Big Sam on: Aston Villa
WHUFC.com
The manager speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's game against Aston Villa
06.11.2014
Sam Allardyce is happy to see the treatment room emptying as West Ham United prepare to face Aston Villa on Saturday. Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid could return after suffering injuries, while Andy Carroll continues his rehabilitation in promising fashion. The manager spoke to the media ahead of his team's weekend assignment, with team selection at the top of the agenda.
Good morning Sam. First of all, can I ask about Andy Carroll? He played a behind closed doors game in the week, how did it go and will be be able to take part this weekend?
SA: "It depends how he feels this morning and how he trains on Friday - that will be the deciding factor on whether he gets into the squad or not. If he continues the way he is, if not this weekend, then by the end of the international break he should be okay and ready to join the squad."
He has been out for a while. In his absence others have come in and done well - how much of a challenge does he face to get himself back in there?
SA: "Everybody faces a bigger challenge than they did last season because the strength in depth of the squad has been proven to be very strong up to now. Even my trusted captain has found it difficult to break his way back into the side, so he's frustrated as are other players like Matt Jarvis, Ricardo Vaz Te and Joey O'Brien. These were my regular players last season but because the players have done so well when they've not been available, it's difficult for me to put them back in based on the performances and results."
Sakho was missing last week, is he back for this one?
SA: "He's training on Thursday for this first time, and Winston Reid will do some light training too. We'll wait and see how the session goes and the final decisions will be made on Friday as to who is available for selection."
Has Stewart Downing done enough, in your eyes, to get back in the England squad?
SA: "I think it's about position now. We've changed Stewart's position and it seems to have allowed him to flourish more in an attacking formation. Whether Roy sees if he's done enough in that new position to combine with the players he's got there will be interesting to see. "Certainly in terms of experience and football, he's on top of his game and playing exceptionally well at the moment, He's already scored two goals this season, which is one more than last year, so he's not only creating and assisting more, but getting more opportunities to score."
In terms of this weekend's game, you're up against a team who are going through a pretty tough time. Do you have sympathy for Paul Lambert there?
SA: "Always, because there's a huge pressure that comes upon you when you lose so many games on the trot. He must be wondering what he's doing wrong at the moment, because I watched the game against Tottenham last Sunday and thought how unlucky he was that he lost that game one to a sending off, and two to a deflected free-kick. That seems to happen when things aren't going for you. "You have to believe in yourself and your team, which he does, to come back. We have to make sure we try and continue their poor run. He'll remember when they pulled off a result at Liverpool and say that's what they're capable of, so I'd imagine it'll be a very difficult game in terms of trying to break them down and we'll have to be really aware of not leaving too many spaces to let them play that good counter-attacking game that they seem to adapt to well away from home."
Some comments from the Joint-Chairman this week seemed to suggest that Winston Reid was still a little way off agreeing a contract. Are you still hopeful that those talks can get back on track?
SA: "Well I haven't given up because I feel that we're progressing very nicely and that we can give Winston what he wants if he stays with us. We're building our Club slowly at the moment, but our ultimate goal is to be as ambitious as we can and if we can carry on building slowly but surely we can all achieve that goal. If Winston is impatient and sees it somewhere else, we'll have to wait and see."
Expectations among the fans have risen. Have your targets changed?
SA: "Not yet. Only ten games in it's too early [to do that]. Look at Aston Villa's start and everybody was going on about what a fantastic start they had - I think it was ten points in their first four games - and how quickly it can turn. It's far too early for us to start changing where and what we want to do. Our big test comes at the end of November and December when the games come thick and fast.
"I believe this time around, if we keep the squad fit, we will have a much better November and December than we've had in recent years. That's been our bad couple of months or our bad six weeks ever since I've been here. Until we get to the end of that, we're not going to change any areas we try and hit."
How much of a challenge is it for you to manage the players when they're fighting for their places?
SA: "I have to manage the disappointment and I have to look at the individuals and try and make sure they stay focused. The biggest problem you have with a fully-fit squad is making sure you keep the focus and concentration of that player. However long it might be that they feel they're not getting back in the team, it can change in a split second and if they're not physically and mentally ready and prepared to step into the team then we all suffer, particularly them. "That's their responsibility, but my responsibility is to keep them focused and as fit as possible, eager waiting for that opportunity. Recently we've had quite a few changes, and since players have stepped in like Carl Jenkinson and James Collins, they haven't lost their places. At the moment that's where we're at and the players who are waiting patiently for an opportunity have to make sure they're fit enough physically and mentally to play their very best, help the team win and say 'I expect to keep my place.'"
