Daily WHUFC News - 16th October 2014

Dev Squad 3-5 Bilbao Athletic
WHUFC.com
Minute by minute coverage as the Dev Squad lost 3-5 to Bilbao Athletic at
the Boleyn Ground
15.10.2014

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD v BILBAO ATHLETIC
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL CUP
BOLEYN GROUND
WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 7PM
REFEREE: ASHVIN DEGNARAIN

FT: Dev Squad 3-5 Bilbao Athletic

We'll have reaction in just a few moments.

FT: A hugely entertaining game ends as the visitors come away victorious,
5-3 winners. Defensive errors cost the Hammers in the first half but they
rallied well in the second.

92: GOAL! Athletic immediately go down the other end as Barco heads home for
his second of the evening. 3-5.

91: GOAL! Only for Bywater to net a beauty down the other end with a curling
shot from the edge of the box. 3-4.

91: Goal! A crazy few minutes here at the BG! Garcia scores from the
free-kick. 2-4...

88: Athletic have an indirect free-kick after Spiegel handles a backpass.

86: The Athletic 'keeper is doing all he can to wind down the clock. There's
some tired bodies out there now, anywhere will do for the Spanish defence.

84: Another stoppage in play as a Bilbao player receives treatment for
cramp.

82: From another corner Pask rises highest, but his header is cleared off
the line. The Hammers are getting closer!

81: Bywater has been superb since coming on. He's forced a corner which
Onariase gets a header to.

79: The Hammers have got their tails up now. Parfitt-Williams rifles a
volley just over the bar from the edge of the box. Into the final ten
minutes, this is going to be close.

77: GOAL! Elliot Lee has worked tirelessly all night and is finally rewarded
as he pounces on Pask's knock down from Bywater's free-kick. 2-3.

73: The visitors are doing a good job of keeping possesion. They're
utilising the length of the pitch of well and making it hard for the Hammers
to close the ball down effectively.

71: A moment of magic from Knoyle has he spins majestically on the ball,
beating two men at once. He fires in a cross which the 'keeper gathers at
the second attempt. The crowd enjoyed that one.

68: Matthias Fanimo and Jordon Brown are replaced by Moses Makasi and Kieran
Bywater.

66: Prolonged stoppage in play after a nasty clash of heads between Pask and
Urcelay. Play has now resumed.

63: Final substitution for Athletic as Urtzi Urcelay replaces Inigo Baque.

60: Bilbao are enjoying more of the ball in more dangerous areas so far in
this second half. The Hammers are trying their best to force a comeback.

57: Again Athletic break. Spiegel is forced into another save, Pask is on
hand to block the resulting rebound.

55: Substitution for Athletic. Gorka Iturraspe is replaced by No14 Martin
Bengoa.

53: Manny Onariase fends off two Athletic players who are both left on the
deck. Both players are fine but we could be in for a lot of injury time if
this keeps up.

51: Good save from Spiegel. The ball is cut back across the six yard box to
the ever threatening Barco. He connects well but Spiegel is equal to it.

49: The weather has cleared up considerably during the interval. This half
will be determined by who can keep hold of posession better.

48: Knoyle is penalised for what looked to be a perfectly good challenge.
The resulting cross is cleared.

46: We're back under way here at the Boleyn. A big second needed from the
Hammers!

HT: Bilbao have been clinical in their finishing so far, however the
scoreline does not reflect the chances the Hammers have had. A few defensive
errors have cost the hosts dearly.

46: Fanimo drives a forceful cross into the box for Brown who smashes it
against Perez for a corner.

44: Iriondo goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Knoyle. The
right-back was flying down the wing until the Spaniard cut him down.

43: Jordan Brown wins a free-kick after superb hold up play. Fanimo's
delievery is overhit slightly and out of play.

41: Athletic should be 4-1 up. Garcia has the freedom of the Boleyn Ground,
but he takes too long on the shot which is scrambled clear. How did he miss?

37: Tackles are flying in now. Elliot Lee ends up in the referee's book
after going for a 50/50 challenge, his momentum on a wet pitch made the
challenge look a lot worse than it was.

33: Goal! Iriondo's shot takes a big deflection off Onariase and passed
Spiegel into the net. 1-3.

32: Danny Whitehead breaks the offside trap and is through on goal however
the ball skids off the turf and races away from the midfielder.

30: Two penalty appeals turned down as Lee and then Fanimo are bodychecked
inside the area. You've seen them been given before!

27: West Ham have been the better side on the ball, however Bilbao are
looking very threatening on the counter-attack.

25: The Hammers should be level! Lletget finds Brown with a wonderful
through ball. Brown then plays in Lee who finds Fanimo six yards out. He
shoots but the 'keeper smothers it somehow.

21: Goal! 1-2 Bilbao. The Spanish side reply almost immediately through
Seguin's free-kick. His delievery evades everyone and nestles into the far
corner. 1-2.

