Daily WHUFC News - 27th October 2014

Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Sam Allardyce hopes his side continue their winning run
against Stoke
26.10.2014

Sam Allardyce believes West Ham United are on course to finish tenth or
higher in the Premier League after an outstanding win over current champions
Manchester City. The Hammers were fantastic against City, winning individual
battles all over the pitch and attacking at will. They now travel to Stoke
City on Saturday and Allardyce has stressed that the standard of performance
must not drop. "The victory on Saturday was a fantastic achievement," Big
Sam enthused. "We were terrific and we deserved our victory. Every man
played his best, that was the beauty for me. We got the victory not many
people were expecting. "Our performance had everything. It had grit,
determination, quality and desire and I hope we can perform to a similar
level this Saturday."

On-loan midfielder Alex Song was awarded the man-of-the-match after a
talismanic performance and the Hammers' manager knows Song will have to be
at his best at the Britannia Stadium. "Song has been a bit in the shadows
with Sakho and Valencia grabbing the headlines, but he's got outstanding
quality. His prompting, passing and protection he gives to the back players
is phenomenal."

Morgan Amalfitano opened the scoring from close range before Diafra Sakho
scored his seventh goal in seven starts and Allardyce believes there is more
still to come from the Senegalese international. "Sakho is his own player.
He is just so determined and so self-confident which I didn't expect. He has
shown no fear since he's come in. "I don't think he or Enner Valencia really
know how good they've been so far this season. The rest of the team has been
lifted by them."

While the West Ham manager has enjoyed his side's great start to their
league campaign he warned against any complacency as the Hammers have a
tough schedule ahead of them. "There's a long way to go, after all we're
only nine games in but we're looking forward to every game, and Saturday
away at Stoke is no different. We're approaching a difficult period in
December when the games come thick and fast. That'll be a real test for our
players and give us an idea of where we really are."

Speaking about West Ham's long term future, Allardyce is convinced the good
times are only just beginning, with the move to the new Stratford stadium
less than 18 months away. "The club has got a huge potential. Moving to the
new stadium is one of the best decisions the club has made. It's a crucial
step if we want to move on and become a top six side. "The new stadium is
going to be one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe. We're making strides
to be a top team by the time we move to the stadium, so it's a fantastic
time for us at the moment."

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Cresswell delivers yet again
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell produced another fine all-round display as West Ham United
defeated Manchester City
26.10.2014

Walking down the Boleyn Ground tunnel following Saturday's magnificent 2-1
Barclays Premier League win over Manchester City, Andy Carroll wore a broad
grin on his face. "I can't wait to play with Aaron Cresswell," beamed the
West Ham United centre forward, who could be back in action within two to
three weeks, "because his delivery is out of this world!"

Meanwhile, Cresswell himself was gathering his family members together
before heading home, having chalked up a match-winning assist for Diafra
Sakho and helped the Hammers to another outstanding victory. While Carroll
will have to wait a little longer to benefit from the left-back's
outstanding left foot, Sakho and company are already enjoying his
inch-perfect deliveries. Cresswell's outstanding crossing was only matched
by his outstanding work-rate, which pushed the champions back into their own
half time and time again. A determined character, the former Tranmere Rovers
and Ipswich Town man has taken his top-flight chance with aplomb since his
summer arrival from Portman Road. "Manchester City have spent over £300m in
the last few seasons so to beat them was a massive result for us," said the
ever-present defender, who also set up Sakho's opener at Burnley the
previous weekend. "We were talking before the game about the fact they are
always on the move, their two centre forwards, two wide players and two
centre midfielders are always moving around, so it was a tough test for us.
"We came out of the blocks straight away in both halves and obviously got
the two goals. "You cannot just stand off players of that quality because,
if you do, you are going to get picked off. They will always get a few
chances, but the Gaffer's tactics were spot-on, we pressed them from the off
and it worked for us. "It was nice to get a little assist but the main thing
would have been to get a clean sheet. That wasn't to be, but we'll take the
three points."

