Daily WHUFC News - 31st October 2014

Big Sam on: Stoke City
WHUFC.com
The manager has faced the media ahead ot the Barclays Premier League trip to
Stoke City
30.10.2014

Sam Allardyce is waiting on the fitness of Diafra Sakho as West Ham United
prepare for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke City. The
manager explained in his pre-match press conference that they will give the
Senegal striker every possible chance of recovering in time as the Hammers
go for a fourth straight win.

Good morning Sam. Do you have any team news? An update on Diafra Sakho?

SA: "It's touch and go, we'll make a decision on Friday to see how his
shoulder is. There's no dislocation or fracture but he's still in a bit of
pain. We'll assess it tomorrow, maybe on Saturday morning if needs be."

Is it possible he could start on Saturday?

SA: "It's possible, at the moment it's about 50/50. There's still 48 hours
to go before the match so that's a lot of recovery time."

You've been in the top four for the last couple of weeks, has it been hard
keeping the players' feet on the ground?

SA: "Not particularly. I've sensed the joy and the goodwill feeling around
the camp. There's a buzz around training which is always good to see. But
the players now need to maintain and build on their performances. We need to
make sure we are mentally prepared for the game against Stoke City. It's
very easy to lose after a big result like the one against Manchester City so
I need to make sure the players are guarded against that."

Do you think the players are surprised where they are at this stage?

SA: "I think the new players will be surprised at how well they've done so
far. But that's been down to their own application and determination. I
think we're all surprised at how consistently good our performances have
been so far this season that has been very pleasing. "We've had quite a
number of injuries to deal with, but only one-and-a-half performances so far
have been below my expectations in nine matches, so that shows fantastic
consistency."

What do you make of Stoke City?

SA: "They've had a mixed start to the season. But they've used a very
effective and organised counter attack system to good effect. It's harder to
implement that when you're at home, but it will certainly be a tough game on
Saturday and we're certainly not underestimating the task in hand. Sparky
has been rotating quite a lot in an effort to get some consistency."

Did you expect to be sitting in fourth given it's almost November?

SA: "No it's been a surprise to us all. I never take too much notice of our
results in pre-season but it does create a bit of doubt ahead of the season.
And of course you never quite know how the signings are going to settle in.
Thankfully all those anxieties have been put to rest pretty quickly."

Are you looking forward to having Andy Carroll back in the side?

SA: "Of course, he's been out for a long time. As a manager you want as many
players to be fit as possible and Andy can make a very important
contribution. Competition for places is always a good thing because it
drives standards up."

Are you going to have to slowly introduce him back?

SA: "Yes it'll take a while. This is his pre-season now really because he
missed out. We'll take it game by game and see how he feels. Hopefully by
game three or four of his recovery he'll be able to play a full 90 minutes."

How high can West Ham finish this season?

SA: "There's no point trying to make an accurate prediction on where we'll
finish. November and December are notoriously difficult months. So I'm
waiting until after that period to make a proper judgement. I think this
period coming up is the hardest of the season so if we do better this season
than in previous ones we'll know roughly where we could finish."

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Six of the Best - Stoke City
WHUFC.com
The Official Website recounts six memorable wins against Stoke City ahead of
Saturday's clash
30.10.2014

This weekend West Ham United visit the Britannia Stadium, home of Stoke City
and a ground where the Hammers have enjoyed some good results over past
decades, despite last season's reverse. Here, whufc.com takes a look at six
memorable away wins against the Potters.

Stoke City 0-1 West Ham United
Premier League
2 March 2014
Jack Collison was on hand to end a run of five straight defeats as the
Hammers secured a narrow win at the Britannia Stadium. The midfielder was on
as a tenth minute substitute as the Hammers were forced into an early
reshuffle due to Matt Taylor's injury. Ricardo Vaz Te also replaced the
injured Joe Cole just a minute after Collison's introduction and the
substitutes combined to create the only goal of the game. The Welsh
midfielder slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner after being
found by Vaz Te, to give the visitors a much-needed three points.