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Stewie's delight at England return
WHUFC.com
Stewart Downing is looking forward to another opportunity to impress for his country
06.11.2014
Stewart Downing is determined to impress after earning a recall to the England squad. Speaking exclusively to West Ham TV, the in-form midfielder expressed his delight at being included in Roy Hodgson's 26-man group for the Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Slovenia and friendly international in Scotland. Downing, who earned the last of his 34 caps in May 2012, put his outstanding recent form and return to the England stage largely down to a change to a new central role. Now, he hopes to be deployed in the same position for his country.
"I'm obviously over the moon," he began. "If I was being honest I didn't think I'd get picked, so to get picked is obviously a big thing for. I just need to keep playing well for West Ham and hopefully I'll get a couple more caps when I get away. "These are very big games. Slovenia is a qualifier and you could say Scotland is a friendly, but I don't think we'll class it as a friendly. It'll be a tough game, but is one we want to win. I'm looking forward to being involved. I want to be involved, get a few more caps and put some performances in.
"I think a few players will think they deserved a call-up, including a few of the lads here who have been playing well. It's obviously difficult for the England manager to pick 20-odd players out of the whole country and I understand that. "The way I've been playing and performing, I thought I was in with a chance and credit to the manager because he has picked me. He has obviously been watching our games and now I just need to put a performance in and stay in the squad, really."
While Downing has always played as a winger on his previous appearances for England, but he hopes to play in the middle this time around. So, how much does the midfielder put his recall down to the change to a role at the attacking tip of the diamond? "Probably all of it! Credit to the manager for changing it up. Playing in new and different positions can help and that's probably why I've been picked. Where Roy sees me playing I don't know but I'll find out when I get there. "I'm enjoying playing in the middle, so if he plays me there and I can carry on my form I've been producing at West Ham, hopefully that'll be good enough."
Now he is back in the fold, Downing is aiming to remain in the squad and stay there for a potential third major tournament at Euro 2016.
"That's the aim. First and foremost, I need to do well when I get the chance because there will be other players looking to get into that 23 and it will be difficult to stay in there. I've got to give Roy something to think about by playing well and taking my chance.
"I can play in a few positions so hopefully that will help my cause."
Now Downing has himself been called-up, he hopes his West Ham team-mates can also win international recognition for their own fine starts to the season - the likes of Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins, Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell. "I think it's a bonus for the others as they can see that players from this club will be picked and it's not just a small group of clubs from whom players are picked. "A few of our players must have been in Roy's thinking for this squad. Jenko has been picked before and is starting to hit a run of form now he has got over his injury, Mark Noble has consistently played well and Aaron has come in and done well too. James Tomkins was also very unlucky to be left out considering his form. "It should give our players confidence that they can get picked."
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West Ham's Elliot Lee injured 95 minutes into Southend United loan
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Elliot Lee has returned to his parent club after getting injured just 95 minutes into his Southend United loan spell.
The 19-year-old, son of former England player Rob Lee, tore a hamstring in his first Shrimpers training session. Southend boss Phil Brown told BBC Essex: "The paperwork was done at 9:30 on Friday morning. "We started the session at 10:30 - and at five past 11 he pulled up with a hamstring injury."
Southend boss Phil Brown : "We've mutually agreed to cancel the loan. But come January or February, it is certainly one we would revisit."
Lee has made two substitute appearances for the Hammers and scored once in four games during a loan spell at Colchester United last season. "It's a real unfortunate situation. It sometimes happens in football," said Brown. "We've had good conversations with the West Ham staff. It's just a very unfortunate situation. "It's a real bad hamstring tear. He'll be out for 10 or 12 weeks. "We've mutually agreed to cancel the loan. But come January or February, it is certainly one we would revisit."
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FA Cup: East Thurrock United travel in West Ham coach
FA CUP FIRST ROUND
Venue: Victoria Park Date: Saturday, 8 November Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
BBC.co.uk
East Thurrock United boss John Coventry hopes his players get a taste of professionalism by using West Ham's coach for their Hartlepool FA Cup trip. The Ryman Premier side are still reaping the benefits of their run to the first round three years ago. "It's a little bit of luxury - that's where some of the money is going to go," Coventry told BBC Essex. "We're trying to give our players an experience like they were a pro player just for this weekend."
