Daily WHUFC News - 10th September 2014

The Big Interview - Kevin Nolan
WHUFC.com
The West Ham United captain is staying positive as he recovers from a fractured shoulder
09.09.2014

Kevin Nolan is currently out injured with a fractured shoulder, but the good news is that the No4 is already well down the road to recovery. After a little over two weeks into an estimated six-week stretch on the sidelines, the West Ham United skipper is already itching to be back among the first-team squad.
West Ham TV caught up with the Cub captain to discuss his rehabilitation, playing alongside West Ham's new signings and the importance of bouncing back against Hull City next Monday night.

Unfortunately we haven't seen you for a while because of your injured shoulder. Could you tell us exactly what happened in training two-and-a-half weeks ago?

"Yeah, it was an unfortunate incident really, I've ended up falling straight down on my shoulder and all my weight landed on it which forced it to crack. The added pressure of Carlton Cole falling on top of me didn't help, but you know it's one of those unfortunate incidents. It's been a tough two-and-a-half weeks, I must admit, but it's nice to finally get out of the sling and to be able to do a bit more with the arm."

What exactly did you do to you shoulder?

"It was a fractured shoulder, which could have led to other problems. I might've had to have an operation but thankfully I didn't need that in the end. I had a CT scan on Monday which confirmed that the bone has been healing, so we can move forward to getting the shoulder back to full strength. It might take a couple of weeks, probably."

You just started to be able to do some physical work in the last few days...

"Yeah, Tuesday was the first time I've been able to get out and do a bit of work with my arm. It's feeling a bit weak at the moment, but in the next week or two I'll be building it up. Hopefully I'll be back to the fitness level I was at before."

When players are injured, medical staff don't like to put timelines on when you might be back on the pitch, but presumably you've had a discussion with the medical staff about when you can expect to be back?

"Yeah I have. The normal recovery time for an injury like this is six to eight weeks, I'm only two-and-a-half weeks into it at the moment. But I've only had positive feedback from the specialists so far. I'm sort of hoping in my own head that it won't be eight weeks, I'd rather it be only six. Anything before that would be another bonus.

"I'm just taking it day by day now because I'm seeing different people at different times. As it goes along I'll find out more about what I can do with it. In the end it'll come down to how much pain threshold I can take really."

You're not a player who gets injured very often, so presumably for you it has been difficult?

"It's quite funny because I was speaking to a few friends of mine the other day. In 15 years of my career I don't think I've ever sat out for longer than three weeks. All the lads have been training, and I've missed it. It's been a nightmare, my family have had the miserable Nolan for the last couple of weeks!

"It was good news on Monday when I got the results of the scan back from the specialist. I'm going to see him again on Wednesday where he'll assess me and hopefully continue to get better news and I can start moving on. But it's all about staying positive and making sure I get back as soon as I can, really."

Football-wise, it must have been particularly difficult as the last two games didn't go as we would have liked after such a good result against Crystal Palace?

"Yes, especially the Southampton game. After such a fantastic performance against Crystal Palace, three great goals and a great team performance, everyone was on a high. "I thought the lads who came in against Sheffield United were very good. They were unfortunate not to win that game, especially with the own-goal we scored. But we were really poor against Southampton, we got what we deserved. All the lads were talking about that and I'm sure they'll want to put that right on Monday and I'm sure they will. "We were all disappointed about what happened against Southampton because that's not us. It's been tough because you get that international break and you have to deal with that. But what we can do is get that right on Monday night. "Everyone is in good spirits, it's been good to get back in with the boys, back among the banter because I've been away for two-and-a-half weeks. I've been stuck at home twiddling my thumbs, well one thumb because the other has been strung up! But I'm really looking forward to the game on Monday night."

You were back in the dressing room on Tuesday and you must have had to fight your way through the crowd because we've been busy in the transfer market!

