Daily WHUFC News - 2nd November 2014

Changes pay off for Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Tactical and personnel changes roused West Ham United to snatch a 2-2 draw at Stoke City
01.11.2014

Sam Allardyce hailed the spirit of his West Ham United side after they recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Stoke City. The Hammers looked to be heading for a first defeat in four Barclays Premier League matches when goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf either side of the break put the Potters in control. However, a change in formation to a diamond and the introduction of substitute Carlton Cole changed the course of the game. First, Enner Valencia converted Stewart Downing's right-wing cross with a fantastic diving header before the pair switched roles for Downing to fire in the equaliser 17 minutes from time. It could have all been so different were it not for Adrian, too, as the Spaniard produced outstanding saves to deny Diouf on the stroke of half-time and Steven N'Zonzi at 2-1 and Geoff Cameron at 2-2.

Big Sam admitted his team had not produced the same level of performance as they had in recent weeks, but was proud of the way they did not give up and ultimately collected a point for their efforts. "I think there is no doubt about it and we won't pull the wool over anybody's eyes - certainly in the first half we were second best," said the manager. "There were reasons for that and they were one, we didn't adjust to the conditions which were windy, blustery and a bobbly pitch. Two, we tried to get our passing game going but Stoke weren't letting us and three, in the end, we didn't adapt to the way the game needed to be played. "In the end, it was all about changing the system and the way we played and getting the subs on. Losing Winston Reid to a thigh injury we couldn't help, but the other two subs were tactical and they helped us to change the shape of the team, get Stewart in the hole and get two up top. "Once we did that, we finally came up with the sort of quality we have seen many, many times this year with the crossing leading to two goals. The first from Stewart led to a terrific header from Enner Valencia and the second saw Enner repay the compliment by beating the full-back on the left-hand side, pull it back and Downing used his beautiful right foot to put it in the back of the net. "We didn't miss Diafra Sakho because we scored two goals. We haven't played as well as we'd have liked, but when you come back from 2-0 down away from home and get a point at a place like Stoke, we never let our heads go down and our quality got us back in the game."

In the first half, Valencia was nullified by Stoke's centre-halves in a lone striker role. However, the introduction of Cole at half-time and the switch to a diamond formation turned the game on its head. "Stoke played very well with Diouf up front and he is a similar size to Enner, but their service was better than ours in the first half. "We changed it and if it's not going well it's my job to use the experience I have got and change it. I decided to throw caution to the wind with two up front and see whether Stoke could cope with it.
"If they couldn't, we'd get back into the game and that's exactly what happened."

While West Ham did concede two goals, Adrian and an all-action display from James Collins helped to prevent the damage being even worse and made the rousing comeback possible. "It was either going to be 3-0 to them or 2-2 because at 2-0 down there was no point sitting back and playing the way we had been playing. It opened more spaces up for Stoke, but it turned the game in our favour rather than theirs."

The manager revealed that Reid suffered a thigh injury in a first-half clash with N'Zonzi that was 'not too serious', praising his replacement James Tomkins for helping the Hammers to withstand Stoke's onslaught in the opening 60 minutes. "James Tomkins came on and was very good indeed. Him and Ginge had to deal with a lot from the Stoke front three and those two and the goalie were very good when they were under lots and lots of pressure. They helped us achieve a very precious point. "I did feel we were a little complacent in the early part because we didn't start with the edge needed to baffle the opposition and tell them they were going to be in for a game. "We didn't earn the right to play, but we carried on and never gave up and we had enough quality in the team and have now scored 19 goals in ten games. "We thought we might miss our leading goalscorer, but we haven't because we've scored two very good goals. "Everywhere else, we weren't on our top form but the point we got was very, very precious."

With Arsenal winning at Burnley, West Ham dropped to fifth in the table after Saturday's draw on goal difference, but have a chance to regain a top-four place when they host Aston Villa next Saturday at 3pm.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian - 'This is my job'
WHUFC.com
Adrian was keen to deflect the praise after helping the Hammers to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City
01.11.2014

Adrian insisted he was just doing his job after helping West Ham United gain a valuable point at Stoke City on Saturday. The Spanish stopper had to make outstanding saves to deny Mame Diouf, Jonathan Walters and Geoff Cameron as the Hammers battled back from 2-0 down to draw at the Britannia Stadium. Adrian was happy to help his team dig themselves out of a hole and keep their four-match unbeaten run going. He said: "The team was happy with the point because we stood up in the second half. We didn't play well in the first half, and the real West Ham team came out in the second half. "This is my job. I try in every game to help my teammates and on Saturday I helped us to get one point. "They probably deserved to be in front at half time because we weren't playing well, but in the second half the team was stronger and made very good chances for goals and thankfully we scored two. "All saves are hard, but I think the most important was in the last minute of the first half [from Diouf], because it meant we went in at half-time at 1-0 instead of two."

Adrian was pleased to see the Hammers show their character again as they once more showed their attacking power with two goals away from home. "We are playing so well, showing every week that we play like a team and we did that again on Saturday, because the second half was very good," he continued. "To take one point means we keep on going and we have another chance next week when we play Aston Villa."

