Daily WHUFC News - 19th December 2014

Big Sam on: Leicester City
WHUFC.com
The manager looks ahead to Saturday's game against Leicester City
18.12.2014

Sam Allardyce faced the media on Thursday morning ahead of this weekend's
game against Leicester City. The manager revealed he is looking forward to
getting the festive football programme started, even if is promises to be a
hectic time.

Looking ahead to Saturday's game against Leicester, how important is this
part of the season?

SA: "We want to continue this run of form for as long as possible. We've
only lost one game in the last ten which is an excellent run. We're all
looking forward to this quick run of games, the players enjoy it but it is a
very hard, especially for them. We will have to rotate the team because
there will be fatigue, there will be injuries to deal with. We keep our
fingers crossed like never before, there's not time to prepare properly,
it's play, recover, play, recover. If we come out of this period with a few
more points, then we'll
reassess our aims for the rest of the season. "Leicester are a hard team to
break down, they work very hard for each other. Despite their run of games
without a win, they haven't been turned over by anyone, it's only ever by
the odd goal. I saw the Leicester game against Manchester City and I thought
they did very well. There are a lot of dangers in Nigel's teams that we need
to be well aware of. They won't lie down and sit back."

Can you sympathise with Nigel Pearson, getting a club promoted and now under
pressure?

SA: "There's only been one thing missing from Nigel's side and that is
scoring goals. That's everyone's problem really, thankfully we've alleviated
that issue this year. Had the players had their shooting boots on against
Sunderland we would have won comfortably. I spoke to Gus after the game and
we talked about the difficulty of scoring goals consistently. A lot of teams
have struggled, if you look at Liverpool this year compared to Suarez and
Sturridge last season. If Leicester find a striker, or a current player gets
back on form, then they have a good chance of staying up.
"You need a board to back you when you're struggling. I was in a similar
situation at Bolton, we bought in Youri Djoarkaeff. I think he scored six
goals in the last ten games and we stayed up."

What sort of shape is the squad in at the moment? Mark Noble has been
injured for a few weeks, is he available for Saturday?

SA: "No, he's not available for this weekend. He should be available for the
Chelsea game. Everyone else is available for selection which is fantastic
for this stage of the season and it gives us the best chance of winning."

Will any of the young players get a chance to play over the Christmas
period?

SA: "Not at the moment, the current squad is very strong and nearly all fit.
We've got experienced players all the way through the squad, in all sorts of
different leagues across the world. It does depend on how injuries go but I
wouldn't of thought so."

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Tomkins - 'It's a great place to be'
WHUFC.com
Hammers defender James Tomkins is loving the turnaround for his side this
season
17.12.2014

A year can be a long time in football, as West Ham United's last twelve
months attests. Heading into Christmas 2013, the Hammers found themselves in
a relegation scrap with just 14 points from their opening 16 games. Fast
forward a year, and Sam Allardyce's men have collected double that amount of
points from the same number of Barclays Premier League fixtures. James
Tomkins is loving the turnaround and hopes it continues to make 2014/15 the
most successful of his Hammers career to date. "It's a great place to be at
the minute," he said. "Around the training ground everyone is smiling and
happy and it just goes to show what can happen if you put a good run in.
"This time last year was nowhere near as good as it is now - this is
probably the best I've been involved in since I've been a player and
hopefully we can keep the run going. "We've got good attacking players and
we're scoring goals in abundance. That's credit to the lads - a lot of them
are chipping in with goals. We've had 12 different goalscorers this season.
"Even though we're not conceding many, we're not keeping too many clean
sheets, so hopefully we can improve that."

Tomkins has started eleven of West Ham's 16 top flight games this season and
says he is improving with each and every outing. He explained: "I feel that
I get better with each game. That's how I feel when I get a good run of
games and I feel I can get stronger.
"It's not just me, it's the whole team. Every player, not just the starting
eleven, but everyone is happy to come in and step into somebody else's boots
and that really is vital. "Ultimately it is our aim to finish in the top
ten, but I do feel like my performances are coming on strong."