"Yeah, it's brilliant. I'm just hoping the new lads get to the fitness levels that is required of them as quickly as possible. Some won't have had much of a pre-season so we can't throw them in right at the moment but with the resources we've got here and working them hard, I'm sure you'll see the best of them in the coming months. "It's nice just to have a healthy squad, I think we've only got me, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll injured, everyone else is hopefully going to be back before Hull. So there's a massive competition for places which ensures that the intensity and quality of training gets better. That, in turn, makes sure that the eleven out there on matchday get better. I'm really looking forward to seeing where we go in the next few weeks, with another couple of games that we feel we can go and win."

Alex Song is someone you've played pretty much directly against when you were at Newcastle United. He's a real top-class performer, and if you're in a midfield with him you're going to have a top quality player backing you up?

"Yeah, definitely. Everyone we've added has brought quality with them. The Gaffer has done fantastically well in the transfer market. We need to get them fit as quick as possible. "One thing that Alex has is experience at two top clubs, so that's what he can bring to us. What he achieved at Arsenal and then Barcelona can only be a good thing for us. That's what we're hoping. The professional that he is, he'll want to do well here."

We've got Liverpool at home next, obviously a game you would have been desperate to play in, but a massive one for both clubs nonetheless?

"Obviously I'd loved to have been involved with the matchday squad, but injuries are part and parcel of football. Every game at the Boleyn is special, every game there we go in believing we can win. That's why the game against Southampton was so disappointing because we didn't feel that we turned up.
"We have a chance to put it right against Liverpool, a top club who are going to be tough opposition, but I'd fancy us to beat anyone on our day at the Boleyn. We're just hoping it will be the team that turned up against Tottenham and Crystal Palace. If we perform like that every week we'll win more often than not."

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Reid returns to All Whites duty
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Winston Reid said New Zealand must learn from their 3-1 defeat by Uzbekistan
09.09.2014

West Ham United defender and New Zealand captain Winston Reid described his country's 3-1 defeat by Uzbekistan as a steep learning curve. The match at Pahktakor Stadium in Tashkent was the 26-year-old's first international game back after just over a year away from the national side due to injury. He returned at centre-back for new coach Anthony Hudson's first game in charge of the All Whites, only for the central Europeans to run out comfortable victors
Auckland-born Reid, who returned to his homeland with West Ham in July, told New Zealand Football's official website: "We've got a new team and we're building forward. We met a very good team today but we made some mistakes as a collective group and we were punished."

"The important thing we take from this is that we learn from our mistakes and take the positives with us. Today we had some good performances and we can always take that forward to our next game." In preparation for the match against Uzbekistan, the New Zealand squad held a training camp in Doha, Qatar, where Reid felt he and his national team-mates got to know another better as people and as players. The camp has been very good value," Reid said. "Each time we get together we'll only improve as a team and that's the most important thing. "As a group we will understand more and more as each camp goes on how the manager wants us to play and how we have to play as a collective group."

New Zealand's next fixtures are away to China on 14 November and Malaysia on the 18 November, where skipper Reid hopes to learn even more about his All Whites colleagues after an enforced break from international action. "We're looking forward to the next time we're together because we have to improve each time." Reid is travelling back to re-join his Hammers' teammates as they prepare for their next Premier League match away to Hull City on Monday 15 September. He hopes to enjoy better fortune at the KC Stadium. "I had a major injury last year so it's nice to have been getting out there and playing again week in and week out. Hopefully the next time we meet up again in All Whites camp I'll have a few more points on the board with my Club team!"

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Stuttgart's Vedad Ibisevic claims West Ham interest
Last Updated: 09/09/14 2:47pm
SSN

Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic claims to have been a summer target for West Ham United and admits he could be on the move in January. Sam Allardyce was in the market for goals during the recent transfer window, with Andy Carroll picking up another untimely injury. Former Birmingham City loanee Mauro Zarate was brought back to English football, along with Ecuador international frontman Enner Valencia. Diafra Sakho was also acquired from Metz, but further additions were explored. Bosnian forward Ibisevic is reported to have been among those on West Ham's wish list, with a prolific strike rate in the Bundesliga drawing regular rounds of interest. Stuttgart refused to sanction a sale, though, and the 30-year-old must now wait until the New Year for another opportunity to secure a switch. Ibisevic told turkish-football.com: "I stayed but you never know, if a good offer comes in, I may leave. "Vahid Halilhodzic and Trabzonspor contacted me and offered me great conditions. "West Ham also wanted me, but Stuttgart did not want to sell this summer. "The club had made some changes and the goal is a mid-table position. "I have bigger ambitions so that is why I may yet leave."

