Daily WHUFC News - 6th November 2014

Five feature in Southend friendly
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll completed 60 minutes of a behind-closed-doors match with
Southend United on Wednesday
05.11.2014

Andy Carroll continued his comeback from injury by featuring in a
behind-closed-doors meeting with Southend United on Wednesday. The 60-minute
training match, which was held at West Ham United's Chadwell Heath training
ground, saw Carroll complete the full hour under the watchful eye of manager
Sam Allardyce and his staff. Carroll, who has not featured for the first
team this season following ankle surgery in the United States in July, was
joined in the Hammers side by Joey O'Brien, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan and
Ricardo Vaz Te. All five came through unscathed will have benefited from
time on the pitch in a match environment against an energetic Southend
outfit, with winger Jarvis getting his name on the scoresheet. The news
comes as a further boost to Big Sam, who expects to include Diafra Sakho
(shoulder) and Winston Reid (dead leg) in his squad for Saturday's Barclays
Premier League fixture with Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground.

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Sam excited by international stars
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has welcomed West Ham United's decision to host a friendly
between Argentina and Croatia
05.11.2014

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has welcomed the Club's decision to
host the exciting international friendly between Argentina and Croatia. The
fixture, which will take place at the Boleyn Ground on the evening of
Wednesday 12 November, could see the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez,
Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic appear at the home of the Hammers. With
tickets priced at just £25 for Adults and £15 for concessions, Big Sam said
the whole family could enjoy a night under the floodlights watching some of
the finest players in the world.
"I must say I think this is yet another exciting event at an exciting time
for West Ham United," he enthused. "For most football fans, the opportunity
to see the likes of Lionel Messi in action in the flesh is one they would
not want to miss. He does not play on English soil too often, so this is a
chance to see one of the greatest players who has ever kicked a football on
the pitch, live. "Messi will not be the only star in action, either.
Argentina have got some fantastic players, as was illustrated by them
reaching the World Cup final just a few months ago. Croatia, too, have some
very talented individuals with the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, so
this is going to be a very competitive fixture between two top international
sides. "I understand that ticket prices have been set at a very competitive
level, meaning families can bring their children down to watch some of the
best players in the world in action in our stadium. "I am sure the Argentina
and Croatia fans will make for quite an atmosphere, too, so the stage is
certainly set for a unique occasion."

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Mavila ready for Canaries
WHUFC.com
The Development Squad's Nathan Mavila is looking for a win against Norwich
City
05.11.2014

West Ham United Development Squad's Nathan Mavila is looking forward to
facing Norwich City as the Hammers travel to the Canaries' Colney training
ground on Thursday fpr a 1pm kick-off The versatile 19-year-old is one of a
number of players to progress to the Dev Squad after making 29 appearances
for the U18s last season. Mavila scored against Norwich on his Hammers debut
almost two years ago. Speaking ahead of the clash with the Canaries, he
said: "I'm excited for the game, I'm really looking forward to it to be
fair. "Norwich are a very exciting team. They're a very strong attacking
side with the two wingers Josh and Jacob Murphy. We know they're a good side
and it'll be a tough game."

Last time out the Hammers narrowly lost 2-1 to an experienced Manchester
United team which included the likes of Michael Carrick, Tyler Blackett and
James Wilson. "It was really good to face players who have played in the
first team and in the Premier League. To play against the likes of Michael
Carrick and Tyler Blackett was a good test and one we'll learn from. I think
despite losing we did well."

The Dev Squad's recent good performances have yet to translate into points
and the Hammers find themselves at the foot of the table while their
opponents, Norwich, are just two points ahead. "We haven't got off to the
start we quite wanted results wise. Performance wise we started off slowly
but I think we're getting better. We're quite a young squad with more
younger players coming through."

Among the younger players who have been involved in the Dev Squad are Josh
Pask who recently signed his first professional contract and Reece Oxford
who captained the England U17s last week. "I think the younger players have
coped pretty well to be fair, the centre backs Josh Pask, Manny Onariase and
Reece Oxford particularly have all done well so far, hopefully that
continues."

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The Big Interview - Steve Potts
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U18s manager assesses his side's season so far
04.11.2014

Steve Potts' West Ham United U18s have made a fantastic start to their
league season having taken 19 points from their first eleven games. This
impressive vein of form coincided with a eight-game unbeaten run at the
start of the season. As a West Ham player Potts made 506 first team
appearances, and he currently holds the Club's record of Premier League
appearances. As the U18s approach the half way point of their league
season, we caught up with the two time Hammer of the Year winner.

