Daily WHUFC News - 1st January 2015

Happy New Year !!!

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Preview: West Bromwich Albion
WHUFC.com
Everything you need to know about Thursday's game with West Bromwich Albion
31.12.2014

WEST HAM UNITED v WEST BROMWICH ALBION
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
THE BOLEYN GROUND
THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS

In brief

West Ham United host West Bromwich Albion in the first round of return games
this season. The Hammers beat the Baggies 2-1 earlier on in the campaign,
coming from a goal down to win courtesy of goals from Kevin Nolan and James
Tomkins. The Hammers go into the game looking to bounce back from narrow
defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal over the Christmas period. They currently sit
sixth in the Premier League table with 31 points from 19 games.

The Baggies have struggled of late, losing their last three games
culminating in the dismissal of Alan Irvine on Monday. they sit in 16th,
with 17 points from 19 games.

Who are they?

West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 out of workers from Salter's Spring
Works in West Bromwich.

They recorded their biggest ever win over Coseley in 1882, winning an
impressive 26-0 and going on to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup, their
first trophy, the next season.

West Brom were one of twelve founding members of the Football League in
1888. That same year they won the FA Cup for the first time.

The Baggies won their one and only Division One title in 1919/20. Other
honours include winning the FA Cup a total of five times, most recently in
1967/68, as well as a League Cup title in 1965/66.

More recently, they have established themselves as a Premier League club
after being promoted back to the top flight in 2010.

Team news
West Ham United
Sam Allardyce has the rare luxury of picking a team from a near full squad.
The only absentee is James Tomkins who is suspended after picking up his
fifth booking of the season.
Carl Jenkinson returns after being unable to play against his parent club
Arsenal on Sunday.

West Bromwich Albion

Jonas Olsson is still out after undergoing surgery on his calf. The Baggies
could also be without Victor Anichebe (Groin), James Morrison (Knee) and
Stephane Sessegnon (Calf).
Referee
Thursday's referee is Jonathan Moss. Moss has been in charge of one West Ham
game this season already - the Hammers' 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on 8
November 2014. Moss has refereed 14 matches this season, with the hosts
winning eight of them, including West Brom's 4-0 demolition of Burnley.

The Assistant Referees are Darren Cann and Derek Eaton, while Lee Mason is
the Fourth Official.
Statistics
(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 14
Yellow cards shown: 51
Red cards shown: 5
Penalties awarded: 2

One to watch
West Ham United
French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano has been in impressive form of late. The
29-year-old almost scored against Chelsea after coming off the bench before
earning a start against Arsenal. The No21 put in a good performance and was
a constant thorn in Arsenal's side.

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies invested a hefty £10 million in striker Brown Ideye and are yet
to see much return. However, once the powerful striker finds his feet in
English football he could prove to a real handful. The Hammers' defence will
have to be at the best in order to be victorious come New Year's Day.
Ideye enjoyed prolific spells with Neuchatel Xamax in Switzerland, French
club Sochaux and Ukranian outfit Dynamo Kiev prior to linking up with the
Baggies. He also has five goals in 24 caps for Nigeria.
TV coverage
Click here for a list of broadcasters for Thursday's game.
Tickets
Tickets are now sold out. The last remaining tickets for the Hammers' next
home game with Hull City are available here.
Travel
No closures are planned on the London Underground network on New Year's Day.
Click here for the latest news from Transport for London and here for
National Rail.
Weather
Thursday afternoon is set to be an overcast day yet temperatures will be
milder at 10C (50F) by kick off. There is a possibility of rain starting in
the second half.
Last home meeting
West Ham United 3-3 West Bromwich Albion
Barclays Premier League
28 December 2013
The Hammers took an early lead through Joe Cole's goal in the fourth minute,
but the Baggies went into the break 2-1 up through a brace from striker
Nicholas Anelka.