Premier League side West Ham are at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, meaning the Hammers' usual coach for away trips was available to hire. South Essex side East Thurrock have only reached the first round once before, when they were beaten at home by then-League Two Macclesfield in 2011, but have benefitted from a period of financial stability provided by that run. The Rocks have secured a four-figure shirt sponsorship deal with a betting firm ahead of the trip to Victoria Park. And they have also negotiated a bit of help from a friend in the Football League. "My assistant Joe Keith is talking to Phil Parkinson at Bradford City and I think he's been kind enough to offer their training facilities, which we can use on the Friday on the way up," said Coventry. "It covers up the fact you're sitting on a coach for five or six hours."
East Thurrock currently play in Corringham but want to sell their Rookery Hill ground for housing and move to a site in Stanford Le Hope to create a sports hub, although they have faced opposition from local residents. "We've been in the Ryman Premier now for four years. The club had never stabilised at that level for that length of time before," said Coventry. "We almost got promoted two years ago but the thought of going into the Conference South at the time was quite daunting financially. "I don't think we can afford to compete at the next level. If we were to relocate, all of a sudden the picture changes."
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Haycock fired, Potts promoted
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Steve Potts is set to be confirmed as the new Development Squad manager after Nick Haycock was dismissed earlier in the day. Haycock, who joined West Ham five years ago as Under 18s coach was promoted to the Development Squad three years later. However his time at the club ended today after he departed under something of a cloud. As a result of Haycock's expulsion Potts, who made 399 appearances for West Ham in central defence between 1985 and 2001 is poised to replace Haycock. Additionally, KUMB can reveal Under 18s coach Mark Phillips is set to be confirmed as Potts' replacement as Under 18s manager. We'll have more for you on this as it happens.
mark Adam Phillips @markphillipswhu
Goodbye 2 Nick Haycock thanks mate u taught me a lot,top coach.COYI
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West Ham to face Millwall
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Batten down the hatches ... West Ham have been drawn against local rivals Millwall in the next round of the Under 21s Cup. For what will almost certainly be the last time before West Ham move to Stratford in 2016, a Millwall team will provide the opposition at the Boleyn Ground on Monday, 24 November. The two bitter rivals were paired in the next stage of the tournament after the Lions beat Colchester United in the previous stage of the competition.
Despite having been fierce opponents for the last century or so (mostly off the field of play), the two teams have only met on 26 occasions in their history at first team level. West Ham have won 10 of those meetings, Millwall five with the remaining 11 drawn. The most recent meeting, which took place in February 2012 at the Boleyn ended 2-1 in West Ham's favour, thanks to Winston Reid's second half winner.
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Lee's loan the shortest? Not quite!
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Elliot Lee's ill-fated loan at Southend lasted approximately one hour of one training session before he sustained a hamstring injury.
The 19-year-old striker is likely to be out of action for between six to eight weeks as a result of the injury sustained on his first day of training with the Shrimpers. However his loan spell was far from the shortest involving West Ham United. Back in January 2004, Alan Pardew signed Anthony Barness on a month-long loan from (Sam Allardyce's) Bolton Wanderers. Yet before he even had the chance to kick a ball with his new team mates, Barness was recalled to the Reebok Stadium as the result of an injury crisis. Speaking at the time, Bolton boss Allardyce said: "I tried all week to bring in a defender. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do that."
Former Hammer Robert Hall, now at Bolton was likewise denied the opportunity to join his new team mates when he was recalled from a 2011 loan at Oxford just 24 hours after agreeing to extend a month-loan loan spell at the Kassam Stadium, as the result of an injury crisis at the Boleyn. However the title of shortest permanent signing almost certainly belongs to Argentine defender Mauricio Taricco, who terminated his contract with West Ham by mutual consent just six days after joining the club from Tottenham in 2004. Having started the first game to be played since joining West Ham - a 1-0 defeat at Millwall - Taricco lasted just 27 minutes before pulling up with torn hamstring. He subsequently agreed for his contract to be terminated and immediately retired from professional football.
Oh won't you stay, just a little bit longer? The shortest stays
1. Anthony Barness (Bolton to West Ham, loan)
Barness was recalled 24 hours after leaving Bolton.