Steve, your U18s got back to winning ways against Norwich City with a 1-0
victory on Saturday. What did you make of the game?

SP "I thought we played very well, we controlled a lot of the game better
than we had been doing earlier in the season. Even though we were winning
games I still I wasn't happy enough, but on Saturday we got a lot of the
ball and moved it around well. "We created a number of chances and their
keeper had a fantastic game. I thought we weren't going to get anything out
of it but thankfully at the end we got the three point and not just the
one."

You have had a number of injuries to deal with, but Jerry Amoo came in and
scored his first goal of the season, which must be very pleasing?

SP "Yeah, he's been unlucky with injuries, he's missed a large part of the
season. He's come back and he's still regaining fitness really. With his
goal it was good to see him hit it first time with his left foot rather than
take a touch. He put it away well."

We are halfway through the Barclays U18 Premier League with eleven games
played, so how do you assess the team's progress?

SP "We've progressed OK, we had a very good start but we're always hoping
for more. We had a little hiccup results wise at Fulham but otherwise our
performance was good. Against Aston Villa [the previous week, when we lost
3-1] we didn't get a performance or a result we were looking for. But to get
the result against Norwich last Saturday shows we learnt the lessons from
that match so it's good."

You are currently joint-top on 19 points. Does that haul exceed pre-season
expectations?

SP "I didn't really think about any targets before the season. What we look
at is the performances and the efforts the boys are putting in. We have to
look at whether the boys are improving, individually and as a team.
"We also have to consider if they're giving it their best shot which is what
we insist on. If they're not you have to question whether it's worth them
being here. I know that sounds harsh but there are thousands of boys who
would like to be in their position and they've got to make the best of the
opportunity they've got. We've learnt quite a lot about the players this
season, good and bad."

The FA Youth Cup is not far away from getting started, so are you excited
for that?

SP "It's a different competition and opportunity for the boys, they got the
chance to play in the stadium in front of a crowd so it's a good experience.
It's a very tough competition, with the league programme the boys get moved
up and down between the age groups but with the Youth Cup you tend to find
every club puts their best team out so it's a very tough cup to win."

A number of the U18s have moved up into the Development Squad. How do you
think they have coped?

SP "I think they've done OK. It's a big ask to play a few years up but in
reality that's what they need to be doing. They need to prove themselves at
that level before they can go any further."

They have also faced some tough opposition in a strong Manchester United
side and Bilbao Athletic in the Premier League International Cup?

SP "Exactly, and that can only be a good thing for them. Manchester United
are near the top of the division as well as having a number of players with
first team experience in that side. At the other end if you don't put the
ball in the back of the net you're going to pay the price."

A number of players have been awarded their first professional contracts.
That must be testament to their hard work and the good work going on at the
Academy?

SP "It's pleasing. It's another step on the ladder for them really. I think
contracts take care of themselves really. In terms of how well they do in
the future I don't think they need to worry about that too much. At their
age they just need to concentrate on their football and let their
performances do the talking."

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Mediawatch - 5 November
WHUFC.com
Our daily look at the West Ham United stories making the news
05.11.2014

The Sun (£) reports that the Hammers have put a six-year contract on the
table in a bid to keep Winston Reid at the Boleyn Ground.

The Daily Star, meanwhile, say that Reid is set to sign the deal, which will
run until 2019.

BBC Sport carry a story that Diafra Sakho should return to the squad for
Saturday's game against Aston Villa.

A story in the Daily Mail suggests Andy Carroll will play in a behind closed
doors game against Southend United on Wednesday.

Finally, the Southend Echo report that Elliot Lee is out for two months
after suffering a hamstring injury in training with his loan club.

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West Ham contemplate £15million bid for Alex Song
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 4th November 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are willing to match their transfer record in order to sign
Alex Song on a permanent basis. The Cameroon international - who cost
Barcelona £15million in 2012 - has proved an instant hit at the Boleyn
Ground since arriving on a season-long loan on the final day of the summer
transfer window.

And according to a KUMB source, West Ham are prepared to match the
£15million spent on securing the services of Andy Carroll in 2013 in order
to tie the 27-year-old down to a long-term contract. Although it is
understood that West Ham would be willing to make a move for Song as early
as the January transfer window, it is possible that at least one first team
squad member would need to be sold in order to accommodate the former
Arsenal star's financial demands as a result of the current FFP rules
governing club finance.

