Sakho: Goals are why I'm here!
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho bagged a goal to remember in Saturday's 3-1 home win over Liverpool
22.09.2014
Diafra Sakho continues to make a fast start in Claret and Blue, after his sumptuous lob against Liverpool on Saturday made it three goals in three West Ham United starts for the former Metz man. As the Hammers flew out of the blocks at the Boleyn Ground, Sakho collected from Mark Noble on the right-edge of the box and beat Reds 'keeper Simon Mignolet all ends up with an inch-perfect dink into the opposite corner. With strike partner Enner Valencia stationed at the far post, not all were convinced of Sakho's intentions, but the 24-year-old insisted that his goal was as deliberate as it was brilliant. "I saw the 'keeper off his line, at the near post, and I only had one thing in mind," he told West Ham TV. "I tried it and it came off. I wasn't sure if it was going to go in or not, but thankfully it's ended up in the net. I'm pleased, pleased for me and for the team. "I've dreamed of scoring a goal as good as that, particularly here at the Boleyn Ground, but whether it be Liverpool or another club, a goal is a goal. I've not stopped receiving messages from my mates, so to know that they're pleased for me, makes me happy too."
While goals will always be the bottom line for the Senegal forward, the athletic and tireless Sakho is determined to bring more than just firepower to the Hammers party. "Goals are why I'm here and that's why West Ham signed me. But beyond that I'll try to help the team, as much as I possibly can. And even if I don't score, as long as I'm useful, that's the important thing. I work every day in training to try to be as effective as possible."
Key to his contribution will likely be his burgeoning partnership with Valencia, with the duo already showing signs of a healthy understanding. Having shared the goals at Hull City, West Ham's front two then gave Liverpool the run-around and Sakho believes they will only get better as the games roll on. He continued: "We've trained together for a short while now. Enner's a footballer who likes to get it down and play, and me, I like to come deep. I try to position myself in relation to him and vice versa. I hope that's going to continue to serve the Club well this season. "We certainly hope [to improve] and we're working every day in training for that. We're not going to relax and we'll carry on working hard at it, because it's only the beginning of the season and there will be plenty of matches to play together."
As for Saturday's scintillating performance and result, West Ham's new No15 felt the Hammers were good value for the three points and hopes the victory is a sign of exciting things to come. "We're delighted, we worked all week long for that, to give [a performance] at home," he added. "We've done that on Saturday and we're pleased. "We deserved it. On the whole, we lived up to manager's expectations and those of the staff. And if we continue to play like that, work together, united as a group, we'll do good things in the Premier League."
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Teddy loving coaching role
WHUFC.com
West Ham United attacking coach Teddy Sheringham is delighted to see the goals flying in
22.09.2014
Teddy Sheringham is loving life at West Ham United after Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool took their goal tally to nine from their first five Barclays Premier League games of the season. The former Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Hammers and England star's appointment has coincided with a more potent spell from the Hammers, with Sam Allardyce's men making a positive start to the season. Speaking on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday programme, Sheringham was keen to praise the new attacking arrivals, who have all hit the ground running in E13. "It's nothing to do with me!" he smiled. "We just brought a few new players in and had a fresh start in the summer. Valencia, Sakho and Zarate have all fitted in very quickly and we're off to a flying start, especially after winning on Saturday. "It is very early days and we're all delighted with where we are at the moment, but we've got a long way to go to improve as well."
With nine goals under their belts a full six games quicker than last season, when it was 9 November before the ninth league goal arrived, there can be no doubt that the new boys have helped propel the Hammers forward in the opening weeks of the campaign. Added to that, West Ham's tally of 26 shots on target this term is only bettered by Chelsea (32) and Southampton (27), and their pass-completion rate has improved by more than four percentage points from last season.
Sheringham says coaching the Club's wealth of attacking talent is a joy and the 48-year-old is delighted to be back involved in football for the first time since retiring as a player with Colchester United in 2008. He explained: "I was out of the game for six years and was quite happy, enjoying my life. But I thought to myself I better take my coaching badges, so I signed up to do them last summer, and then Sam phoned me and asked if I fancied a job doing the strikers.