Next up for West Ham is the visit of Leicester City as the Hammers get the
festive season started and Tomkins wants nothing less than three points from
the Foxes meeting. "It's our busiest time of the year, with four games in
twelve games," he said. "Ultimately we're looking at Leicester, and it won't
be an easy game because like you see through the season teams fall by the
wayside against teams lower in the league. "We've got to make sure it
doesn't happen to us this weekend to keep the run going into a difficult
schedule."

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Cole: I've been waiting on you
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole admits he would love to be playing a greater part in West Ham's
success this season - but remains happy at the Boleyn.
Cole, who has been at West Ham for eight years - making him the club's third
longest-serving player behind Academy stars Mark Noble and James Tomkins -
has made just four starts this season and is yet to complete a full 90
minutes. And whilst he is disappointed at having played such a limited role
so far, the 31-year-old insists that he won't be demanding further playing
time and is happy to wait for a chance. That may well come in January when
leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho heads to the African Cup of Nations with
fellow Hammers Cheik Kouyate and Alex Song. Either way, Cole insists he is
happy to wait for an opportunity.

"The manager has explained the situation to everybody," he told the
Standard's Giuseppe Muro. "When I get my chance to step in, I have to make
sure I am ready. Not everyone can play every week and everyone has to be on
their toes. "You have to swallow your pride sometimes when you are not
playing and get on with it. I am celebrating when Andy scores, when Sakho
scores or when Valencia scores. And if I score, I am sure they are
celebrating too. "I am not playing as much as I want but I am a West Ham
fan and I want to see us do well. It is about the team, so whether or not I
am playing is not a problem. "Everyone has their own way of dealing with
disappointment. What would happen if I went knocking on the gaffer's door?
He would probably try and knock me out! You have just got to be
professional, wait your turn and make sure you are ready when the manager
needs you."

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Allardyce on contract situation
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 18th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

It looks like this one will run and run ... Sam Allardyce was asked again
about his contract situation this morning as he met the press ahead of this
weekend's visit of Leicester City. One of our less salubrious tabloid
newspapers reported yesterday that West Ham were preparing to give Big Sam
the chop at the end of the season despite him having taken the club to their
best position in the league this century. And that inevitably meant that
Allardyce was asked at this morning's pre-match presser about the situation
- and forced to issue another rebuttal. "It's the same as it's been all
season," he reiterated. "We'll sit down when we're ready and comfortable and
discuss the situation. That hasn't changed from the start of the season.
"We're comfortable with that position, like I was last time after we got
promoted to the Premier League. I think we talked about that contract at the
end of April, May almost, even though we finished tenth that year. "I've
spoken to David Sullivan about other matters during the last couple of days
but nothing to do with me or my contract."

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West Ham's Carlton Cole: I'd like to play more but if I went knocking on the
gaffer's door, he'd probably knock me out
It takes a brave man to tackle Sam Allardyce, however, Carlton Cole has
other reasons for accepting support role.
Evening Standard
GIUSEPPE MURO
Published: 18 December 2014 Updated: 09:20, 18 December 2014

Carlton Cole will not confront Sam Allardyce over his lack of playing time
despite making just one Premier League start for West Ham since August.
Although the forward is behind Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Diafra
Sakho in the pecking order at Upton Park, he is no rush to leave during next
month's transfer window. The season is only 16 games old and Cole, while
playing a bit-part so far, believes his opportunity will arise soon. In the
meantime, he is happy with a supporting role in a West Ham side flying high
in the Champions League places. "It is a weird feeling," explains Cole. "I
am not playing as much as I want but I am a West Ham fan and I want to see
us do well. It is about the team, so whether or not I am playing is not a
problem. "You cannot have bad eggs in the changing room. Everyone has their
own way of dealing with disappointment and I am not one of those guys [who
complains]. "What would happen if I went knocking on the gaffer's door? He
would probably try and knock me out! He explains everything to you but he
does not want you doing that. I have been through it [not playing] before,
and you have just got to be professional, wait your turn and make sure you
are ready when the manager needs you."

Cole, who turned 31 in October and is out of contract at the end of the
season, understands his omission from the team is a consequence of the form
of Sakho and Valencia. The summer signings have been a huge factor in the
club's sparkling start, while Allardyce is understandably delighted to have
Carroll back following his long lay-off with an ankle injury. And not
forgetting Mauro Zarate. Since leading the line in the opening three games
of the season, Cole has been restricted to a solitary start and a place on
the bench. But, with the busy festive period looming and Sakho heading to
the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal next month, Cole senses his chance is
around the corner.

