Daily WHUFC News - 9th December 2014

Diafra keeps the run going
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho returned to his pre-injury form straight away by scoring
against Swansea City
08.12.2014

Diafra Sakho continued from where he left off in scoring West Ham United's
third goal in Sunday's 3-1 victory over Swansea City. The Senegal striker
missed three games after suffering a back injury in the November
international break, but returned with a bang from the bench against the
Swans, rifling home with three minutes left to seal victory. It took his run
of scoring to eight goals in his last nine games and this strike was
especially poignant as he showed in his celebration, revealing a t-shirt
with an image of his relative Amy, who sadly died the previous week. He told
whufc.com: "I always feel good scoring here, because my objective since
arriving at West Ham was to help the team by scoring goals. "Sunday was a
special day for me. I wanted to come back because my relative Amy passed
away last Saturday and so I wanted to pay tribute to her. Even though I
wasn't at the funeral, I wanted to show to everyone the support I had for
her. "For a forward it's always important to score, but for me the most
important thing was the team. If I can help the team to win by scoring
goals, I'll try to do my all to make that happen."

The victory was West Ham's fifth in the last six home matches and Sakho is
keen to build a fortress at the Boleyn Ground. He explained: "It's very
important to command respect at home, because the target is always to win,
but in a manner at home. "I think we've shown everyone here that to come
here is not easy, even to take just one point." Sakho combined with Andy
Carroll to devastating effect on Sunday, with Carroll notching twice and
then supplying the No15 with his goal as the Hammers moved up to third in
the table. He said: "It's always great to play with someone of his
[Carroll's] calibre. I'd watched him on the television and to play with him
on Sunday makes me proud. It motivates me to give even more to help
everyone. "It's a lofty place in the league, but we've not stolen it, we've
worked to be there. Now we know that to remain there we have work to harder
than the others, because whether we're at home or away, being in third,
fourth or fifth, they're going to try to beat us and it's for us to earn
respect."

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Hammers draw Everton in FA Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have been paired with Everton in the third round of the FA
Cup
08.12.2014

West Ham United have been handed an away draw against fellow Barclays
Premier League side Everton in the third round of the FA Cup. Monday
evening's draw gives Sam Allardyce's men a trip to Goodison Park for the
second time in as many months, following the narrow 2-1 defeat on Merseyside
in November. The Hammers have been paired with the Toffees on eight previous
occasions in the FA Cup, with each side having won four of those ties. Their
last FA Cup meeting came in 1991, when the Hammers triumphed 2-1 in a sixth
round clash. Eleven years earlier, West Ham saw off Everton after a
semi-final replay before defeating Arsenal in the final. In fact, West Ham
have won the last four ties against Everton, in a run stretching back to
1963. The east Londoners have a proud history in this competition, having
lifted the trophy in 1964. 1975 and 1980. The tie will be played on the
weekend beginning 3 J anuary and full fixture and ticketing details will
follow in due course. For this season's FA Cup campaign, apart from when
there is a kit clash, the Hammers will be clad in their smart purple, gold
and black third kit, which is available from Club Stores and online now.

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AC thrilled with Swans double
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll notched his first goals of the season in Sunday's 3-1 victory
over Swansea City
07.12.2014

Andy Carroll's first and second goals of the season helped West Ham United
maintain their fine form with a 3-1 victory over Swansea City at the Boleyn
Ground on Sunday afternoon. It was the third win of a highly-productive week
and the three-point haul lifted the Hammers to the lofty heights of third in
the Barclays Premier League. Carroll was thrilled to play his part by
hitting the net for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the
summer with two towering headers. "It's a great feeling to be back on the
scoresheet," he admitted.
"Getting as many games as I have in the last couple of weeks has been great
for my fitness. I'm feeling as fit as ever and it's shown in the two goals
today. "It was a great cross in from Jenks for the first and that's what
he's there for. It was an absolutely fantastic cross right where I wanted it
and I lost my man to get on the end of it. "For the second one I gave a
little bit of movement off the corner, it's gone in the space where I wanted
and the movement let me get on the end of it. "It was nearly cleared off the
line, but there was too much power on it!"

