Carroll brace secures third straight win
WHUFC.com
West Ham United beat Swansea City 3-1 with an Andy Carroll brace and Diafra
Sakho goal
07.12.2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 3-1 Swansea City
Andy Carroll scored twice as West Ham United secured their eighth win of the
season, beating Swansea City 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday. Having
gone a goal down through Wilfried Bony's 19th goal of 2014, the Hammers
responded emphatically as Carroll scored two headers before Diafra Sakho
sealed the win with a fierce shot late in the second half. The Hammers had
several chances with Kevin Nolan and Enner Valencia going close in the early
stages. Alex Song, returning to the side from injury, also proved to be an
influential figure as he began to pull the strings in midfield. However it
was the visitors who took a surprise lead through top goal scorer Bony with
their first attack of the game. The Ivorian international opened the scoring
with an assured finish following a neat one-two between Gylfi Sigurdsson and
Jefferson Montero. The Hammers appeared to be stung by going a goal down yet
they regrouped and continued to forge several chances towards the end of the
second half.
Following his winner against Newcastle United last Saturday, Aaron Cresswell
looked set to double his tally when he headed Stewart Downing's pinpoint
cross toward the top corner however Swansea goalkeeper Fabianski was on hand
to save well. In the 41st minute, the Hammers' scored a deserved equaliser
through Andy Carroll as he rose highest to head home Carl Jenkinson's superb
cross. The right-back curled in an inch-perfect delivery for the No9 to
score his first goal of the campaign. The Hammers started the second half
much like the first as they put the Swans under early pressure. Jenkinson
and Downing continued to supply excellent service to the front men yet the
Swansea defence stood resolute. Cresswell created an excellent chance as
he single handedly beat two men and drilled a cross into the six yard box.
Unfortunately for the Hammers the delivery was just a fraction ahead of the
onrushing Carroll. The visitors responded with a chance of their own
moments later when Swansea's counter attack resulted in Bony clipping the
crossbar from the edge of the box.
West Ham's top goal scorer this season, Sakho, made a welcome return to the
Boleyn Ground, replacing Enner Valencia at half-time. The striker's pace
proved too much for Swansea to handle and it was not long before a sublime
bit of skill won his side a corner. From Downing's resulting delivery, the
Hammers took the lead through Carroll's second of the afternoon as he headed
into the left hand corner despite Leon Britton's best attempts to clear off
the line. Having been out of action for the majority of the season, Carroll
wheeled away in delight as raced away to celebrate with the West Ham bench.
Two minutes later Sakho's pace created more havoc as he knocked the ball
past Fabianski. Despite crashing into the forward, Sakho managed to shoot
from a tight angle, hitting the inside of the post and away. Having played
the advantage, referee Chris Foy pulled the game back for the foul and sent
Fabianski off. Despite Swansea's best efforts to equalise, Sakho secured
the victory in the final minutes as he lashed home ferociously as he burst
through the Swansea defence.
West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Tomkins, Kouyate
(Collins 86), Carrol, Downing, Jenkinson (O'Brien 79), Song, Valencia (Sakho
45)
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Zarate, Amalfitano, Cole
Goals: Carroll 41, 66, Sakho 87
Swansea City: Fabianski, Ki, Williams (c), Britton (Tremmel 71), Bony,
Routledge, Montero (Gomis 75), Rangel (Dyer 86), Sigurdsson, Bartley,
Richards
Subs: Amat, Shelvey, Carroll, Tiendalli
Goals: Bony 19
Booked: Routledge
Sent off: Fabianski
Referee: Chris Foy
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On-song Sam sings winning tune
WHUFC.com
Big Sam hailed his strikers and the outstanding Alex Song following Sunday's
3-1 win over Swansea City
07.12.2014
Sam Allardyce hailed his sensational strikers as Andy Carroll and Diafra
Sakho lifted West Ham United up to third in the Barclays Premier League. The
Hammers frontmen combined for all the goals as West Ham recovered from a
goal down to defeat Swansea City 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground. That is three
wins in nine days for Big Sam and his players, who came from a goal down for
the second game in succession to take all three points. After Wilfried Bony
had fired the visitors in front against the run of play on 19 minutes,
Carroll took centre-stage, powering in Carl Jenkinson's fine cross just
before half-time, then rising high to nod in Stewart Downing's inch-perfect
corner midway through the second half. Substitute Sakho, on his return from
a back injury, then attracted a challenge from Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz
Fabianski which saw the Pole sent-off before hitting both posts with low
shots. The Senegalese was not to be denied, however, and thrashed home the
clinching third when he beat Ashley Williams to Carroll's flick-on.
"When we came back from an unfortunate defeat at Everton which I didn't
think we deserved, I asked the lads what they could do in a big week for
us," Big Sam started. "We were playing for nine points in nine days, rather
than nine points in three weeks as we were at the start of the season, when
we had international breaks. "That's why everybody else is sitting up and
taking notice, because nobody else in the Premier League has won all three
games and only Manchester United can match us by winning on Monday when they
play. "Nobody else has managed to achieve what we have and that puts us in
real top form again. Considering we have gone a goal down in the last two
games and come back to win, it shows the ability of this squad to overcome
some adversity. "We switched off for a minute and got caught on the
counter-attack, which were obviously Swansea's tactics, and that man Bony
only needs one chance and he put it in the back of the net. "It was a
terrific recovery from there. I was delighted with the number of chances we
created and we scored three goals, including two headers from Andy which
makes him feel great and one for Sakho when he came on as sub. In the end it
couldn't have worked out any better."
While the strikers will take the headlines, Alex Song produced arguably the
outstanding individual performance of the afternoon, dominating the
midfielder with his strength, composure, deceptive pace and incisive
passing. "Song makes us sing!" joked Big Sam. "Because he can control the
midfield. He is composed, cool, calm, accurate with his passing, most of his
passes are forward, he waits for the right pass and he beats a man when he
has to try to make sure he makes the right pass. "He is not match-fit yet,
but he is going to be awesome when he is match-fit. In fact, he was awesome
in this game and a big bonus in terms of the way we played and how much
better we were in possession of the ball and became much more creative. "Him
and Stewart Downing in the diamond looked terrific and I also have to
mention Kevin Nolan and Cheik Kouyate for the work they put in and the
contribution they made. Everybody did their job brilliantly. We just got
caught cold but overcame it with a great victory."