Adrian's fellow Spanish speaker Enner Valencia was at the fore of the Hammers' comeback, scoring one and setting up the other for Stewart Downing and the No13 was delighted for the Ecuadorian. He added: "Enner is very happy because he scored again and helped the team get this draw. He's a very important player for us and today he was a real striker - he scored this goal to get this point."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke 2 West Ham 2
1 November 2014
Last updated at 17:53
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at the Britannia Stadium

West Ham showed they have some steel to go with their new-found attacking flair after salvaging a point against Stoke thanks to a spirited late comeback. Stoke had dominated for the first hour and deservedly led through goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf. At that stage, a Hammers fightback looked unlikely but Enner Valencia's header gave them hope and Stewart Downing's 73rd-minute strike completed their recovery. Sam Allardyce's side had risen to fourth place in the Premier League on the back of three straight wins, including last weekend's impressive victory over Manchester City. West Ham - without in-form striker Diafra Sakho because of a shoulder injury - were way below their best at a blustery Britannia Stadium but showed they have resolve to add to their more attractive playing style this season.
Stoke dominated the first half with Bojan Krkic, starting a league game for the first time since mid-September, full of neat touches and Jon Walters and Geoff Cameron linking up well on the right. It was from that flank that Moses opened the scoring after 33 minutes. The Hammers failed to deal with a Cameron centre and after Bojan's cross was blocked, Moses pounced from close range.

Things could have been worse for the visitors before the break, but keeper Adrian brilliantly blocked Diouf's shot after he span away from James Collins inside the box. The Hammers did not manage a shot on target in the first 45 minutes so it was no surprise to see Allardyce - who started with one striker - revert to two up front at the break, with Carlton Cole sent on to support Valencia. Stoke continued to press forward, and deservedly extended their lead after 56 minutes when Diouf headed home after good work by Walters down the right. Only in the last half-hour did West Ham come to life, and Downing was at the heart of their revival. With Stoke still complaining about a wild-looking Alex Song challenge on Diouf that had gone unpunished, the ball broke to the former Liverpool winger on the right and he delivered a perfect floated cross for Valencia to nod home at the far post. The Potters almost restored their two-goal lead when Steven Nzonzi was denied by Adrian but, instead, the Hammers completed their comeback. Valencia was the creator, with Downing meeting his pull-back from the left with a fierce strike that Asmir Begovic could not keep out - denying Stoke victory on manager Mark Hughes's 51st birthday.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes on the unpunished Alex Song challenge in the build-up to West Ham's first goal: "It was dangerous play. It was reckless. We're grateful that Diouf jumped out of the way, because it could have been a nasty collision. "The referee should come down on challenges like that - he needed to stop play, but apparently he was trying to play an advantage, which we didn't get. But it's not the first time we've been disappointed by a referee this season. "I think everybody at the game knows who were the better side, and who created the most chances. Unfortunately, sport doesn't always give the spoils to the team who deserve them."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "When you're 2-0 down away from home anywhere in the Premier League, getting anything is a terrific comeback. For us, that's what it had to be. "I always thought there was a goal in us. We changed the shape of the team and went for it, knowing we'd either lose 3-0 or get it back to 2-1, at which point Stoke might get nervous. "Stewart Downing scored with his right foot. People think he's all left foot, and he isn't. We moved him into the middle from the wing, and he made a terrific difference."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke City 2-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 1st November 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham extended their unbeaten run to four games after coming back from a two goal deficit to rescue a point at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon. Things looked bleak at one stage for Sam Allardyce's high-flying team, who fell behind midway through the first half before Stoke doubled their advantage ten minutes after the restart.

However the Hammers rescued a point and extended their unbeaten run to four games as Valencia stooped to convert Downing's cross on the hour mark, before the former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder slammed home an equaliser 17 minutes from time.

On the backfoot and having lost key defender Winston Reid to injury after just 24 minutes it was no surprise when West Ham fell behind after being caught out by a deep cross that fell to City's on-loan striker, Victor Moses.

The Chelsea-owned forward's shot was initially blocked by James Collins - just one of many the committed Welsh international threw himself into on the day - but the ball fell kindly to Moses, who poked the ball over the line at the second attempt despite Carl Jenkinson's best efforts to prevent it from crossing the line.

In stark contrast to recent weeks, West Ham failed to muster a single shot on target (from four shots) in the opening 45 minutes.

Stewart Downing should have at least hit the target after a lovely one-two with Alex Song in United's best move of the half. However the former England winger could only blast over the bar much to the chagrin of Song, who was far better placed to score.

But for the intervention of Adrian's left leg - which diverted Diouf's point-blank shot wide of the post in first half injury time - West Ham would have found themselves heading into the break facing a two-goal disadvantage. As it was, the Potters has to wait just 11 minutes following the restart to register a second goal.

Aaron Cresswell, whose left side was targeted by today's hosts misjudged an interception allowing Walters to break free. Having cut back inside he delivered a carefully-weighted cross to the near post where Diouf made amends for his earlier miss, heading Stoke into a two-goal lead.

Crucially, the Hammers allowed Stoke to lead by two for just four minutes. Stewart Downing, who has been enjoying a renaissance this season at the head of a diamond formation skipped away down the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the far post.

