U18s return to winning ways
WHUFC.com
Jerry Amoo's late goal secured a 1-0 Barclays U18 Premier League victory at Norwich City
02.11.2014
Jerry Amoo's late goal secured a 1-0 Barclays U18 Premier League victory at Norwich City on Saturday. West Ham United travelled to Norfolk on the back of consecutive 3-1 defeats by Fulham and Aston Villa which ended their unbeaten eight-match start to the season. However, Steve Potts' side showed no ill-effects from those two losses as they produced a display that could easily have been rewarded with a more comprehensive win. West Ham had the majority of clear-cut chances at Norwich's Colney Training Centre, with Tunji Akinola seeing a shot blocked, Manny Onariase twice firing off-target and Amoo forcing a fine save from the home goalkeeper from Djair Parfitt-Williams' through ball. At the other end, the Hammers defended stoutly, with Oscar Borg throwing himself in front of one goalbound shot. The first half ended goalless, with Joe Powell firing a free-kick past the post for the visitors in the closing moments. Into the second half and West Ham started brightly, with Parfitt-Williams seeing a shot saved before combining with Borg to set up Powell, who forced an outstanding save from the Norwich goalkeeper. Powell saw another shot saved from Amoo's right-wing cross before the Canaries finally got themselves back into things midway through the second period. First, a header flashed wide before Sam Howes was forced to make a fine stop to keep his side on level pegging. Potts sent on Decarrey Sheriff and Swiss youngster Noha Sylvestre for Powell and Kieran Bailey and the changes sparked one last thrust from the Hammers. Amoo was the man to win it for West Ham. Borg's fine work in the corner led to a cross and a scramble inside the Norwich penalty area that ended with the midfielder firing home to secure all three points for his side.
U18s: Howes, Pike, Borg, Carter, Akinola, Onariase, Amoo, Browne, Powell (Sheriff), Bailey (Sylvestre), Parfitt-Williams
Subs not used: Bogard, Elsom, Eggleton
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Tonks thrilled to be back
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was delighted to play his part in West Ham United's draw at Stoke City
02.11.2014
James Tomkins made his return from a thigh injury when entering the fray as an early substitute at Stoke City on Saturday and he was delighted to play his part in a stirring West Ham United comeback. The Hammers were in trouble when Mame Diouf added to Victor Moses' opener early in the second half at the Britannia Stadium, but the Londoners showed adrmirable fortitude to claim a point. First Enner Valencia guided a diving header beyond Asmir Begovic, then Stewart Downing slammed home from inside the box, leaving the near-3,000 strong travelling crowd with reason to cheer. Tomkins had to dig in alongside his fellow defenders in the face of a strong first hour from the home side and he was delighted to go home with a point. "Going 2-0 down was a disappointment, but to show the character [to come back] shows the team spirit and the confidence," he explained. "We never doubted ourselves even though we did go 2-0 down. It's a hard place to come to, so it felt like a win in the end to get a point. It's a good result. "It obviously caught me by surprise with Reidy going off, but you have to come on and start [from the off]. Stoke started well and had the momentum, so you've got to be ready for it. "It was nice to get back out there. It was my first time back in the squad and I felt like I put a good shift in considering the circumstances."
Tomkins emphasised the importance of building on the previous weekend's victory over Manchester City and he says the two-goal fightback meant it was mission accomplished. He continued: "It's nice to come away from here not losing - we're on a good run at the moment and it's important not to lose games. it does feel like a little win, even though it's just a point and it's all good going into the Villa game next week. "Like the Gaffer said before the game, you can't beat Manchester City then go to Stoke City, and no disrespect to them, and leave with a bad taste in the mouth. "It was important to come here and get a result. That's our bread and butter, so to come here and do that is great."
West Ham's fightback came following a half-time tactical switch which saw Carlton Cole come on up front and Enner Valencia move to a wider position and Tomkins felt the pair worked well in tandem. He added: "Putting a big man like Coley up front means he's always going to try and hold balls up for us and cause the defence a nuiscance. "He put himself about, and Enner's scored a great header. Then Stewie's nicked one with his right peg, and that's really good for them. "Enner will cause havoc this season, hopefully he won't get too tired having played in the World Cup, but Saturday shows what a talented player he is."
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West Ham teenager Reece Oxford yet to agree professional contract
Last Updated: 02/11/14 12:08pm
SSN
Highly-rated West Ham defender Reece Oxford is no closer to agreeing a professional deal at Upton Park. The 6ft 3ins tall teenager, who turns 16 in December, captained England U17s in the summer and was an unused substitute for West Ham in their Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield United in September. West Ham are battling to keep hold of Oxford with a number of the Premier League's big guns keen to lure him away from the Hammers. The likes of Arsenal,Chelsea and Manchester United have all sent scouts to watch the stylish centre-back on numerous occasions with Oxford a regular in the West Ham under 21s side this season. West Ham have previously indicated they were prepared to offer Oxford a lucrative deal to keep him out of the clutches of their Premier League rivals, but no agreement has been reached as yet.
Should West Ham fail to tie down Oxford to a new deal they risk losing one of the best talents to come through their famed academy for minimal compensation should he go to another club.
