Daily WHUFC News - 9th August 2014

Match Preview - UC Sampdoria
WHUFC.com
All the essential pre-match info ahead of our Marathonbet Cup fixture against UC Sampdoria
08.08.2014


WEST HAM UNITED v UC SAMPDORIA
MARATHONBET CUP
BOLEYN GROUND
SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM

West Ham United App West Ham TV
In brief
Football returns to the Boleyn Ground after a 99-day break when the Hammers face Italian side UC Sampdoria for the inaugural Marathonbet Cup. Following six pre-season matches away from home, Sam Allardyce's men are back on familiar turf, with several new signings set to make their Boleyn Ground debuts. West Ham will be looking to end their pre-season campaign on a high, having not yet won a summer fixture over 90 minutes. They did triumph 7-6 on penalties following a 0-0 draw at Schalke 04 last Saturday, but then suffered a 2-0 defeat to Malaga 24 hours later at the same venue. Saturday's opponents finished last season's Serie A campaign in eleventh place and will be playing their first game on UK soil since a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in 2007. Sampdoria's season starts with a trip to Palermo on 31 August, and they could feature as many as five new signings on Saturday - full backs Lorenzo De Silvestri, Fabrizio Cacciatore, midfielders Alfred Duncan and Jose Campana and forward Gonzalo Bergessio. Should the match finish level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will take place to determine the winner.

Who are they?
Formed in 1946, il Doria are the imalgamation of two previous clubs who can trace their roots back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria. Their past is reflected both in the team's jersey and name, Sampdoria combining both and their colours all being present in their strip - blue, white red and black.
Their home ground Stadio Luigi Ferraris has a capacity of 36,536 and is shared with city and Serie A rivals Genoa.

Sampdoria's glory days were between the mid-1980s and early-1990s. Under Vujadin Boskov and Sven-Goran Eriksson, they won the Serie A title, four Italian Cups, the Italian Supercup, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and reached the 1992 European Cup final. Back then, the Genovese club enjoyed the services of some top players, including Irishman and future Hammer Liam Brady, England striker Trevor Francis, Ruud Gullit, Roberto Mancini, Gianluca Vialli and Pietro Vierchowod.

Managed by former Sampdoria, Lazio, Internazionale and Yugoslavia defender Sinisa Mihajlovic, Sampdoria finished the 2013/14 season in eleventh position in Serie A. The club has been active in the transfer market over the summer months and will be hopeful of breaking into the top half of the table this term.

Team news
West Ham United
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce could give four of his six summer signings their first appearances at the Boleyn Ground in Claret and Blue, with Aaron Cresswell, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diego Poyet and Mauro Zarate all in line to feature.
Two other recent arrivals, Carl Jenkinson (hamstring) and Enner Valencia (not match fit), are not available for selection. Andy Carroll (ankle) is also definitely out, but James Tomkins (groin) and Guy Demel (compassionate leave) could be involved.

UC Sampdoria
Sampdoria have also been busy in the transfer market, bringing in full-backs Lorenzo De Silvestri and Fabrizio Cacciatore, midfielders Alfred Duncan and Jose Campana and forward Gonzalo Bergessio.
While all five could appear this afternoon, Alessandro De Vitis will miss today's game after undergoing surgery to repair damaged anterior cruciate knee ligaments, while Vasco Regini (bruised sternum) could also be sidelined.

One to watch
West Ham United
Mauro Zarate will hope to recreate his finest moment in Italian football when he takes on Italian opposition in his first appearance at the Boleyn Ground.
West Ham United's Argentine forward scored in normal time and in a penalty shootout as a Lazio player in their Italian Cup final win over UC Sampdoria in 2009. The 27-year-old netted an outstanding goal just four minutes into the final in Rome, cutting in from the left past two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.
Zarate showed a similar glimpse of his ability when he scored a fantastic maiden goal for the Hammers during their Football United Tour to New Zealand, netting from outside the penalty area in the 2-1 defeat by Wellington Phoenix in Auckland in July.

UC Sampdoria
Zarate's fellow countryman Gonzalo Bergessio will be anxious to impress after completing a transfer from relegated Catania earlier this week. A lively striker, Bergessio was born in Cordoba and spent the first seven years of his professional career in his homeland with Platense, Instituto and Racing Avellaneda.
After an unsuccessful spell with Benfica in Portugal, he made his name with San Lorenzo back in Argentina, bagging 29 goals in 48 league games. After a season in France with St Etienne, the 30-year-old joined Catania in January 2011.
Bergessio was capped three times by his country in 2008, scoring twice in a friendly win over Panama in May 2009.