Stealing into the penalty area to meet Downing's delivery was Valencia, who stooped to place a guided header into the far corner beyond Asmir Begovic. It was another brilliantly-executed effort from the Ecuador international, who simply doesn't score average goals.

With the bit between their teeth West Ham pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Yet less than two minutes before it arrived, Stoke should have restored their two-goal lead' fortunately Diouf could only nod tamely wide of goal, despite being completely unmarked on the perimeter of West Ham's six-yard box.

That proved to be a costly miss for the Stoke striker as within two minutes, West Ham had completed what at one stage appeared to be an unlikely comeback. Once again it was that man Downing who popped up in City's penalty box to smash home United's second that emanated from a corner.

With tables turned, West Ham now looked the more likely to go on and snatch a late winner at the end of what had been an enthralling second half. However true to form for a topsy-turvy encounter such as this it was Stoke who went closest to finding a late winner.

Bojan, a former team mate (and fellow reject) of Alex Song's at Barcelona was perhaps the home side's best player on the day. He stung Adrian's fingers with a fierce drive from the edge of the area as City began to find their feet once again.

West Ham had Adrian - who had faced criticism from some quarters in recent weeks - to thank for the second successive week when he produced a fingertip save to deny Walters as the minutes ticked away. It was to prove Stoke's last real chance and although they were perhaps the better side overall, they had to settle for a point.

Adrián San Miguel ✔ @AdriSanMiguel
Very good point we have achieved today!Impressive comeback of the team after losing 2-0!Excellent effort💪WHU away fans were top class👏 #COYI

As for West Ham, it was another positive ending to a game that had looked to be slipping away at one point. Although they may have played better in recent weeks, today Big Sam's boys showed a steely resolve that will be required if they are to build upon the successful start.

The final word today goes to match official Chris Foy (not Hoy, we're not Spurs fans). Mark Hughes was infuriated that the referee missed what he felt was a dangerous challenge by Alex Song whilst Allardyce, his team and everyone of a claret and blue persuasion was incensed by Foy's willingness to turn a blind eye to Stoke's cynical tactics. Safe to say it wasn't his finest hour.

Next up for West Ham are Aston Villa, who visit the Boleyn Ground next week.

Stoke City 2-2 West Ham Utd: Match Facts
West Ham Utd: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid (Tomkins 24), Cresswell, Song, Noble (Nolan 68), Kouyate, Amalfitano (Cole 46), Downing, Valencia.
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Zarate, Jarvis.
Goals: Valencia (60), Downing (73).
Booked: Collins (66).
Possession: 40%.
Shots on/off Target: 10 (6/4).
Number of Passes (Long Passes): 318 (65).

Stoke City: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross (c), Wilson, Pieters, N'Zonzi, Sidwell, Moses, Walters, Bojan (Adam 82), Diouf.
Subs not used: Sorensen, Muniesa, Ireland, Arnautovic, Teixeira, Assaidi.
Goals: Moses (33), Diouf (56).
Booked: Sidwell (54).
Possession: 60%.
Shots on/off target: 21 (11/10).
Number of Passes (Long Passes): 469 (69).

Referee:Chris Foy (5).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam blast inspires comeback
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 1st November 2014
By: Staff Writer

Stewart Downing has revealed that a half time rocket from Big Sam inspired the team to rescue a point at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon. Late goals from Enner Valencia and Downing himself earned the Hammers a valuable point at Stoke, after the home side had opened a two-goal advantage with a goal either side of the half time break. But Downing, who was one of many who struggled in the first half admitted after the game that the team had been told in no uncertain terms at half time that an immediate improvement was necessary. "The manager gave us a rocket a half-time," he admitted, " adding "but I'm sure he would be happy with a point at the end of that."

Allardyce meanwhile was delighted with the point - regardless of the circumstances in which it was achieved. "When you're 2-0 down away from home anywhere in the Premier League, getting anything is a terrific comeback," he told the BBC. "For us, that's what it had to be.
"It wasn't that we weren't trying, but we couldn't get our passing game going - partly because of the conditions, and partly because Stoke were doing a good job on us. "I always thought there was a goal in us. We changed the shape of the team and went for it, knowing we'd either lose 3-0 or get it back to 2-1, at which point Stoke might get nervous. "Stewart Downing scored with his right foot. People think he's all left foot, and he isn't. We moved him into the middle from the wing, and he made a terrific difference."

West Ham fell behind after 33 minutes when Victor Moses opened the scoring from close range. Stoke added a second goal ten minutes after the restart having capitalised on a mistake by Aaron Cresswell. However West Ham rescued a point - and extended their unbeaten run to four games - when Valencia stooped to convert Downing's cross on the hour mark before the former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder slammed home an equaliser 17 minutes from time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And without a hint of irony, here's Mark Hughes
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 1st November 2014
By: Staff Writer

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has accused referee Chris Foy of failing to penalise West Ham's Alex Song for a dangerous tackle in today's 2-2 draw at the Britannia Stadium. Song raised Hughes' ire in the second half when he went in studs-up for a challenge with Stoke's Mame Biram Diouf shortly before Enner Valencia scored the first of West Ham's goals. The tackle - which bore similarities to the Sergio Aguero challenge on Mark Noble last weekend that went unpunished - was ignored by Foy, as were a number of dubious challenges by Stoke players that left the likes of Adrian and Winston Reid requiring lengthy treatment. They were also clearly no concern of City boss Hughes either, who blasted Foy after the game for failing to take action against Song. "It was dangerous play. It was reckless. We're grateful that Diouf jumped out of the way, because it could have been a nasty collision," he moaned. "The referee should come down on challenges like that - he needed to stop play, but apparently he was trying to play an advantage, which we didn't get. But it's not the first time we've been disappointed by a referee this season."