"You do not want to see Sakho go away with his country but you need to keep
momentum and that is why we have a big squad," he says. "That is when you
are going to need the players who have not been playing to come in and do a
job. "The manager has explained the situation it to everybody. When I get my
chance to step in, I have to make sure I am ready. I am in no rush to go
anywhere in January, I am at home here. Who wants to leave their home? "Not
everyone can play every week and everyone has to be on their toes. The ones
who are on the bench have to come on and make a difference when things are
not going our way. That is what we have been doing lately, coming from
behind to pick up points. It is going to be a hectic time over the festive
period and that is what I am banking on to get a few games."

Cole sees himself as an influential figure in the dressing room after nearly
nine years at West Ham and he says the strikers all support each other. "You
have to swallow your pride sometimes when you are not playing and get on
with it," he says. "I am celebrating when Andy scores, when Sakho scores or
when Valencia scores. And if I score, I am sure they are celebrating too. I
have been at the club for a while and I am always supporting anyone who
wants any advice. "We are all together and that is what you need. You do not
need people hating on you and making you feel uncomfortable. That is what
happens when you have bag eggs, and the gaffer is not going to have that in
the squad. He will get rid of you."

Cole is attending the launch of the Lycamobile Cup, the youth football
tournament set up by Lycamobile, the largest global provider of low cost
international calls, West Ham and their Community Sports Trust. His positive
attitude represents the wider mood at the club, with West Ham lying fourth
ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester. Cole is confident they can maintain
their good form. "We have got the right mix," he says. "This is the
hardest-working squad I've played in here and we have some great players. We
have got a great bunch of lads. We all have a great understanding of each
other and everyone loves each other as brothers. That is why we are doing so
well at the moment. "The aim was top 10 but, where we are now, you have to
re-evaluate where we will end up. Top seven is achievable if we carry on the
way we are going. "The gaffer has done a brilliant job. People were saying
in the summer his job was not safe but that did not bother him. He carried
on fighting and is seeing the fruits of that persistence."

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West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce in no rush to begin contract talks
Last Updated: 18/12/14 6:09pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has played down speculation about his future,
saying nothing has changed since the start of the season.
Newspaper reports had suggested that Allardyce's position was under threat
given that he had not yet agreed a new contract. But the 60-year-old says he
in no rush to begin discussions, having experienced a similar situation when
he agreed a two-year contract extension in 2013. "It's the same as it's been
all season," said Allardyce, whose Hammers side currently sit fourth in the
Premier League. "We'll sit down when we're ready and comfortable, and
discuss the situation. "We're comfortable in that position, like I was the
last time after we got promoted to the Premier League. We talked about that
contract around the end of April, May almost, even though we finished 10th
that year. I don't have any problems with that. "Did I seek any
clarification from the owner on Wednesday? No. I spoke to David Sullivan
over some other matters. It had nothing to do with me or my contract."

Contract

Reports have also suggested that Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho is set to
have his four-year contract renegotiated, following an impressive start to
life at Upton Park. But Allardyce said: "I don't see why we should be
discussing any contracts with anyone too much in this period when we are
playing so many games in such a short period of time. But yet again players
don't see it that way, do they? "If they think it is time for them, they
don't give a monkeys about anyone else, they just get on with their own
thing. They won't worry about the fact that we have got so many games and we
have got to organise this and that."

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THE HAMMERS MISFITS
By Sean Whetstone 18 Dec 2014 at 13:39
West Ham till I Die

While the first team is flying high in fourth place in the Premier League
two of our Hammers misfits have been making the news also.

Maiga has been issued a 48 hour ban from Metz after failing to travel with
the team to a Ligue 1 fixture with Marseille earlier this month. A statement
on their website read:"Metz striker Modibo Maiga did not appear at the
airport the day of travel to Marseille, he was punished with a two-day
lay-off by the disciplinary committee of Metz. In accordance with the
provisions of the ban he will therefore be able to return to training on
Friday 19th December."

