Daily WHUFC News - 1st March 2014

Everton match preview
WHUFC.com
All the important pre-match information ahead of Saturday's trip to Goodison
Park
28.02.2014

EVERTON v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: JONATHAN MOSS
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
• A fifth straight Barclays Premier League win is the prize on offer for
West Ham United when they travel to Goodison Park to play Everton on
Saturday.
• The Hammers last won five consecutive top-flight matches in the 2005/06
season, with the run ending with a 2-2 draw against the Toffees.
• Sam Allardyce's side are enjoying a five match unbeaten run which started
against Chelsea on 29 January, and has taken in wins against Swansea City,
Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton.
• Last time out on their travels, the Hammers saw off Aston Villa thanks to
two second half goals from captain Kevin Nolan.
• West Ham have gone three matches without an away league defeat, but have
not recorded a win at Goodison Park since 2005.
• The side's excellent recent form has propelled them to tenth place in the
table, with 31 points from 27 games.
• Everton have enjoyed a successful season under Roberto Martinez so far,
sitting seventh in the league standings with 45 points from 26 games.
• Despite their strong position in the table, Martinez's men have won just
once in their last five league matches.
• Last time out Chelsea scored a last minute winner to see off the Toffees
at Stamford Bridge.
• Their last match at Goodison Park provided their last victory, with a 2-1
win against Aston Villa giving them the points.

Team news
West Ham United
• Andy Carroll is available again after he served a three-match suspension
following his red card against Swansea City.
• Ricardo Vaz Te is in full training and could be in contention for a place
amongst the substitutes for Saturday's game.
• Joey O'Brien remains the Hammers' only long-term injury absentee as he
recovers from surgery on a dislocated shoulder.
Everton
• Lacina Traore is definitely unavailable for the clash after he pulled up
with a hamstring injury before the defeat against Chelsea.
• The Toffees could be boosted by striker Romelu Lukaku's return from an
ankle injury.

Last time out
Chelsea 1-0 Everton
Barclays Premier League
22 February 2014
Everton: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman, Barry, Osman (Barkley
63), McCarthy, Mirallas (Deulofeu 75), Naismith, Pienaar (McGeady 80)
Subs not used: Robles, Hibbert, Stones, Garbutt

West Ham United 3-1 Southampton
Barclays Premier League
22 February 2014
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Taylor,
Nolan (Reid 73), Jarvis (Diame 57), Downing, C Cole
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Collison, J Cole, Nocerino
Goals: Jarvis 20, C Cole 23, Nolan 71

Previous meeting
When West Ham and Everton met earlier in the season the two teams produced a
five-goal thriller at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers led twice through Ravel
Morrison and Mark Noble goals either side of Leighton Baines' free-kick. The
left-back buried another set-piece after Noble had received his marching
orders with seven minutes left before Romelu Lukaku headed the winner two
minutes later to complete a remarkable comeback.

West Ham United 2-3 Everton
Barclays Premier League
21 September 2013
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Rat, Diame, Noble,
Morrison, Nolan (Taylor 80), Jarvis (Vaz Te 72), Maiga (Petric 63)
Subs not used: Collison, Adrian, Tomkins, McCartney
Goals: Morrison 31, Noble 76 (pen)
Red cards: Noble 81
Everton: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman, Mirallas, Naismith
(McCarthy 46), Barry, Barkley, Osman (Oviedo 52), Jelavic (Lukaku 45)
Subs not used: Robles, Heitinga, Stones, Deulofeu
Goals: Baines 62, 83, Lukaku 85

Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
21 September 2013 - West Ham United 2-3 Everton
12 May 2013 - Everton 2-0 West Ham United
22 December 2012 - West Ham United 1-2 Everton
22 January 2011 - Everton 2-2 West Ham United
28 December 2010 - West Ham United 1-1 Everton
4 April 2010 - Everton 2-2 West Ham United

Overall record v Everton (all competitions) W 36 D 27 L 64
Ten-year records
West Ham United
2012/13 Premier League 10th (46 points)
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted via play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
Everton
2012/13 Premier League 6th (63 points)
2011/12 Premier League 7th (56 points)
2010/11 Premier League 7th (54 points)
2009/10 Premier League 8th (61 points)
2008/09 Premier League 5th (63 points)
2007/08 Premier League 5th (65 points)
2006/07 Premier League 6th (58 points)
2005/06 Premier League 11th (50 points)
2004/05 Premier League 4th (61 points)
2003/04 Premier League 17th (39 points)