"It came along at a great time and it fitted perfectly for me, working with Sam as well. I knew him very briefly in my early days at Millwall, and I spoke to a couple of lads at West Ham about what he's like, and I thought to myself it's a perfect opportunity to get back in and have a look. "I started doing Tuesdays and Thursdays, but after talking with Neil McDonald and the Gaffer, they prefer me going in for the two days leading up to a game and that works perfectly for me. "Sam been fantastic for me, he lets me into all the meetings and tells me what goes on and what he has to get on with, other than football things. I've got every respect for him and I enjoy being around the way his man-management is. You can tell the lads love playing for him."
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Loan watch - Maguire scores on debut
WHUFC.com
A round up of all the West Ham United players out on loan including Sean Maguire's debut goal
22.09.2014
West Ham United midfielder Sean Maguire scored on his debut for Accrington Stanley as they won 5-4 in a thrilling game at Northampton Town on Saturday. Maguire had an excellent game and his 84th minute goal, Northampton's fifth, proved to be vital as Stanley conceded twice late on. Maguire signed for the Sky Bet League Two club on loan earlier in the week after John Coleman replaced James Beattie as manager to start his second spell at the club. Coleman had taken Maguire on loan over the summer as manager at Sligo Rovers.
George Moncur played the full game for Colchester United in a 0-0 draw at home to Bradford City in Sky Bet League 1. Colchester have been struggling this season and are currently down in 23rd place with just six points from nine games. However Moncur has had been in good form, netting three goals in ten appearances for the U's.
West Ham winger Matthias Fanimo was an unused substitute in Tranmere Rovers' 2-1 home defeat to Exeter City at Prenton Park. The talented winger is yet to play for Rovers so far.
Modibo Maiga was an unused substitute as FC Metz beat Bastia 3-1. The Malian striker has started two of Metz's six league games as they have enjoyed a good start to life in Ligue 1, lying in ninth position.
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Ladies inspired by McCrea-tivity
WHUFC.com
Sarah McCrea's hat-trick helped the Hammers to an emphatic 5-2 win over Plymouth Argyle
22.09.2014
West Ham United Ladies got back to winning ways as Sarah McCrea's hat-trick helped the Hammers to an emphatic 5-2 win over Plymouth Argyle. Having slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Copsewood Coventry last week, the Hammers bounced back in style at Mill Field. The success took West Ham to fourth in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division table, having won three of their opening five games. West Ham looked threatening from start to finish as their first chance on goal came just three minutes in, when Vicky Kinsman fired a 25-yard shot into goalkeeper Michaela Phillips' arms. In a free-flowing match, the visitors hit back as Mollie Taylor latched onto a short backpass by Dancia Revell and her shot was cleared off the line. Plymouth's early miss served as a wake-up call for Julian Dicks' team, who responded well, stepping up the tempo. Kinsman opened the scoring in the 20th minute by stabbing in from close-range after good work from McCrea and Emma Sherwood. However, the lead was short-lived as minutes later Argyle's Ellie Dorey equalised through a spectacular effort from 20 yards out.
The Hammers took the lead once more seven minutes later as captain Stacey Little headed in at the back post from McCrea's corner. McCrea then extended the advantage in the 36th minute. Argyle 'keeper Phillips failed to deal with Kelley Blanchflower's cross, allowing McCrea to finish with a fierce half volley. West Ham took their 3-1 lead into the half-time interval. It took Dicks' side just two minutes of the second half to continue the rout as McCrea scored her second of the game. With Philips off her line, McCrea curled a wonderful shot around the visiting goalkeeper as she tried to scramble back. At 4-1 up, the Hammers were in control. With ten minutes left McCrea capped off her woman-of-the-match performance by completing her outstanding hat-trick as she timed her run to perfection, latching onto an inch-perfect through-ball from midfield before rounding Phillips and tapping home. There was still time for Argyle to score a consolation goal as Mollie Taylor kept her composure to finish calmly, but it was too little too late for the Pilgirms.
The Ladies will hope to maintain their form when they host second-place Portsmouth at Mill Field, Aveley FC, in a 1pm kick-off.
