Daily WHUFC News - 12th October 2014

David Sullivan Exclusive - Part One
WHUFC.com
The first part of whufc.com's exclusive interview with the Joint-Chairman
covers the start to the season
10.10.2014

With no first-team game this weekend, whufc.com sat down with West Ham
United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan to bring you an exclusive interview on
the Hammers' encouraging start to the 2014/15 season. The extensive
interview will be split over two days; part one will look at the summer's
transfer activity, the team's start to the season and the much-discussed
West Ham way, while part two will look at the next two transfer windows, the
final season at the Boleyn Ground and the upcoming move to the New Stadium.
To view the full interview, make sure you log on to the Club's official
YouTube channel, or watch the embedded video in the story below.

West Ham United joint Chairman David Sullivan believes the Club are
fulfilling the promise of returning to the West Ham way, after a strong
start to the 2014/15 season. Several eye-catching displays have seen the
team climb to seventh position in the fledgling Barclays Premier League
table, but it is more the manner of ascent that has pleased the lifelong
Hammers fan the most. Mr Sullivan has been impressed by the entertaining
style of play from Big Sam's team this season, but also the work of the Club
away from the pitch - both two key components of what he believes
demonstrates a return to the 'West Ham way'.

"The West Ham way is how we played in the first half against Liverpool -
quick, strong tackling, everybody giving 100%, attacking and trying to score
goals," Mr Sullivan said. "It's about behaving in a responsible way, it's
playing with passion, playing attacking football and passing football. We
were at Manchester United and they were back to the walls. The last half of
that game we were entrenched in their half trying to score and they were
kicking it out anywhere, panicking. We were the footballing side. "Beyond
the football, it's about being a Club that gives back to the community.
We've completely shaken up the Community Sports Trust and look at the work
they're doing.
"We've got a fantastic guy [Joe Lyons] running the Trust and he's doing a
wonderful job. That's part of the West Ham ethos of giving back."

The Joint-Chairman added that while he was pleased with the 'promising
start', he believes the team's performances have actually deserved more.
Aside from the defeat to Southampton, Mr Sullivan particularly felt the
players' efforts in the defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester
United and the draw at Hull City warranted a better return.

"I think it's a very promising start and it could have been so much better.
What's good, aside from Southampton, are in all the games we've lost or
drawn, we could've won. We could have beaten Tottenham, Hull and Manchester
United, so we could've been on 18 points.
"What's pleasing is that we haven't looked bad against anybody so we,
perhaps foolishly, think we can play against anyone and give them a run for
their money. It's very optimistic times at West Ham and we've got the best
team we've had for many years. "As a supporter, last season you go to every
game thinking 'how are we going to get anything from this?' This year you
think 'how are we going to win this?' We are looking to win games."

Much of the side's promising start has been linked to the Club's transfer
activity this summer, where a total of nine first-team players - with an
average age of just 24.4 - were signed. Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson
have slotted in seamlessly at full-back, Alex Song, Diego Poyet and Cheik
Kouyate have added steel in midfield and Diafra Sakho, Mauro Zarate, Morgan
Amalfitano and Enner Valencia have provided potency in attack. "We've bought
good forwards and good players but you do need a bit of luck and you need
players to hit the ground running and maybe we've had that bit of luck," he
said. "We decided as a club that unless an outstanding older player came
along we would sign younger players but that didn't rule out anybody but we
wanted attacking players. We signed two full-backs who can both bomb
forward. "We signed three forwards, Mauro Zarate, Enner Valencia and Diafra
Sakho, who were the three top goalscorers in Argentina, Mexico and the
French Ligue 2 respectively. We signed two fantastic midfielders and one for
the future [Poyet]. "They've all got a lot to prove and we're not signing
players at the end of their career on huge wages who are perhaps too
comfortable. They are hungry players bought into the West Ham way, bought
into working hard and as they achieve more they will be rewarded more."