2. Robert Hall (West Ham to Oxford, loan)
Recalled to West Ham 24 hours after extending an existing loan agreement.
3. Elliot Lee (West Ham to Southend, loan)
Broke down less than an hour into his first training session.
4. Mauricio Taricco (Spurs to West Ham)
Played for 27 minutes before tearing a hamstring.
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Allardyce: we haven't given up on Reid yet
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admitted today that his chances of retaining the services of Winston Reid were diminishing - but insisted that the club are doing all they can to agree a new contract. The Kiwi centre half is out of contract next summer and has thus far refused all offers of a new deal. However Allardyce, who inherited Reid as part of his first team squad when joining the club in the summer of 2011 believes that all hope is not lost yet. "I haven't given up because I feel that we're progressing very nicely and that we can give Winston what he wants if he stays with us," said Allardyce. "We're building our club slowly at the moment, but our ultimate goal is to be as ambitious as we can and if we can carry on building slowly but surely we can all achieve that goal. "If Winston is impatient and sees it somewhere else, we'll have to wait and see."
Reid moved to West Ham in a £4million switch from Danish club Midtjylland in 2010, following a successful World Cup campaign during which he scored for New Zealand. Having initially struggled to hold a first team place down, following the departure of Avram Grant he became a staple in Allardyce's defence and has gone on to make 114 appearances for West Ham. In recent months he has been linked with a string of top tier clubs and despite having been offered improved terms to extend his stay, had refused to sign a new deal with West Ham. It is rumoured that Reid is seeking circa £80,000 per week; West Ham's most recent offer is said to be worth in the region of £75,000 per week.
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Carroll touch and go for Villa clash
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Andy Carroll could play a part in this weekend's match against Aston Villa, according to Sam Allardyce. The striker made his first tentative steps towards a return to competitive football yesterday when he was part of a West Ham XI that faced Southend in a specially-arranged 60-minute match at Chadwell Heath. And according to Allardyce, a decision on whether to include Carroll in this weekend's 18-man match day squad will be taken sometime tomorrow. "It depends how he feels this morning and how he trains on Friday," confirmed Allardyce, speaking to the media at this morning's pre-match press conference. "That will be the deciding factor on whether he gets into the squad or not. "If he continues the way he is, if not this weekend, then by the end of the international break he should be okay and ready to join the squad."
Allardyce also confirmed that both Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid will face late fitness tests to determine whether or not they will be fit enough to be involved. "He [Sakho] is training on Thursday for this first time, and Winston Reid will do some light training too," confirmed Big Sam. "We'll wait and see how the session goes and the final decisions will be made on Friday as to who is available for selection."
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Karren the Baron
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's vice chairman Karren Brady was inducted to the House of Lords earlier today. 45-year-old Brady, who had been vice chair at West Ham for the last four years will now be known as Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge after she was formerly confirmed as the latest member of the Conservative party to be awarded a Peerage in a swanky ceremony at the House of Lords earlier today. Accompanied by husband Paul Peschisolido and two teenage children, Brady was cheered by other peers in the Hall as she signed the Lords' code of conduct before being officially confirmed as Baroness Brady, of Knightsbridge in our city of Westminster'.
An often controversial figure at West Ham, Brady first incurred the wrath of United supporters when revoking the free season tickets previously awarded to John Lyall's wife Yvonne and son Murray due to cost-cutting measures. She later fell foul of fans when referring to the East End of being "a hotbed of racism", before being accused of spreading false information regarding impending season ticket price rises.
Last year Brady was awarded a £1.5million bonus for securing the Olympic Stadium on behalf of West Ham. The club will sell their current Boleyn Ground home in order to take a 99-year lease at the Stratford stadium in 2016. She was praised recently for standing firm on the issue of ground-sharing, when dashing Tottenham 's hopes of sharing the Olympic Stadium whilst their White Hart Lane ground is being redeveloped.
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Downing thanks Allardyce for England call-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th November 2014
By: Staff Writer
Stewart Downing has been called up to the England squad for the first time since May 2012. The in-form winger became the first Hammer to receive a call-up for the national side since Andy Carroll was included in the team that beat San Marino in October 2012, when he was named in the 26-man squad to face Scotland and Slovenia later this month. A delighted Downing told whufc.com: "If I was being honest I didn't think I'd get picked, to get picked is obviously a big thing for me. I just need to keep playing well for West Ham and hopefully I'll get a couple more caps when I get away. "The way I've been playing and performing, I thought I was in with a chance and credit to the manager because he has picked me. He has obviously been watching our games and now I just need to put a performance in and stay in the squad, really."