19: GOAL! Good work from Lewis Page as he gets to the by-line. His deep
cross finds Fanimo who beats his man and fires a vicious shot across goal.
His shot is deflected and in. 1-1.

17: Superb sliding tackle from Josh Pask to deny Barco. He came out of
nowhere to put in a fantastic last ditch tackle. He then rises highest to
clear the resulting header. Excellent work from the youngster.

15: Djair Parfitt-Williams hits the post from a tight angle after a
wonderful through ball from Danny Whitehead.

12: Bilbao seemed to have settled well. They carve a chance for No9 Barco
who heads over after good pressure from Lewis Page.

10: Despite being a goal down, the Hammers have been the better team in the
first ten minutes. However they don't have anything to show for efforts.

7: The Hammers work a good opening. Elliot Lee and Jordon Brown combine well
to release Matthias Fanimo on the right-hand side. His placed shot goes
narrowly wide.

6: The torrential rain is certainly not helping either team. The ball is
skidding of the surface, making passing extremely difficult.

4: The Hammers have responded well to the early set back putting the Bilbao
defence under pressure. Good work from Djair Parfitt-Williams forces a good
clearance from Iriondo.

2: Goal! Not the start the Hammers had in mind. A defensive mix up allows
Jorge Luis Garcia to roll the ball home into an empty net.

0: Frantic start to he game as West Ham kick-off proceedings.

We're all set to kick-off, pre-match photos and handshakes are being
completed. A little bit of history is about to kick-off.

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is in attendance this evening. A great
opportunity for all the young players to show him what they can do.

We're just 15 minutes away from kick-off here at the BG. COYI!

What makes Athletic unique is the fact they only sign players from the
Basque region of Spain and France, this policy is known as Cantera. With a
population of just over two million, it is remarkable how successful they
are. In other words, it is the equivalent of Manchester City relying solely
on Lancashire-born players.

The Hammers will need to be wary of the outstanding talent Mikel Vesga
Arruti. The 20-year-old midfielder has impressed since signing from Alaves,
featuring in seven of the first eight league games this season.
Santander-born Jorge Luis Garcia Salmon also poses a threat, the tough
tackling midfielder has been booked in every game he's played this season.

Finally, Aitor Seguin Cid is another player to look out for. At 19 years
old, the highly rated midfielder is already knocking on the door of the
first team.

Last season Bilbao finished fifth, narrowly missing out on the Play-off
qualification places by a single point. After eight league games so far this
season, Bilbao find themselves eighth with 12 points, having won and lost
four games.

While their form has been erratic, they have the best goal difference in the
league as well as securing a 1-0 win over Real Madrid II which suggests they
are better than their league position suggests.

There's been a last minute change to the West Ham bench as Danny Boness
replaces Tim Brown.

Kick-off is just 30 minutes with both teams out warming up.

Bilbao Athletic: Remiro, Exteberria, Iriondo, Perez, Arteta, Vesga, Baque,
Iturraspe, Barco, Garcia, Seguin
Subs: Urcelay, Oleaga, Bengoa. Corral, Guruzeta, Aguirrezabala

West Ham United: Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Onariase, Pask, Fanimo,
Lletget, J. Brown, Lee, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: Makasi, Boness, Nasha, Bywater, Akinola, Diangana

We'll have team news in just a moment...

An hour to go til kick-off here at the Boleyn Ground. Despite the rain, the
Bilbao players have just been out on the pitch taking in their historic
surroundings. Plenty of selfies being taken too.

The other groups are as follows…
Group A: Chelsea, Norwich, Porto & Borussia Monchengladbach
Group C: Leicester City, Manchester City, Benfica & Schalke

Group D: Everton, Sunderland, Celtic & Villarreal

West Ham United are in Group B alongside Athletic Bilbao, Dutch giants PSV
Eindhoven (Wednesday 19 November, Boleyn Ground) and fellow Londoners,
Fulham (Friday 12 December, Rush Green).

Where BPLIC differs is the fact that half the teams are from England, as
well as that all matches have to be played in England. Another difference is
that all games are single-leg ties.

The BPLIC has a similar structure to the Champions League in the fact that
there are groups of four teams from across Europe. The top two teams from
each group will then progress to the knockout stages, starting at the
quarter-final stages.

What is the Barclays Premier League International Cup match? I hear you cry,
well, let us explain…

We have a small bit of football history for you tonight as it is the first
Barclays Premier League International Cup match to be played ever.

Hello and welcome to tonight's coverage of the Development Squad v Bilbao
Athletic. We'll have team news very shortly, as we build up to kick-off at
7pm.