Background
• West Ham United and Everton have met 107 times in league matches. Everton
have won 54 times, West Ham have won 32 and there have been 21 draws.
Overall, the two clubs have met 127 times, with Everton winning 64, West Ham
36 and there being 27 draws.
• The Toffees are unbeaten in twelve matches against the Hammers, including
the last ten Premier League meetings. Everton have won 19 of the 35 Premier
League meetings between the two, while West Ham United have won just six.
• The first-ever meeting between West Ham United and Everton was an FA Cup
second round tie played on 2 February 1907. Harry Stapley scored for the
Hammers, who were then a Southern League side, but the Division One Toffees
ran out 2-1 winners through goals from Jimmy Settle and Jack Sharp. Everton
would go on to reach the final, losing 2-1 to The Wednesday at Crystal
Palace.
• West Ham United have never scored more than four goals in a game against
Everton - achieving that feat on six occasions. The Hammers' biggest home
victory over the Toffees was a 4-0 Division One success on 11 February 1961,
when Harry Obeney scored twice and John Dick and Malcolm Musgrove once each.
• Vivian Gibbins scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 Division One win at Goodison
Park on 10 April 1929, while Jimmy Ruffell repeated the feat in a 4-2 home
Division One victory on 5 December 1931 - they remain the only two trebles
netted by West Ham United players against Everton.
• Everton's biggest home win over West Ham came on 22 October 1927, when
they romped to a 7-0 Division One victory at Goodison Park. Tommy White
(two), Ted Critchley, Dick Forshaw, Anthony Weldon, a Jack O'Donnell penalty
and a William Henderson own-goal were on the scoresheet.
• John Campbell scored on his debut in the first-ever league meeting between
the West Ham and Everton on 15 March 1924 - a game which ended in a 2-1 home
Division One victory for the Hammers. Born in South Shields, Campbell scored
eleven goals in 29 appearances for the Hammers before joining Clapton Orient
in 1929.
• Academy graduate Mick Beesley was just 18 when he scored on his debut
against Everton on 24 September 1960, but could not prevent West Ham falling
to a 4-1 Division One defeat at Goodison Park. He would make just one more
first-team appearance before joining Southend United in summer 1962.
• David Unsworth made his West Ham debut against Everton just days after
completing a £1million move to the Hammers from the Merseyside club. The
centre-back ended on the losing side as the Toffees won 2-1 in a Premier
League fixture at Goodison Park on 23 August 1997.
• Trevor Sinclair scored twice on his West Ham debut in a 2-2 Premier League
draw with Everton at the Boleyn Ground on 31 January 1998.
• Charlton Athletic loanee goalkeeper Sasa Ilic endured a debut to forget as
West Ham suffered a 4-0 home Premier League defeat by Everton on 26 February
2000. Ilic would never play for the Hammers again.
• George Eastman (18 April 1925), Jimmy Andrews (24 November 1951), Johnny
Cartwright (17 October 1959), Ron Tindall (25 November 1961), Hayden Foxe
(31 March 2001) and James Tomkins (22 March 2008) also made their West Ham
debuts against Everton.
Old boys
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Niclas
Alexandersson, Ray Atteveld, Slaven Bilic, Ian Bishop, Joe Blythe, David
Burrows, Tony Cottee, Charlie Crossley, George Eccles, William Kelly, George
Kitchen, Alex McCartney, Lucas Neill, John Russell, David Unsworth, Mark
Ward, William Wildman, Danny Williamson, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Richard
Wright.
Referee

• Saturdays referee will be Jonathan Moss.
• Moss was last in charge of the Hammers when they suffered a 6-0 defeat at
the Ethihad Stadium to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final
first leg. Moss has also overseen a 3-1 defeat against Norwich City and a
1-0 loss to Stoke City earlier this season.
• In all, Moss showed 86 yellow cards; sent-off one player and awarded nine
penalties in the 31 matches he took charge of last season.
• Headteacher Moss was promoted to the Select Group of Referees in June
2011.
• He took charge of the 2005 Conference Play-Off final between Carlisle
United and Stevenage and was then promoted to the National Group of
Referees.
General information
• There are a limited number of tickets still remaining for Saturday's
fixture - buy your ticket here.
• The weather forecast for Saturday's match is light rain with temperatures
around 6C (43F).
• If you're travelling up to Liverpool via train, click here for travel
updates.

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Ginge ready for Toffees test
WHUFC.com
James Collins is hoping to help the Hammers keep another clean sheet when
they play Everton
28.02.2014

Clean sheet No14 is the aim for James Collins on Saturday as the Hammers
travel to Merseyside to play Everton in the Barclays Premier League. West
Ham United's defensive solidity has seen Sam Allardyce's side top the clean
sheet league with 13, including four in the last five games, coinciding with
an upturn in the Club's fortunes. Collins has partnered Winston Reid, James
Tomkins, George McCartney, Joey O'Brien and Roger Johnson at the back this
season, and the big centre back believes the team can be proud of their
record. "We've defended reasonably well all season. We've got 13 clean
sheets although there has been the odd game where we conceded three or four.
"That is going to happen in the Premier League. Every team you play against
has one great centre forward so we are happy with our great defensive
record."

All but one of the aforementioned defenders has spent time on the sidelines
either injured or suspended at some stage this season, and Collins feels
getting a full squad of players fit and a great result at Stamford Bridge,
have helped turn things around. "The fans were feeling the same way as we
were, it was a hard time and I know the amount of injuries isn't an excuse
but it did have a big impact on us. "When we got everyone back and there was
a competition for places and that's what made us pick up. "Chelsea away,
getting that draw was a massive result. We got a little bit of stick from
Jose Mourinho about how we played but we went there with a plan and we got
the draw and we haven't really looked back since. I think that was the
turning point."

While the No19 and his teammates have been doing all they can to stop the
shots raining down on their goal, they know that they can also rely on the
man between the sticks, whoever it is. Jussi Jaaskelainen started the season
in possession of the starting berth, but has since lost his place to Adrian
who has continued the Hammers' fine clean sheet record with four shutouts in
his last five appearances. The Spaniard arrived at the Club from Real Betis
in the summer on the recommendation of Collins' countryman Martyn Margetson,
and the defender feels he has been a great acquisition. "He's been
magnificent since he's come in. My Welsh mate has gone up in the summer to
see him and we got him in on a free transfer. He did have to wait for his
time to come. "Jussi obviously started the season and did well but when
Adrian came in he has been unbelievable. He's only a young kid, but he plays
with an old head on his shoulders so he's a great person to have behind us.
"How I look at him is that he's a great shot stopper. He comes for crosses,
which is good for us and stops us heading them out. He's great, he's an
all-round goalkeeper. He's only going to get better as he's only very
young."