Ladies: Runnacles, King, Bottom, Little, Revell, McCrea, Bowers (Mellors 84), Lipley-Hinton (Donohoe 60), Blanchflower, Sherwood (Locke 72), Kinsman
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Cheikhou Kouyate: West Ham midfielder ruled out for six weeks
BBC.co.uk
West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has been ruled out for six weeks with a groin injury. Kouyate, 24, suffered the injury during Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool. Scans have revealed the 24-year-old Senegal international faces a spell on the sidelines. "Bad news. C.Kouyate will be out for 6 weeks," Hammers co-chairman David Gold wrote on Twitter. "He will probably miss 5 games and might be available for Aston Villa at home 8 nov."
Premier League games Kouyate might miss
27 September Manchester United (a)
5 October QPR (h)
18 October Burnley (a)
25 October Manchester City (h)
1 November Stoke (a)
Kouyate could miss up to five Premier League games, starting with Saturday's trip to Manchester United. He joined West Ham on a four-year deal from Anderlecht in the summer, and had played in all five league games prior to his injury.
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Cardiff City keen on taking West Ham's Ravel Morrison loan
BBC.co.uk
Cardiff City have approached West Ham United about the possibility of taking forward Ravel Morrison on loan. The 21-year-old former Manchester United trainee joined the Hammers in a £650,000 deal in January 2012. But a string of problems have pushed Morrison to the periphery at West Ham and managerless Cardiff are understood to want him on a season-long loan. However, the situation is complicated by Morrison facing a court case next year over an alleged assault. Cardiff are continuing their search for a new manager following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Leyton Orient refusing the Championship club permission to speak to target Russell Slade on Monday. But whoever is eventually appointed, Cardiff are understood to be keen for Scott Young, the joint caretaker coach alongside Danny Gabbidon, to continue his involvement with the first team.
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Cheikhou Kouyate out for six weeks
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd September 2014
By: Staff Writer
Cheikhou Kouyate is set for a lengthy spell on sidelines after sustaining a knock during Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool. West Ham's £7million summer signing from Anderlecht had a scan earlier today which confirmed the bad news - as revealed this evening by co-chairman David Gold on Twitter. The Senegal international pulled up in the first half of Saturday's game clutching his groin, before doing similar again in the second period. Despite the apparent injury, Kouyate played the entire 90 minutes. He is now set to miss at least five Premier League fixtures.
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Bad news. C.Kouyate will be out for 6 weeks. He will probably miss 5 games and might be available for Aston Villa at home 8 nov. dg
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Rodgers on... West Ham Utd
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 22nd September 2014
By: Staff Writer
Brendan Rodgers was both disappointed and a little bit shellshocked when facing the press after Saturday's 3-1 defeat. Here's his entire post match presser, exclusively in full on KUMB...
How do you assess that, Brendan? Simply a very good West Ham performance or a bad one by yourselves?
I think West Ham will be delighted, they played well. If I look at my own team, we were nowhere near the standard today. We made a really slow start and before we knew it we were 2-0 down. Lots of elements of our game have been very good, and everyone has seen it over the course of the last couple of seasons. It's just not quite happening for us at the moment, so we've a lot of work to do. Today was very disappointing in terms of pur performance.
Just a blip, or something a bit more serious than that?
It's a number of things. We showed our potential in the Tottenham game this season. When we have our players fit, key players who have been with us for a couple of seasons... We showed it that game, the real quality and intensity of the team. For ourselves, when those guys aren't available it can hurt us. But we should still be better than we were today so there's no doubt we need to get back on the training ground and continue to work.
We've set a new expectancy at the club which we have to deal with now. There's lots of games... Liverpool is always a club that people want to beat - certainly now we've got into the Champions League, we're even more of a rival. But we have to deal with that and that is something we will do.
Do you now have a better idea of what it will be like playing in the Champions League and in the Premier League. At times today it seemed like West Ham were faster to the ball when they were closing you down?
Yep. I thought they had better intensity than us. Our performance level wasn't anywhere near what I'd expect. Too many long passes and normally our passing and shooting are crisper and faster. In the game today we didn't show enough composure on the ball.
First and foremost I thought the intensity of our game wasn't quite at the level but that's something we will look at. I'm very fortunate that I've got an honest group of players who know that that level isn't what we expect and we will, over the course of the season, get better and better.