West Ham United: Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Onariase, Pask, Fanimo
(Makasi 68), Lletget, J. Brown (Bywater 68), Lee, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: Makasi, Boness, Nasha, Bywater, Akinola, Diangana

Bilbao Athletic: Remiro, Exteberria, Iriondo, Perez, Arteta, Vesga, Baque,
Iturraspe, Barco, Garcia, Seguin
Subs: Urcelay, Oleaga, Bengoa. Corral, Guruzeta, Aguirrezabala

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International round-up
WHUFC.com
Player of the Month Enner Valencia has been in outstanding goalscoring form
for Ecuador
11.10.2014

Enner Valencia continued his outstanding form for Ecuador with three goals
in two matches during the international break. The West Ham United forward
struck a sensational goal as the South Americans drew 1-1 with the United
States in Connecticut on Friday 10 October. Valencia smashed a swerving shot
from 25 yards which left goalkeeper Brad Guzan totally wrong-footed and
levelled matters just two minutes from time. USA looked set to give Landon
Donovan the perfect send-off when they took a first half lead through Mix
Diskerud. But Valencia had other ideas and his goal - his ninth in just 16
internationals - gave Ecuador a share of the spoils.

Valencia was at it again when Ecuador thrashed El Salvador 5-1 at Red Bull
Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Tuesday 14 October - marking the retirement
of veteran defender Ivan 'Bam Bam' Hurtado in style. First, the striker
collected a pass just inside the penalty area and calmly slotted home to put
his country 2-0 up after 18 minutes. Into the second half and Valencia
calmly side-stepped one defender before holding off another and sliding a
shot into the bottom right-hand corner in the 73rd minute.

Elsewhere, Kieran Sadlier played 45 minutes as Republic of Ireland U21 were
defeated 4-1 by Norway on Thursday 9 October.

Meanwhile, Jamie Harney captained Northern Ireland U19 three times but they
failed to qualify for the UEFA U19 European Championship Elite Round. The
Northern Irish youngsters fell to a 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic in their
opening Qualifying Round tie. Harney had the armband on again on Saturday,
but the Northern Irish were defeated 5-2 by Russia. Northern Ireland
completed their Group 5 fixtures by beating Faroe Islands 3-0 in Belfast on
Tuesday 14 October.

On Sunday 12 October, Reece Burke played the full 90 minutes as England U19
scored an 8-0 win over Luxembourg in Beggen in Group 1of the same qualifying
competition. England started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Belarus and
take on Belgium in their final group match in Beggen on Wednesday 15
October.

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Mediawatch - 15 October
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
15.10.2014

In the Evening Standard, Andy Carroll talks positively about the Hammers and
the move to the New Stadium, saying that he believes Champions League
football is a possibility in the future.

London 24 takes the news from whufc.com that Sam Allardyce will receive an
injury boost this week with the return from injury of Mark Noble, James
Collins, Guy Demel and Ricardo Vaz Te.

The Daily Mail suggests that the Hammers could tie Winston Reid down to a
new contract as early as next week.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star covers the BBC Price of Football survey, with a
comparison of the cost of a day out at a Premier League match.

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West Ham Utd 3-5 Athletic Bilbao (PLIC)
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Nick Haycock's Development Squad opened their Premier League International
Cup campaign with a narrow defeat at home to Spanish side Bilbao at the
Boleyn Ground tonight. An eight-goal thriller saw four goals scored in the
final 15 minutes of an end-to-end game that opened the competition's Group B
in style - albeit in disappointing fashion for West Ham. Los Leones got off
to a dream start when Jorge Luis Garcia took advantage of a defensive
blunder to score from close range, with just two minutes on the clock.
However the Hammers hit back to level the score on 19 minutes when Matias
Fanimo's deflected effort beat Bilbao 'keeper Remiro. West Ham had been
level for just two minutes when Seguin restored the visitors' lead via a a
deep free kick that somehow evaded everyone in a packed penalty area to find
the back of the net. They found themselves further behind just after the
half hour mark as Bilbao had their own fair slice of luck when Iriondo's
deflected shot beat a wrong-footed Raphael Spiegal.

West Ham should have been further behind before the half time whistle but
Garcia, who had opened the scoring fluffed his lines when it appeared more
difficult to miss. That kept the Irons' slim chance of a comeback alive; a
hope renewed when Elliot Lee reacted first to Bywater's free kick 13 minutes
from time to reduce the deficit to just one. Pask, who had been involved in
Lee's goal thought he had produced the equaliser when he rose to meet a
corner, only to see his goal-bound header cleared off the line. Garcia
finally doubled his tally for the evening in the 89th minute, which looked
to kill off the tie.

However West Ham had other ideas and within 60 seconds Bywater, whose free
kick had led to Lee's earlier goal, found the corner of the net from the
edge of the area to make it 3-4 - only for Barco to make it 5-3 to Bilbao
virtually straight from the kick off. There was still time for Elliot Lee to
almost grab a second when, like Pask before him, he saw an effort cleared
off the line. That was to be West Ham's final chance of an exhilarating
match; the next chance to avenge tonight's reversal being in the second
round of group matches when PSV Eindhoven visit Upton Park (19 November).