Stoke City 0-2 West Ham United
Division One
24 April 2004
West Ham picked up a second straight win as their promotion push gathered
pace towards the end of the 2003/04 season. The Hammers put fresh impetus
into their challenge with goals from strike duo David Connolly and Marlon
Harewood. Irishman Connolly netted the opener after 39 minutes, before
Harewood doubled the lead with a crucial second goal with 59 minutes played.
A fourth place finish saw the Hammers beat Ipswich Town in the play-off
semi-final before they suffered heartbreak in the final against Crystal
Palace, suffering a 1-0 loss.

Stoke City 2-4 West Ham United
Division One
20 October 1984
John Lyall took his West Ham side to the Victoria Ground in 1984, just seven
days after watching his team take a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester
United. The Hammers manager got the perfect response from his players after
their defeat to the Red Devils, with goals from Paul Allen, Paul Goddard and
Tony Cottee doing the damage. Home defender George Berry also put through
his own net as the Potters lost out in a six-goal thriller. Stoke would
later find themselves shipping five goals to the Hammers at the Boleyn
Ground as the season drew to a close, with Billy Bonds scoring twice that
day.

Stoke City 1-2 West Ham United
Division One
16 August 1975
A week after losing the Charity Shield to Derby County at Wembley, West Ham
kicked off their league campaign with a strong 2-1 win against Stoke City.
Alan Taylor - the man who scored twice in the previous season's FA Cup final
to win the trophy for the Hammers - was again on the scoresheet at the
Victoria Ground as the visitors took all three points. Bobby Gould also
grabbed himself a goal to kick the season off in style for the Hammers.

Stoke City 1-2 West Ham United
League Cup semi-final first leg
8 December 1971
In the first of what would be four instalments between West Ham and Stoke
City in the 1971/71 League Cup semi-final, the Hammers secured a narrow
victory. A goal from Clyde Best and a penalty from Geoff Hurst set the
visitors on their way to a lead to defend in the second leg at the Boleyn
Ground. In the return fixture, the Potters snatched a 1-0 win to send the
game to a replay. The first replay ended 0-0, meaning the teams would have
to do battle again. Stoke finally prevailed and earned their place in the
final after a 3-2 triumph at Old Trafford, despite goals from Trevor
Brooking and Billy Bonds.

Stoke City 0-3 West Ham United
FA Cup round four
17 February 1968
Ron Greenwood's Hammers swatted Stoke aside as they strode into round five
of the FA Cup with a comprehensive win. West Ham booked their spot in the
next round courtesy of strikes from Geoff Hurst and a double from John
Sissons. Sheffield United were the opponents for the Hammers in round five
but proved too strong, running out 2-1 winners at the Boleyn Ground, with a
goal from Brian Dear the only consolation.

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Oxford leads England to victory
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Reece Oxford captained England U17s in their victory over
France on Thursday
30.10.2014

England U17s, captained by West Ham United's Reece Oxford, maintained their
100% record in the Qualifying Round for next year's European Championship
with a 3-1 victory over France on Thursday afternoon. England topped Group
Four with maximum points after goals from Chris Willock, Will Patching and
Jay DaSilva sealed the victory for the Three Lions. Oxford, still only 15
years old, captained the side throughout this round of fxtures, missing one
game due to suspension. John Peacock's men completed a hat trick of wins in
just six days with a 4-1 win over Cyprus followed by a 1-0 victory over
Macedonia. The Three Lions will now progress to the Elite Round in the
spring before the main tournament is held in Bulgaria in 2015.