West Ham have scored more headed goals, with 12, than any other Barclays
Premier League side and the second-highest in any of Europe's top five
leagues behind Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. In his West Ham TV
interview, Big Sam put this down to the form of Stewart Downing and the
outstanding delivery from wide areas from both the No11 and the two
full-backs. "That's two more headers today to add to two against West Brom,
plus Sakho's volley, and in final-third areas we score so many goals because
of the quality of our crossing from Downing, Jenkinson and Cresswell," he
continued. "That's 15 games and 26 goals."
The manager calmed fears that Jenkinson could face a spell on the sidelines
after the right-back hobbled off with a minor hamstring injury late on,
suggesting the No18 could be fit for next weekend's trip to Sunderland.
Looking ahead to the visit to the Stadium of Light, Big Sam is hoping for at
least a point to end the second of his eight-game 'phases' of the season on
a high. "We're on a real top target in terms of our phase two. We've taken
14 points from seven games in this phase so if we can get a point or three
then we'll have smashed the second phase out of sight. "That gives us a top
three or four finish based on the points we'll have gathered in that time,
so phase one and phase two will be in the bag if we get another result next
week. That gives us the opportunity to go into phase three and say 'Can we
maintain it?'."
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Andy Carroll: West Ham striker can be 'unstoppable'
BBC.co.uk
Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll can be an unstoppable force in the Premier
League after West Ham moved up to third with victory against Swansea.
Carroll, 25, headed in his first goals since March either side of half-time
as the Hammers won 3-1. It was only Carroll's fifth appearance this season
after a lengthy spell out with an ankle injury. "He is unstoppable when he
gets that space," Allardyce said.
"Movement in the box is what it is all about, the heading ability only comes
after the movement is right to give you the space to attack the ball and
that happened with his two goals. "I think when he stands a little too close
to defenders and starts fighting them we don't get the best out of him.
Hopefully he continues to learn that way." Carroll, West Ham's record
signing at £15m, returned in November after tearing ankle ligaments in
pre-season. "It is fantastic to be back on the pitch and play as many games
as I have in the last few weeks," said Carroll. "There is nothing better
than scoring goals as a striker, so I was desperate to get a goal, and it is
a great feeling.
"You always have to just think about the positives when injured, the medical
staff have helped me a lot and it is credit to them that I am back."
Diafra Sakho scored West Ham's third after Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz
Fabianski had been sent off for a foul on the Senegal striker.
The win, West Ham's third in a row, continued their impressive form so far
this season. They have lost just once in their last nine games and are six
points behind second-place Manchester City. One of Manchester United or
Southampton will move above the Hammers when they play each other on Monday,
but Allardyce is happy to see a gap developing between themselves and other
teams below. "We are third now and we put a nice gap between ourselves and
the teams below us," added Allardyce, whose side are four points clear of
sixth-place Arsenal. "I hope we can stay as consistent as we have been over
the last nine games - one defeat in that run and three wins in the last
eight days... It shows the importance of three victories in a short period
of time."
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West Ham 3 Swansea 1
7 December 2014
Last updated at 16:11
By Gary Rose
BBC Sport
Andy Carroll scored twice as West Ham moved up to third in the Premier
League with victory against 10-man Swansea. Wilfried Bony put the visitors
ahead with a clinical finish but Carroll headed in the equaliser for his
first goal since March. Bony then hit the bar but Carroll netted again with
a second header. Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was sent off for a foul
on Diafra Sakho, who then wrapped up victory with an emphatic strike late
on. The win, West Ham's third in succession, means they have 27 points and
are six behind second-place Manchester City.
Under Sam Allardyce, the Hammers have undergone something of a reinvention
this season, playing a more flowing, inventive passing style instead of the
direct football they had become known for in recent years. That was on
display early on as Swansea, who had not won away from home in the league
since beating Manchester United 2-1 in the first game of the season, toiled
in the opening stages. But with Bony, the Premier League's top scorer in
2014, Swansea would always be threatening with the few chances they created,
and that proved the case midway through the first half as they snatched the
lead. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jefferson Montero combined to open up the West
Ham defence before Montero pulled the ball back for Bony to sidefoot home
from the middle of the area. The goal unsettled West Ham and ushered in a
period of Swansea dominance as Sigurdsson and Bony both had shots flash wide
of goal. It prompted West Ham to go more direct, and it was a tactic that
paid dividends just before the break as Carl Jenkinson clipped the ball into
the box and Carroll rose highest to nod a trademark header into the far
corner. While a danger at set pieces, Carroll struggled to form an effective
partnership with Enner Valencia, who was replaced at half-time by Sakho. His
pace, coupled with Carroll's physical presence, posed a constant menace to
the Swansea defence in the second half.
Bony launched an effort against the bar for Swansea, but it was a rare foray
forward and instead West Ham took the lead, Carroll again climbing highest
to direct a header from Stewart Downing's corner beyond Fabianski. Minutes
later, Swansea's and Fabianski's afternoon got worse as the Polish
goalkeeper was shown a red card after he charged out of his area and
clattered into Sakho. That effectively ended the visitors' chances of
getting back into the game and instead Sakho made the points safe as he
burst through to fire in a third from Carroll's headed pass.
Swansea manager Garry Monk: "We did not make enough correct decisions. The
only time we did that we scored the goal. "We didn't do that enough and
really some of the defending, we gifted it to them on a plate to be honest.
No complaints with the result, we didn't deserve anything from the game." On
Fabianski's sending off: "If you look at the build-up to it, he [Sakho]
knocks the ball past the keeper with his hand. Realistically it should have
been a free-kick to us, it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity either.
Hopefully we will appeal it."
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Sam Allardyce wants to lead West Ham to the Olympic Stadium
Last Updated: 07/12/14 2:02pm
SSN
In an exclusive interview with Geoff Shreeves on Super Sunday the Hammers
boss admitted that he would have been sacked by owners David Gold and David
Sullivan if he had not started the season well. However, the club have
enjoyed a flying start to the season and Allardyce, whose contract expires
this summer, wants to be in charge when the team move into their new stadium
in 2016. "The ultimate goal has always been progression into the Olympic
Stadium," he said. "It's always been about starting from a low ebb, which is
what the club was in, a really bad place, cleaning it out, remodelling it
internally form a football point of view and giving it the opportunity and
platform for sustained success in the Premier League. It's such a massive
opportunity for the club to progress. "This season was a difficult start.
Nobody knew more than me that if the first 10 games didn't go well it would
probably be the end. I don't think there's any doubt about that. "Somewhere
along the line – if hopefully we continue where we are – we will talk with
the chairmen about a new contract and then we'll see where we go from
there."