West Ham Utd: Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Onariase, Pask, Fanimo
(Makasi 68), Lletget, J. Brown (Bywater 68), Lee, Parfitt-Williams.
Subs: Makasi, Boness, Nasha, Bywater, Akinola, Diangana.

Bilbao Athletic: Remiro, Exteberria, Iriondo, Perez, Arteta, Vesga, Baque,
Iturraspe, Barco, Garcia, Seguin.
Subs: Urcelay, Oleaga, Bengoa. Corral, Guruzeta, Aguirrezabala.

Premier League International Cup: Remaning Group B Fixtures

vs PSV Eindhoven
Wednesday, 19th November 2014
7.00pm, Boleyn Ground

vs Fulham
Monday, 8th December 2014
7.00pm, Rush Green Sports Ground

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Enner Valencia scores twice as Ecuador hammer El Salvador
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Enner Valencia continued his prolific run of international form in New
Jersey in the early hours of this morning, bagging a brace in Ecuador's 5-1
friendly hammering of El Salvador. The West Ham United striker grabbed a
goal either side of the break - and once again they were both superb
individual efforts. His first - which arrived shortly after Joao Plata had
given Ecuador a 15th minute lead with a deflected shot that looped over
Salvador's Henry Hernandez - saw him receive the ball 20 yards from goal
before rounding the goalkeeper.
However the second 17 minutes from time, which began in a similar position,
was even more impressive; having received possession in a congested area on
the perimeter of the penalty area, Valencia side-stepped one defender before
placing his shot in the bottom right corner.

That was Ecuador's fourth of the night - Plata having added a second for
himself midway through the first half - and a fifth was added by Penilla
seven minutes from time. El Salvador's sole effort came from the penalty
spot with virtually the final kick of the first half, albeit after Alexander
Dominguez had saved Burgos' spot kick only to see the ball squirm over the
line after it rebounded off his midriff.
The highlight of the game was the appearance of Ivan Hurtado in a yellow
shirt for the first time in four years. Now 40, Hurtado played for the first
half before leaving the field to a standing ovation and applause from both
sets of players. Hurtado recently announced his retirement from
professional football and returned for one final time to make his 168th
international appearance - the fifth highest in history.

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Obinna binned
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Victor Obinna is facing a long, lonely winter after being
frozen out in Russia. The 27-year-old left-sided forward currently plies his
trade with Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Premier League but is facing a
season on the sidelines after Parovozy failed to register him in their
2014/15 squad. Obinna, who spent the 2010/11 relegation season on loan at
the Boleyn Ground returned to Inter at the end of that season a matter of
weeks before he departed for Moscow on a free transfer. His first season in
Russia (2011/12) resulted in just ten appearances, eight of which were in
the Europa League (the other two being in the Russian Cup). However he was
a regular member of the first team the following season, when he made 27
appearances (26 in the league), scoring twice.

Last season Obinna appeared four times for Moscow before being sent back to
Italy, this time on loan with Chievo Verona for whom he featured on ten
occasions. But having returned to Russia during the summer, he has found
himself unable to secure a place in the club's registered first team squad.
The Nigerian striker - who is perhaps best remembered at West Ham for
getting himself sent off in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi Final
against Birmingham City - made a total of 32 appearances for United, scoring
eight goals.

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£24 per goal: the cost of watching West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United season ticket holders paid around £24 PER GOAL in the
Premier League last season.

Based on the club's cheapest season ticket (£620), it cost regular
supporters £24 every time West Ham scored a goal at the Boleyn Ground - the
third highest in the Premier League last term, according to a BBC study.

The Hammers, who still boast the fifth-highest average season ticket cost in
the Premier League - despite not having finished in the top five since the
1998/99 season - were beaten only by Spurs (£25.50) and Arsenal (£27.36),
both of whom have spent far more improving their respective squads in recent
seasons.

Manchester City fans are adjudged to have received the best value for money,
with each goal costing season ticket holders just £4.75. However City did
score 63 times at home last year, in comparison to West Ham's meagre tally
of 25.

Of the other London clubs, newly-promoted QPR - who featured in the
Championship last season - paid £10.24 per goal, Chelsea £13.84 and Crystal
Palace £20.

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Mark Noble must fight for a place, says McDonald
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Mark Noble could have a fight on his hands to retain a first team spot once
everybody is fit, according to Assistant Manager Neil McDonald. Despite
having been virtually guaranteed a starting place in recent seasons, the
acquisition of Alex Song and Cheikhou Kouyate - two players who are best
utilised in Noble's (post-Avram Grant) defensive midfield role - means the
club's longest-serving player finally has genuine competition for his place.