The deadline day capture of Amalfitano completed a busy summer for the Club
and, in particular, Mr Sullivan personally. After a flurry of early
activity, the latter signings were able to be more considered, with Song
unveiled in front of the Boleyn Ground crowd before the Southampton match
just two days before the close of the window. "Ideally you'd love to do all
of your business early but you'd want to hold some back for someone like
Alex Song. The good thing was that because we had a bit of time we got good
players in and didn't have to make desperation buys. I don't think people
realise how many hours go into the transfer side and how stressful it is.
For every player you buy you've probably tried to buy three or four more.
"Sam [Allardyce] and I spoke every day and we pursued targets that either he
or I had identified. You work around the clock. On Alex Song, we were
speaking to him at eleven or 12 at night to get him to get on a plane and
come to us. "With some agents you were negotiating with weeks and nobody can
comprehend how stressful it is. It was the hardest window I've ever known.
"In the end I think it was our best transfer window by a long, long way. All
of the players are incentivised to play and we want them to want to play and
that's all they want to do. We've got players that are desperate to do their
bit for the Club."

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U21s set for Spanish inquisition
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad will host Athletic Bilbao in their first Premier
League International Cup tie
10.10.2014

West Ham United's young professionals will get a tasts of European football
when they welcome Spanish side Athletic Bilbao to the Boleyn Ground on
Wednesday evening. The Hammers' Development Squad will kick-off their
Premier League International Cup campaign by taking on Los Leones in what
promises to be an entertaining night in east London. Kick-off is at 7pm.
Nick Haycock's team go into the game in promising form, having drawn at
Fulham and beaten Sunderland in their last two Barclays U21 Premier League
matches. The Development Squad manager is anticipating an attractive game
against a gifted Bilbao outfit.

"They'll be a technical team," Haycock confirmed. "I've been out to Bilbao
on a study visit so I know a little bit about them. They're a fantastic
football team, they've got a good reputation in Spain, a great history and a
tradition of producing Basque players.
"They only sign Basque players which is a brave philosophy but it works.
They work hard for the shirt, so it'll be a tough test but one we are
looking forward to."

The Premier League International Cup is a new competition introduced this
season which will also see West Ham take on Dutch giants PSV and fellow
Londoners Fulham in the group stage. At one stage, it appeared that UEFA
regulations may force the tournament to be cancelled, but it will now go
ahead with all matches behind held in England. Haycock says it will offer
his players a different but hugely beneficial experience as they continue
their path down the road to, if all goes well, becoming first-team players.
"It's a good idea from the Premier League," he continued. "They've worked
hard to deliver the tournament. It was a disappointment when it looked like
it was off but they've changed it so all the games will be played in
England. We can't have the return leg out in Bilbao or Eindhoven until UEFA
rubber stamp it. "If they see the competition working well this year, which
I hope they do, then they might endorse it next season. If that happens
it'll be a full international competition. If you look at the Premier League
now I think it's about 60 per cent foreign players now, so to play more
foreign sides on a more regular basis is an excellent idea and something we
are looking forward too. "More important is the fact that we qualified it
last season, so we deserve to be in it. It's a nice thing for the players to
be involved in. It's also good for the fans and something slightly different
to watch."

Bilbao are famed for having one of the finest Academies in European
football, with the Club's policy of using only Basque-born players placing a
requirement on producing home-grown talent. The policy has been successful,
with Bilbao winning eight Spanish league titles and having never been
relegated from Spain's top-flight in their 116-year history. The club has
produced some of the finest players the country has ever seen. Among those
to come through the Bilbao ranks are prolific goalscorer Guillermo
Gorostiza, the infamous 'Butcher of Bilbao' Andoni Goikoetxea, gifted
playmaker Julen Guerrero, towering forward Ismael Urzaiz and current Spain
internationals Iker Muniain, Ander Iturraspe and Fernando Llorente (now with
Juventus). The club's U21 side, Bilbao Athletic, compete in Spain's Second
Division B Group II - the equivalent of a regional League One - and have
made a decent start to the 2014/15 season. Forward Inaki Williams has scored
eight goals as Athletic have won four of their opening seven league matches
to sit fourth in the table. Twenty-year-old goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is
a current Spain U21 international. Admission to Wednesday's Premier League
International Cup opener at the Boleyn Ground will be charged at £3
Adults/£1 Concessions and FREE to all Season Ticket Holders.