At the age of 27, Adrian is at a good age for a goalkeeper and according to
Collins he will only get better as he becomes more experienced in the
Premier League. "He's come in and he's done unbelievably. He's got time on
his side and the more games he plays the better he's going to get. "He works
hard and Jussi pushes him in training as obviously Jussi want to get his
spot back as well. If he carries on like this he can be one of the greats."

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Stew relishing Merseyside return
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's in-form winger Stewart Downing is looking forward to
returning to Merseyside
27.02.2014

West Ham United's in-form winger Stewart Downing is looking forward to
returning to Merseyside on Saturday. The former Liverpool wideman spent two
years with the Reds between summer 2011 and 2013, playing four times against
Everton, including an FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley in April 2012.
Downing returned to Anfield in December, only to suffer a nasty heel injury
as West Ham lost 4-1. Now, however, the Hammers and their England
international return to Merseyside in confident mood after winning their
previous four games. "It's very enjoyable at the Club at the moment," said
Dowing. "Everyone is back now from injury and suspension and that's what
we've been waiting for. We've had a bit of luck along the way but I think we
were due some. "I'm happy personally because things are going quite well.
The manager is obviously happy because the team is winning. We've been a bit
lucky at times, but the last couple of weeks it's all come together. "We're
not out of the woods yet because we've still got games to win, starting at
Everton at the weekend."

Everton have lost three of their last four Barclays Premier League matches -
all away from home - but Downing is not expecting an easy ride against the
Blues.
"Everton is always a difficult place to go, even when they're not playing
that well. The crowd are really on top of you, Roberto Martinez is doing a
good job there and his team is playing really well using different way of
playing to how Everton have played. "We should have got something from the
game down here. They were two great free-kicks to be fair to Leighton
Baines, but I think we can go there and get a result."

Downing will likely come into direct conflict with England left-back Baines,
who is commonly considered to be the best left-back in the country at
present, and in-form Republic of Ireland right-back Seamus Coleman. "I
always relish playing against the best players and I think Bainesy has
probably gone up a level the last couple of years, even though he was always
a good player. In terms of creating and scoring goals, I think he has been
one of the top players, so it'll be a good test. "Let's see if we can make
him defend a bit more than he would like and hopefully we can put them on
the back foot. "I think Coleman has probably been one of their standout
players. He has really come to the fore and he has played some good football
under Roberto. His style suits the way they play.
"Then again, they like to go forward and attack, so we have to get them
defending and get them into areas they don't want to go in. It's a good test
for the widemen who start on the day."

While Everton will undoubtedly pose a threat on home turf, West Ham have
carried one of their own in recent weeks, scoring nine goals and conceding
just one in their last four league matches. The question posed to Downing
was 'Why have the Hammers enjoyed such a resurgence?'. "I think the team has
been disjointed at lot of the time with people being out injured and having
to play out of position, including key players, which has obviously made it
difficult for the manager. "The big thing is that we carried on doing what
we're good at. A lot of clubs, you've seen panic and change their managers
one or two times, but the big thing is that the Club has stuck to its guns
and the Chairmen have backed the manager and the manager has backed the
players. The players have always played for the manager and we've stuck
together."

Downing has certainly benefitted from the form of Carlton Cole, with the
pair playing their part in two goals in last weekend's home win over
Southampton. On Saturday, Cole will be joined in the squad by Andy Carroll,
who is available again after a three-man suspension. The winger says manager
Sam Allardyce has a welcome selection headache at Goodison Park. "It's a
difficult situation for the manager, but one he will probably like because
he's not had one for six or seven months! "It's obviously a big decision
because Carlton has come in and done really well and earned himself a
contract with his goals, while Andy is back to get some goals. "Whoever
starts is a good option and it makes it easy for us wingers because they are
big target men and we can play off them. It's a difficult decision for the
manager, but a good one to have."

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Hammers set for international duty
WHUFC.com
A host of Hammers will represent their respective nations during the
international week
28.02.2014

A host of West Ham United players will represent their respective nations
during the international week. At senior level James Collins, Jack Collison,
Pablo Armero and Mohamed Diame will all be heading off to pull on their
country's colours, while Ravel Morrison, Raphael Spiegel, Leo Chambers,
Jamie Harney, Reece Burke and Kyle Knoyle could all be in age-group action.

Meanwhile, Academy goalkeeper Sam Howes is already away with England's U17
squad at the Algarve Tournament in Portugal.

Four seniors could all be in friendly action on Wednesday 5 March. Collins
and Collison are in the Wales squad to face Iceland in Cardiff, Armero's
Colombia take on Tunisia in Barcelona and Diame's Senegal take on Mali in
Paris. Collins and Collison will hope to boost Chris Coleman's Wales after
they missed out on qualification for this summer's FIFA World Cup finals,
while opponents Iceland were edged out in a Play-Off by Croatia.