In July 2012 West Ham signed Maiga from French side FC Sochaux-Montbeliard
for £4.7m, signing on a four-year contract with an option for a further two
years. He is thought to earn £38,000 per week and it is claimed he rejected
an offer in the summer to buy him out of his contract. Metz are reportedly
paying under £6,000 per week of his wages while on a season long loan.
Unless a buyer is found in the January or Summer transfer windows we are
likely to buy him out his remaining year after his loan finishes

Ravel Morrison has also been in the news following his early release from
Cardiff City. A club statement by Cardiff on Monday said "Due to personal
circumstances, Cardiff City have allowed Ravel Morrison compassionate leave
and permission to train in more familiar surroundings at this time with his
parent Club, West Ham United."

Morrison made just one start, six sub appearances and scored no goals for
the Bluebirds during his loan.

The Cardiff statement has encouraged a flurry of newspaper articles and
social media comments claiming West Ham want to sell him, terminate his
contract or buy him out of his contract. On Sunday he posted a picture of
himself in West Ham training kit in a gym. Other unsubstantiated claims say
he has been banned from Chadwell Heath training ground. It does appear that
Ravel Morrison is training with the Development squad in an effort to regain
fitness however whether he is actually forbidden from entering Chadwell
Heath training ground remains unclear. As for terminating his contract
early, I fail to see what grounds West Ham could rely on. He faces serious
criminal charges on 26th January next year and if found guilty that might
give grounds for the club to cancel his £15,000 per week contract without
penalty if they so wished.

West Ham could also buy him out of his remaining contract at the cost of
around of 75% of his remaining wages but that seems highly unlikely before
the end of January. His sale in the January transfer window for anything
more than a nominal also seems unlikely, I can't imagine too many clubs
willing to take a risk before his court case is resolved coupled with the
fact he will be available on a free transfer in the summer when his contract
expires. Our last and probably most credible option is to loan him out for
the remainder of his contract assuming his court case is concluded by
transfer deadline day on 31st December.

Morrison signed for West Ham in January 2012, originally Manchester United
wanted £3m but a deal was concluded for £600k up front and £25k per first
team appearance up to a maximum of £1m. After making 18 appearances in a
West Ham shirt that was fulfilled so Manchester United pocketed £1m. His
wages over his 3 and a half year contract amount to £2.73m but he spent one
and half years out on loan bringing our exposure down to around £1.5m

One thing I can almost guarantee is his days at our club are numbered and he
will not be offered a new contract. It appears Sir Alex Ferguson was right
all along and our £2m + gamble never paid off. You win some you lose some.
Time to move on from what could have been!

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Sam Allardyce says Ravel Morrison's West Ham future unclear after Cardiff
cut short loan deal
Dec 18, 2014 19:52 By Paul Gorst
The England Under-21 midfielder moved to the Bluebirds earlier in the season
but re-joined his parent club after the switch failed to work out in Wales
The Mirror

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has hinted that Ravel Morrison's time
at the club could be over after the midfielder's loan spell with Cardiff was
cut short. The ex-Manchester United youngster joined the Bluesbirds earlier
in the season and was due to stay until Boxing Day. However, his stay was
ended prematurely with Cardiff citing "compassionate leave" for the move,
and Allardyce has said that Morrison will remain down the pecking order in
his high-flying squad. The Hammers are up to fourth in the Premier League,
and Morrison will stay on the fringes, according to Allardyce. "It's
difficult to say [if he'll feature against Leicester] because obviously it
hasn't worked at Cardiff," Allardyce told talkSPORT. "With me having such a
big squad this season I felt it better for him to try to go and get some
football and see how it goes but it hasn't worked that well and he's back
here with us now. "That's before his loan expires at Cardiff so we'll have
to look at the situation over the New Year but my focus isn't on Ravel, it's
on my first-team squad continuing the great run of form they're on at the
moment."

Morrison made just seven appearances for the Championship side, and their
statement read: "Due to personal circumstances, Cardiff City have allowed
Ravel Morrison compassionate leave and permission to train in more familiar
surroundings at this time with his parent club, West Ham United."