Tickets
Supporters can pay on the day for the Marathonbet Cup this Saturday against Serie A side Sampdoria.
Prices on the day are £15 for U16s and £25 for Adults. The Stadium Ticket Office opens at 9am, with cash turnstiles also available from 1.30pm until kick-off.
A Family Fun Zone will be open in the Alpari Stand Car Park from 1.30pm, where the kids can test their skills in a penalty shootout or have a kickabout on our mini inflatable pitch.
Advance tickets are available to order online or by phone up until 5pm on Friday 8 August, priced at £10 for U16s and £20 for Adults. Season Ticket Holders receive a £5 discount.
Every fan buying a ticket in advance will be placed into a prize draw to win a pair of boots signed by Hammer of the Year Mark Noble. Book online at whufcboxoffice.com or by phone on 0871 529 1966 (calls 10p/min plus network extras).

Travel
Supporters will be delighted to know that there is no engineering work planned on the London Underground network on Saturday, save for engineering works at the far west end of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge.
Greater Anglia mainline services are also blissfully free of engineering works at the south end of the network, which serves London Liverpool Street, Stratford and stations in mid and north Essex.
c2c mainline services connecting south Essex with Barking, West Ham and London Fenchurch Street will also be free of engineering works.

Weather
Saturday's weather forecast for east London is for a warm day with sunny intervals and a maximum afternoon temperature of 23C (74F).

Last meeting
West Ham United meet UC Sampdoria for just the second time. Hammers fans will be hoping for better than the 6-1 Makita International Tournament defeat suffered at Highbury in August 1991. That day, Renato Buso scored four times and Toninho Cerezo and Attilio Lombardo once each for the Italians, with George Parris netting the Hammers' consolation goal when the score was 4-0.

Old boys
Three players have appeared for both West Ham and Sampdoria - Liam Brady, Manuel da Costa and Marco Borriello.
Republic of Ireland international midfielder Brady joined Sampdoria from Juventus in 1982, having won two Serie A titles with the Turin club. He spent two seasons with Sampdoria, scoring six goals in 57 Serie A appearances before moving on to Internazionale in 1984 and Ascoli in 1986. In 1987, he joined West Ham United for £100,000, scoring ten goals in 119 games in Claret and Blue. Brady spent 18 years as head of Arsenal's Academy between 1996 and 2014 and is remains a popular pundit on Ireland's national broadcaster RTE.

France-born Morocco international Manuel da Costa was loaned to Sampdoria from Fiorentina in January 2009, before going on to make two Serie A and two UEFA Europa League appearances. Da Costa joined West Ham on a permanent basis in June of the same year, spending two seasons in east London. He made 35 appearances and scored four goals for the Hammers before joining Lokomotiv Moscow in summer 2011.
Striker Borriello spent the first half of the 2005/06 season on loan at Sampdoria from AC Milan. The Italy international scored two goals in 14 appearances before moving on to another loan spell at Treviso in January 2006. Borriello joined West Ham on loan from Roma in January 2014, but made just two Barclays Premier League appearances before being ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury.

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Dev Squad end pre-season with draw
WHUFC.com
Jaanai Gordon scored as the Hammers U21s drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Friday
08.08.2014

West Ham United U21 1-1 Aston Villa U21
Pre-Season Match

The Development Squad closed their pre-season campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Little Heath on Friday afternoon. The young Hammers were pegged back after taking an early lead and had to work hard to preserve parity against their visitors. With a trip to PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League's new International Cup looming large on the horizon, Nick Haycock can reflect on a positive summer, which has brought victories over senior non-league sides, and silverware in the shape of the Absolute Sports Travel Cup, which involved Development teams from Shakhtar Donetsk and Espanyol.
Jaanai Gordon headed the Hammers into a 23rd minute lead on Friday, drifting into space in the box to meet Kyle Knoyle's right wing cross with an unstoppable header. Villa responded well though and went close on 32 minutes when Michael Drennan made space for a shot outside the area and brought a sprawling stop from Sam Howes. Six minutes later the visitors were level as Jerrell Sellars carried the ball inside from the right channel and beat Howes from 20 yards with the help of a deflection. Villa were in the ascendancy and almost moved in front with 51 minutes on the clock as Callum Robinson curled wide from the edge of the box. Kevin Toner headed wide after rising well to meet Henry Cowans' corner, but Villa could not break through for a second time as the Hammers stood firm. Having weathered the storm, West Ham then finished the game strongly, as their trialist twice went close in the latter stages, first being closed down well by keeper Craig Hill, then firing wide of the near post after Moses Makasi's pass.