And the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder also had a special word of praise for current manager Sam Allardyce, who Downing believes put him back in contention for an England spot having tasked him with a new central role, in which he has excelled in recent weeks. "Credit to the manager for changing it up," said the 30-year-old. "Playing in new and different positions can help and that's probably why I've been picked. Where Roy sees me playing I don't know but I'll find out when I get there. "I'm enjoying playing in the middle, so if he plays me there and I can carry on my form I've been producing at West Ham, hopefully that'll be good enough."
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THE WONDER OF WHU
By Bianca Westwood 6 Nov 2014 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
I've got a little soft spot for that 'not-so-small-anymore' club in Staffordshire. I've done a lot of features and interviews in Stoke-on-Trent over the years. Under Tony Pulis I saw the Potters get to an FA cup final at Wembley, one goal denying them the chance of winning their first major trophy since 1972; the following season for their first foray into Europe for 40 years, I travelled with the fans to Switzerland for the win against FC Thun (with Stokies having fun at my expense forever recorded in the internet ether on a highly embarrassing YouTube video); I went to sunny Valencia with them where they were narrowly beaten at the Mestalla to end their Europa league dream and, just like the Dagenham debacle but with snow instead of rain, I got caught in a blizzard at the Britannia filming Take It Like A Fan.
Good times. Well, it's a good club. Professionally and carefully run, with a good chairman who is cautiously ambitious but with high hopes, plus it has a diehard fan base. They don't call them the 12th Man for nothing. Their move to a new stadium was the dawn of a new era for them. It kickstarted a period of steady success and development that now places them in the 'solid Premier League outfit' bracket. You never see them as relegation favourites and, considering where they've come from and how, relatively speaking, little cash they spend, it's a tremendous achievement.
A couple of seasons ago I'd have said I'd like to emulate their progress. Now I think we can do better.
It has to be said…sorry-not-sorry Stokies! I was totally 'stoked' (pun intended) that they threw away their lead last Saturday. The victory against Manchester City at Upton Park left us euphoric but for me last weekend was just as significant a moment, if not more so, in our metamorphosis. A year ago, at 2 nil down away to Stoke City we'd have crumbled quicker than you can say Why Delilah! In fact, we didn't pick up a single point from a losing position away from home last season. Times are a-changing!
I don't know whether my entire way of thinking has altered or if I just have a renewed sense of faith in this particular West Ham team but, honest to God, even after their second went in I thought to myself 'this isn't over'.
What's happened to me?? This is no typical Hammers thought process! Has this happened to you too?
Afterwards I read what David Hautzig said in his match report on here about having no hope in the second half but at the time, somehow I knew the fat lady hadn't sung. I'm not lying! I wasn't actually watching the game I was on the gantry at Charlton so that might be one reason I still believed. But no it was more than that. I was expecting some sort of comeback.
So yes times are definitely changing.
I feel like I'm boring everyone with my constant declarations of adoration for Stewart Downing this season but seriously, his pass to Valencia for our first was something to behold. Exquisite. Then he topped the point, and the day, off with a nicely taken goal of his own. Well deserved. Usually I'm the kiss of death for any player transferred into my Fantasy FC team but he hasn't let me down yet. He's still standing, and impressing. We can only hope for his sake Hodgson makes a little transfer of his own. We'll see.
So going back to my earlier point, if we continue in this vein we can not just mimic but surpass the recent achievements of Stoke City. A new stadium, a strong and consistent squad, a good cup run, hell maybe even some silverware, and how nice would a West Ham jolly-boys-outing in Europe be? We're a work in progress that got the likes of Alex Song to sit up and take notice. The 'project' was a huge part of the reason the Cameroonian decided to join and I'm hoping, with a successful mid table finish, he'll have no qualms about staying in the East End.