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Andy Carroll stars as West Ham beat Swansea 3-1 at Upton Park
By Stephen Mills. Last Updated: 07/12/14 8:22pm
SSN
Two headers from Andy Carroll and a late goal from Diafra Sakho saw West Ham
climb to third in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Swansea. Wilfried
Bony had given the visitors the lead against the run of play with a smart
first-time finish from Jefferson Montero's pass, but Carroll powered home
his first goal since March to send the sides in level at the break. The
England striker doubled his tally when he headed home a Stewart Downing
corner on 66 minutes and Swansea were reduced to 10 men two minutes later
when Lukasz Fabianski was sent off for rushing out of his area and denying
substitute Sakho a clear goalscoring opportunity. Garry Monk will be
frustrated to see replays that indicated the West Ham forward handled the
ball shortly before he was tripped and it was Sakho who completed the
scoring three minutes from the end with a powerful shot past substitute
goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel. Sam Allardyce opted to pair Carroll with Enner
Valencia up front for the match and West Ham started brightly with Downing
playing at the front of a midfield diamond behind the strike duo.
The home fans claimed two early penalties when Carl Jenkinson's cross struck
the elbow of Ashley Williams before Downing went down under a challenge from
Leon Britton. Referee Chris Foy was unmoved on both occasions. Kevin Nolan
forced a smart save from Fabianski after a clever free-kick from Downing in
the 18th-minute and moments later was made to pay for his miss as Bony
opened the scoring. Gylfi Sigurdsson played a clever ball in to Montero on
the Swansea left, the Ecuador international getting in behind Jenkinson and
rolling the ball back to Bony inside the six-yard box. The in-form striker
did not need a second invitation and shot low past Adrian to stun Upton
Park.
The home team were visibly rattled and Swansea looked to double their lead
when Sigurdsson and Bony tried their luck from range, but both failed to
beat Adrian. Carroll looked to be the main outlet for West Ham throughout
the first half and it was the big Englishman who found the equaliser with a
trademark header. Jenkinson delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right
and Carroll peeled away from his marker and looped the ball back across goal
and over Fabianski into the net. The goal buoyed West Ham, who threw on top
scorer Sakho for Valencia at half-time and started the second period in a
positive mood, looking for impressive full-back Jenkinson to break down the
right at every opportunity. But it was Swansea who had the first big chance
of the half when Montero broke and fed Bony, who got the ball out of his
feet and smashed a ferocious shot onto Adrian's crossbar. The game was then
turned on its head in a dramatic two-minute spell as Carroll put West Ham
into the lead before Swansea were reduced to 10 men. The big striker jumped
to powerfully head home a Stewart Downing corner on 66 minutes, despite the
best efforts of Leon Britton on the line, although the Swansea defence
afforded him far too much space. The shell-shocked visitors then saw their
goalkeeper sent off when Sakho raced through on goal and Fabianski rushed
out of his area, only to impede the West Ham striker. Sakho carried on and
struck the post from a tight angle, but referee Foy decided a clear
goalscoring opportunity had been denied and he sent Fabianski for an early
bath. However, Swansea boss Monk will not be happy to see replays suggesting
Sakho may have handled the ball with his left arm shortly before the
contact. Sakho hit the woodwork once again when he shot low across
substitute goalkeeper Tremmel instead of crossing to strike partner Carroll,
who was screaming for a hat-trick chance at the far post. But Sakho did
eventually score when a long ball was flicked on by Carroll in the centre
circle and he rushed past Richards before producing a powerful finish to
beat Tremmel and put the game to bed three minutes from time. The result
sees West Ham complete a hat-trick of wins this week and climb above
Manchester United and Southampton into third place.
Player ratings
West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (8), Tomkins (6), Reid (6), Cresswell (7),
Kouyate (6), Song (6), Downing (7), Nolan (6), Valencia (5), Carroll (9)
Used subs: Sakho (7), O'Brien (5), Collins (5),
Swansea: Fabianski (4), Rangel (6), Bartley (7), Williams (7), Richards
(6), Britton (6), Ki (5), Routledge (5), Sigurdsson (6), Montero (7), Bony
(8)
Used subs: Gomis (5), Tremmel (5), Dyer (5)
Man of the match: Andy Carroll
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Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll can get better
Last Updated: 07/12/14 5:22pm
SSN
Sam Allardyce says there's more to come from Andy Carroll after his dominant
display in the 3-1 win over Swansea. The striker, making only his fourth
start of the season, scored two and made the other to help West Ham come
from behind and shoot up the Premier League table into third place.
Allardyce said he has been working hard with forwards coach Teddy Sheringham
and after spending the start of the season on the sidelines, Carroll could
be even more dangerous when his fitness improves. The West Ham boss told Sky
Sports: "He is unplayable if he continues to improve his match fitness,
which only games can give him now. The movement is what it's all about. "We
know the heading ability is there, but the movement and finding spaces to
attack is where Andy has got better. Teddy has been talking to him about
that movement and when he has space to attack he becomes unstoppable in
terms of his ability to head the ball. "When he stands with a defender and
starts fighting is when he doesn't get the full effect of his quality in the
air, but he's not just got heading ability, he's got hold-up play and good
touch. "He played up top with a front man and it didn't work quite as well
with Enner Valencia in the first half, but it did when young (Diafra) Sakho
came on."
The win sees West Ham climb into the Champions League places, but Allardyce
is refusing to get carried away ahead of a busy festive fixture list. West
Ham face Sunderland, Leicester, Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of
December and he believes those games will prove if the squad are genuine
top-four contenders or not. Allardyce added: "We put a five-point gap
between those below us, which is a massive gap to make up at this stage of
the season. "It gives us an opportunity to build from here. We've got a full
squad apart from Mark Noble and we will need that over this Christmas
period. "If we carry on over Christmas and come away with a few points – in
two days we've got Chelsea and Arsenal, so what can we gain up to there and
how can we do against those big two? "That will tell us where we're going to
finish this year."
Allardyce also conceded that striker Sakho handled the ball before being
impeded by Lukasz Fabianski, an incident which saw the Swansea goalkeeper
receive a straight red card. However, he says his side – who were 2-1 up at
the time – would have won the game anyway. He said: "It does look like he
has got a hand on the ball, but there was a push from (Ashley) Williams and
I think that contributes to the hand. "It looks like it's on the blind side
of Chris Foy so I don't think there's any chance he can see that. Maybe we
got away with it, but I don't think that puts our dominance in doubt today.