West Ham United: Howes, Knoyle (Sheriff 46), Page (Adebayo 58), Nasha, Onariase, Harney (Trialist 46), Labonne (Brown 75), Maksai, Gordon (Martins 75), Powell (Sylvestre), Fanimo

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Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com
Matthias Fanimo blogs for whufc.com following a successful pre-season
08.08.2014

Hello everybody,
It's been a good pre-season for me. I've been away with the first team to New Zealand and Germany and it's been a great experience. The trips away with the first team have given me a chance to prove myself in front of the gaffer, and I got some good minutes on the pitch last Saturday against Schalke, which was fantastic to play in such a big stadium against such a big team. Coming up against players like Kevin-Prince Boateng is something I'll cherish - it's a shame that Draxler and Huntelaar were still away - but it was a very good experience and it was nice to get a good result too. You improve with every training session and experience like that. Being in and around the first team, the older players who are physically stronger than you, it's always good to train with them and adapt to those sort of situations.
In New Zealand, I went behind the camera to film some behind the scenes footage, which you can see here. I wouldn't have minded doing the SkyWalk myself, it's not something you can do every day, but I missed out on the rock, paper, scissors. As you can see, Danny Whitehead didn't really fancy it! He looked really scared when he was up there. For myself now, there's an Under-21s game against Aston Villa on Friday and the boys have had some good resutls in pre-season They're looking really strong going into the first game, which is in the European competition agaisnt PSV on Tuesday. My aim for the season is to get as many first team games as possible and push on. It's good to play for the 21s, but the ambition is to play in the first-team, so that's what I'm hoping to do.

Matthias

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Lycamobile Cup winners to return
WHUFC.com
This summer's Lycamobile Cup winners will be back at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday
08.08.2014

The winners of the inaugural Lycamobile Cup are to return to the Boleyn Ground for Saturday's Marathonbet Cup, the scene of their respective triumphs back in May. In an exciting partnership initiative, Lycamobile and West Ham United Community Sports Trust joined forces to establish an U12s and U14s tournament back in December, culminating in a thrilling Boleyn Ground finals day. With some 4,500 youngsters playing their part in a festival of football, Redbridge U12s and West Ham United Kicks U14s ultimately took the honours and will be parading their trophies prior to kick-off against UC Sampdoria on Saturday.

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Valencia vows to 'bring happiness'
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia is hoping to bring cheer to east London with a prolific 2014/15 campaign
07.08.2014

Summer signing Enner Valencia has vowed to put smiles on West Ham United faces as he sets about a first season in the Barclays Premier League. A long-term admirer of England's top flight, the 24-year-old needed little convincing when the Hammers came calling. Aside from the lure of Premier League football, it was West Ham's ambitious plans that caught Valencia's eye and he, in turn, is desperate to make the right impression. "It's massive for me," he revealed. "It's a big step and I'm just trying to get used to it. After the World Cup, several things came along and lots of different Clubs. But when West Ham were interested in me, I said yes, definitely, because it's one of my dreams, one of my goals to play in the Premier League. "I feel very confident. I scored three goals on a major stage, so I'm confident that I can do well now. I'm here to work, work very hard, score goals and do the best I can for the Club. "Before signing we spoke a lot about the ambitions of the Club and trying to play European football. It's definitely a great challenge and we're going to work very hard to achieve that." To do so, Valencia will likely need to reproduce the form that saw him net 18 times for Mexican outfit Pachuca last term. But he is not precious about his position, happy and willing to play anywhere across the frontline. "I can play all over, centre-forward, on the wing and even behind the forward," he added. "I'm a very quick player, I work very hard, I'm always trying to work when I don't have the ball to be in a good position to receive and finish. I hope I can bring a lot of happiness to the West Ham fans."
As for his new team-mates, Valencia is naturally disappointed that he will be without the company of Andy Carroll for the time being, but not the least bit fazed by carrying the burden in his absence. "It's a shame that Andy's injured again. I've watched him play and he's a fantastic player. I'm hoping to learn from him, to play alongside him and hopefully we can achieve great things together here. "As a professional I'm used to pressure and playing in the Premier League that pressure is always going to be there. I'm going to work hard, try my best and the results will come."