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On this day - 11 October
WHUFC.com
West Ham United put six, without reply, past Sunderland on this day in 1992
11.10.2014

Classic match
West Ham United 6-0 Sunderland
Division One
11 October 1992
The Black Cats left east London with their tails between their legs after
six of the best from the Hammers on this day in 1992. Goals from Kevin Keen,
Trevor Morley, Alvin Martin, Martin Allen and a double from Mark Robson saw
the home side make up for defeat to lower league Crewe Alexandra in the
League Cup the week before. The win was however seen by just over 10,000
fans, the lowest league crowd to attend at the Boleyn Ground for 30 years.
West Ham went onto secure promotion to the Premier League later that season,
finishing second in the table behind champions Newcastle United.

Complete record - 11 October
1919 Grimsby Town 0-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1924 West Ham United 1-1 Bury (Division One)
1930 West Ham United 5-1 Manchester United (Division One)
1947 Newcastle United 1-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1952 Blackburn Rovers 3-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1958 West Ham United 1-2 Birmingham City (Division One)
1967 West Ham United 4-1 Bolton Wanderers (League Cup)
1969 Coventry City 2-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1975 West Ham United 2-1 Newcastle United (Division One)
1980 West Ham United 2-0 Blackburn Rovers (Division One)
1986 West Ham United 5-3 Chelsea (Division One)
1992 West Ham United 6-0 Sunderland (Division One)
Played 12, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 3, Scored 29, Conceded 15

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David Sullivan exclusive - Part Two
WHUFC.com
Read the second part of our exclusive interview with the Joiint-Chairman
here
11.10.2014

Here, in part two, Mr Sullivan talks about how the squad could improve
further, the final season at the Boleyn Ground and the upcoming move to the
New Stadium. Remember, you can watch the full video interviews now by
clicking the video player below or by visiting the Club's official YouTube
channel.

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan believes the ambition of a
top-six finish is not beyond the realms of possibility, given the quality of
West Ham United's start to the season. While Mr Sullivan admits that the
financial power of the leading Barclays Premier League sides is hard to
compete with, the team's impressive performances thus far means the Club can
aim high. He believes the upcoming run of fixtures presents an opportunity
to return more points and possibly climb higher than their current seventh
place in the Barclays Premier League table.

"I've said right at the start we can finish sixth and I think it's
possible," Mr Sullivan said. "We could be on 18 points now. It's not a dream
- we just needed a bit of luck in three games where we didn't get what we
deserved. I don't think we've had a single game this season where we got
more than we deserved out of a game. "We've had three games where it
wouldn't have taken a lot get more than we got. If we got points out of
them, you're moving towards sixth place. "I also realise things can go wrong
but I think there are grounds for optimism. It's not rhetoric based on
nothing, it's based on what we've achieved so far and the fixtures we've got
coming up. If we play them like cup finals and play the West Ham way and
score some goals, we could be in the top six. "Whether we will is a bit of a
tall order but it's not impossible. You've got to aim high and see where you
finish."

While yesterday's interview focused on the new arrivals at the Boleyn
Ground, the familiar faces of last season have also more than played their
part this term. Stewart Downing, in particular, has won plaudits for his
performances at the tip of Sam Allardyce's new diamond formation and the
Joint-Chairman is delighted to see him flourishing in his new role.
"Stewart's like a different player and you'd have to thank Sam for changing
the formation, which seems to suit him a lot better than just being a
winger. "All of his life he has been a winger, now he's in the diamond he's
a much better player. His passing is fantastic and he'll score a few goals.
On the wing he looked alright but he didn't look the special player we
thought we'd signed, but he now looks like that special player."