"I think that we were going to win the game whether it stayed 11 vs 11 or if
it went to 10 vs 11."
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Garry Monk wants Lukasz Fabianski red card overturned
Last Updated: 07/12/14 7:29pm
SSN
Garry Monk says Swansea will consider appealing against Lukasz Fabianski's
straight red card in the 3-1 defeat to West Ham. The goalkeeper was sent off
in the 68th minute after rushing out of his area and colliding with Diafra
Sakho, with referee Chris Foy deciding that he had denied the striker a
clear goalscoring opportunity. Replays show the West Ham player handled the
ball shortly before he was touched by Fabianski, but Swansea boss Monk says
the club will only appeal if they are confident the suspension won't be
extended. "It's obvious that he handballs it to get past Lukasz," he told
Sky Sports. I think at that time the referee had already made his mind up
and was adamant he was going to send him off anyway. "Whether he saw the
handball or not I don't know, you'll have to ask the referee. It's
interesting when you watch it. The handball obviously takes it past the
keeper. "Whether there's an appeal or not I don't know. We'll have to take a
look at it. We'll sit down and have a little think about it. "If it was the
cold hard facts then yes you would, but with the way it works nowadays we
will have to have a bit more of a think about it."
Swansea took the lead when Wilfried Bony opened the scoring in the first
half, but two headers from Andy Carroll and a late goal from Sakho saw West
Ham turn the game around. And Monk said his players deserved nothing
following their worst display of the season so far.
He added: "We had our chances but we weren't near the level of what we have
been That's the first time this season I can really say that. "In every
other game we have played we have very much competed. We were very close,
especially away from home, but we weren't at the level we were. The
defensive mistakes we made cost us goals. "Funnily enough when we went down
to 10 men we played our best spell of football. It shouldn't have to take
that for us to switch on and play our better football. "Did we deserve
anything today? For me, no.
"We just weren't brave enough with the ball. We saw with the first goal that
as soon as we play one or two-touch football, which we've done very well
this season, that we can hurt teams. "We showed that with our goal and it
was about doing that more, but unfortunately we didn't pick the right
options with the ball or get on the ball enough and that played into their
hands a little bit more. "Our defending wasn't as good as it has been, which
I was disappointed with and the players are disappointed with. "The first
goal was a very good cross, but for the second goal we lost the striker in
the box, which you can never do against any team, but especially against a
player like Andy Carroll."
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Andy Carroll stars as Hammers move up to third in Premier League
Wilfried Bony struck first but Andy Carroll had the final say at Upton Park
SSN
When Sam Allardyce revealed this week he'd opted to sign Andy Carroll over
Wilfried Bony, there would have been many questioning that decision. After
all, while £15m purchase Carroll spent the first half of last season in the
treatment room and managed just two goals in his last 19 Premier League
appearances before Sunday, Bony has established himself as one of the most
clinical strikers in the top flight.
The Ivory Coast international – who joined Swansea for a club-record £12m
fee in July 2013 - had netted 31 times in 62 appearances for the Welsh side
before heading to Upton Park, where he could so easily have been plying his
trade.
Carroll v Bony on Sunday
Goals: 2 - 1
Assists: 1 - 0
Attempts: 2 - 4
Duels: 28 - 18
Duel success: 50% - 33. 3%
And the former Vitesse forward, who is the Premier League's top scorer in
2014 with 19 strikes this calendar year – one ahead of Sergio Aguero –
demonstrated his superb form with a cool finish on 19 minutes to put Swansea
1-0 up at West Ham. As the Sky Sports cameras cut to a frustrated Allardyce
in the home dugout, you could imagine the West Ham boss ruing the fact the
Swans ace wasn't wearing claret and blue.
However, fit-again Carroll responded in emphatic fashion. Two towering
headers either side of half-time turned the game around and a characteristic
flick-on for Diafra Sakho to add gloss launched West Ham up to third in the
Premier League – their highest position for 15 years. "I've played a couple
of games but until you score you don't feel like you're definitely back,"
Carroll told Sky Sports after the game. "Now I've got two, it means a great
deal."To think West Ham have made their best start to a Premier League
campaign with Carroll only able to start their past four games is testament
to the squad Allardyce has built in east London. Summer signings Sakho,
Enner Valencia and Alex Song have all played key roles in the Hammers'
impressive start to the campaign, but Carroll's return to fitness and form
bolsters their chances of qualifying for European football. "It was immense
stuff from him all afternoon," said Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn, who
awarded Carroll the man of the match prize. "I'm delighted to see him back
to his best. "There were two classic Andy Carroll goals and it was a
terrific performance from the big man. He's modelled his game on Alan
Shearer but there were times today when he reminded me of the great man.
Swansea will be glad to see the back of him."
Of course, consistency is the key for any striker. It has been a long road
back for Carroll, following the heel injury he picked up in the 2013
pre-season, and his opener on Sunday was his first in 878 minutes of Premier
League action. In contrast, Bony's longest drought in two Premier League
terms is the six matches it took for him to get off the mark this year.
However, West Ham fans have cause for optimism with their 6ft 4in,
25-year-old striker now back in full flow. "The lad has had an horrendous
time, in terms of injuries," added Dwight Yorke. "It's nice to see him back,
he's scoring goals and that will give him an enormous amount of confidence
going forward to the rest of the campaign. "West Ham will benefit from him.
A fully-fit Andy Carroll can cause trouble for any Premier League defenders.
Sam Allardyce will be enjoying this moment but, most importantly, Andy
Carroll is back."
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IT'S SAFE TO SAY, ANDY CARROLL IS BACK!
By Iain Dale 7 Dec 2014 at 16:01
West Ham till I Die
I'm sure someone out there has the answer to this question, but when was the
last time we won two matches in a row, having gone a goal behind? I reckon
it could be more than a decade or two ago.
Three matches in eight days. Three wins, and nine points. We may only be
third for twenty nine hours, but let's enjoy it, because there can surely be
no one who can deny we deserve to be where we are. It is no fluke. We are
playing good, committed football, we are strong defensively, strong in
midfield and we have strikers who know where the net is. Today's match
showed that we have a good team spirit too. All the players looked genuinely
pleased for Andy Carroll, and with the possible exception of Kevin Nolan,
there wasn't an under-par player on the pitch, and even Nolan nearly
snaffled a couple of goals in the first half.