Armero will hope to cement his spot in José Pékerman's squad for Brazil
2014, having featured in all but one of Colombia's South American qualifiers
for the tournament. Diame, meanwhile, will hope to erase the disappointment
of an African Play-Off defeat by Ivory Coast when Senegal take on their West
African neighbours in Saint-Leu La Forêt.

Morrison and Spiegel could both be in competitive action in UEFA European
U21 Championship qualfiers. Unbeaten England top Group 1 ahead of the visit
of third-place Wales to Derby County's Pride Park on 5 March, while
Spiegel's Switzerland are second in Group 5 ahead of their home fixture with
winless Liechtenstein in Thun on the same evening.

Chambers' England U19s will also be in action on 5 March, when they host
Turkey in a friendly at the Swansway Stadium in Chester. Fellow defender
Harney is in the Northern Ireland U19 squad for a friendly double-header
with Switzerland in Belfast and Dungannon on 4 and 6 March respectively.

Finally, Academy defenders Burke and Knoyle are in England's U18 squad for a
friendly double-header with Croatia at St George's Park on 3 and 5 March.
West Ham's loanees are also set for a busy period.

In the Scottish Premiership, George Moncur's Partick Thistle and Paul
McCallum's Heart of Midlothian are on the road at Ross County and Motherwell
respectively on Saturday. Closer to home, Morrison could make his home debut
for Queens Park Rangers in their Championship clash with Leeds United at
Loftus Road on Saturday lunchtime - a game that could also feature Modibo
Maiga. Jordan Spence's MK Dons will hope to ignite their challenge for a
League One Play-Off place when they host in-form Sheffield United.

Sean Maguire's Sligo Rovers - the FAI Cup holders - continue their
preparations for the 2014 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign by
taking on champions St Patrick's Athletic in the President's Cup Final at
Richmond Park in Dublin on Sunday. The winners will be presented with the
trophy by Irish President Michael D Higgins. Back in England, Rob
Girdlestone and Taylor Miles should be in the Concord Rangers squad for
their Skril South trip to Whitehawk on Saturday.

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On this day - 1 March
WHUFC.com
Les Ferdinand helped the Hammers to a win over former club Spurs on this day
eleven years ago
01.03.2014

Anniversary
Name: Bobby Ferguson
Date of birth: 1 March 1945
Clubs: Kilmarnock, West Ham United, Sheffield Wednesday (loan), Adelaide
City
Scotland international goalkeeper Bobby Ferguson made the move down to
England when he signed for West Ham United from Kilmarnock in 1967.
Aged 22, he had already made 73 league appearances for the Scottish club and
cost the Hammers a £65,000 fee, which was at the time a world record for a
goalkeeper. He remained at the Boleyn Ground for 13 years, and despite
having to compete for the No1 jersey with Peter Grotier and Mervyn Day, he
still managed to play 276 games for the Club. Bobby had a spell on loan with
Sheffield Wednesday in 1974 and was granted a testimonial match with the
Hammers against Southampton in 1981. He emigrated to Australia in 1981 and
coached with Adelaide City before leaving football to run a diving firm.

Classic match
West Ham United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
1 March 2003
Les Ferdinand (pictured) came back to haunt his old employers as he helped
West Ham United secure a 2-0 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Ferdinand opened the scoring for the east Londoners with 31 minutes on the
clock, firing a shot through goalkeeper Kasey Keller's grasp. Teddy
Sheringham, who would go on to play for the Hammers, tried to respond but it
was the Hammers who pressed home their claims for victory with a second just
moments after the break. Les Ferdinand was involved again, putting Keller
under pressure from a Michael Carrick cross. The American stopper couldn't
gather and Carrick stormed into the box to drill home. It was a deserved
success for the Hammers, but one that was to ultimately prove fruitless as
they suffered relegation from the Premier League on a heartbreaking final
day of the season.

Complete record - 1 March
2009 West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City (Premier League)
2008 Chelsea 4-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2003 West Ham United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
1997 Leeds United 1-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
1989 Luton Town 2-0 West Ham United (League Cup semi-final second leg)
1980 Luton Town 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1969 West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United (Division One)
1958 Doncaster Rovers 1-2 West Ham United (Division Two)
1952 Cardiff City 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1947 West Ham United 3-0 Swanses Town (Division Two)
1924 Notts County 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
Played 11, Won 5, Drawn 3, Lost 3, Scored 14, Conceded 12

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Mad Dog not surprised by revival
WHUFC.com
Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen felt sure Big Sam and the Hammers would always turn
their form around
28.02.2014

Former West Ham United midfielder Martin Allen believes his old Club's
recent run of form proves Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold right
in their backing for manager Sam Allardyce. The Hammers have won four games
in a row to jump up to tenth in the Barclays Premier League table, less than
a month since they sat in the bottom three. Allen, who played more than 200
games for West Ham in the late 1980s and early 1990s, says it is important
for Big Sam's men to try and maintain their positive momentum over the final
eleven games of the season. He said: "I've been very impressed, but it's
only expected in my opinion. Far too many people got on the bandwagon and
got carried away and the results weren't good, but if good players aren't
playing, whoever the manager is you're not going to win. "The team looks
strong now and I think sometimes you can draw strength from the adversity
around the football club if you have the right people involved, and I think
it's commendable the way the owners stuck by the manager. "They were very
supportive, and those supportive messages ripple through the whole Club,
from the manager to the players. The owners had faith in him. "I think the
clean sheet record, 13 clean sheets, has gone under the radar a little bit.
That's testament to the coaches, Sam, Neil McDonald, the analysts and
everyone who works behind the scenes - that doesn't just happen through
luck. "When you lose games you lose self-belief, you lose confidence and you
start to question yourself. That can creep in, but at a reserve game I sat
with Neil McDonald and he said the players were training well - he had that
belief and quite clearly when they've got their players back on the pitch,
there are good players here."