And whilst that can only be good news for the team, the mouthwatering
prospect of an extended Kouyate/Song partnership - when both are fully fit -
could leave Noble kicking his heels on the sidelines. "Mark Noble has been
a staple of the team for a number of years, but Alex Song has come in. So
we've had to make a decision about having one or two sitting midfielders,"
McDonald told whufc.com. "Cheikhou Kouyate has come in and also done very
well. We've got Kevin [Nolan] coming back and Stewart [Downing] playing in a
new role. So we've got lots and lots of options."

McDonald also admitted that the introduction of better quality players -
such as the Senegal and Cameroon internationals - means a more adventurous
approach can be adopted this season, despite his immediate superior Sam
Allardyce having been extremely reluctant to concede that West Ham have
changed much tactically, if anything at all. "We've changed the formation
round a little bit and the style," confirmed McDonald. "Last season we
scored a lot of goals from open play and then injuries slowed us down. In
the end we didn't get as many points as we should have done. "I think the
new signings have helped bring a freshness in. They can play the ball well,
perhaps better than we've had before. We're creating more chances than we've
done before, we're getting more of the ball and sticking the chances away
more regularly."

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WEST HAM REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ON REID, IN THE FACE OF RIVAL PL INTEREST!
By S J Chandos 15 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

It has been reported that West Ham remain optimistic that they can reach
agreement with Winston Reid on a new contract. The speculation is that the
club are looking to agree a (significantly improved) new £60k a week, five
year deal with the New Zealand international captain. Hitherto, both sides
seem to have played it somewhat 'cagey,' with West Ham leaving their
contract offer on the table and Reid's representatives stalling to see what
other possible options are available. No doubt there will be some movement
in the run up to the opening of the January transfer window, whether that is
Reid agreeing a new deal at West Ham or holding out for a Bosman move in the
summer.

What is fairly predictible is that a number of PL clubs are said to be
actively monitoring the situation. The rumour is that Arsenal, Spurs, Man
Utd, Liverpool and Everton are amongst the interested parties. Although to
date it is thought that there had not been a concrete approach. If those
type of clubs are genuinely interested in acquiring Reid's services, the
question is whether any of them will break cover in January, and attempt to
steal a march, by offering West Ham a 'knock down' fee? Or will they wait
until the summer to clinch a Bosman deal?

At this stage (and in the absence of a deal with West Ham) the odds are on
Reid digging his heels in and running down his existing contract. The
rewards are just so much more plentiful by taking the Bosman route. Of
course, West Ham must be hoping that the alternative interest fails to
materialise and this encourages Reid to sign the £60k a week deal on offer.
But the probability is that at least one of the aforementioned PL clubs will
want to secure Reid's signature on such favourable terms. As always in these
matters, time will tell.

It will be a great shame if Winston Reid exits, but the objective must be to
secure a replacement who is an upgrade. Easier said than done, I know, but
It is possible. Just look at the way that Southampton responded so
positively to the loss of some of their key players in the summer. Arguably,
the club need to operate a policy of 'continuous improvement' where the
quality of the squad is concerned. That means a dual strategy of
scouting/developing some potential gems like Sakho (whether externally or
via the Academy), whilst also having the ambition to sign proven, top
quality players, a la Alex Song. That is the way to progress as a club,
something that should eventually become easier with the move to the Olympic
Stadium.

We made an excellent start in establishing the baseline for a 'continuous
improvement' policy, in the summer, with the capture of Valenicia, Kouyate,
Song, et al. The club now need to set themselves the target of maintaining
that positive momentum in the run up to the stadium move. Ideally, in the
more immediate term, by signing a minimum of one quality player in the
January window.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham's season so far: Sam Allardyce sitting pretty after impressive
Premier League start
Oct 15, 2014 11:56
OPINION BY STEVESTAMMERS
Steve Stammers runs the rule of the Hammers' start to the campaign and looks
at where they still need to improve
The Mirror

Heading into this season Sam Allardyce was under more pressure than any
other boss in the land. Fast forward two months and the Hammers are sitting
pretty - and their manager couldn't be happier about it. West Ham are
scoring goals, are playing entertaining football and are winning games. As
we embark on the second quarter of the season they are seventh in the
Premier League. Not too shabby.

Here we take a look at the Hammers' first two months:

New signings
Diafra Sakho - an outstanding striker who has settled in quickly and to
impressive effect. Strong, a turn of pace and not easily intimidated.

Aaron Cresswell - a compact, organised defender. Does not shirk a tackle and
knows how to use the ball. Excellent addition to the squad.

Cheikhou Kouyate - what a player. The Senegalese has clearly been helped to
adjust by the presence of his compatriot Sakho. The modern midfield player
... box to box, tackles for fun and an imposing figure.

Alex Song - great presence, great experience. West Ham have benefitted
immensely from his arrival in the midfield holding role.