Now, I know you all adore a Big Sam love-in, but, after speaking to the man himself last week for Soccer Saturday I'm utterly convinced we have an intriguing and bubbling future. I openly admit I have had my doubts about him in the past. Not when he was appointed, I knew he'd be the right fit for a promotion. Yes I was disappointed we didn't end up in the automatic places, I had even booked my post-season summer holiday to Vegas early in the smug confidence we'd finish in the top two, until Reading stole a march on the Championship! But it gave you lot a good day out at Wembley, and me something to do at the hotel pool bar, whilst still hammered (pun intended) from the night before.
The rest has been discussed and discussed again. Until we're claret and blue in the face. First season back in the top flight, great. 10th, that'll do nicely. Second season, not so much a syndrome as a winter blip. We got through it. Yet we all knew, the gaffer included, that something had to give. I was annoyed with our lack of signings, I was sick of hearing people inside and outside the club bemoaning our style. The same pundits who are currently lauding over Allardyce's turnaround and asking "where are the Big Sam Out fans now?" were the same ones who were sitting smugly on their high horses week in week out last season, relentlessly analysing how dire our football was.
A treble over Spurs, although glorious, was not enough. We wanted real cup finals. And we wanted to do it The West Ham Way.
This season was make or break. And, to his credit, Sam is pulling it off. So far!
No-one could have predicted it. Least of all Allardyce himself. He told me they'd taken some calculated risks in their purchases but they didn't expect them ALL to pay off in the manner that they have. He was eager to tell me that that the signings were not the sole labours of David Sullivan, it was a team effort. He was categorical that he'd never been told to play more entertaining football. There was no such ultimatum. And he revealed that if The West Ham Way means, spirit, bravery, commitment, pride and passion for the shirt with a dash of flair thrown in, then he believes in it.
He was at pains to tell me that, although it wasn't some grand masterplan he'd concocted, there was always an intention to grow and develop the team. "Getting in the Premier League, staying in the Premier League and now getting better in the Premier League." was the primary focus, but they always had evolution in mind. It's progress. A process. It's a steady advance and now he's got the quality players to play the quality football.
I hadn't interviewed him for a long time. I'd always liked him as a man, now I remembered why I liked him as a manager. His successes over the years have been no accident. He is charismatic, brutally honest and direct (no I don't just mean in his football!) I've heard him called arrogant, he's not, he's just tremendously confident in his own ability. He's not a dinosaur, he was a pioneer of sports psychology in football, he studies every aspect of his players' performances, analyses data, knows the game inside out and is one of the best man managers there is. The players love him. Ok maybe Ra'vel isn't big on Big Sam but that's another story.
If he was a presidential candidate he'd have got my vote. I was sold. There was no smarm or spin. He cares for the club and he cares for the team. He says he doesn't have anything to prove anymore but I got the impression he'd love to take this club to new heights. The Olympic Stadium will give him the right platform. We talked of the inhabitants of the Britannia, St Mary's, the Emirates and the Etihad. All clubs that have moved home and moved up. In more ways than one.
Now all we have to do is keep the ball rolling. We have that winning feeling. The encounter with Villa is another crucial yard-stick for how far we've come. We can't afford to slip up. We have to kill them off. Sharpen our ruthless edge. Like the Hammers team that would have choked away from home at Stoke last season, we used to be the team that would choke against a club on a winless run. Instead we need to put them in a choke hold. But do it nicely…you know, The West Ham Way.
Come On You Irons!
B x
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Andy Carroll must change fearless playing style to stay injury free, claims Sam Allardyce
Nov 06, 2014 22:30 By Neil McLeman
The newly engaged England striker could return to the West Ham squad tomorrow after coming through a closed-door friendly with Southend
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce wants Andy Carroll to change his "fearless" playing style to avoid getting injured. The newly engaged England striker could return to the West Ham squad this weekend after coming through a closed-door friendly with Southend. The Hammers boss has urged the club's record signing, who has been out all season with an ankle injury, to maintain extra training to continue to build up his fitness.
But Allardyce also wants Carroll to "modify his game" to keep out of the treatment room. "I think he is so brave and fearless that I fear that some of the injuries actually come from that," he said. "He doesn't fear any situation. But sometimes he goes into those areas with no fear and it can be a little dangerous in terms of injuries. "That comes with more experience I think. He is a whole-hearted, committed player. "I cannot tell him to pull out of challenges. I think that with experience, you just know what you can win and what you definitely might not be able to win. That might steer him clear of an injury or two that might occur." Allardyce urged Carroll to also take responsibility for his conditioning. "I think Andy has got to manage himself," he said. "His big responsibility is to himself now. It is the old adage: we can lead Andy to water but we cannot make him drink." Carroll, 25, announced his engagement to former TOWIE star Billi Mucklow this week - and his boss approves. "I always think it can be very good for a footballer when they settle down more off the field," Allardyce said. "It can be a very lonely city if you are sat in your apartment on your own every single night. It is obviously going to encourage you to go out and maybe, maybe stay out that little bit too late. But I think this can only be good for Andy and his football."