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Cole - 'We're firing on all cylinders'
WHUFC.com
Carlton Cole says the Hammers need to keep up their fine form when they head
to Stoke City
29.10.2014

Carlton Cole says West Ham United will continue to fire on all cylinders as
they look to build on their fine start to the season. Thre Hammers head into
Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Stoke City fourth in the
division having won their last three matches, including a memorable victory
over champions Manchester City. For striker Cole, that has fuelled his, and
his teammates', belief and he cannot wait for Saturday's game to come
around. He said: "The boys are buzzing, we maintained fourth position last
weekend so everyone is in a good mood around the training ground and
everyone wants to progress. "The manager said in our meeting on Tuesday that
we can't be complacent. We have to keep going, keep firing on all cylinders
and take advantage of the situation we're in. "Of course last Saturday is up
there with my top results at West Ham. I remember beating Manchester City
1-0 in 2009 when Jack Collison scored, but that was the last time we beat
them before Saturday. "It was a big scalp for us and it just shows the
progression we've made. We just want to keep on producing and churning out
the results."

The No24 has come off the bench in the last two matches, scoring at Burnley
before providing a useful presence up front in the closing stages of victory
over Manchester City. He added: "It's been brilliant. The last game was a
bit of a tidy-up job, trying to keep the ball on their side of the pitch,
but in the Burnley game I had a load of chances which I could have
converted. "I'm enjoying it a lot - I always enjoy putting on the colours,
going out there and giving my best."

Looking ahead to the Britannia Stadium clash, Cole says the Hammers should
fear nobody, as long as they play to their best. He explained: "It's going
to be a stern test for us. They have a strong squad, but so do we and I
think we can go anywhere and produce a result right now. "We have to keep
that in mind and know we're not inferior to anyone else."

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I had my doubts, admits Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admits that West Ham United's dreadful run of pre-season
results was of grave concern going into the 2014/15 campaign.
Big Sam, who had guided his team into fourth place in the Premier League
with a quarter of the season gone went into the new campaign having seen his
team win just ONE of their SEVEN pre-season fixtures (in normal time) - the
very final match at home to Sampdoria.
Prior to that 3-2 win, Allardyce had watched his side labour to draws
against Stevenage, Ipswich and Schalke and lose to New Zealand part timers
Wellington Phoenix, A-League side Sydney FC and La Liga outfit Malaga in
Germany. It was a scenario that so concerned Allardyce he moved to boost his
squad with three additional players - Diafra Sakho, Alex Song and Morgan
Amalfitano - between the end of pre-season and before the transfer window
closed. And the trio's introduction - combined with some excellent
performances from fellow new arrivals and existing squad members, such as
the rejuvenated Stewart Downing - has ensured West Ham have started the new
season on a roll.

"I never take too much notice of our results in pre-season but it does
create a bit of doubt ahead of the season," he admitted. "And of course you
never quite know how the signings are going to settle in. Thankfully all
those anxieties have been put to rest pretty quickly.
"I think the new players will be surprised at how well they've done so far.
But that's been down to their own application and determination. I think
we're all surprised at how consistently good our performances have been so
far this season that has been very pleasing. "We've had quite a number of
injuries to deal with, but only one-and-a-half performances so far have been
below my expectations in nine matches, so that shows fantastic consistency."

Despite the wonderful start to the new campaign, which has exceeded all
expectations, Allardyce insists the bulk of the hard work lies ahead with a
packed schedule prior to Christmas likely to go some way to determining West
Ham's fortunes this season. "There's no point trying to make an accurate
prediction on where we'll finish," he added. "November and December are
notoriously difficult months so I'm waiting until after that period to make
a proper judgement. "I think this period coming up is the hardest of the
season so if we do better this season than in previous ones we'll know
roughly where we could finish."