Carroll celebrated his second goal, which put the Hammers 2-1 up, by running
over to the bench and he revealed it was to demonstrate his thanks for the
behind-the-scenes work of the Club's backroom staff. He added: "I ran over
to celebrate with the bench because the staff had been behind me all the
way. It's been a long injury and it has been tough. "They've pushed me as
hard as they could to get me back fit. They've done everything right and
everything that needed to be done - especially when I didn't feel like doing
it when it's been sore and painful and I've been down. "They pushed me
through and helped me through it, so it was just to say thank you to them.
When you've got people like that looking after you it's a great feeling."

Diafra Sakho came off the bench at the break and he also marked his return
from injury with a goal and Carroll said he enjoyed partnering the No15,
even if he might have squared one opportunity to give him a hat-trick!
Carroll said: "I would have passed it [when Sakho hit the post], but it was
a great effort and he's a striker as well who wants to get on the
scoresheet. "I did tell him as soon as I went in that next time he better
pass! "It was great to play with him. When he came on we had a little word
about what was going to happen - where I was going to go and where he was
going to be - and it was a great little piece of movement for his goal as
well."

With three straight wins, Carroll says confidence in the camp is sky high
and the players have the belief their run can keep rolling on.
"We've gone behind in the last two games but pulled it back with two great
performances," he explained, "The lads are buzzing to be winning and buzzing
to be in the top three. "I think we can keep doing it all season. We've got
the great players, we've got the manager, the team's just fantastic at the
minute and we've just got to continue the way we are."

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Potts - 'We must take the opportunity'
WHUFC.com
U18s manager Steve Potts is looking forward to his side's game with
Southampton
08.12.2014

West Ham United U18s manager Steve Potts says his players must take their
opportunity in the FA Youth Cup when they face Southampton at St Mary's
Stadium on Tuesday. The Hammers last won the historic tournament in 1999
when a team including Michael Carrick and Joe Cole beat Coventry City 9-0
over two legs. Tuesday's match will be broadcast live on our YouTube channel
so tune in from 7pm! Speaking ahead of the cup tie, Potts said: "We're
hoping for a good run. It's a great tournament and a great cup for the boys
to play in. "To play at St Mary's Stadium, hopefully in front of a crowd
will be a good experience. If they can handle that sort of situation that's
great because they need to get used to playing like that every Saturday or
Sunday."

For Potts, who played in the tournament as a youngster, there is an element
of unfinished business about Tuesday's fixture. "It was a cup I was
desperate to do well in. I played in a good side alongside players such as
Paul Ince and Kevin Keen among others. I felt we had a real good chance. We
went to Swindon away and somehow we lost, we got beat convincingly.
Everything went wrong that night."

The Hammers go into the match buoyed by their 4-2 victory over West Bromwich
Albion last weekend, which saw Potts' side climb to fourth in the U18
Premier League South table. "Overall I was very pleased. After a sloppy
start we let in a goal from a corner but we gradually got going in the first
half. "In the second half we played some really good stuff. We got one and I
thought we'd go on from there but we let another one in with about ten
minutes to go. Thankfully we began to put the ball in the back of the net
with three in the last few minutes. I was pleased with how we played."

The Hammers have already played the Saints once this season, coming back
from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 after goals from Jahmal Hector-Ingram, Jordan
Brown and Kieran Bailey. "That's a side of our game that we really need to
improve on. We can't keep going behind and expecting to win football
matches. "Southampton are a good team and a good club. So it's a real tough
draw for us, away from home. You couldn't get much tougher in the
competition, I think it's a plum draw so it's a real good test for us. "The
occasion is a test in itself. It's up to players to say yeah I'm ready for
this sort of game. It's not so much the technical ability but how handle the
occasion as well."

The West Ham United U18s play Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium on Tuesday 9
December, kick off is at 7pm.

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U21s set for cup clash
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad take on Fulham in their final U21 Premier League
International Cup group stage match on Monday
08.12.2014

West Ham United U21s take on Fulham on Monday evening to close the group
stage of their U21 Premier League International Cup campaign.
Having defeated Jong PSV and been edged out by Athletic Bilbao, the Hammers
can still progress should they see off Fulham at Rush Green.
The Development Squad gave a fine performance to defeat Dutch giants PSV in
their last outing. The Hammers have already taken on Fulham in league action
this season, registering a 1-1 draw at the Cottagers' Motspur Park home in
September. Kick-off at Rush Green is at 7pm, with admission free for Season
Ticket Holders and £3 adults, £1 concessions. whufc.com will bring you live
text commentary, as well as exclusive reaction and highlights.