The summer transfer window closed just six weeks ago, so for most it may
seem a little premature to start planning for the next two windows; in
January and next summer. But such is Mr Sullivan's meticulous eye for detail
and planning that that is exactly what he is doing.

"We cannot go above the wage limit under the Financial Fair Play rules, so
even if we want to sign players in January, we cannot sign someone unless
someone leaves as those are the rules. "There might be a deal that is too
good to refuse that we can do if we've done a new commercial deal. There is
an exception to every rule but we're not looking to sign five loan players
that cost us £5-6 million like last season. "We had to do that last season
as we were such a small squad under such pressure - we had to get some cover
in and it kept us up.
"We will always invest where we can and we'll look to improve again next
summer but I don't want to give any figures yet. Just to reiterate, though,
if we wanted to put money in we can't because you're restrained by your
wages budget unless you have new commercial income."

January 2015 will mark five years since Mr Sullivan and his long-term
business partner and friend David Gold took a controlling stake in West Ham
United and in that time, the Club has seen impressive progress on the field,
with two comfortable Premier League finishes in the last two years,
substantial third-party debt reduction off it and a move to a stunning new
home secured. Mr Sullivan feels there is still more work to be done, though,
but is optimistic about the direction the Club is heading in. "I wouldn't
say I am happy with where we are yet, no. We never anticipated getting
relegated, that put us back a year or two. It really hurt us financially and
from a squad point of view as we had to let players go. "If we finish in the
top six this year that would be terrific, but up to now we haven't done
enough.
"I think we are starting to get it right. We've signed young and attacking
players and that's a change of philosophy. Our hope is that the Olympic
Stadium can help fast-track our progress. It will give us a bit more to buy
players. "Anything is possible and you have to dream and I just don't
subscribe to the fact that we've had a successful season if we finished
17th. That's not good enough for West Ham fans.
"I would love to be back in Europe, even with extra games. It would bring
some of the glorious old days back to supporters. I think we may be making
some progress towards that. "I'm optimistic, the supporters are optimistic,
the way the team is playing is fantastic and with a small bit of luck, we
can have a fantastic season."

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Valencia nets in Ecuador draw
WHUFC.com
Enner Valencia scored his ninth international goal as Ecuador drew with USA
on Friday
11.10.2014

Enner Valencia hit a sensational goal as Ecuador drew 1-1 with the United
States in Connecticut on Friday evening. The West Ham United forward struck
a swerving shot from 25 yards which left goalkeeper Brad Guzan totally
wrong-footed and levelled matters just two minutes from time. USA looked set
to give Landon Donovan the perfect send-off when they took a first half lead
through Mix Diskerud. But Valencia had other ideas and his goal - his ninth
in just 16 internationals - gave Ecuador a share of the spoils.

Elsewhere, Kieran Sadlier played 45 minutes as Republic of Ireland U21 were
defeated 4-1 by Norway on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Jamie Harney
captained Northern Ireland U19 as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Czech
Republic in their UEFA U19 European Championship Qualifying Round opener.

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U18s held but extend unbeaten run
WHUFC.com
Steve Potts' youngsters drew 0-0 at home to Arsenal on Saturday to extend
their unbeaten start
11.10.2014

West Ham United extended their unbeaten start to the Barclays U18 Premier
League season to eight games with a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Little Heath on
Saturday morning. The hosts had the best chance to open the scoring in the
opening 45 minutes when midfielder Marcus Browne saw his low shot cleared as
it was heading into the net, before Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi spurned
several opportunities to steal the points for the visitors in the second
period. U18s manager Steve Potts made just one change to his team that
defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 the previous weekend, with centre-half
Josh Pask returning to the side to replace Tunji Akinola. Striker Jordan
Brown lined up against his former club looking to score for the sixth
consecutive league match, having only failed to net in the Hammers' opening
two fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City. The opening
ten minutes contained little action in front of goal. Both sides matched
each other all over the pitch, with both defences standing strong to protect
their goalkeepers. It was Brown who was causing the most problems for the
Gunners and he recorded the first shot on goal for either side after 17
minutes, but goalkeeper Ryan Huddart was in the right place to palm clear
any danger.