A Nightmare on Green St: pre-season Blues

July
12th: Stevenage FC 2-2 West Ham Utd
16th: Ipswich Town 0-0 West Ham Utd
23rd: Wellington Phoenix 2-0 West Ham Utd
26th: Sydney FC 3-1 West Ham Utd

August
2nd: Schalke 0-0 West Ham Utd (West Ham win 7-6 on pens)
3rd: Malaga 2-0 West Ham Utd
9th: West Ham Utd 3-2 Sampdoria

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Diafra Sakho '50/50' for Stoke clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 30th October 2014
By: Staff Writer

Diafra Sakho could be in line for a instant return to the first team -
despite several sources claiming he would be out of action for up to a
month. The Senegal international played all but one minute of last weekend's
2-1 win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City before being
substituted with a shoulder injury. Several rumours emerged over the course
of the next 48 hours, with some even claiming that Sakho has broken a collar
bone. However according to Sam Allardyce, speaking in his pre-match press
conference this morning, the 24-year old could yet make Saturday's trip to
the Potteries. "It's 50-50 at the moment, but we've still got 48 hours
recovery time," he told the press pack at Chadwell Heath. "And we might even
wait until Saturday morning. "It's touch and go, we'll make a decision on
Friday to see how his shoulder is. There's no dislocation or fracture but
he's still in a bit of pain. "We'll assess it tomorrow, maybe on Saturday
morning if needs be. He is still in pain. There is no dislocation so it's
about his pain threshold."

Sakho has been a revelation since moving to West ham, since when he has
scored in each of the seven games he has started for the club. The only
match in which he has failed to score was the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace,
when he was a 68th-minute substitute for Carlton Cole.

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THROWBACK THURSDAY
By Bianca Westwood 30 Oct 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

I took my afternoon run last Sunday. Well, I use the term 'run' very
loosely. It's more of a very, VERY slow jog. In fact, my old gym instructor
used to say that I was so slow it looked like I was running backwards.
Nothing like a bit of moral support to boost your confidence! But at least
I'm making an effort right?? Anyway I digress, as I was fast-walking round
Chingford, passing all my old haunts: the church where I went to Brownies,
the garages where I had my first fight at 11 years old with the school
bully; the alleyway where I had my debut sneaky cigarette that I'd craftily
snaffled from my mum's handbag; our old home, that the local kids used to
call the Adams' family house (whilst singing the theme tune at me) because
it was ancient looking, creepy, dilapidated & covered in dark brown peeling
paint with a front door that wouldn't shut properly and would weirdly swing
open of its own accord (it's ok we had less-than-nothing to steal anyway);
my primary school, my secondary school where the deputy head told me I'd
amount to nothing in life; the park I hung around in as a moody teenager,
swigging 20/20; the council house we ended up in after the previous
monstrosity was repossessed (it had no carpet, just the floorboards, but I
was over the moon with it because it had double glazing and a kitchen that
didn't look like it came with rats); instead of wallpaper I was allowed to
graffiti on my bedroom walls and the Chingford to Liverpool Street train
line ran right the way through our back garden. You got used to the rattling
noise after a while.

Now I'm not saying all this as some kind of woe-is-me, Monty Pythonesque
"There-were-a-hundred-and-sixty-of-us-living-in-a-small-shoebox-in-the-middl
e-of-the-road" life story but that's the way it was. I'm not ashamed of it
and I don't feel sorry for myself. I never have. I had a tough childhood. We
heard things and saw things that no child ever should. My dad had MS, a
debilitating and devastating illness that ravaged his body slowly and
cruelly over the years until he eventually gave up on living. My step-dad
was a compulsive gambler who struggled for two decades to fight his
addiction. More often than not he failed. Men were always banging on the
door demanding money owed, threatening all sorts. We got good at hiding
behind the sofa. My mum worked three jobs to support four kids and later
battled alcoholism. Them's the facts.

So the reason I'm inflicting my painful history on you is just that…it's not
painful anymore. In fact we laugh about some of the stories now. As I
dragged my reluctant body around the streets of my youth I had an epiphany
of sorts. I realised how far I'd come. And I don't mean the 5 miles I
hobbled through that day. I'm not that self-conscious, shy, uncomfortable,
oft-melancholy girl from the poorest family in the school anymore.