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U16s host International Cup
WHUFC.com
The Academy hosted some of European football's top U16 squads over the
weekend
08.12.2014

West Ham United had the honour of hosting some of the biggest names in
European football at the Academy of Football over the weekend. The West Ham
International Cup saw the Under-16 sides from six clubs battle it out over
two days of fantastic competition at Rush Green Stadium. After picking up an
impressive draw with Italian champions Juventus on Saturday afternoon, the
Hammers suffered a 3-1 defeat against Belgian outfit Club Brugge later that
evening before losing out to Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the 5th/6th
place play-off on Sunday morning. It was Liverpool who came out on top
overall, beating Juventus in the final on Sunday afternoon to take the
trophy back to Merseyside. The Hammers had a wealth of talent on show over
the weekend, but they were without some key members of the side, including
Reece Oxford and Tunji Akinola, who are preparing for Tuesday's FA Youth Cup
tie at Southampton. Before each fixture throughout the weekend, both teams
posed for a mixed photograph to remember the World War One heroes as part of
the Premier League's #FootballRemembers weekend.

Two pitches were used during the weekend. The first being inside the main
arena, whilst a training pitch on the Rush Green site was also used for
fixtures happening simultaneously. The weekend opened on Saturday morning
when Sam Shajhoud, Keanan Bennetts and David Ajiboye all got their names on
the scoresheet as a dominant Tottenham Hotspur saw off Bilbao 4-1. It was
then time for the Hammers to face Juventus and the competition hosts started
the brighter out of the two teams. Anthony Scully, who has recently returned
from a long term injury, put the Hammers 1-0 up with a powerful effort into
the top corner from 20 yards, before Gianmarco Scapin fired a low free-kick
straight into the bottom corner of the net. In game three, Spurs were
looking to add to their earlier victory against Liverpool and it looked
likely when Abdi Sharif was punished for a defensive mistake by Spurs' John
Dizesni when the 14-year-old lashed a shot into the top corner. It was not
to last, though, as Liverpool's Toni Gomes latched onto a lofted through
ball to confidently finish into the net.
With Spurs then finished for the day after their two fixtures, the Hammers
took part in their second game against Club Brugge. Brandon Baiye finished
very well early into the game to give the Belgians the lead, before Conor
Coventry's deflected effort pulled the Hammers level, only for second half
goals from Senne Lynen and Ward Verwerft to secure Brugge a 3-1 victory.

The fifth game on Saturday afternoon saw Bilbao suffer a second defeat of
the day when Liverpool came from behind to win 4-1. Keenan Mendibelzua kept
his composure when through on goal to put the Spanish side ahead, before
goals from Gomes, Paul Glatzel and Herbie Kane helped Liverpool end the day
on a high. With just one game left on the opening day, Juventus in their
florescent green away kit faced Club Brugge in an equally colourful orange
strip. Federico Mastropietro put the Old Lady ahead with a fantastic direct
free-kick, before Fererico Naimo doubled their lead from close range. Jules
Vanhaecke pulled one back in superb fashion before Mastropietro grabbed his
second goal of the game to regain the two-goal lead. Two late goals from
Scapin gave Juventus a 5-1 victory and took them directly into Sunday's
final.

The second day of the event started with a penalty shootout between Spurs
and Liverpool to decide who would face Juventus in the final, after both
sides won 4-1 and drew 1-1 the previous day. Liverpool prevailed on
penalties and to reach the final, whilst Spurs would have to settle with a
tie against Brugge for 3rd/4th place.

With the fixtures then decided, West Ham suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat
to Bilbao on pitch two. David Nates put the Spanish side ahead with a
deflected effort, before Idris Kanu (pictured) rounded Sergio Garcia to
bring the Hammers back into the match. Second half goals from Benat
Andonegui and Javier Rudy helped Los Leones to finish in fifth position,
while the Hammers had to settle for sixth.
On pitch one at the same time, Tottenham shrugged aside the disappointment
of losing the penalty shootout to win 3-1 against Brugge, meaning the
Londoners finished in third place and the Belgians ended in fourth.