In the second half, the Hammers started the stronger and were rewarded when
substitute Modibo Maiga equalised before Kevin Nolan scored just two minutes
later.
Saido Berahino drew the visitors level to ensure the points were shared.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Tomkins (Demel 10), Rat, O'Brien,
Nolan, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, J Cole (J Collison 83), C Cole (Maiga 45)
Subs not used: Adrian, Chambers, Taylor, Diarra

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, Lugano (Amalfitano 68),
McAuley, Jones, Morrison (Yacob 78), Brunt, Mulumbu, Berahino (Sessegnon
85), Anelka
Subs not used: Myhill, Dawson, Sinclair, Vydra

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Enner targets more goals
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia has had a whirlwind 2014 yet hopes 2015 is even more special
30.12.2014

West Ham United striker Enner Valencia is hoping to maintain his impressive
form into the New Year after 25-year-old Ecuadorean enjoyed a whirlwind
2014. The devastatingly quick forward capped a remarkable year with the
birth of his second daughter, Amelia, born on Christmas Day. Speaking about
the new addition to the Valencia household, he said: "I became a father to a
baby girl called Amelia. It's a huge blessing for the family and we are all
very excited. It's my second child, I already have a three year old girl
called Biera." On the pitch, Valencia has had just an eventful year, the
highlights include playing - and scoring three goals - in the 2014 World Cup
in Brazil before making the move to east London where he has scored three
goals in his opening half-season at the Boleyn Ground. When describing his
achievements, he comes across very modest, yet focused and his desire to
achieve more is clear for all to hear. "2014 has been a great year for me. I
have been able to make the most of all the opportunities that have arisen. I
scored three goals at the World Cup and played in some very exciting
matches. I am very thankful that West Ham spotted me and that I am able to
play for such a big Club. "It's very special to play in the Premier League.
I'd like to thank West Ham for giving that opportunity. I am really enjoying
my time here. I am working very hard in training so I can perform to my best
ability. "I won the Ecuadorian title in 2013 with Emelec. My success there
gave me the chance to move to a foreign team. I joined Pachuca. In six
months there I scored 18 goals which was a great period for me."

Having signed for the Hammers, he made an almost instant impact as he netted
a thunderbolt against Hull City to help secure an important 2-2 away draw.
Speaking about the goal that instantly introduced him to English football he
said: "It was a very special goal. The fact it was my first goal made it
even better. I've watched it again many times since. It's often on TV so any
chance I get to watch it, I do."

He then followed up his wonder goal with two impressive headers against
Stoke City and Burnley that helped the Hammers secure four valuable points
on their travels. Despite his impressive start, Valencia is confident he has
more to offer, as he searches for his first goal at the Boleyn Ground. "I'm
working hard and I want to score a goal at home as soon as possible to thank
all the fans for supporting me and making me feel welcome. I'm doing all I
can to make sure West Ham stay near the top of the Premier League. "We've
suffered two painful losses recently and we've dropped down the table
slightly. We know the game against West Brom is a very important one and
we'll do our best to get the three points. We want to get 2015 started on
the right foot and have a good rest of the season. "I know that if I perform
well I can help West Ham stay in the upper reaches of the table, so that is
my main aim for next year."

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Mediawatch - 31 December
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at West Ham United in the news
31.12.2014

The Guardian carries the news that Sam Allardyce confirmed that Mauro Zarate
will be joining Queens Park Rangers on loan in the January transfer window.

The Mirror report that the Hammers could lose Alex Song to the Africa Cup of
Nations after a u-turn from Cameroon, who are now keen to select him.

In the same newspaper, the manager has warned his team against a backlash
from West Bromwich Albion.

The Mail carry an end-of-year report, with focus on West Ham's vast
improvement in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror focuses on Adrian's role in helping the Hammers
towards the top four.

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West Ham v West Brom
KO 15:00
31 December 2014
Last updated at 11:36
By John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Upton Park Date: Thursday, 1 January

TEAM NEWS

West Ham central defender James Tomkins is suspended and will be replaced by
James Collins. On-loan Carl Jenkinson is available after being ineligible
against his parent club Arsenal.
Managerless West Brom are likely to be without forward Victor Anichebe, who
is nursing a groin injury. Georgios Samaras could feature after being again
left out of the squad for the 2-0 defeat at Stoke for personal reasons.