I'm not the same person who stood in the corner of the playground, with my
free school uniform on or waiting awkwardly in line in the canteen for my
free school dinners. The huge cardboard-like collar of my shirt from Henry
Taylor's of Walthamstow restricting blood flow to my head; the hideous and
scratchy polyester-viscose mix cardigan with holes in it and the appalling
A-line acrylic skirt I had on that was so stiff it wouldn't move when I
walked. I was quiet because I felt embarrassed…inadequate. The mean-girls at
school took it for aloofness. They thought I was haughty because I didn't
say much but held my head high. We didn't get on well. Probably partly the
reason I immersed myself in the world of football. There were no females.
There was abuse on the terraces…but it wasn't aimed at me.

But hey…that's not my life anymore! I got out! Wooooo! "Didn't she do
well??"

I'm not patting myself on the back here. Far from it. Yet it was this
realisation on Sunday afternoon that made me draw parallels with life as a
West Ham fan. So when do we start believing in ourselves? When do we start
believing we can really achieve something here? Without the fear of falling
flat on our faces. Or, as one charming football fan put it on Twitter to me
on Saturday night, going back to the gutter where we 'belong'. After two
more wins, three, four? Or is it in May? Or beyond?

I grew up knowing I could do better, but never truly believing I would. I
worked hard. I got my grades, my degree (first in my family if you don't
mind), my job. But there was always the deep-seated feeling that I wasn't
good enough. Someone at my work experience at the BBC told me I didn't have
a future in broadcasting unless I changed my Cockney accent. In my youthful
pig-headed arrogance and misguided East End pride I swore I'd never change.
But unfortunately he was right. It held me back for a long time. Plus the
fact I was a woman in a male-dominated industry. I used to be referred to by
another person in power at Sky as 'the Essex girl'. It wasn't a term of
endearment. It was a dig and I knew it. Eventually I realised I had to
soften my estuary tones. They haven't disappeared completely but I conceded
defeat on that score. But however you say it, with whatever accent you like,
I've broken a few barriers. Especially as a woman (and a Londoner to boot)
in football.

West Ham are also breaking records. Breaking new ground. We're enjoying our
best start in the league for 15 years. We're 4th in the table, the highest
we've been since 2008 and Sakho has scored his seventh goal in eight games,
six in six Premier League starts – only the 2nd player in history to do so.

We are preparing to enter a new era. We'll be plying our trade in a super
stadium soon enough. But we're constantly told (and telling ourselves),
don't get carried away, it won't last, it'll all end in tears, it's only
West Ham.

Always looked down upon in the top flight by our London-based Premier League
neighbours (no disrespect but I'm not referring to Palace). Laughed at.
Ridiculed. No money. The poor relation. The cockney working class rogues who
have nothing to their name but the West Ham Way (it's no myth
thank-you-very-much Sir Alex!) hoping against hope to rise above their
station. What happens if the Downstairs want to come Upstairs? What happens
when Del Boy finally becomes a mill-yon-aire?

Southampton fans are also enjoying their moment in the sun. They don't seem
to be questioning it. Despite their recent lean years they have an inherent
sense of entitlement. They are the 'haves' and their noisy neighbours, the
ones who are always 'playing-up' are the 'have-nots'. They're not
uncomfortable in their lofty place. Nor do they have nose bleeds. Whereas,
we can't believe our luck and are wondering where and when it will all end.

I'm not saying we should adopt delusions of grandeur and expect Champions
League football but when do we start looking up instead of down? How long do
I have to wait before I'm allowed to start believing that this club can rise
above its humble beginnings? What do we need to do to deserve, and more
importantly, believe we deserve the luxury of our new mansion in Olympic
Park? Why shouldn't we emulate the likes of Everton, a club which, on a
relatively small-ish budget consistently finishes in the top six or 7, has
decent cup runs and experiences European football beyond the Inter-toto cup?

I'm not getting ahead of myself. This should be viable. If they can do it on
a regular basis so can we. Surely a billionaire oligarch isn't compulsory
for success! I don't want to be a yo-yo club anymore. We have the manager
(nay-sayers be damned), we are far more secure financially than we've been
in years, we have a new mega-home to look forward to and
"gawd-blimey-strike-a-light-guv'nor" we've got the makings of a bloody good
team. And no mistake.