You had chances at 2-1 to score a second goal and perhaps a third as well?
Certainly when it went to 2-1 we had enough time. I think we regained a bit of our composure again. I felt I had to change the system in order to give us a new dimension in the game. Raheem scored a fantastic goal and up until they got the third goal at the end when we were risking the game and made a mistake, we probably weren't under too much threat.
So we had enough time to get back into it but just that little bit of luck we needed, the final ball and the final finish, just wasn't there for us.
Is it going to be difficult to manage expectations? Every time you lose a game now people are going to be writing you off on the back of what you managed to do last season.
We have to deal with that. You can't run away from it. We were brilliant last season. The only thing I will say at this point os last season we weren't playing to the level we were in the last three or four months of the season. We were asking will we get enough goals? Will we score enough? We finished the season with 101 goals. So I look at us now and think we've got a bit more to do and that's something that over the course of the season we'll attempt to do.
Do you think their 'keeper could have got sent off?
I haven't seen... I was too far away, I haven't seen any images of it.
Is there any bitterness now about the Sturridge injury?
Listen - I've said what I said on Daniel's situation, I was pretty clear on that. He's a top class striker and if he's in your team he's going to be badly missed. We've got a massive game now in the Cup in the week and then an even bigger game next week when we play in the derby game. So we need to refocus on today's disappointment and get back to winning.
Are you good enough to be title contenders?
Well I've always said that we were a work in progress. Everyone will probably realise that we've arrived early where we were last year. Everyone will look at Manchester CIty and Chelsea as the two squads set up for that. But there are no limits on what we want to achieve at LIverpool, we just need to keep moving forward - that's key for us this season, to keep progressing.
At this moment in time we've lost three out of our five games so we need to be much better and I don't think we can even entertain talk of that until we can get some consistency. We showed the potential in the team in the Tottenham game and we need to look to get back to that level as quick as we can.
How do you go about lifting them after two (league) defeats?
Well it hasn't happened often; I think it was last December in the two-and-a-bit years I've been here. Listen, I'm optimistic anyway - it's something we all know and the players are honest enough to know. We weren't at our level today or in the last defeat we had against Aston Villa. We just need to go away and reflect honestly. We'll come back and work hard on the training ground in the morning and we know that we'll have to be better than that.
Was it particularly disappointing to concede the first goal from a set piece today?
Very. Very disappointing.
Is there a wider issue there that you need to work on together?
There's definitely work. If you do it over a number of games then it's something we need to look at. It was never a problem for us last season. In the Aston VIlla game we probably bought the issues upon ourselves. It's important you stay calm in those situations.
I'm not sure whether the second goal was a cross or a shot, but whatever it came from a cross and we needed to defend better. It all came from the intensity of their start. I've been here at Liverpool for the last couple of seasons and in tough games we've actually performed well and played well. Today our performance level wasn't what we expect and normally the consequence for us would be a disappointing result - and that's how it was today.
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West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate faces six weeks out
Last Updated: 22/09/14 10:27pm
SSN
West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is facing six weeks on the sidelines after he suffered a groin injury in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
The 24-year-old Senegal international was injured towards the end of the Premier League match at Upton Park, but remained on the pitch as Hammers manager Sam Allardyce had already used all three of his substitutes. Kouyate, a £7million arrival from Anderlecht in June, underwent scans on Monday. There was no immediate confirmation of the extent of the injury from the club, but co-owner David Gold revealed the bad news on Twitter. "Bad news. C.Kouyate will be out for 6 weeks. He will probably miss 5 games and might be available for Aston Villa at home 8 Nov," tweeted Gold. "In the past losing a player like C.Kouyate would be devastating but now we have quality back up. Cheikhoe get well soon. dg." Kouyate has started all five of West Ham's Premier League games this season and has impressed with his performances as the Hammers have claimed seven points to sit eighth in the table.