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SAKHO FEELS AT HOME IN THE EAST END
By Sean Whetstone 9 Sep 2014 at 19:40
West Ham Till I Die

New signing Diafra Sakho has spoken to the club's official website WHUFC.com about his first impressions about the Hammers.

"It's only been a couple of weeks but I feel right at home already,even if I'm struggling a bit with the lingo! It's a real family Club and that's what's really touched me. When you're away from home, family is so important and that's precisely what I've found here at West Ham.I want to achieve things with West Ham and lots of them. I am super motivated and I'm going to give all that I possibly can to help the team. I feel good at the minute with everyone around me doing their utmost to see that I'm in the best shape possible."
"I was thrilled to be in the squad against Crystal Palace and excited to play for the very first time in the Premier League," he confirmed, referring to his debut at Selhurst Park on 23 August. The manager called on me for the final 20 minutes and it did me the world of good. I tried to take the pressure off the boys, though it was a bit tough having not played for a little while. Against Sheffield United, the manager asked me to do a job on the right-hand side and, while it was a new experience for me, I really enjoyed it. It's great to have scored on my home debut and hopefully you'll see plenty more of that.Whenever I turn out at the Boleyn Ground, the minimum I'm aiming for is to score once!"
"The atmosphere is so, so different to France. Here, even when you make a run to win back the ball, perhaps chasing a lost cause, the fans appreciate it and applaud you. It gives you that added incentive to give even more for the supporters and for the Club."

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EYES DOWN FOR TWO FAT LEGENDS
By Brian Williams 9 Sep 2014 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die

I must begin this week with an apology to poster Peter Finke, who asked me to persuade my employers to launch a campaign against the use of clichés in football.

I did try, honestly Peter. But I suspect Guardian emails are being diverted via GCHQ as the security service tries to get to the bottom of our dastardly plot to undermine Western democracy – and I fear they forgot to send mine on to the sports editor after they had finished with it.

But, while we are unable to prevent the TV pundits repeatedly coming up with the likes of cheap corners and working the keeper, I would like to show you a way in which it is possible to use this appalling abuse of the English language for profit and pleasure. More of that later.

When did corners become cheap – likewise free kicks? Work the keeper? You've got to get a shot away first. The film mogul Samuel Goldwyn once famously remarked that he wanted some new clichés. That doesn't seem quite so funny now that he has got his wish. Although some of the other stuff Goldwyn is said to have come up with is distinctly amusing.

I'm now going to gratuitously share with you some of my favourites, for no other reason than Mr Dale commissioned me on the understanding that I would attempt to be humorous from time to time. (I'm trying mate – I really am. But this is a tough crowd … although so far they have confined themselves to heckling: they haven't started throwing things yet.)

It is said that when Goldwyn's secretary asked him if she should destroy files that were more than 10 years old he answered: "Yes, but keep copies." Other great quotes include: "I never liked you and I always will"; "Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined"; and: "I'm willing to admit that I may not always be right, but I am never wrong." I hardly need add that this was the man who reckoned verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Not-so-fat Sam Goldwyn, as far as I know, had no interest in West Ham and our ways (why is that ringing vague bells of recognition with me?) However, another Hollywood legend was a lifelong supporter. Alfred Hitchcock was born in Leytonstone, the son a greengrocer and poulterer. Apparently, he was a chubby kid, which is surprising given all those chickens and vegetables. He was still something of a porker when he applied for military service during the first world war, and was turned down on the grounds of obesity (if only the West Ham recruiting sergeant had been quite so vigilant when Benni McCarthy took the Upton Park shilling.)

After the Great War, he became interested in photography – Hitchcock, not Benni – and then film-making, before finally moving to Hollywood in 1939, shortly before Britain and Germany lined up for the second leg. By all accounts, his childhood love of the Hammers never left him, and he followed the club's fortunes via the English newspapers he had sent directly to his home in Los Angeles.