Mauro Zarate - needs to add consistency to his undoubted ability. He was
outstanding in the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, anonymous seven days later in
the defeat to Southampton.

Morgan Amalfitano - a good squad addition. An international with France.
Proven quality.

Diego Poyet - definitely one for the future. Inventive, bright and will be a
part of the West Ham midfield for years to come.

Enner Valencia - took time to settle. Looked baffled by the pace and tempo
of English football when he first arrived but his stunning strike against
Hull will have helped significantly. Has looked a new player since then.

Carl Jenkinson - a great athlete but needs to work on the defensive side of
the game.

Gaffer rating
8/10 - Sam Allardyce has shown a flexibility that many suspected he lacked.
The decision to give Stewart Downing a free role was inspired. Allardyce is
not as one-dimensional as his reputation suggests.

Expectation level
You would have to say they have exceeded what was anticipated. West Ham now
have strength in depth - a luxury which has not been so apparent in recent
years to respective managers at Upton Park.

What needs sorting out?
Taking chances from open play. West Ham will always be a threat from set
pieces as they have proved this season. Now they need to take chances their
more expansive play creates. Sakho could be the man to do that as the season
evolves.

Any other business?
Ensure that Nathan's pie and mash shop (great comfort food on a bad day,
great lining for a post-match beer) have a franchise at the Olympic Stadium.

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West Ham and QPR in Abdoulay Konko battle as Lazio defender looks for
January move
Oct 13, 2014 22:30 By Mirror Football, Darren Witcoop
The Hammers are also keeping tabs on Stuttgart centre-half Antonio Rudiger
but face even more competition for him
The Mirror

West Ham and QPR are battling to sign Lazio defender Abdoulay Konko. Both
clubs are looking to buy another full-back when the transfer window reopens
and have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old. Konko has fallen out
of favour with Lazio's new head coach Stefano Pioli and reports in Italy
suggest he could be heading for the Premier League. Hammers manager Sam
Allardyce is searching for another defender as loan signing Carl Jenkinson
has been injured. Hoops boss Harry Redknapp is in the market for a
right-back as Mauricio Isla has failed to make any impact.
West Ham have also had their eye on Stuttgart centre-half Antonio Rudiger,
21. The defender, recently fast-tracked into Germany's international squad,
has been watched by Hammers scout George Dixon this season. But they are one
of several sides chasing the fast-rising Bundesliga star's signature. West
Ham are identifying targets amid fears they will lose Winston Reid for
nothing next summer. Reid is demanding a pay rise to bring him in line with
the club's top-earners – but contract talks have reached a stalemate. The
New Zealand defender will not be short of interest as he could be snapped up
on a Bosman free transfer.

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EXCLUSIVE: Sam Allardyce lifts the lid on England dreams and takes a dig at
Mike Ashley
Daily Express
By: Matthew Dunn
Published: Wed, October 15, 2014

HE may have been sitting in Vespucci's, his favourite Italian restaurant,
eating scampi provenciale and sipping a perfectly chilled Pinot Grigio, but
all traces of the infamous Sam Allardici have finally disappeared. Sam
Allardyce relaxes, still determined to make a real mark in the game [STUART
ROBINSON] Once, he may have joked that with a more exotic name he would have
landed one of the top jobs on the continent - a Real Madrid or an AC Milan.
But as plain old Sam Allardyce approaches his 60th birthday on Sunday, he
finally accepts he will never get a chance to manage a really big club.
Unless, he says with the fire of ambition still burning in his eyes, he can
turn West Ham into one. If he does that, who knows? Perhaps his ultimate
dream of becoming the England manager can finally become a reality.

Looking back over a career in football that stretches back nearly half a
century to when he first walked through the doors at Bolton as an eager
apprentice, Allardyce feels the turning point came the day Mike Ashley
bought Newcastle in 2007. "It ended up where I couldn't get that bigger or
better club, so I think there must have been something in my career that
stopped me," he said. I think it was Newcastle. Had that been successful
with Freddy Shepherd, the man who appointed me, staying on, I might have got
an even bigger club than Newcastle.
"I don't blame Mike Ashley, because when you pay that amount for a football
club and you know what you want to do with it, sometimes you like to get rid
of the furniture you have inherited. "But from a career point-of-view it was
a massive blow. It was the spending the power of Newcastle that attracted
me. I'd had limited funds at Bolton and it was the opportunity for the
bigger pot - and Freddy wanted to emulate the success they had in the Kevin
Keegan era. "With Mike taking over those funds never materialised. I had
lined up moves for Phil Jaglielka, Luka Modric and Branislav Ivanovic -
people on my Bolton recruitment database. "Not big stars but quality players
and with the finances I was being promised at Newcastle, we could have done
something."