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Vice-Chairman made life peer
WHUFC.com
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady has been made a life peer
08.08.2014

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady CBE has this morning accepted a peerage from Her Majesty's Government. Ms Brady, who became a CBE in HM The Queen's New Year's Honours list and is also the Conservatives' Small Business Ambassador, will now sit in the House of Lords while continuing her role as Vice-Chairman of the Club. Following Friday's announcement, Ms Brady spoke of her desire to continue to support British business and the cause of women at work. "I feel honoured and proud to have been invited to serve in the House of Lords as a working peer," Ms Brady confirmed. "I have a long-held passion for championing the causes of British business and women in the workplace and these will be two key areas of focus for me in this new role." Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate the Vice-Chairman on her latest honour.

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Haycock ready for season start
WHUFC.com
Development Squad coach Nick Haycock is happy with his team's pre-season progress
08.08.2014

Nick Haycock cannot wait for the season to start after his Development Squad side finished their pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Friday. Jaanai Gordon's 23rd minute header was cancelled out by Villa's Jerrell Sellars and the Hammers had to withstand some heavy pressure from the away side to ensure the spoils would be shared. Withstand it they did and Haycock said he was happy with the resilience shown by his young side. "It was a tough game on Friday," he said. "Gordan [Cowans] always brings teams over here and they play the right way. "I was disappointed with the way we passed the ball, but the effort the players to get another reasonable pre-season result was good. "We've only lost one game in pre-season, but as I said in the dressing room, that'll count for nothing if the boys don't take what we've learned from pre-season into the league campaign and the PSV game on Tuesday and produce winning performances with a little bit better football than we saw on Friday. "Sometimes you have to stay in the game when you're up against it and we did that. All in it was a good workout and a lot of the players who played today needed the minutes. "There were eight or nine players training with the first team, preparing for the Sampdoria game, which is a great experience for them and obviously it means that we had young players in our team. "That's probably why they shaded the first half. We did some better things in the second half. It's a great learning process for the players, and for the older players to lead the younger ones."

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Fool me twice?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th August 2014
By: Staff Writer

Troubled Hammer Ravel Morrison came under fresh friendly fire last night after posting a picture of himself wearing an Arsenal shirt. The 21-year-old midfielder, posting just hours after he appeared in court to answer assault-related charges published a picture on Instagram featuring himself and a friend sitting in a red Ferrari. And just a matter of weeks after he posted a picture of himself wearing a Chelsea shirt, Morrison was just as happy to be seen wearing the shirt of another of West Ham's rivals.

Shortly after posting the picture the England under 21 international took to Twitter, where he posted the following message.

ra'vel ✔ @morrisonravel - west ham is I'm my ❤️ Love the Club and the way the have stood by me. ⚽️

However rather than take Morrison's response to the furore at face value, a number of supporters posting on the KUMB forum and other social media this morning believed that his response was sarcastic, rather than a genuine heartfelt message.

Morrison's latest gaff is eerily reminiscent of the scenario that led to Paul Ince leaving West Ham back in 1989. Ince's agent, Ambrose Mendy, persuaded the then 21-year-old to be pictured in a Manchester United shirt prior to leaving for a holiday, in case a planned move to Old Trafford was confirmed during his absence.

Unfortunately for Ince, the move fell through (initially) but the picture was published in the Daily Express much to the anger of many Hammers fans, some of whom still hold Ince responsible for the mistake some 25 years later.

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West Ham's Enner Valencia targets Europe
Last Updated: 08/08/14 9:41am
SSN

Enner Valencia has set his sights on playing in Europe with West Ham United after turning down several offers from other clubs to make the move to Upton Park. Valencia impressed for Ecuador with three goals at the World Cup to spark widespread interest, but the Hammers fended off the competition to sign him for a reported fee of £12million. The 24-year-old was attracted by the idea of playing in England and also excited by West Ham's ambition, insisting they can even push for a UEFA Champions League spot in time. "Before signing we spoke a lot about that, the ambitions of the club to try to play European football," Valencia said. "I'm going to work very hard for it and they're going to try to make top four. "After the World Cup several offers came around but when I found out that West Ham were interested I said definitely yes because it is one of my dreams to play in the Premier League. "I spoke to Antonio Valencia and he gave me some good advice to take this opportunity."
Valencia agreed a five-year contract with West Ham and is already looking forward to the club's move to the Olympic Stadium. He added: "When I heard the news that West Ham might come to the stadium, I was delighted. It's a great venue, one of the best in the world and I'm looking forward to playing here in 2016."
Valencia was given an extended break after the World Cup and is set to miss West Ham's Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur as he still needs to build match fitness, but he does not expect his debut to be delayed by long. "I'm training normally now and trying to adapt to what the manager wants and the philosophy of the club. I'm expecting to be ready in between one or two weeks."