And the one-time combative midfielder christened 'Mad Dog' by the Boleyn
Ground faithful believes a strong finish will strengthen the Hammers' hand
in the transfer market this summer. "They'll want to keep building the
momentum that they've had recently, and that means picking up points,
whether that be draws, wins, good performances, and keeping the positive
vibes in the dressing room and in the stands. "You can build from this and
roll it into next year, and it helps with the recruitment of players, the
higher up the league you finish the better."

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Everton v West Ham
KO 15:00
28 February 2014
Last updated at 11:25
By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Goodison Park Date: Saturday, 1 March

TEAM NEWS

Everton captain Phil Jagielka has been ruled out for a fortnight with a
hamstring injury so John Stones is likely to deputise in defence. Romelu
Lukaku returns after an ankle injury, but fellow striker Lacina Traore
(hamstring) is out.
West Ham forward Andy Carroll is available after suspension. Italian loanee
Mario Borriello is struggling with a calf problem, but the Hammers are
hopeful Guy Demel will be fit after a bout of tonsillitis.

MATCH PREVIEW
What a difference a month makes. At the beginning of February, West Ham were
in the bottom three and many were calling for a managerial change. Four
consecutive wins later and they begin March in the top half, seven points
clear of the relegation zone. "Everton were unlucky to lose to Chelsea last
time out and the injury to Lacina Traore is another problem for boss Roberto
Martinez to deal with. "A point will not do the Toffees many favours in the
race for fourth, but a draw would be very acceptable to West Ham because it
will keep their good run going." In contrast, Everton have lost three of
four games since the end of January and have seen fourth place move further
and further away from them. This is an important game for Roberto Martinez's
team. They need a return to winning ways to reignite their European
challenge. They were unlucky to lose to both Tottenham and Chelsea and will
relish being back at Goodison Park, where they have been beaten only once in
their last 21 league matches. Romelu Lukaku's imminent return is timely too
in their search for goals and West Ham will remember that the first of his
nine Everton goals to date came in the corresponding fixture at Upton Park.
The Hammers have their main attacking threat available again as well but
it's testament to the squad that they've managed to win all three of the
games in which Andy Carroll has been suspended. Their recent run has shown
how tight the league is and how a consistent run can change a mood
dramatically. It's also perhaps a lesson in owners holding their nerve.
Earlier in the season, West Ham were more often than not solid defensively
but struggled to score goals. Confidence and self-belief has never been
higher though, epitomised by Kevin Nolan's recent goal return. It presents a
tricky challenge for Everton, who will be desperate for their proud home
record to continue as they still have to face Arsenal, Manchester United and
Manchester City at Goodison this season.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Everton are on an 11-match unbeaten run against West Ham, including
victories in the last three (W7, D4).
West Ham's last win against the Toffees came in April 2007; Bobby Zamora
scored the game's only goal at Upton Park. Zamora also scored the Hammers'
winner in their last victory at Goodison Park, a 2-1 success in December
2005.
There have been four red cards in the last four Premier League games between
the clubs - three for West Ham.

Everton
Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League games. They had
lost only two of their previous 22 matches.
They failed to score in any of those three defeats.
The Toffees have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league games,
conceding a single goal in 10 of those matches.
Everton have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games at Goodison
Park (W15, D5).
Roberto Martinez's side have conceded the joint-most penalties in the league
this season (six) along with Crystal Palace.
Kevin Mirallas has scored three of Everton's last four goals.

West Ham
West Ham have won four consecutive Premier League games for the first time
since May 2007. They last won five in a row between January and February
2006.
Kevin Nolan has scored five goals in his last four league appearances. He
scored one in his previous 18 league outings.
The Hammers have kept more clean sheets (13) in the league than any other
club, including four in their last five matches.
Sam Allardyce's men have conceded the highest proportion of Premier League
goals from set pieces this season (41%).
West Ham started last weekend's 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend with
nine British players, including seven Englishmen.

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Collison set for emergency loan
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 28th February 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's Welsh international Jack Collison could be set for a return to
the Championship on loan.

The midfielder has barely featured in Sam Allardyce's first team squad this
season, having made just four brief appearances in 2014 and is set to return
to the second tier on an emergency loan.

Both Nottingham Forest - who confirmed yesterday that they would be without
veteran Andy Reid until April with a hernia problem - and Leeds United have
been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, who spent a month on loan at
Bournemouth last October.

Despite the transfer window having closed at the end of January, clubs
outside the Premier League may still sign players on an 'emergency' basis
until March 24. Collison's current three-year contract, signed in 2011,
expires at the end of the current season.

West Ham retain the option to extend the player's contract by a further two
years, although the club are not expected to trigger that particular clause
meaning Collison could leave on a free transfer this summer.

Since making his debut at Arsenal on New Years Day 2008, the Watford-born
midfielder has made more than 100 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 14
goal in the process.