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West Ham could lose rising academy star Reece Oxford at the end of the season
Nov 05, 2014 22:30 By Darren Lewis
The highly-rated centre half is keen to stay at Upton Park, but talks over a professional contract between the two parties are at a stalemate
The Mirror
West Ham are set to gamble on starlet Reece Oxford leaving the club next summer with talks over a professional deal at a stalemate.
The Hammers have been in well-documented talks to keep the 6ft 3in centre-half at the club with a number of the Premier League's big clubs interested. Oxford, 16 in December, captained England's U-17s in the summer and was an unused substitute in their Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield United in September. His contract expires at the end of the season and he has so far indicated he is keen to stay at Upton Park to continue his education. Oxford, likened to Rio Ferdinand because of his ball-playing abilities, is keen to emulate the former England defender who came through the West Ham academy and broke into the first team before moving on. Agreement over elements of the new contract put to him, however, have yet to be reached with little chance of any movement. It is also understood that West Ham have high hopes for another two defensive prospects, Reece Burke and Josh Pask, both of whom have signed their first pro deals. It means the east Londoners are running the risk of Oxford being poached just as central midfielder Ben Sheaf was by Arsenal in the summer. Earlier this year West Ham supremo David Sullivan admitted to Mirror Sport he was frustrated at seeing his rising academy stars spirited away.
Sullivan said: "Its a joke that they can just come in and nick your best players for just £250,000. Our academy costs just under £4million a year to run. Up until this season you could nick a 15-year-old for about £50,000. "I think they are going to change it now and there is going to be some retrospective compensation. So you'll probably get £250,000. "If you lose someone for a few hundred thousand quid its nothing when the academy costs £4million to run."
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Mystery as Haycock leaves Hammers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham Under 21 Development manager Nick Haycock has left the club with immediate effect in mysterious circumstances. The shock news was confirmed by the reliable @EXWHUEmployee on twitter this evening and has come as a surprise to many as he was a very popular figure at the club. No reasons – official or unofficial – have been given for the departure of a coach who joined the club five years ago when he looked after the under 18s before stepping up to look after the under-21s three years later. Speculation suggests that Under 18 manager Steve Potts will step up into the U21 hot seat. Under 18 assistant manager Mark Phillips is rumoured to taking the Under 18 manager role.
Haycock was absent from the under 21 game against Norwich today which the Under 21′s lost 1-0 after going down to ten men when Lewis Page was sent off early in the match. Mystery surrounds the reasons behind Nick's departure but Terry Westley will use the opportunity to make some changes in the set-up he inherited from Tony Carr
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Sullivan "anticipated" Downing call-up
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan is entirely unsurprised by Stewart Downing's England call-up But he is delighted that the man he believes is currently the best midfielder in the Premier League has been rewarded with a Three Lions return. Downing has been inspiring in the team's new diamond formation and looks all set to gain his 35th and possibly 36th caps against Slovenia and Scotland. Sullivan – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – declared: It was anticipated. His stats re assists show he's possibly the best midfielder in the PL at the moment. Stats don't lie ! All the WHU family wish him will with his new England career."
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Irons issue OS job assurances
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on November 6, 2014 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are understood to have come to an arrangement with the London Legacy Development Corporation that all their employees will receive job interviews when the club moves from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium. We reported last night that the stadium operator – strongly fancied to be French firm Vinci – will become responsible for virtually every area of operation at the OS. And it is they who are set to employ staff to fill jobsin stewarding, security, maintenance, catering roles and other areas of operation. That had led to fears of possible job losses among the present part time and possibly full time staff but we have learned that absolutely every employee will get an interview. We were told by a highly placed Boleyn source source: "There have been talks with the LLDC and the aim has always been to take our people with us – they will all get interviews if they want one. "Given the size and scope of the new operation we would imagine there will be even more jobs available. We would hope to work with the stadium operator on these issues."
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