Now, the purse strings may not be quite so big, but Allardyce is looking to
do that "something" in London, where he has set up home just a stone's throw
away from Canary Wharf for the last three years. The club's ambitions will
really kick into gear when they make their own move to the Olympic Stadium -
but for now Allardyce is keeping his feet firmly on the floor. "I'll be
honest, I have never pictured myself leading a side out at the Olympic
Stadium. Once my contract relates to 2016/17, then I might start dreaming. I
love the idea that the owners have made an outstanding decision for the club
- but it is still two years away. "Personally, I am in the same situation as
I was two years ago with a year to go on my contract. The quicker we are
successful the happier everybody is to sit down and talk about a new deal.
"We are playing well and all fans want to see that, so they are very
supportive at the minute." Ever since he turned Bolton into surprise
Champions League contenders in the middle of the last decade, Allardyce has
made no secret of his ultimate desire to lead his country. With Hodgson
seven years his senior, even a contract that lasts until 2016 has not put
Allardyce off hoping once more for the call. "As time goes on, you wonder
how long Roy will be there," Allardyce admitted. "When the job does become
vacant, you are talking about one of the most iconic jobs in international
football, so you have to be on top of your game at that particular time. "I
would hope to be when Roy does finish, but you can't see the future. Even
two years in the future is a long time. "I do know I was ready for it in
2006. In the end, they went for Steve McClaren, which was a massive
disappointment." As ever, it was wife Lynn who helped him get over it - as
she has with all the bumps and bruises that have been suffered in
Allardyce's career. But the man who admits to being a "verbal bully" in his
"quick-tempered" early years admits he is not the one who owns the hairdryer
in his own household. "Lynn knows how to keep my ego in check," Allardyce
admitted. "It was way back in my younger days when I was getting carried
away at Bolton. When I was thinking, 'Look at me, I've built this team,
we've got a cup final, we've got into Europe'. "She gave me a bit of a slap
down then. You only need to tell me once - well, she does!" Of course, as a
60-year-old, Allardyce will be far too wise to fall into that trap again.

Sam on dust-ups

THE biggest punch-up that ever happened in one of my dressing rooms was at
Bolton when Bulent Akim and Bernard Mendy had a fight in 2002.
That was the biggest, most volatile punch-up I have ever seen at a football
club. It became a very difficult situation to handle because every time be
broke it up that day, it started up again. Three different times in three
different areas. These two guys completely lost it – all over a bad tackle
in training. It resulted in me hanging on to one of them with one of our
therapists, who used to earn a few extra bob as a bouncer, and a couple of
others grabbing the other. It never came out at the time but now it would be
out in a flash. One of the players would tweet it, probably.

…on Raheem's rest

ROY HODGSON did the right thing with Raheem Sterling. If a player came to me
before a critical game and said he felt tired, I'd say, OK, you're not
playing.'There is a danger of over-using young players these days. People
can't understand the mental fatigue for Raheem. There is a huge amount of
pressure on him because he is deemed the lifesaver for both club and country
at 19. What nobody can afford to do is allow Raheem to start picking up
injuries at his young age. The abuse in our era was horrific. Sticking
needles in players, giving them tablets they didn't know what they were for.
Steroids and anti-inflammatories. "Strap it up, son, you'll be all right".

I was lucky but I saw team-mates finished by the age of 24 or 25. Raheem
Sterling could be shot in a couple of years if they don't look after him. We
have seen too many bright young talents fade away - Shaun Wright-Phillips,
David Bentley and Aaron Lennon were going to replace David Beckham and the
golden generation.

...Wenger's change

ARSENE WENGER'S change of culture at Arsenal was a major success. Getting
players like Ian Wright and Tony Adams to change their way of thinking,
coupled with his buying policy, was amazing. His first five years were
amazing. But I don't know what happened to him after that. He seemed to
change his whole ethos - I don't know if it was because he had the new
stadium to pay for, you will have to ask him.
It became all about smaller, pretty footballer than it did about the big
hard talented footballers who won the ball and won him the key games. Never
mind being able to play, they could mix it, too. He was challenging
Manchester United on a regular basis and went a whole season without being
beaten. They were fantastic. Then all of a sudden this change of culture
happened where every midfielder seemed to be 5ft 8in and they lost that
steel.

and big regret

FOR the first time ever, when he was manager at Chelsea, Rafa Benitez
invited me in for a beer after the game. So as far as I am concerned, the
row which lasted the best part of 10 years is now water under the bridge.
The criticism wasn't from the journalists to begin with - it was other
managers. Benitez started it, then it was Graeme Souness at Newcastle, David
O'Leary at Aston Villa and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Of course it affected
my career, because everybody still talks about it. But in the end, my team
never played like that. It was their way of protecting themselves from us
having beaten them rather than accepting they had been tactically undone.
One of my biggest regrets of my career is not dealing with the whole
"long-ball" tag and killing it off as soon as it started.