Those on the fringe of the first team squad, out of contract next summer and
who could theoretically be moved on several months early include Ricardo Vaz
Te, Ravel Morrison, Guy Demel, Carlton Cole and Jussi Jasskelainen. Song has
made just seven appearances for West Ham so far - matches that have produced
four wins (Liverpool, QPR, Burnley, Man City), two draws (Hull, Stoke) and
just the one defeat (Man Utd).

* Did you know? One of Alex Song's sons is called 'Nolan'.

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Injury-hit West Ham striker Andy Carroll makes comeback in
behind-closed-doors friendly
Nov 05, 2014 18:03 By Alex Richards
The £15million man underwent ankle surgery in July and got an hour under his
belt against Southend at the Hammers training ground
The Mirror

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has continued his comeback from injury with a
behind-closed-doors appearance. The England hitman is yet to appear for the
Hammers first XI this term but took part in an hour-long match against
Southend on Wednesday afternoon. Held at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training
ground, Carroll was watched by boss Sam Allardyce and his staff as he
completed the full hour, as he builds up his fitness following ankle surgery
in July. Carroll was joined in the West Ham side by Joey O'Brien, £10million
winger Matt Jarvis, club captain Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te, none of
whom have been regulars in the Premier League this term. All five came
through the game without problem, with ex-Wolves man Jarvis getting his name
on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw, which will be a boost to the fourth-place
Hammers. This weekend they meet Aston Villa at Upton Park, with both Winston
Reid and Diafra Sakho expected to be included in the squad, despite leg and
shoulder injuries respectively.

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Two-goal Anderlecht hero Anthony Vanden Borre was 'too fat' for West Ham
Nov 05, 2014 12:05 By Neil McLeman
The Belgian international had a miserable spell in the Premier League as
Portsmouth were relegated before heading on trial to Upton Park
The Mirror

The Anderlecht player who scored twice against Arsenal was rejected by West
Ham for being "too fat". Anthony Vanden Borre was relegated with Portsmouth
in 2009-10 after spending a season on loan at Fratton Park. And he then
failed a trial at Upton Park. And his former Anderlecht team-mate Cheikhou
Kouyate, who joined the Hammers from the Belgian champions in the summer,
said: "My team-mates still remember it. It was during a period where Anthony
was not in good shape and he had a few kilos too many. They said to me that
he was too fat."
But after Vanden Borre's performances in the World Cup and Champions League,
Kouyate said: "They didn't believe me when I said it was the same guy. I
explained to them that he had worked really hard to come back. "They have a
lot of respect for him now. There is even a little bit of disappointment:
they think they missed a great bargain. Anthony would be adored here. I hope
that he will one day come and rejoin me in England."

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OS move raises Hammers job issues
Posted by Sean Whetstone on November 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham United will surrender their traditional responsibilities of
"running the show" inside their own ground once they move to the Olympic
Stadium For such duties as stewarding, security, cleaning, maintenance,
catering and a host of other functions will become the responsibility of the
main stadium operator. As we reported yesterday that looks likely to be
French firm Vinci who are believed to have beaten AEG to the contract. The
contract will run for 10 years with an option of renewal of another 15
years.

The scope of Stadium Operator plus contract out to tender includes full
operation of Olympic Stadium for events including stewarding, securing
sporting and entertainment content on other available days, conferencing and
banqueting, delivery of community events, stadium tours, security,
cleaning, maintenance, licencing, contract management and catering at all
events held at the Stadium including both hospitality and general admission
spectators.

West Ham currently employs 800 people, full and part time but many of those
jobs will now be allotted by the stadium operator thus creating much
uncertainty among those currently employed! Those include hundreds of part
time match day, and some full time staff, currently employed by the club in
steward, security and stadium maintenance roles.

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Sam and Winston's positions may be linked
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

I've just come off the phone from an old pro who posed a very interesting
question: "Is Winston Reid's reluctance to sign a new deal linked to the
uncertainty surrounding Sam Allardyce's position?" It's a scenario that's
worth considering although all the sounds coming out of the club are that
the central defender is determined to study every option available before
finally deciding what he wants to do. He has Europe on his mind and with
both Manchester United and Arsenal looking in need of a decent central
defender he's clearly not going to be rushed into putting pen to paper.
However, despite having been offered around £60k a week (and that is the
correct figure – not the reported £75k), other issues enter may enter a
players mind.