Hughes also maintained that his team were the better side on the day, despite dropping two points late on thanks to a spirited comeback from a West Ham team missing the likes of Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and lkeading goalscorer Diafra Sakho. "I think everybody at the game knows who were the better side, and who created the most chances," he mused. "Unfortunately, sport doesn't always give the spoils to the team who deserve it." "We should be celebrating, because our performance deserved maximum points."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stewart Downing inspires West Ham fightback at Stoke City
By James Walker-Roberts. Last Updated: 01/11/14 6:14pm
SSN

Stewart Downing scored one and set up another as West Ham fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. It looked as though it would be a happy 51st birthday for Mark Hughes as Victor Moses bundled home from close range in the first half and Mame Biram Diouf doubled the advantage from Jonathan Walters' cross shortly after the break.

Best of the match

Man of the match: Bojan was brilliant for Stoke, putting in his best performance for the club so far, but Stewart Downing takes the honours for inspiring West Ham's comeback.
Moment of the match: Just minutes before West Ham made it 2-2 the hosts had a superb chance to go 3-1 ahead but Diouf failed to hit the target with his header from a great position.
Save of the match: With less than a minute remaining in the first half it looked as though Stoke would go in 2-0 up as Diouf turned Collins in the box. But Adrian did brilliantly to deny him with an outstretched leg.

But West Ham halved the deficit on the hour mark when Downing whipped in an excellent ball for Enner Valencia to nod in. The visitors had barely threatened up until that point but they levelled in the 72nd minute when Downing drilled in a shot that Asmir Begovic could not keep out. The draw sees West Ham drop to fifth spot in the Premier League while Stoke slip down to 12th. And the Hammers' comeback is even more impressive considering they were without injured top scorer Diafra Sakho and struggled in the early stages against a lively Stoke side. The hosts carved out the first opening in the ninth minute when Geoff Cameron crossed from the right for Bojan but his effort was well blocked by James Collins. The right-hand side would prove to be a rich outlet for Stoke and they created another chance from there midway through the half when Bojan fired a wicked ball across the six-yard box that Diouf was just inches away from tapping in. West Ham's early frustrations were added to when Winston Reid picked up an injury and had to be replaced by James Tomkins. But they could have taken the lead after 28 minutes as Alex Song teed up Downing with a delightful backheel but the winger fired wastefully over the bar.

Minutes later the hosts edged ahead when Bojan saw a shot blocked by Collins and the ball fell to Moses, who managed to bundle it in from close range. It was no more than Stoke deserved and they almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Diouf turned Collins but saw his shot brilliantly saved by Adrian. Still, it didn't take Stoke long to make it 2-0 after the break as Walters did well to win the ball on the right and crossed for Diouf to head home. At that stage there only looked to be one winner and Moses almost made sure of victory as he curled an effort narrowly wide of the post. But the Hammers proved that they are more than up for the fight as they staged a superb comeback in the final 30 minutes. They halved the deficit on the hour mark when Downing burst free down the right and curled in an excellent cross that Valencia stooped to head home. Stoke were aggrieved that play was not stopped in the build-up after a tough tackle by Song but they should have restored their two-goal advantage in the 70th minute when Diouf headed wide after a fine free-kick from Erik Pieters. The miss proved costly as just a couple of minutes later Valencia did well to pull back a cross to the penalty spot where Downing lashed a shot past Begovic. Both sides pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but neither could carve out another real opening. Geoff Cameron had an effort palmed away by Adrian while Begovic did well to stand up and deny Valencia at the other end.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce delighted as West Ham fight back to deny Stoke City
Hammers boss pleased with change in style that helped secure a point
SSN

Stewart Downing praises the team effort after West Ham fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke. Sam Allardyce hailed West Ham's character and determination after they fought back from two goals to claim a 2-2 draw against Stoke City. Missing top scorer Diafra Sakho, the Hammers looked to be heading for defeat at the Britannia as goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf put the hosts in control. But the visitors staged an impressive comeback in the final 30 minutes and grabbed a share of the spoils thanks to efforts from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing. Allardyce told Sky Sports that it was no more than his side deserved after a gutsy display."It shows the character of this team, not giving up right to the very end," he said. "We haven't played our best today, we know that, but it's points on the board and it's a gritty and determined result. "When we got the goal just after 2-0 that was a real turning point then we got a grip and scored another very good goal. I couldn't have seen have us doing that over the past two years, having the determination and the grit, but ultimately we got back to 2-2 because of our quality."