Just a minute later and Browne had the best opportunity of the half when he
latched onto a block in the penalty area from Brown's shot to fire towards
the corner, only for an Arsenal defender to appear from nowhere to keep the
ball out. The Hammers' next opportunity came after 29 minutes, when defender
Emmanual Onariase was inches away from getting a header onto a deep corner
at the back post. From then on, the game lacked notable chances in front of
goal. Sam Howes easily caught Chris Willock's 22-yard free-kick, whilst
Brown had a number of shots inside the Arsenal penalty area that were
blocked by the visiting defenders. After the break, Arsenal had a golden
chance to go in front. From a cross on the left, striker Mavididi headed
over from close range.

With an hour on the clock, West Ham again launched an attack into the
Gunners penalty area. After beating a defender inside the box, Djair
Parfitt-Williams attempted to feed a cross into the middle, but Huddart
stepped in to collect the ball. On 74 minutes, Arsenal had another
opportunity to score. Kaylen Hinds managed to get away in the Hammers
penalty area and, after squaring for Mavididi to tap in at the back post,
the striker managed to put it wide under pressure from Pask. Mavididi again
caused a problem to the Hammers back line four minutes later, but after
sliding the ball past Howes, the ball traveled just past the post. The final
action of the game saw the hosts have two chances to grab a winner from
corners. From the first, Parfitt-Williams failed to beat the man at the
front post, before his second just evaded the head of Pask at the near
upright. West Ham stay in second position in the Barclays U18 Premier League
after Saturday's draw with Arsenal, three points behind leaders Chelsea.

West Ham's next league fixture is a trip across London to face Fulham on
Saturday 18 October. Kick-off is at 11am.

U18s: Howes, Pike, Pask, Onariase, Neufville, Browne, Sylvestre, Diangana
(Bailey), Borg (Carter), Brown, Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Akinola, Parsons, Sheriff

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West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady backs plans for Premier League
games to be played overseas
Hammers vice-chairman supports proposals for full round of Premier League
games to be played at international venues
West Ham United's Karren Brady backs plans for Premier League games to be
played overseas
Jason Burt By Jason Burt7:00PM BST 11 Oct 2014
Telegraph.co.uk

Karren Brady, the West Ham United vice-chairman, has predicted that Premier
League clubs could play a round of regular league matches abroad within the
next three years. Brady revealed that discussions have taken place about
what she said was a "six-season period" in which "each club would play a
maximum of three 'home games' abroad". She said that the clubs had agreed
the matches would not include what would be regarded as "traditional local
derbies" – such as West Ham against Tottenham Hotspur. Taking such games
abroad has "been ruled out", she stated. In her column in The Sun newspaper
Brady added: "I have to say I do like the idea of the recent proposal to
play a full round of Premier League games at international venues across the
world. But there is clearly some work to be done, particularly around the
emotiveness of our own supporters and how this would affect them. "Plus the
impact of ticket prices – season-ticket holders would get one less game. The
proposal is that across any six-season period each club would play a maximum
of three 'home games' abroad.
"There's plenty of time to work out a central position as the earliest it
can be introduced is January 2017." That date would relate to the three-year
cycle where the Premier League has to agree the next television deal from
2016-17. The tender documents for that bidding process are being drawn up
and any proposal for a "38th game" abroad would have to be included.
Although the Premier League is adamant that playing a round of matches
abroad has only been put forward as an idea and is in the embryonic stage –
it was discussed last month at the meeting of the clubs – some clubs are
pushing hard for it to be introduced. West Ham are regarded as among the
most enthusiastic supporters of the plan which would replace the
controversial "39th game" – playing a round of extra matches – which was
shot down six years ago. Huw Jenkins, the Swansea City chairman, recently
told a fans forum that he could see clubs playing league matches abroad
within 12 months – but that suggestion has been firmly knocked down by the
Premier League, given the deals that are already in place. However Jenkins,
along with the West Ham co-owner David Gold, has declared it is "inevitable"
that the clubs will play matches across the United States, Asia and even
South Africa where many embark on lucrative club tours.