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A £2M FEE AGREED FOR AMALFITANO!
By S J Chandos 9 Aug 2014 at 01:30
West Ham Till I Die

The Sports Mail have reported that West Ham have agreed a £2m fee with Marseille for the transfer of midfielder Morgan Amalfitano. The French midfielder was on loan at West Bromwich Albion last season and looked impressive. Indeed, this could prove a good acquisition and a real bargain to boot. All that remains is for the player to agree personal terms. Hopefully, that will go smoothly and he will sign in the next few days.

The 29-year-old has previously attracted interest from Hull, Crystal Palace and QPR. Hopefully, West Ham have beaten them to the punch!

The Sports Mail have also been confirmed that West Ham are continuing their efforts to land another striker, with Peter Crouch, Hugo Almeida, Connor Wickham and Diafra Sakho all currently still in the frame.

SJ.Chandos.

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THE FRUSTRATIONS OF BEING A HAMMERS FAN
By Iain Dale 8 Aug 2014 at 17:14
West Ham Till I Die
Guest Post by Kelvin Goldsmith

I would like to start by simply saying just how frustrating it has been being a Hammers fan over recent years!! Hope and optimism dangled in front of us like donkeys chasing carrots, Relegations, Promotions, Big money signings, a bigger stadium move…there always seems to be cause for optimism at Upton Park, but it never seems to actually transpire.

If we were a small club, with a small following, I'd love West Ham just as much as I do right now and probably be less frustrated at our lack of progress, but the fact of the matter is that we are a big club with a massive following of mostly loyal fans who I guess share my frustrations in the fact that fortune does always seem to be hiding!!

We have the bad times ,Relegated under Roeder with a ridiculously talented squad ,Relegated under Grant ,The most gutless clueless and uninspiring manager known to man (Spector CM, Enough said). Having to endure championship campaigns ,Top youth academy players picked off of us for peanuts ,Crappy loan signings and no Match of the day!! (Seems like you disappear when relegated!).

And then comes the hope..Promotions we build again and get linked with quality players our promising youngsters get loaned out instead of us nurturing others,We rejoice we support we don't want the world we just want to know we're moving forward BOOM Ashton's careers over BOOM massive money spent on quality players who never play Ljungberg,Parker,Bellamy,Dyer BOOM Carroll's a complete crock for us!!

Just seems to be a pattern forming. We just never seem to have the rub of the green while trying to kick on and already feeling frustrated about the new season.
Week in week out you miss the football, counting down the days to the big kick off ,who we being linked with who are we buying? Gets you going and then BOOM again Carroll's out for ages Morrison's gone crazy and the Hammers fail to have a shot in a 180 minutes of football!! Those two games albeit against good opposition were really painful too watch ,Backs against the wall crappy 4-5-1 formation,Seems like everyone apart from the West Ham manager can see how predictable and toothless we are playing this caution first, everyone behind the ball defensive solid style of play.

The most frustrating thing is that I think we all believe that if we were to play a more attacking way with two upfront we have the quality in the squad to do so and it would also bring out the best in Carroll (when fit) and Nola. Teams wouldn't be able to think keep Carroll quiet and we're halfway there..They'd have to deal with players like Valencia Zarate, Jarvis, Downing, Morrison, Diame, VazTe and maybe Elliott Lee running at them and causing problems hence losing focus on the likes of Carroll and Nolan ,That's when they're at there best.

I really hope that we attack teams and try and pass this season. Don't the people in charge of the club realise that this would make the fans happier and more vocal at games creating a better atmosphere for our team to attack an away team..The 12th man still exists and has the potential to make all the difference but you've got to give us our voice back ,Give us something to cheer about ,let's have a real go this season!! COYI..