Fat Alfred, of course, was famed for walk-on cameos in his own films. I'm wondering if we can take this a stage further and cast some Boleyn Ground favourites – past and present – in remakes of Hitchcock classics.

First up has to be Our Karren in The Lady Vanishes. You're a natural for the lead role, Baroness Brady. We'd miss of you of course, but now you're in the House of Lords we will understand if you have to start spending less time in E13.

For my generation, no remake of Psycho would be complete without battling striker David Cross. Always Tell Your Wife appears tailor-made for Alan Pardew; Downhill is perfect for the Icelandic double act of Eggy and his dodgy mate with the unpronounceable name; Murder! could feature the queue for the bar in the Bobby Moore Upper at half time; Number 13 would clearly have to star Adrian; likewise Number Seventeen and Joey O'Brien; then we have Dial M for Morrison (although Dial 999 might be more appropriate in Ravel's case).

The 39 Steps would focus on the awesome Billy Bonds as he climbed the most famous staircase in football, not once but twice, to collect the FA Cup. The Man Who Knew Too Much will be ideal for young Jack Sullivan as soon as he's old enough to start shaving. The Trouble With Harry casts itself. But I'm having more trouble with the 1956 classic, The Wrong Man: any thoughts on that would be much appreciated.

Come to think of it, after the transfer window we've just had, there is one Hitchcock movie that is ideal for the entire senior squad. Yep, you've guessed it: Strangers On A Training Ground.

The Master of Suspense made his name frightening the bejesus out of cinema audiences. But even at his scariest he'd have been hard-pressed to have matched the horror of how the language of Shakespeare, Milton and Wordsworth is being tortured by today's TV commentators and their "expert" sidekicks such as Andy Townsend and Mark Lawrenson. (No, Sir. Shakespeare, Milton and Wordsworth are not the back three in a new Sam Allardyce formation – do try to pay attention.)

Of the former players who now pay the grocery bills by offering their considered opinion on televised football matches, the best is quite plainly Tony Gale – and I'm not just saying that because he's one of my all-time favourite Hammers. If only, in his playing days, his feet had been as quick as his wit, he'd have been an England regular for 10 years.

It's fair to say another of my West Ham heroes left something to be desired as a TV pundit. Before we go on and I do the unthinkable by suggesting Trevor Brooking has a slight imperfection, let me just say I can do this after 50 years of devotion to West Ham – supporters of other clubs are not permitted to utter one word of criticism of Sir Trev. His problem as a pundit was twofold, I believe. First, he himself was so good as a player he was unable to believe others could be so inept. And, secondly, he was too nice to be horrid about anyone. So when some useless lump failed to bring the simplest of balls under control, or fired it over the bar from six yards out, he put it down to a "bobble". In fact, it was Brooking who gave TV commentary "the bobble". Before him, it wasn't a word you heard all that often – unless it was a reference to that knobbly bit on top of woolly hats.
Which leads me on to my substantive point: how to use words such as "bobble" to your advantage.

Below, you will find a list of clichés and platitudes that regularly feature in a TV commentary. It's not exhaustive, so feel free to add some of your own. All you have to do is write three or four of these linguistic monstrosities on a slip of paper, invite a bunch of mates round to watch a game with you, and tell them that you are all going to play Bullshit Bingo. It's a fiver in, and the first person to chalk off the phrases on their piece of paper scoops the pool (although you may want to charge a small "administration" fee if you are providing the refreshments).

So, here's my list to get you started: Tempo (that one's specially for you, Peter); Best league in the world; A cheap corner; He bought a free kick; He bought a ticket; Work the keeper; A brace; He's not saving that; Knew exactly what he was doing; Change it up; Open his legs; A good engine; Get a shot away; Go to ground; Put his laces through it; Final third; Box to box; For me; Didn't do enough; He couldn't keep it down (with this one you get an extra turn if the commentator is referring to a player's lunch, rather than an incompetent effort on goal: it would have won you the jackpot in the lasagne-gate game against Spurs.)

Give it a try. Trust me, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything that's as much fun while fully clothed.