MATCH PREVIEW

When Bobby Gould was fired by the club he was managing on 28 December 1984,
he came out with the line: "All I got from Coventry City for Christmas was
the sack." It's the same story for Alan Irvine and Neil Warnock 30 years
later, with Alan Irvine shown the exit door by West Bromwich Albion on
Monday night after a poor run of seven defeats in their last nine matches.
"West Ham have hit a bit of a glitch with successive defeats by Chelsea and
Arsenal so this is probably the perfect fixture for them to get back on
track." West Brom come into 2015 two places and one point above the
relegation zone, and have half a season to ensure survival. Yet if you look
at their final five matches of the campaign they have to face Liverpool,
Manchester United, Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. So it could be argued
that their extremely difficult run-in means they have only 14 matches to
guarantee another campaign in the top division - beginning at Upton Park.
At the start of the season, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was among the
bookmakers favourites for an early departure from his job at Upton Park, but
not anymore. The Hammers commence the new year in sixth place in the Premier
League, having dropped out of the Champions League places following defeats
by Chelsea and Arsenal in their two post-Christmas matches. As a Black
Country boy and former West Brom player and coach, Allardyce knows all about
the fervour for football at The Hawthorns, and will have sympathy for
Irvine. But amid the upheaval it's a great chance for West Ham to complete
the double over their opponents, having won 2-1 at West Brom a month ago.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
West Brom are winless in their last five visits to West Ham (D3, L2). They
last won at Upton Park on their first Premier League trip there in September
2002.
The last three meetings at Upton Park have produced a total of 14 goals.

West Ham
West Ham have lost consecutive league matches for the first time this
season.
The Hammers lost at home for the first time since August on Sunday when they
were beaten by Arsenal.
They have lost seven of their 10 Premier League New Year's Day games (W3,
L7).
Stewart Downing has created 54 goalscoring chances this season, more than
twice as many as West Brom's top creator (Graham Dorrans with 25).

West Brom
West Brom have lost their last three league matches - and have won just two
of their last 12 away (W2, D2, L8).
The Baggies have scored just five goals in their last 11 Premier League away
games and failed to score in seven of those matches.
Albion have won one of their five Premier League New Year's Day fixtures
(W1, D1, L3).
Saido Berahino has scored in two of his three Premier League games against
West Ham.

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Zarate to miss QPR Cup tie
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Mauro Zarate has been ruled out of making his debut for Queens Park Rangers
this weekend. The 27-year-old striker, who left West Ham in a fit of pique
this week had been hoping to make his debut for Rangers against League One
Sheffield United this Sunday. However the Argentine forward is unable to
play as his new club have failed to register him in time. Harry Redknapp,
speaking to the press this morning confirmed that Zarate would not be
available. "We can't play him in the Cup, because we need seven days to
register him," he said. "We also want him to have a few days with us first
in training." Had Zarate featured against the Blades it would have been the
second occasion on which he had played against them this season, having come
on as a 79th-minute substitute in West Ham's Capital One Cup penalty
shootout defeat back in August.

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Jonjo a no-go, says Monk
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Swansea boss Garry Monk says his club have no intention of parting with
Jonjo Shelvey, who has been linked with a move to West Ham in recent days.
Romford-born Shelvey, who hails from a family of Hammers has been with the
Jacks since July 2013 but appears unlikely to move anywhere soon. "He is
going to get a lot better and I want that to happen here at Swansea, not
anywhere else," said Monk. In other transfer news, Pablo Armero could be on
his way back to the Premier League after Hull City expressed an interest in
taking the Udinese defender. The 28-year-old, who spent last season at the
Boleyn is currently on loan at Milan but out of contract next summer.
Armero's agent Luciano Ramalho told MilanNews: "Armero's focused on Milan.
If there's an important offer, then obviously we'd try to find an agreement.
Anything is possible in football, but at the moment there is nothing. Armero
has a contract with Milan, he's got his head down and is working hard."

Elsewhere today, Former West Ham Managing Director Peter Storrie has
surfaced in Australia as Associate Director of A-League club Central Coast
Mariners. Now 62, Storrie - who spent nine years at West Ham in the 1990s -
is joining the Mariners in a marketing and commercial capacity. "I look
forward to meeting all parties that wish to unite and get behind the
Mariners, and working with the current management and staff at the club," he
said. "As one we can make the Mariners a success on and off the field."

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Zarate didn't produce, says Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 31st December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce believes Mauro Zarate wasn't good enough to hold down a first
team spot at West Ham. The 27-year-old forward was signed on the say-so of
co-Chairman David Sullivan last summer, but failed to break through to
manager Sam Allardyce's first XI - mainly due to the form of Enner Valencia,
Stewart Downing and Diafra Sakho (another Sullivan signing). Now set to sign
on loan for QPR, having fired a parting shot at his former manager,
Allardyce says he bears Zarate no ill-feeling - but insisted that he didn't
have the quality to displace those ahead of his in the pecking order. "He is
not good enough to play as regularly as he wants compared to the others.
It's as simple as that," Allardyce told the Guardian. "When you look at
what Mauro has achieved when he's played compared to what Valencia, Sakho
and Carroll have achieved, when you look at how much he's contributed and
how much he's given in the all-round game and what they've given, then
somebody's going to be unhappy."