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Everton welcome in-form West Ham to Goodison Park
Last Updated: 28/02/14 3:46pm
SSN

Everton will be looking to halt West Ham United's recent resurgence on
Saturday and keep themselves in the European hunt. The Toffees sit seventh
heading into the weekend, but have a game in hand on the three sides
directly above them. With only five points separating them from fifth-placed
Tottenham Hotspur, qualification for next season's Europa League remains a
realistic target. They will, however, have to rediscover their early-season
consistency if they are to challenge for such a prize, with back-to-back
defeats - and three in their last four - hindering their progress somewhat.
West Ham are experiencing no such troubles at present, with more points
collected from their last four outings than any other team in the division.
Sam Allardyce's side have achieved perfection during that run, with a sudden
string of successes helping to lift them away from relegation danger. They
are now perched in the top-half of the table and will harbour ambitions of
at least matching last season's 10th-place finish. Everton triumphed 3-2 in
the meeting between the two teams at Upton Park in mid-September. Leighton
Baines equalised on two occasions before Romelu Lukaku grabbed a late
winner, following Hammers goalscorer Mark Noble's red card.

Paul Merson's prediction

If Everton want to get above Manchester United and into the top six, they
have to take advantage in their next four games - against West Ham on
Saturday and then against Cardiff, Swansea and Fulham. However, West Ham
won't be easy. They have won four on the trot and are the form team at the
moment out of everybody, but I think Everton will nick this by a couple of
goals. Sam Allardyce's team are safe as houses now, though, and I always
thought they would be. Fair play to David Gold and David Sullivan for
keeping faith with Sam while other clubs are getting in foreign managers who
have never been in a relegation scrap.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Everton
Last 6
Chelsea (a)1-0
Swansea (h)3-1
Tottenham (a)1-0
A Villa (h)2-1
Liverpool (a)4-0
Stevenage (a)0-4
Everton's on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku is set to return from an ankle
injury after spending a month on the sidelines. Toffees captain Phil
Jagielka has been ruled out for a fortnight with a hamstring injury so John
Stones is likely to deputise in defence. Fellow centre-back Antolin Alcaraz
is fit again and comes back into the squad after spending four weeks out but
on-loan striker Lacina Traore (hamstring) is unavailable.

West Ham
Last 6
3-1
Norwich (h)2-0
A Villa (a)0-2
Swansea (h)2-0
Chelsea (a)0-0
Man City (h)0-3
West Ham striker Andy Carroll returns to action after serving a three-match
suspension. Hammers boss Allardyce must decide whether to restore Carroll to
the starting XI or continue with Carlton Cole up front. Forward Marco
Borriello is a doubt because of a calf problem but defender Guy Demel is
expected to recover from tonsillitis.

Opta stats

Everton have won seven and lost none of their last 11 Premier League
meetings with West Ham.
West Ham United have kept more clean sheets than any other team in the
Premier League (13), including four shut outs in their last five matches in
the competition.
Everton have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games at Goodison
Park (W15 D5 L1).

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Stewart Downing isssues relegation warning to West Ham
Last Updated: 28/02/14 2:38pm
SSN

Stewart Downing has warned West Ham that they are not out of the woods when
it comes to avoiding relegation from the Premier League. A surge in form has
seen Sam Allardyce's team produce a four-match winning run that has lifted
them out of the bottom three and into 10th place, seven points clear of
danger. West Ham face an Everton side on Saturday who have lost three of
their last four matches, but the winger is refusing to underestimate them.
"We're not out of the woods yet because we've still got games to win,
starting at Everton," Downing told the club's website. "Everton is always a
difficult place to go, even when they're not playing that well. "The crowd
are really on top of you, (manager) Roberto Martinez is doing a good job and
his team is playing really well using a different way of playing to the
past. "We've been a bit lucky at times recently, but in the last couple of
weeks it's all come together. We've been due some luck.
"Everyone is back now from injury and suspension and that's what we've been
waiting for."

Andy Carroll is available after his three-match suspension but Downing feels
it will be a tough decision for Allardyce to pick him ahead of in-form
striker Carlton Cole. "It's a difficult situation for the manager, but one
he will probably like because he's not had a decision like this to make for
six or seven months!" he said.
"It's obviously a big decision because Carlton has come in and done really
well and earned himself a contract with his goals, while Andy is back to get
some goals. "Whoever starts is a good option and it makes it easy for us
wingers because they are big target men who we can play off. "It's a
difficult decision for the manager, but a good one to have."

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DAVID GOLD CALLS FOR A COLLECTIVE FREEZE THEN REDUCTION IN TICKET PRICING
By Sean Whetstone 28 Feb 2014 at 19:06
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham Chairman David Gold was asked during a recent interview "In the
modern age of football what one thing would you change to benefit the fans?"

