Senior pair laud NZ tour
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan said West Ham United's trip to New Zealand was an
unforgettable one
26.07.2014
Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan have thanked the people of New Zealand for making
West Ham United's Football United Tour such a success. While the Hammers may
not have tasted victory on the pitch, the Club has taken a huge amount from
the amazing impact the tour has made off it. Thousands upon thousands of
supporters from across New Zealand, Australia and beyond descended on
Auckland and Wellington to meet and greet the Joint-Chairman, players and
staff with warm smiles and open arms. Noble and Nolan, along with everyone
involved in the eleven-day trip, will never forget the time they spent on
the other side of the world. "Everyone in New Zealand has been absolutely
fantastic with the way they have welcomed us and the way they have
accommodated us," said Nolan. "They were just so pleased to see us and it
has been so nice to have that feeling of being wanted. They've thanked us
for being here and we thank them all for their hospitality."
Noble, in fact, would love to have stayed longer to enjoy the many natural
delights that the Land of the Long White Cloud has to offer. "I've really
enjoyed it and it's a shame we didn't have more time to see a lot more of
New Zealand," said Noble. "We have had a lot of media commitments and events
to go to, such as a lunch with the British High Commissioner, so we haven't
had that much time to go out and see everything. "We went to see the Weta
Workshop and Park Road Post Production, where they make all the films, and
that was really good. "The people have greeted us and treated us
unbelievably, like stars, and we've been looked after well. We've met an
amazing amount of fans who have moved here years and years ago from the East
End and it's great to see that they have stuck with the Club. "It's been
really nice to visit what is a beautiful country, and it's just a shame
we've not had a chance to see and enjoy more of it. It's a lovely place and
I've enjoyed my time here."
West Ham's visit to New Zealand is the furthest the Club has ever travelled
for a pre-season tour - and is likely to remain so - and forms part of a
strategy to enlarge the worldwide fan base. The Hammers already possess fans
all over the planet and, with a move to the Olympic Stadium to prepare for
in 2016, the continued growth of the supporter base is vital to the future
success of the Club, on and off the pitch. "I think it's massive for the
Club and they've got it absolutely spot-on with what we've done," said
Nolan. "A massive pat on the back must go to all the staff who have worked
hard to make sure that this tour ran as smoothly as possible, with us going
here, there and everywhere. "It's been brilliant for the Club and the
positive feedback we've had from the fans suggests we have increased our fan
base over here. "It's amazing how many people have emigrated who are West
Ham fans and have brought that here. They've not gone looking for the Club -
they were born and bred into it and they've taken it on to their families.
"It's been a long trip, but a good trip."
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Work in progress for Big Sam
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants to ensure his team get things right at both end of the
pitch
26.07.2014
Sam Allardyce has said his evolution of the West Ham United squad is a work
in progress as the first-team squad and staff prepare to fly home from an
action-packed tour of New Zealand. The Hammers signed off the Football
United tour with a 3-1 defeat to Sydney FC in Wellington on Saturday
afternoon and Big Sam admitted the change to a more ambitious attacking
style of play will take some time to perfect. The West Ham United manager
still has three more friendly games - two in Germany next weekend followed
by a friendly against Sampdoria the following Saturday - before Tottenham
Hotspur visit the Boleyn Ground on 16 August at the start of the Barclays
Premier League season. "We're just working on our new style as we've got to
get a bit more open and expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the
game now," Allardyce said. "We're working on that side of it but have lost
the defensive resilience that saw us get 14 clean sheets last season. "The
football was not good enough to get results but we're experimenting on
playing more open and attacking play. "We never play our best in pre-season
and I don't want the players to play their best in pre-season because I want
them to play their best on 16 August against Tottenham.
"We got caught on the break twice in the first half because we're trying to
open out the play more and more and we left too many spaces. We picked up
another injury [Guy Demel's hamstring tweak], which means it's been a bad
trip from an injury point of view."
West Ham fell two behind to two counter-attacking goals but the third had
more than an element of luck to it when Sydney defender Terry Antonis
clearly punched the ball over Aaron Cresswell to tee up team-mate Corey
Gameiro, who rounded Adrian to score. It was a decision, or lack of it, that
left Big Sam more than a little bemused. "You all saw it apart from the
referee and his officials! It's pretty embarrassing from their point of
view. We'd have been a bit more upset if we'd been in a league match as it
would have been a horrific mistake. It was at a time when we were working
our way back into the game."