Allardyce also distanced himself from comments made by Zarate, in which he
claimed the manager wouldn't play him because he was signed by Sullivan; an
odd charge to make given that one of the players keeping him out of the
team, Diafra Sakho, was also signed at the behest of the co-owner. "From a
personal point of view, I'm better keeping my mouth shut and dealing with it
internally rather than joining in," added Allardyce. "He's a lad who's very
frustrated about not being picked, but what he's saying is not true. "It's
got nothing to do with a personal point of view. I've had a great affection
for my captain (over many years but I didn't play him against Arsenal. Does
that tell you that I bias my opinion on feelings? "I bias my feelings on
what I consider to be the best team. It's a professional, clinical decision,
not an emotional one."

West Ham - minus Zarate - face West Bromwich Albion at the Boleyn Ground
tomorrow. The soon-to-be-appointed Tony Pulis is set to watch his new Albion
side from the stands.

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Keith Downing and Rob Kelly to take charge of West Brom at West Ham
Last Updated: 31/12/14 11:34am
SSN

Managerless West Bromwich Albion travel to West Ham United on New Year's Day
looking for their first win at Upton Park in more than a decade. West Brom,
who will have Keith Downing and Rob Kelly in temporary charge after Alan
Irvine's sacking, are bidding to end a run of three consecutive defeats,
while West Ham are also without a point over the festive period. Sam
Allardyce's men put in a strong performance during Sunday's defeat at home
to Arsenal and they will be keen to avoid losing a third Premier League game
in a row for the first time since April.

Team news

James Tomkins (suspended) is the only West Ham absentee, while loanee Carl
Jenkinson is available after being ineligible for Sunday's loss against
parent club Arsenal.

Victor Anichebe (groin) is struggling for West Brom, but Georgios Samaras is
back in the frame after returning from a period of leave for personal
reasons.

Opta stats
West Ham have only lost two of their last 12 Barclays Premier League clashes
with the Baggies (W5 D5).
West Brom have won just one of their five Premier League New Year's Day
fixtures (W1 D1 L3).
West Ham have lost seven of their 10 Premier League New Year's Day games (W3
L7).
Stewart Downing has created 54 goalscoring chances this season, more than
twice as many as the Baggies' top creator (Dorrans, 25).

Merson's prediction

I expect West Ham to win this. I did not expect them to get beaten by
Arsenal. I thought they had been playing well enough to cause them real
problems at home and I think they will be majorly disappointed with that
result. In fact, I think Allardyce was shocked with that result, I don't
think he thought he would get beaten. As for West Brom, if they get Tony
Pulis, then that is bad, bad news for all the teams at the bottom because
they will stay up, and that will be one of them out of the equation, it is
as simple as that. All their rivals will not want Tony to be their manager,
if I am being honest. So I am going to go 2-0 to West Ham there.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Betting

West Ham are odds-on (5/6) to return to winning ways against an out-of-sorts
West Brom (16/5). The hosts have scored three goals in each of their last
two meetings with West Brom at Upton Park and 3/1 to repeat the feat. Andy
Carroll and Enner Valencia are both 9/2 to net first, while Saido Berahino
and Morgan Amalfitano (both 11/2) are the best Baggies bets to open the
scoring.

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Players should 'make a meal' out of contact to get penalties, says Sam
Allardyce
Last Updated: 31/12/14 4:03pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes players should "make a meal" out of
contact in the penalty area if it helps referees to "make the right
decision". The debate over diving has re-emerged after Chelsea boss Jose
Mourinho spoke of a campaign against his team, with Cesc Fabregas booked for
simulation on Sunday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for new
measures to be put in place to punish diving, suggesting retrospective
action should be taken to help stamp out the problem. Although Hammers boss
Allardyce is against full-blown simulation, he believes referees are not
good enough to make the right decisions 100% of the time. West Ham manager
Sam Allardyce warns of the threat that West Brom offer his side and
highlights 2014 as a successful season for the club having picked up 5 "As
long as it's not simulation and you get the right decision from it then it's
fine," Allardyce said. "If you're not touched and you go down then that's
not the way forward, but if you can't get what you should get then you make
a meal of it because the contact is sufficient enough.
"The contact on Morgan Amalfitano in our last game was sufficient enough to
impede him getting the ball cleanly in that position, to try to help us
score a goal. As difficult as it is for referees, those are the decisions
that they should be capable of giving.
"Unfortunately referees are not brave enough to give those penalties
because, in the atmosphere in the stadiums, it doesn't look like one. But
their job is to identify if it is one or not. "A very good game from a
referee can't involve being 99% great and then 1% a major decision he's got
wrong. He's had a bad game, like a goalkeeper who's been brilliant and drops
one in the net."

