rated myself much as a player, let's say a mediocre at best right-back. The
old man was a bit tasty, playing centre forward for Barking (when they were
decent). But I have spent a lot of my time around senior football since the
age of 8. The old man started Eldon Black Lion many years ago, based out of
The Black Lion PH (West Ham Boxing Club) in Plaistow. He was Aveley FC's
Coach when they played Oxford City and I got to meet Bobby Moore and Harry.
I'll be honest, I remember meeting BM6 but I couldn't remember meeting Aitch
until I heard some Radio 5 Live broadcast about it last year. Enough Already
– name-dropping or just real life football related experience?

I listen to the reported 80% or so wanting Sam out every week and I
understand it, I get it, I want it (sort of) – from a 'fan' point of view,
from an 'entertainment' point of view, from a 'this is how football should
be played' point of view. If I was ever good enough to play for Big Sam, I'm
sure I would be the first player out the door – "Don't pass it around the
edge of the penalty box, just get rid of it" – I assure you, I have
absolutely no reason to like him or admire him. I'm bored and uninspired
too!

Yet, West Ham United have probably the 2 most important years of their
modern history ahead of them. This isn't a time for looking good (my own
personal football philosophy goes flying out the window). So yeah come on,
let's kick Big Sam out. It'll make us all feel much better about ourselves.
I'm sure we will all celebrate, but maybe only temporarily?

When push comes to shove, look at our squad: Adrian, Jussi, Jenkinson,
O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Diame, Nolan, Jarvis,
Downing, Zarate, Valencia, Carroll – Zaha (wildcard?)

Personally, I think that's good enough to be where we need to be next year.

No Drama (Hopefully). No Crisis (Hopefully). No Sackings (TBC) End of
Contract (Hopefully) and then 'at last' time to move on and grow OUR beloved
Football Club.

Oh yeah, and a whole 12 months to find a top manager to take us to the next
level

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WHAT HAS KEVIN NOLAN EVER DONE FOR US?
By Iain Dale 4 Aug 2014 at 12:39
West Ham Till I Die

Guest Post by Appy Ammer

This has been hammered home so many times but the facts are, Kevin Nolan
will probably start the season, so rather than whine about it, I wanted to
talk about the things Kevin brings to the club.

There are things off the pitch that clearly Nolan deals in, from what I can
gather he handles club fines (Discipline?) and helps with the integration of
new players he takes under his wing. And he is the player others go to if
they want to talk to Sam, so away from the pitch he has a big influence and
is very important, arguably as a captain one of the better ones we have had
for a while. (I would argue the last captain we had who was as good was
maybe Steve Lomas)

But, therein lies a bit of a dilemma. If Sam drops Nolan, which many have
argued he should, myself included, then how does that effect the dressing
room? To some extent Sam's inability (whatever the reason) of not wanting to
get his hands dirty with the squad has created his own problems.

Nolan, as captain and everything else he brings to the squad makes him also
undroppable, but is he the same player as he was when he joined us? I would
argue he isn't, and no matter how good a captain off the pitch he doesn't do
enough on it. But again, does he have too much power with the other lads?

If so, what do you do with him? We all know he will not be dropped and we
also know he is an excellent captain, so how do you deal with it? Nolan in a
new position? Maybe due to lack of pace push him as a virtual out and out
striker, alongside Carroll/Cole, relieving him of all defensive duties? Or
drop him deeper, maybe as an anchor and allow Noble/Koyate more chances to
get forward.

All I know is he will almost certainly play (unless he gets red carded for
Christmas! Not that I'm cynical!) and his current abilities do not allow him
to play the way he wants to or Sam wants him to.

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IS CONNOR WICKHAM REALLY THE ANSWER TO OUR STRIKER PROBLEMS?
By Iain Dale 4 Aug 2014 at 08:48
West Ham Till I DIe

The Telegraph suggest that West Ham are looking to Sunderland's Connor
Wickham to plug our attacking hole. Really? It is said he would be an ideal
replacement for Andy Carroll. Well, he's 6' foot three and doesn't score
many goals, but that has to be where the similarities end.