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Reid deal – it's not personal just business!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 11, 2014 in Whispers
Clart & Hugh

I've been giving a lot of thought to the Winston Reid issue of late and of
course watching the extreme Twitter reactions whenever his still unaccepted
contract is mentioned. I've read on the one hand that if he doesn't accept
he should be made to rot in the reserves or on the other that he should be
offered £70k a week which the tweeter assumes will see him immediately reach
for the old Bic! Extreme reactions are always the wrong reactions and it
seems that Reid's only issue in all of this is to get the possible deal for
him and he's determined to wait until the last minute if necessary. It's all
too easy to start talking about loyalty and what we as lifelong Irons
believe he should or should not do but I've never believed the 'L' word has
a serious place in the world of football. Players who have served the club
well are quickly offloaded when their best years are behind them or if a
board receives an offer which see them interested in trousering the cash.
Loyalty? No I don't think that's a word we need to dwell on.. More pertinent
perhaps is how the club has allowed the situation to reach a point where the
central defender could be lost for nothing in the summer. Well, I don't
think - indeed I know – that wasn't the plan. The two chairmen are canny
guys who would have done a deal in a heartbeat given the chance.

No, what's happening here is that Winston is determined to give himself a
chance of the best possible deal – whether with us or someone else – and all
the loose chat going on in the media right now is part of the plot . Those
close to him perhaps will plant a story here and a story there to keep the
interest going and thus worry the supporters to death – par for the
course…been going on since there was a King on the throne! So the situation
is simple: It's down to Reid. If he stays…GOOD. If a club comes in – and I
find it highly significant that none has yet, nor has there been an inquiry,
we'll live with it simply because we have to. Given that he's been offered
£60k a week there's obviously cash around for a great replacement and if
that's what it comes down to in the end I hope that man will be Micah
Richards should it prove necessary. Whatever the result of this rather
tiresome soap opera, life goes on. We are becoming a real good team and that
could influence Winston in the end but – to finish with a well worn cliche –
no player is bigger than this club!

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Zarate scores again
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 11, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Mauro Zarate was the only Hammer on the score sheet on Friday in a behind
closed doors match with Norwich City at the Boleyn Ground. The game was
eventually lost 2-1. The West Ham XI consisted of Jaaskelainen, Bywater,
Knoyle, Oxford, Makasi, Page, Lletget, Nolan, Zarate, Lee and Cole with subs
Spiegel, Fanimo, Nasha, Mavila and Gordon. Kevin Nolan managed to play the
full ninety minutes and declared himself match fit after the game.

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Irons injury comebacks update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 11, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold's optimistic forecast that all injured personnel – bar Andy
Carroll – will be fit to return for next week's clash with Burnley at Turf
Moor looks to be a little off target. It now seems – according to the
regular updates on www.physioroom.com – that only Mark Noble and Guy Demel
can be counted on to return. Carl Jenkinson – having withdrawn from the
England under 21 squad with a continuing hamstring problem – is almost
certain to miss the trip and James Collins is booked for a n October 20
return. Chiekhou Kouyate's return has now been put back to November 1 whilst
Carroll is expected back by November 29.