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WHY I'D RATHER SEE US BEAT THE BAGGIES THAN ARSENAL OR CHELSEA
By Bobby Shovels 31 Dec 2014 at 12:59
West Ham till I Die

Nine consecutive losses against Arsenal? That's tough, and that 3-1 home
victory against Rafael Benítez's Chelsea seems a long time ago. Still, the
two defeats in two derbies in three days is something I can live with.

Football and propaganda go hand-in-hand and this season, with its surprise
results and ever-changing table, has seen an abundance of managerial
spin-doctoring. How many times have the likes of Martinez or Pardew claimed
that a certain result will transform their season and yet it fails to do so?
Brendan Rodgers may claim Liverpool are on the up, yet it's only been a few
weeks since their 3-0 drubbing at Old Trafford.

It is in this world of hype-mongering that I have grown wary at the media
praise being lavished on the Hammers, something shared by Sam Allardyce, who
warned the players not to get caught up in the media craze surrounding the
team back in November. Cue Andy Carroll claiming we could win the league.

The two defeats in the last week should – I hope – not dampen spirits but
act as both a reminder of our limits as well as a spur to action against
West Brom. I love the fact that we were fourth over Christmas, but I knew we
would not remain there for long and I do not see a Europa League place as
something of an end-of-season must have.

For overly optimistic Hammers fans out there, the chairmen included, take
your European dream to a logical conclusion: we finish fourth this season,
qualify for the Champions League, and then what? It would be an
embarrassment greater than Liverpool's attempt this year. That was a timely
reminder about over-stretching too quickly.

Or maybe we finish fifth and the Europa League beckons? That is ultimately
more realistic, but I would rather see us keep a strong squad together this
season, finish comfortably and then build on that success next season.

Remember that Big Sam is a long-term man. That is why we rightly stuck with
him: to make this club stay in the Premier League for the long haul and
recreate the glory days when we move to the Olympic Stadium. Yes, we can
criticise Big Sam for putting us through the trials of last season, but we
can't then turn around a few months later and question why we are not aiming
for fourth. Time, patience, a clear head: Big Sam has it and the fans need
it too.

So why is the West Brom game important? Because we have to continue to think
in a mind-set that puts points before prizes. When we beat Swansea, a man in
the Chicken Run turned to me and said, "We're third!" I replied, "For now."
He nodded, adding, "It's the points on the board that matter."

That is the perfect West Ham conversation; revel in the moment but be
cautious of the future. Winning games against the smaller teams are key to
ensuring we never flirt with relegation again nor mid-table mediocrity.
Grinding out those results is the key to finishing consistently in the top
half. Look at Arsenal: they haven't beaten Manchester United, Manchester
City or Chelsea in years, yet they get the results against the lower clubs
that ensures their fourth-place finish.

So don't get caught up in the Hammers hype: think about the reality and the
long-term goal – and then rally behind the boys against the Baggies.

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Mauro Zarate loan deal is not done and dusted... but we are looking to get a
striker in, says QPR boss Harry Redknapp
Mauro Zarate is expected to join Queens Park Rangers on loan
The West Ham forward has reportedly undergone a medical at QPR
Harry Redknapp has said he is looking to bolster his attacking options
By TOM ALLNUTT, PRESS ASSOCIATION SPORT
PUBLISHED: 16:07, 31 December 2014 | UPDATED: 16:07, 31 December 2014
Daily Mail