Wickham looked the business when he left Ipswich for Sunderland, but since
going to the North East he hasn't exactly set the world alight with his
exploits. Now admittedly he is only 21 years old and maybe he would fulfill
his promise if he moved to Upton Park, but if you look at his record so far
it isn't exactly stellar, although admittedly he came good towards the end
of last season and scored five goals in the run-in, which contributed hugely
to Sunderland staying up. But whatever his merits he is not the 15-20 goal a
season striker we so desperately need. At Ipswich he scored 13 in 65 and at
Sunderland he's only got 6 in 40. Overall, including loan spells and cup
games he has scored 33 goals in 143 games. Carlton Cole is more prolific.

It seems from the pre-season games so far that Sam Allardyce has barely
modified his style of play and that he will continue to play one up front.
Quite why the club has bought Zarate is anyone's guess as he certainly can't
play in that position, and I doubt whether Valencia would fancy it either.

Only at West Ham, eh?

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Former United footballer Ravel Morrison jogs away from prison after being
bailed on assault charges
Aug 04, 2014 19:23 By Paul Britton
This is the moment former Manchester United footballer Ravel Morrison,
charged with two assaults, was released on bail from Strangeways prison
Manchester Evening News

This is the moment former Manchester United footballer Ravel Morrison,
charged with two assaults, was released on bail from Strangeways prison.
The 21-year-old was freed from HMP Manchester seven hours after a judge had
granted a bail application after a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.
Morrison, had been remanded in custody last month after he was charged with
two counts of common assault. The charges relate to his ex-girlfriend Reah
Mansoor, 19, and her mother, 39-year-old Parveen Mansoor. Midfielder
Morrison, who moved to West Ham United from Manchester United in 2012, was
arrested on Sunday July 27 after police were called to an address in Peel
Green, Salford, in the early hours. It followed reports that a 19-year-old
woman had been assaulted outside a nightclub in Manchester city centre and
at an address on Alexandra Road in Peel Green. A 39-year-old woman also
claimed she had been attacked there. Morrison, who spent the end of last
season on loan at QPR, was remanded in custody by a district judge at
Manchester magistrates court during an initial hearing last month. No pleas
have been entered.

A bail application hearing was heard in private before judge Michael
Henshall at Manchester Crown Court. Morrison, of Welwyn Close, Urmston,
wasn't produced from custody to attend but bail was granted in his absence
at the end of the 15-minute hearing. No conditions of bail were revealed.
His mother turned up outside Strangeways in mid-afternoon but Morrison was
not released until about 5.30pm. Wearing a white t-shirt, cream jogging
pants and grey shell-toed trainers, Morrison was not met by anyone. He ran
off down Bury New Road towards the city centre. He is due to appear at
Manchester magistrates court again on Thursday. West Ham United have refused
to comment.

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Hammers hope Rav can train after getting bail
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are hoping they can get Ravel Morrison back into training following
him receiving bail this morning! The 21 year old midfielder clearly remains
part of the club's plans despite being remanded in custody by a district
judge at Manchester magistrates court during an initial hearing last month.
He was charged with two counts of common assault but today at a private
hearing before judge Michael Henshall at Manchester Crown Court, the 21 year
old was granted bail.
He wasn't produced from custody but was bail granted ahead of an appearance
before magistrates again on Thursday. A highly placed Hammers source told
Claretandhugh exclsuively: "Hopefully he can now get back and start
training. Maybe things are turning our way."