Ok so my tongue is ever-so-slightly placed in my cheek here…but I call for
no more tugging of our fore locks! Cast off the inferiority complex. We're
not just the pride of the East End we're the pride of London! We're doing it
the hard way and we can be more and do more than everyone thinks. It doesn't
happen overnight. It takes graft. And dedication. It's an evolution. It
takes time and energy but you get there. You just have to believe.

I should know….

Having said all that I'd take a point on Saturday haha! Come on you Irons!!

B x

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AN AMERICAN SEARCHING FOR BUBBLES
By Iain Dale 30 Oct 2014 at 18:47
West Ham till I Die

Guest Post by Matt Caputa

When the wheels touched down at Heathrow nothing felt comfortable. I had too
much luggage, no cash, and a not a clue where my living accommodation was
located. Grudgingly, I experienced the tube and spent the entire ride
wondering why it was even called a tube. I am studying abroad with the
intention of involving myself in British life, and the morning of my arrival
I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep and watch American football.

It was a dark Saturday and West Ham was hosting Liverpool. A generous fan
had offered me a ticket to the game but I had no idea where Upton Park was
in relation to Islington London, so I passed and opted to find a soccer pub
to watch the match. The first pub I entered asked me what league West Ham
played in. "What league was West Ham?" "Where was I?"- They were the only
thoughts lingering on my mind. I was forced to run the streets of central
London trying to find a place to watch the game. Luckily I found an American
resembling sports bar and caught the second half of our brilliant
performance against Liverpool. But I was worried. I was the only fan in the
building.

The next couple weeks I was plagued with concern about West Ham. London was
fantastic don't get me wrong, but for the life of me I couldn't find a
supporter. I am located in the dead center of London, where are the Hammers!
Student after student told me they were for Arsenal, Chelsea, and even the
brave admitted to Tottenham. I booked my first ticket to the QPR match with
a cautiously optimistic excitement. Was it even going to be worth it? Was
this entire pilgrimage for a mediocre experience? Well the next three weeks
gave a resounding response to my nervous energy.

I arrived to Upton Park for the first time alone four hours early. I must
have paced up and down Green Street one hundred times. The merchandise
tents, cheap fried chicken, and the people swarming with scarves and thick
jackets gave me the feeling I was finally in the right place. I remember
walking up the steps into Upton Park and taking my seat right under the G in
the Upper Trevor Brooking stand. I asked the steward where I get my bubbles,
and he looked at me like I had three heads and said that people don't
actually blow bubbles. I was stunned and to date that was by far the most
embarrassing moment over here, but boy did he get a kick out of it. I'll
spare the details of the game, but as I funneled outside the stadium after a
wonderful 2-0 trouncing of QPR, something inside me felt alive.

After the international break and an inspiring win at Burnley, I knew I had
to see the Hammers up close. Cue to the morning of the 25th. I was in
Queens's pub sipping on a Guinness. I was by myself again, but for some
reason I felt so connected with the fan base. I sat in a corner and watched
fathers laugh with sons, grandparents wrap their arms around the younger
generations, and more importantly not a single City jersey could be spotted.
The comradery was not superficial. The energy was laced with a hundred years
of loyalty and intricate memories. Feeling buzzed, I walked to the stadium
and took my seat 5 rows up from the field. When Amalfitano scored Upton Park
was became a circus. Fans from all sides of the stadium were on their feet
with arms raised in a heavenly direction above their heads. Could this be
the day I see something special?

And then, the moment happened, or shall I say, Sakho happened. I've been to
American Football playoff games, basketball games, hockey, you name it. But
when Sakho tacked on goal number two, the eruption from the stands was
unheard of before. There were no sirens, or marching bands, just pure
unadulterated excitement blasting from the vocal chords of those in ecstasy.
In the United States stadiums have become accustomed to trying to outdo each
other with manufactured volume. Boat sirens go off in hockey arenas.
Football stadiums have music and even cannons on site. Not here though. It's
not needed. With the singing, and chanting, and the laughing and oh my
goodness just typing this has created a stir of emotion. It carried its way
to the grueling 90 minute mark and the eruption again poured from all ends
as we beat City!