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West Ham's Diafra Sakho relishing Enner Valencia link-up
Last Updated: 22/09/14 10:33pm
SSN
Diafra Sakho reckons West Ham can spring a few more surprises in the Premier League this season and believes he can form a fruitful partnership with fellow new arrival Enner Valencia. Sakho, who joined in the summer from Metz, made it three goals in three starts for Sam Allardyce's side when he lobbed Simon Mignolet during Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool. And Valencia, whose impressive performances for Ecuador at the World Cup prompted the Hammers to pay £12million for his services, opened his account a few days earlier with a blistering strike against Hull City. Speaking about the blossoming partnership, Sahko told the club's official website: "We've trained together for a short while now. Enner's a footballer who likes to get it down and play, and me, I like to come deep. "I try to position myself in relation to him and vice-versa. I hope that's going to continue to serve the club well this season. "We're working every day in training for that. We're not going to relax and we'll carry on working hard at it, because it's only the beginning of the season and there will be plenty of matches to play together."
Sakho admitted he meant the audacious effort that beat Mignolet at the weekend but believes his all-round game can help inspire a side that managed only 40 league goals last season. "I saw the 'keeper off his line, at the near post, and I only had one thing in mind," he added. "I tried it and it came off. I wasn't sure if it was going to go in or not, but thankfully it's ended up in the net. I've dreamed of scoring a goal as good as that, particularly here at the Boleyn Ground. "Goals are why I'm here and that's why West Ham signed me but beyond that I'll try to help the team, as much as I possibly can. I work every day in training to try to be as effective as possible. "We deserved (the result against Liverpool). On the whole, we lived up to the manager's expectations and those of the staff. And if we continue to play like that - work together, united as a group - we'll do good things in the Premier League."
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GOLD CONFIRMS KOUYATE IS OUT FOR SIX WEEKS
By Sean Whetstone 22 Sep 2014 at 21:35
West Ham Till I Die
Speaking on twitter this evening Joint Chairman David Gold said 'Bad news. C.Kouyate will be out for 6 weeks. He will probably miss 5 games and might be available for Aston Villa at home 8 nov. dg' The defensive midfielder suffered a groin injury on Saturday and underwent a scan today. On Sunday Gold said "Scan tomorrow but I think he will be fine. dg" but this evening he defended himself saying "I saw him after the match and he told me he would be fine. dg" Typical West Ham! Just when things start to go right something comes along and knocks us back down again.
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MEETING FRANK LAMPARD JNR
By Iain Dale 22 Sep 2014 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die
As you know from my post on Saturday I'm doing my radio show from the Labour Party conference in Manchester this week.
Last night I was at the San Carlos restaurant, a place clearly inhabited by lots of Manchester celebs judging by the pictures on the walls. Anyway, one of our party left the table to go to the loo and came back very excited as he had walked past Frank Lampard, who was there dining with Christine Bleakley. Frank has a bit of history with our radio station after he phone in to complain to my presenter colleague James O'Brien about things he had said on air about Lampard's marriage and his children (Listen HERE).
Anyway, as I have said on here before, I have always been a fan of Lampard and have been disgusted by the way some West Ham fans treated him not only since he left the club, but while he was still playing for us.
Naturally, my colleagues dared me to go over and talk to him, but I have always thought approaching famous people in restaurants iss a bit crass, so I said I wouldn't. But what I did do is send him over a bottle of champagne with a note thanking him for his years at West Ham and for the entertainment he has given me (and us) over the years, even if he did invariably score against us when playing for Chelsea.
Frank, being the well brought up chap he is, immediately came over and thanked me. He seemed genuinely touched and kept telling me how much he appreciated what I had said and how he has a huge respect for West Ham fans. He's a class act, and in my opinion always has been.
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West Ham's Stewart Downing eyes England recall and European football following change of position
Sep 22, 2014 22:30 By Marc Isaacs
Winger whose last Three Lions appearance came in May 2012 has impressed since being switched to a more central midfield role by Allardyce - and is thinking The Mirror
Stewart Downing is hoping his rejuvenated performances in a new-look West Ham can earn him an England recall - and help the Hammers qualify for Europe.