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African Nations Cup danger may aid Hammers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 11, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham could be spared the possible absences of three star players to the
African Nations cup if a "postpone l it " plea from the Moroccan government
is heeded. Senegal pair Chiekhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho are likely to be
required along with Cameroon defender Alex Song if the competition goes
ahead. But the biennial competition – scheduled to be held between 17
January and 8 February 2015 – could now be postponed after the Ebola
outbreak. Sakho celebratesThe clubs of players involved are also likely to
lodge their own appeals as they will not want their players put in any sort
of danger. Sources inside West Ham are monitoring the situation closely and
are likely to only become involved after a decision is taken. The BBC
reported that the Morocco health ministry made the plea in the wake of their
decision "to avoid events which involve those countries affected by the
Ebola virus.

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Caroll v Sakho: The Comparsion
Posted by Sean Whetstone on October 10, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Andy Carroll signed for the Hammers permanently in June 2013 for an initial
fee £15.75m which has since risen to £16.25m, He has earned £5.75m wages
through his generous £85,000 per week contract. He managed just 1,077
minutes on the pitch last season and none this season via 15 appearances. 9
of those matches he was either substituted on or off leaving just six full
90 minute games last season.

His two goal tally since signing permanently has cost £11 million per goal
and work out a goal on average every 538 minutes of play. His 1,077 minutes
have cost West Ham £20,427 per minute played so far.

Diafro Sakho signed for West Ham in August this year for an initial fee of
£3.5m earning just £15,000 per week. He has made just five appearances so
far this season, three as a substitute and two full 90 minutes totalling 268
minutes on the pitch.

Even at this early stage of his Hammers career he is cheaper than Andy
Carroll at £13,507 per minute played and each of his five goals work out at
£724,000 per goal. This can only improve as the season progresses. The real
value is a goal on average every 53 minutes, an impressive statistic if he
can keep that up.

When it comes to a return on investment there can be only one winner!

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Irons rule out chance of January Kop Song deal
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 10, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Liverpool's reported hopes that they could sign Alex Song in January have
been described as "a non starter" by Upton Park sources.
Speculation arose today that Kop boss Brendan Rodgers may move to have
Barcelona recall the player to the Nou Camp in January and re-loan him to
the Kop club with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season. But
with no "break" in the season-long deal negotiated by the Hammers and a
signed contract and loan fee in place that's not going to happen. However,
the Irons can certainly expect fierce competition for Song come the end of
the season although they hold the 'London trump card' with himself and his
wife loving the capital.
Galatasaray remain keen on the player but Song has settled well at West Ham
although if it comes to a shoot-out on wages, the Turks are likely to win.
However, a top campaign and the prospect of playing his football at the
Olympic Stadium are strong persuaders for the Irons cause.
A ClaretandHugh source said: "Alex has settled here very well and it was
reasonably well known he was available in the summer yet Liverpool made no
move. "Why would we believe, even if it were possible, they would get into
such a complicated January situation. It can't happen. He's our player until
the end of the season but then of course it becomes a totally different
story!"

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Valencia Cancels Out Diskerud Strike After Donovan Hits Post In Farewell
Match
By Jason Le Miere @JasonLeMiere on October 10 2014 9:08 PM
Ibtimes.com

Landon Donovan was agonizingly denied a fairytale farewell in a match that
saw the United States denied victory late on against Ecuador in East
Hartford, Conn. Enner Valencia's wicked shot from distance with two minutes
remaining cancelled out an early strike from Mix Diskerud.

In a final ceremonial appearance to bring the curtain down on his 14-year
career with the U.S. men's national team, Donovan looked anything but out of
place in a sendoff that was extended past its stated 30-minute time limit.
And he came within a whisker of extending his record goal-scoring tally for
his country to 58 when his poked shot came back off the inside of the post.
He did, though, play a part in setting up his team's only goal. It was the
Los Angeles Galaxy star's cross that was laid off by DeAndre Yedlin for
Diskerud to strike home in just the fifth minute.

Even coach Jurgen Klinsmann, with whom Donovan described his relationship as
"non-existent" this week, appeared desperate for the man he left out of his
2014 World Cup squad to get a goal before his international career came to
an end. It wasn't forthcoming, but the star of the night did get an apt
standing ovation from all four corners of Rentschler Field and a longer than
perhaps anticipated, although still undeniably awkward, embrace with
Klinsmann.