Victor Moses was frustrated with Stoke's draw with West Ham after they let a two goal lead slip. Quality is something the Hammers looked short of for much of the opening hour as they struggled to create any chances of note against a solid Stoke defence. But they burst into life thanks to the goals from Valencia and Downing and could have nicked the win as both sides pushed for all three points in the closing stages. "We were not producing the type of movement and passing we normally do because of the conditions and Stoke shutting us down," said Allardyce. "Changing the way we had to play got us back into the game. When you are 2-0 down you take the chance, you open up more and say you are either going to lose 3-0 or get back into the game. "This time we got back into the game at 2-2 and there was no point trying to get any messages on the field for changing the way we played, it was either go and win it lads or lose it, up to you. In the end we got a draw so I'm delighted with that."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole reaches 200 Premier League appearances for West Ham United
Last Updated: 01/11/14 9:24pm
SSN

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is overwhelmed at having played 200 Premier League games for the club. Cole featured as a second half substitute for West Ham in the 2-2 draw against Stoke at the Brittania Stadium on Saturday. The 31-year-old is six goals shy of Paolo Di Canio's record of 47 Premier League goals for West Ham, but says reaching that milestone is not something he is thinking about at the moment. "I love playing for West Ham United. Everyone has shown me a lot of respect and it's touching my heart to even say I'm here," Cole told Sky Sports. "200 appearances is hard to achieve at one club - usually strikers are moving around the country and I'm just really happy to have made my 200th Premier League appearance for West Ham." On getting close to Di Canio's record, the former Chelsea striker said: "I'm not even looking at that. It was news to me today when I got on to the coach that it was my 200th game but it would be great if I can get close to that. "I think I have done my fair share for West Ham United. I just want to be involved as much as I can, score as many goals as I can and if I get there, I get there, if I don't so be it, but at least I'll be second."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mark Hughes frustrated as 'superior' Stoke are pegged back by West Ham
Potters boss disappointed by refereeing decision in build-up to first West Ham goal
Last Updated: 01/11/14 7:17pm
SSN

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes was left scratching his head after seeing his 'far superior' side surrender a two-goal lead against West Ham at the Britannia. The Potters looked to be coasting to victory as goals from Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf gave them a 2-0 lead. But the visitors battled back with efforts from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing to deny Hughes victory on his 51st birthday. "It was a game we should have won comprehensively," the Stoke manager told Sky Sports. "We are scratching our heads wondering how we haven't got maximum points, in the end we have taken a draw from a game we should have won easily. Stewart Downing praises the team effort after West Ham fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke. "We were by far the superior team on the day. West Ham probably had two strikes on goal and scored twice, credit to them for that, but we should have won that game comfortably by the manner of our performance and the chances we created." Diouf spurned a couple of excellent opportunities to add to Stoke's tally as he failed to beat Adrian late in the first half and then headed wide from a great position after West Ham made it 2-1. Victor Moses was frustrated with Stoke's draw with West Ham after they let a two goal lead slip. Hughes was also frustrated that referee Chris Foy did not stop play before West Ham's first goal when Alex Song appeared to dive in for a tackle on Diouf. "It's a two-footed lunge," said Hughes. "At that stage of proceedings you want the referee to stamp down on those kind of challenges and give the message that it's not acceptable so you stop play and either book the guy or send him off for dangerous play. "Thankfully he didn't catch him because if he did it would have been a bad challenge and we might be paying the consequences of it. Why Chris Foy thinks we have gained an advantage from the situation I have no idea. We are disappointed with that because from that missed free-kick they go up the other end and get the opening goal." Hughes, though, was buoyed by the displays of Bojan Krkic and Victor Moses, both of whom were brilliant for the hosts. "I felt Bojan benefitted from the game on Wednesday night, he looked strong and inventive," said Hughes. "That's why we want him on the pitch and why we bought him to the club. Everyone saw what he can produce for us, he will get better and stronger and it was really encouraging the amount of quality he produced. "Victor has been doing that since he has come here. I'm pleased he got on the scoresheet, his performance deserved a goal."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 2, STOKE 2. WATER INTO WINE.
By David Hautzig 1 Nov 2014 at 19:16
West Ham Till I Die

So. Who would it be? Assuming prudent thinking prevailed and Diafra Sakho was out for today's clash at The Britannia to allow his shoulder to heal properly, who would step in? We are all so used to scraping the bottom of the barrel when one of our better players is hurt that actually having a few decent options borders on euphoria. Like going to a party and coming home not with one, but two phone numbers. From that perspective I tried to look at losing our top goal scorer as a chance to dangle a carrot out for some other players. Here's your chance, come and get it.

Carlton Cole looked pretty useful when he came on against Burnley and Crystal Palace. Elliot Lee scores in his sleep for the Development Squad and his movement and eye for the goal could have made him a very good stand in with Valencia, but his loan to Southend squashed that idea. Zarate seemed an appropriate choice to many on Twitter, but a mystery thigh strain kept him out last week and we all know how Sam treats most players coming back from injury. That left one obvious choice. I can't believe I'm saying it……but I wanted to see Kevin Nolan get the call. With Crouch and Bardsley out for Stoke, something about Nolan's experience felt comforting.

Then word came that a decision had been made. The winner is….Kouyate. I didn't read one pundit or Tweet even suggesting that as a possibility. Did that mean two up front was dead and buried until Sakho comes back? Or maybe Sam Alirdici was back with a new trick up his sleeve? Maybe it was simply a matter of Amalfitano has played too well to take out, and Kouyate is too good to leave out.