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EXCLUSIVE: Sullivan hopes Rav's back asap
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Sullivan has told Ravel Morrison he's looking forward to seeing him
back in training as quickly as possible. Sullivan was relieved to see the
player's bail application succeed in private chambers this morning and made
it clear there's still a place for the player at Upton Park. Speaking
exclusively to ClaretandHugh, the co-chairman said: ""I hope Ravel gets back
into training as soon as possible and concentrates on his football. Sullivan
had made it clear ahead of the incident last week that the board were keen
to offer the midfielder a new deal. And manager Sam Allardyce has since said
that if the player can get the discipline side of his game correct then he
is in his plans. The 21 year old will appear before magistrates in
Manchester on Thursday after being charged with two counts of common
assault. The charges relate to his ex-girlfriend Reah Mansoor, 19, and her
mother, 39-year-old Parveen Mansoor. No pleas have been entered.

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THE ALLARDYCE SITUATION NEEDS SORTING & SORTING NOW
By Iain Dale 4 Aug 2014 at 21:41
West Ham Till I Die

Guest Post by Heedsy

On the face of it, it doesn't seem to make any sense as to why we still have
Allardyce as our manager. I have no "well placed sources" to let me know
what is really going on at Upton Park but wonder whether it panned out
something like this.

Allardyce has served us not too badly up to recent times ( in spite of his
style not being liked by many fans). Last season was pretty shocking but in
spite of everything we survived. Then the fans found their voice and the
board new something must be done. It would not be unreasonable to assume
they looked at alternative managers and indicated they would prefer a home
based one? With Moyes probably proving too expensive and not many other
worthy prospects around (McKay etc) unless they wanted to take a real chance
on ex spud Hoddle or someone from a lower division, they were faced with
buying someone out of their contract. Together with Allardyce's payout that
could amount to significant dosh. So perhaps that did not look the best
business decision. Particularly if they could just get Allardyce to change
things a bit to appease the fans. Paying out possibly £6-£8 million for a
management change now against hanging in for one more year is a tough call
on shareholder funds.

Taking the transfer chequebook away from Allardyce was a must and new young
talented players would be put at his disposal.

I am sure the Board didn't say that Allardyce would play more attractive
attacking football this year and not expect to see some change. They know
the fans are not fools and have a voice.

So I can only assume Allardyce has agreed to the changes but had no
intention of following them through. It seems hard to believe that a
professional manager in the Premier League in this day and age would
actively go against his employers wishes and force them to back down or sack
him , but what other scenario can you come up with based on pre-season?

The soap opera that is now being played out in public does the club no good
at all. But I feel sure this was not the Board's original intention.
Nevertheless it needs sorting now. Surely the Board must call on Allardyce
to either do what he agreed to do or sack him.

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Peter Crouch not for sale as Stoke City boss Mark Hughes fends off West Ham
interest
Aug 04, 2014 22:30 By Alan Nixon
The Potters boss is determined to stand by the big target man despite
signing Mame Biram Diouf and with Hammers' Sam Allardyce on the prowl
The Mirror

Mark Hughes has put a 'hands off' notice on Stoke City striker Peter Crouch
– as West Ham look at an emergency deal. Hughes is determined to stand by
the big target man despite signing Mame Biram Diouf and with Hammers' Sam
Allardyce on the prowl. The Potters chief said: "Crouchie has been linked
with moves since I have come to the club. "I take it all with a pinch of
salt. "Peter was great for me last year and he is a player we want to keep.
"We have got good options and we want to keep it that way. "It's a long
tough season and you need good quality players over the place."

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Miserable Andy Carroll hits rock bottom following latest injury and abuse
from West Ham fans
Aug 04, 2014 22:30 By Simon Bird
The Gerodie is struggling to deal with being out of action for the first
four months of the season and has sunk to a new low, according to manager
Sam Allardyce
The Mirror

Three years ago he was riding high having completed a £35million dream
transfer from Newcastle to ­Liverpool, a record for a British player. Now,
Andy Carroll has hit rock bottom, sidelined yet again from the latest in his
catalogue of injuries and facing abuse from West Ham fans. The Geordie is
­struggling to deal with being out of action for the first four months of
the season and has sunk to a new low, according to Hammers manager Sam
Allardyce. Carroll is a week into his ­rehabilitation after surgery in the
United States to fix damaged ankle ligaments, his fourth bad injury since
joining the Londoners. And it has left the former England forward "miserable
and upset". He has made only 16 ­appearances for West Ham since signing for
£15m a year ago following a previous loan spell at the club. And Allardyce
has revealed the torment and ­frustration his target man is feeling. To make
matters worse, some Hammers fans have turned on Carroll. He has had messages
on social media telling him he is a ­"permanent crock with an average
record". Others simply advised him to "retire", and one critic wrote: "Fed
up this bloke has taken no care of himself".