The competition ended with a thoroughly entertaining final between Juventus
and Liverpool, with the Italians falling behind early on after Rhian
Brewster played in Gomes to smash into the net. Both sides had several
opportunities to secure the result throughout the rest of the match, but
Liverpool managed to hold on to take the crown. The match ended with
Liverpool captain Kane and Juventus' Edouardo Bianchi being given straight
red cards for an altercation after the Italians reacted to a bit of
time-wasting in the final few minutes. Despite the poor discipline at the
end, the competition was enjoyed by all the teams and West Ham's Academy
Director Terry Westley closed the tournament by thanking all teams for their
participation and congratulating all for their performances.

West Ham United U16 squad: Tyler Forde, Matthew Campbell, Mason Barrett,
Conor Coventry, Thomas Carlton, Ben Wells, Malyk Hamilton, Alfie Lewis,
Idris Kanu, Anthony Scully, Joe Powell, Charlie Seaman, Mitchell Ware,
Abdoulahi Diallo, Eliot Capel, Ben Johnson, Reece Hannam, Korrey Henry.

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FA Cup third round draw - it's Everton
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 8th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United will face Everton in the third round of the FA Cup. West
Ham's number 42 ball was paired with Everton's 16 by local coach Paul
Adamson and former England international Alan Shearer. The two sides will
meet on the weekend of January 3/4 at Goodison Park.

The full draw is as follows. Premier League clubs in bold:

Arsenal (2) v Hull City (19)
Southampton (35) v Ipswich Town (20)
Stoke City (36) v Wrexham (47)
Charlton Athletic (12) v Blackburn Rovers (5)
Dover Athletic (61) v Crystal Palace (14)
AFC Wimbledon (50) v Liverpool (23)
Manchester City (24) v Sheffield Wednesday (34)
Aldershot or Rochdale (64) v Nottingham Forest (30)
West Bromwich Albion (41) v Gateshead (55)
Blyth Spartans (52) v Birmingham City (4)
Aston Villa (3) v Blackpool (6)
Rotherham United (33) vs AFC Bournemouth (1)
Huddersfield United (18) vs Reading (32)
Oxford or Tranmere Rovers (45) v Swansea City (38)
Cardiff City (11) v Colchester United (49)
Bolton Wanderers (7) v Wigan Athletic (43)
Sunderland (37) v Leeds United (21)
Burnley (10) v Tottenham Hotspur (39)
Millwall (27) v Bradford City (59)
Derby County v Southport (54)
Brentford (8) v Brighton & Hove Albion (9)
Fulham (17) v Wolves (44)
Leicester City (22) v Newcastle United (28)
Scunthorpe or Worcester City (39) v Chesterfield (53)
Everton (16) v West Ham United (42)
Cambridge or Mansfield v Bury or Luton(46)
Chelsea (13) v Watford (14)
Barnsley or Chester v Middlesbrough (56)
Queens Park Rangers (31) v Sheffield United (60)
Accrington or Yeovil (51) v Manchester United (25)
Preston North End (57) v Norwich City (29)
Doncaster Rovers v Bristol City (63)

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Moody Maiga dumped by Metz
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 8th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Modibo Maiga could be on his way back to England after falling out with Metz
coach Albert Cartier. According to reports in the French media, Maiga was
informed on Thursday that he was being dropped by Cartier for the weekend's
trip to Ligue 1 leaders Marseille. The 27-year-old striker - who has scored
four goals in his 11 appearances for the newly promoted side since moving to
Stade Saint-Symphorien on a season-long loan - is said to have reacted
angrily to the news. And his omission did little to help Les Grenats as they
went down 3-1 at Marseille yesterday, with Metz's consolation coming from
former Chelsea forward Florent Malouda. Despite having apparently cleared
the air with Cartier since, Maiga did not travel to Marseille with the rest
of the (17-man) squad, prompting speculation that he may demand a return to
London before the season is out. However there is little chance of the
£4.5million striker ever appearing for West Ham again with the likes of Andy
Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia having been in such sparkling form
in recent weeks - form that according to BetBright, is the result of gradual
evolution at the Club. Maiga's current club are currently 13th in Ligue 1
having accrued 19 points from their first 17 fixtures. They are currently
four points clear of the relegation zone. The striker is contracted to West
Ham United until the summer of 2016.