Now I know what some might think. I'm that simple minded American influenced
by an incorrect film about an outdated time period starring the guy from the
Hobbit. I get that. But this migration to London has taught me so much about
life, and the games at West Ham have taught me even more. I've learned that
this isn't a hobby, or an interest. There isn't a hint of casualness on game
day. Life is West Ham. I cannot wait to travel to Stoke on Saturday, and to
get a taste of West Ham supporters on the road. Because of ticket prices and
still a lack of anyone to be a loyal supporter of whom I live with, I will
continue to see as many games as possible until December 15 (when I return
home) on my own. I would love to arrange to meet with anybody up until that
date, and hope the next month allows me to network even more amongst the
Hammers community. This has been a surreal experience so far, and from the
bottom of my red, white and blue heart, I want to thank the city of London
for being so wonderful.

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West Ham forward Mauro Zarate switches international allegiances from
Argentina to Chile
Oct 30, 2014 18:27 By Ed Malyon
The former Birmingham City man has accepted the call for La Roja and will be
eyeing up a Copa America appearance on home soil in 2015
The Mirror

West Ham star Mauro Zarate has switched allegiances to realise his
international dream. The Argentine has finally accepted a call-up from Chile
after spurning previous overtures. And it means that the 27-year-old will be
able to feature in the Copa America on home soil next summer. The former
Lazio and Inter Milan forward won the U-20 World Cup with his native
Argentina in a team that counted upon Manchester City star Sergio Aguero and
United winger Angel Di Maria. But Zarate will now hope to line up alongside
QPR striker Eduardo Vargas, Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and the other players
who impressed for Chile at the World Cup

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West Ham hotshot Diafra Sakho rated 50-50 to figure against Stoke this
weekend
Oct 30, 2014 11:41 By Neil McLeman
The buy of the summer had expected to miss a month with the shoulder injury
picked up in a collision with Joe Hart but he could be OK to figure this
weekend
The Mirror

Diafra Sakho is "50-50" to play at Stoke on Saturday after suffering a
shoulder injury in the win over Manchester City. The sensational Senegal
striker has scored seven goals in his seven starts for West Ham since his
£4.7m transfer from Metz. But manager Sam Allardyce said he is "touch and
go" to appear at the Britannia Stadium as his Hammers aim to continue their
strong start to the season. "We will wait till tomorrow to see what he is
like and make a decision from there," he said. "He is still in a bit of pain
so while there is no dislocation or fracture, it is about the arm movement.
The pain is obviously a lot less than when he did it but it is whether he
will be sufficiently recovered to take the risk. "There are no injections in
this scenario - it is all about whether the movement and the pain is
bearable for him. It depends on his pain threshold. He could start but at
the moment I would say it is about 50-50 but there are still more than 48
hours to go. "There is a lot of recovery time between now and three o'clock
on Saturday so we will wait and see. We might even wait till Saturday
morning."

Andy Carroll has yet to play a practice match and although he could return
to action next month Allardyce said: "At the moment we are playing well and
getting good results. It doesn't force me to play Andy quicker than I have
to. It is about game time and training with the lads and seeing how quickly
he improves."

The Hammers have won four of their last five games to sit in the Champions
League places following home wins over Liverpool and the defending
champions. "I think it is a surprise to us all," Allardyce admitted. "We had
a very poor pre-season and looking back, it was not the right thing to go to
New Zealand. The results and performances were not good going into the
season and there was some anxiety going in. "We had so many injuries because
of the travelling and the anxiety of the new players and how good they would
be. Those anxieties were quickly put aside and in the last four or five
games we have been excellent."