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Why Stoke City and Mark Hughes can not (only) blame referee Chris Foy for West Ham comeback
Matt MeirSunday 2 Nov 2014 8:08 pm
Metro.co.uk
Earning a point against a side sitting inside the top five of the Premier League is usually something to be proud of. But this was West Ham – and we were winning by two clear goals. The side that we beat home and away last year, a side that struggled to avoid relegation, has had fortunes and ethics turned around by Sam Allardyce – a manager not known for compromise, and who must have been wondering when his P45 would arrive towards the end of the season. The pivotal moment came on the hour mark.
Stoke, already two goals up, were breaking at speed. The ball had come to goalscorer Mame Biram Diouf on the halfway line – and here he had a choice. Spread the ball right, to the two on-rushing Stoke midfielders, or left where there were three. Whilst Diouf made his decision, Alex Song decided to launch himself – feet first, studs showing – towards his knees. Fortunately, the rash and reckless challenge failed to make contact with Diouf, who spread the ball to Victor Moses on the Stoke left – who carelessly gave the ball away. West Ham broke away and scored their first of two. The infuriating part of all that though, was the tackle.
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Andy Carroll gets kicked out of store in Rome – for filming himself modelling in H&M advert
Vaishali Bhardwaj for Metro.co.uk
Sunday 2 Nov 2014 1:40 pm
Andy Carroll was involved in a rather bizarre moment while visiting Rome – after the West Ham striker was kicked out of a store for filming his appearance in an H&M advert. Carroll posted a video on social media on Sunday, in which the England international recorded an advert of him modelling for H&M's campaign for Alexander Wang that was being shown in the store. Despite the fact that he was filming himself, a stern-looking worker approached Carroll to tell him that recording was not permitted inside the store. The Hammers forward kept on filming the advert, however, before he later revealed on Instagram that he had been asked to leave for not complying with the request.
Alongside a clip of his modelling debut on the social media site, Carroll wrote: 'Sorry mate just trying to record myself!!! #KickedOut #Rome #H&M'Harsh!
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David Gold delivers Sakho & Zarate injury updates ahead of Aston Villa clash
HITC
Tim Poole
The West Ham co-chairman has good news for fans about the fitness of star strikers Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate. Barely have the celebrations got underway after another hard-earned Premier League point for West Ham United - and preparations for their next clash are already up and running. The Hammers put in a shift after coming back from 2-0 down at Stoke yesterday afternoon, earning themselves a brilliant 2-2 draw under the circumstances. That result leaves West Ham fifth in the table this weekend. But the focus is already on their next game. In a week's time, Sam Allardyce's side host Aston Villa and many supporters want to know if star strikers Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate will be fit for that clash.
Good news, according to West Ham co-chairman David Gold...
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@Coady86: @davidgold is sakho back for villa game?
He should be fit for Saturday. dg
David Gold ✔ @davidgold
"@01Whtid: @davidgold if sakho ain't fit to play on Saturday is there a chance for zarate to play?
Zarate is fit to play. Dg
Sakho has been in supreme form so far this season but missed the Stoke City clash through injury. Should he be fit for Saturday as Gold predicts, however, the Senegal striker will give the Hammers another big Premier League boost, while leaving Aston Villa fans with even more unwanted news. And, as Gold says, even if he isn't, Zarate will be.
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Here's the Iron Hodgson's really watching
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 2, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Speculation that Aaron Cresswell is being monitored by Roy Hodgson for a place in his next England squad is wide of the mark. The story appeared in a Sunday newspaper today but ClaretandHugh has been told by well placed Boleyn sources that the real object of the England manager's attention is Stewart Downing. And we can confirm that Hodgson – impressed with Downing against Manchester City last week – is seriously considering including the player in his next squad. A source said: "Roy let it be known that Downing was the guy he was taking an interest in ahead of the European Championship qualifier against Slovenia on November 15 and the friendly against Scotland in Glasgow four days later.
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Leroy: 'Sparky' Hughes tries to have it both ways
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 2, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Mark Hughes tried to have it both ways yesterday and his post-match complaints that Alex Song got away with a studs-up tackle don't wash!
He complained that Song should have been penalised but that ref Chris Foy allowed it to go unpunished but that was only half the story.
For the referee – one of our most senior – was playing an advantage which had allowed his team to break away before the attempted attack was turned over and Stewart Downing produced a cross which allowed the comeback to start. Yes, it was a naughty Song challenge but the ref called the situation correctly and Sparky's little moan is an example of how bosses sometimes really do want it all ways.
Stoke were probably the best team on the day but this is a different West Ham and one that I am very proud of because they refused to give it up and the fans – as expressed by both co owners were stunning. Stewart Downing is in outstanding form and now has the confidence to cross with right or left foot and as a result City were made to suffer. Even after the first goal, and without Diafra Sakho, we showed that we are a talented team with bit of steel about us. Nobody will fancy playing us this season Without Sakho around, Stewart Downing really stepped up to the plate and showed himself as the main man. He's in the form of his career. Ok we aren't gonna win every game but – and although it's been said many times is worth repeating – the distance we've travelled from last season is staggering.
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