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Monk on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 8th December 2014
By: Staff Writer

Not to be confused with OLAS legend Harry, a spiky Garry Monk felt his team
were a long way short of 'reaching their levels' whilst being beaten 3-1 by
West Ham on Sunday lunchtime. His full post match presser, exclusively here.

How do you feel after that?

How do I feel? Great. We've just lost the game, so obviously not happy.

Where do you think it was won and lost?

I just don't think we ever reached the levels that we have done this season.
It's the first time I can actually say that in all the games we played, we
were nowhere near the level - especially with the ball. We didn't make
enough correct decisions, not enough quick, sharp decisions. The only time
we did that we scored a goal.

We moved the ball very quickly, one and two touch which we've been doing
this season and we showed the damage we can cause. We just didn't do that
enough today and some of the defending for some of the goals, we gifted it
to them on a plate really, to be honest with you.

So no complaints with the result, we didn't deserve anything from the game.

You seemed to have your best spell just after the red card. Do you think
that sparked you, or made them angry?

No, I think you're right - we probably had our best spell when we went down
to ten men but it shouldn't take a situation like that for us to play our
best football. We've been performing very well in all the games this season
and that's the first time I can genuinely say that we haven't got anywhere
near the levels that we have done.

For me, we gifted the goals to them today. For the first goal - Andy
Carroll's first goal - I thought yeah, it was a good header and a good cross
into the box but we could have done better with it. The second goal from
Carroll, we were man marking in the box and he loses the marker, gets half a
yard and a free header, which is unacceptable. Then the third one was poor
defending from us. We kind of gave them an early Christmas present, I think.

A lot of people will talk about Carroll's record against Swansea. Do you
think, the way you played you would have lost against anybody today?

Yeah. Like I said, I just don't think we reached the levels that we have
been. At times we did, we had our chances. At one-all Bony hit the bar; if
that goes in without playing particularly well we could have got something
from the game. So that's a sort of positive for me, for us to play that
poorly - or not to those levels.

I don't think we were poor, but I don't think we were good. To play to those
levels and still realistically could have got something from the game it
shows the players that if they reach anywhere near their levels they'll be
able to come to places like this and get points.

Was it a red card?

Well, it was because he gave it. If you look at the build-up to it he knocks
the ball past the 'keeper with his hand. I don't think we dealt with the
situation leading up to that point very well. I think Ashley makes a
mistake, gets caught the wrong side of the player but actually before
Fabianski makes any contact whatsoever the player knocks it past with his
left hand, clearly.

So realistically it should be hand ball to us. It wasn't a clear goalscoring
opportunity either. You can see from the way it played out that he hit the
post so it obviously wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity. Ash was getting
back in, Jazz Richards was making his way back in so in terms of the red
card, when you look at it with the replays and everything then no, it's not.

Will you appeal?

Well you'd think so. Like I said, with the whole cold-hearted facts of what
it is when you have the benefit or replays and everything it should be hand
ball and a free kick to us. But obviously it's a red card so hopefully yeah,
we will appeal it.

Have you had an explanation from the referee about it?

No. I'll go and see him, speak to him now and see what he says.

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West Ham's Andy Carroll tipped for England consideration
Last Updated: 08/12/14 12:07pm
SSN

Andy Carroll's form for third-placed West Ham has put the striker back in
contention for a place in the England side, says former Manchester United
assistant manager Steve Round. Carroll's two goals against Swansea, his
first goals for nine months, have proven the striker's aerial prowess and
could prove to be the missing ingredient for the England side. Round told
the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ that Carroll's goals undoubtedly put
the striker in the view of England manager Roy Hodgson "He will be looking
at him for sure," said Round. "He gives him a different option, he gives him
a plan B, he gives him something that you can launch a ball into the box,
you can cross it into the box, and you have a presence there on the end of
it. "He is exceptional in the air, and that's the one thing we're lacking a
little bit in English football at the minute. "West Ham now have got a
different style of play: they can play great football going through you,
over the top with the pace… or they can go round you to cross it for Carroll
to head it in there."

Former Southampton captain Francis Benali said Carroll's aerial strength was
a key part of West Ham's recent success. "He's a tough player to play
against when he's on his form," he said. "West Ham have great home form now,
which is crucial and an important element to any side being successful and
doing well. "I think it's Big Sam just sticking with it. He's been given
time to work in the job as well, and I think we're seeing the fruition of
that now."