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IN DEFENCE OF KEVIN NOLAN
By Iain Dale 8 Aug 2014 at 12:34
West Ham Till I Die

Guest Post by Risboro Monkey

I'm starting to become concerned with the amount of abuse directed at our Captain, Kevin Nolan, on this and other forums and most of all, on Twitter. Don't get me wrong, I would rather see someone else playing in his position because I think we have better options at the moment, but all this negativity is not at all good for our club. Let's think back to when we were first linked with signing him, all the West Ham fans I know were over the moon with the idea, we were a Championship side, desperately struggling to find anything positive about the playing staff that Avram Grant had left us with. The team seemed to lack any backbone for massive parts of the relegation season. Scott Parker clearly didn't want to be at the club any longer. The board kept on bleating on about the seriousness of the financial side of being relegated. Then out of nowhere there was talk of us signing Kevin Nolan, the lad that had not only been top scorer for Newcastle 2 years before, helping them get promoted back into the premier league at the first attempt, but was then top scorer their first season back.

Now, at this point I remember I wasn't a fan of bringing Sam in as manager, but I was prepared to give him a go, signings like this one really helped. My memories of Kevin Nolan up to this point were mostly of him playing for Bolton though. In truth, this was mostly from Match of the Day, the guy always seemed to play well on that program, scoring loads from midfield, in pub chats I always brought his name up as an outside bet for the England squad, what team didn't need a goalscoring midfielder? My other outstanding memory was of that Bolton side coming to us and being played off the park, but Jussi was man of the match and that lad Nolan popped up about 4 minutes into injury time at the end and snatched an unlikely draw for them. We rarely seemed to do that, we always seemed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and not vice versa. Is it possible that in one of Sam's most divisive and quite frankly as far as I am concerned just plain stupid (he can think what he likes, I do NOT want to hear my own team's manager slate our history) statements that's what he meant by "What is West Ham's way?" and what he was trying to do was give us a bit of fight, more backbone, less likely to be bullied into a late loss?

Obviously Nolan is exceptional at these qualities, he seems to be the sort of lad that all the other lads want to play for, the kind of captain that will take you under his wing if needs be, but will also give you the rocket up the backside that some of the squad at that particular time clearly needed. Lest we forget, it worked as well, he was captain in our promotion season! Although… well it was during this season it all went a bit wonky for me. I remember being at the Wycombe friendly, how refreshing it was to see one of our players winding theirs up getting in the ref's ear, same at Watford away, the problem was, when is he actually going to play any football? When will the Kevin Nolan we all thought we had signed make an impact, other than winding people up or score goals, he just didn't seem to be contributing much. We still got promoted though, he was also our top goalscorer for our first two years back in the premier league, so why the negativity?

Well, for me, the list is fairly short, he is inadequate at passing the ball, is slow and immobile which leads to lots of problems, makes me realise why England never came calling. Top of my list though, it's Sam's reluctance to drop him when we have options that I think are better, especially when he is clearly out of form. Yes, he is top scorer, but that is in a system built by Allardyce to get the most out of Kevin, we really ought to have a plan B by now, but Sam is being so bloody stubborn as we can all see this pre-season, I'm just loving this new attacking system!?!?

The one thing I can't seem to shake off as being the real problem here though is Sam, it's not Nolan's fault he gets picked. Be honest with yourself as well, it's not like he doesn't try, he puts himself about as best he can, I remember a time when we loved a hopeless trier at West Ham, I give you Samassi Abou as an example. No, for me we need to get off Nolan's back (he is slow enough already after all) and get behind him, ergo the team. We need to get some positivity back around the place, I know its difficult to ignore the negative feeling most of us get from Big Sam and his arrogant ways coupled with his defensive system. But for the good of the club we need to. We do make a difference on match day, the players do respond to the atmosphere, I know that goes both ways but someone has to start it! In all honesty I like having Nolan at our club, I would love to see him as an impact sub coming on as a plan B if we need to chase a game, I also think he is a positive influence on the place, but it's got to be hard to put 100% in if you don't think you are getting the backing from the stands. It's interesting to note Cardiff fans being excited about the possibility of signing him. For me, I reckon we could all do a lot worse than aiming any animosity about what is happening on the pitch towards the dugout, it's there that our problems stem from, having said that I am not going to suggest a successor, football club chairmanship is not my business. I run a pub, what I can tell you about running a pub though is that if I employ a great member of bar staff, guess what, the pub gets busier, if I employ an arrogant, negative member of bar staff I would probably be bankrupt in a matter of weeks.