David Gold answered

"The thing I would love to deliver would be a reduction in season ticket
pricing or ticket pricing in general. I would love to see ticket pricing
come down. I think there is a great danger that we will end up with a
culture of fans that can afford football and young people who won't and
can't as we speak. There is no way a working class man can bring his four
children to watch a match yet when I was a boy I remember my friend's dad
would take 4 children to watch West Ham, no problem and he was a bus driver,
that's not possible today. We have to change that, it is not easy and I have
heard fans say to me many, many times why don't you lead the way. If any
club leads the way in reducing prices they immediately make themselves
vulnerable to their competitors because their competitors will have 5,6,7,8
million pounds more depending how much you reduce the ticket prices. If you
reduce them by a million pounds then you are a million pounds worst off than
your competitor. So the only way it can be done and I lobby for this, is
that is all football clubs come together to reduce pricing and they
collectively agree to freeze prices to start with then with a view to
reducing them"

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WILL CARLTON COLE START AGAINST EVERTON?
By S J Chandos 28 Feb 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

Sam Allardyce, in his recent press conference, was decidely non-committal on
the issue of the return of Andy Carroll to the first team this weekend. And
understandably so, the first team, minus a suspended Carroll, have recorded
four straight wins, results that have transformed our PL position. It is an
old football adage that 'you do not change a winning team' and it is only
right that Carlton Cole starts this weekend, in recognition of his
contribution to those key victories. There is little doubt that Carroll will
reclaim his first team place sooner rather than later, but he should rightly
start on the bench at Everton and take his chance when it is offered,
probably at some point in the 2nd half.

A lot of has been written about the reasons for West Ham's February
resurgence. However, one key factor was highlight by Sam Allardyce recently,
when he pointed to the role of increased competition in the squad. The
return of our injured players coincided with the transfer window and the
introduction of vital new blood to the squad. This gave the whole squad a
boost and improved performances across the board, to such an extent that
Borriello and Necerino have had only limited appearances; Armero has so far
just made the bench; and Winston Reid is currently only appearing as a
substitute. This development is to welcomed, because we need more active
competition for places in the squad, a situation where players must perform
consistently or there are other creditable options available for selection.

This is the way forward for the club and, as I recently argued at length, we
must ensure that this summer's transfer strategy secures greater quality
indepth in the squad to continue to fire this vital competition next season.
Our serious lapse in results over the period of November 2013-January 2014
was a direct result of a lack of sufficient quality cover in key positions.
Yes, it was an exceptional occurrance to simultaneously lose all three first
team centre halves to injury, but overall the argument still stands. The
board must not repeat its transfer vacilliation of last summer. The
situation with Andy Carroll, and the failure to recruit another top class
striker, was a mistake that could very well have proven a major contributory
factor to our relegation this season. Hopefully, we have dodged that
particular bullet, although I am not 'counting my chickens' just yet, but
learn the lesson and do not repeat a potentially fatal blunder. If anyone
thinks that this is not a danger, cast your mind back to the turbulent
2009-10 season, when Zola's West Ham survived by the skin of their teeth,
but although the manager was replaced in the summer (by Avram Grant), the
fact remains there was a failure to sufficiently strengthen the squad, when
it was clearly crucial to do so. And on that occasion, they markedly failed
to retrieve the situation in the January window. The end result was the
abject relegation of 2010-11 and a season of Championship football. So, lets
learn the lessons, avoid the pitfalls and move forward purposefully as a
club this summer.

Talking of our summer transfer strategy, there have been some promising
early rumours about us being interested in Jack Rodwell of Man City. I am
not sure if there is any real substance to it, but he is exactly the quality
of player that we need to recruit. We need less short-termism and more
ambition to attract greater quality to the club. Rodwell is interesting,
because he undoubtedly has great potential but has largely failed to realise
it at Man City. He has had some injury problems, but he is a player who
would probably benefit from a fresh start at a new club committed to
developing his ability. Maybe if the Ravel Morrison situation is
irretrievable (which I sincerely hope it is not) then the club could do an
exchange deal with City? It would certainly be nice if we were targetting
promising players like Jack Rodwell, but most fans will be highly skeptical
of it happening. Still, who knows, we live in hope and expectation, which is
usually fustrated if you are a Hammers fan!!

Finally, this weekend will be a real test of our recent PL resurgence. We
have a pretty poor PL record against Everton, but perhaps the momentum will
be with us this time. They currently have injury problems and have suffered
some significant recent defeats. Many fans will certainly feel that we owe
Everton a defeat after the Traore episode in the January transfer window.
Talking of Traore, it appears that his injury problems are more serious then
originally thought and it is 'touch and go' whether he will need surgery. If
he does, indeed, require surgery then that will effectively be the end of
his loan deal at Everton. Perhaps, on second thoughts, Everton and Martinez
unintentionally did us a massive favour in nicking Traore away from under
our noses. The last thing we needed was another striker with a long-term
injury!

We still owe them a defeat though! Although. all things being equal, I would
settle for a very useful draw.

SJ. Chandos.

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LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERTON...
By Iain Dale 28 Feb 2014 at 20:43
West Ham Till I Die

Here's a Q&A I have just done for the Everton site Royal Blue Mersey.

First of all, what have you made to West Ham's season so far?

Well it certainly looks better now than it did a month ago! It's been a bit
of a rollercoaster which wasn't helped by the fact that we didn't actually
have any fit strikers for most of the first half of the season and we just
couldn't hit a barn door from five yards. Our defence has been our saviour.
We have more clean sheets than any team in the league. Not something a West
Ham fan would ever have expected to be able to say!

your seasons expectations changed? What were they and what are they now?

We finished tenth last season and were looking to progress from that.
Spending £15 million on Andy Carroll seemed to be evidence of the club's
ambition but unfortunately all our money was spent on him and Stewart
Downing, when we really needed to buy another quality striker too. We paid
the price. Having looked dead certs for relegation at Christmas, here we are
in 10th place, seven points clear of the drop zone and with Southampton in
our sights. They say a week is a long time in politics, but a month is a
very short time in football.