Make no mistake, this game didn't rest on the dismissal of Fabianski, we
were already ahead when he went off and frankly rarely looked like conceding
an equaliser. Swansea are no mugs. Like Newcastle, they went into the match
at Upton Park on a winning streak. They had only lost one in six, and that
was to Chelsea. The fact that we beat Newcastle who had won six on the trot
and beat Swansea who had won five in six shows how impressive these wins
actually are.
Clearly Andy Carroll was man of the match. It wasn't just the way he took
both his headed goals, he was an inspiration all over the pitch. It was he
who laid on Sakho's goal. It was he who made a few telling clearances in
defence. I'm sure that like everyone else, I'd have loved him to have scored
a third. A hattrick would have been no more than he deserved.
But there were two other contenders for man of the match – Aaron Cresswell
and Alex Song. Song put in a real shift and some of his passing from
midfield is simply sublime. He's so committed and the team takes on another
dimension with him in the side. Aaron Cresswell had yet another superb game,
full of attacking flair but also strong defensively. He really has an eye
for an attacking ball and I suspect he will be on the scoresheet again
before too long.
Indeed, our attacking play through the two fullbacks has been one the most
important reasons we have done so well this season. Both Cresswell and
Jenkinson seem to be playing as 'ersatz' wingers. You lose count of how many
crossed they belt in. And they are invariably very threatening. Normally,
when fullbacks attack so much, they leave themselves open to defensive
errors, but it's rare that either of these two put a foot wrong in defence.
It will happen, though, and we must be restrained in our criticism when it
does.
In midfield Kouyate and Song ruled the roost, with Kouyate putting in a
fullblooded performance full of winning tackles. Up front Valencia struggled
and never really looked in the game. he took a couple of Carroll knockdowns
but there didn't seem to be any threat coming from him at all. That changed
when he was replaced by Sakho at half time, and his sheer physical strength
allows Sakho to get into scoring positions which others might struggle with.
And didn't he take his goal well? Having hit each post as well, he too could
have easily bagged more than one. But that's 7 goals in 8 Premier League
appearances for Sahko. What a record.
David Hautzig will be posting his match report later. But finally, my scores
on the doors…
Adrian 7, Reid 7, Tomkins 7, Cresswell 8, Jenkinson 8, Song 8, Kouyate 7,
Nolan 5, Valencia 5, Carroll 8, Sakho 8, Downing 7
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM 3, SWANSEA 1. WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.
By David Hautzig 7 Dec 2014 at 17:25
West Ham Till I Die
O Chico, Chico. Wherefore art thou Chico.
Deny thy face clutch and refuse thy red card.
Or, if thou will continue to cheat, be but sworn to cheat against Spurs.
And I'll no longer hate you passionately.
You have to have your enemies in this game. It makes what would normally be
a normal match into something more meaningful. And we haven't had an enemy
quite like Chico Flores in a long time. Make no mistake, either. We got in
his head. What other footballer would go through the effort to make a screen
shot of the EPL table and tweet it out to the supporters of another team?
For us to have a go at him on social media was actually expected. Normal,
even. But for him to take such notice and get into it with us was anything
but normal. It showed how pathetic he really was. Which is likely one of the
reasons he now plays for Qatari club Lekhwiya SC in the Qatar Stars League.
From a sheer footballing standpoint, the Andy Carroll v. Wilfried Bony
debate was the story that led up to today's game. Twenty twenty hindsight is
all well and good, and through those glasses David Sullivan was right in
wanting to sign Bony over Carroll. At least so far. For the record, I cast
my vote for AC at the time. My reasoning was that strikers coming to England
from the Eredevisie had not had a lot of success. Carroll knew the league,
looked unplayable at times, and was perfectly suited to the style of play we
all expected to continue under Sam. The debate is not over, and today's game
certainly narrowed the gap.
The starting eleven saw two noteworthy changes from the midweek win at West
Brom, neither of which came as any surprise once we knew we had an almost
fully fit squad to choose from. Alex Song and Enner Valencia returned while
Morgan Amalfitano and Mauro Zarate helped themselves to a seat. Mark Noble's
series of little knocks added up to a day off, so Captain Kev got to keep
his boots on and aim for his 100th goal in the Premier League. Like many of
us I often cringe when I see his name, but Nolan acquitted himself nicely on
Tuesday so no complaints were forthcoming from my living room. As well as
Swansea have played this season, their away record hadn't been stellar with
only one win in six matches.
One thing was apparent from the first kick of the game. Alex Song is worth
whatever amount of money we have to offer for him in the summer. His command
of the ball and not only the space around him but the whole damned pitch
borders on supernatural. It allowed both Cresswell and Jenkinson to push
forward, and even seemed to put Nolan a bit more at ease. Still, no real
chances were created despite dominating every aspect of the game.
In the 7th minute, Andy Carroll gave the first glimpse of what kind of day
he was going to have. And he missed the header he went up for. But the
attention he demands of the opposition when he launches himself allows
players around him to take advantage of space. And that is what Valencia
did, although he couldn't control the ball and make something of it. Moments
later Carroll played a ball into space for Jenkinson down the right, but his
cross was blocked by Leon Britton.
In the 15th minute Carroll fed Jenkinson down the right….again….and
Jenkinson found Nolan darting into the box as he so often does, but his
effort on goal went wide. Not wanting to give up on scoring his 100th
Premier League goal, Nolan came close again two minutes later when Downing
put a free kick right in front of Nolan near the left post but his shot was
saved by Fabianski.
In the 19th minute, Swansea took the lead with what the television
announcers called the poster child for goals against the run of play.
Montero and Sigurdsson worked a terrific one-two down the left side. It
could have been contained had Kouyate not stopped moving, or Jenkinson had
stayed with Montero on his run. Both men turned into spectators for no more
than a second. But a second is all Wilfried Bony needed to tuck home
Montero's pass.
West Ham 0, Swansea 1.
Thankfully, West Ham stayed the course and kept the pressure on the visitors
from Wales. To be fair, Swansea looked like they wanted to prove they not
only could take a lead against the run of play, but they could dictate the
run of play as well.
Game on.
The 25th minute saw more solid play from Carroll when he got on the end of a
Cresswell cross and played the ball in for Valencia. However the
Ecuadorian's volley was blocked out for a corner by Ashley Williams. The
ensuing corner was a great lesson for players of all ages and creeds in
going for the ball. If any West Ham player had even tried to get on the end
of Downing's corner the game would have been level. Instead it rolled across
the face of goal and out for a goal kick.