If the first ten minutes were to be a clue of things to come, then it looked like we were in store for a long day. Victor Moses has been of those players that seemed on the verge of doing something special for quite awhile, but always strayed off the path to quality. In the 7th minute he gave us the first of many glimpses on the day of what he is capable of. He picked up the ball in midfield and brought it down the left hand side. I expected someone to close him down. He probably did, too. When nobody did he went for the shot when patience might have served him better. His shot sailed high over the bar.

A minute later West Ham had their first opportunity when Sidwell clipped Song and conceded a free kick. Stoke have been awful defending set pieces this season, so there was a bit of hope and anticipation when Downing stepped up to take it. Turned out that Stoke didn't need to worry. They didn't need to do anything, actually. Downing's shot flew high over the net.

When James Collins name shows up on the team sheet, some supporters get anxious. He can make the kind of mistakes that lead directly to opposition goals. But when he is on his game, like he was against Man City, he is like a building. With legs. Geoff Cameron got behind Cresswell and fed Bojan in the box. He should have blasted it, and if he had it likely would have gone past Adrian before the Spaniard even moved. But a touch and a moment of hesitation gave Collins the time he needed to throw himself in front of the shot. A few minutes later he did it again when Walters passed into the area only to have Ginge clear it. But it didn't go far enough, and N'Zonzi pounced and fired on goal. No problem for he of iron forehead, who dove in and made another outstanding block.

Even when Alex Song does something wrong you know he is quality. Just above the rest of the mortals on the pitch. In the 14th minute, he and Valencia went on the attack after Song won the ball off of Sidwell and tried to feed it into the area for the striker. But the pass was a little too heavy. A bit like many of us, I suspect.

Amalfitano has played very well so far this season. Today, however, is a day he probably wont keep in his scrapbook. N'Zonzi pressured him into giving up a corner. Granted, nobody was there to help him. But even a simple hoof to the sideline would have been better. Downing headed the corner to safety, but the revelation that has been Stuart Downing did not look pleased. After the success he has seen this year on the top of the diamond formation, he was out wide and thus not seeing much of the ball. And Valencia looked like a skinnier version of Cole, up there all alone with little or no support. With Sakho, all four defenders have to be on top of their game. With one up top, they can break for tea if they want.

The 21st minute brought another moment Amalfitano will want to forget about when Bojan twisted him inside out near the touchline and sent a ball right across goal. Diouf looked ready to tap it home, but somehow missed. Moses then tried a curling shot after making Jenkinson look like Amalfitano just did but it went wide.

There was only one team in the game to this point. It's amazing how the loss of one player can reverberate throughout an entire squad. More worrying was the site of Winston Reid on the ground clutching his ankle. Replays showed he twisted it during a challenge from N'Zonzi. His day was coming to an end, and Tomkins was called into action.

In the 27th minute West Ham finally decided to enter the game instead of watch it. Song and Downing worked a lovely give and go after a bad clearance from Begovic. But with two options in front of the goal, one being a wide open Kouyate, Downing opted to go for goal. If the goal had been ten rows in behind the net, he would have scored.

In the annals of scrappy goals, Stoke's opener could be a cover photo. Cameron crossed the ball in from the right side. Bojan attempted a shot from the knockdown by Diouf, but it was partially blocked. Nobody in our back line could get a touch on the ball as it rolled to Moses. His shot hit the post, bounced out, hit him again and rolled in. It could have been an OG. It was hard to tell. But I was in no mood to study it.

Stoke 1, West Ham 0.

There was a moment in the 39th minute which summed up the day to that point. With nobody around him, Jenkinson passed the ball back. That would be OK if the pass had actually been to someone. Song chased it down, averting what could have been a real problem. What was Jenkinson thinking? Who did he see? Is sloppy play like the flu, an airborne virus that spreads quickly? Up front, every time Valencia had the ball with at least a theoretical chance to do something all he did was run, lose the ball, fall down, and look at the ref.

In the 43rd minute it was Tomkins turn to be James Collins when Cameron waltzed through two in light blue and aimed a cross at Diouf. Tomkins radar worked perfectly and he slid in to deny Stoke a great chance for a second goal. It only took a few seconds for the home side to get another chance when Bojan took the ball away from Song and tried a long range missile. Lucky for us it was as accurate as a Scud. I was praying for halftime without any more stress.

Nope.

Cameron was at it again, beating our defenders like a drum and sending a low ball into Diouf right in front of goal. It should have been 2-0. No question. And I may never know how Adrian grew larger by about a foot in every conceivable direction to block that goalbound shot.

Halftime finally, and thankfully, arrived.

The Twitter hounds were out in force calling for Amalfitano's head. He wasn't the only player who had been poor, if not terrible in the first half. But he was the most obvious target of frustration, Sam likely agreed, and he didn't come out for the second half. Instead, Carlton Cole was brought on. I for one was surprised. I would have expected Nolan or Zarate.

When Chris Foy handles our games, good things don't usually happen. There is no earthly reason why one referee should bring bad results to one team time and time again, but it happens. When Marc Wilson put a body check into Valencia that would make any hockey coach proud he should have seen yellow. He saw nothing. Neither did Foy, apparently, and perhaps history was repeating itself.