QPR boss Harry Redknapp believes Mauro Zarate can be the answer to his
striker shortage but insists a deal has not yet been completed for the West
Ham forward. Zarate, who joined the Hammers from Argentine side Velez
Sarsfield in the summer, reportedly underwent a medical at Rangers on
Tuesday after struggling to establish himself at Upton Park. Redknapp has
made no secret of his desire to add at least one more striker to his squad
in January and the Rangers manager believes Zarate fits the bill. West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce says Mauro Zarate is having a medical at QPR ahead of a
loan move . The Argentine was the first of nine signings made by West Ham in
the summer but hasn't nailed down a spot . 'He's a player we've been talking
about loaning, it's not done yet though,' Redknapp said. He's a No 10, a
clever player who can open the door. 'I first came across him at Birmingham
a few years back when he played under Alex McLeish. 'It's not done and
dusted it's just something we're interested in - we are looking to loan a
player or two.' Zarate has scored two goals in seven league appearances for
West Ham this season but has struggled for a starting spot ahead of Diafra
Sakho, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce responded
to claims he had treated Zarate unfairly by insisting the 27-year-old had
simply not been good enough to secure a regular place in the side. Redknapp
said: 'Sam said he's done well enough but you can see why he hasn't played -
they've got Sakho, Valencia, Carroll, Carlton Cole and Zarate - they've got
five strikers. 'They're good players and they've been in great form, they're
a threat to anybody so it's been difficult for Zarate to get in. 'Maybe Sam
prefers the others and they've been in great form so you can see why.'

Redknapp added: 'It's important to have options up front. You need somebody
else to weigh in with goals. 'We can't rely on Charlie (Austin) getting all
the goals. 'It's an area we're looking at but it's difficult, who is going
to loan you a striker who will score 10 to 12 goals before the end of the
season? Everyone is looking for a striker.' A goalless draw at home to
Crystal Palace on Sunday leaves QPR 15th in the table and two points above
the relegation zone. Redknapp's side host Swansea on New Year's Day, hoping
to continue their excellent form at Loftus Road which includes three wins in
their last four home matches. 'Our home form has been fantastic for us,
we've been difficult to beat at home,' Redknapp said. 'We now play all the
top teams at home in the second half of the season and we go away to the
bottom teams.' Redknapp added: 'Swansea are a good side, Garry Monk has done
a great job with them and he's just carried on from where they were.
'They've had great managers in the last few years, who have gone on to do
great things and he's another in that line.'

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West Ham forward Enner Valencia celebrates Christmas with birth of baby girl
Enner Valencia joined West Ham for £12million in the summer
He scored three goals for Ecuador at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Now, to top off the year, he is celebrating the birth of his second daughter

Valencia commented that it is 'a huge blessing for the family'
By BEN NAGLE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:46, 31 December 2014 | UPDATED: 12:51, 31 December 2014
Daily Mail

West Ham forward Enner Valencia celebrated an extra special festive period
with the birth of his second daughter on Christmas Day. The Ecuadorian, who
joined the Hammers for £12million in the summer, has had a whirlwind year on
the pitch too, scoring three times at the World Cup in Brazil before heading
to east London. Speaking to the West Ham website, Valencia said of the
birth: 'I became a father to a baby girl called Amelia. It's a huge
blessing for the family and we are all very excited. It's my second child, I
already have a three year old girl called Biera.' There was no rest for the
25-year-old though, who headed across the capital on Boxing Day to play the
full 90 minutes against league leaders Chelsea, before coming on as a
substitute against Arsenal 48 hours later. In his first half-season at Upton
Park, Valencia has scored three Premier League goals, and helped the Hammers
to sixth in the table. '2014 has been a great year for me,' Valencia
continued. 'I have been able to make the most of all the opportunities that
have arisen. I scored three goals at the World Cup and played in some very
exciting matches. 'I am very thankful that West Ham spotted me and that I
am able to play for such a big club. 'It's very special to play in the
Premier League. I'd like to thank West Ham for giving that opportunity. I am
really enjoying my time here. I am working very hard in training so I can
perform to my best ability. 'I won the Ecuadorian title in 2013 with Emelec.
My success there gave me the chance to move to a foreign team. I joined
Pachuca. In six months there I scored 18 goals which was a great period for
me.'

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Hammers wage bill soars 12 per cent
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 31, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

The Hammers wage bill reached a total of £63.88m last season up from £56.5m
in the previous season. And the 12% increase is likely to bring West Ham
over the initial Financial Fair Play wage cap of £52m set for last season.
The £63.88m figure includes National Insurance and pensions costs for all
609 Hammers employees but the majority of these are part time staff and the
vast majority of the money is thought to go to the 100 players and backroom
staff employed on the football side of the club.