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Adrian hails defensive effort
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian had special praise for his defenders after
the win over Manchester City
26.10.2014

Adrian hailed the efforts of his defence after West Ham United secured a
memorable 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday. The Hammers
withstood a strong City fightback after the break, once Morgan Amalfitano
had given the home side a first half lead. Diafra Sakho doubled the
advantage in the closing stages, after the Hammers had thwarted the likes of
Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, and although David Silva
pulled one back, West Ham held on. "It was a very happy dressing room after
the game," Adrian said. "It's a massive three points for us and the team
played so well. "Manchester City came on strongly in the second half but the
team defended well and it's an unbelievable win. "In the Premier League
every game is difficult and they have Dzeko, Aguero and Jovetic - it's hard
work for a goalkeeper! "But we had a clean sheet in the first half, Silva
scored a good goal in the second half but we got the win." The three points
keeps West Ham in the top four and the No13 has been delighted with the
team's start to the campaign. He added: "The new signings have been top
class and we've got a very good group. The most important thing in football
is the team, and we're attacking and defending as a team. "We need to keep
on going this way, step-by-step, but enjoy the situation now!"

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Page hoping for new chapter
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad's Lewis Page is confident the team can turn
performances into points
26.10.2014

West Ham United Development Squad left-back Lewis Page has enjoyed a run in
the team recently, featuring in the last six games. Page continued this run
in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Rush Green on Friday night. James
Wilson opened the scoring before Elliot Lee equalised with his fifth goal in
four goals. Will Keane sealed the three points with a close range finish
late into the second half.
Speaking after the game, Page said: "I thought in the first half we dealt
with them pretty well. We got the press right. In the second half I thought
we were a bit sloppy with the ball, we had too many sloppy passes and that
helped them keep the pressure on us. We're were pretty poor in the second
half and they took control. "We kept them down to two and maybe we should
have scored one more but they deserved the win in the end." The win sees
Manchester United extend their unbeaten run to five games as they continue
their challenge to be Barclays U21 Premier League champions. "I thought they
had a few very good players. Obviously they showed their quality on Friday.
Some of them have played in the Premier League and I think that showed.
Michael Carrick was very good, especially as he's only just come back."
The Dev Squad's next game is away to Norwich City on Thursday 6 November
2014 and Page is confident his team can soon turn the positive performances
into points. "I thought first half I played well. In the second half I gave
a few passes away, some poor passes but overall I'd say I did ok and had a
decent enough game. "We're trying to keep upbeat, we're a bit down because
we lost quite a few games so far this season. But we'll keep our heads up,
keep working hard and hope the results turn for us."

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Alex Song reckons West Ham's improvement is down to bonding
Last Updated: 26/10/14 3:11pm
SSN

West Ham midfielder Alex Song reckons the improvement in the team's
performances this season is down to bonding among the squad. The Hammers
beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, to win their fourth Premier League
game in five and remain in the top four. Song, who is on-loan at West Ham
from Barcelona, will have a scan on a shoulder problem on Monday after being
substituted in the second half following a collision with City goalkeeper
Joe Hart. And the former Arsenal player believes hard work from Sam
Allerdyce's squad is also playing a big part in the team's success. "The key
to the win on Saturday was team spirit. We attack together, we defend
together and at the moment we are playing great football," Song said. "All
the boys together are happy. We enjoy training together and that is why it
is easier to play when you come to the pitch. "Now we have to continue to
improve game by game."

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce mindful of tough tests ahead
Last Updated: 27/10/14 12:34am
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels the biggest test of his in-form side
will begin when the fixtures start to pile up next month.
New signings Diafra Sakho netted for the sixth game in a row as the Hammers
stunned Manchester City 2-1 at Upton Park on Saturday to go fourth in the
Premier League. Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has also been a key player
since his summer arrival but Allardyce, who took Sakho off against City as a
precaution against a shoulder injury, will judge his team when the hustle
and bustle of English football takes hold. "We are on a big high at the
moment, it is a fantastic feeling, but we are only nine games in and there
is a long way to go yet," Allardyce said. "We still have the difficult time
ahead - it will be the end of November and December when all the games come
flooding thick and fast. "The new players - will they fatigue or won't
they? We are absolutely delighted they have all hit the ground running, but
they have never experienced this level of physicality. "They could easily
fall into December finding life extremely difficult, the rest of the squad
may have to dip in then and help them out while we give them a rest.
Hopefully it is not the case, but I have to be wary of that."
Allardyce added: "We don't particularly talk to the player about that
because we don't want to put any negativity in his mind. "They are never
going to think they are tired when they are winning, but you have to make
big decisions on making sure you do give them a rest.
"Look at Valencia's programme this year, it has been absolutely huge.
Playing in Mexico, playing in the World Cup, coming straight here, playing
in every game, playing four games on international duty, travelling
thousands and thousands of miles and yet still capable of running around
like he did."