Despite two defeats, Allardyce is still confident that once he has his full
squad available again his side will be a 'bigger force'. The Hammers have
made five high-profile signings already and Joint-Chairman David Sullivan
has promised more before the close of the transfer window, in addition to
the imminent return to training of Ravel Morrison. "When everyone is back
and fit we'll be fine. We've still got Ravel Morrison to come back, we've
signed Enner Valencia, who is going for a work permit. Cheikhou Kouyate and
James Tomkins are both out and Guy Demel came off so if we get them back we
can become a bigger force again. "On Ravel, he is contracted to West Ham and
once his operation has healed up I hope he becomes a better player as he's
been playing with it for a while. If he can do what he did at the beginning
of last season that would be great. He had a good spell when he first broke
into the team but couldn't sustain it."
All in all, Big Sam summarised everyone's feelings by stating that the
Hammers' trip to New Zealand has been a huge success off the field. "I'm
just a bit sorry that we didn't do more for the West Ham fans that came from
across the globe to watch the games but overall we've been very well looked
after on this tour.
"From our point of view we thank everyone for having us here. We've been
well looked after and treated very well. From a football point of view the
injuries have been a big worry but we've enjoyed everyone's warm welcome."
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West Ham lose but Newcastle and Palace win
BBC.co.uk
West Ham lost their second tour game in a row with a 3-1 defeat by
Australian side Sydney FC in New Zealand. The Hammers, beaten 2-1 by
Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday, were 2-0 down after 26 minutes with strikes
from Corey Gameiro and Alex Brosque. Sam Allardyce's men, who also lost
defender Guy Demel early on with a tweaked hamstring, pulled one back after
the break through Matt Jarvis. However, Gameiro scored again after 63
minutes to seal the win. The defeat is the latest setback in a troubled
tour, after striker Andy Carroll was ruled out for four months with an
injury sustained in the defeat by Phoenix. Co-owner David Sullivan has also
dismissed manager Allardyce's claims that 21-year-old playmaker Ravel
Morrison is not part of his plans. The former Manchester United player ended
the season on loan at QPR and a permanent move away from Upton Park appeared
likely. "We don't agree with that," Sullivan told Talksport. "We would like
to sit down and give him a longer contract. "Sam has said Ravel is not part
of his plans but we do - as a board - see him as part of our plans."
Line-up: Adrian, Demel (Cresswell 13), O'Brien (Potts 72), Reid (c),
Collins, Noble (Whitehead 68), Diame (Poyet 68), Nolan, Downing (Fanimo 81),
Jarvis (Vaz Te 59), Cole (Zarate 45)
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Howes.
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Allardyce: these things take time
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 26th July 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce believes last night's 3-1 defeat against Sydney was a result
of the new expansive tactical approach he and his team have been asked to
implement. At the end of last season Allardyce held on to his job by the
skin of his teeth having been ordered to deliver more aesthetically-pleasing
football, following a drab 2013/14 campaign. The result of that has been two
draws against Stevenage and Ipswich plus defeats to Wellington Phoenix and
Sydney FC - something that the manager attributed to the change in style,
which he has had less than three weeks to work on. "The football was not
good enough to get results, but we're experimenting and working on more open
attacking play," he told the press following the surprise reversal. "It
hasn't worked well from a defensive point of view. "We have to be more open
and expansive. That's what is demanded now so we are working on that side of
it, we just lost the defensive resilience that we had last season. Today we
got caught on the break twice in the first half; we're trying to play and
open teams up so we left too many spaces."
Meanwhile Graham Arnold, the far-happier Sydney boss, revealed that despite
running out 3-1 winners his team were far from fully fit. "I think we are
only at 30 per cent physically where we should be and I thought we played
better against Newcastle except we got punished for our mistakes," he said.
"I've been saying to the boys that results don't matter at this stage of the
season. Of course it's great to win the game but there are no points or
trophy for it. It's about us getting better every time we step on the pitch
and playing to the game plan and progressing as a team."
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West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull eye Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo | Last Updated: 26/07/14
8:12pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands four Premier League clubs are battling it out to sign
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson on loan. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is
thought to be open to the idea of loaning out Jenkinson next season so that
he can play regular first-team football. There is no shortage of suitors for
Jenkinson, with West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Hull all interested in
taking the former Charlton man on loan. The quartet are ready to offer
Jenkinson, who made 22 appearances last season, regular first-team football
next term as they look to bolster their defensive options. Hull boss Steve
Bruce confirmed to Sky Sports News that he has enquired about Jenkinson's
availability. "I had a conversation with Arsenal about four or five weeks
ago to see if it was possible. And apparantly so, it might be," he said.
"We'll look at that situation but we haven't had confirmation from Arsenal.
I would hate to speak out of turn but we are led to believe the kid might be
available - and if he is, then of course we would be interested." Jenkinson
is expected to find his first-team opportunities limited at Arsenal
following the signing of Mathieu Debuchy and the imminent arrival of Calum
Chambers at Arsenal. Chambers is set to arrive from Southampton with the
19-year-old right-back viewed as a possible central defender in the future
by Arsenal. England international Jenkinson remains highly regarded at the
Emirates, but Wenger feels he would be best served by going out on loan to
another Premier League club next season to continue his development so that
he is ready to stake his claim for a regular spot in the Arsenal side upon
his return. Jenkinson sees his long-term future at Arsenal, but knows the
opportunity of first-team football in the Premier League next season will
boost his chances of reclaiming his place back in the England squad.