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Tottenham Hotspur's struggles are a warning to Premier League rivals
Southampton and West Ham United
Subhankar Mondal
HITC

At the start of the season, Tottenham Hotspur were claimed to be among the
key contenders for a top-four finish in the Premier League; now West Ham
United and Southampton are the new darlings. Tottenham Hotspur are
struggling at the moment. Their 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at
White Hart Lane in the League Cup fourth-round tie on Wednesday cannot
eclipse that. Heading into this weekend's round of matches, Spurs find
themselves 11th in the Premier League table with just 11 points from nine
matches. Mauricio Pochettino's side are five points behind fourth-placed
West Ham United and just three points above the relegation zone – results
have been that bad. However, back in August, Tottenham were being backed for
a top-four spot, with some suggesting that they could even fight for the
league title.

Tottenham's recent struggle is another example of the myopic vision that
exists in football. When you win three games in a row, you are set for
glory; if you fail to win in five matches, you are set for
disaster.Southampton and West Ham United have made truly brilliant starts to
the 2014-15 season, and there are suggestions that they could finish in the
top six, maybe even the top four. That could well turn out to be the case,
but it would be foolhardly to get carried away after just nine rounds of
matches. As good as the Saints and the Hammers have been, there is no
guarantee that they will continue this run of good results. First and
foremost, the two clubs should think of consolidating their place in the
Premier League; European glory should be a bonus. Yours truly is not trying
to undermine the achievements of Southampton and West Ham so far this
season, but it would be unwise to get carried away and start over-hyping the
two teams. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are below them, and both have
far better squads than them.

True, Southampton's summer signings have gelled, but there is a reason -
often overlooked by the bangwagon jumpers - why Graziano Pelle and Dusan
Tadic were not picked up by bigger clubs in the summer. Pelle is 29 and has
only just played for the Italy national team, while 25-year-old Tadic has
yet to prove himself at the highest level. Make no mistake both have been
brilliant so far – but they have to continue playing like this over the
course of the season. Can they do that? West Ham have a similar situation.
The Hammers' summer signings Alex Song, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have
been brilliant so far, but let's not get carried away too early. Remember
Song was put up for sale by Barcelona and Sakho was at Metz until this
season.

Tottenham have a different situation. They started well but are struggling
at the moment, and now the fear-mongers are claiming that they will fail to
even secure a top-six finish, neatly forgetting that they have more talented
players that West Ham and Southampton.
Over the years, there have been numerous examples of teams making great
starts and then fizzling out. There is no sign yet that West Ham and
Southampton will follow suit, but it would be wise to temper the
expectations on them.

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Sam alone must make Sakho decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on October 30, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Big Sam will know how desperate Diafra Sakho will be to play at Stoke on
Saturday but he musn't – nor do I believe he will – allow the player to make
the decision on whether he starts. The manager revealed in his press
conference this morning that the striker has a 50/50 chance of making the
game and with normal progress you would expect that to rise to 80/20 by kick
off time. As a former manager myself I've had a lot of players tell me they
are ready to play and found to my cost they weren't. You learn fast to make
your own mind up and I am sure Sam will take the decision away from the
lad. I've always been a firm believer too that if a guy isn't fit to start,
he isn't fit to be on the bench so iSam has to be 100 per cent sure of
Diafra. Should he not be ready then I imagine the manager will go with Kevin
Nolan who remains a goalscorer and with the level of competition in the
squad will be well motivated for the game. He also gives the advantage of
being suited to an awkward away game where if the pressure does come on he
can drop back into midfield. I'd have Mauro Zarate on the bench should we
need to change things after an hour. People are saying that the Stoke
central defenders will give Diafra too hard a handling if he does play but
let me tell you as a former striker, there are no central defenders in any
team who don't want to you up. With him or without him, I fancy us to win
against Stoke who have had a patchy start to the season and the degree of
difficulty involved will depend in which Stoke turn up! One thing I am
absolutely certain of is that they will be more worried about us than vice
versa because you can almost feel the confidence in the Hammers squad. I
reckon we'll win it 2-1

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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