As a player who did so much to bring U.S. soccer to where it is today bowed
out, Klinsmann's process of trying to take the country onto another level
again in Russia in four year's time continued. Diskerud impressed as the
dictating hub in midfield, particularly in a first half that saw a much
better display from the U.S. than in a substitution-riddled second. Ecuador,
which looked dangerous throughout, ensured there was some disappointment at
the end of a celebratory evening when West Ham's Valencia continued his fine
scoring run for his country. It will be hoped that an early knee injury that
forced Joe Gyau, who along with Greg Garza, was making his first U.S.
appearance on home soil, to be taken off.

This night was all about Donovan, though. After receiving a special shirt to
commemorate his historic career with the U.S., Donovan showed that he could
still be a part of the international setup without the need for his
testimonial occasion. In the opening minutes, he made a telling
contribution. Having got to the byline down the left, his deep cross was
kept alive by Jozy Altidore. Yedlin, playing in a more advanced midfield
role, then showed impressive composure for a 21-year-old to tee up Diskerud
and the Rosenborg midfielder met the ball with a first-time shot to get his
fourth goal for his country.

It was far from Donovan's last involvement against a shaky Ecuador defense
that might almost have been hand-picked to try and ensure him a last moment
to savor. He could have scored with a quick-reaction header from close range
that Ecuador keeper Maximo Banguera did well to repel. After Altidore had
missed a good chance to cap an otherwise encouraging performance for the
striker struggling at club level with Sunderland, Donovan came even closer
to finding the net one last time. Altidore played a his forward partner in
with a clever drag back, but, under pressure, Donovan's shot struck the
post. After he failed to get onto the rebound, he laid on the ground with
his head in his hands in recognition that it just wasn't meant to be. When
he then fired wide from the edge of the area, already past his agreed stint
on the field, the time had come for him to bid farewell.

In his absence, Yedlin came close to making it 2-0 before the break. In an
open first half there could have been more goals at both ends, with Brad
Guzan having to bail out his defense on a couple of occasions. Substitutions
came thick and fast after the interval to predictably interrupt the game's
rhythm. But Ecuador, which only just failed to miss the last 16 at the World
Cup, came on strong at the end and finally got their reward. Valencia's shot
form 30 yards moved all over the place and may well have got a touch off
substitute Tim Ream, but it certainly had enough to wrong-foot Guzan and
find the net. With almost the final kick of the game another of the young
players with hopes to be a part of the post-Donovan era, fluffed his lines
when through on goal to leave the scores tied.

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Henry/Glover roles make life interesting
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 11, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's decision to employ two men in very similar - if not the same
role – is interesting to put it mildly. Tony Henry's arrival from
Sunderland, after a spell on gardening leave, is clearly a move aimed at
ensuring the club misses nothing and nobody as far as player talent is
concerned. Sam Allardyce has a much trusted long term head of recruitment
in Martin Glover, whilst Henry is the choice of David Sullivan to help him
discover the best buys. Henry – as exclusively revealed by this site –
earlier in the week will be reporting only to the co-chairman who is
Director of Football in everything but name and reports to the board on all
matters recruitment. Back in the summer it became clear via various
statements that the board was set to have a much greater input (some might
call it 'control over' ) player purchases.

Now it seems, with the arrival of Henry, that could be a far more important
move than the much more heralded appointment of Teddy Sheringham attacking
coach. Quite how his Henry's role sits alongside Glover's is a big question
although it was described to CandH privately as "a move to help closer
cooperation between the managerial side and board." Henry carries the title
'recruitment director to the board' whilst Glover is'head of recruitment'
and it's a tad tricky at this stage working out where one man's
responsibilities end and the other's start. Hopefully it will all work to
the greater good of the club but one thing's sure – there has been am mini
revolution inside the club at most levels this summer and autumn.

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