In the 51st minute James Tomkins continued his good work since coming on for Reid. Stoke were again pressing, asking the proverbial questions, and Tomkins was again there to answer the call of duty. He broke up an attack where Stoke had numbers and N'Zonzi was ready to latch onto a pass. Stoke are doing what they did in the first forty five minutes. Attack us, control the game, and fall back on defense when needed. Which wasn't often. At least Mr. Tomkins and Mr. Collins were doing their jobs and doing them well.

Aaron Cresswell has done very little wrong since arriving from Ipswich. In fact, his play has been as valuable as anybody's. Including Sakho. So when I say he made as bad a decision as I've seen in many years from a defender to give up Stoke's second goal I don't want anybody to accuse me of not appreciating the lad. Bojan sent the kind of long ball that Sam Allardyce dreams about over Cresswell. Instead of dealing with it, in any sort of way, he watched as Walters went around him to collect a pass he shouldn't have had a chance in hell of getting. Good cross to Diouf, simple header past Adrian, in the net.

Stoke 2, West Ham 0.

You may say that you still had hope. You may say you didn't think the game was over. And you may be lying. I for one didn't see anything that told me we could come back from 2-0 down midway through the second half.

Times are definitely changing.

In the 58th minute, Song played a ball in for Valencia. I'm not sure how, but quality players like Song can do that. Valencia's attempt on goal was blocked by Darth Shawcross. West Ham had their first corner. Nothing came of it, but West Ham were asking some questions. Two minutes later, Stoke couldn't find the answer when Downing broke down the right and sent a stunning cross over everyone except Valencia, who dove at it with his own iron forehead and put it in the back of the net. Stoke were angry about a two footed challenge by Song a few seconds earlier, and to be fair it should have been a foul. But Stoke live by the sword, and sometimes they must die by the sword. In other words….get over it, Sparky.

Stoke 2, West Ham 1.

The 62nd minute should have been the minute Stoke restored their two goal lead. An impressive passing sequence ended with Walters passing to N'Zonzi. That's when the 62nd minute changed into the minute Adrian palmed the ball behind to keep West Ham in the game.

When West Ham play Stoke, it's often a game of messages. Like the time Neill sent Etherington flying into the advertising boards early in a game, keeping Matty relatively quiet the rest of the day. When James Collins decided that Bojan's shins looked a lot like a football he got a yellow card. And Bojan got something to think about the rest of the game if he got the ball. Considering that he had been a step ahead of Song for much of the game, I'd say Ginge did the right thing.

In the 69th minute, Noble came off for Nolan. If this is the way forward in terms of Nolan's role with the team I'm all for it. He can be quite useful in tight spots, and this was a tight spot. And it almost got as tight as a noose three minutes later when Mame Biram Diouf somehow figured out how to suspend the laws of motion. The ball was placed perfectly to his head. He was in a perfect position to score. He had to score there. He didn't.

And he will have nightmares about it for a long time because a minute later, against not only the run of play but simple logic, West Ham were level. Valencia picked up the ball on the left side after a West Ham corner. His pass into the box looked destined for Kouyate. But the big man dummied it, it rolled to Downing, and he slammed it behind Begovic at the near post.

Stoke 2, West Ham 2.

West Ham nearly took the lead in the 77th minute when Valencia was sent in on goal all by himself. Just him and Begovic. Valencia acted as surprised as anybody, and maybe the shock is what gave Begovic the instant he needed to get down in front of the ball and push it out of danger.

Charlie Adam came on for Bojan in the 82nd minute, and one could easily have seen the cagey veteran finding a way to grab back all three points for the home side. He never got the chance, I'm happy to say. A minute later, Geoff Cameron did. His pass to Walters was returned after a run into the box. But instead of instinctively shooting straight away, he tried to control the ball. That extra touch gave Adrian time to move into position and push the ball behind for what should have been a corner. How the officials missed that is a question only they can answer. I wouldn't bother listening, however.

The ghosts of Tony Pulis came out for a bit in the 86th minute when Walters went shoulder first into Adrian's chest. A few minutes earlier Carlton Cole was nearly apoplectic with anger after a tussle in front of Begovic. The whole atmosphere was getting salty. Would someone turn their anger into a winning goal before the three minutes of added time were done? The best chance came in the second added minute when Shawcross made a marauding run down the right, only to lose the ball on a perfectly timed tackle by Kouyate. The Stoke defender hopped right back up, smile on his face as if to say "no autopsy, no foul". A final ball into the area by Adam is headed away by Collins.

Final score. Stoke 2, West Ham 2.

If we do go on to have a memorable year, we may all look back on this draw as the moment we knew it was possible. Just like the draw at Chelsea gave us the belief last year that we could survive, this draw could give us the belief we can thrive.

Cresswell was awful.

Jenkinson was only a little better than Cresswell, so nothing to remember.

Song was human. By his standards, that's terrible.