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WEST HAM'S STRIKER SEARCH EXTENDS TO METZ AND THE 2ND TIER OF FRENCH FOOTBALL
By S J Chandos 8 Aug 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

The Daily Mirror are claiming that West Ham have agreed a £3.5million deal for Metz's 24 year old Senegalese striker, Diafra Sakho. The Hammers have been seeking a centre forward to provide extra attacking cover, a need which has become especially acute in light of Andy Carroll's anticipated four month injury absence. And it seems that in the aftermath of bids for Peter Crouch, Hugo Almedia and Marco Streller coming to nothing, the club have turned their attentions to Sakho in the 2nd tier of French football. Sakho had a prolific season with Metz and his affordability and availability are additional factors that have attracted West Ham's interest. Sakho is apparently keen to join the club, and try his hand in the English PL, and he is expected to travel from France immediately to open talks on personal terms and undertake a medical examination.

The 6ft 1 inch striker's goal tally for Metz has been 19 and 20 in the last two seasons. Yes, they were plundered in the French equivalent of the Championship, but we should not dismiss the move, out of hand, just based on that. Sakho obviously has potential and is probably worth a £3.5m punt on that basis alone. However, we do need to question whether he will be able to come straight in to the team and make an instant impact? In all probability, Sakho will a need for a period of acclimatisation to adjust to the greater speed and physical demands of the PL.

If the Sakho deal does not come to fruition, the club appear to be lining up other options. There were reports yesterday that the club had made an approach to Atletico Madrid to take their 21 year old striker, Leo Baptistao, on an initial season's loan, with the option of a £5m permanent deal next summer. However, if anything, the young Brazilian striker has a bigger question mark over his current goal scoring record than Sakho. Baptistao scored 1 goal in 17 appearances on loan to Real Betis last season. Prior to that his best haul was 7 goals in 28 appearances for Rayo Vallecano in 2012-13. To date, he has failed to score in 5 senior appearances for Atletico Madrid.

The reservations expressed regarding Sakho, are arguably multipled in relation to Baptistao. There is always the chance that we may benefit from buying a rough diamond, which we can cut and polish in to an outstanding asset. However, that may take time and we have to ask whether either player will instantly impact in the PL? If the 'journey man' bids for Crouch, Streller and Almeida have failed, then it seems that the club are now looking to take a chance on younger players of potential. Will these potential deals ultimately prove a good move? Only time will tell? If that is the direction of travel On which the striker search is set, then we must take a gamble, throw the dice and see how they fall. Hopefully, it will be sixes rather than snakes eyes!

With the season opening against Spurs on 16 August 2014, its looking increasingly likely that we will start with Carlton Cole leading the attack and Zarate on the bench. Probably the best we can hope for Enner Valencia is is that he is match fit enough for a place on the bench for the opening fixture. Personally, I think that we should start with Zarate/Cole/Downing in attack and reward Elliott Lee's excellent pre-season goal scoring form with a place on the bench. If a youngster excels then it must be recognized and rewarded through progression, otherwise what is the point? Mr Allardyce, please take note.

Elliott Lee has understandably gained most of the plaudits for his goals in pre-season. And quite right too! However, also keep an eye on Blair Turgott this season. He possesses all the tools to succeed and has been in blistering form for the U-21s this pre-season. Turgott has been on the verge of the first team for a couple of seasons. Hopefully he can finally make the all-important break through in this coming campaign.

SJ. Chandos.

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Boy George! An interview with Colchester United new boy George Moncur
Eadt24.co.uk
by Carl Marston
Saturday, August 9, 2014
6:00 AM

George Moncur is ready to embrace the new challenge of becoming a regular in Colchester United's starting line-up. Midfielder Moncur completed a loan move from West Ham on Thursday afternoon, signing for the U's on a six-month deal until January 11. It was no big surprise, given that the 20-year-old has been a mainstay of the U's squad during the whole of pre-season. But both the player, and U's boss Joe Dunne, were delighted to get the deal rubber-stamped in time for this afternoon's League One opener against Oldham Athletic. Moncur is definitely in the 20-man squad to face the visiting Latics today, and he looks all set to make his U's competitive debut in this curtain-raiser. "I'm delighted to sign. I'm over the moon," enthused Moncur. "I've signed for six months. I hope to do myself justice during this time, and help out the team. And if everything goes to plan, I might even end up signing for longer. "It's a big step up for me, and I am ready to take my chance. "I've been playing under-21 football with West Ham, but this is an opportunity to play at a higher level and to really challenge myself. "I've been on loan before, at AFC Wimbledon, but that was in League Two, and again last season I had a spell in Scotland (with Partick Thistle). "But now I have a chance to show what I can do in League One, playing for a team that likes to get the ball down and play. "Colchester United's style of football should suit mine, down to the ground. "I've really loved playing in pre-season with the lads, and it has helped me having got to know the players over the last few weeks, rather than just signing out of the blue. "There are some really good young players at the club, and of course I know all about Freddie Sears (ex-West Ham). "It's a good set-up, and it will help my game to play in a passing team, and for a manager who likes to play that style of football. "I want to improve my own game, over the next six months. It's great that I have this long to establish myself, rather than just signing for the odd month. "I'm very excited about the season ahead, and I'd love to make my debut this weekend," added Moncur. Swindon-born Moncur, whose Dad John Moncur played for Tottenham, Swindon and West Ham (and had a brief loan spell with Ipswich in 1991), signed his first professional contract with West Ham in September 2010, after graduating from the Academy. He has not yet made a league appearance for the Hammers, although he did made his debut for the East Londoners in a League Cup tie against Crewe on August 28, 2012, coming on as an 84th minute substitute for Kevin Nolan. In addition, Moncur scored two goals in 20 league appearances for AFC Wimbledon during a three-month loan spell in early 2012, and played twice for Partick Thistle at the end of last term.