The danger in falling behind the way West Ham did is in trying to do too
much too soon. Patience is a virtue, even when you're down 1-0. Swansea
started to assert themselves for the first time in the match when Montero
found Sigurdsson on the left. A quick shot after cutting back into the
center was punched away by Adrian. That was followed by a cross from Rangel,
and then a dangerous clearance by Cresswell that Ki intercepted. Bony took a
pass from Sigurdsson a minute later but shot wide. 2-0 felt like it was
right around the corner.
West Ham seemed to retreat back into their route 1 ways for a bit, perhaps
to buy some time to regroup and get their composure back. Downing found
Cresswell running towards goal and put a cross right on him, but his header
was easy for Fabianski to grab.
West Ham almost drew level in the 37th minute when an attempted clearance by
Williams came off his partner and fell right to Nolan in what looked to be a
classic Kevo The Poacher moment. His shot was blocked behind for a corner. A
few corners led to scrambles in Swansea's area, but no real chances. The
equalizer felt so close, yet so far.
The vast majority of supporters railed against Sam's tactics for much of the
past two seasons. Rightfully so. This year, however, West Ham have something
that we haven't had that is crucial for that option to be useful. Players
who can cross the ball. In Cresswell and Jenkinson to name just two, West
Ham have that. In the 40th minute, Song fed Jenkinson for what felt like his
421st cross. With barely enough space between him and the defender,
Jenkinson looped a ball into the box that landed on the most valuable head
in English football. And Carroll showed why he is far from surplus to
requirements when his header was placed perfectly into the top left hand
corner of the net, continuing his pretty good record against Swansea at
Upton Park. Among Swansea supporters it must have raised the fears of
dropping more points from a winning position than any team in the Premier
League.
West Ham 1, Swansea 1.
Sam made one change at halftime, bringing Diafra Sakho back into the fold
after his case of Idiot Physiomonia. Valencia took a seat. At first I was
surprised. Valencia hadn't looked himself, but I didn't think he looked
worthy of the hook. Maybe I shouldn't have been considering his recent
injury. Credit to Liam Spencer of Iron Views who tweeted during halftime
that he thought that was the change that needed to be made, and it was.
The second half started much like the first. West Ham controlling the ball,
using the full backs to apply pressure, and crossing the ball into dangerous
areas. That pressure led to the first card of the game when Wayne Routledge
took out Winston Reid who was chasing down the same ball Routledge wanted.
Free kick into the area, but nothing of note.
In the 52nd minute Sakho looked like a guy who had been starving for days
and was presented a steak dinner with all the necessary sides. He got the
ball on the edge of Swansea's area. Then he lost it. Then he went down on
one knee only to bounce back up with the ball. He looked like it he thought
it was his divine right to have the ball and do what he wanted. That energy
and desire has gotten him to the heights he is on, and it continued until
the final whistle.
Young people make mistakes. Lots of mistakes. And while it is cliché to say
that those that learn from them will eventually succeed, it's also true. In
the 58th minute Cresswell made the kind of mistake a kid makes in his first
year in the big time. He made a fantastic run, fighting off defenders in the
process, to have a nice patch of clear green in front of him close to goal.
However, the excitable kid inside him was louder than the seasoned pro he is
quickly becoming and he crossed before anybody could get there to receive
it. That kind of composure will come, and when it does god help the opposing
center backs.
History, at least the history of the day, almost repeated itself in the 60th
minute when Swansea broke on the counter. Montero passed to Bony who was
about 25 yards from goal. He could have waited a second for Routledge to
finish his run into the box, but instead fired a shot that banged off the
top of the crossbar. If anything, it showed how careful West Ham has to be.
Swansea's counters, even if they have been few and far between, have been
scary for the home supporters to watch.
In the 66th minute, those fears turned into an eruption of joy when a Stuart
Downing cross found Andy Carroll yet again. His soft header should have been
cleared by someone, anyone, covering the far post for Swansea. Not to
mention that Ashley Williams completely lost Carroll. Yet the goal showed
how physically and emotionally draining it can be to cover a player like
Carroll when he is both on his game and getting the support he needs.
West Ham 2, Swansea 1.
Two minutes later, Gary Monk needed a drink to go along with a new
goalkeeper. Yet another ball to Carroll at midfield that was flicked into
space. That space was inhabited by Sakho, who pushed the ball between the
Swansea defenders and towards an onrushing Fabianski. The keeper came miles
out of his area and crashed into Sakho, who still was able to get to the
ball and dribble a soft shot off the post. Replays showed Chris Foy going to
his pocket immediately, and Fabianski's day was done.
The 74th minute saw Swansea replace Montero with their own version of Man
Mountain, Bafetimbi Gomis. Along with Bony, and down to ten men, it looked
like Swansea were going to turn to their opposing manager for guidance in
finding a second goal. And at times they didn't look like a team down a man.
A testament to their quality, I must say.
Pure goal scorers are a different breed. They are like thoroughbred horses
with blinders on. All they see, all they are really interested in is the
goal. Sam alluded to that trait a few weeks ago when talking about Sakho. In
the 78th minute, that trait almost gave West Ham a 3-1 lead. It should have,
because if Sakho had taken the blinders off he would have seen Carroll all
alone in front of goal with nothing but net in front of him. Instead, he
shot. It went off the post, and if things had ended differently Sakho might
have had a huge fine in Kangaroo Court.
Swansea made the home crowd very uneasy for a spell in the final ten
minutes. They won numerous corners, were gifted an opportunity in front of
goal after a horrendous clearance by Carroll, and saw a golden opportunity
from Bartley sail over the bar. Under Zola, Grant, maybe even Curbs that
havoc in front of our goal would have ended up with a 2-2 scoreline. But
times have changed, and West Ham weathered the storm.
There will be no better example of direct football in my lifetime than the
goal that sealed the game for West Ham. Goal kick from Adrian to Andy
Carroll. Carroll flicked the ball onto the feet of a rushing Diafra Sakho,
who split the defenders with ease and fired an absolute cannonball past
Tremmel. He then lifted his jersey to show a t-shirt that said R.I.P Happy.
@kaz7289 answered my calls for help on Twitter and said he thought it was
Sakho's mother. My best mate Jon thought it was his desire to show that
t-shirt that made him choose to shoot when he should have passed to Carroll.