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West Ham's Andy Carroll could return from latest injury sooner than originally anticipated
Sep 09, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
Hammers' England striker has started running for the first time since July surgery on torn ankle ligaments and could now be back ahead of initial November target
The Mirror

Andy Carroll has started running for the first time since his ankle surgery at the end of July. West Ham's England striker has taken the first steps towards his recovery after he was confirmed to be out for four months with torn ankle ligaments. Carroll went under the knife in Baltimore after leaving the club's New Zealand tour. The striker is understood to be quietly confident of being back in action ahead of his scheduled return at the end of November. His optimism is being tempered within the club, however, as Carroll missed the first half of last season after failing to recover as quickly as expected from his injury at the time. It is nonetheless a big boost for West Ham who were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by League One Sheffield United at the end of August. They were also beaten by Southampton - the last game before the international break - in the Premier League.

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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho sets himself a target of scoring in EVERY Hammers home game
Sep 09, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The £4.5million summer signing from Metz wants to improve on the form that saw him score 20 goals in France's second tier last season
The Mirror

New West Ham striker Diafra Sakho insists his minimum target for the club is to score once in every home game. The summer signing from French club Metz netted on his home debut for the Hammers in their Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield United last month. Now, Sakho, 24, says he wants to improve on the form that saw him score 20 goals in France last season. The Ligue 2 Player of the Year for 2013-14 said: "It's great to have scored on my home debut and hopefully you'll see plenty more of that. "Whenever I turn out at the Boleyn Ground, the minimum I'm aiming for is to score once! "The atmosphere is so, so different to France. Here, even when you make a run to win back the ball, perhaps chasing a lost cause, the fans appreciate it and applaud you. It gives you that added incentive to give even more for the supporters and for the club. "I am super motivated and I'm going to give all that I can to help the team.
"It's a real family club and that's what's really touched me. When you're away from home, family is so important and that's precisely what I've found here at West Ham. "I want to achieve things with West Ham and lots of them. I am super motivated and I'm going to give all that I possibly can to help the team.
"I feel good at the minute with everyone around me doing their utmost to see that I'm in the best shape possible."

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October return date for Carroll
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

An Andy Carroll return to action prediction is giving October 25th as his personal D-Day. Most reports are claiming that the striker won't be back until November but the usually highly reliable http://www.physioroom.com reckons he'll be back in time for the home clash with his former club Newcastle!
It's a huge boost for the player who ClaretandHugh has been told is working hard to make the projected date. Co-chairman David Gold told us exclusively: "He's out of the surgical boot which is always a big psychological barrier to players. "He has had major surgery carried out on the ankle which has troubled him for several years and when he returns we will have a player free of all injury worries. "He's been desperately unlucky with injuries but the news is all good and we are all looking forward to his return."

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Loan window opens
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The emergency loan window for the football league opened today and will remain open until November 27th. Premier League teams cannot bring players in, but we can ship some of our youngsters out to aid their development and get valuable experience after being knocked out the Carling cup by Sheffield United on penalties. Sam Allardyce believes the U21 development league is not competitive enough so loans are likely to be the obvious alternative in absence of a cup run. Football League clubs can use this window to their advantage to boost the potential future stars of the Premier League although no overseas players can be brought in during the window. The loan deals can last between 28 days and 93 days. Should clubs agree a three-month deal, it will tie a player down until the New Year and the January window. Players likely to be considered by Sam for loans will probably include Diego Poyet, Sebastian Lletget, Raphael Spiegel, Dan Potts, Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Paul McCallum,Lewis Page, Blair Turgott, Matthias Fanimo and Elliot Lee. Diego Poyet has been linked with a loan move back to Charlton considering the competition for midfield places.