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West Ham agree £2million deal for Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano
The former West Brom loanee will discuss terms over Upton Park move
He has been made available for the relatively small fee by Marseille
Hull, Crystal Palace and QPR are also interested in acquiring him
Hammers continue their search for a striker and are speaking to Stoke about Peter Crouch with other options still open
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 01:27, 9 August 2014 | UPDATED: 01:27, 9 August 2014
Daily Mail

West Ham have agreed a fee with Marseille for midfielder Morgan Amalfitano. The France midfielder, on loan at West Brom last season, is available for £2million. The 29-year-old has attracted interest from Hull, Crystal Palace and QPR. West Ham are prioritising their search for a striker and are speaking to Stoke about Peter Crouch while Connor Wickham of Sunderland, free agent Hugo Almeida, Metz striker Diafra Sakho and Joel Campbell of Arsenal remain on their list.

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Former Hammer scores double on debut
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Former Hammers striker Freddie Piquionne scored twice on his debut tonight for French Ligue 2 side US Creteil to help them to a 3-0 win, he was released by MLS side Portland Timbers in the summer where he managed one goal from 24 appearances in 18 months. The French striker has joined up with former Hammer Herita Ilunga when he signed for US Creteil four days ago.

Piquionne who cost West Ham around £1m from Portsmouth under Avram Grant made 62 appearances for the Hammers between 2010 and 2013 scoring nine goals. He scored his first Premier League goal for West Ham in a 1-0 win against Spurs on 25th September 2010. That goal was also the 10,000th goal scored in the Premier League with a Nike football. He was released at the end of his three contract from West Ham.

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Lee called up for Sampdoria clash
Posted by Sean Whetstone on August 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Jaanai Gordon returned to the score sheet this afternoon filling in for nine goal machine Elliot Lee who was absent. Gordon, our £3.5m investment from Peterborough was injured towards the end of last season with a hamstring so he will be pleased to get back to his scoring ways in the development squad friendly against Aston Villa today at Little Heath. Venezuelan young striker Aitor López listed as a trialist came on as a 46th substitute in the same match but Maiga was strangely not listed as a sub for this game. The development pre season friendly match against Villa finished 1-1.

Elliot Lee was left out of the U21 match so he can be included in the first team squad for tomorrow's first team friendly against Sampdoria, why Maiga was left out of the squad is harder to fantom. Lee's inclusion must be a reward for his nine goal fest over the summer. The 19 year striker is brimming with confidence and itching to get his first team chance again to prove what he can do by stepping up a level. His first appearance in a first-team squad was on New Years day 2013 when he was an unused sub against Norwich. Lee then made his first team debut for 12 minutes for West Ham, as a 78th minute sub at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the January 2013 FA Cup replay which was lost 1-0.

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Maiga rejects big pay-off
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on August 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham 'outcast' Modibo Maiga has been offered a seven figure sum to leave the club. But the striker – who was even denied a run-out with the Development Squad in a pre-season friendly against Woking earlier this week – has not accepted a pay-off deal. Maiga is now so far out in the cold that the club believed he may be ready to take his pay-off and kick-start his career either here or in France. But at the moment Maiga is staying put, perhaps believing that an improved offer will be made by the Irons. ClaretandHugh was told exclusively the offer had been made over recent days and had been refused,
But a well placed source said: "At the moment Modibo is sitting tight. However, the moment may come when he realises his career is slipping away and decides to take what's on offer. "There's no question that both he and the club need to move on from what hasn't been a very happy association."

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