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West Ham fear Winston Reid will leave for free with agent in 'no hurry' to
open contract talks
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 15 October 2014 Updated: 14:03, 15 October 2014

West Ham fear Winston Reid could leave the club on a free transfer at the
end of the season. The defender is in the final year of his contract and
West Ham are eager to negotiate an improved deal. Reid's representatives,
though, are waiting to see if there are offers from other clubs before
agreeing to talks. Reid, who was West Ham's player of the year last season,
is believed to want £60,000 per week to stay at Upton Park. A club spokesman
said today: "We are trying to meet his agent but he seems in no hurry to
meet us." If neither side agree to a new deal, Reid can talk to foreign
clubs in January and walk away for nothing at the end of the season. Sam
Allardyce's contract will also due to expire at the end of the season and
co-owner David Sullivan, in an exclusive interview with Standard Sport, said
that all parties will sit down at the end of the season. "We have a policy -
and it's as much for Sam as us - that we sit down at the end of the season,
maybe a bit earlier if we're safe, and judge things over an entire season,"
he said. "We've always done it that way. Last year I was being asked at
various times if Sam would be going but my answer was always that we'd look
at it at the end of the campaign. We're very loyal to our managers."

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Hammers could go third this weekend
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

If results go our way this weekend it is possible in theory for West Ham to
leap frog in third place in the Premier League table. An away win against
Burnley coupled with draws or losses for Man United, Swansea and Spurs would
put us in 4th place but a heavy loss for Southampton and a significant win
for the Hammers could put us third in the table on goal difference over the
saints.

Spurs face Man City away in the early Saturday kick off, while Swansea face
Stoke away on Sunday and Manchester United face West Brom away on Monday.
Southampton face Sunderland at home on Saturday.

Maybe we shouldn't get too carried away but it would be great to occupy a
champions league place however briefly. We can always dream. Andy Carroll
recently told the Evening Standard "'We could definitely play in the
Champions League in the new stadium. The quality is there, and with the new
stadium coming we have everything else going for us."

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Steep hill to climb in cup quest
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The Hammers development squad lost 5-3 to Bilbao Athletic tonight at the
Boleyn ground in the first group game of the Premier League International
Cup. West Ham got off to a poor start after a defensive mix up which allowed
Jorge Luis Garcia to score for Bilbao after two minutes. On 19 minutes a
cross from Lewis Page found Fanimo who beats his man and fires a vicious
shot across goal, his shot is deflected to make it 1-1. Bilbao scored two
more goals to make it 3-1 at half time. On 77 minutes Elliot Lee pounced on
a Pask's knock down from a Bywater's free-kick to make it 2-3 and it it was
game back on. On 91 minutes Garcia scores from a free-kick to make it 2-4
to Bilbao Athletic. In the remaining crazy 90 seconds both sides scored late
on to make it 5-3, the West Ham goal from Bywater with a curling shot from
the edge of the box.

West Ham United Team : Spiegel, Knoyle, Page, Whitehead, Onariase, Pask,
Fanimo, Lletget, J. Brown, Lee, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: Makasi, Boness, Nasha, Bywater, Akinola, Diangana

The other groups are as follows…

Group A: Chelsea, Norwich, Porto & Borussia Monchengladbach

Group C: Leicester City, Manchester City, Benfica & Schalke

Group D: Everton, Sunderland, Celtic & Villarreal

The Hammers are in Group B alongside Athletic Bilbao, Dutch giants PSV
Eindhoven (Wednesday 19th November, Boleyn Ground) and Fulham (Friday 12th
December, Rush Green).

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Why I support playing PL games abroad
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 15, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Last Saturday Hammer Vice Chairman Karren Brady backed proposals to take
Premier League games abroad. In her Sun diary Brady revealed that
discussions have taken place about what she said was a "six-season period"
in which "each club would play a maximum of three 'home games' abroad". She
said: "I have to say I do like the idea of the recent proposal to play a
full round of Premier League games at international venues across the world.
However, she added quickly: "But there is clearly some work to be done,
particularly around the emotiveness of our own supporters and how this would
affect them.Plus the impact of ticket prices – season-ticket holders would
get one less game. The proposal is that across any six-season period each
club would play a maximum of three 'home games' abroad."

Whether we like it not the Premier League is one of the biggest global
brands and our owners have ambition to take our West Ham United brand
further globally. I personally support this idea on the condition the extra
revenue we made from playing matches abroad would be made available to make
football more affordable at home. The scheme has worked very well for the
American Football NFL with regular sold out games played at Wembley stadium.
We are moving into an era where clubs earn most of their revenue from
domestic and overseas TV rights, the next deal which will auctioned in six
months time could see the bottom Premier League receive £100m compared to
£60m now and was just £40m two years ago. Hopefully with global expansion of
the West Ham brand comes some responsibility to reduce some season tickets
to a more affordable level. A limited number of £100 season tickets in the
Olympic Stadium have even been rumoured matching a German model.

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