I thought it showed his nature as a striker. Shoot first, ask questions
later. Whatever the reason, it showed that when he plays goals are in his
boots. And a Sakho-Carroll partnership is now another powerful weapon Sam
has in his holster. His fist pumping celebration was in some ways the best
moment of the day.
West Ham 3, Swansea 1.
The last minutes of the game were pure joy for the home side and the
supporters. Downing, Cresswell, and Sakho didn't turn their engines down one
bit. There was a ball cleared off the line in the 89th minute, although I
didn't write down any details about it. I was too busy pacing the room in
jubilation.
Today's game was a chance for one of these two clubs to grab onto a ledge of
the rock we are both trying to climb with our second hand and pull ourselves
up. Set up camp, do some work, and then keep climbing. Today that team was
West Ham United. None of us know how far we can climb, or how long we can
even stay close to where we are. But the whole scenario presented by
Sullivan, Gold and Brady a few years ago is starting to look more like a
plan they knew would work than a hope they all shared. They may not have
billions, but they have quite a bit of something else that starts with the
letter B.
Brains.
I am getting used to this.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce delighted with West Ham performance as they go third with
Swansea victory
Dec 07, 2014 16:39 By Paul Gorst
Two goals from Andy Carroll and a Diafra Sakho strike were enough for the
Hammers who recorded their third win in eight days on Sunday afternoon
The Mirror
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was delighted with his side's display as
they beat Swansea City to go third in the Premier League.
The Hammers fought back from a goal down to beat the Swans 3-1 at Upton Park
on Sunday afternoon - and the victory is their third in just eight days.
Wilfried Bony put the visitors in front against the run of play but Andy
Carroll responded with a looping header shortly before the break. The former
Liverpool striker then gave the Hammers the lead when he rose highest at a
corner to nod goalwards, and Leon Britton was unable to keep the effort out
on the line. Carroll was involved once more when he headed a long ball into
Diafra Sakho's path three minutes from time, and the in-form forward kept
his composure to slam the ball beyond Gerhard Tremmel, who was brought on
for Britton after Lukasz Fabianski had been sent off. West Ham manager
Allardyce said: "Three wins in eight days - that hasn't been matched by
anyone else in the Premier League this week. "We are really flying and we
have a lot of players fit. We will enjoy ourselves for a day or two and get
ourselves ready for the next game. "I must mention Alex Song and the control
he gives to our midfield, it is brilliant. He gives the right service to the
front men." Two-goal hero Carroll added: "It was a tough game today but we
got the win and I got my goals. I've got two today and it means a great
deal. "I just try to get in the box and get a run around the back, and I've
managed to get on the end of them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll puts improved performances for West Ham down to getting engaged
Dec 07, 2014 10:43 By Will Metcalfe
The former Newcastle striker said he been in better form since he started
dating reality TV star Billi Mucklow
The Mirror
Andy Caroll believes settling down off the pitch is helping him to improve
his performances on the pitch. Since he began dating his fiancée Billi
Mucklow in 2013 the big man thinks his displays on the pitch have improved
after he swapped nights on the tiles for evening yoga sessions, much to the
delight of West Ham manager Sam Allardyce. Before he started seeing Billi
Carroll was often pictured out on the town and his reputation as a party
animal tended to go before him. But that has all changed since he hooked up
with former TOWIE star Billi. "My life has completely changed off the
pitch," said the former Newcastle striker. "I've settled down with Billi and
she has got a studio in Essex with Bikram Yoga and Cycle Rhythm, which is a
spinning studio. Andy Carroll proposed to Billi MucklowEngaged: The happy
couple celebrate their engagement in Rome She has opened them, so when I was
injured I was doing a lot of work up there. "When I was injured I was coming
into the training ground and doing my work with the physios. Then, in the
night-time I was going to the gym up there and doing a lot more work. "Like
I said, my life has changed off the pitch. "I've settled down a lot and
don't go out and get up to the things I used to. "She has calmed me down
quite a lot." The pair got engaged last month when he proposed when they
were on holiday in Rome . Such was the change in the striker's habits Sam
Allardyce phoned Billi and asked her to keep doing what she was doing after
he noticed a change in his attitude. He added: "When I was single, I wasn't
someone who could sit in the house by myself and watch TV, so I was always
out with friends or trying to meet new people or go to new places. "I was
always active so, when it came to training I wasn't 100% because I'd been
doing things all week. "Now, I don't do that. "I spend all my time at home
with my missus chilled out with my feet up. "I feel privileged with where I
am in football and with where I am off the pitch. "Now I have got Billi and
I can travel with her. If you are settled at home, then you are settled at
the club as well. "She is from down here and I am settled down here and I'm
more than happy at West Ham. "It's a great club and like the gaffer told me,
once I was settled down it would feel like home."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oh baby – the difference nine months makes
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 7, 2014 in Whispers
Harry Sherlock
Claret & Hugh
Harry Sherlock of www.goal.com was back on the Hammers beat today and brings
his unique insight on the conception and delivery of this new West Ham.
"Hope you know how to spell tosh," cried the fuming West Ham fan as he
descended the steps next to the Upton Park press box. He had had enough, and
was leaving before the final whistle. When it came, it signaled three more
points for the Hammers, as they defeated Hull 2-1. But the performance was
so lifeless, so devoid of quality, that the home fans turned against the
team and manager, even in victory. That was March.
On Sunday, a supporter danced past the press box, singing 'We're gonna win
the league!' What a difference nine months make. In the same time it takes
to conceive and deliver a child, Sam Allardyce has rebirthed this West Ham
team. There aren't many managers who get the time Allardyce was given, and
that is to the credit of David Gold and David Sullivan. The pair backed
their man at a time when many chairmen would have pulled the revolver out of
their desk and pulled the trigger. "We'll sit around the table and talk
about it," said Allardyce after another vital win in 2014-15, this time over
Swansea City. "It," of course, is a new contract. This time last year, on
December 7, West Ham were 17th. From 15 games, they had accrued just 13
points. They had scored 13 goals, and conceded 19. Now, they are third, with
27 points, breathing the rarefied air once only occupied by Manchester City,
Chelsea and the rest of the Premier League's elite. They have scored 26
goals and conceded 18. And, on the back of a truly scintillating second-half
performance on Sunday, few would bet against Allardyce extending his stay at
the Boleyn.