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Arsenal plot transfer of West Ham defender Winston Reid in the January
window
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
The Mirror

The Gunners are desperate for cover at the back and the 26-year-old
centre-half could be available for a bargain fee as summer free agency
looms. Arsenal are still in the hunt for West Ham defender Winston Reid. The
Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is desperate for a centre-half in January and
26-year-old Reid is on their list of potential targets. Wenger has sent
scouts to check on in him in recent weeks, with Reid yet to commit himself
to a new contract. Reid, who has just been made New Zealand captain, is
destined to be out of contract and a free agent at the end of the season.
Premier League big guns are keeping tabs on him and he will be in demand if
he is a free agent next summer. The Hammers are hoping that Reid will commit
himself to a new contract and co-owner David Gold last week claimed he is
"hopeful" the centre half will stay. Arsenal could try and get him on the
cheap in January as Wenger has already said he will definitely look to buy
in the next window. The North Londoners have also been scouting Celtic
defender Virgil Van Dijk who is rated in the £8m bracket.

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West Ham fear Diafro Sakho will spend a month on the sidelines with shoulder
injury
Oct 26, 2014 22:30 By John Cross
Monday scan will reveal just how long the Senegalese striker who has scored
in each of his first 6 Premier League starts will be out for
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has been dealt a huge injury blow after striker
Diafra Sakho was ruled out for up to a month. Sakho has been a huge part of
the Hammers' remarkable start to the campaign after equalling a Premier
League record of scoring in each of his opening six games. But the
Senagalese forward went off in the final minute of West Ham's win over
Manchester City with a shoulder injury. Sakho will go for a scan on Monday
but it is believed West Ham fear he will be out for around a month with the
problem. That will be a huge blow for West Ham while they also wait for
England striker Andy Carroll to make his return from a pre-season ankle
injury.
Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero could be facing a ban and trial by
television from the Football Association. TV pictures showed that he caught
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble with a late challenge which enraged
Allardyce. But the officials did not appear to spot the incident which means
Aguero could be hit with retrospective punishment.

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Manchester City's Sergio Aguero facing FA rap over eye-watering West Ham
challenge
Oct 25, 2014 22:30 By Steve Stammers
Referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants missed late tackle on Mark Noble
and took no action, leaving the champions' striker open to trial by TV
The M irror

Sergio Aguero could face action from the FA after an X-rated challenge on
West Ham's Mark Noble. A late tackle was unseen by referee Martin Atkinson
but highlighted on television. And because Atkinson took no action, the
Argentinian star could face a ban when the incident is reviewed. West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce revealed after his team's 2-1 win that Noble was
incensed about the tackle. "Mark was complaining about it at ­ half-time. It
was a dangerous tackle and the referee was right in front of it." If the FA
decide to punish Aguero, he faces a three-match suspension and if he admits
the charge and the ban is imposed this week, he could miss the Manchester
derby at the Etihad next Sunday. Champions City's boss Manuel Pellegrini
said: "I'm disappointed because we had so many chances but I trust this
group of players. "Am I concerned about Chelsea [who can now go eight points
clear of City by beating Manchester United on Sunday]? No. I am only
concerned about my team. As for pressure, the pressure on me is exactly the
same as it always was." Allardyce rated the win above the victory achieved
in the 3-1 win over Liverpool recently. "This was a team with two of the
most strikers in Europe in Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko and I thought we
handled them well, " he said. "It was a little better than the win over
Liverpool." Of man of the match Alex Song, he said: "His experience was very
important. At Bolton, I had people like Fernando Hierro and Jay-Jay Okocha
and he goes alongside them."

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Sakho injury update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 26, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Hospital X-rays show that Diafra Sakho has no broken bones in his collarbone
or shoulder area. Fears that he may have broken his collarbone or suffered
a dislocation have been ruled out and the overview at the moment is that he
may have suffered some ligament damage.
The club medics will take a closer look at the striker tomorrow (Mon) but it
looks unlikely he will be available for next weekend's clash at Stoke.
However, should the ligament damage diagnosis prove accurate the club are
hopeful he will be fit to return for the match against Aston Villa on
November 8. ClaretandHugh has learned over the last few minutes that the
news on the player is encouraging following his tangle with Manchester City
keeper Joe Hart in the closing stages of yesterday's game. A well placed
Boleyn source said: "The X-rays show no breaks or dislocations and the view
is there's likely to be ligament damage. We'll have a closer look tomorrow
but Stoke looks unlikely for him and Villa looks set to become the target."

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