Yet we pulled together to grind out a point when we truly didn't deserve it. Good teams do that. And we may actually be a good team.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aaron Cresswell set for England chance after impressive start to West Ham career
Nov 01, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
The 24-year-old defender has played in each of the Hammers' ten games so far this season and is expected to be in the Three Lions' next squad
The Mirror

Aaron Cresswell is set to be rewarded for his contribution to West Ham's impressive start to the season with an England call-up. Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson will name his squad on Thursday for the European Championship qualifier against Slovenia on November 15 and the prestige friendly against Scotland in Glasgow four days later. Hodgson has already said he will field a team against Scotland that will give a chance to fringe players and hopefuls. And Cresswell – 25 next month – is in the frame for a place in the squad for Glasgow.
If he is called up for England it would represent another remarkable chapter in the Cresswell story. He was rejected as a teenager by Liverpool, but remained determined to succeed in the professional game. He joined Tranmere and then played at Ipswich for three years before moving to Upton Park in the summer for an fee of £3.75million plus add-ons. The consistency of West Ham midfielder Mark Noble may also be rewarded.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke 2-2 West Ham: Hosts angered by referee after relinquishing two-goal lead
Sport Football Barclays Premier League
Nov 01, 2014 20:10 By Ralph Ellis
The Mirror

Mark Hughes was left fuming after ref Chris Foy chose to ignore a tackle by Alex Song that sparked a dramatic comeback from the Hammers
Mark Hughes was left fuming as ref Chris Foy ruined what was shaping up to be a perfect birthday. Stoke's boss was expecting to celebrate with three points with his team two goals up and strolling – but then Foy ignored a studs-up challenge by Alex Song that allowed Stewart Downing to break away and spark a comeback. Instead Hughes, 51 yesterday, went home mystified at why one of the Premier League's most senior referees could ignore an obvious foul. He said: "The referee needs to do better. It was a poor challenge by Song because he was out of control and with two feet off the ground. "I was only thankful that Mame Diouf was able to jump out of the way, but the ref should have seen it and blown. "Referees were told to stamp out those kind of challenges but he did nothing about it. He is one of our senior refs, so he has to do better than that."

Asked if he felt a Stoke player would have been penalised for the same challenge, Hughes said: "I can't say that, can I? You saw it, if you think it, you can write it. I can only think it." The Potters were leading thanks to goals by Victor Moses and Diouf with half an hour left when the incident happened. But Downing's run and brilliant cross for Enner Valencia to head home changed the tempo.And Downing then smashed home a 72nd minute equaliser to extend the Hammers ' run to 13 points in their last six games. Not that even Sam Allardyce thought they played well. "We were struggling with the way Stoke denied us space," he said. "But then we showed some character. Teams who stay in the top half get something form games when they don't play well, and it is a sign of our character that we are going home with a point when perhaps we didn't deserve it."

Well West Ham fans wanted a team that was true to the club's traditions – and they've got one, for good and bad. Right back to the days of Moore, Hurst and Peters in the 60s when the legend of the Upton Park academy was first created the Hammers could be brilliant one minute, diabolical the next. And here was a 90 minute exercise in the same thing. For an hour Big Sam's side didn't turn up. The side who had worked themselves into the ground to beat Champions Manchester City seven days ago were second to everything. Song was strolling around, Valencia was anonymous up front, and even the normally reliable Mark Noble couldn't seem to place a pass in the right direction.

If it hadn't been for the inspiring figure of James Collins in the heart of their defence, Stoke would have been out of sight by half time. It was only a surprise it took 33 minutes for a goal to come, when Diouf teed up the excellent Bojan, and though Collins blocked his shot the ball spun for Moses to stab in his first for the club. Diouf should have made it 2-0 right on half time when he finally wriggled free of Collins only for Adrian to make a brilliant save. But he didn't have to wait long after the interval, getting on the end of Jonathan Walters' cross after excellent work by the Irish international. It seemed all over – until Valencia's header on the hour and from there the game swung completely. With 72 minutes gone Valencia again wriggled his way to the byline and squared the ball back to find Downing on the back post letting loose an unstoppable right foot volley.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold: "Our fans are extraordinary"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold reckons the Irons fans were a big motivating force behind today's great result at Stoke City declaring the Britannia Stadium "one of the fiercest and most partisan grounds in the country." He told ClaretandHugh: "They boo very decision that goes against them and are absolutely relentless in the support of their team but our fans were extraordinary. "They are an amazing and don't get anything like the amount of credit they deserve. "They were brilliant in their support and for me were a big reason we got back to 2-2. I thank every one of them. "Following your football team is an extraordinarily expensive business these days. In my day it cost the equivalent to 10p and even then I bunked into the Chicken Run for free. "I say a lot about our fans because they are a unique bunch and deserve all the praise in the world."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid injury update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 1, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Winston Reid has suffered a dead leg and is fully expected to be back for the Hammers against Aston Villa next weekend. Co-chairman David Gold – speaking to ClaretandHugh on his way home from Stoke this evening – revealed: "He suffered a dead leg and came off knowing that James Tomkins was available on the bench. "It's normally not a serious thing and as a fit young man we would expect him to shake the problem off relatively quickly and be available for next weekend." Gold was delighted with the team's fightback from two down to take a point declaring: "We were second best in the first half and looked unbalanced with just the one striker. "But the manager changed things immediately at half time rather than waiting 15 minutes or so and we showed real grit to claw our way back "Stewart Downing was my man of the match but James Collins was immense. I'm sure if a double decker bus had come through the middle he'd have headed it away."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com



---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com