Two seasons ago the club's commercial revenue grew from £7.9m to £13.9m and
retail sales grew from £4.8m to £6m giving West Ham another £7.2m to spend
last season so that pushed our maximum wage cap up to £61.2m. The set of
financial accounts published at companies house this week show commercial
revenue and retail sales grew very slightly last season meaning our
Financial Fair Play for this season will be restricted to around £57m, the
sale of Mo Diame is believed to have bumped that up to just over the £60m
mark but we will need to be prudent with the wage bill to stay within the
rules.

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Judgement day awaits Allardyce
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 31, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Well Sam Allardyce has well and truly put his reputation as a judge on the
line! He boldly goes where few managers dare – telling one of his players
that he's not good enough, thus disagreeing with his chairman and another
veteran boss – a certain H Redknapp! I don't think Mauro Zarate will give a
tuppeny toss what Allardyce may or may not think of him for this is a player
who is no respecter of people whom he feels don't like or want him. His
background is littered with incidents such as these which might allow many
to immediately side with and believe that Sam is correct in his judgement
before wishing the boy "good riddance." To them may I just remind them of
just one name Paolo Di Canio! Another highly giften so called 'bad boy' who
became a legend! Before going any further let me make it crystal clear that
I haven't a clue whether Zarate would have been a massive success of
otherwise at Upton Park but I really did want to find out and the fact is
that hasn't been allowed.

The manager has decided the striker isn't good enough and denies Zarate's
accusation he only chooses his favourites as demonstrated by the fact he has
had more chances than one of them – Carlton Cole.That in fact is not the
case. Cole has made ten appearances and Zarate eight. Additionally we all
know exactly what Cole brings to the party whereas Zarate remains a totally
unknown quantity. And that Sam is the point!!!!

Quite why the manager decided to trade insults with the player is something
I'll leave others to decide – all I'll say is that it was entirely
unnecessary.Now he has waved goodbye to the boy who may or may not prove him
entirely wrong. At the end of the season Allardyce will be left with one of
two reputations – as a "wonderful judge" or a bloke with enough egg on his
face to make several omelettes.
The last 24 hours have been extremely distasteful and both Mauro and Sam
share the responsibility – one should perhaps have kept quiet, the other, as
manager, should have waited for the upcoming internal disciplinary hearing
to do its job. What happens should the player score a few goals at QPR and
prove himself the player some believe him to be we don't yet know, but he
looks to be beyond the point of no return anyway unless the Irons have a
change of manager

Were Allardyce to have answered Zarate's accusations at all he might have
been better advised to say: "He's not good enough for the style I want to
play!"

Instead has left himself wide open for Harry Redknapp and Mauro Zarate to
prove him wrong and that is just plain silly! The scenario both are now in
is really no surprise – most would have expected such an outcome because the
player is simply not an Allardyce type and you wonder why he said "yes" to
the striker when the board suggested him – for that REALLY IS WHAT HAPPENS.
Controversy and upsets are never far away with a bloke as forthright as Sam
Allardyce in charge but this row seems childish in the extreme. And none of
it does the club's reputation any good at all – the whole thing could and
should have been handled far better. Even worse is that it has the potential
to raise again the for and against Allardyce thing, depending on the outcome
of Zarate's QPR loan spell.

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Brady's wages crash
Posted by Sean Whetstone on December 31, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Recent financial accounts submitted to Companies House show that West Ham
paid Hammers vice chairman Karren Brady £636,000 for our last season – a
reduction of nearly one million pounds on the previous year when she picked
up £1,634,000. She is believed to have received a£1 million bonus related to
the Olympic Stadium bid paid over five years so her gross pay was likely to
have been £836,000 including 20% of the bonus payment. Baroness Brady of
Knightsbridge, as she is now known, is believed to have a net worth of
around £82m. In addition to West Ham she is also chairman of Kerrang! and a
non executive director for Syco, Mothercare, Arcadia and Sport England. She
was recently appointed to the House of Lords where she can claim a £300 per
day attendance fee plus other expenses. She receives a significant
appearance fee for appearing on BBC Apprentice with Lord Sugar. However her
West Ham salary is dwarfed byDaniel Levy's £2.2m as CEO of Spurs or
Arsenal's Chief executive Ivan Gazidis who pocketed £2m.

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