Downing has been a revelation since coming in from the wing to a more central role, and during Saturday's 3-1 win over former club Liverpool he marked Steven Gerrard out of the game while still setting up two goals. The 30-year-old got rave reviews from his manager Sam Allardyce, who called him: "fantastic - moving him inside has meant his talent and ability has come through." And Downing, who last played for England in May 2012, said he would jump at the chance of a return to Roy Hodgson's squad. "I'd love to play. Love to. "I've always said I have never given up on England, but being realistic I didn't think I would get picked. If I keep playing well I will give him something to think about but if he doesn't pick me I will just carry on. "My honest opinion is he will keep on with the young players like Sterling and so on, to build a squad for the European Championship, but we'll see - something could happen." And with Allardyce's new, more attractive brand of football lifting the Hammers into the top half of the table - above Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United - Downing believes they should set their sights higher. "Before the season, people were talking about a top ten finish. But if we play like that then why not aim higher? I always think at the start of the season to see if we can make the top eight and Europe. "Some might say it is unrealistic, but we have just beaten Liverpool and if we play like that on a regular basis we've got a hell of a chance. We just have to cut out the mistakes, play well consistently and we can do it."
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Kouyate is out for six weeks
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold has confirmed our worst fears on twitter tonight. Kouyate is out for five weeks following results of his scan. Speaking on twitter Gold said "Bad news. C.Kouyate will be out for 6 weeks. He will probably miss 5 games and might be available for Aston Villa at home 8 nov. dg" Gold had previously said Kouyate would be fine but responding to one fan he defended himself "I saw him after the match and he told me he would be fine. dg"
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'Sam's a stubborn man who has changed at last"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
ClaretandHugh's top columnist Leroy Rosenior shared the Premier League TV studio with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce yesterday (Sun) and told us tonight: "It's a long time since I've seen him as relaxed and chilled." Top pundit Lee – declaring Saturday's win over Liverpool as being "absolutely sensational" – said: "I made a point of going over and congratulating him. "He thanked me and we had a chat. He was very chilled and looking v at peace with the world. It's the best I've seen him for a while." Leroy, has several answers as to why it had taken the manager three years to come to a point where he could switch from one up to 'total football.' Never one to pull his punches Leroy – speaking exclusively to CandH – said: "He's a stubborn man at times. He may well be one of those who when people insist he does it their way he digs his heels in and does the opposite. "There's been an awful lot of pressure on him from the fans who I think have won the day. They created the pressure which made the board act and Sam has responded well. "This is a team that can really go places. I'm pleased for everybody involved with the club that it's going so well. Things are looking very promising indeed."
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Morrison 90 day deal on cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison's possible loan move to Cardiff City would initially be for 90 days! Reports are circulating this evening that the Hammers midfielder is off to the Welsh club on a season. But ClaretandHugh was told this evening that the maximum allowable loan at this stage of the season is 90 days with a recall clause after 30 days. The deal has yet to be confirmed by the club but reports claim that it could be completed later this evening.
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Grown men had tears running down their cheeks
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Sean Whetstone
Saturday was a surreal adventure when pinching yourself was an absolute necessity. 'Unbelievable' is a vastly over-used word but it describes like the emotions of those watching like no other. Those two early goals caught the Boleyn ground faithful off guard as the cockney boys went two up after seven minutes. The atmosphere was beyond electric as Hammers fans around the ground sung their hearts out for the whole 90 minutes as a the Irons 12th man.
It looked to affect the Scousers in general and Steven Gerrard in particular who proved to be ineffective during the game. As seasoned West Ham fans we have been there before so we didn't want to get too optimistic and when we conceded just before half time there was some half time chat about a draw being an OK result. It wasn't simply about the result in the end – im,portant though that obviously was – but the nature of the way we played. Sure, we beat Spurs three times last year but this was a West Ham team passing the ball, dominating and entertaining. It was almost as if they had finally found the magic ' West Ham way' formula which Sam once dismissed as being delusional. I won't deny it was a nervous watch second half despite more, West Ham chances but the third goal was really icing on the cake.