With a squad bursting with talent, a happy Boleyn Ground and chairmen who
preach stability over chaos, things are rosy. Add in a potent Andy Carroll,
a hungry Diafra Sakho and an on-form Alex Song and you have a recipe for
unprecedented success. On Sunday, Carroll started up front with Enner
Valencia and while the Ecuadorian huffed and puffed to little reward,
Carroll turned in a performance that almost justified the £35 million
Liverpool once spent on him. This was a striker reinvigorated, a striker
hungry and in top shape. "He's not yet there with match fitness," said
Allardyce afterwards. If this was Carroll out of shape then Premier League
defences ought to run for cover. Anyone who dared challenge him was
steamrollered, as Carroll vindicated his manager's decision to sign him over
Wilfried Bony. Two goals and an assist. What more could you want? Despite
his reputation as a 'big man', Carroll showcased his remarkable ability to
pull the ball down and make a difference on the deck. Time and again he
showed his agility to control a high, floated ball, before bringing it into
his feet and laying off to midfield runners. Ashley Williams and Kyle
Bartley were made to look foolish as they attempted in vain to bring him
under control, like two clueless poachers trying to sedate a ruthless,
irrepressible rhinoceros.
But it would be a waste to simply praise Carroll, despite his virtuoso
display. Sakho emerged from the bench at half-time, replacing a limp
Valencia, and instantly transformed a West Ham attack that had slipped into
the age-old habit of reverting to type; with cross after cross aimed at
Carroll's head. With his introduction Sakho injected some much-needed
energy, and ran the beleaguered Swansea backline ragged. With Carroll
alongside him, West Ham suddenly had options, and it was the England man's
flick-on which gave the summer signing the chance to make it 3-1. Of course,
after such a brilliant cameo, the former Metz man grabbed the opportunity
with both hands, sending the Upton Park crowd into a chorus of 'Barcelona,
we're coming for you!' Of course, some woeful defending and Lukasz
Fabianski's sending off aided the Hammers, but these were three points won
on merit. Stewart Downing, Carl Jenkinson, Winston Reid, Song, and Kevin
Nolan were also excellent, and Allardyce was effusive in his praise of his
team afterwards. He did sound a cautionary note, however, explaining that
the Irons must maintain their current levels of performance if they are to,
indeed, "come for Barcelona." He's right. But, for now, he'd be best off
simply enjoying the ride. For a man under so much pressure a year ago, he
deserves it.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alex Song must be our priority this summer – The ExWHUemployee Column
By ExWHUemployee on December 7, 2014 in ExWHUemployee column
Today's performance was top quality
That was simply brilliant! If you said to me that we would be third coming
into the Christmas period at the start of the season, I would have laughed
at you and dismissed the comment without even giving it a second thought.
How little did I know?!
The performance today was superb. We totally dominated the game and the win
was more than deserved. Andy Carroll was back to his brilliant best and won
everything in the air, scoring two brilliant goals in the process as well as
getting the assist for Sakho. I thought the two of them looked so dangerous
as a pair and gave real hope for the future. It is satisfying to see a
forward feeding off Carroll's top class knock downs. I think the partnership
of Valencia and Sakho has been superb this year but Carroll with either of
them is equally as promising, that isn't even mentioning Zarate in the
equation.
Alex Song is getting better and better
I felt Alex Song was brilliant again and showed his class. He totally
controlled the midfield and dictated our play. It is great that a defensive
midfielder can offer so much going forward as well as defensively. His
passing was sometimes too good for our own players who didn't read his chain
of thought quick enough to take advantage. He has to be our number one
priority as soon as this season ends and we need to get him signed as soon
as possible.
I thought defensively our centre backs were brilliant as well. They snuffed
out so many attacks, won everything in the air and stood strong against an
attack-minded Swansea side. With only Mark Noble out of the game our squad
looked extremely solid (although we have now lost Carl Jenkinson to a
hamstring injury). The fact that James Collins cannot get in the team and he
was my Hammer of the Month for November shows the depth. Equally Morgan
Amalfitano has been brilliant as well. Every player on our bench was an
international at one stage (yes this includes Carlton Cole) and that speaks
a great deal. Our £11m winger can't even get on the bench now – this shows
how far we have come and if possible I would cash in on him in January. I
think it also has to be said that Kevin Nolan played well against Swansea
and the more defensive role seems to be more suited to his lack of pace.
Club in another marketing scandal
The FA Cup draw will be made at 7pm tomorrow and we are ball 42. I was
interested to receive a marketing email today telling me that we will wear
the third shirt, the purple one, for our FA Cup games this season. Obviously
we hope this is more than one game, as I'm sure the marketing department do!
This is a marketing ploy as our third shirts have not sold as many as had
hoped and there is a surplus of kits. It also means that the club cannot be
criticised for having a kit that has never been worn. With the kit
manufacturer changing at the end of the season these kits need to be sold
and this explains the decision. I had heard that some children's sizes of
the other kits have sold out and will not be available for the Christmas
period. I find this staggering and as a child I was almost guaranteed that
Father Christmas would bring me one! To think of many children missing out
on this is terrible considering it is a crucial way to secure young support.
I really hope this is not the case and that kits are available in time.
Exactly who is Mr Moon?
I was asked during the game what this "Mr Moon has entered the stadium"
business is all about. Most regular attenders of games know the reason and
in fact our former stadium announcer released a book with that as the title.
It is basically a safety announcement informing staff that the fire alarms
have gone off. So when Mr Moon enters the stadium the fire alarms have
started. When the situation has been checked out, given the all clear and
the fire alarms have gone off "Mr Moon has now left the stadium" is played
to let the employees know that the situation is clear. These announcements
have been going on for as long as I can remember and Mr Moon's general late
arrival and swift exit have always brought a smile to my face despite
knowing what it means. I can remember the days when Mr Moon had a rival for
novelty fame at the club and this was Super Sponge! For those of you too
young to remember, whenever a player went down injured the newly installed
screens in the corners would show an image of a sponge dressed as a super
hero and it would spin around the screen with the caption "It is time for
Super Sponge". I think the club should resurrect him for our last season and
a dance off between HammerHead, Bubbles, Pooper Scooper (remember him?!)
Super Sponge and Mr Moon would be great halftime entertainment.
I love going into work now especially as most of my colleagues support
Arsenal, Tottenham or Liverpool and we are sitting pretty above all of them.
I really think it is time that we at least acknowledge our manager's
contribution in this recent success. Can we manage a Big Fat Sam's Claret
and Blue army chant before Christmas?! Let's hope so! It is great being a
Hammer right now!
COYI
ExWHUemployee
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