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Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target Winston Reid's West Ham wage demands
make exit almost certain
Dec 08, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
Defender who has been key for the resurgent Hammers is out of contract in
the summer wants a huge pay-day to stay - will he now be sold in January?
The Mirror

Winston Reid wants a huge pay day which will almost certainly see him leave
West Ham. Hammers defender Reid, a key figure in their remarkable start to
the campaign, wants £60,000 a week and a £1million signing-on fee. They are
the figures being quoted to interested clubs and they are likely to price
West Ham out of keeping the 26-year-old, who is out of contract next summer.
But it will not deter Arsenal or Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool, who are both
keen on New Zealand international Reid and may even see whether they can get
him on the cheap in January. We revealed last month that Arsenal will bid
for Ipswich's young defender Tyrone Mings in January, but they are looking
for a more experienced player as well. Liverpool are also watching
developments closely and know that West Ham may consider selling in January
rather than risk him walking out for free next summer. West Ham have not
given up on keeping Reid and insist that they are hopeful that he will stay
at the Upton Park club, especially after their great start to the campaign
which has left them dreaming of European football next season. But West Ham
boss Sam Allardyce, yet to start talking about his own new deal, has
admitted that he fears Reid could leave.

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Andy Carroll tells Sam Allardyce there was no need for Wilfried Bony
• Striker scored two against Swansea after Bony's opener
• Allardyce had been watching Ivorian striker at Vitesse
• Andy Carroll's headed double powers West Ham to victory
Lawrence Ostlere
The Guardian, Monday 8 December 2014 22.30 GMT

Andy Carroll believes he has vindicated Sam Allardyce's decision to sign him
rather than Wilfried Bony last summer after his contribution to West Ham's
victory against Swansea City on Sunday. The striker scored two towering
headers to drive his side to their third win in a week and third place in
the Premier League. Allardyce revealed last week that he had been tracking
Bony's prolific goalscoring for Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem in 2013 when the
opportunity arose to sign the on-loan Carroll on a permanent basis, and said
the club could not afford both. Asked whether his manager made the right
decision, Carroll said: "[I haven't] seen anything about it but he chose the
right one, didn't he?"

Carroll's first league goals of the season were a well-timed reminder of his
qualities and reinforced the return to fitness of the forwards Enner
Valencia and Diafra Sakho, the club's top scorer this term. Both summer
recruits have impressed in Carroll's absence – Sakho came off the bench
against Swansea to score his eighth in all competitions – but Carroll said
West Ham's newfound strength in depth can only be positive.

"Both of them are great players as they have shown at the start of the
season," he said. "Both have got goals in them and Diafra has come off the
bench and got one and could have had another. He is a fantastic signing."

The 25-year-old Carroll has waited a long time after injury delayed his
season's start but said the pressure on his comeback had been eased by his
team-mates' success. "It is always easier when you have a big squad,"
Carroll said. "You are not relying on one player. We have a big squad and
all quality players that can come in. That is why the players who are not
playing are disappointed."

Carroll also had special praise for another new addition Alex Song. The
midfielder arrived on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer and
has not ruled out extending his stay in east London, having already cemented
his place at the heart of the side.

"Every game he has played he has been fantastic," Carroll said. "He is just
so comfortable on the ball and slows the game to his own tempo. Even when we
were one down we didn't go gung-ho. He still held it for us and was our
anchor really."

Next up for West Ham is a visit to Sunderland and Carroll is wary of the
threat carried by the club that his family support. "It is a tough game
going up there. I think [my family] will all be cheering me, even though
they are Sunderland fans."