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Acid test looms for Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 9, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce has faced what have been billed as many critical games over the last season or so! But I genuinely believe that the clash with Hull City next Monday evening genuinely is an acid test affair for him. Someone, somewhere has a pretty perverse sense of humour to make this Monday night match on Sky given the Upton Park clash between these two teams last season …no let's not go there! But the best way for memories of that appalling night at Upton Park to be buried when we won perhaps the worst game seen at the Boleyn for many a long day would be with a thumping win. And of course we want some style now the owners have backed the manager so comprehensively in the transfer market with options all over the place – except of course at the back! Apart from Nolan and Carroll he will have a fully fit squad so there can – for once be no excuse-finding on that front. Whether or not he will have his long time first lieutenant Neil MacDonald alongside him in the dug-out remains to be seen. That really is an odd one – why would you want to give up a very well paid premier League assistant manager's job for Carlisle United? There's one hell of a difference in the pay levels! The training ground grapevine is buzzing that Macca and a senior member of the coaching staff had a pretty major fall-out and that the 'he's off ' speculation started soon afterwards. There's still a view that with neither he or Allardyce likely to be around this time next year, Macca is looking after business. Whatever the motives, things continue to look fragile around the managerial situation and another defeat with Liverpool and Man U next up, really wouldn't be too clever. Hull will be no pushover and Steve Bruce is likely to parade his four summer signings – Diame, who will need no winding-up, Abel Hernandez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez. Monday night will tell us exactly where West Ham United are in September 2014…and more to the point perhaps exactly where Sam Allardyce is likely to be.

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West Ham loanee Alex Song reveals he could join Galatasaray
2014-09-09 11:32:29
Turkish-football.com

West Ham loanee Alex Song has revealed that he could be tempted to join Galatasaray at the end of the season. "I could join Galatasaray in the near future," Song told Turkish newspaper AMK when asked about a potential transfer to the Turkish giants. Galatasaray have been closely linked with Song over the last two-seasons. The 26-year-old joined Barcelona from Arsenal for €19 million last season but the 27-year-old struggled for playing time and joined the Hammers on loan over the summer. Song is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after failing to make an impact at the La Liga outfit. The Cameroon international still has three-years left on his contract with Barcelona. Galatasaray are managed by former Italian manager Cesare Prandelli and will compete in the Champions League this season. The Lions finished the Turkish Super Lig as runners-up last season.

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Does this West Ham midfielder deserve England chance after being warned off Ireland?
HITC
Olly Dawes

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane has voiced his concern over a potential call-up for Mark Noble. Noble, 27, has become a key part of West Ham's team in recent years having come through the club's academy. After joining as a 13-year-old, Noble has gone on to make almost 300 appearances for the Hammers, racking up over 30 goals and over 40 assists during his time as a first team player at Upton Park.

One of the more underrated players in the Premier League, Noble is a tireless midfield with great passing and an eye for goal - leading to some speculating that he should be in Roy Hodgson's plans for the England squad. Despite making 20 appearances for the Under-21 side, Noble is yet to be capped at senior level - and rumours suggest that Noble could now turn his attention to playing for the Republic of Ireland.

Noble's grandparents are from Cork, meaning that he is eligible to play for Martin O'Neill's side. With no England interest forthcoming, speculation last week suggested that Noble was willing to make himself available for selection for Ireland - but former Ireland defender Kevin Kilbane, who was born in Preston, says he's uneasy about the prospect.

"Look at it on face value and he's a good player," said Kilbane. "We know he's played very well in the Premier League over the last 10 years or whatever it is."
"But there are a lot of issues with me personally, growing up in England, desperate to play for Ireland and knowing what it meant to so many others in my situation as well."

"It doesn't sit quite right with me with me knowing that he is still keeping us waiting and he's been keeping us waiting for a number of years, that's been my issue as well. We're like a last resort."

Seemingly unwelcome with Ireland, Noble's international future is in limbo - but should he be handed a chance to impress for England? Manager Hodgson recently called up Fabian Delph to his squad after good performances for Aston Villa, and an argument can certainly be made for the case that Noble has been just as good as Delph over the last 12-18 months. In fact, this graphic from Squawka showed how Noble stacked up against other English midfielders ahead of the World Cup - and in many instances, he was outperforming his rivals, all of whom were more strongly considered for selection.

It seems like a make or break campaign for Noble on the international front. Continue to impress for West Ham and he could at least make it into Hodgson's thinking for a friendly fixture, but if by January there is still little interest, then it may be time to represent Ireland - no matter what Kilbane says.

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