And this former Hammers player said: "Winston's coming to the end of a deal
as is the manager and the defender may be wondering what happens if he signs
and a new manager doesn't fancy him." Fair point! Personally, I don't
believe the two positions are linked or that Winston and Sam are joined at
the hip. But I reckon it may be an idea to sort future the managerial
positions out by offering one year rolling deals. Top players coming out of
contract then know that the boss' position is as safe as it can get so long
as he is doing the business and it makes the pay off cheaper if things do go
very wrong.

Meanwhile, the talking goes on!

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Reid: The real truth on 'talks'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 5, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Speculation that Winston Reid is set to sign a new Hammers deal is false as
things stand at the moment. Tabloid newspapers have been "revealing" the
player has made up his mind to sign a new deal at around £75k a week. But
ClaretandHugh has learned that whilst talks are continuing with the player's
agent, declarations of the player's intentions are "entirely premature."

We were told last evening the central defender had been encouraged by the
club's ambitions this season which is entirely the case but at this stage he
continues to study all his options. The board still have had no reaction
from the player's agent on the offer made several weeks ago and we were told
this morning: "We will continue to strive to get a deal but newspaper
speculation is well wide of the mark.
"To suggest the club are offering £75k a week is just wrong – it's not that
high."

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Cottee Column: This West Ham has a new steel about it
13:17 05 November 2014
London24
Tony Cottee

When we went two down at Stoke City on Saturday, I, like a lot of West Ham
fans, thought that was it, back to the bad old days and a bad defeat. But we
forgot about this new Hammers side. Stoke were the better team for 60
minutes of this match, but the Hammers this season have a new steel, they
score goals and they create chances and you have to say that it was
definitely a point gained by the end. There are some places that you go that
you don't expect to get anything, like Man City, Chelsea and with us
Liverpool, but Stoke are not far behind that on their own pitch, so to get a
result was superb. I have to say that I would have preferred Sam to stick
with his two up front for this game.

Players like to keep things simple and they have been playing with two-up
and with a diamond allowing the full backs to get forward and it has worked
superbly. When you change things, players start to wonder what they are
doing, which role they are playing and that was what happened on Saturday
until Sam changed things round. I would have just swapped Carlton Cole for
Diafra Sakho. One of the great beneficiaries of the new diamond has been
Stewart Downing and you have to say he is a revelation this season. No-one
doubts his ability as a footballer, but you can be marked out of the game on
the wing, especially with the service he was given last season, now he is in
all the time. We may have stumbled upon his new position, but Stuart has
taken full advantage of it and I think he deserves a place in the England
squad as well as Mark Noble in my opinion.

Jordan Henderson is in the squad, but I feel that Stewart it better player
technically than him. Villa come to Upton Park on Saturday and you have to
say there may not be a better time to play against them. They have lost six
on the trot and only scored one goal. When I heard Christian Benteke had
been sent off I thought that is good for West Ham too. They have decent
players like Gabriel Agbonlahor, but these are the sorts of games we need
to win if we are to establish ourselves in the top six. I remember Villa
coming to us during the 85/86 season and us beating them 4-0. That is the
sort of emphatic result we need.

I am going for a 3-0 win!

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Former West Ham goalkeeper David James forced to auction memorabilia
By SimonMurfitt1 | Posted: November 05, 2014
David James made 53 appearances for England
www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk

Former West Ham and England goalkeeper David James is being forced to
auction off his football memorabilia after being declared bankrupt.
More than 150 signed shirts, shorts and match balls will be sold online
after the 44-year-old was declared bankrupt despite earning around £20
million during a career that saw him win 53 England caps. James' financial
problems are reportedly largely down to his costly divorce from wife Tanya
in 2005. The lots due to be sold off at hilcoind.co.uk from November 18 will
include James' jersey from England's 4-1 thrashing by Germany in the 2010
World Cup second round. An England shirt signed by Wayne Rooney and other
teammates is also available, as well as the shirt he wore in the FA Cup
final with Portsmouth and signed shirts from his time at Liverpool in the
1990s. James, who was awarded an MBE in 2012 for his services to football
and charity, currently plays as a goalkeeper and manages Kerala Blasters FC
in the Indian Super League. The keeper, who made 90 appearances for West Ham
from 2001 to 2004, is also a regular pundit on BT Sport's football coverage.
He currently sits third on the list of all-time Premier League appearances,
having played 536 games at the top-level and he holds the Premier League
record for most clean sheets, with 173.

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