Another responded to a picture of Carroll after his surgery with the
message: "They should put you down". The 25-year-old is adamant he will
bounce back from the abuse, but it has added to his distress because he
desperate to be a hit at Upton Park. And he still yearns for a return to the
England set-up, with the injuries also having wrecked his chances of going
to the World Cup in Brazil this summer. Allardyce said: "He is pretty
miserable. He is not very happy with life at the moment because it's a
massive blow to him again. "We just have to pick his spirits up. "Hopefully
when the boot comes off and the specialist gives him the OK to start working
again he will feel a lot happier with himself. "But he is certainly very
upset and very miserable at this moment in time."

Question marks remain over Carroll's fragile body and his ability to
recapture the threat that saw Liverpool pay Newcastle £35m in January 2011
for a player who once fell off a bar stool and pulled a thigh muscle. As a
youngster at Newcastle he became the marauding, near unplayable pivot of the
attack until manager Alan Pardew decided to cash in and move to a different
style of football at St James' Park. His value plunged at Liverpool even
though he made 52 ­appearances for club and country in the 2011-12 season,
scoring 10 goals. A year on loan with the Hammers ended with seven goals in
24 games, a decent return amid the injuries. He was sidelined for a month
with a hamstring problem in September 2012 and two months from December with
a twisted knee. In May last year he was crocked for seven months with a
­complicated heel problem that meant he did not play again until January
this year. To need and operation and be ruled out for the start of this
campaign has been a bitter blow. Carroll is getting support from his
team-mates. James Collins knows exactly what he is going through as he was
also forced to spend a lengthy period out of the side through injury last
year. The Wales defender managed to make a full recovery, and has no doubts
that Carroll can do the same as he has the right people to help him come
back quickly. Collins said: "It is devastating for him, I had a similar
situation last year and it is tough for him. "Injuries happen and he has had
two bad ones early in his career. "He is a good character and has got good
people around him. "I am sure he will be back as quick as he can."

Despite his past ­reputation of liking a party, Carroll is a charming
character who is anxious to do well. At the end of last season he was
encouraged to see that the likes of Rickie Lambert were in the Three Lions
squad and has not given up hope of adding to his nine caps. He enjoys his
gym work and physical training, and will look at ­everything possible
strengthen his big frame. Carroll used the word ­"devastated" to describe
his ­feelings when the extent of his latest injury was revealed on the
club's tour of New Zealand.

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Pressure building on 'Untouchable' Nolan
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 4, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Kevin Nolan's role in the West Ham United team is coming under more and more
pressure from inside the club. Big questions are being asked by powerful
insiders as to why the highly skilled Mauro Zarate was deployed as a lone
front man Sunday. And they are convinced he will be given little chance of
competing for the Nolan position – which looks his natural role..
The manager is facing a backlash should he ignore the Argentine with
ClaretandHugh sources saying: "He and the other players were brought in to
put the pressure on places. "Nolan appears to have become a Sam Allardyce
'Untouchable.' Zarate is a natural replacement for Nolan and that's what
should happen.
"In the Schalke game Nolan's biggest contribution was talking to the
referee. "Everybody felt so sorry for Mauro being used as a lone striker.
"It's so hard for a player who does what he does to play in that position
if we hump the ball. "Given the opportunity, Mauro can become a real star
and pressure is building to ensure that he gets his chances in the Nolan
role. The captain has to be treated in exactly the same way as every other
player – if he is off form he should be dropped. Simple"

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