From the outside looking in, it seems opinion is divided on Sam Allardyce –
is he the right man for the Hammers or is it time for a change?

At the beginning of January I felt the owners had to either commit to him or
fire him. The truth is, they showed balls of steel in sticking with him. All
the teams around us changed their managers, with the exception of Norwich,
and I can't say I would want to change places with any of them. Yes, our
style of football is not like we're used to at West Ham, but it's effective.
We actually do play with wingers, which is good to see. We are a much more
physical team now and we can mix it with the best of them. Allardyce has
done a good jog generally. I did not want him to get the job, but I wouldn't
be among those calling for a change at the end of the season. He's got a
close dressing room and a good team spirit. They fight for each other and
that is good to see.

A lot of West Ham's hopes seemed to have been pinned on Andy Carroll. He
commanded a considerable sum from our loveable neighbours. Money well spent?

The jury is still out on that one, but I'd like to think that if he stays
fit between now and the end of the season I'd be able to give a definitive
yes to that. He is an immense player and defenders genuinely have no idea
how to play him. He wins virtually everything in the air and although he is
not what you'd call prolific he has great ball control and brings others
into the game and makes goals for his teammates. He is a very unselfish
player and his telepathic understanding with Kevin Nolan is something to
behold. I really believe he will come good and he should be travelling to
Brazil in the summer.

Is it true Kevin Nolan likes his Christmas' off so gets booked or sent off
on purpose?

So it is said. He came very close to losing the captaincy over his
ridiculous second sending off, but since then he has applied himself and
scored five goals in the last month. Well, you can't ask for much more than
that, can you?

I do enjoy a trip to the Boleyn. It's one of my favourite away days. Are you
for or against the Olympic Park move? Why?

My hearts says stay and my head says go. Of course we all have a sentimental
attachment to the Boleyn Ground but in the end who wouldn't want to play in
that fabulous stadium? If we are to progress as a club and challenge for
Europe we have to have a bigger stadium. I truly believe we can fill it more
often than not and it will mean ticket prices can hopefully come down.
Anyone who has been to the Olympic Stadium knows what a special place it is,
and although it will look very different to the 2012 layout I truly believe
it will be one of the most impressive stadiums in the Premier League. The
challenge will be to get the kind of atmosphere we can generate at a night
game at the Boleyn.

What about Everton's season to date – what have you made of us and the job
Roberto Martinez has done?

I think Martinez is a great manager and you are very lucky to have him. I
love his style of football and he seems to get the best out of some average
players. I think Everton have overachieved given your squad and that is in
part down to the manager. If we get even a point I will be happy as Everton
are a bit of a bogey team for us of late. A win would mean 5 three pointers
in a row, which is almost unheard of for us. Until this month we'd never won
back to back matches under Allardyce.

Who are the players we need to look out for, and who are the players you
will be trying to keep quiet come Saturday?

The only way you'll win is if you do what thirteen other teams have failed
to do this season and get past James Collins and James Tomkins. They have
been immense since Christmas and are keeping our player of the season up to
Christmas, Winston Reid, out of the team. And even to get to them you have
to break down Noble and Nolan. And if you get past the four of them, you
then face Adrian, our new goalkeeper who ousted Jussi Jaaskelainen from the
team just after Christmas. Until Southampton scored, he had kept four clean
sheets in a row.

What formation and patterns of play can we expect from Big Sam?

Sam will tell you he plays 4-3-3, but it's more like 4-3-2-1 or 4-5-1.
Adrian will be in goal with Demel and McCartney at full back, Collins and
Tomkins in central defence. Then it's Noble, Nolan and a resugent Matt
Taylor (or Diame – keep your thieving hands off him, by the way) with Matt
Jarvis and Stewart Downing on the wings. Up front Andy Carroll may return
from his ridiculous three match ban, or the resurgent and in form Carlton
Cole will deservedly retain his place.

Finally, give us a prediction for the game.

If I am honest, I can't see us getting more than a point, but you never
know. I'll go for 0-0!

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West Ham's Andy Carroll MUST be in England World Cup squad says Hammers'
James Collins
Feb 28, 2014 22:30 By Declan Taylor
The mirror

West Ham defender James Collins has backed Andy Carroll to change Roy
Hodgson's mind after the big striker's Denmark snub. There was no place for
Carroll in the England squad for next Wednesday's friendly at Wembley after
his lengthy lay-off through injury and, more recently, suspension. But
Collins reckons the Hammers' £15million record signing will come good in
time to persuade Hodgson to hand Carroll a place in his Brazil squad. The
Welshman, who has to try to shackle the big Geordie every day in training
said: "Sessions against him are tough. I played against him when he was 18
at Newcastle and he gave me a hell of a time. "He's got such a presence
about him. Even in the tunnel before the game, you look at him and know
you're in for a tough game - he has that effect on people. "I think he has
to be in that World Cup squad. He is a different option to what they have
got - he's a handful and if he's playing like he did at the end of last
season he would be a massive hit for England."

Carroll was shown a straight red card for elbowing Swansea's Chico Flores in
the Hammers' 2-0 win at Upton Park on February 1. But, after serving his
three-match ban, he is in contention to face Everton at Goodison Park on
Saturday – and kick off his bid for a spot on Hodgson's squad. Collins
added: "It's been tough for Andy. He's still young and it was his first real
injury – then the suspension. But he has been unbelievable and in that gym
every day working hard and had some long old days on his own in the gym."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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