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Allardyce snipes back….
Posted on July 26, 2014 by Headmaster —
Claret&Blues.com
I guess it was just a matter of time but Sam Allardyce has found a subtle
way of hitting back at what he clearly perceives to be the imposition of a
style that is totally alien to his nature. The fact that those of us that
have witnessed the feeble attempts in the last few days to supposedly adopt
a more attacking methodology have also failed to recognise any change in our
style whatsoever, is perhaps another issue altogether.
In any event, here is what Allardyce had to say that I believe is a thinly
veiled side-swipe back in the board's direction:
"We're just working on our new style as we've got to get a bit more open and
expansive as it seems to be what's demanded in the game now. We're working
on that side of it but have lost the defensive resilience that saw us get 14
clean sheets last season."
Is it just me or is he basically saying, 'Look, I tried to tell Gold and
Sully how to survive in this league but, deluded plonkers that they are,
they have listened to the whining mamby-pamby 'we want the West-Ham-way
brigade' and told me I have to try to appease the malcontents. As a result,
and because I have no clue what it is I am actually supposed to be doing, we
are now shipping goals which is the one bloody thing I used to be able to
get right. Be careful what you wish for I say! Ha ha ha….'
Allardyce has nothing to lose, does he? He is either sacked and walks away
with a year's money or he runs his contract down. As far as I can see he has
no respect for anything to do with our club from the Chairmen down to us,
the fans and increasingly he has no motivation to invest emotionally and
professionally on what he can see is a career cul-de-sac. Or maybe you see
it differently?
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Sam Allardyce wants Ravel Morrison to stay at West Ham... if he recovers
from injury and doesn't demand too much money
By DAVID KENT
PUBLISHED: 18:55, 26 July 2014 | UPDATED: 18:59, 26 July 2014
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce appears to have done a U-turn by claiming he wants Ravel
Morrison to stay at West Ham - providing his injury problems and wage
demands can be managed. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan had previously said
that the mercurial midfielder was not wanted by the manager, telling
talkSPORT: 'Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we as a board
see him as part of our plans.' Allardyce now seems to support the club's
view after insisting the 21-year-old still has a role to play, especially if
he recovers from the hernia problems that plagued him last season. 'He's
contracted to West Ham,' Allardyce told reporters. 'I think he's had a
hernia op. Once that's healed up I hope he becomes a better player because
he has been playing with it for a while. The groins have been causing him a
problem for a while. 'If you've got pain, I don't think you perform to your
best. Hopefully that pain will have ended and he'll be a much freer, more
active player for us. If he could do what he did last season, that would be
great because, when he broke in to the side early last year, he had a great
spell. Unfortunately he couldn't sustain it.'
David Sullivan admits West Ham put 'all their eggs in one basket' with
injury-plagued Andy Carroll as co-owner reveals Hammers will search for a
new striker
Ravel Morrison undergoes successful minor groin operation during pre-season
The England Under 21 player made a bright start to his career at Upton Park
before fading out and spending the latter half of the season on loan to QPR.
Allardyce is willing to give the talented youngster another chance, but
added that Morrison's wage demands would influence his future at the east
London club. 'If he continues to do what he did last season then yes [we
want to keep him] but that does depend on how much players want, how much
they demand. If that demand is far too great then that becomes a difficulty
for us.'
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Levy may move late on Hammers duo
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may be ready to test the Hammers resolve in
hanging onto Winston Reid and Ravel Morrison. Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan has made it clear this week that he wants to hold onto both despite
claiming that Sam Allardyce may have no room for the midfielder in his
plans.
And we have been picking up murmurings from north London that Levy – who
loves a late deal for players in the last year of their contracts – may make
a move for the pair! We hear he's been encouraged by recent reports from
David Sullivan that Reid has turned down his latest contract offer and
Morrison has not been offered a new deal. West Ham confirmed today that no
inquires have been received for either player and are still locked in
talks with Reid. Should Levy want to bid he would expect to start at around
£8 million for the pair given their contract length.
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Ravel makes another odd move!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Ravel Morrison's every social media move is scrutinized as fans try to work
out exactly what's going on in that head of his. Photos posted by him on
social media include his 'gang' which made the tabloid press. Others show
him smoking a cigar during an England game, donning a Chelsea shirt or
tweeting about CSKA Moscow before deleting moments later. Now comes a new
one with him deciding to follow a Spurs Instragram account on the day he
was linked with a possible move to Spurs. Coincidence? Who knows ? This is
the world according to Rav – move on!
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Sunday, July 27
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