Morrison joined West Ham for around £650,000 in 2012 but has since spent
loan spells with Birmingham and Queens Park Rangers.

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Diafra Sakho does not need new West Ham contract, says manager Sam Allardyce
Dec 18, 2014 13:12 By Neil McLeman
The former Metz striker has proven to be a hit signing at Upton Park and has
already scooped a Premier League player of the month award on top of seven
goals
The Mirror

Sam Allardyce has told Diafra Sakho that the Senegal striker does not need a
new contract because he signed a four-deal in the summer.
The £3.5m signing from Metz has been one of the stars of West Ham's great
start to the season after scoring seven goals in his first ten games. Sakho
was pictured on social media yesterday in talks with Hammers co-chairman
David Sullivan. A new deal is set to be triggered after the 24-year-old
makes 25 appearances. But Allardyce, who side host Leicester on Saturday,
said: "He doesn't have to have a new contract because he has a four-year
contract anyway. "If he is going to get one, it will be out of the fact that
the chairman and ourselves think that we are going to re-adjust the contract
he has now. "I would think that the chairman would probably discuss that
situation when Christmas is finished. I don't see why we should be
discussing any contracts with anyone really too much in this period when we
are playing so many games in such a short period of time. "But yet again
players don't see it that way do they? If they think it is time for them
they don't give a monkeys about anyone else. They just get on with their own
thing. "They won't worry about the fact that we have got so many games and
we have got to organise this and that. But I am sure that will be discussed
if and when the chairman is ready and whenever the outcome is, he will tell
everybody." Allardyce said he was "comfortable" about the lack of talks
about his own contract which is up at the end of the season. "It was the
same the last time after we got promoted and it didn't happen until April or
May," he said.

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Sam's outburst lets Sakho cat out of bag
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 18, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Poor old Sam got a bit hot under the collar earlier today when spitting
chips in the direction of Diafra Sakho and the West Ham boardroom – which of
course is situated in David Sullivan's des res. That of course is where the
player turned up earlier this week sparking more speculation of a new
contract – a story we published exclusively back in October when explaining
it would kick in after 25 games and that DS was keen to offer a " reward for
excellence." If anyone doubted the story, Sam kindly all but confirmed it
in his little outburst today when after snapping that the player didn't need
a new deal added: "Players don't see it that way do they?"
If they think it is time for them they don't give a monkeys about anyone
else. They just get on with their own thing." Coming from the man who has
become elevated to the world's 13th best paid manager some might find that a
tad ironic but Sam wasn't done. As the manager I don't think he would become
so animated on the subject if he knew it not to be true so rest assured
Diafra is getting his deal!
He added: ""If he is going to get one ( a new contract), it will be out of
the fact that the chairman and ourselves think that we are going to
re-adjust the contract he has now." The big question then is when. It's not
going to be over the festive period, nor whilst he's away at the African Cup
of Nations. The 25th game is likely to be against Burnley on May 2 should
for example Senegal go all the way at Afcon. Sam's suggestion, whilst
talking about the issue, that players don't give a monkey's, seems a bit
unfair given that this is all David Sullivan's idea anyway and in
ClaretandHigh's opinion exactly the right one to make.. However, on this
occasion we're delighted that Sam has decided to give it large on the issue
for now even the doubters will know that the player is going to get
something close to what he's worth.

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Irons set up "excellence" contract policy
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 18, 2014 in Whispers
Calret & Hugh

West Ham's squad – with the exception of Diafra Sakho – will have all
contracts reviewed at the end of the season as the club sets up a "pursuit
of excellence" last half of the campaign! The club's bosses have clamped
down on talks of deals and extensions as they bid to incentivise a squad
which is aiming high. Sakho's well-publicised deal is set to kick in after
25 games – as per the original agreement on signing – but with the team
doing so well, the Irons bosses see an ideal opportunity to pile the
pressure on the players to show their best. ClaretandHugh was told today of
the club's policy as it bids to get the very best from every single
individual in the squad. Oursource said: "The club want to incentivise every
one of them to really put in a shift to earn improved deals so there should
be no talk of contracts being signed at the moment. He added: "Mark Noble's
new deal is due and that will be high on the agenda but like all the players
he will be told to go and show everybody what's he's worth."

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