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West Ham icon: Diafra Sakho is worth £25m amid Liverpool speculation
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham notched up their third win in eight days on Sunday, beating Swansea
City 3-1. The star of the show was Andy Carroll, but substitute Diafra Sakho
made his return to the side with a bang, scoring the third goal to take his
tally for the season to eight in all competitions. The Senegal international
has been out of action lately through injury, but showed that he should
still be considered as West Ham's top striker with a superb cameo against
the Swans. Sakho, 24, has been a revelation this season, and his goalscoring
exploits have reportedly attracted the interest of Liverpool, who need
attacking reinforcements in January. The Hammers would surely resist any
temptation to sell, and their former striker Leroy Rosenior told Claret &
Hugh that Sakho is 'amazing', and worth at least £25m - despite West Ham
paying just £3.5m for him in August. "It really doesn't matter who he plays
with, he has an instinctive understanding of the game and goes to exactly
the right positions," said Rosenior. "He came back after an absence and
looked as though he'd never been away and with a new strike partner.
Staggering." "He's so good running off the ball and he has excellent touch
and is one of the best strikers I've seen in several years. He's an amazing
player," he added. "Obviously we are judging things on how they look right
bow in the present vein of form but for me – at this moment – Diafra is
worth £25 million minimum. For me there isn't a better striker in the
country," exclaimed Rosenior. A £25m price tag would surely be enough to put
any suitors off a bid for Sakho - particularly Liverpool, who forked out
£16m for Mario Balotelli this summer.

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Hammers top FA Cup record against Toffees
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

So we're off to Everton in the Third Round of the FA Cup which at first
glance isn't the best draw in the world!Everton However, look a little bit
deeper and you discover that The Toffees have failed to beat us in the
competition since 1957. The two sides last met in 1991 at the Boleyn when we
won 2-1 and in 1980 at Goodison we came out 2-1 winners of a replay after
drawing with The Toffeess 1-1 four days earlier. In 1963 we scored a 1-0 win
over them having suffered our last loss against them 57 years ago at
Goodison 2-1.Quite apart from that there are quite a few scores left up at
Goodison to be sorted after the bad tempered League clash and James Tomkins
in particular may feel he has a point to prove. Holders Arsenal will host
Hull City in a repeat of May's Wembley final. Their meeting is one of four
all Premier League ties as Burnley host Tottenham, we are off to Goodison
and Newcastle United visit Leicester City.

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No humble pie – just enjoy the Irons and new Sam
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
By Nigel Kahn

With the fantastic way we have gone about this season West Ham fans have
many reasons to be cheerful. Yet across some social media platforms I am
beginning to see fans commenting on how their position on Sam has changed
from last season. That is natural. Sam has changed to an attacking style
Clean sheet football is not on the agenda it seems and more and more fans
are saying: "Last season I wanted Sam gone but I'm eating humble pie now"
whilst praising the owners for keeping their nerve. I don't get that. Last
season when those fans wanted Sam out it was with good reason as for at
that time, and for the previous couple of years, the football had been
dreadful. The only way out of it for many was for Sam to sling his hook or
have it slung. So there is no reason now for those fans that voted for him
to go , or booed his teams off, or held up that banner at West Brom, to feel
foolish or that they have to eat their words. Hindsight is a wonderful thing
so it is very easy to look back now and say they were wrong, but that is to
ignore everything else that was happening at the time.

Imagine if last season was the last on Sam's contract! Who really believes
that he would have got another contract when he walked into the end of
season meeting at Dave Sullivan's house. Last season he did achieved what
was asked of him, but the club was in open revolution at the way he
achieved it. The owners without having to pay him off would have thanked him
for his services and bid him farewell. Luckily, or not depends where you sit
on the subject, he did have another year left, and waving him goodbye would
have cost three million pounds to do so. Money that was put to good use, by
DS, in his transfer dealings that have helped bring in the players to propel
us to a position not seen for nearly a generation. So I say to those fans
that feel they are choking on their 'Sam Out' stance of last season to choke
no more, keep humble pie off the Christmas menu this season and just enjoy
the resurgence of West Ham and in a way Big Sam, as I never thought he had
it in him.

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Maiga mystery deepens
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on December 8, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have heard nothing of Modibo Maiga since he was reported as having
gone missing from the Metz squad which was beaten 3-1 by Marseilles at the
weekend. Reports in France claim the player could be on his way back to
London but West Ham sources told ClaretandHugh within the last few minutes:
"We know nothing about his wherabouts at all. He added: "We had noticed
that Metz only had the six subs and that Maiga wasn't on the bench but the
rest of it is news to us. "We've heard nothing from the player. He's on a
season loan and it can't be broken, though with our approval he could move
to a different club in January." Maiga's absence has not been explained by
coach Albert Cartier who remains tight lipped. But according to L'Equipe,
the relationship between the coach and on loan striker has broken down. It
is claimed the two men had words at training on Thursday when Maiga realized
he would not start at the Velodrome. He has scored four goals in 10 games
since the start of the season.

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