As I looked around me there were grown men in their late forties in the stand with tears running down their faces as that third goal went in and we knew it was game over. It was the best game I have seen at the Boleyn for five or more years and on Monday evening I'm still smiling from ear to ear. I can even forgive Sam's smugness in his post match interview because if he can serve up that kind of football week after week he can led us into the Olympic Stadium as far as I am concerned. This Saturday I travel with my fellow season ticket holders to Manchester for our away outing at Old Trafford, it is a great time to play them after their 5-3 humiliation to Leicester and who knows what could happen? More of the same please Sam, I could grow to actually quite like you……
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Fanimo remains out in Tranmere cold
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hammers loanee Matthias Fanimo was an unused sub for a third consecutive game on Saturday as Tranmere lost to Exeter. And despite having the speedy youngster on board it begins to look as though he may return to the Boleyn without a game. With only two matches remaining between now and the end of his initial loan period, the player and the club must bewondering why manager Rob Edwards wanted him in the first place. The player has made no comment although a red cross emoticon appeared on his twitter page on Saturday morning. According to one Tranmere insider Rob Edwards claimed that Fanimo was carrying a slight hamstring injury when questioned about his absence this morning. But he added: that didn't stack up adding. " Why name him on the bench then?" and added "He's made a rapid recovery as he's playing for the reserves against Morecambe as we speak"
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Maguire scores on Accrington debut
Posted by Sean Whetstone on September 22, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Hammers loanee Sean Maguire got off to a great debut with Accrington Stanley on Saturday by scoring in the 84th minute to help his loan side beat against Northampton Town 5-4. Maquire's right footed shot from the centre of the box rocketed into the bottom right corner of Northampton's goal. The Hammers signed Maguire from Irish team Waterford in January 2013 but he was loaned to Sligo Rovers for much of last season where he scored one goal towards his end of his loan in July this year. The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international previously scored 14 goals in 32 games for Waterford. Maguire, who was born in Luton but grew up in Kilkenny, joined West Ham on a two-and-a-half year contract is still hoping to impress before the end of his contract in 2015.
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Ravel Morrison closing on loan deal with Cardiff but recall clause inserted with court case due in January
Ravel Morrison is set to join Cardiff on loan from West Ham
Midfielder has found opportunities limited at West Ham this season
Morrison is facing trial in January over claims he threatened to kill his former girlfriend
By SAMI MOKBEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 16:06, 22 September 2014 | UPDATED: 22:14, 22 September 2014
Ravel Morrison's troubled career at West Ham looks to be drawing to a close as Cardiff pressed ahead with a loan switch for the forward. The 21-year-old has been pushed to the periphery of manager Sam Allardyce's plans in recent months following a string of problems. It was hoped the former Manchester United man could revive his Hammers career this season; he was named on the bench for their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last month before starting in their Capital One Cup defeat against Sheffield United four days later. He then made his first Premier League appearance of the season, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 home defeat against Southampton. However, Morrison missed the club's next fixture — away to Hull on Monday, September 15 — after informing the club on the Sunday that he was too unwell to make the trip to Humberside. He did, though, report to training at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training base 24 hours later as his team-mates prepared for their Premier League clash around 200 miles away. There have been suggestions this was another example of his lack of desire, but club sources have indicated the backroom team were satisfied that Morrison was sufficiently ill not to travel. Just a week later, Morrison's career at Upton Park looks to be as good as over as Cardiff, who are managerless following Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's departure, closed in on a season-long loan move for the forward. Morrison's West Ham deal expires at the end of the season and it now looks highly unlikely he will sign another. The contract is believed to have a January recall clause, however, with Morrison's court case over allegations he threatened to throw acid in his ex-girlfriend's face and have her killed due to start at the turn of the year. He is also accused of threatening to blow up Reah Mansoor's house during an alleged four-year campaign of harassment against her. Morrison is also alleged to have assaulted the 19-year-old and her mother, Parveen Mansoor, 39, in Salford in the early hours of July 27. Cardiff have a long-term interest in Morrison, having tried to sign the England Under 21 on a permanent deal in the summer. And despite the fact Cardiff are yet to appoint a new manager, Morrison was on his way to Wales on Monday. Morrison was heralded as a future star as he came through the ranks at Manchester United, but a string of off-field problems have dogged his career. Sir Alex Ferguson knew Morrison had the potential to become an Old Trafford great, but reluctantly took the decision to sell him to West Ham in 2012. He failed to settle and was loaned to Birmingham but returned to Upton Park at the start of last season and began to produce performances that catapulted him to the fringes of Roy Hodgson's England set-up. But the combination of a groin injury, a loss of form and concerns over his attitude in training saw Morrison fall out of favour under Allardyce.
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